life at warp speed

Where did this month go?
I can hardly believe that it is the end of September?
We are 1/4 done with the school year.
another 9 weeks and we will be on christmas break--
In one month we will be at my daughters
final highschool state meet.
I have drafts that i have yet to finish in my
September file--
My mom will be home this coming month
which mean i need to get busy,
finish projects and clean

These next few months are going to be busy
FUN FILLED
crazy times.
We have our annual Mexico trip
City,Regional and State swim meets
Homecomings,Birthdays
ELECTIONS
then wrestling starts
thanksgiving
christmans and our anniversary
and then the NEW YEAR!

Time just keeps moving at warp speed--


I was thinking about how disjointedly time seemed to flow,
passing in a blur at times,
with single images standing out more clearly than others.
And then, at other times,
every second was significant,
etched in my mind.
Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, 2005

A debate

Is it "vain"
that i took pictures of me changing a tire?
Inquiring minds want to know--
or at least i do.
Dear hubby says it is--
I say i was documenting my life
I thought it was funny--
not going for the sympathy vote--
I am even smiling--
What else is a girl to do
when she can't get a hold of anyone
has a camera
and a task she would rather not be doing--
Why, take a picture of course.....

Next question to everyone--
do you all know what
"the freshman 15" means?
I threw this statement out at my husband tonight--
I was wondering if my daughter was swimming next year
if she would fall victim to this plague--
He had NO idea what i was talking about--
You girls know what i mean--
Don't you?
Please let me know that i am not alone in this trivial knowledge.

Good night,
and thank you for your support.

Capable of making a change

I am a very capable person--
I can do many things--
but over the years
I have decided that there are things
that even though
i can do them--
i would rather not.
What it really boils down to
is that if i HAD to do something
I could manage.
And although i choose to plead ignorance
when it comes to vehicle things
I am capable--
GOSH DARN---
Sometimes i just hate being capable

Just yesterday i was saying
that unless you can change something
you can't complain about it.
So does this mean it is OK for me to complain about my little car?
I mean just today i did
CHANGE
the tire on that thing.

(OK how funny are these pictures--i happened to have my camera in the car and why not document my life--
the good...
the bad
and the ugly......)
Let me start by saying--
I love my car--
Not like LOVE-LOVE
but just love.
It is by no means fancy--
far from it--
If you consider door handles
and knobs and such
fancy
then this will definitely NOT qualify as fancy.
And then we won't even talk about the paint job
or the upholstery that is in such sad shape.
But i love the fact that it is paid for
that it gets me from point A to point B
relatively cheap.
I also love that it is light enough for me to push start
on those days that i have too--
I also love that I could change the tire--
when i had too--
15 minutes from start to finish
and the majority of the time was getting the stuff out of my trunk
so i could get the tire out.

I am also thankful that it was not like
150 million degrees outside today--
and i barely broke out in a sweat accomplishing this task.
Just one of life's reminders
of the many things i am capable of--
LUCKY ME!

Waiting

HMMMM--what to write about
Today started early
I am currently sitting
WAITING
which is what you do in a
waiting room.
It is funny how others wait--
no-one acknowledging anyone else
all in our own little waiting worlds.
When the door opens
we all turn and see
if we are the lucky one to get called up
like we are winning a prize
that we are the lucky one
to be done with the waiting
and get to retrieve our loved one--
or wait again as the case may be-
wait for the doctor
to tell us all is well
(me, crossing my fingers that that is the case)

One thing i have noticed is peoples
patience levels
VARIES immensely!
A woman sat next to me
and the vibes she was sending out
were enough to poison the room
just those snide remarks under her breath
complaining--griping--
and she wasn't even the person going in for the procedure--
she was the waiter--
As far as i am concerned it is too early in the day
to gripe that much--
How many things could have gone wrong already?

Actually have you ever noticed
that you can be having a perfectly good day
and it only takes one person
and their foul mood
to alter your day--
change your mood.
I have had a day like that recently
where early on
someone elses ranting
could have ruined my day
and it was early.
I let it fester for a time
and then i had to let it go--
why was i going to let someone elses
(someone else i didn't even know)
mood ruin my day?

So here it is
plain and simple
Life is too short to constantly be complaining--
we can determine how we want our day to go--
we can't change those around us--
but we can change us--

"If you don't like something change it.

If you can't change it,

change your attitude.

Don't complain."

----

Maya Angelou

Here is to a good (but busy) week--
I will try to limit my complaining!

P.S. I was the lucky one called up--
My moment of waiting is over--
saw the doctor and all is well
Nothing to complain about.

dwell on the good

What is the price you are willing to pay
to stay cool?
Can you really put a price on it?
I mean when you are hot
really HOT
aren't you willing to do or pay whatever it takes
to be COOL?
AC is one of those "priceless" bills.
We pay it
and try not to think about what it really costs us
to live in this state in the HOT months
We look forward to winter
when the rest of the country is shelling out the dough
to stay warm--
and we won't even turn on the heat--
hopefully that will make up for the chunk
we just paid to get the AC fixed.
Man it feels good to be cool--
especially faced with the alternative--
especially since mother nature
turned up the heat on us this week.


So with this being said
I could be a glass half empty girl and gripe about
the many frustrations of the week
The house AC going out
the van AC going out
the little green cars battery going out
My cell phone going out without me--
and the ultimate injury--
our washer not working
but instead i will dwell
on the good

first and foremost---
the fact that my husband has not yelled
screamed--
gotten upset--
(did i say yelled?)
at me for another cell phone mishap.
(the loss was helped along by little man--remember that)
he even went online to order me another one!
(hopefully i will have it next week--
again I am without phone #'s)
He fixed the washer--
saving me a day waiting for the repair man.
The fact that he took care of getting the AC fixed
and casually mentioned the amount it cost to me
as if it were no big deal.
The fact that instead of letting me push start my car
for the rest of the week
He got the battery changed out
and it will start for me when i need it today!
And i do believe the van is on his proverbial list--

Things are good--
we are blessed--
even amidst lifes frustrations-

"Every moment one lives is different

from the other.

The good,

the hardship,

the joy,

the tragedy,

love and happiness

are interwoven into one single,

indescribable whole that is called

LIFE."

-----

Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Inspiration

tonight was volleyball again.

Can i say

Highlight of my week!

I was informed

that i was an inspiration.

I am not sure i want to be an inspiration.

(an inspiration with perspiration)

I am not sure how i feel about that one little bit.

I think it makes me feel old.

Should it?

Did they mean it that way--

when they said they hoped their wives could play like me

when they were my age?

I think they meant it as a compliment.?

Getting older can sometimes be a hard pill to swallow

That and the handful of Naproxin i took tonight

so my old bones

and stiff muscles

won't hate me too much in the morning.

“Believe in yourself!

Have faith in your abilities!

Without a humble but reasonable confidence

in your own powers

you cannot be successful or happy.”

-----

Norman Vincent Peale

Here is to many more years of inspiring those around me!

International eats

We all know that
i love food.
I love all sorts of different food--
I grew up eating everything and anything.
My mom had a cooking school
and our dining room was her test kitchen.
When she was developing a new class
we would get to try many different recipes
of a particular dish--looking for the best one.
On any given night we might have Borscht--
or Spanish Pie-e-a(don't know how to spell it but sound it out like it is spelt)
On those nights
we were allowed to give our opinion
as to the quality of the recipe--
So it taught me to open to anything
and i am willing to try just about anything....once--

I love the adventure of finding a new restaurant.
Trying something NEW--
stepping out of my comfort zone---
So, when a International Eats group started with the woman at church
I was IN!!!
Sisterhood and Food--what a great idea!
I was very surprised at the ladies that did come out--
some i expected, others.....not so much.
I know that for a number of the ladies
it was a REAL stretch of their comfort zone.
I have to give them credit for trying something new!

So the restaurant that we went to was an
Ethiopian Restaurant called Cafe Lailabella
I don't know about you--
but my thoughts about Ethiopia is
bloated stomachs.
When i left there that night after feasting--
I too had a bloated stomach.
I ate soooo much.
It was very yummy--
some spicy--some not so spicy.

Now as far as visual appeal went-- not so much.
This platter was supposed to be for 3 people--
we shared with 5 and still had a bunch of food left over
(this is my friend---We like to call her Hollow leg Liz)

I had to tell myself it was like pot roast--
(especially since someone said it looked like dog food)
Utensils were not an option--
everything is eaten with a sour dough crepe like bread thingie.

Someone got the idea that i knew about different restuaurants--
so i got put in charge of the group.
We are going to go to a Vietnamese Restuarant next--
If anyone has a good haunt that they really like
that is outside the comfort zone--
let me know--
I am always up for a field trip

airconditioning and cell phones

This is what was greeting me on the computer today

Wednesday day
Abundant sunshine.

Very hot.

High near 105F

Are you kidding me?
It is almost the end of September--
it is supposed to be cooling off?!
It wouldn't seem so bad
BUT....
We have a swim meet and cross country meet today--
did i mention that they are both outside?
(Not that many cross country meets are held inside--
and the odds of us swimming in an indoor pool are rather slim also)
which means we will be standing in that
ABUNDANT SUNSHINE--
in the "Very HOT"--

Did i mention

that Monday WAS the first day of Autumn?
Did i mention that our air conditioner went out--last night--
AHHHHHHHH!
Onto a happier note
(tongue in cheek)

once again--
the technology god's are plotting against me.
As much as i love to hate my cell phone
I really do miss it when it is gone--

I have decided that i need the old brick looking cell phone--

these new tiny things--that look like a pack of gum
are just asking to be lost--
NOT FOUND--
just lost!
Of course, little man helps with the whole lost thing.
Maybe i just need to hang it around my neck

Where oh where can my cell phone be?
(sing with me)
Oh where oh where can it be
It's small and black
-----OH CRUM----
I can't remember the rest of the tune--
You get the idea though.

If i can't find my phone i will be looking for a new one
I really liked this model--
It has a camera phone--music--
and is large enough NOT to get lost

frustrations and joys

Road trip to Yuma today--
all for naught.
I took two schools down
to play golf--
only when we arrived
the Yuma school informed the coach that they
had to forfeit--
WHAT?
They couldn't pick up the phone?
I realize it is a relatively new technology
with a little advanced notice it would have saved the kids
a day out of school
a long drive
not to mention the expense
of the bus?
As a taxpayer
this kind of stuff
FRUSTRATES ME
to no end!!!
As a parent
I think taking the kids out of school
to travel all day
to play a sport
in NOT NECESSARY!
I don't think i ever got out of school early
or all day
to play sports--
These kids need to be in class--
they do not need to ride in a bus
all day(missing school)
especially for a FORFEIT-

I will now get off my soapbox.....

Just another thought on a happier note.

As i was driving i was talking with one of the coaches
about his son and my kids.
He made the comment that he couldn't image
having more than one child--
And i couldn't imagine
what life must be like only having ONE?
He asked if my kids got along---
I told him YES---
It is one of those things

that gives me great JOY as a mom.

I love to see my kids together--

It warms my heart--

It makes having more than one
WORTH IT!

hoop jumping

Having a child with special needs
has taught me many things--
PATIENCE being first and for most
(I am still working on that)
That even though things are "Normal"
that doesn't mean everything is Normal.
It has taught me that doctors don't know everything
and that some teachers think they do.
It has taught me that nothing is as easy as it should be
and you have TEAMS of people who like to meet
to talk about your child.
It has taught me that people like labels
so they can figure out where you fit
and how they should treat you.
And it has taught me that labels HURT!
But more than anything else
it has taught me the fine art of
HOOP JUMPING!

Hoop jumping you say?

Why YES!
I should be a professional by now--
and yet sadly i am not.
I had thought about joining a hoop jumping team
but then i realized it was HOOP DANCING--
and we all know i have two left feet.
Dancing and jumping are very different things.
Dancing fun---
jumping not so much with a weak bladder--
(but that is another story)


There are many different kinds of hoops
that i have learned to jump though....
The government has their set of hoops
which can be scary if you don't jump just right and fast enough.
And then there are the hoops that the school has imposed
and shall i mention those insurance hoops?--
sometimes they can be rings of fire--
All this jumping is enough to make anyone tired--
and frustrated!
Hoop jumping can and most times is
a SLOW process--
a very slow process.
That often involves
TEAMS of people
and lots
and lots
and lots of
PAPERWORK.

Now here is the problem with
HOOP JUMPING
often you don't know all the hoops
that you need to jump through,
and you need others to show you where they are.
Sometimes your hoop jumping involves others
doing the jumping---
and maybe they are not as proficient at it as you are.
And more than anything else
HOOP JUMPING
requires much patience.
(did i mention that i am working on that whole patience thing)

We have been jumping through hoops
for atleast a year now--
trying to get my son an AUG COM
(stands for augmentative communication device)
since his ability to communicate is limited
it would be most helpful.
Seems straight forward enough--
kid doesn't talk--
needs an alternative way to communicate--
simple enough for me--
and yet......
(this is where the patience and the hoop jumping come in)

So we were getting close
to having all the ducks in a row
most of the hoop jumping was done--
one final hoop left
and then we would move on to bigger hoops--
(that is a sign of progress--I think?)
DID I MENTION THAT THIS HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS?
(Did i mention I am working on that patience thing?--maybe i have...)

I had seen all of the file regarding this AUG COM
and knew that we were getting close--
only to get a new case manager
who couldn't find the information or the file.
I was like a balloon that had been popped--
instantly deflated...
All of this work for naught...
all that time a hoop jumping
just to have to start over.

The thought of having to start over
was enough to make me sick...
I felt defeated,
but started making calls
to get the process rolling again
and much to my amazement
I got this call out of the blue
regarding this the other day....

I about jumped out of my skin
I was so excited
THRILLED
that this is actually going to happen.
That finally my hoop jumping is getting me somewhere...
And the best news yet is that the meeting will take place this week.
One TEAM will meet with the other TEAM
and i will be there as the umpire
to make sure everyone plays fair
and that the rules are kept.

Actually i will even get a say in this--
only because i have been such a good hoop jumper.
Wish us luck!

wisdom and fortune cookies

Sometimes you find wisdom
in everyday things.
Maybe it is someones passing comment
or wisdom written on a blog--
or a scripture reaches out and touches you.
Things that make you THINK....


Today's wisdom was found in a
FORTUNE COOKIE.
I picked up lunch from Panda
and at the end of my meal
I cracked open my cookie
(I would insert a picture here if i had one--but i don't--
so use your imagination)

My fortune was simple--
Yet deep--as most fortunes are..
Simply stated it said......
FOLLOW YOUR BELIEFS
there you have it----
Made all the choices easier this week--
I mean if it is in a fortune cookie
it must be true--RIGHT?

It was written just for me....
I am thinking about trying out those lucky numbers
just for the fun of it....
BUT
I don't really believe in gambling
so i guess that would not be
following my beliefs--

MAN LIFE IS CONFUSING.....

Make a difference for the Armstrongs

I am only one,

but I am one.

I cannot do everything,

but I can do something.

And I will not let what I cannot do

interfere with what I can do.

~Edward Everett Hale

I am but a small blog--
read by a few-
written mostly to entertain me
and to give me a place to record my life.

I started reading blogs in the fall last year
after i heard about the Armstrong Family-
I was hooked--
i was amazed at the strength of this family
to get up each day
and deal with the adversity they had been given.
It made me appreciate my life
to value each day
It has made me a better person
and through all of this
I have gained a dear friend in LYNN.
She is AMAZING!
She has been carrying this family
through it's trials---
They have been blessed with people
who love them...
BUT......
they are in need of a home
that can accommodate Tracy
and his new circumstances.
Currently he is living in the garage
that was made over by dear friends and loved ones
but he cannot get into the rest of the house--
to be united as a family.

If you have a moment
pop on over to their blog
see the kind of family they are for yourself
and then take the time to send a note to
Extreme Home Makeover

Remember the squeaky wheel
gets the grease.
One person can make a difference.....

We can do no great things,

only small things with great love.

~Mother Teresa

I need a favor from everyone.
Luckily someone at Extreme Home Makeover has received one of the applications submitted for The Armstrong Family. I know many people have submitted their name, but I truly believe it is about getting the application into the right hands at the right time. One of the casting directors from Extreme Home Makeover has contacted Lynn for more information. Here is my plea to you . . .
let's flood their email with requests
for the Armstrong Family.
You can go to the EXTREME HOME MAKEOVER website
and submit their name
or send an email to Jada Bates at Jada.bates@emhe.tv .
Put LYNN & TRACY ARMSTRONG FAMILY in your subject line and email away.
Let's get Lynn and Tracy
a new house where they can live
as a family again.

And if you feel so inclined add this to your blog--we can all reach out to others and perhaps make a difference in the process!

making decisions

Making Decisions
"In my quiet moments,
I think of the future
with all of its wonderful possibilities
and with all of its terrible temptations.
I wonder
what will happen to you in the next 10 years.
Where will you be?
What will you be doing?
That will depend on the choices you make,
some of which may seem unimportant at the time
but which will have tremendous consequences.
"Someone has said,
'It may make a difference to all eternity
whether we do right or wrong today'
-----
James Freeman Clarke,
in Elbert Hubbard's Scrap Book [1923],

"You have the potential
to become anything to which you set your mind.
You have a mind and a body and a spirit.
With these three working together,
you can walk the high road
that leads to achievement and happiness.
But this will require effort and sacrifice and faith."
-----
Gordon B. Hinckley,
"Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-13

selling your soul for extra credit

Last night my son had me sign my name
to a number of papers
One of the papers was a permission slip
to watch a movie for extra credit.
This child needs the extra credit in this class--
I mean he really needs the extra credit.
Spanish is not his best class--
and i was thrilled that he could earn some extra points
to raise up his grade.
I mean how hard is it to watch a movie?
I read the description of the movie--
and then i felt the need
to go on-line and read more about it.
In my research I found that this movie was rated R.
I read the parental reviews
and even they were not sure as to why it was rated R.
My hubby called and spoke to the teacher
and she said that she had the administrations approval
to show the movie--
and that most of the foreign language movies
are rated R.
Once my son found out it was rated R he just assumed
that he wouldn't see it.
He was fine with that--
why am i struggling with it?
I guess it comes down to that whole GREY area--
He could really use those extra points
to raise his grade--
but is that what you sell out your moral beliefs for-
a few extra points?
And then do you base viewing movies on other peoples opinion?
I mean people rated the movie R for a reason--
and we have just gone with the hard and fast rule
of no R rated movies.

I used to watch R movies--
I will say that one of my most favorite movies IS rated R.
It is a story of eternal hope--
and friendship--
BUT....
it does take place in a prison--
and things aren't always sunshine and flowers in prison.

This movie in question for my son
is a scary movie--
darkness abounds--
death--
It looks like an interesting scary movie
(if you like those kind of things)
It won all kinds of awards
But I keep going back to that slippery slope--
that once you get on it--
is hard to get off.
You can just about justify ANYTHING.
Satan is counting on that--
He wants us in the GREY area--
because that brings us that much closer to darkness.
We need to avoid those things
that can take away our light--
even if it means
NO EXTRA CREDIT.
Hopefully he will be blessed for his choices!

Speech in the swimming pool

A few months back
I started taking little man
to his SLP's house for Speech.
Specifically so he could swim with her.
He has loved it
He has looked forward to it each week

Even though it is still warm during the days
it is cooling off at night
which means the pool is cooling off--
it is starting to NOT feel like that great of an idea these days.

This little boy has looked forward to this each week
with great anticipation.
He loves the time in the pool
He will find his swim diaper at the house
and start begging me to take him swimming.

This in not your normal speech therapy
but i have seen such improvement since he has been doing it.
Just forming your mouth to blow bubbles--
(Kathy has gotten really good at it)

and so has Little man

Breath control--important in language
and then we get random words as he is playing

but more important that anything else
is the relationship that he has with her
He loves Kathy--loves seeing her each week.

She is like a family member
with all of our family--
I mean would a stuffy normal SLP put up with this?

Primary program

I am probably one of the few people
who really does not enjoy
Primary Sunday.

This is the one Sunday a year
that the young children have our undivided attention
they control the mike
and proceed to teach us
the simple truths of the gospel
through mumbling,
loud talking
and music.

I am here to say
Today--was different!
I was touched!
It brought tears to my eyes.


For many years the primary program
filled my family with turmoil--
my children would have speaking parts
simple lines or maybe even a 5 minute talk.


For one child she would cry
and almost become physically sick
with the idea of having to get up in front of the congregation.
We would cajole,coax and persuade
and when that didn't work we would threaten.
We even resorted to bribery.
It ended up costing us alot....


I had one who loved to sing loud
and off key--and he always seemed to be close to the mike
as to make sure that EVERYONE heard him
some things have not changed--
well maybe the loud part has.


And it seemed that no matter how hard we tried
to have them memorize their small parts
they would forget it
or perhaps speed talk
or mumble their way through it
to the point that even I didn't know what was said.


This year I was approached to have our entire family sing
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I looked at this friend and said
"Have you heard our family sing?"
(Didn't she want the spirit there?)
We are good at many things
but singing is NOT one of them.
We have been known to apologize to those around us
for our singing in the past...
But she said she didn't care--

I presented it to my family one night
You should have heard the laughter--
There was no convincing them to participate--
Even second son suggested that they have the program
AFTER
his birthday in November
so he wouldn't have to participate.
(no such luck)


When it came time for the kids to go up today
my little one wanted nothing to do with it
(big surprise?!)
His sweet teacher came by
picked him up
and he snuggled into her safe arms.
This non-verbal child was also given a speaking part
(they wanted him to feel included)
but he decided to just sit reverently instead.
He should have been the
REVERENCE POSTER CHILD.
Next year I am going to suggest that--


So why did I enjoy the program this year?
What was the difference--
Maybe it was the fact that the majority of my children
were sitting beside me.

Maybe because the theme was such a simple truth
"I am a child of God"
It is good to be reminded at any age
that we are all God's children

but more than anything else
it was one song that touched me....


"If the Savior stood beside me,
would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments,
and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example?
Would I live more righteously
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me,
would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind
if He was never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel?
Would I speak more rev’rently
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?


He is always near me,
though I do not see Him there,
And because He loves me dearly,
I am in His watchful care.
So I’ll be the kind of person
that I know I’d like to be
if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me.


Simple truths
taught to us by the lords chosen.

Giving me something to think about....

Clean Hands

Since my son has turned 16
i have had the blessing
of hearing him bless the sacrament.

It has really made me think
about the hands that prepare the sacrament
and this sacred ordinance
that we have these young boys do for us.

The term
"clean hands"
has really been on my mind.
Have they washed their hands?
Did my son clip his nails?
But more important than the physical cleanliness
of their hands
is the spiritual cleanliness of those hands.
Are they living their lives
and doing those things
that leave them with
Clean Hands?

Years ago--
I had a dear friend
who came from a good family
who were trying their best
to help their kids
live on the straight and narrow path.
This friend of mine
used his free agency
and made many choices
that were not good--
and did not bring him happiness.

During this time
before his choices were out in the open
he stopped blessing the sacrament.
Later on he told me
that he had such a respect for the priesthood
and the sacredness of his job
that he did not want his
Unclean hands
to perform this sacred duty.
I respected him for his decision
for the respect he held for his priesthood
For the fact he had a conscience
when it came to his priesthood duties.

It is a honor and a blessing
that my son has been given--
i only hope that he continues to realize it.
And that he continues to live his life in such a manner
that he can come to that sacrament table each week
with a clear conscience
for the things he is doing and saying.
And that when he blesses the sacrament
it will be always be with
clean hands and a pure heart.
Psalms 24:4

follow up to a birthday mishap

It is Sunday
the day of rest
and I have been.
I have been dragging tail this week--
that whole get up early thing has done me in.

A few weeks ago
I might have mentioned
just in passing
and ever so casually
an event that took place on a Sunday
that I managed to miss
due to an error....

I need to say
that my dear hubby
has apologized MANY times
and I did receive
(the next day)
a thank you note from our dear Bishop.

THANK YOU note you say?
Yes, a thank you note.
To boot it was a black thank you note
and it made me laugh.

It said
Thank you--
for not YELLING at me,
Having me killed
(Since murder is against that law--
I quickly dismissed that one--
plus that would leave the calling of bishop open--
and I would prefer he continued to have that calling--)
and naming me on your blog
(He said this would be OK)
as the other thoughtless male in the room.

He then went on to say
that he shared this experience with the other bishops
to be used as a learning tool
and that in the future
before any ordination is done
he will ask
"Where is this boy's mother?

Don't you just love:
when we can be the object of a lesson?
That we can learn from our mistakes
for the benefit of others?
That we have bishops
who are just doing the best they know how
and are not perfect--
that are human
and make mistakes just like the rest of us?

His note made me laugh
it brought a smile to my face--
and I know it was not done on purpose--
just a "humanly" oversight

So often we expect other people to be perfect
to do and say the perfect things--
but we are no more perfect than they are
and we need to be willing to look at that--
grow from that
and more importantly
LEARN from mistakes.
Ours as well as others.
The important thing is that we do LEARN--
that we continue to move in the right direction--
and when we make a mistake
to acknowledge it
apologize
and move on--
Life's lessons are not always easy.....

The women

I love the fact that we have birthdays.
It gives my girlfriends a reason
to get together and enjoy each others company.
It is sad that we are all so busy
that we have to have a birthday
as an excuse to get together--
but it is
and we do.

Tonight we were celebrating the
September birthdays--
We went and saw "The Girlfriends"
with my girlfriends.
That was the best part of the movie--
just the fact that we were all together.

Not necessarily a movie i would recommend
It had its moments that were entertaining
and I couldn't get over the way
Meg Ryan looked--
so cute, still!
It was actually a sad subject matter
Meg's character finds out her husband has been cheating
after her father loses faith in her
and fires her from the family business
and then her friend sells her out...
It made me feel bad
for those that really have to deal with these problems.
Then there was the token lesbian--
once again they want us to accept this lifestyle as the NORM.
Kinda creeps me out.
Also there was not a single MALE in the whole movie--
I felt like was watching a episode of the twilight zone--
And I hate to say it but....
Bette Midler looked like a man in drag--
not a flattering hair style on her.

I heard the movie from 1939 was much better
which wouldn't be hard....

After ward we went to dinner
and laughed and cried--
I am the only one
that is not dealing with a parent with cancer.
I am OK being left out of that club...
but it makes me sad for the struggles
my friends are going through.

Tonight I am thankful for
My girlfriends and the chance we have to get together--
no matter what excuse is needed--i know i can count on them!

Drop everything and become a HERO

So last night i was writing on my blog--
getting ready for bed--
winding down for the day--
and all of a sudden my cell phone rang--

I thought about disregarding it
but used my better judgement and picked it up--


So instead of finishing my entry--
I threw my clothes back on
and ran out the door--

The phone call was from another driver
I had left him my phone number that day
in hopes of switching trips with him the next day.
It was a good thing i had left the note--
as his bus had broken down
outside of Gila Bend
and he had 47 kids and adults
that he needed to get home.
He had tried to call our bosses
with no luck--
So at that point
he gave me a ring
and being the kind soul
and thinking
"what would I do if I were in the same situation"
left me no choice---
I would spend the next 3 hours
driving in a circle
to get everyone home.

I called my boss
and left a message--
just so they would know....
I decided that I was going with my OLD faithful bus--
(while i have been given a new BUS this year
I am having my doubts about its dependability
until all the bugs are worked out)
I was off--
Before i got onto the freeway
my boss called me--
I pulled over
(not allowed to drive the bus and chat on the phone)
and we had a brief conversation
and he told me not to worry about coming in in the morning--
(I have been helping out with a route at 5:30 each morning)

Now I really was off--
speeding through the night
on a mission of mercy--
It was weird being in on bus ALL by myself
on these really dark roads--
I thought about what would happen if I broke down--
I would really be stuck--
since the area I was in was cell phone impaired--
I got to sing as loud as I wanted
without offending any one--
It is amazing the things you do to keep yourself occupied...
As I was pulling into Gila Bend
My phone rang--
it was the other driver
wondering how far out I was--
At that point
I debated stopping for a Coke--
But didn't--
I figured they didn't need to wait any longer--
and when i finally would arrive home
I didn't want to be wide awake
from drinking so late.

I continued on
arriving an hour and a half
after he had called me.
The kids were so happy
they were thanking me for picking them up
(I knew some of the kids from swimming with my daughter--
I thought about their parents and how i would have felt
if it was my child stuck in the middle of no where in the middle of the night)
We got everyone loaded up
turned around
and we were off--
rather uneventful drive.
I finished driving at one in the morning--
grateful for the fact that i didn't have to get up at five
feeling good that i had done a good deed.
Sleeping in didn't really happen--
the alarm went off at five
and my husband proceeded to tell me to get up--
and wasn't so happy when i told him i didn't have too--
"why didn't i tell him that earlier"--
when would i have--
at one in the morning?---Oh well....

The next morning
at 5:30 a.m. I was
retelling this story to the girl i have been riding with
She was so impressed
that i had dropped everything and had gone out to "save" that group
She said "Your like a HERO"
It made me feel pretty good---
kinda made me want to pat myself on the back
and stick my chest out.
I was thinking
"Yeah---I was a HERO"
Feeling soooooo impressed with myself
that i had made a difference
that i could do no wrong--
As she was stepped out of the bus for a minute
She threw this statement out
(mind you it immediately followed the HERO statement)
"By the way--your shirt is inside out"
Ego was immediately deflated
I was brought back down to earth
HUMBLED......
Even HERO's have their OFF days.......
(and remember it was 5:30 in the morning--
not all hero's are morning people.....)

life interfers with blogging

As my blog states

LIFE HAPPENS--

much to the demise of my blog.

It's not that i don't have anything to write about

OH contraire--

I have too much to write about

things happening...

events...

LIFE!

And then i feel the need to check up on all of you

and i am easily distracted

and forget what i was going to write about

And then the time gets away from me

and i remember i have to get up at 5AM

And i remember that i really don't do mornings

at least not that well...

especially not on little sleep.

(Do you see how i ramble on when the sleep is lacking?)

So i throw my blog entry in the draft file

and close up for the night

thinking i will get to it in the morning

and we see how well that has happened...

NOT!

So be prepared

one of these days

entries will be popping up

and if i get my camera fixed

maybe even pictures.

One can hope...

to be continued.....

Today i am grateful for:

the chance to learn new things--

like how to make my own yogurt and grow wheat grass

probably things that i will never use--

but they are now filed in my brain for another day.....

little man turns 7

As hard as it is to believe
my baby turned seven today?!

Where has the time gone?

Yes,he is seven in chronological age
but he is not seven really--

He is far from being a "normal" seven year old.

in these last seven
he has blessed our family--

He has taught us patience,

unconditional love

This child knows no stranger--
only people he has yet to meet.

He continues to develop
and progress.

He has taught us to have faith
that things will work out

He has made us stop to appreciate
those small things we take for granted

He makes us better people
just by being him.

He might only be seven
but he continues to teach us daily
of the things that really matter most.....

We all love you little man......
XOXOXO

Arizonans test of Faith

To rain or not to rain
that is the question?


Supposedly the monsoon season is supposed to be over.
And yet we have been having clouds
along with random drops
falling from the sky--
usually not enough to actually count--
but just enough to make your car
a mess.

And then the humidity.....
I know I am not the only Arizonan
that is wanting summer to be over.
It has been fun--
but enough already....


We are no different than other parts of the country
that endure the long winter weather--
(only we don't have to shovel sunshine.)

But there comes a point where you begin to go stir crazy.
You begin to wonder if you will ever be able to turn off your A.C.
you wonder if you will ever be able to wear socks again--
or even long sleeve shirts.

Or how about leaving a door open--
or getting fresh air through a window.
It is a test of our FAITH
to believe that it will eventually cool down.

It has still been dark when i have gotten up this week--
I think that is a sign that winter is coming?
I wouldn't exactly call it cool--yet
but it is cooler--
which means that not as HOT for as LONG
these days--

At this point in the year
my mantra is this
Winter is coming.....
winter is coming....
it is cooling down....
I figure if i say it often enough
it will eventually come true.

Isn't that what FAITH is
believing in things unseen?
And if you have lived in AZ you know that
we have not seen (felt) the cool for awhile....

I am ready...
I am waiting....
I will continue to practice FAITH--
in the hopes that it will pay off
and will eventually cool off.

I am giving up for the day--
daughters melt down
sons attitude
and a cranky camera
along with computer issues
has done me in.
Tomorrow is another day
and hopefully i can get things to work
the way i want them to.
But for now--
I shall call it a day--
This week the mornings are coming early-
especially early for me--
I DO NOT like getting up when it is still
DARK---
wish me luck!


This weekend we were asked to start a
gratitude journal of sorts
we have to find ONE thing that was GOOD
about the day--
sounds easy enough--
I can do that
Right?
It does not have to be anything earth shattering
maybe its just the simple things
we need to appreciate

So here it is:

Today i am grateful for
a little boy learning to swim--blowing bubbles
and sticking his whole face in the water--
and a wonderful SLP who works with him to do it--
(I will post pictures later--
when my camera decides to co-operate)

Birthdays and Break the Fast

My baby has never had actual birthday party--
We have celebrated his birthday
and had cake and such with the family--
but never a party with his little friends.
He doesn't know he is missing out--
at least i don't think he does....
I mean he has never mentioned it to me?
(Maybe being non-verbal could be part of the reason)

This year I felt some guilt about this
Not enough to have a real party for him--
with invitations and such--
but i figured we could kill two birds with one stone.

We were already scheduled to have break the fast at our house
and it was only a few days before little mans birthday.
We already had a pinata'
So i bought some candy and a birthday cake-
We sang happy birthday--

he blew out the candles
and then him and all the kids that were here
went out front
and took a whack at the pinata'



Kids,
Cake and Candy.....
Seems like a party to me--

There are those that say

"When you give service--

you get more out of it than you give"

How true is that statement?

I had a great weekend.

I got to meet some really nice ladies

from all over the world,

hang out with my best friend

and have my creativity inspired.

I was inspired to be a better person,

to look for the good in my life,

and to count my blessings.

And all of that happened while i was volunteering.

I did get "stuff" as well

and that was really cool--

but in the big scheme of things

it was the lives i touched

and those that touched me

that really made my weekend.

"Stuff" is nice--

but it is those relationships you forge

and the things you learn

that will be with you forever--

I am so LUCKY that i had this opportunity

and the best part was that it was FREE for me.

Yes, I was a volunteer and i paid for my experience in service--

but i think that was why I enjoyed it all the more.

The best way to find yourself

is to lose yourself in the service of others."

- Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

Adult decisions

Growing up is scary.
Making adult decisions is hard--
especially when you are new at being an adult.
We ask alot of our high school seniors
to know what they want to do the rest of their lives--
to know where they want to go to school.
And all of these choices are based on what?

I understand my daughters hesitation
in wanting to make these choices--
the idea of leaving home
and all you have ever known
can be quite daunting.
She has been dragging her feet--
she is the first born--
and i have not been entirely ready to push her out just yet--
I want her to be ready
I want her to make her own choice
to own it--
Not have it be mine or her dad's decision.
It is hard to sit back watch--
and wait,
and wait,
and wait--
but tonight we saw some action,
some initiative
some desire.
So with some encouragement and help
letters were sent out to various schools
with swimming programs.
We will see what happens--
at least it is a step in the right direction
at least it will give her some choices
something to think about--
and if there is someone willing to pay her
to use her talent
we definitely are in favor of that.
So once again we get to
WAIT.
Only this time the ball is in someone elses court.

I voted

Today was the primary elections--
and at 2 minutes to 7 i snuck in under the wire
to make my voice heard.
to make my vote count.
This was NOT an easy task--
trying to find the proper place to cast my vote
was a real headache.
Could it have been any of the three places
that are close to my house--
and that have been used previously?
The answer to that is a
BIG fat NO!
Let's hide the polling place--
tuck it back in some obscure neighborhood
and then wonder why only 54 people turn out.
I thought i was the last voter at number 54--
as it turned out the let another woman skate in
under the wire at 7pm.
There was a question as to whether they should let her vote
but they decided they would not turn her away
since she made an effort.
As she was coming in she also was complaining of trying to find this place--
(Do you think there was a problem?)
I couldn't help but agree with her.
So lets hear it for those 55 people
who did their civic duty today--
Let it be known--
we are the only people in our precinct
who are allowed to gripe and complain
about the politicians--
because let's face it
if your not willing to take the time to at least
try to have your voice heard--
to make a difference through the voting system--
I say to you
why should your opinion matter otherwise?

If you have no will to change it,
you have no right to criticize it.
~Author Unknown

Awkward conversations

Our children are growing up--
and with that comes questions--
awkward questions for us and them.
Only when they ask the question--
they do not realize that it is awkward.

Take the word
circumcision--
while it is contained in the scriptures
it is not normally dinner time conversation--
that is until someone asks--
(try working that word into your next conversation)
I don't even remember where the conversation started--
but it left my daughters running away
with their hands over their ears.
The poor son that asked--
even he was embarrassed--
and left wincing at the thought.

I tried to redeem the dinner conversation
by explaining that was how they were able
to tell the Jews from the non-Jews
years ago.
Somehow it did help--
sorta

One thing for sure--
our children can never deny
that we were not open and honest with them
Much to their chagrin
if a question is asked--
it is answered.