Kate and I have had many discussions lately about the women who have gone before us. We have both read quite a few books that focus on historical situations where women are the main characters. I recently enjoyed the books These Is My Words and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.
These Is My Words is about Sarah Prine who settled in the Arizona Territories in the late 1800's. It's a realistic view of every little detail that women faced at that time. Sarah, who is loosely based on the author's great-grandmother, is a hero to me. Some situations were too much to bear, as of course, I'd imagine my own reactions to each trial she faced. I don't know how she survived, even without the wild confrontations of floods, fire, rattlesnakes, death and rogue bandits.
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan took place in 19th century China. Again, it's a realistic view of every little detail that women faced at that time. I had never heard of Chinese footbinding which is introduced in the first chapter of the book. I had never been educated on Chinese culture for women at that time - at all! This book was engaging, a major page turner for me. I felt detached from the characters, only because I couldn't relate to their lives at all. The freedoms I enjoy as a women in the United States, even if I were born in the 19th century far surpassed the freedoms those women were entitled to. Rank is seemingly all that mattered and being born female is basically a cursed life from the start. I found respect for a race of women I never knew before. Their discipline and life long training to serve their husbands and their husband's family was humbling.
Prior to these two books, I read The Book Theif which took place in Nazi Germany. Another book that taught me things I never knew. This book was from the perspective of the non-Jewish Germans who had much compassion for their Jewish neighbors (who were, as we know, persecuted so unceasingly, to death). An amazing tale about a little orphan girl named Liesel.
My point of this post is to, 1) encourage you to read the first two books listed here and, 2) encourage you to read THIS POST over on Kate's blog. When I read it, I was again humbled by the men and women who went before us.
My personal thanks to all of you modern day pioneer women! You teach me so much and I appreciate your friendship.
Lasagna Warning
Do not leave lasagna in the crock pot for more than 2 or 3 hours. Mushy gross pasta! It was in there for almost 6 hours, so after we choked down our portions, the rest was trashed. A lot of potential yummy goodness, in the trash. I am so disappointed.
Another productive day
I find, that when I get a real meal on the table before 6:30pm, it's a good day. I love when I can plan a meal and not come home from work at 5:30 and be like, "Hmmm what do we have square-meal worthy around here?" Such a pain thinking of dinners.
Ian is so much more creative than I am, but he runs dry on ideas too. Last week he bought a huge $15 beef brisket. We cut it in half and cooked each piece separately in the crock pot (one piece all day and the other piece all night). That was the smartest idea on the planet! We had meals all week long! Tacos/burritos, stew and sloppy joes. We could have had shepherd's pie or french dip sandwiches, but the previously mentioned meals were what we had the supplies for. Such yummy meat!
Last Thursday night I went grocery shopping with a prayer in my heart that I could spend wisely and logically. I studied a cookbook to make up my grocery list before I left. I went to the store and even remembered items that I hadn't written down. I was so proud of myself that night! After putting all the groceries away, I made a list of all the meals I had in mind and put it on the fridge. (To insure I would use all the stuff I had bought and now hidden out of sight. Don't you hate how much food you waste each month because you forgot you had it?)
Here is the list of all the meals I have planned for the coming week or so:
Crock Pot Lasagna
Pulled pork sandwiches
Chili
Polynesian Chicken, steamed veggies
Apple Smoked Pork Chops & Baked Sweet Potatoes w/ apples
Breakfast Casserole
Augratin Potatoes w/ Kielbasa Sausage & steamed veggies
Garlic Pork Roast, potatoes and steamed mixed veggies
Cream Cheese/Ranch Chicken and Noodles
All will make great leftovers. We love it when we can take a home cooked meal to work the next day! I am so excited about the lasagne tomorrow. I've got it all ready to assemble for the crock pot tomorrow morning! Let's hope the noodles fair well on a 5 hour setting instead of 2 hours.
Ian is so much more creative than I am, but he runs dry on ideas too. Last week he bought a huge $15 beef brisket. We cut it in half and cooked each piece separately in the crock pot (one piece all day and the other piece all night). That was the smartest idea on the planet! We had meals all week long! Tacos/burritos, stew and sloppy joes. We could have had shepherd's pie or french dip sandwiches, but the previously mentioned meals were what we had the supplies for. Such yummy meat!
Last Thursday night I went grocery shopping with a prayer in my heart that I could spend wisely and logically. I studied a cookbook to make up my grocery list before I left. I went to the store and even remembered items that I hadn't written down. I was so proud of myself that night! After putting all the groceries away, I made a list of all the meals I had in mind and put it on the fridge. (To insure I would use all the stuff I had bought and now hidden out of sight. Don't you hate how much food you waste each month because you forgot you had it?)
Here is the list of all the meals I have planned for the coming week or so:
Crock Pot Lasagna
Pulled pork sandwiches
Chili
Polynesian Chicken, steamed veggies
Apple Smoked Pork Chops & Baked Sweet Potatoes w/ apples
Breakfast Casserole
Augratin Potatoes w/ Kielbasa Sausage & steamed veggies
Garlic Pork Roast, potatoes and steamed mixed veggies
Cream Cheese/Ranch Chicken and Noodles
All will make great leftovers. We love it when we can take a home cooked meal to work the next day! I am so excited about the lasagne tomorrow. I've got it all ready to assemble for the crock pot tomorrow morning! Let's hope the noodles fair well on a 5 hour setting instead of 2 hours.
I will miss him so much!
We have been so blessed for 13 years to be led by President Gordon B. Hinckley. His humble demeanor and loving delivery truly has taught me what the church is all about. We should all love each other like Christ loves us. President Hinckley cared so much for all the people of the world. His words were always comforting. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with his family and close associates.
Too many goals
I have to many goals to perfect myself already this year.... but I found another one just last night.
I know I will most likely fail, but I really want this body that I saw in Game Plan last night. (No, not the Rock's.) Roselyn Sanchez. She plays a ballet instructor and in turn wears leotards that show her toned self. (Remember tone? I started saying good bye to tone 10 years ago when I stopped any sort of exercise.)
Anyway, it reminded me of my high school body. It made me miss it A LOT! It made me miss it enough to maybe work on getting it back this year. Yeah, probably won't happen, but it's in my list of things now.
That and finding world peace. ;)
Wish me luck.
I know I will most likely fail, but I really want this body that I saw in Game Plan last night. (No, not the Rock's.) Roselyn Sanchez. She plays a ballet instructor and in turn wears leotards that show her toned self. (Remember tone? I started saying good bye to tone 10 years ago when I stopped any sort of exercise.)
Anyway, it reminded me of my high school body. It made me miss it A LOT! It made me miss it enough to maybe work on getting it back this year. Yeah, probably won't happen, but it's in my list of things now.
That and finding world peace. ;)
Wish me luck.
So nice
Today was just a good day. Nothing special happened, I was just super productive. Full of energy and full of pro action to get things done and done right. Don't you love feeling that way for a WHOLE day? It's one of the best gifts, in my opinion.
I feel so blessed these last couple months. I feel like I'm really putting the Lord's hand in my life by making good choices and doing what is right. I pray, I study, I reach out to my family. It's so priceless to have a positive attitude about all things in life. All at once.
It's been a long time since I've felt this balanced. It's finally clear to me that if you take care of yourself first, you can take care of almost anything. Staying close to the Lord is the number one thing I can do for myself. This in turn has blessed my family and my perspective. I just hope I can continue with my goals and keep succeeding. It feels so GOOD!
I feel so blessed these last couple months. I feel like I'm really putting the Lord's hand in my life by making good choices and doing what is right. I pray, I study, I reach out to my family. It's so priceless to have a positive attitude about all things in life. All at once.
It's been a long time since I've felt this balanced. It's finally clear to me that if you take care of yourself first, you can take care of almost anything. Staying close to the Lord is the number one thing I can do for myself. This in turn has blessed my family and my perspective. I just hope I can continue with my goals and keep succeeding. It feels so GOOD!
Funny Stuff
A story that will put you in AWE!
Click here to enjoy Alice's story of her amazing parents who love children. They were brave people! I enjoyed this story so much.
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And will you do me a big favor? Will you go to this post and vote for Garrett? His mother is a friend of mine and would love to win this contest because...
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And will you do me a big favor? Will you go to this post and vote for Garrett? His mother is a friend of mine and would love to win this contest because...
"I could win a complete photo shoot with a professional photographer, and a free 16x20 sprayed and mounted photo from the shoot - which may not sound like a whole lot, but as a photographer, I would love to be there and learn some tricks from her and have a wonderful picture of one of my babies!"
The Weekend
We had a wonderful weekend... well, at least I did.
Friday night we went to see our former neighbors (that left us a year ago for a newer and bigger home a couple towns away). We had a great time chatting with them and Liam had fun playing with their boys.
Saturday Ian went to work for a bit while Liam and I hung out at the house. When Ian got back, Liam and I ran to PERC to return his toys from that week. I got him 6 more puzzles for him to master this week. Oh that boy loves puzzles! I can see him becoming an engineer someday, how his mind memorizes shapes and fits things together.
We got Liam down for a nap after we ate some lunch. That was my cue to steal Ian's commuter car and take the rest of the day for myself. I headed to SLC to see my glamorous friend Kate and her lovely sister, Laren, who just got off her mission in Bulgaria. I've been looking forward to this "date" for a couple weeks and was so excited it was finally happening. I needed a break, and even though I missed my boys, it was SO nice to be with girls for an afternoon.
Kate showed me around her DARLING apartment and asked my opinion on a couple things. She is pondering painting her bedroom and I suggested maybe wallpaper would tie in all the color she is leaning towards. To my surprise, she didn't immediately say no... she's considering it!
We three hung out and talked for a bit, then decided to run a couple errands and eat an early dinner. We got some deals at Mervyns and Pei Wei was so yummy! (I could eat spicy chicken and edamame all day, every day.) It was so nice to enjoy running around town and eating dinner without a tiny tot. I also enjoyed the uninterrupted conversations... and randomness and laughter that three grown women provide for each other. It was just blissful.
That evening, Laren and I were able to attend the West Jordan Temple for a session at 7:30. Spending that extra time with a freshly return missionary was so awesome. It was just the icing on top of a cake-filled week of inspiration. She is so encouraging and positive. I thoroughly enjoyed being with her and I hope I can do it more often now that she is in Utah.
Thanks Kate for making sure the day was wonderful for me. You are always so accommodating. I was so filled with joy, that the no-heat commuter car didn't even chill me on the way home that night.
Thanks, also, to Ian for keeping Liam so I could get away. It meant so much to me!
Friday night we went to see our former neighbors (that left us a year ago for a newer and bigger home a couple towns away). We had a great time chatting with them and Liam had fun playing with their boys.
Saturday Ian went to work for a bit while Liam and I hung out at the house. When Ian got back, Liam and I ran to PERC to return his toys from that week. I got him 6 more puzzles for him to master this week. Oh that boy loves puzzles! I can see him becoming an engineer someday, how his mind memorizes shapes and fits things together.
We got Liam down for a nap after we ate some lunch. That was my cue to steal Ian's commuter car and take the rest of the day for myself. I headed to SLC to see my glamorous friend Kate and her lovely sister, Laren, who just got off her mission in Bulgaria. I've been looking forward to this "date" for a couple weeks and was so excited it was finally happening. I needed a break, and even though I missed my boys, it was SO nice to be with girls for an afternoon.
Kate showed me around her DARLING apartment and asked my opinion on a couple things. She is pondering painting her bedroom and I suggested maybe wallpaper would tie in all the color she is leaning towards. To my surprise, she didn't immediately say no... she's considering it!
We three hung out and talked for a bit, then decided to run a couple errands and eat an early dinner. We got some deals at Mervyns and Pei Wei was so yummy! (I could eat spicy chicken and edamame all day, every day.) It was so nice to enjoy running around town and eating dinner without a tiny tot. I also enjoyed the uninterrupted conversations... and randomness and laughter that three grown women provide for each other. It was just blissful.
That evening, Laren and I were able to attend the West Jordan Temple for a session at 7:30. Spending that extra time with a freshly return missionary was so awesome. It was just the icing on top of a cake-filled week of inspiration. She is so encouraging and positive. I thoroughly enjoyed being with her and I hope I can do it more often now that she is in Utah.
Thanks Kate for making sure the day was wonderful for me. You are always so accommodating. I was so filled with joy, that the no-heat commuter car didn't even chill me on the way home that night.
Thanks, also, to Ian for keeping Liam so I could get away. It meant so much to me!
An oldie but a goodie
WRONG E-MAIL ADDRESS:
A lesson to be learned from typing the wrong email address!!!!
A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.
Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.
The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.
The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: October 16, 2005
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now
and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just
arrived and have been checked in. I've seen that everything has been
prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you then!!!!
Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!!!!
A lesson to be learned from typing the wrong email address!!!!
A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier.
Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules. So, the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.
The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address, and without realizing his error, sent the email.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston , a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.
The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:
To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I've Arrived
Date: October 16, 2005
I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now
and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just
arrived and have been checked in. I've seen that everything has been
prepared for your arrival tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you then!!!!
Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.
P.S. Sure is hot down here!!!!
Highlights from Stake Conference
I didn't make it to the Saturday session of our stake conference this last weekend. Elder Jeffery R. Holland was speaking that night.
When I missed that session, I made a commitment to myself to be there for the Sunday session.
I made it, and on time.
I was thrilled and was immediately warmed by the spirit of the meeting. Elder Holland conducted the whole meeting. He was also the last speaker and made quite the impression. He was so candid and full of righteous energy! His voice would raise and he taught very boldly. It was not what I expected... it was so different from the prepared and scripted conference talks.
He blessed the children and teenagers to listen to their parents. That their parents are smart and wise. Everything they teach them, they do it for the sake of their children's salvation. He related that same principle to the general authorities. That everything they do, they do it for our benefit and learning. To bring us unto Christ.
He spoke of President Hinckley and how much he works at the age of 98 to build up the the Lord's kingdom. He candidly relayed that our prophet needs to put his feet up more often, but he never fails on his duties. He is committed and will never falter.
Elder Holland blessed the mothers in the congregation, with continued strength and valor. I was so grateful for his energy and words of wisdom. It was in that moment before he thanked all the mothers for their calling, that I was ready to walk out early. Liam was all over the place and past his limit of control. It was then I realized I was trapped in a pew between two families for a reason. I couldn't possibly leave early. The Lord blessed Liam with added control and reverence so we could last a few more minutes. He even stayed in my arms as a rocked him through an extremely long closing prayer.
I was told tonight while visiting teaching that Elder Holland had the same conviction Saturday night. His main message was related to "broken things" and how they make us whole. I found a passage that was similar to what his thoughts relayed:
Broken Things, by Karl Jackman
By using broken things.
The sister that we visit teach had many notes from the session. Another thing he taught is that the Lord never forsakes us. We should never ask that horrible question, "Has the Lord forgotten me?" No matter how broken we feel, the Lord wants us to save ourselves for happier times. To stay close to Him and heal. That during the most wretched storms, we should stay in the boat! We cannot be fool enough to move away from the Gospel of Christ in our times of trial. We must be smart enough to stay close and learn from our adversities. There will be happier times. The Lord knows what balances we need. He knows us better than we know ourselves. I have renewed testimony of that fact every time I get past a road block in my life.
I know that Elder Holland's messages are true and I also am aware that they were for someone specific on that Saturday night session. I know that all of us can benefit from lessons like it, even when we are in happier times (where I am now). It's just another thing to prepare us spiritually for harder times ahead. We must prepare ourselves emotionally, physically and spiritually for what the Lord holds for us in the future. I fear the world is only going to get uglier. We have much to prepare for. I hope I am ready for the best of times and the worst of times, with the Lord's help.
When I missed that session, I made a commitment to myself to be there for the Sunday session.
I made it, and on time.
I was thrilled and was immediately warmed by the spirit of the meeting. Elder Holland conducted the whole meeting. He was also the last speaker and made quite the impression. He was so candid and full of righteous energy! His voice would raise and he taught very boldly. It was not what I expected... it was so different from the prepared and scripted conference talks.
He blessed the children and teenagers to listen to their parents. That their parents are smart and wise. Everything they teach them, they do it for the sake of their children's salvation. He related that same principle to the general authorities. That everything they do, they do it for our benefit and learning. To bring us unto Christ.
He spoke of President Hinckley and how much he works at the age of 98 to build up the the Lord's kingdom. He candidly relayed that our prophet needs to put his feet up more often, but he never fails on his duties. He is committed and will never falter.
Elder Holland blessed the mothers in the congregation, with continued strength and valor. I was so grateful for his energy and words of wisdom. It was in that moment before he thanked all the mothers for their calling, that I was ready to walk out early. Liam was all over the place and past his limit of control. It was then I realized I was trapped in a pew between two families for a reason. I couldn't possibly leave early. The Lord blessed Liam with added control and reverence so we could last a few more minutes. He even stayed in my arms as a rocked him through an extremely long closing prayer.
I was told tonight while visiting teaching that Elder Holland had the same conviction Saturday night. His main message was related to "broken things" and how they make us whole. I found a passage that was similar to what his thoughts relayed:
Broken Things, by Karl Jackman
The Lord works miracles
By using broken things.
The earth is broken by a plow,
And seeds are placed therein.
Rain is sent from broken clouds,
And crops begin to grow.
Grain is broken by a miller’s stone;
The flour is used in baking bread.
The covenants we have made,
We make again
When we partake of blessed
and broken bread.
Reminded, thus,
Of how our Lord was broken,
With broken hearts,
We show him we are His.
By using broken things.
The sister that we visit teach had many notes from the session. Another thing he taught is that the Lord never forsakes us. We should never ask that horrible question, "Has the Lord forgotten me?" No matter how broken we feel, the Lord wants us to save ourselves for happier times. To stay close to Him and heal. That during the most wretched storms, we should stay in the boat! We cannot be fool enough to move away from the Gospel of Christ in our times of trial. We must be smart enough to stay close and learn from our adversities. There will be happier times. The Lord knows what balances we need. He knows us better than we know ourselves. I have renewed testimony of that fact every time I get past a road block in my life.
I know that Elder Holland's messages are true and I also am aware that they were for someone specific on that Saturday night session. I know that all of us can benefit from lessons like it, even when we are in happier times (where I am now). It's just another thing to prepare us spiritually for harder times ahead. We must prepare ourselves emotionally, physically and spiritually for what the Lord holds for us in the future. I fear the world is only going to get uglier. We have much to prepare for. I hope I am ready for the best of times and the worst of times, with the Lord's help.
4 old ladies beat a man
Get ready to laugh your head off. This guy's laugh is contagious! LISTEN HERE.
Sorry
This has been a long hiatus and I am sorry. I am not in the bloggin' groove the last few weeks. And I'm even more out of it since we left for Indiana for Christmas. I got back last night, but I have had no desire to scope blogs or write posts since I got home. The only reason I am on this computer is because we had 1 piece of luggage out of 4 missing at the baggage claim last night. I was notified after 9pm this evening that the bag would be here at 11pm. It's 2 minutes to midnight and I'm still waiting. It's 2am Indiana time... I should have been in bed 2 hours ago!
Night night-- hopefully my make up and deodorant find their way to my porch before work tomorrow.
Night night-- hopefully my make up and deodorant find their way to my porch before work tomorrow.
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