I HAVE BEEN TAGGED!

Tagged by my daughter in law - I'm not sure I can remember, but I'll give it a try.

Past and future Tag

20 years ago......(Or in the year of 1991)
1: Seems so long ago...we were living in Ledgewood, New Jersey. (I love Jersey).
2: Charlene was 7 and Bryant was 6, and were they EVER CUTE!
3: Spencer did a lot of traveling for the Trisha Brown Dance Company and spent a lot of time in Europe.

10 years ago......(Or in the year of 2001)
1: Back in Utah, living in West Valley.
2: Two additional children have since joined our family, Andrew and Tricia.
3: Charlene graduated from high school.

5 years ago.......(Or in the year of 2006)
1: Working for Ray Quinney & Nebeker.
2: Charlene & Aaron are married.
3: We have decided to sell our house.

3 years ago...... (Or in the year of 2008)
1: Now living in West Jordan.
2: Andrew is in Jr. High and Tricia is in 6th grade.
3: Put a fence around our yard for Sammy.

1 year ago.......(Or in the year of 2010)
1: Bryant & Elisha are married.
2: Spencer is now working for Westminster College and I'm working for Dorsey & Whitney.
3: Went on a 3-day Pioneer Trek with our ward.

This year so far......
1: Called as the Young Women President in our ward.
2: My Mom turned 75 on March 24.
3: Registered Tricia for high school!

Yesterday......
1: Went to the gym at 6:00 a.m.
2: Busy day at work - lots of filing!
3: Went to Relief Society Birthday social.

Today.........
1: Slept in....oh no! Must be working out too much.
2: Went to the gym after work, with the fam and Bryant's inlaws.
3: Went to painting class with the fam.

Tomorrow........
1: Allergy shot.
2: Working at Dorsey.
3: Hopefully an evening of rest.

In the Next Year.......
1: A visit to Nova Scotia is in order, to see my family.
2: Pay off Spencer's Dakota! YES!
3: Lose 30 pounds (I'm already down 7).

New Year's Eve -2010

Another year has come and gone. It is now 10:30 p.m. and if you know me at all, you'll know that it is way past my bedtime. However, I was going to try and manage to stay up for the big moment. But I'm also quite sure that isn't going to happen. I've been up since 6:00 a.m. and am getting very tired. I'll admit that I'm not a spring chick anymore. More like a winter bear, wanting to hibernate. But before I begin my ritual of snoozing, it is time to wish each and everyone a very Happy New Year. I hope and pray that 2011 will bring you great joy and happiness.

Now for my top 10 Resolutions!
10. Smile at someone every day.
9. Be kinder than I was last year.
8. Keep my house clean.
7. Plant a new tree in the spring.
6. Put a new front door on the house.
5. Practice not having road rage (especially on I-215)
4. Spend more quality time with my hubby.
3. Lose 15 pounds (isn't that what all of us say for a Resolution).
2. Spend more time with my family (although we already do spend a great deal of time together.
1. Get out of debt!

I'll Be Home for Christmas!

As we go through life, we don't think much about being "home" until of course that time of year, when it's all about being "home". And then there's the music, and the movies, and the memories, and the magic. Well, Christmas is my favorite time of year, and as it is every year, I have a deep longing for home! And what is it exactly. Well it's the memories of course. And it's the dear loved ones that are there continually making those memories year after year. But then you realize they are not all there any more. Some have moved on, like me, and some have passed away. The trick is to keep those memories dear to your heart and pass them down from generation to generation. And hopefully, just hopefully, all those feelings of goodness and joy will come seeping through from generation to generation, passed down from ancestor to ancestor, reaching through time and binding us together forever.

Sentimental? Who me? Why of course! Isn't that my nature. And I wouldn't change that part of me for anything in this world. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving me that gift in my heart.

And as I'm sitting watching the many Christmas movies, feeling my sentimental self, one line in one of the movies goes something like this "that tree needs some Cape Breton starlight". And second movie I was watching has a line that mentions Nova Scotia. Looks like I'm not the only one out there with back east attachment.

Merry Christmas to all and may God Bless!

Guilt Trips

What is it about guilt trips? I think we are all "guilty" of them, pardon the pun. But I believe that most of us are not even aware that we use such a tactic to manipulate others to do what we want. For example, recently during an exchange with some loved ones of mine, (12 of them to be exact) a simple question was asked by one. I won't go into detail because I don't want to hash up any hard feelings, and I definitely don't want to start a war or be accused of having favorites. That is not me. But, a simple question was asked, a simple request was made. Then the answers started coming in. All that was needed was a simple answer....yes or no. What is it about us human beings that we just can't accept a simple yes or no? Why do we need to have a "yes I can because (and now you have to hear how wonderful I am because I am saying yes to your question)", or "no I can't because...(and now you have to hear all about how my life is so tragic/busy that I can't help out or do whatever it is that was asked in the first place)". I recently read an article which talked about ownership of our words. If I ask someone to do a favor for me and they say no, I need to accept the fact that they said no and leave it at that. I don't need to probe and over-analyze every thought that comes into my mind about why that person said no. I just need to accept the fact that they said no and move on with my life. It may have nothing to do with me and probably doesn't. The fact that they may be too busy, the fact that they may not want to participate, the fact that they may not want to use their allotment of time to do something that I want, is entirely THEIR choice and it should not upset or anger me in any way whatsoever. But most importantly, it should not reflect their feelings towards me. In other words, just because they say no, doesn't mean they have an ulterior motive and that they don't want to because they don't like me or they don't want to be around me. That is ridiculous. If they say yes, then all is well - right? I get what I want. It's when I don't get what I want, that the world turns upside down and we go into a tailspin.

It is true as we get older, that life takes on different and more difficult challenges. But just because every request can't be fit into everyone's schedules, especially the bigger the circle of friendships and families become, doesn't mean that everyone has a motive to participate or not participate in that request. It is what it is, and shouldn't be taken as a threat against the one making the request, and I hope that the person making the request understands that she is loved no matter what.

Oh how much energy and time we waste in trying to manipulate people into doing what WE want them to do. Instead of just asking, inviting and accepting. I have found that when I invite and ask, pleasantly, there is a much warmer spirit in my home and in my life. I admit it took me a long time to learn and understand this very important principle in human kindness. I ask, I invite, and I receive those who want to partake and we enjoy. For those who do not or cannot, there will be other opportunities and other moments to strengthen and bond family ties and friendships.

The Strangest People are at Walmart

Okay, so the McDonald's story reminded me of another time that I had a strange encounter. It was Christmas a few years back (don't you like how I sound all elderly and knowledgeable)and I had to pick up something at Walmart that I just could not find anywhere else. Yes, we've all been there. So I walk into the store and head directly for my destination. I know what I need, I know I only have one hour for lunch, and I know I need to hurry. So I find the coveted object to be purchased and tenderly wrapped to be opened on Christmas morning (I can't even remember for whom or what it was). A man walks directly up to me (I believe he was hispanic or something like that) and looks me right in the eye and says, "You would be one good looking woman if you lost 40 pounds." Well I just stood there with my mouth open and didn't quite know how to respond to that. Oh I could think of lots of things now as I look back on it, but I probably shouldn't post any of them. But my mother's words quickly come to mind..."If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all." I wish I'd said that! Why is it that I seem to attract these kind strangers? Or maybe it's that I bring out the worst/best in people. Sometimes leaving the house for me is like going on an adventure. I just never know...what next!

McDonald's Rage

This is a weird story. On my way to the bank, I stopped at McDonald's to get a drink. Now this particular McDonald's has two separate drive up lanes, side by side. I'm sure you've all seen them. Anyway, as I pulled up there was a van, followed by a car in the first lane, and the second one was empty. So naturally I pulled into the second one...I mean, who wouldn't right? So I pull up to the speaker just as the van was pulling out of the first lane. The "lady" in the car behind him then pulled up to give her order. However, I was already in the process of saying "one medium coke please". All of a sudden, I heard her screaming at the unsuspecting McDonald's employee, very loudly - "Hey you! I was here before "that" woman over there." I quickly look around and realize of course that she must have been talking about me, because I was the only other person there. So I continue on my merry way, feeling sorry for the employee who would have to deal with her rage. All I could think of was "Give that woman her food!" So I pull up to pay for my drink, and she comes flying up behind me, literally, doing at least 60 miles per hour to go only 10 feet. I thought I was a goner! Now I'm thinking this woman is not only hungry and desperately needs her McDonald's nourishment, but she is nuts! The best thing to do in a situation like this is TAKE OFF EH! So I purchase my drink and head out. I pull out onto Redwood Road and head south, because after all, I still need to hit the bank. About 2 yards before the bank's driveway, this crazy lady comes screaming down Redwood Road and cuts me off and pulls in front of me. She was laughing at me as if to say..."see, now I'm in front of you." And at that exact moment, I quickly turn right and pull into the bank. I turned to look at her and she was gesturing some kind of signal with her finger, I'm not sure what! But I walked into the bank with a smile on my face, and a gratitude in my heart, that I never leave the house hungry, only thirsty.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

#10 - Clean Sheets
There is nothing I like better than crawling into bed and snuggling into clean crisp sheets. I just lay there and get so excited, that I even get butterflies in my tummy. And I sleep so well on nights like that. Ahhhhh!

#9 - Sunday Drives
We don't do this as much as we used to, but I love love love Sunday drives, especially in the Fall. No TV, no house to clean, no meals to fix, just driving with the family. I find it very relaxing and I love having the opportunity to bond with the fam!

#8 - Rain
I love the rain. I love the feel of the rain on my face (oh I think that's a song), and love the smell of rain, and love the fresh feeling of rain. I love rainstorms, especially back east. They have the best rainstorms...Nova Scotia, Massachusetts and New Jersey!

#7 - Quilting
I love to quilt. I love to make quilts and give them away. It's an artful creation that I enjoy seeing in my mind, then putting together.

#6 - Painting
I have discovered a new love - oil painting. Who would have thought! But I can't get enough. I go to classes once a week and I wish it was 5 times a week.

#5 - Pajamas
One of my favorite things to do when I come home from work, whenever possible, is to climb into my pj's. Total comfort is what life is all about at those moments.

#4 - The Smell of Coconut
I spend a lot of time seeking out lotions and shampoos that smell like coconut. I love that smell, and I breath it in deeply when I use those products.

#3 - Scrapbooking and Pictures
I think these two go hand in hand, because I can't scrapbook without pictures. I take pictures whenever and wherever I go, and I am constantly writing stories in my mind as I am taking pictures.

#2 - MY CAT, TOPAZ!
I love my cat and he loves me. No, really he does! He is so spoiled and practically runs the house.

#1 - Cape Breton Island
My heart is there and always will be. I love my heritage and where I came from. My roots are deep in that island and my heart will forever long for its beauty and serenity.

So to sum things up, I would be at my happiest, cozied up in my pj's, somewhere on Cape Breton Island, painting a picture, while Topaz sits on my lap, and I had a coconut candle burning in the room, while NCIS is on the tv (snuck that one in there...I couldn't resist). Charlene is right, I had a hard time thinking about my favorite 10, but once I got started, I could have kept going and going and going.