The Travelin' Trio Are Home

Just want to let everyone know the boys are home. They made it safely and I will be posting story and photo sometime soon. They are still sleeping....jet lag. Have a lovely day wherever in the world you are.

The Trio Arrived

The boys arrived at the airport outside of Bethlehem this morning and met with the three guys who were going to see the new kid in town too. The three men called themselves The Three Wise Men. Roger said he could understand that since him, Roger, and Rudy call themselves the Travel' Trio. Rudy said the men had camels for them to ride too but the boys all agreed they were keeping their furry little feet on the ground. Robert said those camels are nasty creatures and quite unrefined. He said they hiss and spit and are downright mean. The boys said these three wise men were dressed to the nines and had stuff called gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby. The boys were worried about not having a gift for the child but decided it would be ok. After traveling a couple of hours the wise men spotted a star over this little spot and they all stopped. Roger said these animals were looking in with awe and wonder. The place was filled with light and there was a wonderful- quiet -calm feeling permeating the entire area. The inside of the little place was filling up so fast that the mother, a lady named Mary and her husband Joseph, brought the baby outside for some fresh air. After the wise men parked their camels they and the boys went forward to meet the newborn babe.

Robert said in this photo you can see the wise men (on the left) who led them to their destination, the mother Mary, her husband Joseph, a sweet little girl angel named Ruby and the babe himself. You can see from the photo that the boys were enthralled with the wee one. Rudy told me that this was one special little boy, that he glowed with light and you could feel the love radiating from him even though he was a bit of a lad.

The boys asked Mary, the mom, if they could get a photo of just the family and themselves with the babe and she sweetly gave them permission to do so.

You would have to know my little friends Rudy, Roger, and Robert to understand what they told me and I am about to tell you. They are rambunctious-little- devil-may cares at times, refined when necessary, quite inquisitive, always loving, kind and generous.

This is what they said. . .

All three of them bore testimony that this magnificent little boy was indeed the Son of God, that He came into the world to save all of us who would be saved. That one day he would visit a garden called Gethsemane and take upon himself the sins of the world and then be crucified. That on the third day He would rise and ascend to His Father and then return for a brief period to earth as a resurrected being. He told, though the boys said there were no words spoken but somehow it came into their minds, the things he wanted them to know and to tell others.

He said to tell the people to repent and come unto Him, that He was the way, the truth, and the light that no man could ascend unto the Father but by Him.

Those are a few of the things the boys related in their latest email. More will follow when they get home.

Rudy said to see the face of that sweet boy was worth all that they went through to get there. They were so full of joy I could feel it in their email.

Bethlehem is much later than we are and the boys were going to go to bed but they wanted me to tell you good night and sweet dreams. They were pretty sure they were going to have sweet dreams tonight themselves. They are staying one more day and then heading home.

Good night sweet boys, you've had a big day. We, your friends from the kitchen, are anxious for you to get home, we have missed you and your wit and can't wait to hear more about your friend you call Jesus.

And to the rest of you in the world, wherever you are, we wish you a good night

The Saga Continues With The Travelin' Trio

I got an email with photos from the Travelin' Trio as they call themselves. Here they are with their city cousin Alfonso, that's him on the right and his twin roommates Pins and Prickle. Rudy is mousing around as usual and is hanging out the window of Mrs. Hummers house. Roger asked that you ignore the little pile of 'poo' . He explained that Prickles, that's the little guy with his back to Robert, gets nervous with a lot of folks around. You know, sometimes that just happens. They didn't get it swept up before a neighbor snapped their picture.

As I told you they stayed with their cousin and took a 'red-eye' out of The Big Apple last night and arrived in London with a 3-hr layover.

The boys found a small park near Heathrow and meandered over to take a look see when they spotted this young couple, who had just gotten married, having their picture taken. The boys asked the photographer to take one for them to send home. It only cost them a bit and a bob they told me. I have no clue what a bit and a bob is, I think they've gone European on me. Boy, there will be no living with them when they get back. They wished the newlyweds well and were getting ready to leave when someone said, "well if is isn't Rudy, Roger and Robert from Nanc's kitchen. Fancy meeting you here." Rudy said they were all so glad to come face to face with their old friend Billy Bob Bear. He has been abroad doing genealogy and visiting temples for a few months and was sure happy and surprised to see home folks. A passerby took this photo for the boys to send home.

I told the boys when I looked at this photo I could hardly see them in Billy Bob's coat. Notice the red necktie...yes, he's gone Euro on us too. When all get home the kitchen won't be the same. The boys flew out of London in the early afternoon and arrived in Paris excited and hungry.

As the boys were eating some wonderful aged French cheese these three beauties strolled past. Not much lunch got eaten as you can see. Those little devil-may cares!
The Trio is shutting down for the night they have a long day ahead of them tomorrow. They're supposed to meet up with three guys outside the airport in Bethelem tomorrow morning for a trip through the desert.
They said to tell everyone whose following their adventure good night and they'll be in touch tomorrow sometime.
A note from me...Christmas Eve, can you believe it's here already? We want to wish everyone who stops by Nanc's News a sweet and happy Merry Christmas. Take good care wherever you are in the world. Good night....

The Travels of Rudy, Roger and Robert

Do you remember my friends Rudy, Roger and Robert? They live on a shelf in my kitchen and watch me cook and do kitchen chores. This is their friend Harvey whose job it is to mind the chickens and keep them safe. Well, these little fellows heard there was a new kid in town and he's lying in a manger across the world. They heard He was the son of God , a peacemaker, and His calling is to be the Savior of the world. They were pondering this a few days ago and were asking me question after question so I read them the story of the birth of Christ and yep, you guessed it they decided they had to see for themselves.

Their friends had a little bon voyage party for the boys and they were so full of sweet cream cheese and cake crumble they could hardly waddle when it was time to say adios.

Here they are leaving the farm, they said the walk did them good after the bon voyage party. It was quite cold the day they left but they were dressed for the weather and rarin' to go. They call themselves the "Travelin' Trio" Oh, I do wish I could have gone with them. But alas, Sweet Man is home for a few days and I must look after him lest he attempt to do laundry and put the whites in with the reds. Me thinks we'd be wearin' pink undies.

Here is the first photo the guys sent from New York Times Square. They reported The Big Apple is mighty big, mighty loud, and mighty cold. They stayed with their city cousin Alfonso.

The trio asked me to say good night and keep them in your prayers. They will be leaving the country this evening arriving in London tomorrow morning. Be sure to check back for an update of their travels.

Good night from the Heartland too, we hope you are well and happy wherever in the world you are.

More Ice

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE AND GET A BETTER VIEW. On the way back home from our ride Sunday afternoon.
And one more. Aren't the seasons wonderful? You really get the scope and imagination of God with the seasons.

The Ice Cameth and Decided to Stay

A small bush in our library parking lot. I think the red is so striking. I took this today in the early afternoon.
Sweet Man and I took a ride Sunday afternoon (yesterday) and came across these colors a mile out of town. I'm not a photographer and my photos never come out as vivid as the image I see in my eye. I don't know if it's the camera or the shooter, m-m-m, let's see now.
Church was cancelled Sunday as the parking lot was a solid sheet of ice and quite thick.
It was long day but we managed. I finished a book I started Saturday morning.
My chum called a bit ago and said if we needed anything from the market get it by tomorrow afternoon as the weatherperson says we're going to do it again. Not looking forward to that but at least Sweet Man is home. Oh yes, and speaking of Sweet Man, the thermostat on the furnace went out on, of all days, Sunday morning. The ox was in the mire so he had to purchase a new one and fix it. I'm so glad he was here to do it because I would've shut the thing off and let it go till he got home. That would have been fun because on Sunday it didn't rise above zero all day and with the wind blowing like it was I imagine it was several degrees below zero.
I hope you're warmer wherever in the world you are. Have a lovely day.

Vegetable Art

A man from church sent this to me in an email. Aren't they amazing?

Who would have ever thought melons, squash, and tomatoes could look like that?

Here is another version of a watermelon. I know we're not suppose to be envious but darn I can bearly slice a melon in straight lines and look at this work of art.

Oh wait, I did do a basket once. OK, it sort of looked like a basket. Well, like a bowl anyway.

The Ice Man Cometh

The trees are bowed down with ice and it looks melancholy outside. It has lightened up a bit since I took this photo but is still overcast and about 32-3*. Power is off in certain areas of town. I called to check on my bosom buddy this morning and she has no power. A tree fell some time in the night in her area and knocked down a line. The north end of town is without power as well. I don't know what the temperature is going to be today but I hope it's high enough to start a melt before the next one hits. My trees are really drooping.

I hope you're having a lovely day free of foul weather wherever in the world you are.

Comments

Please feel free to leave a comment if you feel so inclined. I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts.

Rambling

It's been a long cold day, but we had sunshine nearly all day so...Yippee! I went to Walmart and picked up some salt for the walks. I filled a can for the front and left the rest in the back hall.
My Sweet Man has been gone 16 days today and since it's about 11:31 p.m. it's nearly 17 days. I think he's in WV but I'm not sure, I've lost track.
One of my girls and I played on the phone tonight and added some things to our blogs. She as four children; 3 boys and a girl. They really like the fish and hamster we added to our blogs. I hope ya'll have tried them. Fun, eh?
Our branch Christmas party is Friday night and I'm bringing a large pot of my throw together cheesy soup. My mom use to make this soup when I was a girl but with fresh vegetables. I use frozen except for the potatoes and onions.
I believe I'm going to shut this machine down, turn on my electric blanket, heat the rice bags, put on the long socks, sweatpants, long flannel gown and go to bed. I know that sounds like overkill but I turn the heat way down at night and you can hang meat in my living room in the morning. I try to stay in bed until the cycle goes up. My hubby says I'm cheap. I think of myself as frugal.
Have a good night, I hope you sleep well wherever in the world you are.

Good Samaritan/s

One of my girls and her husband have four sons. The oldest son is away at University and the other three boys are in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades in high school.

They are a fine family, but as most of us do, they struggle financially. They live in a small town where sports can be a ticket to being able to go to University or not. All of their boys are fine athletes and play every sport there is to play. However, where they live it's quite costly.

My daughter and her sweetheart are good parents and try to give their sons every opportunity to participate in every athletic event that takes place. Sometimes this is done at great cost.

I want to share a letter my girl posted on her blog.As I read the letter I immediately thought of the Good Samaritan, or perhaps in this case there was more than one, and it touched my heart.

We hear so much of evil in the world today that we might not realize there are acts, just like this one, going on unnoticed, except to those who are the receipient of it, all over the world. I'm so grateful to this person or persons and their tremendous act of kindness and love.
Looks like the pure love of Christ to me, doesn't it to you?

I have changed names and put in __'s to protect identity. I hope you will feel inspired to do something kind for someone else after reading this story.

Kindness isn't always counted in $'s but in many many ways. Find one this holiday season and apply the principle of the pure love of Christ and see how wonderful it feels to serve our brothers and sisters and our Lord and Redeemer even Jesus Christ. This principle is not one limited to the Christmas season only. We are our brother's keepers....

The story begins:
This is the letter dated December 3, 2008 that was put inside our door.

"Dear Jones,
A few years ago I found myself and my family in some circumstances that were more difficult than I seemed to the the power to overcome. Someone stepped in to help and whether they knew it or not, were an answer to the prayers we needed answers to.

I haven't had a revelation and I'm not specifically aware of your circumstances but when I awoke this morning, I felt a need---a strong need---to do something for your boys. I hope that you'll allow me to pass on to your family a small token of the blessings that have come the way of my family and myself from parties who cared enough to reach out and touch our lives.

Today I anonymously sent some cash to the Attention of ___ and/or ___ at ___ in ___ and asked them to open an account with it in the name of the Jones Family.

In that account is a balance large enough to accommodate the purchase of a pair of any of the basketball shoes they have in stock or can order for each of your 3 sons to use in their season with the ___ this year.

There isn't a limit on the price of the shoes they may want to buy---I've ensured there is more than sufficient funds to cover whatever they need, and have asked ___ to give what remains in the account to charity after the boys have made their purchases.

My family remains moved today by the blessings of what we were given when we were in need. Though it was difficult to understand at the time, we now comprehend with certainty that the people caring for us were angels who understood our Heavenly Father's love for us and were acting on His behalf.

I'm not an angel, but I am gathering a more distinct and complete understanding of how my Heavenly Father loves me. I know He loves you too and I pray, with this tiny little act, that you'll allow me to reflect the love and care our Heavenly Father has for all of us.

Would you please do me the great favor of taking your boys shopping sometime in the next few days and getting them some basketball shoes to play in as we watch them make us proud of the (school team)___s this season? If you'll do this for me, somewhere down the line when you're able and inclined to do the same, you'll get some kind of idea of the joy I'll feel every time I see them running like only those Jones boys can and, with hard work and some good luck, laying a licking on everyone they play this season!!!!!

Have a merry, merry Christmas!!!"

My daughter goes on to say:
Pride is a hard thing to swallow. The story does not end here.

I received a phone call from the Principal's secretary at the high school saying that she had a private matter she had to speak to me about.
A person or persons had made an anonymous donation to our family...they paid all three of the boys basketball fees and the remainder of their school fees.For those of you south of the border that was about $700-$800 dollars!

What a blessing. The Lord knows when no one else does. Our hearts are full for the friends we have made and love here in ___.

We are thankful for our boys and the way they present themselves in public, their kindness, their sportsmanship, their love of where they live and for the (school team)the ___s...Someone noticed, someone is always watching!

I-C-E !

B-r-r-r-r, we woke up to snow over ice this morning. I don't know what the weatherman said the temp was but at 9:10 a.m. it was 4* and my thermometer is in the sun. The wind is blowing pretty good so I think our real feel temp is somewhere below zero. This photo is of my backdoor window which is totally ice. My apple tree has ice hanging off the branches. Sweet man trimmed it back hard this fall and now I'm glad he did.

Try clicking on the photo to see if it will enlarge. You should be able to see all the sparklies.

I love sparklies, don't you?

It's Saturday

It's dark, dreary, windy and rainy here in the Heartland today. My Sweet Man is still on the road...day #12. He drops his load in PA. on Monday and hopefully he will be heading west. He was in ME on Friday morning, NJ in the afternoon and PA on Friday night. It's amazing how many miles he covers in a day. I have a hard time driving to the market. I think it's a mindset thingy.

I couldn't stay in the house today so after my morning phone calls I did my chores and headed out the door. I went to the library and checked out the Beatrix Potter series from the children's section, 3 CD's, and a picture book about a prominent Midwest river. When I get done with this I'm going to make a pot of soup, shower, get my jammies on, warm up my rice bags, snuggle into my quillow and read all afternoon. Tomorrow is church and I like to get myself prepared mentally and spiritually for the feast I'll receive ahead of time. Do you do that? It makes the Sabbath so much sweeter for me.

I hope you're having a lovely day wherever in the world you are.

Cards

I've received many cards over the years and some I've enjoyed so much I framed them or kept them on my magnet board which is an old meat tray from a market.

The photo of the boy and girl kissing is from my Sweet Man. It reminds me so much of him.
My friend of 43 years gives me the neatest cards. The two girls above and the girl and her dog on the dock below are just a few. I have packets of cards tied with ribbon in an old suitcase and every once in a while I sit on the attic room steps, open them up and reminisce. I have cards that my children sent to my parents with pennies still attached inside. I love rummaging through the packets and seeing my mother's, father's or sister's handwriting. They've all been gone for such a long time it feels good to have that physical connection if only for a few moments.The colors in this card are so soft and soothing. I love the camaraderie of the girl and her dog.
I know these cards mean nothing to you who look at this blog but they are so sweet to me I wanted to share....

Christmas Tree

This is our Christmas tree. It is a hodge podge of 'junque' and occupies the northwest corner of the parlor. I put this tree up ten years ago and never took it down. It didn't start out looking like this it has 'evolved' through the years. The train that is around the base was given to my Sweet Man by my bosom buddy and her then hubby. The nativity sitting on the bottom shelf of the table is never taken down either. It reminds me daily of why I'm on earth. I don't know if you can see the gold dress on a tiny dress form by the bottom left of the tree but my youngest-red-headed daughter gave that to me several years ago. I had no where to put it so by the tree it went. Close to the top of the tree on the left is a gold box with a bird's nest in it. Don't let anyone ever tell you that Mickey D's french fry boxes are not good for something other than fries.

I have the lights on in all seasons. I love sitting in the parlor on a summer's evening with the lights twinkling and the lace curtains blowing softly in the breeze. It makes me feel good.

Tiny Nativity

I don't remember where I found this tiny nativity but it fits perfectly in the branches of our tree.

Pretties On The Tree

I made this little cutey at Enrichment Night and had no where to put her so she now occupies a branch on the tree. Can you spot the Harry Potter glasses? The same little girl who gave me the doll in the blue dress further down left these here after spending the night and when I told her she forgot them she told me, 'Hang'em on your tree." The pink boot is from Avon I think, does anyone know what came in it? There's a lavender glove on the tree somewhere too and it's from Avon.A friend gave me the little yellow jingle bell and another one gave me the horse. The horse is an old celluloid. The boxes to the right were from another friend who thought they would look pretty sitting by the tree.
The little blue doll was given to me by a little girl from church. After she saw the tree she wanted something from her to be on it.

The little Santa on the right is made from a shotgun shell, it was given to me by the daughter of the people who's estate we bought our house from. The tiny Santa in the gold box is an antique Christmas light I found in the trash. Yes folks, it pays to dumpster dive.

The snowman is an old candy container. Some of the handkerchiefs were my Mothers.

S-N-O-W ! !

Our first snow of the season . . . I left for church at 8:37, it was snowing. I came home at 12:10 and it was still snowing. It's 1.33 right now and it's STILL SNOWING! YIPPEE !

I love to watch snow falling and the silence it creates.

I took the above photo early this a.m. There's quite a bit more snow on the ground now.

I hope it continues all day.

Update

Happy Thanksgiving.....a day late. We hope you had a lovely day wherever and however you spent it.

I wanted to update you on Sweet Man's condition and catch up on a few 'Life' questions.

First, we received a phone call from the cardiologist this a.m. and Sweet Man has a clean bill of health. He had a nuclear stress test done on Friday last and all is G-O-O-D! He has no problems anywhere in his heart. He will have scar tissue from the stent placement but that will be no problem.

He is feeling really good and says he didn't know how bad he felt before until he got 'fixed' and now he feels so much better. He is on several meds for a while but will be weaned off them in a bit. His BP is doing great too.

Thank you for your prayers we appreciate them very much.

Here are a couple Life questions so we can get on with our journals.

17. What pets have you had?
18. Who was your favorite school teacher and why?
19. Where were you when President Kennedy was assassinated?

A Close Call

A week ago today, early in the morning, I received a telephone call from Sweet Man's boss. He told me Sweet Man had had a heart attack and was on the way to the hospital, he didn't know where. The boss gave me the destination of the drop so I got on the PC and looked up the town he would have gone through to make the drop. I found it and talked with a nurse in the ER who informed me there was a male heart attack on the way. ETA, approximately 2 minutes, she called me back in 5. Sweet Man was air-lifed into Madison, WI. He survived the heart attack with no residual effects, at least non manifested as of yet. The cardiologist placed a stent in a coronary artery and he is doing well.

I drove up to Madison to be with him and brought him home the third day. We know it was through the intervention of our Heavenly Father and the skills He gave to those who worked on him that he is here today. Everybody was in the right place at the right time and to me that is not a coincidence.

We don't know when he will be going back to work. He sees the local cardiologist tomorrow, hopefully we will know more then. Please keep us in your prayers. Our names aren't important, Heavenly Father knows who we are. Thank you so much, we appreciate it.

I will include the next two questions for our Life History Project:

15. What is your favorite food and why?
16. If you have a spouse what do you love about him/her?

Cindy Louise

Cindy,
I was looking back on older posts and just found a response you gave about your surgery. I assume by this time you have totally healed and back on your feet.

Yes, your boys are growing, they'll be men before you know. (I'm sure they probably think they are...smile)

I have never received an invite to your blog. Please send me one, I would love to have a look-see.

Did you folks get to see up close and personal the Telly extravaganza in your area? I watched it a couple of times on the news.

If you don't have my e address call me and I'll give it to you. #'s in the book.

Nan

Life Questions 13 and 14

13. Write about receiving a long awaited letter. If not long awaited, how you feel about receiving snailmail in the height of the electronic mailing generation.

14. Tell about the day you were baptized.

Christmas Cactus, Fall Color and a Coopers Hawk

We spied this Coopers Hawk atop a pole surveying the farm fields in search of 'lunch'. There are a lot of these birds in our area and it's always exciting to see them doing their thing.

Leaves I've picked up and saved under the oilcloth on the kitchen table. Makes an interesting piece of art. The leaves represented here are from Maple, Oak, and Tulip trees. The small red leaves are from a Burning Bush. Handsome, eh?

I call this my 'Christmas' Cactus but I should rename it my October Cactus. I have no clue why but it blooms every October. I can force it to bloom again if I keep it in the dark but it seems to take a toll on the plant. I bought this as a spindly little piece nearly dead at the end of the season a few years back uncertain of it's future but here she. Pretty, isn't she? I've started other plants from her and they bloom later than this one but never in December unless forced. Anyone know why they're called Christmas Cactus?

It's Tuesday

'Tis Tuesday and election day. I hope everyone who has the privilege to vote will get out today and exercise that right.

Here are life questions 11 & 12:
11. Tell a frustrating experience you've had with a car.
12. What was your very first job?

Yesterday was my bosom buddy's birthday celebration. Her birthday was Saturday but Sweet Man was home so we celebrated Monday. We've been the best of friends for 12 years, we've hung out, cried, played detective, done genealogy, visit taught, taught each other, libraried, junqued, templed, movied, shopped all night at Wal-Mart, rode all over, oohed and aahed at nature, been through good times and bad together.

The Birthday Girl and I have a tradition. It is, we take who ever's birthday it is to lunch and then open our gift/gifts at the restaurant. We don't spend a lot of money, which is not important anyway, but the gifts are thoughtful. Yesterday after lunch I took her to the Big City and we cruised that French Boutique, you know the one, Target. (pronounce that in French, emphasis on the last syllable, so you get the full effect...Tarche) and then to Barnes and Noble where we perused a few volumes. We then headed back to the country and to our library to pick up movies and for me books on tape. We had a lovely day Mother Nature cooperated blessing us with a temperature of 72, unbelievable for this time of year. I hope 'Mother' doesn't go ballistic on us by the end of the week.

Sweet Man just called me, he is headed for North Carolina this morning. He's made 3 drops since Monday morning, this should be his final before heading home. (I hope)

After stripping the bed this a.m. I've washed and hung the bed linens on the line and am off to vote. Have a lovely day and be happy.

Funeral Week

We had bad news this past week....two members who previously belonged to our branch, passed away within 3 days of each other. They were mother and daughter, the daughter passed first which was a surprise and then the mother. Other members of their family are buried here as were they. Our branch did the first dinner on Wednesday and the second on Friday.

It really touched me to see how everyone came together and made these two dinners happen for the family. The mom and daughter lived about 85 miles from here and were members of a large ward. For the second funeral the RS President sent up food which was really nice, her first counselor also helped out. Both dinners turned out very well with food left over to send home with the family.

I have a great Compassionate Service Leader who takes direction well and knows how to delegate. She makes my job easier and I thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Today is Fast and Testimony meeting. I was spiritually uplifted by all who bore their testimonies. Relief Society was realllllly great. Sister T. taught us about the Second Coming and the Millennium. My spirit was fed for the week with that meeting I'll tell you. We have some amazing sisters in our branch.

I hope y'all survived Halloween and the ghosts and goblins. Won't be long until Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I don't know where the time goes. Remember when everyone was making a big ta-do over the year 2000? Here we are nearly 9 years past it.

Signing off for now, I hope you have a wonderful and productive week.

Waaay Behind

Hello Folks,

Wow, I'm so far behind, sorry about that.
It's been a busy week or so with little time for blogging. It's still hectic so I will post life questions 8-9-10. I will catch you up on life in a few days

8. What is your least favorite job around the house?
9. Tell about a special date.
10. Where were you when the first man landed on the moon?
Happy journaling.

Life Questions 6 and 7

Good morning one and all here are your questions for today. Sweet Man is home one more day and we're going to check out some country roads for photos. Have a lovely day.

6. Who was/is your best friend and why..

7. Why is your dad special to you..

Quiet Day

My honey and I went to the big city today to purchase another cabinet for the bathroom remodeling job. We have decided on combining two 30s with a an 18. Because this house is over 100 years old NOTHING and I do mean NOTHING is square. Sweet Man has had to make an adjustment about every 6". Everything looked square before he started but we have found that plaster hides a myriad of imperfections. Maybe we should have re-plastered instead of drywalled. Alas, it is too late, we'll have to ride the horses we saddled so we may as well make the best of the ride. Sweet Man is incredibly patient with the whole thing, yep that's how he rolls.

It's dark, rainy, and chilly here today. I hope it's about over, I don't like dreary. There's corn and soybeans in the fields and this rain isn't helping the farmers. Maybe Mother Nature will cooperate and sun a breeze will prevail so they can get their crops out of the fields.

Many of the trees are in their full glory and look like Cinderella going to the ball. I love the way the Lord gives us one last look of those lovely colors before winter arrives. I must say though I do enjoy the winter trees with their limbs and trunks exposed. You can get the look and feel of their strength and resiliency. I don't even mind the cold as long as the sun is shining.

Speaking of cold....I have to make new rice bags this year as I mine have been heated just about as much as they can stand. I can't get through the cold without them. If I'm sitting still for any length of time, which isn't often, I have one on my lap and one behind the small of my back. I sleep with two at my feet at night. When the nights get really cold I drag out the electric blanket but still start out with a bag at my feet.

Sweet Man needs an opinion so will sign off for now. Hope you're having a lovely day wherever you are.

Life History Questions 4 and 5

Questions for today:

4. How do you feel about your country or serving your country?

5. Tell about an experience you've had with each of your grandparents.

Checking the Competition

I thought you might like to see my 'cooking' friends Rudy, Roger, and Robert checking out Patch, my one-eyed little hedge hog friend I brought home from Enrichment night. Because of Patch's chubby size they probably think he'll eat more cheese than they're willing to share. OR, they could be eyeing that cookie the fat boy is sitting on. M-m-m-m-m

Life Questions 2 and 3

Good Morning Family and Friends,

Here are questions 2 and 3.

2. Tell about getting your driver's license.

3. Who are your grandparents?

With #3 include names (maiden for grandmothers), dates and places if you know them. Stories are wonderful if you know any. Ask questions of those who are living who know or knew them. Some questions just demand detail, eh?

Today is a brand new day with no mistakes in it, smile and be happy.

Life History 101

I have worked on my family genealogy for years and can think of no other pursuit of mine that has given me such satisfaction. My mother was the 9th of 11 children which spread out over a period of 22 years. Therefore, all of my first cousins save two are old enough to be my parents. The two cousins who are not are 12 years older and 1 year younger. My youngest cousin and I missed out on a lot because we were so far behind the others and didn't have the same family assocations as the older cousins.

I never knew my maternal grandparents or paternal grandfather. I saw my maternal grandmother twice and the second time was in her coffin. I have longed to 'know' who they are.

In our church we are counseled to journal and write our life histories so that when we're gone those who knew us while living can relive memories of us and those who were yet unborn can come to know us through our writings. We do this because we believe we exist beyond our mortal deaths and can be with our families for eternity.

At an Enrichment meeting a few months back Peggy introduced us to the Journal Jar. This is not a concept that's new or that Peg came up with....it was a borrowed idea. Nevertheless, it's a fun way to get started on your life history if you don't know where to start.

There is no order to this so don't feel pressured.

1. Get a nice notebook and and pen. (Doesn't have to be anything fancy, notepaper and a 3-ring binder will suffice and an ordinary Bic pen)
2. Come here every day for a question or two.
3. Write the question in the notebook and the answer under it. (This lets the person know who may read this why you're writing about this subject.

If you prefer to do this on your PC in Word, or whatever program you use, you can organize it later if you like or leave it hodge podge.

I hope you will find this fun and enlightening.

Here is your first question, and only one for today because this takes a bit of pondering.

1. How do you hope to be remembered?

Mice Friends

These are my little mice friends Rudy, Roger, and Robert. They keep me company in my kitchen while I cook. Although they have sat on this block of cheese for several months it never seems to get any smaller. They're handsome little fellows and quite enjoyable to look at.

Enrichment Night

Last night was Enrichment meeting and we had a nice turnout. Anna demonstrated how to make poinsettia napkin rings made out of felt. There was no sewing involved so putting it together was quick and simple. The rings are pretty and inexpensive to make. As you can see I chose pink and white, others were the traditional green and red which were quite lovely.

Peg demonstrated how to make mice out of maraschino cherries (with stem), chocolate kisses and chocolate chips for ears. They were darling. I'm not too 'crafty' as some of our good sisters are and mine turned out to look more like a little chubby hedgehog.

Somewhere on the way home my little cutey lost an eye so now he's my little one-eyed-hedgehog. I'm saving him for my honey when he gets in off the road. Patch, as I have now named him, is at eye level in the fridge and will be giving my honey the 'eye' when he opens the door.

Peg also showed us a witch's hat made with a Bugle corn chip and a cookie for the base, and a pilgrim hat which sat on a cookie base and used an inverted peanut butter cup for the crown and frosting around that to hold in place. They were so cute. I didn't attempt any of those...I was afraid of what I could do to them. SMILE....

You Know Enough

Following is part of a talk given by Neil L. Andersen of the Seventy at October General Conference. As I listened to his words I felt so in tune with the Spirit. Yes, I may not know everything BUT I know enough. I have days when I feel like I'm never going to get this earth life right. I know others have the same feeling sometimes. After 'hearing' this message I feel so much better about what I do know. I don't have to be perfect but I must strive for perfection as stated in Matthew 5:48. We can't be mediocre, there is no gray area in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we either do the best we can every day or we don't. We will make mistakes but it's a mistake to think we can't pick ourselves up and move forward. The Lord doesn't expect us to obtain perfection while in this mortal probation but He does expect us to give it our best shot. There is hope and I love that for without hope what would there be? I hope you will read the following excerpt with your spiriutal eyes and ponder and pray about these words. Bold print added by me for emphasis.

Neil L. Andersen of the Seventy. . . .
Nearly 40 years ago as I contemplated the challenge of a mission, I felt very inadequate and unprepared. I remember praying, “Heavenly Father, how can I serve a mission when I know so little?” I believed in the Church, but I felt my spiritual knowledge was very limited. As I prayed, the feeling came: “You don’t know everything, but you know enough!” That reassurance gave me the courage to take the next step into the mission field.

Our spiritual journey is the process of a lifetime. We do not know everything in the beginning or even along the way. Our conversion comes step-by-step, line upon line. We first build a foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We treasure the principles and ordinances of repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. We include a continuing commitment to prayer, a willingness to be obedient, and an ongoing witness of the Book of Mormon.

We then remain steady and patient as we progress through mortality. At times, the Lord’s answer will be, “You don’t know everything, but you know enough”—enough to keep the commandments and to do what is right. Remember Nephi’s words: “I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.”2
Challenges, difficulties, questions, doubts—these are part of our mortality. But we are not alone.

As disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have enormous spiritual reservoirs of light and truth available to us. Fear and faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time. In our days of difficulty, we choose the road of faith. Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe.”4

Through the years we take these important spiritual steps over and over again. We begin to see that “he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”5 Our questions and doubts are resolved or become less concerning to us. Our faith becomes simple and pure. We come to know what we already knew.

Asian Folk

This is a little collection of Asian Folk I have.

Most of them came from yard sales.
The pagoda acquarium piece came from a box -at- the- curb. I paid $.10 to a $.50 for all of them except the elegant lady in pink in the back row. I had been looking for a 'wife' for the gent in blue and voila I spotted her and knew the hunt was over. I paid a whopping $3.00 for her but he needed a wife and she is quite lovely to be sure, so there you have it. I'm a pretty good matchmaker if I do say so myself. Now I'm watching for a 'wife' for the man with the teal green sleeves in the back. He looks like he might be a shopkeeper, what do you think?

It's Sunday

It's Sunday afternoon and my good husband is 'on the road again'. I didnt' feel well and stayed home from Church today. I don't like doing that as it leaves me feeling like I haven't gotten my bucket full for the week.

Sundays are always quiet at our house. If I have to teach Gospel Doctrine the following week I always read my lesson and the scriptures that go with it on Sunday afternoon also my Relief Society lesson. I'm tickled that I only have to teach RS every other month and Gospel Doctrine every other week. I think my teaching partner, we alternate weeks, is going to keep her position. She's a sweet sister whom I admire very much. Peggy and her husband Gervase have lived over 30 years with MS and have had quite a go of it lately. Gervase passed away a few weeks back, he was a kind -sweet spirit just like his good wife. He will be sorely missed.

The one thing I wish I had on Sunday was family around to do family dinners with. You know, come home from church take off the pantyhose, put on the slippers and an apron and get dinner on the table. Afterward, sit around, talk, debate, just enjoy one anothers company. If I keep this up I'll have tears running down my cheeks so I'll move on to another topic.

It's a beautiful day in the Heartland, sunny, windy, cool, the trees are an array of magnificent colors, a beautiful blue sky with mare's tail clouds. What a wonderful day to be alive, even if I'm feeling a bit ragged. As I sit at the PC the sun is steaming in the window warming the side of my face and filling me with Vitamin D and good thoughts. I love the light....

Speaking of light, if you look at the header on this blog you can see that the background needs to be brightened. I took the shades off of two lamps to brighten the room and the blinds were open behind the lace curtains but as you can see still not quite enough light. What can I do to brighten the photo? I have Photo Impression 3 but something must be missing because I cannot save anything after editing. Help Me Please.....