It's been awhile ...

I have been regrettably, quite neglectful in posting on my blog this past year or so.  It all began when I started having trouble getting anything to work on my blog(s) so I got lazy and decided it wasn't worth the trouble or aggravation to spend any more time trying to figure out what was wrong.  Today I decided to give it another go.  I've always been able to log in and read all of the old postings on my blogs but for some unknown reason something had changed and I was shut out from writing, posting or editing anything.  This morning as I was getting to the end of my proverbial rope and feeling super frustrated because none of the online suggestions were working, inspiration struck like a bolt of lightening and I got the idea that I should try logging in with another server and lo and behold ...miracle of miracles ...it worked!  Woo hoo!  I'm back! 

I use yahoo as my server and I think when they got rid of the old yahoo and forced everyone to upgrade to their newest version it probably messed up my access to write and post in my blogs.  I know ...I know I should just use Google chrome for my server and my Google account for email but that's another sticky wicket that I won't go into right now!  I will post some of the latest happenings for the family on my other blog At Home in Sugar Land since this one is more for my random thoughts and ramblings.  Nice to be back though.  

General Conference Excerpts

“…If ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?” Immersion in the scriptures is essential for spiritual nourishment. The word of God inspires commitment and acts as a healing balm for hurt feelings, anger, or disillusionment. When our commitment is diminished for any reason, part of the solution is repentance. Commitment and repentance are closely intertwined. How we treat those closest to us is of fundamental importance. The foundation of kindness and civility begins in our homes. It is not surprising that our public discourse has declined in equal measure with the breakdown of the family. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. The family promotes an atmosphere where religious observance can flourish. There is indeed beauty all around when there’s love at home.

“I’m a Mormon. I know it. I live it. I love it.” “I’m a Mormon. Are you?” “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” As members, we are followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ. With so many distractions, do we have the strength, discipline, and commitment to remain focused on what matters most? We act with integrity and do what we know is right “at all times and in all things, and in all places,” no matter who may, or may not, be watching.

An Unspeakable Gift from God ...the Holy Ghost. The primary purpose of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of God the Father and of His Son Jesus Christ, and to teach us the truth of all things. During times of trouble or despair, or simply when we need to know that God is near, the Holy Ghost can lift our spirits, give us hope, and teach us the peaceable things of the kingdom” helping us feel “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding.”

"Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also" On that bright glorious morning of the first resurrection, your loved ones and mine will come forth from the grave as promised by the Lord himself and we will have a fullness of joy. Because he lives, they and we shall live also.

Ask the Missionaries! They Can Help You! [Missionaries] are blessed with gifts—such as the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of God, and testimonies of the truth—that make them powerful ambassadors of the Lord. You love the Lord and often think of returning to His fold. But you don't know how to start. I suggest that you ask the missionaries! They can help you! They can also help by teaching your loved ones. We and the missionaries love you and desire to bring joy and the light of the gospel back into your lives. you may want to know how to conquer an addiction, or live longer, and enjoy better health. Ask the missionaries! They can help you! You may feel that life is busy and frenetic, yet down deep in your heart you feel a gnawing emptiness, without direction or purpose. Ask the missionaries! They can help you! If you have concerns about your family, ask the missionaries! They can help you! Missionaries can also help you with your desire for greater knowledge. The human spirit yearns for enlightenment. Whether truth comes from a scientific laboratory or by revelation from God, we seek it! The glory of God indeed is intelligence. And if you want to know more about life after death, about heaven, about God’s plan for you; if you want to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ, His atonement, and the restoration of His church as it was originally established, ask the missionaries! They can help you!

Of Regrets and Resolutions ...I Wish I Had Spent More Time with the People I Love. I Wish I Had Lived Up to My Potential. I Wish I Had Let Myself Be Happier. We do matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness. Sometimes in life, we become so focused on the finish line that we fail to find joy in the journey.
We shouldn’t wait to be happy until we reach some future point, only to discover—that happiness was available—all the time! No matter our circumstances, no matter our challenges or trials, there is something in each day to embrace and cherish. There is something in each day that can bring gratitude and joy if only we will see and appreciate it. Resolve to spend more time with those we love. Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be. Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.

Unexpected Bumps Along the Road

I'm glad I decided to take a quick detour to pick some more strawberries at Froeburg's Vegetable Farm on my way home from a seminary supervisor training meeting in Alvin today.  I didn't take time to change clothes, just headed on out in a dress and my good shoes looking a tad over dressed and within 15 minutes I had this big, beautiful bucket of strawberries and was on my way!  My timing was perfect because later that evening we had another round of torrential rain storms that turned everything into a muddy mess out there. 
The last time I picked strawberries at Froeburg's the mud was thick & slippery and the fruit flies were out in droves.  Luckily I had brought an old pair of shoes just in case so I wouldn't mind so much when the gooey, gray mud oozed up over the tops of my shoes.
  
We've been eating fresh strawberries, Strawberry shortcake, strawberries with sugar and cream, and chocolate dipped strawberries all season long; but this batch is going to be made into some delicious freezer jam ...yummm!  There's nothing better than the smell of strawberry jam wafting through the kitchen.  Wish I could bottle that sweet aroma and have it around all year long!


It was a beautiful, cool day on Saturday so I decided to spend the morning working outside in the yard.  While I was planting some flowers I started fiddling with our metal gate (the one that was damaged during Hurricane Ike) and it slipped off the rock that the lawn guys had put under it to keep it stable. Unfortunately my finger was in the way and ended up getting crushed between the metal post and the brick wall of our house; and my finger nail got ripped off in the process! It is just hanging on at the cuticle.  Oh boy, did that hurt, bleed, and...even make me cry a bit!  It pretty much put a damper on my plans for the rest of the day.  It looks like the freezer jam will have to be put on the back burner for a day or two to give me some time to recuperate.  8(

You Know What This Means ...

Copper was starting to feel the heat with his shaggy winter coat so I decided to take him to the groomer at our vets office a couple of weeks ago to get his summer hair cut.  Now don't be fooled by his happy demeanor.  He wasn't all that thrilled with the prospect of spending the day being tortured at his least favorite place.  In fact I pretty much had to drag him on in there.  The only reason he's "smiling" is because I'm waving a piece of left over ham from our Easter dinner in front of his chops.  Now that's enough to put a smile on any one's face!

Here he's trying to lick the ham through the glass window.  Yummmm!

 
  May I have some more please?!?

His first night was a bit of an adjustment.  He was missing his fur coat and decided to sleep in his dog house on his soft bed to stay warm and comfortable.  He's pretty much used to it now and sleeping back under the stars.  With the temps already up in the high 80's it was a good decision.  Don't worry ...I've got your back! You can thank me later Copper.  8)

The Little Free Library

I have been a member of bookcrossing for many years, where we are encouraged to register and release books into the wild for people to find and read ...and possibly re-release so we can track their travels around the world.  In the latest bookcrossing newsletter they shared a new and exciting way to release books ...through a "Little Free Library".  I was enchanted by all of the cute designs they had come up with using mostly re purposed building materials.  You know ...old barns, windows, dog houses, mail boxes, left over lumber that would normally be thrown away.  I love the idea of reusing something so it doesn't end up in our land fills.  Taking something old, and making it beautiful again. 

I can't wait to see if I can get my dad to build one for me in his handy wood shop.  Yes, he loves to build things.  So he built a wood shop in his back yard.  It's pretty big too, almost like a little guest house filled with every tool (manual and electric) that you can imagine!  He's built everything from bird houses to sail boats, and that's just one of his many hobbies.  He's a wonder! 

Here are some of the "Little Free Libraries" that were show cased.  There are all so cute I'm having a hard time deciding which one I like best.  Which one is your favorite? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Civil War Exhibit

Yesterday I decided to head on up to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see the Civil War exhibit.  It was really interesting and I hadn't realized that so much was going on in Texas during that time period.  I learned a lot but have to say what a sad and horrific time in our countries history this was.  So much death and destruction took place during the war years and for so many years afterwards. 

My mom's grandma and her family were all from Georgia along with many relatives who were from South Carolina, so I had ancestors who served in the confederate army.  One in fact was an ambulance driver or a "teamster".  I had  many more relatives who could have been in the Union army but so far I haven't been able to locate any war records for them.  I've always thought of myself as a "Yankee" even though I have southern roots.  I've wondered if I had been born in the South like my family was would I have fought against Northern aggression, or would I have had the courage to do all I could to help black slaves gain their freedom?  I can't even imagine how hard that must have been for families to be fighting against each other while their country was being torn apart.  Short of being transported back in time I guess none of us will ever know what we would have done had we been in their shoes.

I do remember growing up in Utah that it was rare to see anyone with skin darker than what you would naturally get from a summer tan.  When I was in 2nd and 3rd grade we were taught about the civil rights movement and I remember being shocked to learn about all of the restrictions that African American citizens had to live with.  I wrongly assumed that we were all the same when it came to what we could and couldn't do. 

I came home from school one day and asked my parents if it was really true that black people had to drink out of a different drinking fountain than we did just because our skins were different colors?  After they confirmed what my teacher had told me I remember saying that it was the dumbest thing I had ever heard!  Later in that conversation they told me that most of the people in our neighborhood would sell their homes if a black family moved in next door to them and it just didn't make any sense to me.  For the first time in my young life I realized what being a racist meant even though I had never even heard that word before.  It just felt so wrong for all of these people to be treated so unfairly when they hadn't done anything wrong to deserve it, and deep down I was embarrassed that I looked like the people who were treating them this way.  How could this be happening in our country; the land of the free and home of the brave?  A place where every one was supposed to be free to live their lives how ever they chose as long as they didn't hurt any one else? 

I'm thankful that my children were able to grow up in a world where these injustices have been done away with and that they were able to go to schools with children of all races and nationalities.  We are all children of God and everyone deserves to be treated with love, kindness and most of all respect. 

Two New Projects

This has been a busy week for us "oldsters".  During his last trip to New York with our oldest son Eric, my husband mentioned that it would be "cool" (yes we really are "oldsters" and a product of the 70's!) if we started collecting and framing posters of all of our favorite musicals.  The only stipulation being that we had to have actually seen the musical live before it could go up on the wall.  And yes ...between the two of us we have seen a LOT of musicals, not only in various cities around the U.S. but on Broadway as well!   

Our son helped us get started by presenting us with our first two posters as Christmas gifts; the Lion King and Les Miserable which are two of our all time favorites.  Since then my husband has purchased 5 additional posters and he spent the day on Saturday framing them himself.  I have to admit they turned out pretty amazing.  The colors are eye popping and they will definitely brighten up our upstairs family room where we plan to hang them. 

He enlisted our daughter Whitney to over see the project since she is a humanities major and has worked for the Springville Art Museum in Utah.  We figured with her on board we can't go too far wrong in putting together our personal art gallery.  The pictures aren't the greatest because I used my phone camera ...but you
 get the idea.

                                     
                                     
                                  
While my husband was working on his project I decided it was time get going on one of my own.  I wanted to weed and till my vegetable garden and get it ready for planting before the Spring rains start .  It was a big job with all of the weeds that had sprouted up over the Winter and took from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with only a quick lunch break.  I'm happy to say I'm just about finished but boy do my muscles ache!  I've discovered muscles I didn't know I had and spent most of the day on Sunday hobbling around.  I guess the good news is that I actually still have muscles that can ache.  They better get ready because round two is just about to begin!