If It's Not One Thing - It's Your Mother!

8 Cool Tools From CES: Technology: REALTOR Magazine

2011-01-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

8 Cool Tools From CES: Technology: REALTOR Magazine

January in San Diego

2011-01-17T12:31:00.000-08:00

Friday's with Jim and Ginger

It was a perfect day in San Diego, clear skies, temperature almost 80 degrees. It almost felt like spring. Jim and Janeal were visiting from WA. so we took their family and Mike and Suzann and headed for the beach. It was packed with people who had the same idea. The water was too cold for me for swimming, but it sure didn’t stop the kids.

It was a perfect day in San Diego, clear skies, temperature almost 80 degrees. It almost felt like spring. Jim and Janeal were visiting from WA. so we took their family and Mike and Suzann and headed for the beach. It was packed with people who had the same idea. The water was too cold for me for swimming, but it sure didn’t stop the kids.

Friday's with Jim and Ginger

2010-12-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

What could possibly be better than Christmas time in San Diego? It is really America's finest city! We began the evening with dinner on the embarcadero at Anthony's. All the ships were decorated in lights and the glow on the harbor was beautiful. Next we did a little driving to see the houses decorated and finally ended up in Balboa Park.

Balboa Park is the most amazing place. The magnificent Spanish-Renaissance style of architecture was originally created for the first World's Fair in 1915. It is always fun to just walk around, but it takes on a special feeling at Christmastime. If you only see it in the summer, you are missing the fun of bundling up in coats and enjoying both the lights and displays. Of course, a favorite is the Old Globe with 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas".

Don't you wish Christmas could last a little longer? Maybe without all the hussle and bustle but a little more time to reflect and enjoy.

Merry Christmas!

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

2010-11-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.

As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes.

Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes made with Lard, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank FLAV- OR- AID made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?

Because we were always outside playing....that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were OKAY.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Play stations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms.

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping pong paddles, or just a bare hand and no one would call child services to report abuse.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. What can kids today do besides push buttons!

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of them, CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?

I love Sundays

2010-10-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

I had a great Sunday. We went to church with Mike and Suzann and watched their Primary Program. It is always so much fun. All of the kids knew their parts and even all the words to the songs. Really fun.

Next, instead of going to our Primary Program I went to the hospital to see Mom. She is in for a 5th heart attack! She looked very frail and weak. I had to push my chair very close to her to be able to hear what she was saying. I think she is going to be OK, but she is definitely going down hill. She is 84 now. I guess that's old, but I expect to live to 115 so it still seems young to me. I don't think we will have too many more years with her now. She was very sweet. It is sad we have not had much contact in my adult years. I do not resent that since she was a very good mother to me as a child. I would have enjoyed an adult relationship, but she gave me what I needed when I needed it, so I am at peace with our relationship.

Then I went back to church in time for the last two hours. It was excellent and I was glad I was there. It was on the atonement of Jesus and gave me some new thoughts to ponder. Best of all 2 people asked if I had lost more weight. No, I am just an optical illusion!

Ended my day with a big nap and some TV watching, followed by the best candy bar ever! Perfect Day!

Hi, I'm back!

2010-09-11T17:00:00.001-07:00

Well one of my new goals is to blog every week, even if I don't have anything to say. I feel like I have been cheated this summer. First it was such a cold summer I didn't do all the things I love to do. No beach, not enough pool time. Very sad. Then, if that wasn't bad enough I got sick while Dani and Kristi were visiting. I still enjoyed having them here, but wasn't able to go and do the things I wanted with them. It has taken quite a while to totally kick this but I am now beginning to feel more like my old self.

Jim and Mike are now backpacking in the Sierra's. It should be gorgeous this time of year, but I bet it is really cold! Should get to freezing in the night. I miss him but I am planning on getting tons done while he is gone.

Business has been steady which is a very good thing. I have set all new goals for between now and the end of the year so it is going to take putting my head down and plowing through. I am certain I can get some good things done.

Today is 9/11 and I have been watching TV with a repeat of the actual TV coverage on that day. Wow! It is still so powerful. It makes you wonder if it will ever end. Now they want to build a mosque there......don't get me started!

Just keeping cool!

2010-07-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I keep forgeting to post. I love having the blog and it is kind of a way to keep a journal for me. Now you know why I don't have a journal, I write once or twice and forget to stay with it. It is finally hot here. Way too hot, actually, but I prefer it to the cold. I am spending all my time working and doing Relief Society stuff. Work has been good, I am very busy and trying to get my website updated and also put together a facebook fan page. I am trying to find someone to pay to do the fan page, I just can't get it. I know it can be done, but I am clueless. When I finish everyone has to friend me on it so I can put extra stuff on it. Hopefully the guy I found on the internet will know what he's doing.

My big RS project is cleaning out Joan's house. She is an older lady who has gone to New Jersey to live with her niece. She is also a hoarder. We are having to completely empty it. What a nightmare! But in two more weeks it should be finished.

Come on Summer!

2010-06-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

I am so ready for it to be summer. It seems like I am always cold. I am looking forward to laying by the pool, wrinkles or not, I don't care! I am also going to go to the beach at least once a week and I am stacking up books for my summer reading program. I had so much fun when the kids were small and summer finally got here. We would always have Monday family home evening at the beach with a bon fire and dinner. Tuesdays we would go to the pool. Wednesdays we would go to the park. Thursdays we were back at the beach. Friday was for outings, Wild Animal Park, Balboa Park, Picnic, time with friends, whatever sounded good that day. It was a perfect way to spend the summer. I am going to try this year to recapture some of it. So I need to work smarter and find some spare time to enjoy all San Diego has to offer!

What no more TV?

2010-05-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

This is always the best of times and the worst of times. This is the week of the finale of my favorite TV shows. I guess it is a good thing that I will have a few months free of TV. I am especially sad that 24 isn't going to be returning. That was my #1 favorite show. The really scary thing is I believe there really is a Jack Bauer out there and we just don't know about him. I even think there might be more than one. I am also convinced if we know all the goings on behind the government we would be scared to death since they are all crooks. I will also miss the Survivor, Amazing Race and of course American Idol. Guess I am going to have to find a new hobby. Any suggestions?

Prayer Works!

2010-05-14T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have had an amazing few weeks. I don't know when I have been more grateful for what I have than right now. I spent lots and lots of hours with ladies from our Relief Society who have been going though some rough stuff. First my dear friend Billye has bone cancer. She went through a stem cell transplant where they killed everything in her and put new stem cells into her. It was a terrifying ordeal, but she is finally starting to improve. Next was Raquel, who has already had cancer 3 times and just discovered it is back and her intestines had to be removed. It has been a slow and very difficult recovery but she is finally begining to come out of it. Then Joan is fighting breast cancer, COPD and heart problems. She no longer can live alone and it is really difficult trying to figure out what is next. We spent several weeks in sincere prayer on the behalf of each of these wonderful women. Our entire Relief Society both fasted and prayed for them and the results are truly amazing. I never doubt that prayer will work, but I love when the results are so obvious.

These are only a few of the problems I see right now. Also numerous friends are unable to find jobs, are dealing with problem kids and so much more. I also had another funeral this week. Bottom line is, I am not as tolerant of the complainers. I recognise how lucky I am to be healthy and happy. Even though I want to pull out my hair with some of my clients, at least I have a job. And as for family, no one has more to appreciate than I do. They are the very best. It's rare to belong to a family that loves one another as much as we do. My heart is full of gratitute and I don't take it for granted.

Time is ticking on.

2010-05-02T07:39:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize it has been so long since I posted. Don't have a lot of time now, but though I would leave a short message. I have been crazy busy at work. Not in a good way. Dealing with idiots! It is just one thing after another and I am so behind in everything because of it. I spent an entire week fighting with an agent who didn't like the way the bathroom shower tile was repaired. It was non-stop, numerous emails every day(insulting my buyer and questioning my integrity). She wanted $10,000 or the shower to be torn out and redone. That was so ridiculous. Finally I went back over to the house to see if I missed something. I looked and looked but it looked perfect to me. As I was leaving I noticed under the soap container some something that did look like a bad repair job, (the repair was at the other end of the shower), I touched it and it was soap scum. Cleaned it off in 2 minutes. Yeah, that was what they were bitching about! Soap Scum! My week was destroyed because of soap scum!!! Can you say irritated? Beyond belief! Just one thing after another. I have another bad week then it should calm down. At least something is closing. I will try to stay in touch. I really love the blogs and it is more personal than Facebook, which I haven't really mastered yet. It seems I get too much junk in it to spend a lot of time with it.

Traditions

2010-04-04T20:37:00.000-07:00

It has been a very quiet Easter. Just Jim and I. No big dinner, no Easter basket. When did I grow up? And when did they? Tomorrow Mike and Suzann, Shelli and Rom and families will come and we will celebrate then. But what happened to the Easter of my childhood?
This is the Easter I remember: Lynda, Ginger, Mike, Vicki and Terry(at the bottom)
Our Easter celebrations always started weeks earlier when Nana began making our special Easter dresses. We would spend hours being fitted and hemmed until she had each one of our dresses perfect. Next would come all new clothes, underwear, slip, socks and shoes. Sometimes if there was enough money we would get a hat or a purse, which made it extra special.

The night before Easter we would color Easter Eggs and get a bath. Our baskets were always hidden and the first thing in the morning we would find them. We would then go to church as a family, something we rarely did. But I think that was when I first learned that I loved the Lord. I can't remember a time I didn't believe. I always knew Jesus died for me, although it was many years before I fully understood what that really means for me personally. Today it is the center of my life. The basis for all my joys.

We would then go to Nana's for an Easter feast. Both of the pictures were taken at her home. My memories of Easter is of Love. Love for my family. Love for my parents, love for my grandparents, especially Nana, love for my brother and sisters, love for the Lord. I hope I have passed this tradition on.

Day 10

2010-04-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

This is the saddest day of all. We have to go home. The good news is it is cold and rainy. That makes it easier to leave. Even Hawaii is sad to see us go home. There is a great beauty in the rain and stormy sea. I wish I had a cozy fireplace to watch it from. We enjoyed our morning walk although the wind was fierce.

On the way to the airport we had one of our most poignant experiences of the entire trip. It was raining like crazy but we still stopped at the ancient birthing stones. This is considered a sacred place to the Hawaiians. Over 50 generations of Hawaiian royalty was born at this spot. Royal birthing practices were different from the commoners.

When the time came for a woman to give birth she would go to what then was a secret spot and in the presence of 36 male chiefs she would position herself at certain stones and in certain ways to give birth while they watched. Within minutes of the birth the child was taken away and the mother would not see her child again until it was grown. That was to ensure that the child would not be murdered, (common among rival chiefs)

The rocks were different shapes. They were very interesting and looked strangely out of place in the secluded meadow, some even had what looked like hand-holds. The rocks are all natural and not man made. The entire area had a special spirit about it. I was grateful that I did not live in a time where you had to give birth on a rock. I also couldn't imagine not seeing your child until adulthood. You could picture how the women gave birth there. It felt very real and personal.

Day 9

2010-03-05T20:45:00.000-08:00

We leave tomorrow and want to stay. Hate the thought of leaving. I don't know if a month would be enough time. However, we were rewarded wtih a beautiful rainbow this morning. We decided to skip our walk today and go to Waimea Falls. This is a botantical garden that has a waterfall. It is huge and quite the hike. I even ended up with blisters we hiked so much. This was the perfect conclusion to our trip. I think this is where the Garden of Eden was, or it was at least the twin. Everywhere you looked, you marveled at the beauty. It is a valley with so much foilage and flowers you had to stop every few feet and look.

We went to lunch at our favorite place Haleiwa Joes for lunch. I had a crab and avocado salad that was out of this world. We stopped by the soap factory for some soap and body oil. It is famous for the outstanding soaps.

We watched the wind surfers, regular surfers and big waves before heading back to the hotel.
I tried to read, but fell asleep before I knew it. It was a short nap and we went to watch the sunset before going to dinner

For dinner we went to 21 and I ordered Moi. I love Moi, but when my dinner arrived there was a dead fish on my plate! Head, tail, fins the whole thing. Eyeballs and all. It was kind of curved around and it was disgusting. I tried to eat it, but it wouldn't fall off the bones so each bite was full of bones. It tasted horrible. Of course, Jim let them know and it was taken off the bill, but my appetite was completely destroyed!

Day 8

2010-03-05T20:31:00.000-08:00

We began our day once again with a long walk. The winds were furious and it was drizzling but we walked about 4 miles until we found the perfect little beach. It is sandy, protected and very secluded. I think it might be fun to go back in the summer to snorkel. It was just gorgeous. They are making a film, called, "Soul Surfer" staring Dennis Quad, Helen Hunt and Carrie Underwood. They had the set up and were shooting mostly the unknowns but it was fun to see the sets and all the crew in action. It is a movie about the girl that had her arm bit off by a shark but still surfs. Think I will go see it when it comes out.

When then decided it was the perfect day to go to Waikiki. We found the most amazing road that took us high up into the mountain and had views of the city. Even with the cloud cover and drizzle it was beautiful.

There were hiking trails all over and it was like a wonderful, beautiful jungle. It was as pretty as any area in Hawaii and just minutes from Waikiki.

We ended up at Punchbowl National Cemetery. As we walked around the monuments it was a very solemn experience. There were the names of 28,000 that were killed in World War II and Korea whose bodies were never recovered. It was a very patriotic feeling to recognize the sacrifice of so many. I was glad we stopped, it not something you often experience.

We went back to the hotel and it was sunny and bright. We were on the beach by 12:30 and stayed until 4:00. It was great. We almost got too much sun. Virgin Pina Coladas, reading, snorkeling, swimming, and of course a nap as well. Jim swam with a turtle so the trip was complete for him. We went to Haleiwa Joes for dinner again. It is so good.

Day 7

2010-02-28T21:48:00.000-08:00

Today was the aftermath of the storm. Windy and rainy all day. We started the day with a 4+ mile walk. We walked along the coast, through beautiful wooded forests and past a horse farm. It was raining and we had a 30 to 40 mile wind to deal with. Before we left 30-40 mile wind doesn't sound like much, but when you are in it, that is a different thing altogether. Made for a bad hair day.
Halfway though our walk we found an old World War II bunker. Really cool.

Since we were soaked and cold by the time we got back we tried to remember what people who don't like the beach do for fun. So we spent most of the rest of the day in the town of Haleiwa, walking through cute stores and mostly looking. We went to Killer Tacos for lunch, very good with tacos made from Kalua Pork. On the way back we stopped to watch the wind surfers. That was really amazing. They must have been going a hundred miles and hour. It was the perfect day for wind surfing. We finished the day reading and taking it easy. Finished my book. It was OK but nothing to write home about.

Day 6

2010-02-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

This is the day that started out like a lion and ended like a lamb. We found a paper under our doors when we woke up telling us about the Tsunami warning. We turned on TV and heard about the earthquake and the severe warning for Hawaii. The people were scared and taking no chances. We were told it was several hours away so we decided to go to the beach and see what was up. We spent some time sitting on the rocks and walking along the coast. It was a little rough but really beautiful.

After a while the police came in 4 wheel drive and had a loudspeaker ordering everyone to get off the beach and return to their hotels. We slowly worked our way back to the hotel. Most of the staff did not come in to work so they offered everyone a half price breakfast buffet which was nice. After that everyone was told to go to the 4th, 5th or 6th floor and stay in the hallway or lobby area. They brought in water, blankets, pillows and glow sticks. Since we were staying on the 5th floor we just stayed in our room, where we could see what was going on.

Of course, I didn't want any damage, but I was hoping for a little bit of a show. All the tsunami did was cause a really low tide, followed quickly by a moderate high tide. That was it. No big deal. However the roads were still closed and the officials were afraid there could be another surge. So we had to wait several more hours for the roads to open.

When we were finally able, we took a drive around the windward side of the island. It was beautiful, very tropical and green. Nothing was open, no gas stations, no 7-11, no grocery stores. Hardly any cars on the road. Everyone took the day off. We returned to the hotel for dinner and an evening of walking around the hotel grounds before calling it a night. Could have been a lot more exciting. But few people can say they witnessed a tsunami first hand!

Day 5

2010-02-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

Whoo Hoo!!! Today was the day! We took our first flying lesson in an ultra light glider. It was beyond description. We absolutely loved, loved, loved it! It was a little scary at first. We had to sign papers saying no matter what happened, no matter whose fault it is, you can not sue them. It also said it can result in death. Makes you stop and think, "Am I crazy?" Also it is a little scary taking off, bumpy and very fast. But we quickly became comfortable with the entire process and even began flying ourselves.

The view was of course, spectacular. We went over the mountains, up to 8,000 feet and then swooped down to the ocean. It was very cold above the clouds, but fun. We even created a rainbow in the clouds with our shadow in the middle of it. My favorite thing to do. We saw waterfalls, whales and the set of Lost. it was wonderful flying like a bird. I would love to do it again. I am the one in the pictures with my legs dangling, and Jim is usually doing the flying on his slideshow. You can see when we flew side by side.
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After our flight we went to a soap factory the pilot told me about. Homemade soaps using Hawaiian oils and fragrances. I bought both soaps and oils. Really great stuff. Then we went to eat Haleiwa Joes( also recommended by Denise), a wonderful restaurant on the harbor with the best coconut shrimp. It was very reasonable and everything on the menu looked great. We will go back again before we leave.

The afternoon was spent on the beach where we laid out, swam and snorkled. We saw lots of fish, but the weren't very big. A good variety though.

For dinner we decided for another romantic dinner at Ola's on the beach. They had a musical group singing that were great. The music, the tropical breeze and the food were the perfect ending to a perfect day.

Day 4

2010-02-27T13:06:00.000-08:00

Another gorgeous day in paradise. No walk today, we are going whale watching. We get up early and travel about a half hour to Haleiwa to get on a catamaran to head out for a whale watching trip. It is skippered by two young guys in holey T-Shirts and hair that doesn’t look like it has been combed in days. They love what they do. It is worth it just for the catamaran ride.

We have great luck with sighting whales. We come across about 3 pods and see many more in the distance. Our favorite was a mother, baby and escort who were very curious about us. We turned the engine off and just floated. They came closer and closer, less than 75 feet away. The entertained us for quite a while with tail wags and flipper waves. We could see them very easily. It was a great trip.

On the way home we stopped for lunch at a shrimp shack. It was called Romy’s. It was really good. We ordered the sweet and spicy. It came with shrimp and rice. The shrimp farm was right beside the shack. You had to peel them yourself and with the sauce it was messy, but worth the effort.

I was a little queasy before the whale trip so I took a Dramamine, big mistake since I never get sea sick. All it did was make me extremely tired after the trip was over. This made the afternoon nap time. I totally crashed. It did feel good.

To tired or too lazy to get dressed so we had room service tonight.

Day 3

2010-02-26T09:00:00.000-08:00

Wow! I really love sunrises! Who knew! Started with a gigantic walk with Jim. We started along the beach, went up through a forested area with windows opening to the ocean and then the golf course. About 5 miles altogether. I didn't know I could walk so long. It is so pretty at this time of day. Quiet and peaceful. We don't see hardly any other people, it is like we are here by ourselves.

After the walk we are starving so sweaty and all we go to the Palm Terrace for breakfast. This is a restaurant on the terrace overlooking the pool and beach. I had french toast with macadamia nut butter. So delicious. I need to do this again.

We were back at the beach by 10:00 and will spend most of the day here. Snorkeling, swimming, reading, sleeping and trying not to get sunburned. If I was a millionaire this is how I would spend my entire life. I don't think it would ever get boring.

I had to leave at 2:30 because I have a spa appointment. Yeah! I am having a massage. One of my favorite things. 2 hours of pure bliss. The massage was wonderful, I think I was in a trance. So completely relaxed. I followed it with the steam room and left fully relaxed, softened and rejuvenated. Why don't I do this more often?

For dinner we went to the fancy restaurant 21 degrees. It was so good. I had fish, Jim had lamb. Again, it was out of this world. Really an elegant top notch setting with impeccable service and amazing food. Couldn't have enjoyed it more.

Went to bed with the doors open listening to the sounds of the surf.

Day 2

2010-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love waking up to the sound of the ocean. I lift my head and the sun is just rising and I can see waves from the bed. Heavenly! First thing of the day is a long walk, along the beach. The sun is barely up, I don't think I have ever walked at this time of day. It was beautiful. I walked for over an hour. Jim went east and I went west. My walk was both along the water, by the golf course and exploring the property. Fun but worked up a hunger.

When we got back we decided we need to go on a fresh fruit run so we drove a few miles to a little stand and returned with fresh apple bananas, papaya and some weird fruit that I have no idea what it is. Also stopped at the market for water and juice. The hotel charges $3.50 for a small bottle of water, not going to pay that! On the way back we stopped at Pipeline for a while. There was a body boarding contest going on, really a big deal, some big championship tournament with the top body boarding surfers in the world competing. Kind of our version of the Olympics. Fun to watch.

After we got home (yes it is feeling like home) we changed and went to the beach. Since we start at 6:30, it is still only 10:30. We found our spot under an umbrella and this is where we will spend the day. For Jim snorkeling and swimming, for me reading and getting my feet wet. I will snorkel but not today. I love my new Kindle and love reading. It is slow reading because I keep stopping to look at the scenery. I just want to take it all in and remember it.

Once again we watched the sunset, waiting for the green flash but no green flash today. Sometimes if it is really clear in Hawaii right before the sun sets at the last minute there will be a green flash before the sun completely disappears. Not clear enough today, still a few clouds.

While waiting for the sunset we watched some surfers being towed by a jet ski out to the huge waves. There were two of them with the jet skis and it really made a difference in the rides they caught. The waves were enormous and the rides like something you would see in a movie. It was just awesome. I loved watching them in the tube. I wish I could still surf. I should never have stopped. It is sad to think of the things I could have kept doing if I would have tried a little harder. I was just so busy with babies many things took a back seat and now my balance is so bad I can hardly walk on rocks. We staying until dark, loving every minute of it.

Decided to do room service tonight and go to bed early.

Day 1

2010-02-25T08:07:00.001-08:00

Woke up at the crack of dawn, but not to worry I packed last night and just need to shower and get dressed. Mike will be here at 7:00 to take us to the airport. I think I have everything. Can't wait to get on that plane to Hawaii. We will be staying at Turtle Bay on the North Shore, think I will like it.

Oh my, I nearly froze on the plane. Here we are heading to the tropics and it must have been 40 degrees in that plane. I had 3 of their wimpy blankets, long sleeve shirt and a sweater and was still cold! It was fantastic getting off. Warm breezes at last.

After getting the car we headed out to the North Shore and stopped by the Dole Pineapple Plantation, really just a big tourist trap, but time for a pineapple smoothie and some coconut-mac cookies. You could spend a fortune in this place, everything you can imagine from food that has pineapple somewhere in it to every trinket that could be possibly identified as Hawaiian (many made in China) is here. You also have to fight the bus loads of people from the tours, but we kind of like it.

We took our time and stopped at some of the beaches to enjoy the big surf. It was so beautiful. I feel the stress falling away.
We checked in and love it here. It is just magnicificant!

We spent the afternoon walking around, sitting on the edge of water and watching the sunset. So beautiful. I really think Hawaiian sunsets are the very best.

For Dinner we walked to a restaurant on the sand, open walls so nothing is between you and the ocean called Ola. The food was absolutely fantastic. Both of us almost licked our plates clean. We will go back there again!

I had a great Valentine Day!

2010-02-15T19:18:00.000-08:00

One of my best Valentine Days ever! No candy, no flowers, not card, but...... Jim got me a Kindle! This is the most amazing gift ever! I am really excited and have already downloaded several books. I actually found 489,000 free books on Amazon, so now I have to be selective and pick just the right ones.

I am going to go to the bookstore and decide which titles are going to be on my top 20 list. I also love the selection at the airport. For some reason they always have the best books there. I like fast paced books so I should be able to get quite a few read while we are on vacation.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2010-02-05T20:36:00.000-08:00

We had so much fun at the beach we decided to do it again. Friday was both the highest tide and also the lowest tide. The high tide was not as impressive as the other week because we didn't have any storms, so the waves were not as big as before. Still fun but not as good. However, the low tide was amazing. It was a minus 1.8 tide and it seemed like it went on forever.

We started at Sunset Cliffs and went from there to La Jolla. We walked out on the ramp by the children's cove, which is now taken over by the seals. It was fantastic with the waves crashing on the wall behind us and the seals in front of us. We stayed for quite a while and then worked our way up the coast to Carlsbad.

We took a break for brunch. We found a cafe that had great reviews, but our opinion was it was just OK, nothing special. Still after our diets, it tasted wonderful. We took our time and then it was almost low tide so we had to leave since we really came for the low tide.

Our next stop was Carlsbad where we took a long 2 mile walk along the beach. We stayed just out of the water, which required careful attention to the waves. I don't know when the beach was more beautiful. It just went on forever. After our walk in the sand, we were exhaused (at least I was) so we went to Noah's Ark and set up our chairs and took a little nap. Thought I might read, but the book was boring and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

We spent the entire day at the beach. Really a perfect day.

52 Blessings - Week 4

2010-01-26T09:22:00.000-08:00

This week I am grateful for the rain. What a treat we have this week. It has rained almost non-stop. I love it when I crank up the heater to 80 degrees, turn on the fireplace and find a good book. Pure heaven! I love the smell after a rain, the fact all my plants are properly watered and even the sound of it hitting the skylights. I don't think there is a more beautiful sight than the earth after a rain. We went up to one of our favorite places, Twin Peaks Park, where the view is just spectacular, panoramic and 360 degree. It was so crystal clear, no smog. We could see forever.

52 Blessings - Week 3

2010-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

This week I am grateful for my country. After the horrible earthquake in Hati I realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States. I so often complain about all the red tape we have to go through to get builing permits, how nasty the city is when a violation is discoved, and how much time is wasted on these things. But, without it you have crumbling cities and since we are in the heart of earthquake territory, it is reasuring to know our houses probably will still be standing in case we are hit. This has also renewed my committment to have an adequate supply of food and water and basic first aid on hand.

I am also grateful for the goodness of the American people. Whenever there is a need hearts are softened and as a nation we are willing and eager to help others. As I watch the horrible pictures I can't help but say a prayer of gratitude that my children and grandchildren are safe and sound. We are truly living in a county that has been blessed by God.

Storm Watch

2010-01-23T12:42:00.000-08:00

This is 1 of the wettest storms we have had in years.. we need rain but is causing havoc everywhere. We have had unbelievable wind and non- stop rain.

Date: Thu, Jan 21, 2010 at 2:40 PM
Subject: Storm Watch 2010

The picture below is not for the faint hearted!
With all the news on TV lately about the sub zero weather and snow that the mid-west and east coast areas are experiencing, we shouldn't forget that Southern California has its share of crazy weather also.

I've attached a photo illustrating the damage caused to a home from a west coast storm that passed through the San Diego area a couple of hours ago. It really makes you cherish what you have, and reminds us not to take life for granted!!!

52 Blessing Project - Week 2

2010-01-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

This week I am grateful for Relief Society. I don't think there is a better influence in the lives of women than Relief Society. We had been working for a couple of weeks for our theme and we decided it would be, "Expand Your Horizons". Mainly in 3 key areas: Increased Knowledge, Service to Others and Yourself and Spiritual Growth. If you think about it, that just about covers most of the key areas of a persons life. This is the presentation we started the lesson with. Angela made it. Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

52 Blessings Project - Week 1

2010-01-17T15:39:00.000-08:00

Once again I am going to try to stay on top of the 52 Blessings Project. I love the idea of finding something that I am grateful for each and every week. It really is not hard since there is so many blessings in my life. I just get lazy and don't take the time to write them down. So for my first blessing - I am grateful for new beginings. I love the new year, love to put the old year behind me and start over again. I think it is extra special starting a new decade as well.

I am setting new goals, in both my business as well as my personal life. I am really excited about 2010 and think it can be a great year. I want to make it as outstanding as possible. Attitude is supose to make all the difference, if I can just maintain my attitude throughout the year it should be an exceptional year. I can hardly wait to see what it brings.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2010-01-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

Friday we decided to do something we haven't taken time to do in a long time, spend a part of Friday getting away and just enjoying what San Diego has to offer. We really didn't plan on it, but we were talking about the big waves and decided to forget everything else and just go. It was a little after high tide but we went anyway. It was so much fun. A perfect beach day, overcast and foggy. It was almost like being in a cloud. The waves were still magnificant. We started at resturant row and went south all the way to Sunset Cliffs, stopping at every good spot along the way.
We had such a good time we decided to do it again at the end of the month. The last Friday in January there is a really high tide and a minus low tide, so we are going to spend the entire day at the beach. I think it will be neat to see the two extremes. I will post the photos.

Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day

2010-01-17T02:59:00.000-08:00

Ohhhh my! Yes there is a Holiday set a side for us called
"Ditch Your New Years Resolution Day." This Holiday is always on January 17th. The reason for this holiday is so you can ditch all those resolutions that you made on New Years Eve because by now your going to know if there going to fly or not. You know.... all the ones you've already broken.

Weight Loss Blues!

2010-01-08T14:32:00.000-08:00

We now have a family and friends biggest loser contest going. Anyone who wants can join us for the entry fee of $25.00. So Jim and I are going to be participants. We both started back on our diets on Monday. I am losing at my snails pace, but Jim is going like crazy. He is dropping so much weight it is amazing. His stomach is already flatter. How can that be? My butt is the same size. I do not think this is fair. There must be a product on the market that lets girls lose as easily as boys, but I don't want to get a hairy chest in the process.

The good news is he bought a George Foreman grill which makes really good chicken and even fish. It also doesn't mess up the stove. Send me any great recipes for dieting. But I only want them if they are great! Nothing mediocre. I get no carbs, no sugar and no dairy. I'm not sure anything good tasting exists without butter. But I am staying with it. At least until we go to Hawaii, then we'll see.

Welcome California January!

2010-01-07T14:25:00.001-08:00

Oh, it is so gorgeous today. It is just amazing, blue skies, temperature around 76, just feels good. This is a picture my friend and old neighbor sent from Wyoming. Beautiful as it is I think I'm staying in Escondido!

Classic French Chicken in White Grape Sauce

2010-01-05T21:39:00.000-08:00

2 TBS butter
3 or 4 bone in chicken breasts
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1/2 rib celery, finely chopped
2 oz prosciutto or country ham finely chopped
3/4 cup white grape juice
3/4 cup low salt chicken stock
3 TBSP heavy cream (at room temperature)
Chopped fresh parsley

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in the skillet on the skin side to brown it and render the fat from the skin about 15 min. Turn chicken over and cook on the bone side for about 5 min. Remove and save the chicken. Pour off all but 2 TBSP of the fat from the pan. Add the onion, carrot, celery, prosciutto or ham and saute until the onion is browned and the vegetables are softened, 8-10 min. Add the juice and chicken stock to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Put the chicken back into the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the skillet with a lid and simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through 20 to 25 min. Remove the chicken from the pan, turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the volume of liquid by half, about 5 min. (6-7 min. for a thicker sauce). Add the cream, stir to combin and remove the pan from the heat. Pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Great served with mashed potatoes.

Going Back to the Place We Love!!

2010-01-05T13:04:00.000-08:00

Jim and I are beginning to get excited! At the end of February, we are going to Hawaii for couple of weeks. We are going to stay at Turtle Bay on Oahu, one of our favorite places. I plan to spend most of my time laying by the beach and reading, drinking virgin pina coladas, and sleeping. However we are going to try something a little different this time. Check out this video to see what we are going to be doing. We're super excited!

Very funny!

2009-12-11T08:02:00.000-08:00

I love this.

Cookie Exchange

2009-12-10T12:44:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the pictures from the cookie exchange. The crazy part is I didn't get one photo of the cookies! They were just beautiful and it was so much fun.
My boxes turned out very cute although they were flimsy. So next year I will have to do something different. I did a salad luncheon and it was a hit. I also learned a new secret for making the rolls. I made the dough two days before, shaped them the next day and left them in the refrigerator until the day of the exchange. It took about an extra hour to an hour and a half longer to rise, but it worked perfectly. Made the preparation much easier. The only bad part was we only made 5 dozen each and that wasn't enough to last the entire month so I still need to make more cookies. It is hard not sampling them and keep to my diet. I am doing good but very tempted.

Christmas is in the air!

2009-12-02T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have decided to do a cookie exchange! Yes, I am crazy and I should have planned this weeks ago, but who knew I'd still feel like doing it. So the first item on the agenda is to decorate the house. Normally that is a week long project if I am not doing Real Estate. But I am really busy at work so it is going to take longer. All I have left is the Christmas Village and the Garland, both major projects. I hope to get them done today.

Today I am going to bake my cookies. I think I found a fantastic recipe. It is a flaky shortbread with a apricot filling. I had to buy some special Grand Mariner stuff that cost a fortune so it better be good. I am just hoping everyone who said they are coming does.

This is going to be a crazy weekend. My cookie exchange is Friday, the High Priests party is Saturday and the neighborhood party is Sunday. In addition to that I am teaching Relief Society on Sunday and have a listing appointment on Saturday and showing two buyers houses on Friday and Saturday. December is suppose to slow down. Not fair! But lots of fun.

Trip to Washington

2009-11-30T08:10:00.000-08:00

At last I am posting our trip to Jim and Janeal's. It was just breathtaking beautiful. They live right by this beautiful lake, up in the mountains. Some of the photos are the surrounding area and the Puget Sound. Their house is like a vacation retreat. We had a wonderful time visiting them and can't wait to go back

Heart full of thanks.

2009-11-26T20:51:00.000-08:00

It's the end of the day. Of course, I ate way too much, but it was so yummy! The turkey was a little too dry, but the dressing was outstanding. The pumpkin pies and cheesecake were so good, but the rolls not as good as usual. I froze the rolls and then let them thaw before I baked them. Guess I need some work on perfecting it. Overall, it was a great feast. Shelli had to go to the Howells and Mike had to work so it was just Suzann and kids, Jim and me. But it was really fun. The kids were very funny today. We still did everything like usual. It wouldn't be the same if we didn't. It seems like so much work to be gobbled up so quickly, but it really feels like Thanksgiving.

I am so grateful for my wonderful family. I love each and every one of them so much. It is amazing that it is possible to love so many so deeply. I have learned from personal experience that love multiplies. I also love to see the family traditions being passed on to the next generation. All day, different ones called for cooking tips. Hope everyone had a great day.

Tomorrow will begin the house decorating. I hope to have it completed before Sunday. I would love to have everything done before December even begins. I am going to try to have a cookie exchange next week so I have to get organized!

2009-11-25T10:56:00.000-08:00

WARNING: 2010 Census Cautions from the Better Business Bureau

2009-10-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft. The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations. Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION.. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

For more advice on avoiding identity theft and fraud, visit bbb.org

verified at http://www.snopes.com/fraud/identity

Home again

2009-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

We are now home and wishing we weren't. We had a fun trip to Lauri's in AZ. We left on Thursday and drove. It was a pleasant trip, very ugly, but nice and slow. Best of all - my phone wasn't working most of the trip.

Friday we went to Zach's football game. They lost but Zach did great. He is one of the biggest boys on the team. How did he grow up so fast? After the game we went to dinner with everyone including Zach's girlfriend Lauren. She was a delight. Sweet, kind and beautiful. Also a cheerleader, but we won't hold that against her. I think Zach will hold on to her as long as he can. She says she will wait until after his mission. It will be interesting to see. She would be a good addition to the family, but since he is only 17 a lot of things can change.

Saturday we went to Cracker Barrel for their fantastic breakfast. I wish we had one here, but I would weigh 300 lbs if we did. Afterward I went shopping first with Rachelle and then Lauri. It was fun and we found some cute things. Lauri needed a dress for Eric's wedding and she found a perfect one. She looks fabulous in it.

Lazy Sunday

2009-10-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yeah! Today is conference Sunday. That means I get to watch TV in my PJ's! Actually I have on sweats, but you get the idea. The one Sunday I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn and what do I do? I wake up anyway. So I got dressed and went down to the pool to get it ready for winter. It took four trips up and down the stairs to get all the chaise pads, umbrellas and other stuff to the garage. Everything is put away and the rains can now come. It is kind of sad to see summer end. I still have to clean up the patio area and put stuff away. It looks bare with everything put away. It will be my luck we will have a heat wave in two weeks and I will wish it was all back.

Jim is fixing breakfast, pancakes and bacon, not on my diet. Hope I don't gain too much this weekend. I will be back on track on Monday. Jim is looking really good, I am not as good as he is even though I cheat less. Not fair. My mouth is watering at the pancakes! Hmmmm!

I am looking forward to the conference talks. My heart is heavy worrying about my family. It is so hard to be so far away from everyone when things go wrong. I am grateful for prayer. It seems it is the only weapon I have. I hope it brings comfort to those I love so much. I am so mindful of what Austin is going through. Such a hard thing. And Rommers, looking horrible but at least going to be allright and then today Zoe. Poor little baby. It scares me to death. I understand that everyone goes through trials and difficulities but I wish I could do something to make it easier. So I worry and I pray.

New Carpet

2009-09-15T09:49:00.001-07:00

Yeah! We just put new carpet in the living room and dining room. It looks almost the same (without all the stains and smell) so you probably can't tell the difference. But it came with a 10 year warranty against stains, so how can you go wrong? I also bought the invisable fence to keep Betty Boop out of that room. She has a special collar that gives her a little shock if she steps on the carpet. She seems to think it is the carpet that is bad. Just wondering if when she is trained anyone wants to borrow it for the kids? :)

Baby Shower

2009-09-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

I had a fun baby shower for Nicole Dunn last night. She just adopted a little girl and so I offered my house to host it. No problem. Unfortunately the person who was going to do games, couldn't come. Only one person who was to bring refreshments sent them. Lucky for me I always worry about these things and sent Jim to Costco for a big cake. I thought it would be for backup, but thank heavens it was here or we would have had no games and no refreshments. Crazy. It was a good turnout, about 35 people showed up and she was very appreciative. I was glad to do it, but hate it when someone says they will do something and then blows you off. I would rather just do it all myself and know I won't have any last minute surprises.

I did buy a really cute water dispenser for it that I will get lots of use out of. Unfortunately, I called Pier One and asked if they had any water dispensers and was told they one had a ceramic lemonade one. Sounded like it would work, asked how much. She said $15.00 so I told the girl to put it by the cash register and I would send Jim down. He went and it was cute, very happy, until he said, "Do you know how much this thing cost?" I told him $15.00. No the girl lied....it was $50.00!!!! I would never have bought it if I had a clue. But too late now, they don't do returns and it is really cute. What a pity.

A night under the stars

2009-08-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

We had a fun night last night. Maren Romney got married and we went to her reception. It was in their backyard. It had been extremely hot durning the day, but cooled off just right for the evening. They had set up a million candles on tables, in trees, down walkways and it just sparkled. They had a full size band, all members of the church, playing and it was just great! Pres. Haynie was on the drums! Didn't even know he played! Just loved it. I am sure they switched to pop music after we left because they had a DJ set up. It was really fun relaxing under the stars visiting with friends. Of course, we couldn't eat anything. The only temptation for me was wedding cake. I really love wedding cake. The very sad part - I gained 1.5 lbs this morning and no cake. Not fair! Jim is really doing well, his Santa belly is almost gone. Why is it so much easier for men? I am committed even if it is going to take me twice as long. Dad booked a trip to Hawaii in February and I want to be smaller by then. Our Hawaii miles were about to expire and we didn't want to lose our free trip, so we will be enjoying ourselves courtesy of Hawaiian Air, hooray!

Where are you?

2009-08-27T06:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, ok, I know everyone loves facebook, and you are all spending too much time on it. But you got me into this blog stuff and I want to know what is really going on in everyone's life. So take a day off facebook and post on your blog at least once a week! If you don't my pool is no longer available!!!! Really, I mean it. Facebook is fine for a quick update, but it not nearly as interesting as your blogs. And I hope it never is, you shouldn't be saying the things on facebook you say on the blog. The blog is more like a personal journal and facebook is more like Hi. I want to see your blogs, I really don't care if your friends are giving you animals for your farm or playing Mafia with you. I want to know about you and your families.

I have been crazy busy in the last few months. Lots of new escrows with both buyers and sellers. I don't think this is going to last so I am pushing as hard as I can while the opportunity is here. I am very worried about the economy in the next year or two. There is no way a gov't can sustain a 9 trillion dollar debt. Things are going to get bad. I am grateful most of you have secure jobs.

I really think this is the time to stock up on food. Food prices are going to rise sharply next year. A good way to start is buy one extra a week. One extra can, one extra flour, or 1 extra frozen vegetable if you have a freezer. You will be surprised at how quick it all adds up. And you won't even notice that you are spending the money. Don't buy a small can, buy the big size. Just buy one more of something you are already buying. Also, be sure to store water. It is the most important of all.

Jim and I are both losing weight, his is quick but mine is slow and steady. No one has told me it looks like I am losing weight, but I can feel it in my clothes. It is painful and I wish it was easier. But we are determined.

Unbelievable!

2009-08-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

Stella Awards
It's time again for the annual 'Stella Awards'! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico , where she purchased coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right? That's right; these are awards for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head. So keep your head scratcher handy.

Here are the Stellas for the past year:
*SEVENTH PLACE*
Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.
* SIXTH PLACE *
Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles , California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps
* FIFTH PLACE *
Terrence Dickson, of Bristol , Pennsylvania , who was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count 'em, EIGHT days and survive on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming undue mental Anguish. Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish. Keep scratching. There are more...
*FOURTH PLACE*
Jerry Williams, of Little Rock, Arkansas, garnered 4th Place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle - even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.
* THIRD PLACE *
Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?
*SECOND PLACE*
Kara Walton, of Claymont , Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000....oh, yeah, plus dental expenses. Go figure.
* FIRST PLACE *
This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was: Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down?
$1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just in case Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.
Are we, as a society, getting more stupid.... or are more members of Congress serving on juries these days?

New recipe coming

2009-08-18T07:45:00.001-07:00

I just glanced at my side bar and my mouth started watering. I can eat chicken right now, but not that one! If you want the recipe hurry, because I am going to get rid of it pretty quick. I am up 2 lbs on my diet. Hope I don't quit. I am going to give it two more days and if I don't start losing I am going to have to do something drastic. It says cherries are OK, but maybe I'm eating too many. They are so good it's hard to stop. I guess it is back to the apple - disappointment!

Crazy busy at work and I am not going to get a break until September. I know I shouldn't be complaining after last year it is good to be busy, but I do need a day off. Sunday doesn't count and last Sunday really doesn't count. I just want to hang out by the pool and read. If there was anyway I could get away I would go see Lauri. She is struggling with all those babies. Hang in there Lauri help is on the way. Thank Heaven for Dream Dinners, they ease a mother's guilty conscience.

Look for my exciting new recipe, it is called "plain with nothing on it celery sticks". Very easy to make.

From Aunt Lynda

2009-08-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

I was in the pub yesterday when I suddenly realized I desperately needed to fart. The music was really, really loud, so I timed my farts with the beat.

After a couple of songs, I started to feel better. I finished my pint and noticed that everybody was staring at me.

Then I suddenly remembered that I was listening to my iPod.

Thanks Lynda for the laugh.

Is it week's end or week's beginning

2009-08-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Not quite sure if today is the end of my week or the beginning of the new one. I don't think I am up to dealing with a new week, so I'll report on the last one. Kristi and family left yesterday. We will miss them. Betty Boop is really mopping around. She misses Shawn. They were the best of buddies and it was so cute. Avery and Mckenna had a great visit and didn't want to leave(I love that). I really wish I could just travel and visit a different family every month. It seems like once a year is not enough. We loved our time with them.

It is crazy busy at work. Don't know how long it will last so I can't complain. I would rather be busy than have nothing to do. I have several new listings that should sell, so I am hoping for a little future business. As long as interest stays low, it should be good.

I am doing quite well on my diet, although I can't see a change, the scale is moving. Finally in the right direction. I think I am losing it all over since my clothes don't feel that much different. Although I do remember wanting to wear my fat pants a few days last month. You know, the baggy ones with elastic?

I went to a seminar on social networking all about how to use facebook, twitter and blogs. I am motivated to at least give it a try. Stay tuned, we'll see how I do.

The Bathing Suit

2009-07-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

My friend Angela sent me this gem.
Subject: The Bathing Suit ...have you bought one lately!!!!!

When I was a child, the bathing suit for the mature figure was boned, trussed and reinforced, not so much sewn as engineered. They were built to hold back and uplift; they did a good job.. Today's stretch fabrics are designed for the prepubescent girl with a figure carved from a potato chip.

The mature woman has a choice - she can either go up front to the maternity department and try on a floral suit with a skirt, coming away looking like a hippopotamus who escaped from Disney's Fantasia, or she can wander around every run of the mill department store trying to make a sensible choice from what amounts to a designer range of florescent rubber bands.

What choice did I have? I wandered around, made my sensible choice and entered the chamber of horrors known as the fitting room. The first thing I noticed was the extraordinary tensile strength of the stretch material. The Lycra used in bathing costumes was developed, I believe, by NASA to launch small rockets from a slingshot, which give the added bonus that if you manage to actually lever
yourself into one, you are protected from shark attacks as any shark taking a swipe at your passing midriff would immediately suffer whip lash.

I fought my way into the bathing suit, but as I twanged the shoulder strap in place, I gasped in horror - my boobs had disappeared! Eventually, I found one boob cowering under my left armpit. It took a while to find the other. At last I located it, flattened beside my seventh rib.

The problem is that modern bathing suits have no bra cups. The mature woman is meant to wear her boobs spread across her chest like a speed bump.. I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the mirror to take a full view assessment.

The bathing suit fit all right, but unfortunately it only fit those bits of me willing to stay inside it. The rest of me oozed out rebelliously from top, bottom, and sides. I
looked like a lump of play dough wearing undersized cling wrap.

As I tried to work out where all those extra bits had come from, the prepubescent sales girl popped her head through the curtain, 'Oh, there you are,' she said, admiring the bathing suit .

I replied that I wasn't so sure and asked what else she had to show me.

I tried on a cream crinkled one that made me look like a lump of masking tape, and a floral two piece which gave the appearance of an oversized napkin in a serving ring.

I struggled into a pair of leopard skin bathers with ragged frills and came out looking like Tarzan's Jane, pregnant with triplets and having a rough day.

I tried on a black number with a mesh midriff and looked like a jellyfish in mourning.

I tried on a bright pink suit with such a high cut leg I thought I would have to wax my eyebrows to wear it .

Finally,
I found a suit that fit - a two-piece affair with a shorts style bottom and a loose blouse-type top. It was cheap, comfortable, and bulge-friendly, so I bought it. My
ridiculous search had a successful outcome, I figured.

When I got home, I found a label which read 'Material might become transparent in water.'

So, if you happen to be on the beach, or near any other body of water this year, and I'm there too, I'll be the one in cut-off jeans and a t-shirt!

The fattening week

2009-07-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, I am going to gain some weight this week! I feel it coming, I can't stop it. May as well just accept the inevitable. Today I have a 3 hour lunch at a good restaurant downtown. So of course, I will be eating. Tomorrow I am going to lunch with Cathy Grey and Kelly Chapman, that should be fun, I see Cathy regularly but seldom get together with Kelly. Wednesday is a special business meeting to teach me social networking at the Rancho Bernard Inn, breakfast included. Then my vacation starts on Thursday and I plan to spend a lot of time laying around and doing nothing, especially nothing that makes me sweat. I will diet in August or maybe September. If I have time I am going shopping for Muumuu's, that should solve the problem.

The Countdown

2009-06-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Oh my, it is only a week before Cassia's wedding. Everyone will be coming in on Sunday so the clock is ticking on getting everything done. I have made great progress, but there is still a lot to do. The front yard is ready. I planted new roses and they are doing great. My favorite is a white rose named, Pope John Paul. Every morning I go out and sniff the Pope. It smells wonderful. I also planted some unusual colors and they look great. My only problem is my gardina is turning yellow. Anyone know why?

Hey, I think I'm onto something!

2009-06-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

I think I have just made an amazing discovery! How to have more time. Today, Jim went to the temple for the 5:30 am session. So he woke me up at 4:30 (yes, in the morning even though you can't tell it's morning because it's dark). I was wide awake and stayed up. It was absolutely amazing how much you can get done at that time of day! I cleaned the house - huge accomplishment, did 2 loads of laundry, trimmed the roses, answered all my email, shopped a little, qvc, of course,blogged on both blogs and even got all my Real Estate files up to date. Wow!! I am so impressed with myself. It is now 8:30 and I think I'll take a nap.

P.S. Be sure to read my post on Sisters Standing Strong, I posted a poem you will like to read, very touching and thought provoking.

Another Maxine

2009-06-16T04:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think Maxine should run for president. She was right on with this one!
Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately: illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida ...

Not me. I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win-win situation.
+ Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.
+ Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies.
+ Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.
Any other problems you would like for me to solve today ? Yes?

Where has the time gone?

2009-06-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

I just realized how long it has been since I blogged. It seems like just yesterday. I am running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Not that I have ever cut off a chicken head. I will post more later on since I really do have some stuff to share. Mostly I have been: 1. Getting the house ready for the wedding. It's starting to look good (pics will be coming) 2. Had a fantastic visit with Dani and Sammy (more about that later) 3. Had a fantastic visit with Lauri and family (more about that later) 4. Taught a great RS lesson (will share later) 5. Selling tons of houses (at least I am working on it) 6. Lots of Relief Society President stuff that I won't share (people like their privacy). 7. Trips to Dr. ( I am going to wait on surgery, it was too scary). 8. Trying to figure out my new phone, don't laugh it has taken 2 days just to get the basics.

Today I am showing property and working on the yard. Maybe I might get to clean house. That would be a very good thing! It is scary. More to come

Crazy Week

2009-05-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

Wow! It is finally Sunday, 6:30 am if you can believe it and I have been up for an hour. Just couldn't sleep, too much to think about. I can hear soft baby cries in the other room. Dani and Sammy are visiting. It has been so much fun. He is the sweetest baby ever. He almost never cries, just smiles and coos. So cute. They are visiting for a few more days, it will be sad to see them go home, I am really glad they came.

I am crazy busy at work. I had 5 offers on properties this week and 2 new listings. I am so busy I can't catch my breath. But I am so grateful for the work. After the slow down I feel like I have to catch up. I am also working with a variety of people: the cute young couple, he is a marine and she is as cute as can be, a single guy Mike works with, just a great guy, always pleasant and easy to work with, an older couple with a handicapped daughter, an LDS couple looking for a good buy (can't find one yet), another couple who will only buy in one area and only if the price is ridiculously low, then 2 crazy guys, both with great houses but very particular and very demanding. I actually care about all of them and hope I soon find just the right house. I also took 3 new listings this week. Looks like it is going to be a good summer.

I am feeling a little better, if I am careful I should be able to put off the surgery with no problem.

Time to get ready for church. More later

My brief update

2009-05-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

Outside my window the sun is shinning and the birds are singing, the hummingbirds are buzzing around the feeders, fighting over the best spot. The roses are blooming and the smell is spilling through the open window.
I am thinking about getting ready for Cassia's wedding. There is alot of things to be done, both in the house and in the yard. I wish I hadn't procrastinated on some of these little things, one by one they are easy, but together they are a project.
I am thankful for the joy of being a mother. With Mother's Day tomorrow, my thoughts keep going to how much having children blessed my life. I can honestly say I love every minute of being a mother. Too bad they had to grow up. But even that is good.
From my kitchen not much is going on today, but yesterday Jim made a fantastic cobbler from a new recipe, it used self rising flour and he used fresh berries. Yummy.
I am wearing my favorite shorts and T-shirt. I will change later to show property, but I love it when I can just veg out.
I am creating a new baby blanket. I finished Zoey's and it will be in the mail soon. I also finished a cute blue one with a hood. I am doing an alphabet one this time in blue.
I went to the doctor this week for more tests. Upper GI, barium drinking, horrible. They want me to do surgery. I keep cancelling the appointment with the surgeon, I am going to try to put it off until September.
I am reading "The Infinite Atonement". It is a slow read, with lots of wonderful thoughts. I am enjoying it and will probably re-read it and underline the key points when I do. It has made me very grateful for the atonement of Christ which I am just beginning to fully understand.
I am hoping that my business will continue to pick up. I have been busy and that is a good thing. I am actually amazed at how much work I have right now.
I am hearing nothing. So quiet. I am alone. It is wonderful, no TV, no radio, just quiet.
Around the house it is delightful. Alma and Inez were here this week so everything sparkles. I love it when they come, wish it was more often.
One of my favorite things is watching TV. I am loving Idol, loving,loving,loving 24 and also The Amazing Race and yes, The Next Top Model and of course Survivor. I know summer reruns are just around the corner, but I am loving it right now.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Since today is Saturday, it is going to be next week. I am concentrating on the Living Room, including painting and a new light fixture and also the front yard touch up. I am also redesigning my car signs and making some changes in my marketing.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing: Imagine Dad sleeping with his new sleep mask on, looks kind of like a snorkel, goes over his mouth and nose, has a long hose and hooks up to a machine. I don't know whether to put on a nightie or a swimsuit.

Ground Zero for Swine Flu

2009-05-03T10:38:00.000-07:00

Time Out

2009-05-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a Relief Society Retreat. It was just women, no kids. We went to the Israelsen's cabin in Mt. Laguna. I wasn't expecting too much, knew it would be nice, but expected a cabin in the mountains. Well this is what we saw as we drove up. A fairy tale cottage in the woods. It is also about 4,000 square feet. I had a comfy bed to sleep in (although we didn't get to it until after 2:00). The rooms were enormous and they had dining seating for about 20. They also had tons of beds as well as couches so everyone was very comfortable. It is completly self-sufficient, solar, well, etc. I was amazed at what they had done in the middle of 144 acres. Beautiful!

We also had a great time, eating, playing games, talking, laughing and walking around. It has been a very long time since I have seen stars like that. It was just gorgeous. I think it was a great experience for everyone who went. We really had a lot of fun. Marilee even came over from Arizonia to be there. It added to the fun. I loved taking time out to do something different. I need to do it more often.

Where's Ginger

2009-04-16T11:51:00.000-07:00

When I was a child one of my favorite things to do in the spring was to hide in the vacant lot across from our house. In the spring the lot filled with mustard and I thought if I laid down in it no one could see me or know where I was. I would lay on my back and watch the clouds roll by, trying to figure out what they looked like, I always found something in a cloud; a book, a person, a tree, something. The wisteria was blooming from the house next door and I could smell it. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

Jim and I were driving to Rancho Santa Fe to go to the farmstand and what should appear but a field full of mustard. The temptation was just too much. I made Dad stop so I could disappear for awhile. This mustard was like nothing I had ever seen before. It was 6ft. tall, and really thick. I don't remember all the stickers when I was little. but it was still fantastic. So........

Where's Ginger?

Here I am!

Easter

2009-04-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. It is one of my all time favorite holidays. This year we had a two day celebration. On Friday Shelli and her kids spent the night so she wouldn't have to make the trip twice. The crazy kids wanted to swim on Friday in the freezing cold swimming pool. I couldn't believe they them, but they did it. Johnette and Ana went to Mike and Suzann's for a sleep over. (see their blog) Then on Saturday we had Mike and Suzann join us for our dinner and egg hunt. It was wonderful to spend the day together. As you can see the cousins had a wonderful time together. One of my favorite times was when we were almost ready to go outside to hunt for eggs, we sang Easter songs together. I loved the faces of the children as they relived the past traditions and wanted to make sure nothing changed.

Sunday was a great day for me. It was quiet; which gave me time for reflection. I have been reading the book, The Infinite Atonement. It had already directed my thoughts to the Atonement and what that really means. Not only did the Savior take upon himself our sins, but also all our pains and heartbreaks, illness and disappointments. It was wonderful to listen to the beautiful music and take time to worship and express my gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have of this and how important it is in my life. Since the book is slow reading with lots of contemplation, I am finding these feelings are staying with me for a long time. Maybe the result will be an improvement in the kind of a person I am. I hope so.

Happy Easter

2009-04-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE
I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY
Don't put all of your eggs in one basket
Walk softly and carry a big carrot
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears
There's no such thing as too much candy
All work and no play can make you a basket case
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits
Some body parts should be floppy
Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans
Good things come in small sugarcoated packages
The grass is always greener in someone else's basket
An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare
To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey

The Grocery Game

2009-04-09T10:19:00.000-07:00

I have found a great website. It is called the grocery game. I found it from a spot on TV where they were talking about how to save money in these difficult days. It also fits in with my concern that all of you build your food storage up. That includes water. I am certain food is going to skyrocket in price after we have to start paying for all the government give-aways that are going on.

You can find it by going on the Internet or just click on this link:

http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ I have been using it for awhile. It is a list of items that are on sale at the store of your choice. It also includes a list of the current coupons to take with you. And where to find the coupons.

I have found that it takes a few weeks of saving coupons to get caught up, but the savings are really good. If you follow her plan, it is even better. She recommends that you stock up on items when they are at their lowest price and then only purchase things on sale.

It is working so well I am going to have to buy a freezer to take advantage of the frozen items. Put me down as the person who referred you if you decide to try it. It is only $1.00 to try. Let me know how you do.

Yummy!

2009-04-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have a new recipe on the sidebar. It is for Classic French Chicken in White Grape Sauce. It is sooooooo good!!!!! Try it, you will love it.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2009-04-05T19:11:00.001-07:00

This Friday we took a short trip to Carlsbad to see the flower fields. The Ranuculas were in full bloom. It was just gorgeous. We got out and walked around a little. We didn't go up into the fields because they now charge $10 apiece and I thought that was crazy. So I saved the $20 and bought 3 bouquets for $12. Quite a savings and I get to enjoy them for a week.

It was a gorgeous day and you could see the ocean sparkling in the background when you went to the top of the fields. It really makes you feel like Spring is here.

Do you twitter?

2009-04-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

I was wondering if any of you twitter? I have wondered if that is something that would be good for my business or if it is just a waste of time. I have had a hard time getting into facebook, as a matter of fact, I don't do it at all. Any comments?

Making Progress

2009-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

It has been a miserable few weeks, but I think I am about to the end of it all. All of my tests are in and it looks like I have a giant hiatal hernia. One third of my stomach is in my chest. No wonder I've been hurting. Don't know what the treatment is going to be. I think it's just good to know what it is. The cat scan also showed diverticulitis. So I guess that is going to mean a diet change. I might go to a acupuncturist when I am done with the specialists and see what the ancient Chinese would do. I have 3 weeks until my next DR. appt, so I might try some things on my own. I think once they decided it wasn't cancer the Dr. relaxed and gave me nothing new.

Business is really picking up. I am feeling a little stressed, so much to get done. Most of it's behind the scenes, but really important to do. I am just glad I have work. Our Real Estate market seems to be picking up. I hope it holds for awhile.

If you want to see what's going on in Relief Society check out the blog, societystuff.blogspot.com; we have so many good things going on. Also be sure to try the sauce recipes on it. They are fabulous, especially the salmon and chicken ones. If you haven't tried the chicken salad receipe Lauri posted, give it a try, it's great.

I am really looking forward to Conference weekend. I am going to veg out the entire time.

You might like this.

2009-03-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

I thought I would share the beginning of my talk at Enrichment. I think the talk was OK. It was short and sweet. Since we hadn't eaten yet, no one wanted it to last too long. It was really a great night. I have the most amazing enrichment committee. I never have to worry about a thing. They just step up and do it all, and they do it wonderfully well. We had a DVD of the different sisters talking about Relief Society. Our theme was Relief Society and Me. (Does anyone know how to put a DVD on your computer? I want to put it on the RS blog, but have to first put it on my hard drive. Help!). After the program we had a delicious dinner. Laura was in charge of the dinner and hopefully she will put her pasta recipe on her blog. It is a good one to do at home.

Today is my Dr. appointment, can't eat all day. I'm hungry already. So sad.

Here is the beginning of my talk.

M. Russell Ballard "A Woman's Lifeline."
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.
Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Duckling. ("Mom, I can't go to school looking like this!")
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"—but decides she's going out anyway.
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"—but decides she doesn't have time to fix it so she's going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"—but says, "At least I am clean," and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am what I am" and goes wherever she wants to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.
Age 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter, and ability. Goes out and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

I'm Working!

2009-03-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

At last! I am finally seeing some action at work! I have alot of things going on ( said with a happy circular hand motion)! I have 2 escrows, and will be listing 3 houses this week. One of the houses has been on the market for 3 months with another Realtor, so I hope it sells. I think if I get them to come down on the price it should sell. It hasn't been like this for a very long time. I am really scrambling to get everything done. And to add to the fun, I have 2 short sales that need immediate attention first thing in the morning. Not to worry, I will get it all done.

Tuesday is our RS Birthday enrichment and I am the concluding speaker. I really need to get my act together for that. I am drawing a blank on this one. I would like to say something meaningful that will add to the meeting, I hate boring. But at this stage of the game I just don't know what to do. I am hoping I will be hit with a lightening bolt and get an idea.

I went to a cooking class last week on sauces, taught by Deborah Haynie. It was so good. I have tried both her salmon and chicken recipes at home and loved it. It was so easy to do, but had a real gourmet taste to it. She also showed us how to do Alfredo sauce and that will be next on my list. I will post the recipes when I get a chance. We have great enrichment activities in our ward. You are really glad you are there.

Other than church and work it is pretty quiet here. I think that is a good thing. I am still having tests done for my tummy. They are going to stick a scope down my gut on Thursday, hope they see something. It is probably just that I need to quit the Diet Coke. I know it is coming, but I am not looking forward to it. I really like my sodas! The Dr. would also like me to lose some weight, I will as soon as I am tired of making Alfredo sauce and salmon and chicken smothered in sauce. It shouldn't be too long.

How to make pie crust

2009-02-22T16:33:00.001-08:00

I realized I might have fallen down on the teaching of pie making so I have a tutorial for you. My pies are always the very best and the all time favorite is lemon meringue. I have a step by step slideshow to show you how to make the crust. You can then go to the sidebar for the best recipe ever for lemon meringue. It takes a little bit of time, but it is worth it. You can always freeze the crusts unbaked, thaw bake and add chocolate pudding for a quick easy desert. I hope you give it a try.

Home Cooking Recipes

2009-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Here are all the recipes on the sidebar.

Classic French Chicken in White Grape Sauce
2 TBS butter
3 or 4 bone in chicken breasts
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
1/2 rib celery, finely chopped
2 oz prosciutto or country ham finely chopped
3/4 cup white grape juice
3/4 cup low salt chicken stock
3 TBSP heavy cream (at room temperature)
Chopped fresh parsley

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook it in the skillet on the skin side to brown it and render the fat from the skin about 15 min. Turn chicken over and cook on the bone side for about 5 min. Remove and save the chicken. Pour off all but 2 TBSP of the fat from the pan. Add the onion, carrot, celery, prosciutto or ham and saute until the onion is browned and the vegetables are softened, 8-10 min. Add the juice and chicken stock to the pan and stir to combine with vegetables. Put the chicken back into the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover the skillet with a lid and simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through 20 to 25 min. Remove the chicken from the pan, turn the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the volume of liquid by half, about 5 min. (6-7 min. for a thicker sauce). Add the cream, stir to combin and remove the pan from the heat. Pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. Great served with mashed potatoes.

Lemon Meringue Pie
Pie Crust
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup shortening
6 TBSP. water (the colder, the better)

Your crust will be more flaky if all ingredients are coldMix flour and salt together and cut in shortening with pastry cutter. Add water, one tablespoon at a time. Stir with a fork after each spoonful of water, just enought to move flour around, until mixture will hold together. Divide dough into 2 balls. Roll out between 2 sheets of wax paper. After crust is fitted, trim edges evenly, leaving a 1 inch overhanging border, fold dough under and back to make an upright rim. Flute edges. Prick crust thoroughly around bottom and sides with a fork(to let out steam).Bake 450, 15 minutes until lightly browned.Makes 2 crusts

Filling
7 TBSP cornstarch
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup hot water
3 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
2 TBSP butter
Mix cornstarch, sugar and salt in saucepan. Slowly add water and stir until smooth. Cook and stir constantly over med. heat until thick and bubbly. Reduce heat and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat.

Add 1/2 cup hot mix to egg yolks and mix quickly so it doesn't cook eggs. Keep adding hot mix to egg yolks a half cup at a time until egg mixture is warm (about 1 1/2 cups)pour egg mixture into the rest of filling. Add butter and peel. Mix well. Gradually add lemon juice. Pour hot filling in cooked pastry shell.

Spread meringue over hot filling making sure there is no holes between meringue and crust edge. Bake 350 for 12-15 minutes or till meringue is golden on top of peaks. Cool before cutting.

Meringue
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
6 TBSP sugar
Beat egg white, vanilla, cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar one tablespoon at a time beating at high speed until stiff glossy peaks form. Immediately spread meringue over pie, all the way to the edge. Leave no holes or meringue will shrink. Bake as directed.

Sheperd's Pie
1 pound ground beef
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 (14 oz) can cut green beans drained
1 (10 3/4 oz) can tomato soup
6 large potatoes, peeled, boiled and mashed (can be done ahead)
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. salt
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Brown ground beef in olive oil. Add onion, salt and pepper and saute until onion is tender. Put into a greased 9X13 baking dish. Top with drained green beans. Spread tomato soup over beans. Combine mashed potatoes, milk and salt. Mix well. Spoon potatoes over mixture. Top with grated cheese. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Serves 6

Sparkling Butter Toffee Cookies
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. bking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup English or almond toffee bits
Sugar

Heat oven to 350. Combine sugar, butter, egg,vanilla. Beat until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, reduce speed to low. Beat until well mixed. Stir in toffee bits by hand. Shape rounded tablespoons of dough into balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten each with bottom of glass to 2 inch circles. (They spread out, don't put too close together)

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Do not over bake. Let cool 2 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar while warm.

Pumpkin Delight
1 large can of pumpkin
3/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs beaten
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/3 tsp. mace
1/3 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. vanilla
Pre heat oven to 350.
Mix above ingredients together, put in 13 X 9 in. pan.
1 package yellow cke mix, sprinkle over top of mixture.
1 cube butter, melt and pour over top of mixture.
Top with chopped pecans.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Top with cool mix.

Turkey and Dressing
1 large turkey already stuffed with Mrs. Cubbinson's dressing. Preferably cornbread. (Follow dressing instructions, but add onion (use less) , celery and 1 lb. browned sausage
Procedures
Preheat oven to 450. Place stuffed turkey, breast up, in the center of greased, wide, heavy foil. Bring ends of foil up over breast; overlap fold and press up against end of turkey. Place bird in a shallow roasting pan. ( I use 2 throw away pans, one inside the other) Open foil for last 20 minutes to brown turkey.
7-9 lb....2 1/4 to 2 1/2 hours
10-13 lb....2 3/4 to 3 hours
14-17 lb....3 to 3 1/4 hours
18-21 lb....3 1/4 to 3 1/2 hours
22-24 lb....3 1/4 to 3 3/4 hours

Remove from oven and let stand 20 to 30 minutes before carving. Use drippings for gravy.

Giblet Gravy - Boil Giblets (minus liver, unless you like live liver) in water on a saucepan. Drain and cut into small pieces. Set aside. Mix 2 TBSP. drippings with 2 heaping TBSP flour and 1 TBSP butter in skillet. Heat and stir until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Slowly add 2 cups milk, put back on heat, stir and bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add giblets. Simmer until giblets are heated through. Can be doubled, tripled, etc. If too thick, gradually add more milk.

Mom's rolls
2 pkg yeast (check date to make sure it's not old)
1 cup cold water
Dissolve yeast in cold water. Set aside.
1/4 lb. butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup boiling water
Pour boiling water over butter, salt and sugar. Stir until melted. Cool until you can stick your finger in it comfortably. Add to yeast.
Add 2 beaten eggs
Add 6 cups flour one cup at a time.
Cover with a damp dishtowel and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from refrigerator and let sit for 30 minutes. Shape and place on greased pans. Place in warm area, cover with damp cloths and let rise until double in size. Bake 400 for 10 to 12 minutes. Brush tops with butter.

Cheesecake
14 gram crackers = 1 cup crumbs (boxed crumbs OK)
1/4 cup butter (softened)
1/4 cup sugar
12 oz cream cheese
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
5 TBSP+1 tsp. sugar
1 1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Crust - mix together gram cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Pat around sides and bottom of a 9 or 10" pie pan. Set aside.
Filling - Combine softened cream cheese, 2 eggs, sugar and vanilla. Beat until smooth and light with an electric beater. Pour into crust. Bake 350 for 20 minutes.
Cool 5 minutes, gently spoon topping on cooked filling
Topping - Mix together 5 TBSP + 1 tsp. sugar, 1 1/2 cup sour cream, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla. Spoon over top and bake an additional 10 minutes at 350. Refrigerate at least 5 hours.

Calling all Chocolate Lovers! This is soooo easy to make and soooo delicious!
1 box of brownie mix3 extra large Hershey Bars
Prepare a box of fudge brownies according to directions.
Pour have the mixture in a 9X13 pan (grease bottom).
Lay 3 of those giant Hershey Bars on the mix.
Pour the rest of brownie mixture over the candy.
Bake according to directions. Cool completely before cutting.
Frosting not needed, but if you want to eat with a spoon instead of fingers try it with whipped cream that has a small amount of chopped pecans and grated chocolate folded in.

Mom’s Pudding Cake
In a 13 X 9 inch pan mix:

1 c brown sugar
1/2 c cocoa
Stir in 1 c water
Add 48 minature marshmallows

Make a Devils food cake mix and spoon this over the mixture in the pan.
Top with 1 cup nuts
Bake 40-50 minutes

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2009-02-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

This Friday we did something different! We went to the San Diego Opera and saw Don Quixote. It was fun getting all dressed up and having a night on the town. Don Quixote is a spanish opera but they have english sub titles so you know what's going on. The opera stage was really well done. The orchastra was wonderful. The costumes and scenery were exceptional. I expecially liked the windmill scene. However, Don Quixote is a very, very slow moving opera. Don Quixote does most of the singing and there is not too much action, at least not in the first half. There were quite a few people around us that were sleeping.

The second half? Not sure, we left during intermission. We decided we could stay or go get a bite to eat. The stomach won that argument. We just barely made it to Anthony's before they closed. We had a window seat with the spectacular view. I just had a cup of chowder and a shrimp & crap cocktail since it was so late. It was the perfect meal and a great way to end a fun evening.

Saturday Night Live - Don't Buy Stuff

2009-02-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

Click for video: Saturday Night Live - Don't Buy Stuff

My new assignment

2009-02-16T14:40:00.001-08:00

I have a part of an amazing new program. Elder Perry came up with this plan for California, and especially San Diego. They have done pilot programs to see how it works in other areas before giving it to us. I imagine it will go across the US before too long.

I attended a meeting for Bishops, High Priest Group Leaders, Elders Quorum Pres. and Relief Society Pres. We had people from Orange County as well as San Diego County so the room was packed. It was given by 2 Gen. Authorities. It was special just to be included. I was given the assignment to find 5 people who would want to commit to take the missionary lessons. Since I am pretty private about my beliefs I was a little afraid to do this. However, the promise was that if I would just be the messenger the Lord would do the rest. So I had my Presidency pray with me for 5 names. Together we came up with 5 people. We then spent 2 weeks praying, fasting and taking these names to the temple. We still felt they were the ones we needed to speak to.

My next challenge was to make the call. For the first one, I went with Billye (my sec) and we visited with a lady we had never met. As soon as I told her we had been praying for her, she burst into tears. I told her the Lord had sent us there to let her know He cared about her and had blessings waiting for her. The feeling was so strong. She agreed this was just what she needed in her life. Her husband then came in and I also asked him if he would meet with the missionaries. I told him this family can’t do this without him. He also was touched and looked at his wife and said, “I think I am ready.” Wow! The feeling of love in that room was amazing. Billye and I left overwhelmed at the privilege of being the messenger.

I went to another family with Jim and gave the same message with a slight twist. I felt prompted to tell them the time is now, not next week, not next month, not next year, but now. I was very bold. They were also in tears. The wife from beginning to end. The husband less so. He told me they like to do things in their own time and own way. I told them to pray and I would continue to pray also. I wasn’t sure if they would accept or not. This last Sunday right after the sacrament was passed, I turned around and they were coming in for the meeting. I was so touched; it was overwhelming to see them there. The missionaries are stopping by their house this week.

So far 3 have been called (my 3rd is a family with 3 kids, they were at church Sunday and meeting with the missionaries tonight) and I will see the other 2 this week. I can hardly wait. This will be an ongoing project for me. When one drops off, I will find another one. It is really a spiritual experience.

When I thought of how much my life has been blessed by my membership in The Church, how could I not want others to experience that as well. Maybe next step will be those people I already love.

Catching Up

2009-02-15T20:22:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy two weeks for me, with little time to share on the blog. I will try to catch everyone up in the next few days. It is now Sunday evening, and I am collapsed with exhaustion. My thoughts are just a little jumbled but they are good thoughts.

Today I started my meetings at 7:30 with Ward Counsel, Sacrament at 9:00. I was asked to speak in the other ward with the High Counsel speaker at 11:00. That meant I was going to have to miss Relief Society. I rushed to get everything set up before I left for the chapel. I walk up to the stand and didn't see Bro. Alires, my companion speaker. Instead Bro. Gonsales was on the stand. The meeting was just about to start and I noticed everyone giving me a strange look, like 'what are you doing?' I grabbed a program and my name was not on it. Embarrassed and red faced, I left with no idea where I should be. Jim found me coming out of the chapel and went inside to ask Bro. Gonsales where I was suppose to be. Well.... my assignment was not until 1:00. I was in the wrong ward. They gave me the wrong time.

I then went back to Relief Society and had to hang out at church until 1:00 since I was low on gas and didn't want to chance on it. I spoke on prayer and think it went pretty good. A lady came up to me in tears at the end and thanked me for my talk. I think that is a good sign. It was a good Sunday even if I am tired.

Last night we were invited to our neighbors Tom and Delayne for dinner. They also invited our other neighbors Denny and Linda. It was a fun night with good food. I had the dessert assignment and made lemon meringue pies. And they were fabulous! So incredibly good I was so proud. I am going to post step by step directions so you can make one too. You won't be disappointed. It made for a good Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine Day

2009-02-14T11:38:00.001-08:00

Hope you have a great romantic day!
"The pleasure of love is in loving, and we are made happier by the passion we experience than by that we inspire." La Rochefoucald, 1665

52 Blessing Project Weeks 4&5

2009-02-03T07:55:00.000-08:00

Opps! I am getting behind! I was going to be so good this year. I really have been grateful for my blessings but I have been so busy and have not taken the time to sit down and write. This week I am grateful for prayer. It is so hard being far away from those I love, especially when they need me. I wish I was independently wealthy and I could just hop on an airplane and go whenever the mood struck me.

So many things have happened, Julie having a stroke and not knowing what is wrong, Amanda having her baby early, Dani and Sammy back in the hospital with such a scare, Lauri sicker than a dog (she's also in the hospital, trying to get fluids into her). I worry about how everyone is making it in this economy. And then there are baby blessings I am missing and just wanting to see everyone again. Sometimes I feel helpless and unable to do much.

I have found great comfort and joy in taking these and many other problems to the Lord. It really is a 'Sweet Hour of Prayer', although for me it is 'Sweet Minutes of Prayer'. I have been amazed at how well everyone is doing. Prayers have been answered and one by one, each is improving. I am also overwhelmed with the peace I feel. I take comfort in the promise given by Jeffrey Holland, "The Lord has said, He would fight our battles, our children's battles and the battles of our children's children." I think I will turn it over to the Lord.

My part is prayer.

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2009-02-02T07:51:00.001-08:00

This Friday brought us a wonderful change of pace. We decided on a movie and dinner. The movie was The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I wasn't sure if it would be good and Jim really wasn't sure about it. I like deep movies, he likes comedy so I won on this one. It is the story of a man who is born old and gets younger each day. It is a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the movie verson stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. How can you go wrong with that?

Anyway, I absolutely loved it! I am going to have to buy the book. There were so many little treasures throughout that I want to remember and maybe even quote. I don't know when I have enjoyed a movie this much.

Dinner? Taco Bell. Couldn't have been better.

Letter to my grandchildren

2009-01-26T10:24:00.000-08:00

Written by Paul Harvey, agreed with by me.
We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better. I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in. I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her. I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom. If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one. I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boygirl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole. I do care if you try a beer once, but if you do I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays. I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life. Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss..... I'm here for you. And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you

Trials

2009-01-24T10:58:00.000-08:00

Why does something always seem to happen? Just when things were getting better? This is a question all of us ask from time to time. Sometimes it is hard to keep a proper perspective of things. I was reading the Ensign and came across this short story from last months issue. It touched me and I thought you might like to read it too. Just click on the link. http://lds.org/Static%20Files/PDF/Magazines/Ensign/English/2009/EN_2009_01_10___04201_000_025.pdf

I would also recommend you read the latest post on www.societystuff.blogspot.com It is also a good one.

Look at the fun you could be having!

2009-01-20T11:02:00.000-08:00

52 Blessing Project - Week 3

2009-01-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I consider a blessing in my life right now, it was hard to pick one thing. But it became easy when I really stopped to think about it. This week I am grateful for toilets that work. Now, this is not something that normally crosses my radar. But after months of putting up with a handle that had to be held down, and another one that ran continually I had a mini hissy fit and voila! Jim finally fixed them. Wow! You can flush and walk away and be confident the next time you return there will not be a surprise.

It doesn't take much to make me happy.

This blessing was reinforced as I was sitting in the parking lot at work when a middle age man came out of the office, walked over to where I was sitting in my car and peed on the the bushes! I was horrified! What should I do? Do I watch? Do I laugh? Do I honk the horn? No I did nothing. I was so afraid he would turn around and flash me, I didn't want to see anything. I keep my eyes on the floor. But after he was in his car I gave him the evil eye. Don't think he cared. Now I know why the bushes aren't doing so well. It's not the lack of water.

Prayers for Sammy

2009-01-16T07:57:00.000-08:00

Brent and Dani called last night to say Sammy was taken to intensive care. He has RSV. His oxygen levels were very low. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes infection of the lungs and breathing passages and is a big concern for such a tiny new baby. Dani is with Sammy and Brent is with the other kids. So lots of prayers are needed. Will keep you posted.

Family

2009-01-15T09:11:00.000-08:00

Is there anything in the world that matters more to me? No there is not. I often look at how richly blessed I am with all my wonderful children and their spouses (who I love as much as is possible), my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. (I know I am way, way to young to be a great-grandma, but I was a child bride). My life is full and I will never be alone. How did I get to be so lucky? It was by sacrifice.

Years ago, when I was young, I did what I knew was right and put many of my own goals and desires on hold to raise a large family. It wasn't easy, pregnancy was horrible, childbirth a nightmare I still shudder at. Diapers, bottles, crying, etc. seemed to never end. But it was also the most wonderful time of my life. Because I was willing to sacrifice then I became the person I am today and now I am enjoying the harvest of my earlier work. The reward and blessings are so much greater than the sacrifice. I would do it all over again given the chance.

I wanted to share a poem with Lauri as she is struggling with her latest news. It is by one of my favorites, Carol Lynn Pearson

Investment
How enviously
I watched
The rose bush
Bear her bud-
Such an easy,
Lovely birth.
And
At that moment
I wished
The sweet myth
Were true -
That I could Pluck you,
My child,
From some
Green vine.

But now
As you breathe,
Through flesh
That was mine
(Gently in the
Small circle
Of my arms),
I see
The wisdom
of investment.

The easy gift
Is easy to forget
But what is bought
With coin of pain-
Is dearly kept.

Joy in The Journey

2009-01-15T09:05:00.000-08:00

I just read Lauri's latest post and it has touched my heart. She quoted from Pres. Monson's talk on finding joy in the journey ..“Both abundance and lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend … when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us [happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth.”

I love this quote and want to make it a part of my life. I usually do find joy in the journey, but it seems I do so by accident. I am going to try to consciously do this each day, no matter what...no matter who gets in my way. So I going to follow Lauri's lead and use Joy as my word for the year. Thanks Lauri!

52 Blessing Project - Week 2

2009-01-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Last year I wasn't very good at writing down a blessing every week. I am going to start all over again.But this year I am going to try really had to accomplish that goal. So for my first blessing of the year. This week I am grateful for new beginnings. I love the chance to start over, wipe the slate clean and start again. I think this is the basis of the gospel. When we repent we are given a new page to write on. The old is destroyed and the new life begins.

I have thought long and hard of what my goals are going to be this year. I don't like resolutions, they are too easy to break but I am pretty goal oriented so they usually help me stay on track. There are so many things to choose from: weight, health, exercise, family, work, finances and on and on. I have decided to limit my goal to one with several sub- categories. My number 1 goal is going to be to purify my life, become a better person, more like what I know I can become. I think if I can do this everything else will fall in place, like work and money. Of course, this will take a big leap of faith, but I think that is part of the process.

I am starting by reading the scriptures every single day - no skips! Not alot, just 1-2 pages. This is possible and not hard, just need the habit formed. The next is more meaningful prayer. Every day. Again I need to take the time to really kneel down and think about what I need to say. I have begun to start every prayer with "Father are you there?" I then wait until I feel His spirit before I go any further. It is making a difference. I think spirituality is like anything else, it needs to be worked on or it is lost.

So I am looking forward to a great year. I will have some other goals as well so this could be a year of real growth.

Wish I had snow!

2009-01-10T20:21:00.001-08:00

One, Two and THREE! 52 Blessings Week 1

2009-01-09T19:11:00.000-08:00

This Week I am grateful for three new babies!
Can you believe it? Three babies in a three week timeframe? Danyelle and Brent just had a new baby boy.

He was born on New Year's Day.

Name: Samuel Moroni Kynaston
Size: 6 lbs 9 oz at 20.5 inches long
Disposition: Super sweet little guy!!

They had to keep an eye on him for a few days, but mother and baby are doing fine now.

Here is a photo of the family. Don't you just know Emma is going to love this one non-stop?

Pictures of Emmett

2009-01-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

Ron and Susan sent me this photo when they got back from visiting Jim and Janeal. Isn't he a cutie? Well done, Janeal.

Go Amanda

2008-12-30T16:41:00.001-08:00

Here is the text message Dad got from Amanda. What a woman, gives birth and text at the same time!

Zoey Lynn Hansen
4:39am 5lbs 3oz
19 inches long

No she wasn't due yet, but the doctor was concerned the baby wasn't growing and decided to induce her early. She looks good to me.

A beautiful granddaughter with a beautiful great-granddaughter.

It was a Merry Christmas.

2008-12-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Well, it is over. It seems like there was so much to do in so little time and then poof it is all over and you are wanting just a little bit more. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. I know I did. It was a quiet one compared to Christmas past. On Christmas Eve Shelli and family and Mike and family came over. We fixed soup, ham, yams, rolls, pies, cookies and candy. Then the next day we had a full on feast, but only Mike and Susann and the kids came. But Mike and Susann scored on the left-overs.

Here are the highlights:
Favorite Food: Dressing and Gravy. Jim outdid himself. Runner up - My cheesecake
Worst Food: My pumpkin pies. Why did I choose today to try a new recipe? Never again. Why mess with perfection?
Favorite Gift: Cute outfit
Favorite Moment: Sitting with family near the glow of the Christmas Tree, seeing the excitement on the little ones faces.
Favorite Kindness: Susann cleaned up the kitchen.
Favorite Saying: Something Katie said, I thought I would be sure and post it for all to enjoy, but now I can't remember it. Does that mean I am getting old?
Biggest Disappointment: I didn't get my scanner because someone procrastinated and it was sold out.
First Thing I am going to buy: My scanner
Biggest Surprise: Betty Boop allowed another dog in her house and even seemed to enjoy it.
Melancholy Moment: Realizing my family is now grown and from now on Christmas will be smaller.
Christmas Resolution: I will be done early next year so I can enjoy without the hustle.

It's a Holly, Jolly Christmas!

2008-12-22T07:56:00.000-08:00

I am so busy I haven't had time to post. What a busy week. On Monday I had our office cookie exchange and it was so fun. Great brunch and good cookies. I am putting my recipe on the side bar. It was extremely easy to make and so good. I think it is my new favorite for cookie exchanges.

Next was a goodbye luncheon for Marilee. She is moving to Tucson, AZ. I am going to miss her so much. Not only was she my counselor but one of my closest friends. I try not to think about her being gone, it will be hard not having her nearby. I have grown to really depend on her wisdom and humor. It just won't be the same without her. I am sure this is a good move for her family but we are going to miss her. However, the luncheon was a huge success, even though the rain was an unbelievable downpour.

I made sugared pecans (about 6 lbs) to give as gifts for friends. They were also easy to make, delicious and look good. I hope everyone enjoys receiving them. I still have toffee and fudge to make then most of my Christmas treats will be done. I think that will be on the agenda for tomorrow.

Woke up at 4:00 in the morning on Saturday with a million things running through my mind. I couldn't sleep so got up wrapped presents, boxed them up to send (they are in the mail) then wrote my talk. I had everything I needed to do done by noon. What a great feeling. I was the only speaker for sacrament today. Huge responsibility, lots of stress but I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself. That really left me exhausted.

I also had 2 escrows last week (Yeah!!!) but one of them was a foreclosure and nothing but trouble. I spent hours and hours on it and it still hasn't closed. At least there will be a small pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

All I have left is a few presents for Jim and then the cooking for the dinner. Merry Christmas!

Fridays with Jim and Ginger

2008-12-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

Friday's adventure was a fun trip to San Diego and Balboa Park to see the Christmas Lights. We drove by the embarcadero and grabbed a bite at Anthony's. The entire city was lit up and it was gorgeous. We finished the evening with a drive through Balboa Park. We were going to get out and walk around, but as you can see by the drops the rain started coming down hard and we were without umbrellas. So we settled on a beautiful drive. It was a fun evening.

I have a new grandson!!!!

2008-12-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

Yeah! I have a new grandson, "Emmett Brantley Proffitt" born December 14, 2008. Go to the Northwest Bunch for photos! He is so cute and we are so thrilled! Love, love, love to Jim and Janeal.

Pooped!

2008-12-06T20:37:00.000-08:00

Very tired and very worn out! I had two funerals today that I had to be in charge of. One was an inactive lady who was visiting her family who hadn't been to church since they were children. We helped them with everything and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. We held the service in the Relief Society Room and it was really good. We also took over food for everyone afterwards. I think we did good, pure service, no expectations - just Christ like love.

The second was a wonderful member of our ward, Pat Patterson. He was 86 and his wife died 6 years ago, so it was a blessing to think about their reunion. His wife had Alzheimer disease for the last 8 years of her life. He lovingly took care of her with nothing in return but a blank stare from her. It didn't stop him from his constant care. When the son went to the house after his death, on the mother's side of the bed was a card from Pat for every anniversary, birthday, mother's day and valentine day since she died. He wrote a personal love note in each of them and kept them by her side of the bed. Yes, love is eternal. What a beautiful love story this is - together at last.

As tired as I am, my spirit is floating!

Perfect Start To Christmas!

2008-12-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

From Enrichment

We just had our Relief Society Party! It couldn't have been better. It really set the mood and I think this is going to be a wonderful season. Instead of a dinner and program we had a 'Giving Tree'. For the last few weeks sisters pulled off paper ornaments with information about a child to buy a gift for. We also got gift cards for the mothers. We decided to spend the night at the St. Claires shelter for battered and abused women and children. So off we went, with our wrapped presents, a fabulous pot luck dinner and a little trepidation in our hearts.

We were jammed into the center, it was crowded and hectic, but just perfect for breaking the ice and getting to know each other. The dinner was great, we sang carols and had a story. Then, the best part of the night. Santa! Guess Who? Do you know a chubby old man who is thinning on the top? You guessed it! He was absolutely amazing, probably the best Santa I have ever seen. Even though he had to wipe his eyes a few times.

The first thing he did was ask them if they knew Rudolph and sang it with them, complete with the trailers (like Pinocchio). They all sang their little hearts out. One by one they came and sat on Santa's lap and had their picture taken. One little girl said, "Is your nose really red like a cherry?" Santa said, "Well, what do you think?" She said with tremendous excitement, "Oh, It is! It is!" Each was so precious, so grateful, so full of hope. When you realize these children have never had a positive experience with a man, it made it even more special. One little girl followed Santa out of the building, I told her she had to stay inside and she informed me she wanted to watch him fly away.

I thought of the Savior's words, "Behold Your Little Ones" and "Let The Little Children Come Unto Me." I recognized and felt the spirit bear testimony how precious these children are to Him. He is aware of them and he loves them. It was a very overpowering experience.

Countdown to Christmas

2008-12-02T08:42:00.001-08:00

"Each one of you is living a life filled with much to do. I plead with you not to let the important things in life pass you by, planning instead for that illusive and non-existent future day when you'll have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey--now." Thomas S. Monson

My favorite time of year is here. The house is decorated (almost), the Christmas music is playing and I have the Christmas smell on the stove. Even though it's in the high 70's it feels like Christmas.

Many of you have asked, "How did you do Christmas for all of us kids?". I think back to those fun days, what made it special and how did we do it? First of all the presents. I always had 10 presents for each child. That made over 80 presents under the tree. I don't really recommend that, it put up unreal expectations for future spouses and wrapping was a beast. Each of you got 1 big present from Santa. I tried for it to be what you wanted most. Within reason of course, no pony under the tree. Then the other presents were smaller things that would be enjoyed. A T-shirt in one package, always socks in another. The next might be a box of crayons and a coloring book for the young or a packet of marking pens for the older ones. A lip gloss or a bracelet was always loved. You could count on a new pair of PJ's. It's amazing what you can find that is really wanted for little money. The stockings followed the same principle. A few candy bars, a piece of fruit always helped fill it. Paperback books were good for the older ones. Hair pretty, little cars, you get the idea. We never did a big family gift unless we had enough money to do both the individual gifts and a big ticket item. We saved the big ticket item for another time.

But that was only the climax to a wonderful season. It began with decorating the house, setting up the tree, playing Christmas music every day. I always had the Christmas smell simmering on the stove. (Mix water, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger and few orange slices together and bring to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer. Keep adding water so it doesn't burn down). We went to all the decorations in the area, including the mall, attended both school and church Christmas programs and never missed a Frosty, Rudolph or any other Christmas TV show. We exchanged names among the kids and shopped for each other with excitement.

You remember the traditions, singing, cookies, etc. But the most important thing is enjoy! Take time to read a Christmas story, don't worry if it doesn't all get done. As long as it involves the kids it is worth doing, if it is just cleaning, it can wait a day or two.

My countdown has begun! I can hardly wait.