The Christmas Song?

We've all grown up with the lilting melody and words of The Christmas Song. It starts out, "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. . ." Now this has always fascinated me. I have never had chestnuts, never smelled them roasting on an open fire, but the picture painted in the song still elicits warmth and comfort and nostalgia. Imagine my excitement as I opened the Clark's Market Ad for the week and saw, CHESTNUTS!!! The first time in my life I have seen them for sale. I did grow up with trees in the neighborhood which were "horse chestnuts" but these were labeled "poisonous" and were merely kicked down the streets of our town and sometimes stomped and squished on the sidewalks. So I bought a few, they weren't horrible expensive, but not the cheapest item in the produce aisle either. I was being cautious. I got on the Internet and found that you could take this little wonders, prick the "flat" side of them with a knife, soak them in cold water for 15 minutes, drain and bake at 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. The instructions spoke of the warm roasting smells which would come from your oven. (The same process is followed for roasting them on a "shovel" over an open fire.) For our Family Home Evening, I planed on having roasted chestnuts for the treat! Some serving suggestions included salted, dipped in sour cream, dipped in melted chocolate. I was excited, I was pumped . . .and ultimately hugely disappointed. The smell was less than appealing and I guess if you like the taste of potatoes baked in the microwave a little too long, so they are a bit over cooked - you'd like roasted chestnuts. They were starchy, bland, better with salt, not good with sour cream, and a huge waste of good chocolate! I'll never have the same nostalgic feelings for The Christmas Song! Ahhh to our dreams being shattered!

"A Woman's Heart"

I had my Thanksgiving feast early this year - today Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President came and spoke to the four stakes in our region. It was a feast I must say. I would like to share some of her wisdom here. She spoke about the Relief Society for just a few moments and then asked for questions. As sisters asked questions, she then delivered a marvelous sermon on the subject. I just loved it!

Balancing Life

When asked, how you keep a "balance" in your life she said we must discipline ourselves to take care of the essentials first. She quoted Elder Holland's advice. "If you are sealed to it or if you have made a covenant with it - it had better be your priority."

She also said women are multi-taskers and nearly always take on too much. She said our day has three shifts, the "Day shift," "Swing shift," and "Graveyard." If you work three shifts you will wear yourself out and not give adequate attention to any shift. A woman can only work 2 shifts. She must get sleep, exercise, and healthy nourishment in the other shift. She then quoted a scripture I love so much, "It is not meet that a man should run faster than he has strength."

Helping Out in a World Wide Church

One sister asked, as we sit here in the many comfort we have, how can we help the Church members in foreign countries? She gave 4 wonderful steps.

Pay a full tithing

Pay a generous fast offering

Contribute to the Humanitarian Fund

Contribute to the Perpetual Education Fund

She went on to explain the perfect organization of the Church and how the needs of the members are monitored and considered by the first presidency. She talked about members of the Church in ShriLanka. Due to their humble circumstances and the Hong Kong Temple being the closest temple, members who are temple worthy, can have their air fare paid for by the Church in order to obtain their endowments and be sealed as families. Thus paying a full tithing, contributing generously to the fast offering help those less fortunate a half a world away.

Dealing with Wayward Children

"Successful leadership is the ability to get "volunteers" to set and keep worthy goals." Her advice was to continually pray for these children always remembering "We voted for the plan!" "The plan includes us being "volunteers" i.e. free to choose for ourselves.

"Sleeping single in a double bed"

"We all signed up for the family plan. Waking up and finding ourselves single is very difficult place to find ourselves. It is the responsibility of men to pass on the ordinances and covenants from one generation to another generation. Women are to influence children to accept and keep the ordinances and covenants which have been passed down by the priesthood. In these separate roles as men and women, we can make this influence felt whether or not we are married and have children."

Pornography - a Voice of Warning

Quoting Pres. Monson, Sister Beck stated, "I issue a voice of warning to ALL concerning pornography!" She said, most forcefully, "Each of you have the responsibility to ask the men in your lives, When was the last time you saw any pornography?" We must ask our husbands and our children - This is War and we must be prepared to fight it. The blame goes on the Adversary! Pornography is a storm of the latter days. In fighting this war she referred to Alma 48. This is a time when the Nephites are engaged in war with the Lamanites. The strategies in fighting that war are applicable to us today. Vs. 7: ". . . (he) prepared the minds of the people to be faithful to the Lord their God." It is our responsibility to strengthen our families, discuss the evils of our time and prepare them to be faithful to the Lord. Vs. 8: (they) erected small places of refuge." Our homes are these small places of refuge. We are NEGLECTING OUR DUTY if we do NOT have filters on our TVs and COMPUTERS! Vs 9: (they) placed their greatest number of men at our weakest points." Identify our weakness and and determine as families how we can fortify ourselves against these weaknesses. And even though they were in these extreme times of war, in Alma 50 it says, "There never was a happier people." We can be the happiest people even though we are living in the dangerous times.

Can We Do It?

One tearful young mother said, "I have one 2 year old and I'm expecting another, I see how wicked the world is and I wonder, can I do it?" Sister Beck gave some beautiful counsel. She said, " We are not asking you to be perfect in this life, we are asking you to be precise! Teach your children the doctrine of Christ. Be "intentional " in your teachings. Nobody owes you anything - you asked for this life and for these responsibilities. Rather you owe the Savior, you asked him to atone for you, we owe the Savior everything. Thank the Lord for the adversity that comes your way and then beg for his help. Her younger sister was the mother of 5 children, the youngest a newborn when her husband left her. She had nothing, she had no money, she had no house, she had nothing. When she asked her sister in later years how she had raised this successful family she had her sister remarked, "I did everything I could with exactness recognizing I totally depended on the Lord. I was not perfect, I was precise. " She stated she did not dare miss a single prayer, a family home evening, a day of scriptures with her children. She could not take care of her family alone, but she could fulfill these acts of faith with exactness and leave the rest to the Lord."

Take Heed of the Promptings of the Spirit

This rather surprised me. Sister Beck said, "When you kneel down to pray, have a pencil and paper near by. Let the Lord know that you are prepared to listen. Write down what he tells you and do it."

It was a spiritual feast indeed. Hopefully there is something here that touches your heart! I'm grateful for the opportunities to learn and to grow that the Lord has given me. I'm so grateful for the teachings and examples I learned in my youth. I'm grateful for the things I did right with my children and hopeful my children will do better and be more precise than I.

Bit by bit - row by row!

We opted not to go on a road trip for the football game and stay home this weekend. 1350 miles last weekend rather did us in! And we're glad we did! We got up early today and went and picked up our windows! We put three of the four windows in, leaving the largest window out until we have "access" to the room. I love the windows, they open so easily, and they actually went in quite easily - minus one near mishap when I was holding in a 4' x 4' foot window and it started to fall out. Then the tough work began - we emptied our closet - threw away about 1/4 of the stuff in it, hoping to throw away at least 1/3 more before we put it back into our closet. So my shoes and Levis are in the coat closet, dad's close are in a closet in another bedroom and my clothes are in a different closet. There may be a lot of streaking through our house! Then we took a hammer and wham, bam, took out the sheet rock in the closet. We will next take out the sheet rock in the other bedroom and rebuild our closet into the "hall." As soon as that is done, we will put in the window. Its all lots of work, it will take us some time for sure, but as the saying goes, bit by bit, row by row! I love it!

Halloween - For The Young At Heart

So everyone knows it - I LOVE HALLOWEEN! Why? well, because it is just such a happy time. I adore the trick-or-treaters! Last night was weird and I was so sad because it was 6:15 and we had not had one trick-or-treater. I didn't know if it was the cold, the still melting snow, or if we are just an "old" neighborhood. But then at 6:30 YES! The doorbell rang and Dracula stood on my front porch! We had a fair amount finally come and also stop at a very respectable time - 8:30. I saw some great costumes, two little boys dressed like girls who made me laugh and laugh! Then in between door knockers we could smell the distinct odor of skunk. I guess all the traffic in the neighborhood riled one up. So a knock on the door, and there standing on my front porch is the cutest little girl, dressed like a skunk! I said, phew you stink! She said, "Yea, I know!" Friday I dressed up for the clinic and to take treats around to the principals and school officials I

work with. Didn't get a pic of me "in" the costume, but here's the costume - I was a "fried egg". I made these Ghoul Cupcakes, there is root beer in the batter and they taste more like brownies than cake. They were great!

I love decorating for Halloween time to. I have "sobered up" a bit and my decorations probably fit with my age, more reserved I guess. We went to a football game, 1/4 finals on Halloween as well (which we won, even though it was a terrible game) and ate Brats. So, all in all, it was a heart warming, fun, successful Halloween! You have all inspired me to get creative with pumpkin carving next year and I am going to carve some WOW ones!

Fall - Did I Miss It?

I never expect Halloween to be "good" weather. We generally have a freeze by the time Halloween comes around. So what is it with SEVEN inches of SNOW !!!!!!!!!!

I don't ever remember having such a snow storm as this so early in the year. I'm trying really hard to be optimistic that fall will return, that this is just a fluke or something. Much of it did melt this afternoon. The mountains are covered and we are hunkered in. How much did YOU get?

The Lord's "Autograph"

This evening I had the opportunity of listening to Brother Gerald Lund. He spoke to the youth of our community for their standards night. This was the "kick-off" event for youth conference this summer which will be a handcart trek from Bluff to San Juan Hill, a portion of the trail the Hole-In-The-Rock Company took. In his talk he spoke about and pointed to many instances in the lives of those who came to our area through the Hole-In-The-Rock. They were specific instances where the Lord brought circumstances to pass in the lives of these people that they would know without a doubt that His hand had been there. It was as if he were giving them His personal "autograph" saying, "I know you, I care for you, I hear and I answer your prayers." Brother Lund shared many other "autographs" for other people. One remarkable one was of a young Korean boy, adopted while only a few days old. Prior to leaving on his mission, he felt the great desire to go through the Salt Lake Temple. His mother went with him and she had occasion to sit where she could see her son. She smiled at him several times and was met with an odd, cold stare. When in the celestial room, she put out her arms to him and called his name, only to have him turn and go into the arms of another mother and be embraced. Her son then touched her shoulder and she realized that her adopted son had an identical twin of which they had never known. They met that day in the celestial room of the temple. Not too long after they were photographed together at "the map" in the MTC. What are the odds, that these two would be adopted by LDS parents, both live in Utah, and both attend the same session at the Salt Lake Temple on the same day? It certainly made me think of times in my life where I know the Lord prepared a way, that what some may call "luck" or "coincidence" were in fact my "autographs" from the Lord. Take a moment and reflect upon your life, find those times where the Lord has given you His "autograph." Thank Him.

I Don't Remember Growing Older . . . .

I really don't remember growing older. Lately, it seems everywhere I go, i'm looking around and suddenly it dawns on me . . . "I'm the OLDEST person in the room!" I take a minute, look in the mirror and ask myself, "Do I LOOK like the oldest person in the room? I certainly don't feel like it." People are discussing events, times, places and I chime in, "Oh yes, I remember that." Then comes back the kicker. "You do? I was only 2 years old, or I wasn't born yet." Wow, I don't feel ancient. But I must be getting there. The trick I guess is to just keep "thinking young!" I suppose if I do that, then every time I come upon a situation I will be surprised to be the "oldest in the room!" If I never allow myself to FEEL like the oldest person in the room, then it doesn't really matter what the calendar says. To be perfecly honest, I wouldn't want to go back and do it over again just to be younger! I'll remain, ever yours, the OLDEST person in the room!

Observations

Yesterday, a very long, long day, I flew from SLC to Austin, TX. I became very caught up in "observing" people. It made me think twice and thrice! Such as, do I do that in public? What impression am I giving people? Why do I do some of the things I do? On a flight that had several layovers and so many people are getting on and off the plan, these are some things I observed. First: How often are we "above the rules?" You know, the rules are for everyone else but me, because. . . .because why? Am I better than every one else? Do I know more than the people making the rules? Wow it was an eye opener to me. One individual sitting next to me refused to "turn off her electronic devices" with the statement, "It doesn't really matter if you turn them off, its such a pain to turn my phone off and on, I put it in my purse and they never know. And this is just an electronic book, what is it going to hurt?" Then slithers it down by her side as the flight attendant walks by and "pretends" to turn it off when they ask, 'Please turn off your electronic devices - again." Even though the overhead storage is for "larger carry on items - please stow purses, computers under the seat and reserve the overhead for larger items." Then I watch a dozen people put their purses, lap tops etc in the over-head and people with large cases are trying to find a spot to put their suitcases and a full flight. Are we just so self absorbed that the next person doesn't matter? Then there is the issue of how we dress. So many things have been said by our church leaders about the importance of dressing appropriately. I want to carry a sign which says, "PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHEST TO YOURSELF!" Way too much bending and reaching over and stooping on an airplane to be so clad! Add to this, the "I'm the only one on this plane who is interesting and so EVERYBODY should hear my conversation." I should probablyl be more kind, perhaps they were hard of hearing. The reverse side of the coin was some very kind, considerate, polite actions. A flight attendant who polietly smiled and said, "Honey, I'm so sorry we don't have milk, but the apple juice so so sweet!" An elderly gentleman gave up his seat and moved to another seat to accommodate a "newly wed" couple who were last to get on the full plane. I am going to act better.

Just A Little Thing

I'm driving to work.

I'm in a hurry.

Sitting at a stop sign.

I'm in a hurry.

Car rounds the corner.

Obviously lost!

Another traveler missed the turn at the light!

I'm in a hurry.

He rolls down his window.

I'm in a hurry.

"Baaaaank? Baaaank?"

Great, he doesn't speak English!

I'm in a hurry.

Go back to the light and turn right.

"Baaaaank? Baaaank?

Holds up a credit card.

I'm in a hurry.

Follow me, I wave my arm.

He follows me to the bank.

A huge - warm - smile!

"Thaaaaaanks!"

It was just a little thing!

Why was I in a hurry?

What a great day!

To Good To Be True?

What isn't red -

whealed up -

itching-

miserable?

ME!!!!!!

I have now gone for 2 weeks without hives! (After having hives every day for 9 1/2 months!) Thanks to the help of our local M.D. and an endocrinologist at the U of U - I have been hive free. I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful it is! I will do thyroid tests again in about 3 weeks to see where my antibody level is. I feel so much better and am sooo greatful to be hive free. In the words of a song from Wicked, " I couldn't be happier, I couldn't feel humbler!" Now, if I can just start to lose some of the weight, then I can sing the rest of the song, "Because happy is what happens when all your dreams come true!"

Humble Pie

HUMBLE PIE

Sometimes we all need a piece!

So, have you ever been sooooo right about something that you become so indignant and self righteous about "being in the right" that it blinds you to subsequent actions? Well, this lady has! When we let "being right" be more important than "being kind," "being diplomatic," "being a team player," etc - we find that we are really not a very nice person and then we find that "being right" did not even come close as a justification for our actions. I ate a big piece of humble pie today! It can be hard to find it, difficult to cut yourself the correct portion and almost impossible to eat - BUT once you do, you find it is the best pie you ever ate! (Ahhh that we didn't need Humble Pie - But certainly glad it is available!)

Dear Deer Hunt

Jackie, dad got a deer!

(Inside family joke)

(One week after getting this nice 4 point, the road dad took was closed down! So sad, its such a beautiful area!)

Temple Blessings

With the help of modern technology, we were able to attend the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication this morning. What a great weekend to have the opportunity for temple experiences two days in a row. It was a beautiful dedication ceremony that touched my heart. How grateful I am for temples, for the sealing powers of the priesthood, for the peace which can be found there. For our children and grandchildren, partake of the blessings of the temple as often as possible. Make temple attendance a priority in your life according to your circumstances.

Tender Mercies

The Monticello, Utah Temple was the setting today for a most remarkable experience for me. Two very wonderful people witnessed the tender mercies of the Lord in their lives as they were joined in marriage for time. Lois was the beautiful blushing bride and Lloyd the nervous, handsome groom. I was so lucky to be there, to feel the rich, heavy, overpowering spirit of the Lord and witness this union. This is the first time I have been in attendance to a marriage in the temple for "time." Lois's husband passed away about 5 1/2 years ago from the devastating effects of uranium miner's lung. Lloyd's wife passed away 3 months ago after a courageous lingering fight with cancer. The officiator explained the Church's qualifications for a Temple marriage for time and the encouragement from the Church that they take place whenever possible. The spirit was so strong as we were taught about the plan of happiness. He quoted one of the general authorities who likened it to a 3 act play. We are in Act II - Time. He went on to explain that time is from the moment of our birth until our resurrection. "Time" is when we have the opportunity to work out our salvation. It was inspiring to me. He spoke of the presence of those spouses who had passed on and the room was filled - there was a heaviness, like the room was occupied to capacity, though there were many chairs available, with my eyes closed I could literally feel the presence and closeness of entities. There were other truths taught which can not be discussed but brought to mind again how important it is that we take every opportunity to attend the temple and be "taught." I learned new truths today and will be forever grateful. All my wishes for joy and happiness go out to Lois and Lloyd as their life together begins today - the Lord has brought them together to bring about his purposes - ahhh for the tender mercies of the Lord!

LISTENING

in my last blog i made reference to a doctor's appointment that was a bust . . .why was it a bust? because somebody forgot to listen!!!

this has given me cause to think about listening. . .

think about how i listen. . . .or not. . .

i'm fearful it may be - not!

i erroneously assumed (as i was paying for the time with the doctor) that i would be listened to. .

wrong!

the problems i had were real to me, were giving me concern and by the time i left the doctors office, i was soooo frustrated and why?

because the doctor did not listen.

so, it has prompted me to reflect about listening and doing a better job of it.

i will look at someone when they are speaking to me -

i will concentrate on what they are saying -

i will not be so busy thinking about my response - that what is being said to me falls on

"empty ears"

i will absorb, enjoy, relish and appreciate what is being spoken to me!

take a minute -

Listen!

Road Trip

For those who may be Willy Nelson fans, you will remember the song, "On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again. . . " Well. . . .I took a road trip! It was fun! As it was the opening of the bow hunt, and I needed to go up north to a doctor's appointment (which turned out to be a real bust), I decided to go on a "road trip." After the passing of two of my friends and contemporaries this past year, I was feeling badly that I hadn't been able to attend one of the funerals. Now isn't that dumb thinking? I should have felt badly that I hadn't gone and visited my friends while they were alive! So, I went to visit people who were and are near and dear to me. These are people who have had a big influence on me, people who have had a part in shaping me into who I am. I went from Blanding to Kaysville, to Utah Valley, to Tooele, to Salt Lake. I visited my way through Utah for 4 days! What a great time. What wonderful people. It was energizing to me. It was delightful to show up on a door step with a boquet of flowers and say, thanks for being my friend. There were sad moments to see the toll that "age" takes on us. Moments of laughter for the goofy days of younger times. Inspiration from people who have lived through experiences I have not. I'm just so glad I made time to see these people. A magical song from Wicked, the musical sums up these folks who have graced my life. . . " because I knew you, I have been changed for good...." Thanks to you all!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In my travels from Cedar City to Blanding I was listening to NPR radio. There was an interesting interview with a fellow who had written a book titled: "Out of the Kitchen Onto the Couch." His book was about cooking or the lack thereof and how it relates to television. The top ten viewed television programs include cooking/food shows. They are a hit in America. (I love them myself - favorites being "How it's Made" "Dives, Diners and Drive-Ins" "Paula's Kitchen" [ had to take a break from it as I'm trying to cut back on fat and you know Paula and butter] and others depending on my mood!). Somehow they have managed to capture audiences of all ages, including men - now how did they do that? Well, they have made them like "athletic events" with hype, competition, slashing swords, back flips and show downs big cash pots. These particular offerings are strictly "entertainment" not really teaching anything about cooking and not even providing recipes either during the show or on the web. (It took the author of the book to point this out to me - I didn't figure it out on my own!) So what does this mean to the average American? Well, he is spending MORE time watching cooking and shows and since the advent of so many of new cooking programs - LESS time in the kitchen cooking! Aren't we an enigma as a society. Evidently the average American spends 26.6 minutes per day "in the kitchen." The author of the book (sorry I was driving and didn't get his name) pointed out what a detriment this is to the American family. Cooking, gathering in the kitchen, interaction with family members and creating memories are being lost. Not to mention, Americans are getting "broader and broader" each day, developing more and more preventable diseases. He says, "we are cooking vicariously" through the cooking shows. Hmmm. So I just found it a very thought provoking program. I'm working very hard this week to spend more time in the kitchen cooking, cooking healthier meals, creating memories, talking, laughing, helping each other, eating and sharing our day. To anyone who reads this - I'm throwing down the challenge (just like "Throw Down with Bobby Flay") Don't knock your self out in the kitchen - just spend some quality time there!

4th of July Fun

I'm just a girl who can't say no! Especially not to 4th of July Fun. I haven't been in the melodrama for several years and just had a ball playing

the part of

Death Valley Nell (who's voice sounds somewhat like shifting gravel!)

Of course being in it with my bestest friend Linda is just an added bonus!

And by the way - could you build a float?

You just have to have a float!

...then be part of the Melodrama Float . . .Hey I got to ride my 4 wheeler with a saddle on it while pulling the other actors in an old fashioned buckboard wagon!

Grab some of Sal's famous kabobs. . .

Play the piano at the patriotic program. . .

Stretch out on the lawn for the Oooo's and Ahhhhh's of the fireworks!

No wonder I can't say no - its just the best!

The Passing of our Friend

Our poor community has had yet another tragedy to face with the passing of Dr. James D. Redd.

He was our doctor - he delivered Jason, Jesse, Jeanine, Jackie, Jeremy, Jordan and sweet Sadie. He cared for Grandma Christiansen. He "delivered" Mark's appendix! He saw us through Jonathan's odd rheumatic fever, Jeanine's MS and Jordan's early years of ulcerative colitis. He has come to our home, he has called on the phone, he has gone above and beyond - to be our doctor.

He was a member of our ward family sharing his vast knowledge of the restoration with us. Mark was bishop when they moved into our ward. He has been our ward's mission leader, deacon's quorum advisor, Sunday school teacher.

He was my boss, giving me the opportunity to work for him when he owned his own practice. He was my colleague when he sold the practice and we went to work for the health district. He taught me so much about the medical field.

He was our friend. He came to see Mark's big deer. He gave us financial support in a time of need. He enjoyed the labors of our garden. He knew trivia that no one else would dream of knowing and loved to share it with others. He admired our children and how "smart those Christiansen kids are." He acknowledged our accomplishments.

Our family will never forget our doctor, our ward member, my co-worker, and our friend.

Double the Pleasure - Double the Fun!

Raymond John Christiansen

June 5, 2009

8 lbs 14 oz. 21 inches
Jeremy and Carly are the "can't stop smiling" parents!

He's just so happy his grandma is holding hime!

Chloe Christiansen
June 3rd
7 lb 5 oz, 20 inches




Pretty little girl stuff!

Jason and Cansas are the good looking parents.

Gavin is the best big brother!

Memorial Day

I have always loved Memorial Day, just ask my kids about their crazy mother who loves to go to the cemetery on Memorial Day - whether or not she has any family in the cemetery. My weekend began visiting Mom and Dad Christiansen's graves and placing some beautiful flowers there. I guess its taking time to reflect upon the lives of those you love and who influenced your life that I enjoy. I also love looking at the headstones of ancestors I did not know, but who made it possible for me. The winding up scenes of the weekend included a beautiful ATV ride with Dave and Connie up the Camp Jackson trail and onto Abajo! It was just gorgeous!

Quite a "FEET"

Haven't blogged since April - Hmmm - could it be Life got in the way? Certainly! Mother's Day Weekend All My Children (much better than the soap opera) came to Blanding to roof our house and addition for us. I didn't get a picture of them all on the roof, but I did get the evidence that it was "quite a feet!"

Golden Apple

Each year the San Juan School District hosts a banquet for their teachers of the year. Mark was selected as Albert R. Lyman Middle School Teacher of the Year. At this banquet all the honored teachers are given a plaque and thanked for their efforts in education in the district. At the end of the banquet, a San Juan School District Teacher of the Year is then announced and given a "Golden Apple" award.

The San Juan School District Teacher of the Year is Mark!!!!!

We were both surprised, I had no idea (yes, there are things which go on in the county of which I know nothing about!) Mark was so honored and touched by the award. It was so very special. I would just have to say myself, there is something very special about a person who works with 12-14 year old children for over 20 years and not only lives to tell the story, but loves those students as well. I'm so proud to call him my own!

Time - How do you do it all?

So, here it is nearly one month since I last posted - and why has it been so long you ask? Time, that elusive, sneaky, frustrating, limited, unlimited stuff that somehow I just can't seem to manage!!!! Why can't I find time to clean up my yard for spring, plant my seedlings in the house, work on baby quilts, work at work, go visiting teaching, do family history, read a book, watch a movie, visit my grandchildren, visit my neighbors, visit the sick and the lonely, go to the temple, sew, organize my house, well clean my house first and then organize it, write another play, finish writing a book I started 5 years ago, even install a piece of software on my computer!*!*!*!* Its all about TIME and I just don't know how to manage it well. I chase my tail and that's where I go - around in circles. Ah, that I could better figure out how to use that precious stuff called time!

"House it coming?"

Here's how it is coming along. . . . .

. . . Spring beak continiues. . .

One last fling for spring break. Saturday afternoon we decided to hike to the Citadel. It was such a breathing taking trip.

Round trip was about 3.8 miles. The weather was perfect, not too hot yet a breeze to keep you cool in the hike.

Rather precarious!

The point is the Citadel

Tucked under the right side are ruins.

Some of the most perfect ruins I've seen!

The best hiking companion!

Memories of My Mom

As the empty nesters were hiking Arch Canyon, the sweet signs of spring were abundant.

Pussy Willows!

I couldn't help but think of my mom. When I was a little girl, she would sit me on her lap, take my arm and while slowly walking her fingers up my arm; she would recite this little poem. It is recited going up in a C scale and when you get to the "meows" you go back down the scale.

I have a little pussy

Her coat is silver gray

She lives down in the meadow

Not very far away

She'll always be a pussy

She'll never be a cat

For she's a pussy willow

Now what do think of that

Meow

Meow

Meow

Meow

Meow

Meow

Meew

Scat!

Thanks Mom!

Spring Break

Our spring break activities. We went back to Arch Canyon to 4 wheel and then hike. We road the 4 wheeler the 9.5 miles up Arch Canyon to the end of the trail. We then hiked 7.5 miles (round trip) to see the "last arch." There are three arches all together, Angel Arch, Cathedral Arch and the last one, Keystone Arch. It was a beautiful ride, and great hike. We just had a wonderful time!

Keystone Arch

OK, so we see all these dear tracks in the sand by the stream, and then suddenly we see these "other" tracks - Cougar. Makes me just a bit nervous! Kind of makes you want to look over your shoulder the rest of the way!

Hard to tell from the picture, I'm standing on white sandstone looking down through a hole in the rock.

I'm down below and Mark is up above, sticking his head down through the hole!

Beautiful little spot!

Just a beautiful hike!

We finished the mop boards, moved back the furniture, someday I"ll hang up the pictures!

Here are the floor joists!

Let's hear it for spring break!