Comments

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I know you've been here, it's true!  I see my counter going up daily.  Sometimes I have 40 views, sometimes 80 sometimes more.  But by the comments, you'd think almost no one came by.  I enjoy a follower's input, reading their footprint and advice.  And, if your e-mail is hooked up to your profile, I usually try to say something back.  You know, just so you know how much I appreciate you.

Does anyone else think that comments are addictive?  I find my self checking several times a day to see if anyone has posted a comment on my blog.  If you aren't a usual commentor, you really should consider it.  I try to comment on every post I read.  I want people to know I had been there and appreciated their writing.

I write for me, but it's nice to know I'm appreciated.  It's not validation per se, but motivation to keep on doing what I am doing.  If you stop by, please leave a little note, so I can thank you for coming and check out your blog, too...

Muffin & Cinnamon

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This is not a post about food...Did you know that introverts like myself are often labeled as snobbish and stuck up instead of the quiet, shy person that they are?  It's true!  I've experienced that type of dubbing quite personally. It's funny how experiences in our childhood can leave a lasting impression on into adulthood.

When I was in sixth grade, my parents moved me from California to Colorado.  For a brief time we rented a home in Denver, and I went to an elementary school where the students were predominately black.  I was a little blonde haired, blue eyed girl from Cali.  I am not prejudice, nor was I as a child, but I was shy, I didn't talk much.  Unfortunately, my shyness was mistaken for snobbery.  It was a very sad and scary time for me.  Children can be so mean.  I had tacks taped to my chair at school, gum squished down into the roots of my hair.  Now, I like peanut butter, but peanut butter in my hair was kind of yucky.  (My mama's technique for gum removal).  I was pushed around and afraid to go into the bathrooms.  And, I was told by the boys that I was ugly and had hair like a dog.  I would also have terrible awful notes with scathing language telling me how awful I was shoved into my backpack when I wasn't looking.  I had great anxiety about going to school.  I would spend my mornings in tears and return home with such relief to be in the safety and sanctity of my home. It was where mom was...it was my sanctuary.  

There were two rays of sunshine in my life back then, and their names were Muffin and Cinnamon, and no they were not food.  They were the sweetest little sixth grade girls EVER.  Their acceptance and love of me is what helped me to get through my time at that school.  They were funny and just as unique as their names.  We only lived in that rental for about 6 months, and then we moved on.  But looking back, I know that Heavenly Father put them in my life to help me get through a tough time.

I don't know whatever happened to those sweet girls, but I have to admit that I love Muffin's and Cinnamon to this day, and I don't think that is a coincidence.

Thank You, Ladybug

Ladybug created this in Computers class this week and e-mailed it to me.  

The perfect message!

Source:  Ladybug

A Reacquaintance

My running shoes and I became reacquainted yesterday.  It has been a long hard two months.  You see, my running partner got very sick and then I succumbed shortly thereafter.  When you are just trying to Keep Calm, Breathe On, a good run or jog is almost impossible.  Sometimes just making sure your next breath stays in your lungs is all the workout that can be handled.  Seven medications later, my lungs are clear and I was ready to roll

It was a difficult run, I'm not gunna lie, I squeaked out 2.5 miles at a very slow pace, but I did it!  I had wanted to run a 10K in May, considering I have to rebuild my stamina I'll shoot for the 5K.  Baby steps, you know...Hopefully, I can continue to Protect my House.

As for the bad hair day?  Hey, I had just been to the gym!

1940's Census

Remember when I told you I was an Ambassador for the 1940's US Census?  The transcription is going strong.  All states are now available and some are even completed.  I had hopes of coming across my grandparents in the census in California, but I wasn't quick enough to get those names.  California is complete...Goodness, I have transcribed hundreds of names so far, though, and still going strong.  If you are interested in participating, go here.

Here is a video by Julia Sheer.  While not about the census, the video kind of makes me think of knitting our hearts together, which is what we are kind of doing by participating in this historical work.

What are you reading?

Today I am reading...

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This is such an amazing story about hope, faith, overcoming adversity.  It's a love story, too.  I have been following Stephanie Nielson's blog, The NieNie Dialogues since 2008.  She is a true inspiration.  

What are you reading?

I was not compensated for this post.  

I thought I would put that out there.

I just think Stephanie is fetchin' amazing.  

Movie Quotes

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Can you name the movies?

Keep Calm, Breathe On

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Lately I have found it hard to breath.  My lungs spasm and I expel that life sustaining hair.  Coughing I gasp for breath only to not be able to breath deeply into my lungs.  This is scary to me.  I am on medication and have been assured that it takes two to three weeks to really work in my system.  In the meantime, I just try to stay calm and breathe, but sometimes cough and sputter takes over.  I'm sure my family would love to sleep through the night. Be assured, I would love to sleep through the night, too.  I wake up coughing and clawing at my throat...That certainly doesn't make for a good nights sleep.  My new mantra is "Keep Calm and Breathe On".  Clever right?

I can't help but draw parallels with God.  The comfort, love and Spirit of God is that life sustaining breath.  We can't accomplish what we have to do in this life without His constant comfort and guidance.  Yet, often the natural man in us takes over, we cough and sputter and push Him out, forget His role and figure we can do it ourselves and we can, but it is, oh, so much harder.  When we let our Spiritual minds take over we realize that when we breath in and let our souls accept that loving comfort and guidance from our Savior, the loving grace is something we don't want to live without.  He makes things just a little bit easier, he helps to carry our burdens.  I will not simply sit on my burden, filing my nails while the Savior pushes me along, but I will yoke myself with Him and work with Him, alongside Him.  He is my brother.  I will "Keep Calm and Breathe On."

I may still be literally gasping for breath, but I will fill my soul with His life sustaining love and guidance, and in this case the comfort He has to offer me.  If this seems a stretch of the mind, it probably is...Just chalk it up to lack of oxygen.

No, he is not her stalker...

Miguel likes horror movies and his girlfriend has a stalker.  Two unrelated things, but somehow, yet, related.  And, no, my son is not her stalker.  But he asked her to prom in a very horror movie-esq, stalker way.

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Picture a ransom type letter left on the windshield of girlfriends car.  "I will reveal myself when I ask you to prom."  She rushed home from work and opened the garage door.  Unbeknownst to her, her sister was inside holding the door to the house closed and a friend was hiding in the garage.  Friend knocks over box in the garage scaring the girlfriend who tries desperately to get into the house.  She pushes the button to close the garage, and Miguel who is hiding around the side of the house trips the sensor.  As she turns around, she sees Miguel holding flowers and asking her to prom.  She is happy and relieved to see him, but still pounds him good.

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Last year he asked someone with dyed Easter Eggs.  Girlfriend wanted him to ask her in a sweet similar fashion.  Being the practical male that he is, he didn't find it necessary to ask her creatively much less at all because, well, they were going out and had already discussed going to prom.

I do find it somewhat disturbing that he came up with something so scary.  But, at least he didn't come up with it on his own.  We can blame girlfriend's sister, too.

Sunday Wisdom

"And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD." Psalm 27:6

Summer Tunes

This music video makes me excited for warmer summer days. Idaho doesn't have beaches, obviously, but a girl can day dream...    

Birthday Weekend

In honor of my birthday, KT wanted to take me out of town.  He had this planned before we knew we were even taking a trip to see Military Man in Salt Lake.  I knew it was important to him to do this for me, and let's face it, it was fetchin' sweet, so we did go out of town two week ends in a row.  Very indulgent, like we NEVER do this...We have been married for almost 23 years, and I can count on one hand the number of weekends away we have had.

This is where we stayed...

It was a lovely place and so peaceful..

While we were there it was warm and 60's at home, but it snowed and was chilly in the mountains.  It was a perfect opportunity for photography, reading and sleeping....And we still made it home in time for Easter Services.

This is a very frozen Payette Lake.  

This is KT standing on said frozen lake.  

A lake we have boated on and tubed on in the summer.  

Stark contrast, wouldn't you say?  

Here is the Brundage Ski resort, we checked out.  But, I don't ski, and it WAS "MY" weekend...

This was so sweet and relaxing, and truth be told, it was the first birthday in sixteen years that I haven't spent at either a softball field or baseball field.  And that's a fact!

A Last Minute Trip & New Friends

Military Man texted me that he would be in Salt Lake for the weekend.  Having not seen our son since before Christmas, there was no doubt in our mind where we would be for the April 1st weekend.  We had a lovely weekend, but it seems I'm trying to figure out my new camera.  Somehow my anti vibration got turned off and half the pictures of Military Man were blurry.

We visited Temple Square of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  It was beautiful and peaceful, such an awesome experience, UNTIL you step off of the Church's property.  That's were you see the "Mormon Protesters".  Really?  Why?  To me that's like protesting the Military funerals.  Rude and pointless.  We were verbally harassed and ridiculed.  That was not so fun.  My husband found one he wanted to get his picture taken with.  KT said the guy with the sign calling us "douche bags" was really nice.  Um, yeah sure...

Then we walked head on into a Trayvon Martin Hoodie March.  They were a peaceful sort, shoving us out into the street...

Just another day in the life of Salt Lake.  We really did have a good time, though.  Spending time with Military Man and his friends Kennedy, Karla and Fernanda was worth it.  ♥♥♥

My Epitaph

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I follow a writing blog with exercises on increasing your writing ability.  It offers challenges and writing prompts,  and although I never participate by linking up my writing this assignment caught my attention.  A few months ago the assignment was to write your epitaph.  I had to look that up!  Crazy, I guess, but I did not know what an epitaph was.  After looking it up, this is what I came up with, but really how morbid, right?  And since today is my birthday, shhh don't tell anyone that I am now 43, it felt fitting to share today.  Cuz, yeah, I'm old.  ;)  

Etched in his heart

Memories

A chasm...A canyon

Because the loving was so deep

Darkness plagues his soul

He wrestles with the night

and my name...

an echo on the wind
~Lisa~

But really, you could just play this song at my funeral, and I'll be smiling from heaven.  

Thoughts on My Savior

As we head into this Holy weekend, I would like to say how grateful I am for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and for the sacrifice he made for me all those many years ago.  I know with all my heart that He lives and loves me.  His forgiveness and gift of eternal life has given me the freedom to live, love and enjoy life.  This conviction and knowledge completes me and makes me who I am today.

As we find our own peace this weekend and rest in the comfort and love of our families, may we remember the sacrifice, love and comfort of Jesus Christ and His importance in our lives.

The Promised Land, NOT!

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I warn you in advance, that I may offend some of my Utah friends, but this needs to be said....We made a quick trip down to Utah to meet up with Military Man for the weekend who traveled up from New Mexico.  Now if you know anything about Mormons, the Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.  It is a Mecca of sorts for the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Most members at some point make it to Salt Lake to see Temple Square and to immerse themselves in learning the Church History through the many museums and such.  We drove 4 1/2 hours down there.  It was a lovely drive for us until we hit the outlying towns of Salt Lake.

Flip people!  What is up with your traffic?  Seriously going 100 mph and weaving in and out of traffic is not okay.  I'm not just talking about one particular driver, there were MANY!  Tailgating our car at 80 mph in bumper to bumper traffic is not okay, either. Just because you think you know where you are going in the afterlife doesn't mean the rest of us want to get there any faster.  I enjoy my family and my life here as God has intended.  Let me enjoy it a little bit longer, please.

KT asked me if I wanted to drive at one point, my answer was a hearty "HECK NO!"  It is fine to go down and visit, but would I EVER want to live there?  "NO FREAKING WAY!" Seriously people, if I had to deal with that traffic on a daily basis, I would be on mega doses of anti depressants. Can you spell serious doses of S-T-R-E-S-S?

You an keep you Promised Land and I'll keep mine.  

Besides, one less car on the road in Utah is one less car contributing to your traffic.   

Love this Talk

Did you enjoy Dieter F. Uchtdorf yesterday?  This is one of my most favorite General Conference talk ever.  I find myself gauging some of my actions and decisions based on what I learned in this talk years ago.