That's all she wrote...

Tomorrow morning when I wake up it will be 2010. That is even hard to grasp when I'm typing on the keyboard!

I remember when I was in grade school and I would do the math in my head regarding how old I would be in the year 2000. I was 38 two weeks into the year. So, now, add another 10 years to that... The funny thing is, I really don't feel any different. Last month I had some different pains in my knees that I had never felt before, but I thought it was because I was spending 8 hours in a chair at my desk everyday! It might me a sign of aging, but I can't say for sure - I've never been this old before. Anyway, it just seems strange to me that we live in the time that we do. 2010!!! Un-real. Exciting, but un-real.

I've known people who look forward to making "New Year's Resolutions," and I've known people that say, "It's just another day. Why should I make goals on this particular day? I can set a new goal any time I want." Well, I'm the kind that likes to take the opportunity of the turning of a new year to use as a guide post. I like to make resolutions and set new goals - however, I do it closer to my birthday. For me its a time to evaluate my own personal changes and needs as I age or come into new seasons of life. It helps that my birthday is really close to the first day of a new year too.

What I really hate though is that the people that set a new goal to get into shape in the new year do it at my gym during the same time I go. It never fails, during first couple of months at the gym, the machines and weight rooms are packed with people I've never seen before. And they are all way over weight! Not that I hate that people are wanting to get into shape - I'm a big advocate of staying healthy and being in shape. But I am at the gym at least three times a week - more in the summer months - all year long, and those people are in my way. I never see them by the first of March though so then I can work out in peace and quiet! So, essentially I try not to set a goal I know I won't stick with - like losing weight or getting into shape. What I do like to do is tell myself to have more fun with the shape I'm in - like go snowboarding more or snowshoeing - get outside! (Which is tough this time of year cause it's so cold!)

At any rate, 2009 is quietly sliding into history and being replaced by 2010! Lets all do something memorable this year. Make sure you tell your family how much they mean to you. Find something new you can really embrace and let your spirit take flight! In other words, go out and live - Life Is Good!

The key to success

I just have a minute but I needed to write this down before it left my brain.
I always hate being the first one to work, because my key never works very well in the lock on the front door. I'm always forcing it in and "jiggling" it around, try to "make it work right." This morning was no exception. Brian went out rabbit hunting with some buddies and I was at the shop before the other guy. So I pulled out my key and tried something different. Today I tried the gentle approach with the key. I didn't use any force at all and the key went in with out a catch, and when I gently pulled it out it came right out! I was so amazed.
Lesson learned today: force never gets the results you might be looking for, and all you ever get is frustration, sometimes even angry. But gentle persuasion always works, you feel relieved and may even find yourself smiling at your success.
I think this applies to most things in life - I have tried it with my teen-agers. I always find that our relationship goes more smoothly and we can really communicate better that way.
Today the use of my key was a success. I was the last to leave work today as well - my key worked like a charm! I even smiled at myself for how clever I was.

A Family Tradition Revisited

For the past 6 years my kids have spent Christmas eve with their dad. I had started a tradition many years ago - as a teen - where I would read from the Scriptures, the story of Christ's birth. There are many in the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament, and of course the New Testament. Some years I would read them all but most of the time it was Luke. For the past six years my kids have gone with out that tradition, because it only happens on Christmas Eve. This year was different. This year they were with me! I hope my kids always miss that tradition when are not with me.
I read first from Isaiah, chapter six verse nine. Then I read from Luke chapters one and two. I usually follow that up with my newest Christmas story book for that year. (I have bought one a year for several years.) This year's was titled "If You Are Missing Jesus." It's a story about a family who had bought a new nativity set that happened to come with two baby Jesus'. This Mom left her number and a note with the store clerk that said, "If you are missing Jesus, call: 7165." Then over the course of the next week or so she anxiously waited for someone to call because their nativity had no Jesus. No one ever called about that but she did get a call from a desperate Mom, whose husband had just run off, her furnace just quit - they lived in North Dakota - and she had small children who were cold and hungry. The lady with the extra Baby Jesus got her husband to fix the woman's furnace, her children gathered cloths and blankets for the little ones and some of their neighbors donated beds and furniture as well. All because of a little baby Jesus!
The reason I tell the details of this story is because of something really ironic that happened to us. At Brian's annual Christmas get together with his family, his Dad does two things every year; one, he turns and gifts a small bird house ornament for each grandchild and each of his kids (and their spouse); and two, he give each family a small gift of some sort or another. This year we each got a "coffee table" book and a small nativity set. The nativity was small and inexpensive, but I collect them so I was grateful for the gesture. When we got home and I opened the box to display it with the others I have, I carefully opened each piece and placed them in the scene. Low and behold I had NO baby Jesus! I have wise men, a shepherd, even a sheep and a donkey, but no Jesus. The sad thing is I don't even have a number to call! Since I don't really believe in coincidences, I believe that this a lesson for me to learn:
Always remember to include Baby Jesus in your Christmas traditions!

Oh Holy night!

What a relief. Our Choir program is finally over, and the YW program is done. I always look forward to the Choir's Sacrament meeting each year. We have been practicing for weeks and weeks for todays presentation. Why is it that on the day of the big event you can never find the right note at the right time? Last week I nailed them all. But not today - maybe I wasn't holding my mouth just right or something...
Any way the songs were wonderful arrangements - mostly Mack Wilberg's - and our Director is a member of the Morman Tabernacle Choir. We even had the largest choir in the history of our ward for these pieces. Our Bishop refers to us as the Southern division of Mo Tab. I don't know about that, but I do know I was struggling today. It might have had something to do with the fact that this year I have challenged myself to sing the first Alto/second Soprano parts of each piece. Usually a little bit higher range than I am used to. Like I said, I wanted to challenge myself and extend my range. In weeks past I did it just fine - well it took some effort and concentration, but I got the notes.
All in all, the songs and the message was beautiful. Jesus Christ was born into the world. The greatest miracle ever to occur to mankind. We celebrate that birth with Christmas. Amid all the controversy, all the political (in)correctness, all the anti-religious messages, and all the "holiday" wishing, I am keeping Christ in my Christmas! I don't care how many people get offended by my wishing them a Merry Christmas. I don't care how many people would rather see a Santa Clause than a nativity on my Christmas cards. I am keeping Christ in my Christmas! I hope you will too.
In Young Women's today, all the leaders recited, from memory, "The Living Christ" as our program and lesson - interspersed with various Christmas hymns. Each class did two songs. One of the songs the Mia Maids did was "When He Comes Again." I have an arrangement or two for my guitar so I decided to play while the girls sang. (I was doubly nervous with playing and reciting my memorized part.) Gratefully I got through the guitar playing and the girls sounded great! After we sang that song I just stood there and recited the second to the last paragraph of the Living Christ. I nailed it! Whew, I was done! Now I could relax. The day was over and I didn't have one more thing to do. What a blessing today was for me personally. I had been praying in my heart that everything would go well and it did!
That is why I know that Heavenly Father is a personal God. He felt to bless little, small, insignificant, me. That is why I will serve Him. He loved ME enough to send a Savior to atone for me. Jesus Christ was not afraid to do His Father's will, so why should I be afraid to keep Christ in Christmas.
And tomorrow is Monday!

The Happ, Happiest season...

Been crazy busy at work! "Cyber Monday" hits us hard. As well as Cyber Tuesday, Cyber Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and probably everyday for the next couple of weeks. With Christmas falling on a Friday we could be shipping up through the Tuesday before. So take a deep breath, here we go!!!
Went into work on Saturday to try and keep ahead of the curve. I'm sure I will have twice as many orders tomorrow as it is. So far I've been doing really good at keeping my cool and not getting stressed out. I just sit at my desk and listen to Christmas songs and polk at the computer keys while I enter over 100 orders in one day. REALLY looking forward to tomorrow... deep breath in, breath out slowly, deep breath in, breath out slowly.

Had a wonderful weekend. It was Stake Conference. Our ward sang in the Saturday night Session. We had the opportunity, of course, to listen the great messages from chosen speakers in our Stake. We heard one woman talk about how much our ancestors need us and how much we need them for both of our eternal salvation. She put things into great perspective. She made me almost want to get on the internet and get into it. One day I know I will get involved in my genealogy.
We also heard from our Stake President. He is a pretty inspired man. His message was one of great timing. We have been instructed to be in the business of rescuing souls. Whether we are the rescuer or the one being rescued, we will always need to look to Christ both as our example and as our Saviour. Today we were again taught great gospel lessons. Our first speaker was a 12 year old Deacon, with some very sage words of advise. Out of the mouths of babes, right?

So we begin. December will go by as fast as the rest of the year has gone by. Christmas will be here, like tomorrow, and the next thing I know I'll be another year older. But hey, it's way better than the alternative... I will do my best to calmly do my job and relish the season - and the goodies that come around too.

Gobble gobble...

Just finished a wonderful evening with the kids. When I say kids, I mean TJ and Randi. Brian and I are in the time of life where our kids are pretty much on their own and will usually come home for the holidays (except Randi of course, she still lives here.) We used to "get the kids" every other holiday, but now it's more like, "let us know what your plans are and we will work with them." Eric is in Georgia, finishing up his Army training - plus he's married and has other family plans with his new wife. Amber wanted to do a dinner with her friends and boy-friend - that no one really approves of. TJ and Randi spent last year with their Dad so they came over here. I'm glad too because when it's just Brian and I dinner is kind of quiet. Next year in fact, we might just go out to eat - depending on what any of the kids want to do, of course. At any rate, I am stuffed and my kitchen is no longer covered in dirty dishes. TJ is on his way back home, and we all had a great time with one another. I am blessed to have this gift of family.

Now that Thanksgiving is over though, I can start thinking about Christmas. We get TJ and Randi again for Christmas Eve. Haven't had them here for Christmas Eve in forever. It will be nice to have them here and do some of the things we used to do on that special night. I love Christmas Eve. I love Christmas. Of course it's the time of year that I try to focus everything on the Savior, but in reality I should do that all the time. I just love that most of the rest of the world is focusing on Him too. I hope my kids get that sense about me and how important Christmas and our Savior is. What an amazing thing His birth was. How very lucky we all are to have been given that gift! I love that we get to celebrate His birth every year by having Christmas.

I hope every one had a wonderful Thanksgiving. And that wherever you are, wherever your loved ones are, I hope you always remember how very blessed we are to have each other. Whether we are friends or family, distant or close, my life is forever changed by you being in it. God bless you always.

Sunday afternoon

While I was sharing my music with a soprano in choir practice today I was able to find every note I needed to sing. Did I mention the lady next to me was a soprano? Then when more people came to sing I had to share with another alto. After that I was hardly ever on the right note. Every time I sit next that particular alto she throws me off!!! I don't play the piano, or the organ, or anything that you need to be able to read music to play, so it's hard to know exactly what my note is. This lady is our ward organist and she sings flat, or the wrong note, yet when I sing with a soprano, I hit my note the way I should. I don't get it. We are singing some pretty tough songs for Christmas this year. I want to be able to sing them well and I don't think I am doing that.

Really had a wonderful weekend. It started with a session in the Provo Temple, with a really good friend of mine. It's nice to get in touch with the Spirit that I feel in there. It ended with a friends son's wedding reception last night with Randi. Actually had a really good time - I think Randi did too. She kind of connected with the little brother. I've been friends with the Mom for years. I watched her kids grow up. Her older daughters have kids of their own and they are adorable. I got a chance to hold their babies and visit with every one. It was fun to see them all again. Randi might have a new friend to "hang out with."

Sundays are very relaxing days for me. I get to sleep in most weeks and that feels good. Then I get to relax and read the scriptures for a while. It feels nice to get some balance in my life after a busy hectic week. Then I get to go and listen some pretty remarkable people teach the gospel and increase my understanding of the principles. My heavenly Father is good to me. He has blessed my life with abundance.

cloudy with a chance of snow

Just got back from a wonderful Temple session in the Provo Temple. It is really cool how the Temple continues to open my understanding and deepen my testimony of the gospel. I am so grateful that I was born to such wonderful parents! They taught me to love my Heavenly Father, and to believe in Christ. Because they taught me when I was young, I am able to take those teachings into my adult life and increase them. I think it's called synergy. The gospel is taught line upon line, precept upon precept and they all continue to increase in size. Today my spiritual eyes were open a little bit more to the concepts taught in the Temple. That is how I know that God loves us. He teaches us, patiently and with love. When I took my concerns with me into the Celestial room, He, once again, comforted me and let me know that all things will work out for good and that I must be patient and love unconditionally. That is also why I love to go to the Temple. I feel comfort and I feel all my worries fade away.

This morning was beautiful, with very little clouds. We have been expecting snow today. Now it's getting a little more blustery, and the sky is clouding up. But it is November and we have had some pretty nice weather up till now. It's about time the ski resorts get something to offer. At first, in September and October, I wasn't at all ready for cold weather. I think it will be okay now. I am looking forward to snowy days and some cold nights now. Next week is Thanksgiving, and I am looking forward to some time with my family around me. The smell of pumpkin pie and Grandma D's rolls will fill the house. I am looking forward to that too! (Randi actually said she is looking forward to helping me bake this year - I am REALLY looking forward to that too.)

Life is settling down this time of year and I am able to relax a little - knock on wood. I still need to shop for Christmas though, so stay tuned...

I can see clearly now

Had my two year check up after my Laser Eye Surgery. Still seeing 20/15 - yeah! Doctor said my eyes looked great. At my age thats really good news. Some times I worry that my eyes have changed and that I will need to go back to glasses. Never!!! But I do understand that our eyes change in different ways as we age and there is nothing that can be done about it. That I can live with. Any way, for now I am still seeing really well. A blessing I never thought I would have. Clear vision is so wonderful!
Later, I got my hair done. Had all the gray covered up! I love that we can do that. As you can tell I'm vain when it comes to my looks and in denial when it comes to my age. Hey, what can I say, I'm a female in her 40's, we are all pretty much the same.

Manic Monday!

This was another one of those crazy Mondays. Randi asked me to be her "guinea pig" for her class this morning. I had to be there at 8 which meant I would have to be late for work. It's starting into the Christmas season and we are getting busy - especially on Monday's. Really I was a little torn because I hate getting behind on orders, but I didn't want to let Randi down. A dilemma. I chose to help Randi. She had to do some teeth cleaning and other dental type stuff as practice. So she practiced on me. She did a darn good job too I might add.
When I got to work it was crazy! I had to enter 55 orders and do it before noon, while still answering the phone orders - which was also crazy. Needless to say, I finally got all my work done by 5. Which was good because that's when we close and go home. Tomorrow is going to be just as manic though I'm afraid.
I found out that I have an eye doctors appointment at 9 in Salt Lake, and a hair appointment at 1. Plus I have a bunch purchase orders to get out, so that we have stuff to sell for the Christmas rush...
Now I understand why my husbands favorite day of the year is December 26t! That's when we actually get to take a breath and relax. Being a retail store owner makes it kind of hard to enjoy the "peace on earth" during this time of year. I have a real challenge on my hands every year, but I love the holidays and will do everything I can to enjoy it this year too.
I actually cannot believe that next Thursday is Thanksgiving day! I need to go to the store and get all my baking stuff. I love a good pumpkin pie and so I plan to bake a couple of those. This year I've ordered a "free range turkey" for dinner. TJ and Randi will be here this year as well as Amber - I think. Not a ton to be cooking for, but enough. We will at least have some left over turkey anyway. This year - like every year - I feel I have a lot to be thankful for! But that is another post...

Sundays child

I usually like Sundays. Today was no exception. Our church meetings don't start until 1:00 in the afternoon. I really like that time - in the winter. I can sleep in, have a wonderful breakfast, and take my time getting ready for the day. However, after our block of meetings I still have choir practice and so by the time I get home the day is basically over. I eat dinner, watch a couple TV shows and go to bed. (In the summer months I like going to church early so that I can enjoy an afternoon or evening walk outside.) But I digress!
In Sacrament meeting this afternoon, we got to hear from a recently returned missionary, from our ward, and a High Councilman, from our ward as well. Both talks were really good - surprisingly so. Of course return missionaries always have great conversion stories, but the HC really gave a thought provoking talk about obedience. He used part of Elder Ukdorph's talk about the small light bulb that caused a huge airplane crash that killed over a hundred people. If we take notice of the small things that we are neglecting in our obedience we can prevent disastrous miss deeds that lead us away from Heavenly Father's plan. I liked they way he put things into perspective. His talk made me think about I am or am not doing in my own life to be obedient.
Then in Sunday School class we had a lesson on the missionary work done in the Spirit World and our responsibility to make sure we are doing Temple work for those who are accepting the gospel there. Again, I had to take stock of my life and decide if I need to be doing more. The answer is probably yes!
Then I got to go to my Young Women's class and listen to our Advisor, Liz Osipanko, give a great lesson on Time management. Do we use our time and our agency the way we should be? Am I using my time wisely? In other words am I taking the time to read the scriptures the way I should, pray as often as I should, live the gospel like I should or am I wasting my time on trivial things that won't bring me closer to my Heavenly Father? I really had to look at what I spend my time doing.
Like I said, I usually like Sundays. This was another good one! I feel very blessed to be a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love being able to serve and I love being able to be reminded once in a while that I need to do better at what I know I should be doing as a servant of the Lord.
With Christmas coming up and Thanksgiving just a couple weeks away, this is a good time for me to take stock of what can do to make some improvements in that area. I was reading in Mosiah chapter two this morning where King Benjamin stated that "when ye are in the service of your fellowmen, ye are only in the service of your God." King Benjamin was a very wise King.

Not really sure why, but here it is...

I'm somewhat of a techno-geek. I'm not very knowledgeable about technology, but I love that we have these little devices that we carry around in our pockets - cell phones. I love iPods, I love laptops, and I love gadgets with blinking lights and sounds of music. I love technology.

So, that being said, I have finally created my first blog account. I've known about this stuff for a while. Years in fact. I just never thought I would be a blogger, but now I am. I have come to the conclusion that my ideas need to be organized and written down. My personal journal has really gathered dust next to my bed, but I spend some time on the computer, so why not jot a few things down at the same time - here, on my blog. This is kind of exciting for me. I am finally entering into the world wide web!

See you in line...