Who would have thought? Please don't answer that. Thank goodness this is NOT a post asking YOU to post my quirks in the comment section. I for sure would have my 10 comments (probably more) in one day! LOL.
Liberty tagged me, and I told her that it would take me a few days to think of what to write because I try not to focus on my quirks/flaws. Really, I do. I have too many people already willing to point them out, so I figure, "hey do yourself a favor and just try not to focus on it."
But guess what, when I started thinking about it they just started coming. Anyway here it is.
The RULES
1. Link the person who tagged you...Liberty
2. Post these rules.
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
Okay, you asked for them...
1. When I get tagged in the blog world, I often feel the need to do a little introduction/preface (like the one in this post) to the tag. You know just like you would find in a book. But who reads those anyway? Guess what? I do. I know I'm a nerd. Please tell me you read mine too, if you don't just pretend that you do.
2. I tell little white lies not to hurt people's feelings. I know it's wrong, but I do. It was pointed out to me this week, in a nice way, by a non-member (Shutter at the thought of me being such a bad example). She said that she knows I try to teach my children about being honest, and so I should be honest and straight forward, if it hurts feelings...oh well. This is what brought that up. I was telling her about someone who visited our ward this summer from another state. They were here vacationing and they invited Ariel (just Ariel--trust me I tried to invite myself) to their hotel pool to swim. I tried to tell them that I am a crazy overprotective mom, but they looked at me kinda weird and said, "Don't worry, I'll be down by the pool with them". Well, I didn't want them to feel bad by insinuating that I thought they were going to do something bad to my child, so I said, "I'm sorry, Ariel has an orthodontist appointment."
I think the non-members advice was right. I should have just been honest because guess what? Those people later asked if they could take Ariel to the beach! No she did not go.
3. I guess that is another quirk: I don't let my kids be or go with just anyone. I have to really know and trust you. My kids are my greatest treasure, not going to leave them with just anyone!
4. I don't sit on toilet seats except at my house or those of family members (well, most family members, and no I'm not telling which ones). And when my girls have to, I literally take about a half of roll of TP and cover the toilet seat--I have trained them to do this as well. OH, and I definitely do not touch the handles when I flush (hello, I use my foot) or the faucets or door handles after I wash my hands. Can I say how much I love Germ-X?! When we are at a hotel, I bring cleaning supplies and clean the bathroom first! I really do.
5. I have a weak stomach. VERY WEAK! If you want to make me throw up, just do or say something gross, or throw-up yourself. I can't even be near my girls when they throw up. Don't believe me? Ask Mike.
6. The beds in my house have to be made every morning BEFORE we leave the house. I can't stand for the beds not to be made or the thought of going to sleep in a bed that has not been made. YIKES!
Okay, I know that it only said 6, but I guess I'm on a role and it's kind of therapeutic for me to see all these weird quirks about myself. So here's a few more.
Enjoy. I know you are because reading about how weird I am makes you feel a little more normal right? You know I'm right.
You're Welcome.
7. I don't always follow rules when I'm tagged in the blog world.
8. I always drink water in restaurants. I know the wait staff thinks "Cheap" (trust me, I used to wait tables), but it really is the drink I LOVE. But the quirk is this: now I ask for the lemons to be brought out on the side. DO NOT PUT THEM IN MY DRINK OR ANYWHERE NEAR MY CUP. I don't know if you properly wash them. Hey, I'm an informed consumer--I watch all the news reports. I prefer to squeeze the juice in the water myself and then GERM-X my hands. If you can REALLY convince me that you wash the lemons, I might consider putting it in my water.
9. When I vacuum, I like to see straight lines. I know crazy.
10. Oh, I don't like to drink milk or things like that at peoples houses. Don't know if they ever drink from the bottle.
11. and I don't drink milk past the expiration date. NO WAY. NEVER.
12. Don't ever ask me to eat from your plate, to share your food or drink, or take just a bite or sip. I'm not into sharing germs. YUCK, YUCK, YUCK. A long time ago, I was at an Enrichment meeting, and a sister said I could have a bite of her already eaten dessert (there was no more) and I was like " oh, no thank you. I didn't really want any" (another white lie, as to not hurt feelings because she got the last piece). She was very persistent. Finally, in the nicest way possible, I said, I just don't like to eat after people. She said, not kidding, "Oh, you are really going to need therapy one day. My brother was just like you." LOL. She's probably right.
13. Don't know if this is a quirk, but I still think it's funny. You know when people talk into their "blue tooth" or whatever those things are called. (Mike would be shaking his head in embarrassment right about now if he were reading this). Well, I often think those people are talking to ME. Yes, I know that is a little self absorbed, but I do. So, I'll try to answer them, and not just once. I have done this SOOO many times I can't count. Can you say H-U-M-I-L-I-A-T-I-N-G, especially when I realize that the perfect stranger is talking to someone besides ME. So now I'm a little more leary. One time while visiting my mother-in-laws ward, this guy said "good bye" along with something else, but I saw that he was holding his cell phone so I thought he was talking to someone else. So I ignored him. Well, guess what? He was talking to ME. He looked at me weird and I said, "Oh, were you talking to me"?
Okay, I'm gonna stop with 13 (hey, at least you know I don't have a quirk about the number 13), but if you want to know more, I'm sure Mike and my kids will humor you with many, many more things. Gotta go call a therapist now. Cya.
Oh man, I almost forgot: I'm tagging: Susan, Lisanka, Chrissy, Ann, Brooke, and Annie.
Post Update: Even if you don't normally read comments, you may want to read them for this post. I think you will be surprised!
Friday, July 25, 2008
A Funny Thing Happened....
when I posted my last post.
As I was writing, I came up with another post idea.
In my last blog, I wrote of how I love to blog. It is a selfish guilty pleasure.
So where am I going with this post? I'll tell you.
After my last OB appointment, my doctor told me that I needed to try to reduce the stress in my life. She prescribed for me---not pills (that's what I thought I needed because I yell way too much and things get on my nerves way too easy). Nope not pills, she said that I should be a little more selfish.
Yes, SELFISH!!!
Do some things for myself. (Side note: Anyone out there ever watch "Everybody Loves Raymond"? If so, remember the episode where the doctor told him to de-stress, and he went home and told Debra the doctor prescribed him to play more golf. Too funny.)
Anyway, blogging is one of the selfish things that I do.
Well, the funny thing is (at least to me), I just remembered what Mike was told from the doctor when he went to his check-up. I even have a post on it: An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away. To save you from having to go and read the post, his doctor said that he should go home and tell me that he (Mike) should have more kids.
I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, "Oh, the irony"!
As I was writing, I came up with another post idea.
In my last blog, I wrote of how I love to blog. It is a selfish guilty pleasure.
So where am I going with this post? I'll tell you.
After my last OB appointment, my doctor told me that I needed to try to reduce the stress in my life. She prescribed for me---not pills (that's what I thought I needed because I yell way too much and things get on my nerves way too easy). Nope not pills, she said that I should be a little more selfish.
Yes, SELFISH!!!
Do some things for myself. (Side note: Anyone out there ever watch "Everybody Loves Raymond"? If so, remember the episode where the doctor told him to de-stress, and he went home and told Debra the doctor prescribed him to play more golf. Too funny.)
Anyway, blogging is one of the selfish things that I do.
Well, the funny thing is (at least to me), I just remembered what Mike was told from the doctor when he went to his check-up. I even have a post on it: An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away. To save you from having to go and read the post, his doctor said that he should go home and tell me that he (Mike) should have more kids.
I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, "Oh, the irony"!
Doesn't Look Like It's Gonna Happen!
Okay, so I told myself I was not going to post again until I got at least 10 comments on my previous post. I thought I could at least get 10 within a weeks time.
No such luck.
Poor me...
Well, I just can't go more than a week without blogging.
Too many ideas going around in my head not to post.
Sooo.....
For all those who did not comment on my previous post: Thanks for keeping me humble.
To all those who did comment: I like you the best! LOL!
No such luck.
Poor me...
Well, I just can't go more than a week without blogging.
Too many ideas going around in my head not to post.
Sooo.....
For all those who did not comment on my previous post: Thanks for keeping me humble.
To all those who did comment: I like you the best! LOL!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Caught Snoopin' Yet Again!
I was hoping that it would not come to this, but it looks like it has.
I found a post idea on another blog site that I loved. The blog actually belongs to Liberty's sister, Stephanie. I don't know Stephanie, but she seems like such a neat person, and I'm sure she is just for the fact that she is related to Liberty.
Anyway, here was her post idea that I am totally stealing.
Here is a totally different game of tag.
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew us a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Neat idea, huh? Well, I was hoping that Liberty or maybe even Hurst Happenings (someone else I discovered while snooping) would use this post idea so it would appear as though I took it from them instead of snoopin' (and maybe they are going to, and I'm just too impatient to wait and see. Maybe I just don't have anything better to do?).
Why would I think they would do a post with this, you may ask? Well, I saw that they commented on Stephanie's post with their own memories.
Yes, I'm really bad. I do read the comments on blogs of people I don't know.
Hey in my defense, maybe I might come across someone else interesting. Okay, maybe I do have a problem.
Anyway, I loved the blog idea because:
I found a post idea on another blog site that I loved. The blog actually belongs to Liberty's sister, Stephanie. I don't know Stephanie, but she seems like such a neat person, and I'm sure she is just for the fact that she is related to Liberty.
Anyway, here was her post idea that I am totally stealing.
Here is a totally different game of tag.
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew us a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Neat idea, huh? Well, I was hoping that Liberty or maybe even Hurst Happenings (someone else I discovered while snooping) would use this post idea so it would appear as though I took it from them instead of snoopin' (and maybe they are going to, and I'm just too impatient to wait and see. Maybe I just don't have anything better to do?).
Why would I think they would do a post with this, you may ask? Well, I saw that they commented on Stephanie's post with their own memories.
Yes, I'm really bad. I do read the comments on blogs of people I don't know.
Hey in my defense, maybe I might come across someone else interesting. Okay, maybe I do have a problem.
Anyway, I loved the blog idea because:
- I have not really had a lot to blog about.
- So, basically I'm asking you to blog some memories for me.
- and finally, I have to admit I LOVE to get comments. My husband says it is prideful, but sometimes I even live for them. Wouldn't it be funny if no one commented??---NO THAT WOULD BE CRUEL, VERY CRUEL.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who does take the time to comment when they come to my blog. It always encourages me to know someone is reading.
I guess that is a bit prideful. Perhaps I should work on that along with all this snoopin' stuff.
Monday, July 14, 2008
I Got Permission For This One
I recently have been told by all of my family members that my blog can be, or is somewhat embarrassing to them. Maybe it was the talk of pet peeves, maybe it was the talk of all the dancing, maybe it was pictures of a little girl doing yard work in a ballerina leotard?
Who would have thought??
So, I got permission from Ariel to post this because I just thought it was way too funny not to share.
Last week, we went to Amberly with the Ottingers again. While there, Justin and Ariel were talking about Justin's upcoming birthday and what he was going to do.
Ariel said, maybe he could have a Bat Mitzvah. She was not trying to joke or make fun. She was serious.
I then said (I could not help but laugh): Two problems Ariel with that suggestion. 1st: Justin will not be turning 13 and the BIGGEST PROBLEM: He's Mormon, not Jewish!
Ariel: OH, I didn't know it was for Jewish people.
Maybe it was only funny to me, but a week later it still brings a smile to my face. Out of the mouths of babes.
Updated on 7/16: For those of you who don't read comments, when Ariel read that I posted this, she was okay with it, but asked for me to PLEASE add that she hopes this post did not offend Jewish people in anyway. She was really worried about that, and since I posted this with her permission, I thought it best to add it. I ,too, hope if anyone of the Jewish faith (or friends of those who are) did not take any offense. None was meant in the posting.
Who would have thought??
So, I got permission from Ariel to post this because I just thought it was way too funny not to share.
Last week, we went to Amberly with the Ottingers again. While there, Justin and Ariel were talking about Justin's upcoming birthday and what he was going to do.
Ariel said, maybe he could have a Bat Mitzvah. She was not trying to joke or make fun. She was serious.
I then said (I could not help but laugh): Two problems Ariel with that suggestion. 1st: Justin will not be turning 13 and the BIGGEST PROBLEM: He's Mormon, not Jewish!
Ariel: OH, I didn't know it was for Jewish people.
Maybe it was only funny to me, but a week later it still brings a smile to my face. Out of the mouths of babes.
Updated on 7/16: For those of you who don't read comments, when Ariel read that I posted this, she was okay with it, but asked for me to PLEASE add that she hopes this post did not offend Jewish people in anyway. She was really worried about that, and since I posted this with her permission, I thought it best to add it. I ,too, hope if anyone of the Jewish faith (or friends of those who are) did not take any offense. None was meant in the posting.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I Don't Square Dance!
Okay, so yesterday afternoon, in the middle of cooking a new recipe (Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan at Mike and Ariel's request), the Bishop calls, and me being the fool that I am, I answered.
I *thought* he just needed to tell Mike something.
Well, he did, but it also involved ME!
Here is part of the conversation:
Bishop: Hello Sis. Odom.
Me: Hi Bishop.
Bishop: I'm just calling to remind you that we have Square Dancing practice tonight at 6pm.
Okay, let me stop here. Did my ears just hear the words "WE". What??? I don't square dance (no offense to those who finds joy in this, it's just not for me).
Back to conversation:
Me: What?? What do you mean "we" have square dancing practice.
Bishop: Did Mike not tell you that he volunteered you and him to be part of a square dance performance that the Bishopric and their wives will be putting on?
Me: Ughh...no, he did not and probably because he KNOWS that I would say NO. I don't square dance.
Bishop: Well, too late now (he was kind of chuckling while saying this). You're square dancing and practice is at 6pm.
Okay, let me stop again because for the next 5 minutes I began to try to convince myself and the Bishop that he was playing some kind of cruel joke on me and he should stop. It wasn't funny after the 1st minute. He could just give me the message he had for Mike, and we could end the conversation, and I could get back to lightly browning my eggplant.
But no, he wasn't kidding. I finally heard his wife yell in the background, "Andrea, he's not kidding. "
Okay, do you know how those 3 words--he's not kidding--- totally changed me.
Finally, the Bishop said, "Go call your husband, and we'll see you at 6."
I said, "Well, I can't I have a presidency meeting at 6:30. Sorry."
He said, "Well that's okay because practice is at 6!"
Talk about persistence.
I thought it wouldn't help to tell him I was in the middle of cooking a new recipe that was taking a little longer than I thought, and I didn't think I would make it by 6. So I didn't bother.
When I heard the door chime as Mike entered the house from work, I said, "What's this I hear about you volunteering US to square dance."
Mike: (Acting a little confused) HUH?
Me: Come on Mike don't play dumb, the Bishop said that the Bishopric and their wives were all doing a square dance routine."
Mike: "Oh that. He mentioned it a few weeks ago in a meeting for Pioneer Day, but I told him that I don't square dance, and I haven't thought about it since. I guess he did not take that as a no."
Me: "What? Did you tell him that I am the most uncoordinated person on earth? Did you tell him that I don't dance, and I try not to put myself in situations to purposely be humiliated?"
Mike: "No, because as I said, I told him that I don't square dance, end of conversation. But come on, he's seen us dance together. He knows we can dance."
Okay, let me stop again. I don't dance. I like, I guess I should say love, to dance "fancy" with Mike, but for the most part I am a work in progress, and Mike pulls ,or maybe I should say drags, me along. Really, he does. He's far better than I am, and he makes it look effortless. Over the years, I have managed to learn to follow better, but trust me I don't dance.
Let me explain how bad of a dancer I am. About 8 or 9 years ago the R.S. put on a talent show, and I was the secretary. The R.S. President said that she thought we all should do something in the show because we were putting on the event. Her idea: We should all Square Dance.
Okay, the key word mind you is that we were putting on a "Talent" show. I don't consider square dancing my talent.
My friend Susan was also in the R.S. Presidency and we both agreed we did not want to square dance, so we decided to do something else, and leave the square dancing to them. What did we decide to do? Sing. Now, I don't have TALENT as a singer either (just trust me on this, please don't make me prove it to you, your ears will hate you for it), but this should tell you that I would rather humiliate myself singing than to humiliate myself square dancing (something I have not done since I was forced to in elementary school).
Let me stop and say Susan can sing. I don't want to categorize her with my lack of talent.
And, I do have to say that Susan and I was able to pull off the singing/karaoke thing. What did we sing, you ask? "My Baby Loves Me " by Martina McBride. Some people even thought we lip synched---which we did not. However, I think I will end any singing career right there with that. Trust me, for me, that night, was pure luck...nothing more. How do I know?---when I was in the 5th grade, and my class sang in the Christmas program, the girl next to me told me to just move my lips. True story. Need I say more?
But to this day, I'm still glad I sang over Square Dancing.
I guess it's pride, and you know what they say about that.....it cometh before the fall. That's what I'm afraid of--falling--Flat on my face in front of a room full of people.
However, I did realized that perhaps I was over reacting a bit. I mean how bad could it be.
Maybe I would come to enjoy it and it would be fun. Maybe...
Maybe I need to take one for the team. Maybe...
So, what did I do? I quickly finished the dinner, which smelled delicious, by the way. Smelled being the key word again, because we did not have time to eat it (guess what's for dinner tonight?). By the time dinner was done, and I cleaned up the kitchen (sorry, can't leave dishes in the sink and messy counter tops. Just can't do it.), it was time to leave.
Can I just say, the Lord is good. He really is. When we got to church (yes, we were a few minutes late---I had to clean the kitchen) the person who was teaching us square dancing had forgotten all about it! So the Bishop said, I guess we won't do it then.
HOORAY for forgetfulness!
I told you, "I don't square dance". LOL.
I *thought* he just needed to tell Mike something.
Well, he did, but it also involved ME!
Here is part of the conversation:
Bishop: Hello Sis. Odom.
Me: Hi Bishop.
Bishop: I'm just calling to remind you that we have Square Dancing practice tonight at 6pm.
Okay, let me stop here. Did my ears just hear the words "WE". What??? I don't square dance (no offense to those who finds joy in this, it's just not for me).
Back to conversation:
Me: What?? What do you mean "we" have square dancing practice.
Bishop: Did Mike not tell you that he volunteered you and him to be part of a square dance performance that the Bishopric and their wives will be putting on?
Me: Ughh...no, he did not and probably because he KNOWS that I would say NO. I don't square dance.
Bishop: Well, too late now (he was kind of chuckling while saying this). You're square dancing and practice is at 6pm.
Okay, let me stop again because for the next 5 minutes I began to try to convince myself and the Bishop that he was playing some kind of cruel joke on me and he should stop. It wasn't funny after the 1st minute. He could just give me the message he had for Mike, and we could end the conversation, and I could get back to lightly browning my eggplant.
But no, he wasn't kidding. I finally heard his wife yell in the background, "Andrea, he's not kidding. "
Okay, do you know how those 3 words--he's not kidding--- totally changed me.
Finally, the Bishop said, "Go call your husband, and we'll see you at 6."
I said, "Well, I can't I have a presidency meeting at 6:30. Sorry."
He said, "Well that's okay because practice is at 6!"
Talk about persistence.
I thought it wouldn't help to tell him I was in the middle of cooking a new recipe that was taking a little longer than I thought, and I didn't think I would make it by 6. So I didn't bother.
When I heard the door chime as Mike entered the house from work, I said, "What's this I hear about you volunteering US to square dance."
Mike: (Acting a little confused) HUH?
Me: Come on Mike don't play dumb, the Bishop said that the Bishopric and their wives were all doing a square dance routine."
Mike: "Oh that. He mentioned it a few weeks ago in a meeting for Pioneer Day, but I told him that I don't square dance, and I haven't thought about it since. I guess he did not take that as a no."
Me: "What? Did you tell him that I am the most uncoordinated person on earth? Did you tell him that I don't dance, and I try not to put myself in situations to purposely be humiliated?"
Mike: "No, because as I said, I told him that I don't square dance, end of conversation. But come on, he's seen us dance together. He knows we can dance."
Okay, let me stop again. I don't dance. I like, I guess I should say love, to dance "fancy" with Mike, but for the most part I am a work in progress, and Mike pulls ,or maybe I should say drags, me along. Really, he does. He's far better than I am, and he makes it look effortless. Over the years, I have managed to learn to follow better, but trust me I don't dance.
Let me explain how bad of a dancer I am. About 8 or 9 years ago the R.S. put on a talent show, and I was the secretary. The R.S. President said that she thought we all should do something in the show because we were putting on the event. Her idea: We should all Square Dance.
Okay, the key word mind you is that we were putting on a "Talent" show. I don't consider square dancing my talent.
My friend Susan was also in the R.S. Presidency and we both agreed we did not want to square dance, so we decided to do something else, and leave the square dancing to them. What did we decide to do? Sing. Now, I don't have TALENT as a singer either (just trust me on this, please don't make me prove it to you, your ears will hate you for it), but this should tell you that I would rather humiliate myself singing than to humiliate myself square dancing (something I have not done since I was forced to in elementary school).
Let me stop and say Susan can sing. I don't want to categorize her with my lack of talent.
And, I do have to say that Susan and I was able to pull off the singing/karaoke thing. What did we sing, you ask? "My Baby Loves Me " by Martina McBride. Some people even thought we lip synched---which we did not. However, I think I will end any singing career right there with that. Trust me, for me, that night, was pure luck...nothing more. How do I know?---when I was in the 5th grade, and my class sang in the Christmas program, the girl next to me told me to just move my lips. True story. Need I say more?
But to this day, I'm still glad I sang over Square Dancing.
I guess it's pride, and you know what they say about that.....it cometh before the fall. That's what I'm afraid of--falling--Flat on my face in front of a room full of people.
However, I did realized that perhaps I was over reacting a bit. I mean how bad could it be.
Maybe I would come to enjoy it and it would be fun. Maybe...
Maybe I need to take one for the team. Maybe...
So, what did I do? I quickly finished the dinner, which smelled delicious, by the way. Smelled being the key word again, because we did not have time to eat it (guess what's for dinner tonight?). By the time dinner was done, and I cleaned up the kitchen (sorry, can't leave dishes in the sink and messy counter tops. Just can't do it.), it was time to leave.
Can I just say, the Lord is good. He really is. When we got to church (yes, we were a few minutes late---I had to clean the kitchen) the person who was teaching us square dancing had forgotten all about it! So the Bishop said, I guess we won't do it then.
HOORAY for forgetfulness!
I told you, "I don't square dance". LOL.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Once Lost, Now Found...
Thank you Susan! After reading my blog about my lost pearl earrings, Susan asked me if I had checked in my purse.
I had, but to no avail.
But then she told me of how she had put (I think it was her rings) in a little zipper part of her purse that she never used.
That got me to thinkin', "Maybe, just maybe." I had not checked there, because I never use it.
So I went to my purse and looked in this little part **cough, cough**I NEVER USE, guess what I found? MY PEARL EARRINGS. YEA!!!!
Thanks Susan.
Again, I know I should not be so excited about a material possession, but I am. I just am.
I was so excited to find them, that I even wore them to church this Sunday. The best part: My ears did not get infected! Double YEA!
I had, but to no avail.
But then she told me of how she had put (I think it was her rings) in a little zipper part of her purse that she never used.
That got me to thinkin', "Maybe, just maybe." I had not checked there, because I never use it.
So I went to my purse and looked in this little part **cough, cough**I NEVER USE, guess what I found? MY PEARL EARRINGS. YEA!!!!
Thanks Susan.
Again, I know I should not be so excited about a material possession, but I am. I just am.
I was so excited to find them, that I even wore them to church this Sunday. The best part: My ears did not get infected! Double YEA!
Who Knew?
While I was finishing up my shopping, I noticed the girls laughing while holding the fly swatter of all things. Then I noticed them reading the back of it. Ariel said mom, you gotta hear this. Then she read the back of this:
It's hard to read, but this is what it says: 888 CIVILLAN USES--Here are 8:- Keep it in the truck for the winter and use it as a windshield scraper.
- For those that don't mind spreading a little bug shrapnel, try it as a backscratcher.
- Emergency toothpick (works well but don't let your wife catch you). Andrea here: This is me gagging....Can you say GROSS!
- Canoe Paddle, Never know when you'll be up that creek without a real one.
- Makes a good fish club.
- Soda Can crusher.
- Redneck Badminton
- Manual Mouse trap
Then it provides this note of caution:
- While Sergent Swat is effective on most campsite pest; it has been shown to only aggravate bears.
- Meant for backyard warfare between you and the flys-not your neighbors or dogs.
- Keep away from unruly kids (unless you like getting thwacked).
Okay, and I thought the people at Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Company were good at Marketing! Who knew!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy 4th of July!
However you are celebrating, may it be with those you love, and also be safe and happy!
I want to take a few minutes to express my gratitude to our forefathers who I know were inspired to write the Declaration of Independence, and also for those who risked their lives to start this great nation, as well as those who continue to risk their lives daily to defend it. Thank you!
May we all take the time today and remember the words stated in the preamble of The Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
May these words echo in your mind this day, and remind you, as they have me, that we are blessed to live in this truly wonderful country that affords us such great freedoms-God Bless the U.S.A!
I want to take a few minutes to express my gratitude to our forefathers who I know were inspired to write the Declaration of Independence, and also for those who risked their lives to start this great nation, as well as those who continue to risk their lives daily to defend it. Thank you!
May we all take the time today and remember the words stated in the preamble of The Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
May these words echo in your mind this day, and remind you, as they have me, that we are blessed to live in this truly wonderful country that affords us such great freedoms-God Bless the U.S.A!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Opening Up My Own Heart
For those of you that read my last post you might be able to tell what last weekend was like for my family, well for the most part. For those of you who did not, I guess I could say I was not in the best of moods.
Have you ever had times when people (even those you love) just get on your nerves for no particular reason? That was me this past weekend.
By Sunday afternoon, I realized I needed to have a little escape. So what did I do? Probably not what most good Mormon mom's would do, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Many would have turned to their scriptures, prayer, uplifting music, or the Ensign etc.
Nope, not me. I turned to my favorite blogs.
Luckily, the Lord is watching over me because the first blog I went to was Susan's. I really do love her blog. She is such a fun, smart and kind person. She is one of my best friends who can usually get me out of bad moods. Since it was Sunday, I did not want to call...
So I checked out her blog. I skimmed over the blog stalker confession again, and looked at her burrito recipe (which I am going to make soon), and then I came to the one that started to get me where I needed to be again. The one titled "A Heart Like His". Susan often says exactly what I need to hear at any given time, and on this day, she did it in words. Her last sentence read this: "So if your heart is feeling a little "closed, small, or hard" pick up a copy of this book (or just ask me and you can borrow it). "
The funny thing is that she let me borrow "A Heart Like His" on Thursday when we were at her house visiting. I brought it home, and put it on a table where it sat until Sunday afternoon. I felt prompted to shut off the computer, go get the book, wipe off the dust (sorry Susan), and start reading. It's was just what I needed.
I read half of the book in just one sitting. I could feel my heart beginning to open up (obviously, not all the way though because I did post the family pet peeves. Hey, give a girl a break, I'm human, but at least I'm trying.--Oh, and thanks to the Hurst for your comment. Your advice was great, and works well. LOL. )
However, like so many of my blogs this first part is not the reason for this post, well not the full reason. (I'm starting to believe Mike when he says that I talk too much, and can go from one topic to the next without taking a breath).
So what's the full reason? While I was reading this book, someone kept coming to my mind. A perfect example of someone who truly has a "heart like His". While I read, the examples Sis. Pearce gave kept making me think of this sister in my ward.
Then I came to this little exercise Sis. Pearce challenges readers to do (throughout the book, she give small challenges). Here is what the first challenge I decided to do says: "Jot down the names of some of the people you know who consistently seem to affirm, validate, motivate, and nourish those around them. Look beyond family and close friends. Think about ward members, neighbors, co-workers. Is it the words they say, or is it something more powerful? Think of a specific encounter with such a person. Write or tell someone about it. "
So, I'm going to write about this sister here, on my blog. However, I will not state her name because she does not know I am doing this, and may not want her name on the WWW. But I will say this much for those of you who are curious, she has the coolest Louisiana Cajun accent in Mobile. (Smiles). For the sake of confusion, I'll call her Sis. A.
Let me start off by saying Sis. A is not someone I know as well as I wish I did. For the most part we only see each other at church activities.
So I'll tell you what I do know. She is a lady who loves the Lord, knows her scriptures, is constantly about "Lord's business", fulfills her callings, is always servings others, and she definitely affirms, validates, motivates, and nourishes those around her. How do I know?
Her love for the Lord radiates from her. One can not help but be near her, and not see her light shining. That's what draws me to her. When I look at her, I see the Savior. I really do. It's like that song by Janice Kapp Perry, "His Image in Your Countenance."
I love to hear Sis. A give a talk. She does not read, she speaks from her heart, with the spirit as her guide. Every time she speaks, my heart is made fuller. Through the spirit, she encourages me to be better, and she is humble (something that I definitely need to learn more about).
Let me give you a few examples of how she has touched my heart. When I was called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher for our ward a few years back, I was terrified. I actually begged them not to call me (I really did). I gave them suggestions of other peoples names. But I was told that I was the one the Lord wanted at that time. How could I say no to that? Well, I could not.
I am not a born teacher. I don't have a talent for this, nor the patience really. And I'm definitely not a "scriptorian". I was so scared of the thought to have to teach others, who I knew understood the scriptures much better than me.
Not to put myself on the level of an ancient prophet, or any prophet for that matter, because I'm no where near there, but I felt like Moses, and I needed my own Aaron.
My second week of teaching, Sis. A, whom I admire, gave me a copy of two talks. She said something to the effect that she thought they might help me. If I truly want to be honest, at first my feelings were hurt because I felt that she was confirming what I already knew, "I stinked at teaching."
However, I quickly realized that is not why she gave me those talks.
There was a difference in her and I. Here's the difference. My heart had become closed. I was full of pride. I worried more about what people were thinking, than what the Lord thought of me.
Heavenly Father knew this calling was what I needed, and that I could learn and grown from it. I have to say, out of all the callings I've had in the church, I think I learned the most from that one. It was exactly what I needed at that time in my life. Another testimony for me that the Lord does indeed know me and my needs.
My heart began to open as I began to read those talks, and I realized she gave me those talks out of love. Her HEART WAS OPEN--like His. She was "being an instrument in the hands of the Lord."
One of the talks was on teaching by the spirit and being prepared (sorry, I can't remember the title...I told you I have a bad memory. I know I have the talk somewhere here, I'm just too lazy to get up and find it) ,and the other one was entitled, "What Think Ye of Christ" by C. Max Caldwell. I remember the latter because that talk had a profound effect on me, and changed my spirit. I still think about it at least once a week.
I never told Sis. A how much I appreciated the love she gave me at this difficult time in my life. She always participated in my lessons, and was a great strength to me.
Let me give you another example of how Sis. A has a "heart like His". Just recently, one of the sisters I visit teach had a baby, and was in need of some meals to be brought in to her family. So, I started calling other sisters in my ward for help. Let me tell you, this was not an easy task. Many people were out of town, or could not help for some reason or the other.
Two days later, I still needed two meals. I was beginning to become desperate and felt hopeless. Then I called Sis. A. When I asked her, she did not hesitate. She was more than willing to serve this other sister and her family even though she did not know her.
I'm wrong, she did know her. She knew that she was a child of God in need of help, as was I. And she willingly accepted the call to serve.
The words at the end of our conversation is what really "opened my heart" though. I will always remember this part of our conversation. It went something like this:
Me: Thank you so much for helping me out. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Sis. A, in an uplifting and sincere voice: It got better (her day) when you called.
Isn't that wonderful that her day was better because someone called, and gave her an opportunity to serve? I love that, and want to be like that. Isn't that what the Savior would want us to be like.
That response was so different than many others I called upon, and it will forever stick out in my mind. Isn't it strange how one sentence spoken can have such an effect on someone else's heart. To cause them to have a change, a change of heart. Now that's a miracle, and it happened to me that day.
If you read this far, I hope you can say that your heart has been lifted.
As I sit here typing, I know mine has. The funny thing about opening your heart--once you do---as Sis. Pearce quoted from The Grinch, it "grows three sizes bigger". It's contagious. You can't help but think of other good things or people and then want to do good yourself. If you don't believe me, try it.
Thinking of Sis. A reminds me of another sweet sister---Susan's mother-in-law. She too has a "heart like His". I'll never forget the time in Grovehill, AL when she sat up with me and Ann J. at a R.S. "weekend retreat", and talked to us until 2:30am. That weekend, I felt a bit out of place, until she came and took me under her wing. She will probably never know how much I needed that, and how much it meant to me. I will forever treasure that memory.
Anyway, I know there are many who have "Hearts Like His." And for those people I am grateful. They encourage me to be better. To be kinder, love more, serve more, and to be a better wife and mother.
To those of you who have a "Heart Like His", thank you. I'm not quite there, but I do believe I'm getting closer.
Have you ever had times when people (even those you love) just get on your nerves for no particular reason? That was me this past weekend.
By Sunday afternoon, I realized I needed to have a little escape. So what did I do? Probably not what most good Mormon mom's would do, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Many would have turned to their scriptures, prayer, uplifting music, or the Ensign etc.
Nope, not me. I turned to my favorite blogs.
Luckily, the Lord is watching over me because the first blog I went to was Susan's. I really do love her blog. She is such a fun, smart and kind person. She is one of my best friends who can usually get me out of bad moods. Since it was Sunday, I did not want to call...
So I checked out her blog. I skimmed over the blog stalker confession again, and looked at her burrito recipe (which I am going to make soon), and then I came to the one that started to get me where I needed to be again. The one titled "A Heart Like His". Susan often says exactly what I need to hear at any given time, and on this day, she did it in words. Her last sentence read this: "So if your heart is feeling a little "closed, small, or hard" pick up a copy of this book (or just ask me and you can borrow it). "
The funny thing is that she let me borrow "A Heart Like His" on Thursday when we were at her house visiting. I brought it home, and put it on a table where it sat until Sunday afternoon. I felt prompted to shut off the computer, go get the book, wipe off the dust (sorry Susan), and start reading. It's was just what I needed.
I read half of the book in just one sitting. I could feel my heart beginning to open up (obviously, not all the way though because I did post the family pet peeves. Hey, give a girl a break, I'm human, but at least I'm trying.--Oh, and thanks to the Hurst for your comment. Your advice was great, and works well. LOL. )
However, like so many of my blogs this first part is not the reason for this post, well not the full reason. (I'm starting to believe Mike when he says that I talk too much, and can go from one topic to the next without taking a breath).
So what's the full reason? While I was reading this book, someone kept coming to my mind. A perfect example of someone who truly has a "heart like His". While I read, the examples Sis. Pearce gave kept making me think of this sister in my ward.
Then I came to this little exercise Sis. Pearce challenges readers to do (throughout the book, she give small challenges). Here is what the first challenge I decided to do says: "Jot down the names of some of the people you know who consistently seem to affirm, validate, motivate, and nourish those around them. Look beyond family and close friends. Think about ward members, neighbors, co-workers. Is it the words they say, or is it something more powerful? Think of a specific encounter with such a person. Write or tell someone about it. "
So, I'm going to write about this sister here, on my blog. However, I will not state her name because she does not know I am doing this, and may not want her name on the WWW. But I will say this much for those of you who are curious, she has the coolest Louisiana Cajun accent in Mobile. (Smiles). For the sake of confusion, I'll call her Sis. A.
Let me start off by saying Sis. A is not someone I know as well as I wish I did. For the most part we only see each other at church activities.
So I'll tell you what I do know. She is a lady who loves the Lord, knows her scriptures, is constantly about "Lord's business", fulfills her callings, is always servings others, and she definitely affirms, validates, motivates, and nourishes those around her. How do I know?
Her love for the Lord radiates from her. One can not help but be near her, and not see her light shining. That's what draws me to her. When I look at her, I see the Savior. I really do. It's like that song by Janice Kapp Perry, "His Image in Your Countenance."
I love to hear Sis. A give a talk. She does not read, she speaks from her heart, with the spirit as her guide. Every time she speaks, my heart is made fuller. Through the spirit, she encourages me to be better, and she is humble (something that I definitely need to learn more about).
Let me give you a few examples of how she has touched my heart. When I was called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher for our ward a few years back, I was terrified. I actually begged them not to call me (I really did). I gave them suggestions of other peoples names. But I was told that I was the one the Lord wanted at that time. How could I say no to that? Well, I could not.
I am not a born teacher. I don't have a talent for this, nor the patience really. And I'm definitely not a "scriptorian". I was so scared of the thought to have to teach others, who I knew understood the scriptures much better than me.
Not to put myself on the level of an ancient prophet, or any prophet for that matter, because I'm no where near there, but I felt like Moses, and I needed my own Aaron.
My second week of teaching, Sis. A, whom I admire, gave me a copy of two talks. She said something to the effect that she thought they might help me. If I truly want to be honest, at first my feelings were hurt because I felt that she was confirming what I already knew, "I stinked at teaching."
However, I quickly realized that is not why she gave me those talks.
There was a difference in her and I. Here's the difference. My heart had become closed. I was full of pride. I worried more about what people were thinking, than what the Lord thought of me.
Heavenly Father knew this calling was what I needed, and that I could learn and grown from it. I have to say, out of all the callings I've had in the church, I think I learned the most from that one. It was exactly what I needed at that time in my life. Another testimony for me that the Lord does indeed know me and my needs.
My heart began to open as I began to read those talks, and I realized she gave me those talks out of love. Her HEART WAS OPEN--like His. She was "being an instrument in the hands of the Lord."
One of the talks was on teaching by the spirit and being prepared (sorry, I can't remember the title...I told you I have a bad memory. I know I have the talk somewhere here, I'm just too lazy to get up and find it) ,and the other one was entitled, "What Think Ye of Christ" by C. Max Caldwell. I remember the latter because that talk had a profound effect on me, and changed my spirit. I still think about it at least once a week.
I never told Sis. A how much I appreciated the love she gave me at this difficult time in my life. She always participated in my lessons, and was a great strength to me.
Let me give you another example of how Sis. A has a "heart like His". Just recently, one of the sisters I visit teach had a baby, and was in need of some meals to be brought in to her family. So, I started calling other sisters in my ward for help. Let me tell you, this was not an easy task. Many people were out of town, or could not help for some reason or the other.
Two days later, I still needed two meals. I was beginning to become desperate and felt hopeless. Then I called Sis. A. When I asked her, she did not hesitate. She was more than willing to serve this other sister and her family even though she did not know her.
I'm wrong, she did know her. She knew that she was a child of God in need of help, as was I. And she willingly accepted the call to serve.
The words at the end of our conversation is what really "opened my heart" though. I will always remember this part of our conversation. It went something like this:
Me: Thank you so much for helping me out. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Sis. A, in an uplifting and sincere voice: It got better (her day) when you called.
Isn't that wonderful that her day was better because someone called, and gave her an opportunity to serve? I love that, and want to be like that. Isn't that what the Savior would want us to be like.
That response was so different than many others I called upon, and it will forever stick out in my mind. Isn't it strange how one sentence spoken can have such an effect on someone else's heart. To cause them to have a change, a change of heart. Now that's a miracle, and it happened to me that day.
If you read this far, I hope you can say that your heart has been lifted.
As I sit here typing, I know mine has. The funny thing about opening your heart--once you do---as Sis. Pearce quoted from The Grinch, it "grows three sizes bigger". It's contagious. You can't help but think of other good things or people and then want to do good yourself. If you don't believe me, try it.
Thinking of Sis. A reminds me of another sweet sister---Susan's mother-in-law. She too has a "heart like His". I'll never forget the time in Grovehill, AL when she sat up with me and Ann J. at a R.S. "weekend retreat", and talked to us until 2:30am. That weekend, I felt a bit out of place, until she came and took me under her wing. She will probably never know how much I needed that, and how much it meant to me. I will forever treasure that memory.
Anyway, I know there are many who have "Hearts Like His." And for those people I am grateful. They encourage me to be better. To be kinder, love more, serve more, and to be a better wife and mother.
To those of you who have a "Heart Like His", thank you. I'm not quite there, but I do believe I'm getting closer.
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