The Time Change

Who likes this time change? Do you like that it gets dark an hour earlier? I'm not convinced that it IS a good thing. And WHY does it have to happen anyway? I guess some go to school and work when it's lighter outside and that's probably a good reason. But, all in all it just makes us want to "veg" in our houses and be lazier. Maybe that's why so many of us eat more this time of year. (Not to mention it starts with Halloween and a non stop eating holiday frenzie season until after Valentine's Day) Anyway, I would just like to hear your opinions out there....

This time of year also reminds me that my mom and dad have to spend hours and I literally mean HOURS turning their clocks back. The reason being is that they own SOOO many clocks. Sorry Mom I don't know the official count at this point but suffice it to say it is close to 2000 somewhere. They have beaten out the contenders in the world records but have not chosen to enter it in their book. People of all ages come and tour through their home on their clock field trip. They have been given clocks from friends and acquaintances. My mom used to demo at Sam's Club and she had a clock for every season. She was a lot of the customer's favorite as they would go in there just to see the different clock she would have sitting there. My mom and dad are very entertaining. My sisters and I say that when their time comes we will either make their home into a museum or sell the clocks to pay for all of them that they purchased over the years, lol. We all have our favorite, chosen clock of course. The oldest sibling has already spoken for the grand daddy of them all-the beautiful Grandfather clock. And I guess that's her heirarchy right, yeah right. Me, being a sentimentalist wants the clock my dad made out of an old business timeclock. The 3rd sibling in the family want a silver, musical clock which I do, too but I don't think the baby of the family has mentioned which clock she wants as maybe the 2 oldest talk too much. :) So, they range from the big daddy down to the pretty miniature ones. They also have some whimsical clocks. The "Fart" clock was a favorite but bit the dust. They are so fun to look at. The only problem I have with the collection is the basement clocks. They are the ones that didn't make the "cut." They are...well...NOISY!! When we visit, it is our residence down there which we appreciate so much but the noise from the clocks makes one feel like their on the Alfred Hitchcocks's Vertigo or some insane assylum. I have to remove some of the batteries and replace them and set the clocks again when we leave just to get some sleep. They are on every inch of every room. The ones going down the staircase fall off when they are bumped going down. One of the advantages might be when I'm on the phone with them I can hear the clocks all going off in unison so I know after the 2nd hour of them going off I should probably rap it up. Anyway, the clocks bring joy to them and those around them so who am I to judge anything. Just wanted to share that I feel sorry for them 2 times a year as they are changing all those clocks. :)

Quote of the Month

Remember this and think about it, only too true...and I don't remember where I picked it up but here it is....

A successful marriage is the union between two great forgivers.

A Day in the Life.....

AAAAHHHHH, the sweet life of country living. Warm summer breezes, views as far as the eye can see....

WRONG!! We've had road construction in front of our driveway for going on 5 days now. Meridian City is tying into the sewer line for the bathrooms they are putting across the street. That's right, when we moved here we were the only ones around. It was almost spooky because we were the only ones out here. That was 21 years ago. Even the babysitters got scared. NOW...there is a full blown 20 acre soccer park across the street. The place crawls with people EVERYWHERE! Now, I don't like to complain...well....maybe a little. But we DID move out here for a REASON and that reason was to be away from noise and now it's all about noise. To add insult to injury there will also be a Church next door that takes the place of all the lovely fields that grow everyone's....FOOD. So now, my husband searches diligently for a cabin get-away somewhere up in the mountains. We have been up there looking around several Saturdays. Can anybody relate out there???

When we first moved here my kids played "Kick the Can", played in the ditches, four wheeled, all things kids want to do and NEED to do but they are now 26, 24, 22. Now, my 6 year old has a new playground....

Life is Like a Boomerang

Steven R. Covey wrote this in his book and I was reading it the other day from an email a dear friend sent. I love getting random emails from friends!

We've heard this concept before but if we apply it to our lives in a real way and practice what we know--then the change comes alive....

10 percent of life is made up of what happens to you.
90 percent of life is decided by how you react.
Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think is like a boomerang. It will come back to us.
Maybe one of your children breaks a special keepsake. How do you react?
What if somebody cuts you off in traffic when you are already 5 minutes late for work-does it make the rest of the day go bad?
If we want to receive, we need to learn to give first.
Maybe we will end with our hands empty, but our heart will be filled with love, and those who love life, have that feeling marked in their hearts.

Tip of the Day

http://www.sthuberts.org/poop/Images/Ice%20CreamSundae.jpg

Who out there LOVES ice cream? We all love ice cream!
So, here's the tip for the day....
For brain freeze: press tongue or thumb firmly to the roof of mouth -OR-
you can take a couple sips of warm beverage.
Brain freezes lasts 21 seconds typically. This is from the good ol' "Farmer's Almanac." Good advice for this hot month of July.

A Little Thought for the Day

A characteristic of a depressed spirit is an "overconcentration" on cares and concerns--an unwise wallowing in feelings of foreboding. What a difference it would make if, instead, we took account of our strengths, raise our eyes off the ground, and gave ourselves credit for how far we have already come and how much we have already achieved. Let us recognize and make use of our talents, abilities, skills, and capacity instead of allowing these traits to be BURIED through self-criticism, forgetfulness, and disuse. Let us name our blessings one by one.

I've been missing my old blog friend...

I missed this old friend...I've been busy trying to plan my part of our Stake Girl's Camp that was held July 14th through the 17th at Pinetop near Idaho City. I had been attending meetings, having meetings and planning since February. The Stake did an amazing job. My part was being in charge of our ward of course. I rounded up letters, etc. Then we were in charge of the craft and the "Virtue Walk." I organized 10 sisters to dress up in Jerusalem old style and give 3 minute thoughts for it. We ordered oil lamps from Jerusalem. When they hadn't arrived for 2 and a half months we got a little worried. So, with the help of a dear sister in our ward and by a miracle we had them in time. It was their reminder of the theme of our camp. It was a lot like a youth conference. It was a fun, amazing time and was so glad to be able to be part of it. Young Women rock!! Below are a few pictures of Camp 2009!

It's been just a little while, huh?

Our Fourth Child's Graduation! How OLD are we exactly???

HAPPY GRADUATION CORBY!
The top picture is Emily at Corby's Graduation "All Night Party."

DO YOU HAVE A SUNBURN YET?????

Another post from the Farmer's Almanac for treating sunburns naturally.....


7. We probably all know about the leaves form aloe vera plants grown in our homes or bought from a drug store.

6. How about LAVENDER OIL and YOGURT in treating the sunburn?

5. Or how about soaking a piece of cloth or cotton gauze in whole cold milk and apply carefully to the burned skin. Leave on for 15 to 20 minutes, then wash with cold water.

4. For INSTANT relief: mix instant mashed potato mix with crushed ice.

3. A cool cucumber is often used for soothing burns. Simply slice open a cucumber and wipe it directly onto your skin.

2. Apply a mixture of 1 part tomato juice and 6 parts buttermilk to the burned area.

1. And for what is perhaps the most interesting remedy, PREPARATION H can take down the swelling and relieve the pain.

This Speaks for Itself!

My mom has this picture hanging in her garage and I thought it must be too true and thought it was funny so I posted it for you to contemplate. :)

2 more BYU Graduates!

You'll love this!

This is an amazing piano player that my family and I have seen in concert a couple times. He can really motivate the kids to practicing piano. He's really funny at the same time. If you have a couple minutes, listen to his new song on this "YouTube" clip. I love playing the piano but oh my, now I want to play the cello!!

I LOVE FROGS and LAUGHING!

I have a new favorite collection now. I collect frogs. I also love to laugh so this picture sums it up.
I found an article on the Farmer's Almanac website. I also love this website. I looked it up when we were having especially cold (with no snow to play in) weather in Idaho. I had to know if the following winter was going to be just as harsh. They offer a lot of cool information. I can send you the website if you want it. Just email me at banesa17@live.com.

In this article it said in the Navajo culture, there is something called the First Laugh Ceremony. Tradition says that each Navajo baby is kept on a cradle board until he or she laughts for the first time. Then the tribe throws a celebration in honor of the child's first laugh, which is considered to be his or her birth as a social being. I like that....as a "social being".

Because it is raining outside I especially like that it said a hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors. Huh? Pretty cool! Laughter stimulates the circulation, tones the muscles, energizes the lungs and respiratory system, stimulates endorphines in the immune system, boosts alertness and memory, increases motivation to learn, and provides superb aerobic exercise. There are also studies that demonstrate a link between a healthy heart and a sense of humor.
So....what are you waiting for--go on....LAUGH! Next time you are feeling sluggish or down, LAUGH!! and the whole world laughs with you. Guess that's why I like the comedian on this blog!
One of my favorite memories is my mom just breaking out in laughter for no apparent reason when I was growing up and we couldn't help but laugh with her. Do you know somebody with a contagious laugh? What are your favorite funny movies? What makes YOU laugh. I want to know.

YIKES!

YIKES! I have three out of my six kids graduating in April and May. I will put some pics on here when the day arrives. My oldest son (Justin) is graduating from BYU and going on to a Physician's Assistance School. My oldest daughter (Heather) is graduating from BYU with a teaching degree. She's already had a year's internship teaching at Draper Elementary. And my youngest son (Corby) is graduating from a brand new High School in Meridian called Rocky Mountain High School. They will be the first graduating class of that school.
I just want to tell them how much I love and support them and how proud their mom and dad are for their accomplishments!! You're all the best!!!

My aching Back!

I just haveta tell you all that this last week has been an absolute trial for me! I don't know HOW it happened...years of overuse....you know laundry and loading the dishwasher....and kids....but I literally could NOT walk for about 3 days. I couldn't turn over in my sleep. I couldn't get up from sitting. I know I'm getting up there in age but....wow! There was no relief at all. I went to my chiropractor and I couldn't get off the table. It was SO embarrassing. So, I feel for you Red when you say your knee hurt for a while. Exercising has been a part of my routine since I was about 16. Not to be able to exercise going on 2 weeks has been AWFUL! I walked this morning for the first time...yeah, big mistake. Sitting 3 hours in Church is probably the worst part. So, if anybody out there has some advice how to prevent muscle spasms or how to manage them, please send them my way. :D

A Little Thought for the Week

My father was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago....you know....that dreaded word...which means...treatments. It has tried to beat him down but dad has always been strong. He's always been my hero. I can't pretend to know all that he and my mom have endured but I have felt the blessings through it all and I know they are TOUGH! So, my thought is dedicated to them and all of us in our temporary "setbacks."....

Life, believe is not a dream,
So dark as sages say:
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day:
Sometimes there are clouds of gloom,
But these are transcient all;
If the shower will make the roses bloom,
Oh, why lament its fall?
Rapidly, merrily,
Life's sunny hours flit by,
Gratefully, cheerily,
Enjoy them as they fly.
Manfuly, fearlessly,
The day of trial bear,
For gloriously, victoriously,
Can courage quell dispair!

Another thought for the day....

I thought this was timely for our day that also applied in Winston Churchill's era...

If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinate period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another. Winston Churchill

So sorry it's been so long....

So, like I'm sorry I haven't posted anything for such a long time. Usually this time of year I'm rather bored and can't wait for Spring to show up. But this year is strange....I've been nothing but busy.
Jody, I'm very proud of you and your exercise-health routine. I, too am trying to get into shape as I've been called as "camp director" in our ward. There will be a (yikes) uphill hike. No marathons for me. Never have had the desire. :)
Jenn, I'm loving the Book you lent to me....I read it in my "having to" relax times.
I'd like to do a blog post of my "neato" (slang from the 70's of course) family some time.
Waiting to attend BYU graduation for my 2 oldest, wonderful children. Also, my wonderful Senior will be graduating from High School. My lovely Sophomore will be getting her license soon now. My fiesty youngest is going to graduate Kindergarten soon. My wonderful third child is loving being married to a lovely wife.
I love volunteering at the Grade School and taking lunch every other week to our wonderful grandparents.
I'm looking forward to getting another garden in. Now, if I could just get rid of the aches and pains from gardening....:)
What are the rest of you doing this Spring? Do you all have Spring Fever?

Our Country Life

What is it like at your house? Ours is full of animals and kids. We have 4 cows, some chickens, a barn cat that we domesticated from being a wild cat, a hamster that "accidentally" got lost somewhere on the place, and Emily in her country attire sitting on our country bench. Life is good!

Sweet Fun in the Fall Sun

Have you laughed lately?

Brian Regan is my all time favorite comedian. The best part of all is that he tells clean jokes. When my son showed us his DVD I have never laughed so hard for such a long time. My stomach hurt. It was his "Walk on the Moon" DVD. This is just a sample. If you have a chance--check it out. HILARIOUS!!!

BUSY< BUSY HOLIDAYS!!!

Do you have as many birthdays in the holidays as we do?
It seems like one after another starting with Corby that turned 18 on November 26th...
Corby works at Jack and the Box so we thought we'd embarrass him and take his picture at the window. He doesn't get embarrassed. Corby loves life!

Then it was Mikaela's "Sweet 16" so she got all the bells and whistles with a surprise party on the 9th of December...

The Chaz thought he'd gotten forgotten about because his was the 13th of December but he IS an ol' married man now but he got a celebration as well. Notice the smoke from all the candles...

Then, of course...CHRISTMAS...YAH!

Wait....we're not finished...my husband's big "50" Whew!!

What did you all do for New Years? We celebrated by playing a murder mystery that we've been doing for 7 or 8 years now with some long time great friends....

If THAT doesn't make one tired enough but we added another birthday with Chaz's wife's birthday being January 3rd (tomorrow) and Heather's is January 9th, same birthday as her wonderful grandma. (I know you're reading this mom) so the fun never ends....let me know how the holdays go for you! The end of January pretty much looks like this....