Christmas Shopping with an Apostle

I was out Christmas shopping last week, the store was almost empty except for myself and a close friend Susan. We were downstairs in a big department store in the childrens section. She had just bought her grandchildren some new shoes and we were going to leave. We walked towards the elevator and litterally ran into Elder L. Tom Perry and his wife. She was searching through the racks and he was kind of propped up on one watching her. I asked her if he was being patient with her while she shopped and she said they were just getting started. This kind of brought a smirk across his face and he said he was there to just carry the bags. She is a tiny petite lady and he is this very giant of a man. My friend Susan said to him I dont see much progress yet and he said it may take awhile. I wanted to shake his hand but didnt. I have never met another apostle except Elder Boyd K. Packer about 18 years ago at a regional stake conference, Elder Harold B. Lee 37 years ago at a sacrament meeting, and Elder Sterling W. Sill 39 years ago (he set my husband apart when he left on his mission). I didnt want to bother Elder Perry so we just wished them a Merry Christmas and left. It was wonderful seeing him in such a casual setting.

Reindeer in Town

Yes, we have reindeer in my town. I took my grandson Carson up to see them last night. Two of the male deer were fighting with their horns, I said look they are head butting each other with their antlers. Carson said, no grandma they are giving high fives! How cute is that!

Blessings

Count your blessings,
not your problems.

'And remember:
amateurs built the ark ..
professionals
built the Titanic.

If God brings you to
it - He will bring you through it.

Quote of the Day

"I came to believe that once you enter a home and close the door, people are more alike than they are different. There’s a shared world of pain, and a shared world of joy."

May we look for the joy each and everyday not just at Christmas time.

Express Gratitude, Who Me?

"A Group of researchers found that the simple act of taking time each day to count your blessings makes a person more enthusiastic, determined, optimistic, and energetic. Those who expressed gratitude experienced less depression and stress, exercised more regularly, and made more progress toward personal goals. Researchers even noted a relationship between feeling grateful and feeling loved, and they observed how gratitude inspires acts of kindness and compassion."

While listening to 2008 October Conference I heard Elder Bednar's talk and the following quote hit a nerve. "graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. His counsel was similar to Alma’s instruction to the members of the ancient Church “to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:39). " I have since tried to pray only thanking the Lord in gratitude and not asking for things I felt I needed. I would like to challenge you to try this method a few times and read the entire talk also.

What Young People Have to Look Forward To!

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70!

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
03. No one expects you to run, anywhere.
04. People call at 9 PM and ask, 'Did I wake you?'
05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
07. Things you buy now won't wear out.
08. You can eat supper at 4 PM.
09. You can live without sex but not without your glasses.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
12. You quit trying to hold in your stomach no matter who walks into the room.
13. You sing along with elevator music.
14. Your eyes won't get much worse.
15 . Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
19. You can't remember who sent you this list.
And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.
Forward this to everyone you can remember right now!
Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Teach Children to Give

It can be very hard for children to think about others during the holiday season. Everywhere they go, people ask, "And what do you want for Christmas?"
We have to help children learn to give, not just receive.
I have an idea, too. Unless you're Santa Claus, just change the holiday question! Not, "What do you want for Christmas?", but "What are you giving this year for Christmas?"
The answers will surprise you!

Beauty Tips

Below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote when asked to share her
'beauty tips.'
It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of
each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for
helping yourself, and the other for helping others.
If you share this with another woman, something good will happen . .
You will boost another woman's self esteem, and she will know that you care
about her.

I have had the stanza about "People, even more than things," on my desk at work for the last six years. This is the first time I have seen the rest of the poem. You are all beautiful people in my life and I am restored each day through each of you.

Nibble, Nibble, Nibble

Hope you all are full of turkey by now! We took Emily out to the Marriott Hotel in Provo for a buffet dinner. No dishes, no cooking, just pure pleasure. Even had a little guitar music played live to enjoy while we ate. Thanks Em for hanigng out with Ma and Pa!

"7" tag

Wow, what a brain teaser after a week of not sleeping well.
7 things I can do
repeat myself
laugh until I cry almost daily
I am an excellent driver
(Only 1 ticket in 42 years
and the officer was wrong!)
interrupt you while you're talking
annoy my children
go for a car ride every Sunday

7 things I can't do
sing on key alone
eat popcorn without side effects
walk two miles
cook as well as my son-in-law
stay on a diet without cheating
read scriptures without falling asleep
win every time

7 things I always say
Oh my gosh
whatever
it's up to you sweetheart
I have to go potty first
thank you
it's your turn to pray
I can't remember the last time

7 things I always eat
french fries
bagels
yogurt
diet soda
marshmellow krispy treats
salad
granola bars

Home again, Home again

Grandma Dorothy is home again! What a great Thanksgiving blessing for all of us. I wish each of you a very special Thanksgiving day. I dont have to fight for the wish bone, my wish all ready came true.

Carson Rebel is now officially 5 years old.
What a fun party, it rocked the house.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION, NEW BLOG MORE TO COME AFTER I READ THE HELP PAGES!