Thoughts on Consistency

I visit teach a few sisters that I can't seem to touch base with for one reason or another and so have started delivering a copy of the message with a letter of my thoughts I would share if I were there. I decided that since the task is done I might as well share it with the world. So, believe it or not, I have taken it upon myself to visit teach anyone who cares to listen. Enjoy! This month's Ensign is a special issue all about temples. It has some really great articles in it. I chose to share this one, and specifically focused on this part: "If we can pattern our life after the Master, and take His teaching and example as the supreme pattern for our own, we will not find it difficult to be temple worthy, to be consistent and loyal in every walk of life, for we will be committed to a single, sacred standard of conduct and belief. Whether at home or in the marketplace, whether at school or long after school is behind us, whether we are acting totally alone or in concert with a host of other people, our course will be clear and our standards will be obvious. The ability to stand by one’s principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one’s belief—that is what matters. That devotion to true principle—in our individual lives, in our homes and families, and in all places that we meet and influence other people—that devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of us. It requires commitment—whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. " As I read through this article I was especially touched by the thought that if we make the Savior’s life a pattern for our own it will not be difficult for us to be consistent. I think one of the greatest things I struggle with is being consistent. Sometimes I feel like I’m wandering through life with a blinders on. Seeing only what is directly in front of me. Letting myself be distracted or lead off course by the words or actions of another. On more than one occasion I’ve had older people in church turn and, not so gently, ask why I can’t manage to keep my kids quiet. It hurts every time. And every time I wonder why I even try. What the article says, “It requires commitment --- whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given.” That’s not a new concept. As I look around at people who seem to have it all together I feel like I often fall short. I’ve got to stop doing that. I know that no one is perfect and we’re all just trying to do our best. I for one can do better at taking off my blinders and recognizing the good. Seeing not just the grouchy old person who can’t hear the speaker, but also the beautiful loving face of the grandma in the row behind who understands exactly what I’m going through. I know it’s been random, but this has been good for me. Thank you for letting me share my thoughts. I hope you’ve been able to get something of worth from them too.

Call Me Crazy...

I'm creatively brilliant at four a.m. and I have decided to actually do one of the brilliantly outrageous ideas I had. Check out the new "what I'm up to" link you can't miss it... it's the huge COME PLAY! bubble. That's what I've been up to. I'm trying to get it going. Today I'm sending out the first package to a woman in Australia. That will be fun! Enjoy the Journey!

I Tag You All!

I was tagged awhile back and I've been saving this for a day like today. I thought the questions were fun and memory provoking. That is always important. I forget more about my life every stinking day! 10 years ago I had just arrived in Bolivia as a new missionary. I cried almost every night because it was nothing like it was supposed to be. 5 Things on my to-do list today:

1. clean my house
2. clean my house
3. clean my house
4. clean my house
5. clean my house

I try to keep my to-do lists pretty simple, because when I end up reading on the couch as opposed to completing everything on my list it isn't such a big deal!

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Whopper with cheese, no onion, extra pickle (though not a snack).
2. PB & J
3. I've been craving Reese's pieces lately but have yet to enjoy them... in my head they're my favorite right now.
4. I love vanilla wafers with peanut butter, but again, haven't had that for a long time.
5. I also love Caramello's dipped in peanut butter and haven't enjoyed that for a long time either.
6. I have been sneaking spoonful's of peanut butter lately too... the baby must like peanut butter.

If I suddenly became a billionaire I would finish our house the way I dream it will be. I would invest the rest of the money so I could spend the yuckiest parts of the year traveling the world for the rest of my life.

5 places I've lived:

1. Bunkerville
2. Ephraim
3. Bolivia (El Alto, Oruro, Cobija)
4. Cedar City
5. Saint George

5 jobs I've had:

1. Bagger at the grocery store.
2. Baskin Robbins
3. Lifeguard at the Casa Blanca
4. Security Guard at the Oasis
5. Convergy's

5 things you don't know about me:

1. I am uber-paranoid and have flashes of myself getting killed in random situations.
2. I almost agreed to marry a guy who had another girl on the side and was expecting a baby with her.
3. I can't remember ever being asked out on a date... unless you count my "friend" *B* telling me he was taking me out for my birthday.
4. I have eaten a guinnea pig... and I liked it.
5. I swallowed a live goldfish at our wedding luncheon.

Seriously, I tag you all. I read a blog a while back (can't remember who's...probably Ali Edwards) she tagged Oprah, and a whole bunch of other really interesting people. I think you're interesting. Mostly, I think it's important to think about things other than what we have to... on occasion!

Enjoy the Journey!

My First Give-Away

In an attempt to de-clutter my life I've decided that if there is something here that I don't "love" anymore I am getting rid of it. Regardless of how much I paid for it. So, with that said... I've got eight plates from Pier 1 Imports that I thought I loved once and have since decided that maybe someone else could love them more. Here is a photo:

I think the colors came through fairly accurate. They're cream (but no yellow tones), with a red'ish brown antiquing that could possibly be called brick. They are the 11" diameter dinner plates. Four of the plates have been used and have a few small chips. The other four, as you can see, are still wrapped from when I bought them 3+ years ago. So, if you have red kitchens/ dining rooms or would just like eight matching plates, let me know and they're yours... next time I see you!

Enjoy the Journey

It's Official.

I mailed my hair today. I can say I've done one good thing in the world. So, I'm all alone tonight. *B* broke one of his fillings out so he went to the dentist in Cedar to get that fixed this afternoon. He figured that since he was going he might as well take us all and stay the night so he could go ice fishing with grandpa tomorrow. That would have been fine except I am singing in a women's choir for our stake women's conference and the practices are at the worst time possible... every Saturday from 11:00-12:00. Our dear neighbor Lil is the director and she has so much to do and so little time and they never go anywhere so that is really a great time for her. I won't complain though... it means I am home alone. I had Cafe Rio chicken enchiladas for dinner, and I've got a movie, Stardust, that Melissa told me was really good, and I bought some Rocky Road ice cream to make a mock milkshake. I love me some rocky road with milk in it! I have a few things to answer from past posts...

1. Belle asked how to create a link (Belle, I can't read your blog anymore! What's up?): just highlight the text you want to link up, i.e. if I wanted to give you all info on the movie Stardust I would highlight Stardust and then up in the tool bar there is a green earth with a chain link on it... click that and it will open up a box to type the address fo what you want to link to. I usually open up a tab and go to the sight I want to link so I can just copy and paste the address it's lots faster and there's less chance of typo's. It's facil!
2. *B* loves my hair and loves even more that I don't get mad at him anymore for laying on it/pulling it. I've chopped it off twice before now, so he knows it grows fast and knows just as well as I do that I probably will never make it to the salon to get it cut again anytime in the next three years so he's smart to just let me be happy with it... if that's what he's doing!

And that's it. I'm thinking about taking an online class, the greatest love story ever told, about you and your significant other... I could really use some prompts (if you check out the link just know that I am only interested in the class, not the kit... I'm still not going to be a scrapbooker any time soon). I'm cheap though, if any of you have great prompts that would help me tell our story (and even ones that *B* can use... I'd like us to do it together) let me know. I'd like to keep my money in my pocket, but I also want to make my life as simple as possible... do less you know! Maria inspired me to read back in my journal to find *B* sad to say there is little of him there, but I'm glad for what is. I need to document the rest before it's gone forever. I swear I am just like my mother (who says she can't remember anything from our childhood... man that really ticks me off)! So ladies, write down your stories!

Enjoy the Journey!

Fun and Random

So, I took this quiz to see what my design style is. Any guesses? Usually when I take a quiz like this I think it's way off base, but this time I think they actually got it right. My design style is eccentric… “For you, it’s all about the mix. Any style is welcome in your world as long as it complements something else. You’re drawn to funky interiors and eye-catching color combinations (think red and blue, orange and turquoise, purple and gold). You like contrasting patterns and unconventional architecture. You enjoy furnishings that remind you of your travels mixed with modern pieces and offbeat antiques. Did you guess right? Unless you've walked around a store with me and had to smile politely and say, "oh, yeah!" when I show you something really random you probably wouldn't know this about me! Especially since my house has no decoration what so ever. And even the furniture has no personality... except for the olive green paisley chair. I love it's design and some day it will get new skin. Some day! So what's your design style? Click the link above and see it they get you right too (don't get stuck at the door bell... which ever one you listen to last is your choice). Enjoy the journey!

Lesson Time

Well ladies, you've coaxed me out of the hole I've been hiding in for the past few days. I'll try to answer your question in a way that makes sense...

1. When I upload my photos I always use "none" and "large" options.
2. After they're loaded I move them around and resize them until they fit like I want them to. It usually takes a few edits, but it's worth it.
3. When they're grouped like I want them I highlight the whole grouping and center them using the "align center" command in the tool bar.

Sounds easy? It is, but it will take a little time to get it just right. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Oh yes, something to keep in mind. I usually add my photos very last because when I tried putting them in the space I wanted while still typing it messed up my paragraph spacing (there wasn't any!). Adding the photos last seemed to fix that.