Thursday, April 26, 2007

By the Dawn's Early Light...

We spent last weekend in Utah doing lots of fun and important things...attended a wedding...spent time with our children and their spouses...ate at The Pizza Factory in Provo and the Brand X hamburger joint in Springville...got my ring cleaned and inspected at the jewelry store where it was purchased...and spent lots (but not nearly enough) time in The Corn Wagon Quilt Shop. We left Salt Lake City early Sunday morning to be back in Rexburg for church and as we were driving down Interstate 15 through SLC, everywhere we looked we saw American flags flying at not quite half mast. We assumed they were flying in that manner in honor of the students who were killed at Virginia Tech. At least that is what we assumed...maybe someone really important to the State of Utah had died and we weren't aware of it...but I would like to think that our first impression was correct. I know this is somewhat old news, but I have been thinking about that tragedy and those flags all week.
I was and still am heartsick for those students who lost their lives and any possible earthly opportunity to pursue or enjoy the future. I am heartsick for their families and friends who were robbed of the love and laughter they shared with those who died. I am also heart sick for the family of the young man who inflicted this pain on all those people. Not one of them pulled the trigger... but because their son/brother/cousin/nephew did...they must feel terribly responsible.
It's a crying shame that it happened at all. BUT IT DID. And no amount of analytical debate on CNN...or NBC...or ABC...or PBS... or well...you get the idea...will change the outcome of those couple of hours...ever. So what does this all have to do with the flags flying in SLC on a beautiful Sunday morning? Well, those flags and the tragedy at Virginia Tech helped me to remember a few things that I have forgotten or at least...have taken for granted.
  • I am grateful that I am a citizen of the United States of America that I am privileged to live in the greatest country in the world.
  • I recognize that there are millions of people in the world who live under the oppression of dictators and terrorists (or poverty) and that I am one of the lucky few who live where freedom is a right. I can speak my mind...go to the church of my choice...join a club...or buy a gun and no other human being can stop me...except by force.
  • I recognize that not everyone in this country loves their fellowmen, but I also recognize that we have a justice system that...for the most part...works. Not an eye for an eye as some countries practice...or no punishment at all...depending on your social class or polictical affiliations...but punishment that suits the crime.
  • I am grateful that when a tragedy happens in this country...people of every color and creed pull together...like the good people of SLC and all over the country who would fly flags in honor of those 31 people at VT who lost their lives...and mourn for their families.
  • I am grateful for those who serve in the Armed Forces, the police forces, etc...where ever they may be...protecting my family...especially my grandchildren...from evil...and coming to the aid of those who don't have a voice.
  • I recognize that we may have a few "bad apples" in the American barrel...but I believe that the great majority of Americans are decent human beings and I am grateful to know I am surrounded by these good people everyday.

I love the American flag. It is a beautiful symbol of this country and the many blessings I enjoy and take for granted every day. Even though horrible things can and do happen in this country...we are so lucky/blessed/priviledged...to live in the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

Sunday, April 15, 2007

The Monster in the Mirror...


It's late Sunday night and we have had a wonderful but hectic day. My husband serves as a bishop at BYU-Idaho and today was the first Sunday of Summer Semester. I call it "Meet and Greet Sunday". This is the 9th M.&G. Sunday for us since we began serving there about 3 years ago. It is so much fun to meet these young people from all over the country. It is always amazing to me how much you can tell about a person just from shaking their hand, looking them in the eye and asking the same 3 questions...What is your name?...Where are you from?...What is your major? This was done before church started. I am also in charge of the picture directory, so I was able to spend time talking to each one of the students again as they came...during Sunday School...to have their picture taken and then in Relief Society I sat at the front of the room as each girl introduced themselves. We also had several visitors today... students who had been in the ward previously who just wanted to stop by and say hello... so I got a chance to visit with them. Needless to say, I talked to over 100 people today in a 3 hour period. It was great...or so I thought! After all the students had gone home and I was waiting to meet with all the adult leaders, I slipped into the bathroom. While I was washing my hands, I glanced up into the mirror...my morning get-ready-check-list ran through my head.
Shower...check.
Brush teeth...check.
Floss...check.
Get dressed...check.
Fix hair...check.
Put on makeup...
Put on makeup...
Put on makeup...
OH MY HECK...DO YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT I TALKED TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE TODAY AND I DIDN'T HAVE ONE DROP OF MAKEUP ON? NOT ONE DROP? NOT A DROP?
No foundation...check.
No eyeshadow...check.
No mascara...check.
No eyeliner...check.
No...lipstick...blush...not even moisturizer...
check...check...double check!
I AM HORRIFIED! I LOOK LIKE A MONSTER! I'M SCARED JUST LOOKING AT MYSELF!
Later, after the adult meeting, I ask my dear husband if he noticed anything different about me. His reply was, "Well, I thought you looked a little old today!" Tonight he's sleeping on the couch!

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Handmade with love...

Let me introduce you to my latest adventure...





My four daughters and I are opening an esty shop...and we feel so excited, so creative, so proud and so exhausted! We have been working on this idea for a couple of months and although we thought we would wait to open when we had samples of ALL our ideas, we just couldn't wait any longer. So please check it out...know that more wonderful, creative, handmade things will be coming. We are sewing and crafting as fast as we can and having a ball working together! Here's a peek at just one of the lovely handmade things that you will see.

OliveJuice and Co...

THIS IS A SHOUT OUT TO KIM AT OLIVEJUICE
FOR SENDING THIS
"TO DIE FOR" APRON.

Recently Kim had a give-away to celebrate her 1-year blogiversary and my name was drawn. I am so lucky! I wore this adorable apron last night while fixing dinner and my husband was thrilled too! He says thank-you too! :)

Spring Fever...

I know, I know...it's been a few days! Hey, I am a busy woman! But more than that, I am a woman with a terrible case of spring fever! I don't mean the...get your hands dirty...working in the yard...digging in the dirt...browsing seed catalogs kind of spring fever. I mean the...can't wait to get to the fabric store...see what's new...buy yards of spring fabric...with ric rac, buttons and thread to match...run home to sew...honey, you'll have to fix your own dinner...stay up until the wee hours of the morning kind of spring fever! Since last I blogged, I have spent hours in afore mentioned stores. So many hours that I finally threw a sleeping bag in the back of my Explorer...AND a cooler...just in case! AND...if you can wait... just one more day...you will see the results of my late night sewing sessions! But just to tease you...here's a peek of some fabrics so delicious that they just might be better than chocolate!
and I have serious fabic love for these...