another meme

The MeMe... requires you to BOLD the ones you have done! I saw this at Chronicler's place and also at Maren's, and after seeing it at Lisa's well, I succombed to the temptation. Although it will be the shortest read ever because, evidently I have led a rather dull and boring exisitance. Here goes: (commentary in blue)

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink.
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain.
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive.
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid.
06. Held a tarantula.
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone.
08. Said 'I love you' and meant it.
09. Hugged a tree.
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise.
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game.
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon Again?
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne.
24. Given more than you can afford to charity.
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment.
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can.
32. Held a lamb.
33. Seen a total eclipse.
34. Ridden a roller coaster. I hated every second of it.
35. Hit a home run.
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was watching.
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day.
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment.
39. Had two hard drives for your computer. I'm not sure I even understand this question.lol
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was s**t faced.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country . From a foreign country ...yes.
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing photographed my kids rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving.
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them.
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow.
56. Alphabetized your cds -it would freak me out to not alphabetize them!
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Posed nude in front of strangers, no, however I have been nude in front of strangers -by accident! I was pulled half drowning from the Kern River...very humbling experience!
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie -Ever seen "God's Army"?
74. Crashed a party.
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days.
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River see #60 above for why I avoid rivers!
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Gone to a movie by yourself.
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone, define "combat zone" my version, yes.
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently -and at the same time!
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children -reared children, yes.
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
98. Created and named your own constellation of stars
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking 103. Had plastic surgery. -does my son count? He has had several "plastic" surgeries.
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
105. Wrote articles for a large publication - wasn't published, but yes. If you count artwork, I have been published several times.
106. Lost over 100 pounds.
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Petted a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart.
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show - I did however, win third place in a National Magazine contest for an interior design, and have won several monetary first place prizes for a major corporation as a visual display artist for holiday window design.
113. Broken a bone.
114. Gone on an African photo safari -I have driven by Wild Country Safari, and also the wild Animal Park in San Diego, does that count???
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol -I do not recommend this at all.
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet.
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours.
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school- just never finished.
131. Parasailed
132. Petted a cockroach. This is my nightmare, I won't even get close enough to one to kill it.
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad and the Odyssey
135. Selected one "important" author who you missed in school and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
137. Skipped all your school reunions - no, however I highly recommend skipping them all, big mistake, I will never go again.
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language you can do this???
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146: Dyed your hair
147: Been a
48: Shaved your head
149: Caused a car accident
150: Saved someone's life -To quote my friend Chronicler, and Lisa,my own , but also my niece.

Getting a head start on the big day

I had to do it. I had to change the old Christmas wreaths to something more seaside; something with shells. So this is the new format: shells, pearls, starfish, some "coral", and my favorite kiwi green coloured balls. I like it, hope everyone else does too!

5 meme

I got this meme from lolly!

All about 5s...

1) Five Minutes to Yourself. How would you spend them, ideally? Ideally? I would spend them creating. More than likely -poorly. The honest truth is that I am very lucky to have time by myself. Problem is I work much more effectively while surrounded by people. I do not like being alone very often.

2) Five dollars to spend right now. How would you spend it? Right this minute...paint. Tomorrow? Paint.

3) Five Items In Your House You Could Part With Right Now? The mess. Guess that doesn't count though... 1. Old games in the game closet 2. All the garage sale stuff waiting to be garage sold 3. the baby grand 4. the couch and love seat 5. the dining room table (outside of the house: cars, cars, and more cars)

4) Five Items In My House You Could Absolutely Never Part With? 1. Indoor plumbing, 2. hot water heater, 3. scissors, 4. bed, 5. scriptures (in no particular order...it's that I use these things EVERYDAY!!! lol)

5) Five Words You Love? 1. "mommy" when voiced by one of the offspring, 2. "babe" when voiced by Thor, 3. "chocolate?" when offered, 4. "thanks" when it's genuine, 5. "happiness" when it's felt

the second meme
1. Favorite memory of your mother: The first thing that comes to mind is me sitting on her lap when I was 5 years old. I cut myself and she put me on her lap to comfort me. She put her arms around me all the way and layed my head on her chest. My cheeks rose and fell with her breathing and she was warm and smelled like Avon White Gardenia mixed with "hospital". It was one time when I felt she really loved me.

2. Favorite memory of my dad: The day he had to drive the 3 sisters to Oceanside for the middle sister's piano lesson. It was blazing hot and we were crammed into a small Datsun 2-door sedan. The day was long and the drive longer in the summer heat. About 20 miles from home the driver's side rear tire blew. We didn't have a spare and so dad had to drive on it very slowly, making the drive even hotter and longer than it needed be. We were so young and giggley and with each giggle we were driving the poor man nuts.

The miles on the flat tire began to take their toll and the rubber slowly tore away and began to slap the metal wheel frame in loud (LOUD!) rhythm. whack, whack, WHACK! whack, whack, WHACK! For miles this went on and we girls were finding it hilarious, but tried to stifle our laughter, because by this time dad had enough and was quietly fuming in the driver's seat. If looks could kill we would have all three died right then and there in the back seat.

We made a final turn about a mile from home -whack, whack, WHACK! whack, whack, WHACK! - when another driver got my dad's attention and yelled through his window, "Hey Buddy! You got a flat tire!" That was all my dad could take. With every fiber in his broiled humiliated being he stuck half his body out of the window and yelled at the top of his lungs, "I KNOW IT!!!!!" When that happened we girls could no longer contain our laughter and burst loose with whoops and yelps and nearly cried we thought it was so funny! Dad just about killed us, but to this day, all three girls crack up just thinking about that day in the car! (seriously...I am laughing out loud to myself right now!)

3. Favorite memory of your sibling(s): There are too many things I could write about here. The siblings were everything to each other. We were so dependent on each other for every aspect of our lives: love, entertainment, safety, friendship, you name it! We did everything together and were each others best friends for so long that by the time the other friends came into the picture we had already bonded enough to read each other like books. We would fight like dogs with each other, but if any one else picked on one of us the other three came out sluggin'! We built forts and played games, we swam and roller skated, we sang and made up plays, and could laugh ourselves silly over nothing. We were nomads for so long that we understood very young that friends come and go, but your siblings will be there forever. So far, that's held out true.


4. What one skill would you like to wake up tomorrow and be able to do (though you'd never learned it): Languages. Spanish, French, Latin... I would love to learn so many different languages. It would be great to just walk up to folks and converse in their language.

5. Which one of your dreams has come true: Married to Thor and got the kids. I think eventually we all get what we want because it is what we work for; consciously or subconsciously.

Thanks Lolly! Anyone else game??? I'd love to hear about your 5s!

Ornament Exchange

partridge in a pear tree
Originally uploaded by S'mee.

From Chronicler I received an opportunity to join an internet Ornament Exchange, organized by Nicole of Freshly Blended and cake+pie. I was (am) excited and joined in.

With further encouragement from my dear sister I quickly (and I mean VERY quickly) painted 12 5x7 inch canvases that represent the Twelve Days of Christmas had they been painted by different artists. (Their style of art, my twisted idea of what it may have looked like!) I chose some of my favourite paintings and artists from the Impressionists, Pointillists, Surrealists, Abstract, Cubist, and Neo-Plasticism artists, post and prior periods in some artists.

The one in the photo is my version of a Joan Miro, depicting the Partridge in a Pear Tree. A French surrealist who literally would, at times, starve himself, deprive himself of sleep, and some presume, follow the advice of his associate Andre Breton(known for promoting the use of starvation, sleep deprivation, and drugs for inducing hallucinogenic states conducive to create art that reveals the subconscious). Who knows? I just know that since I was a little gal I have loved his work.

I painted all 12 paintings in about five hours as they need to be completely finished and in the mail soon. My schedule is gearing up and feared I wouldn't have time to complete them all; so I took the free time I had yesterday to get started. I will finish off these unusual "ornaments" by adding a customized envelope to each of the painting backs. The envelope will contain a photo of all 12 paintings in the collection, a description of each painting and the original artist, and where in the world the all 12 individual paintings are located. Each person will receive one of the 12 paintings. There will be a ribbon hanger affixed between the envelope and the canvas so that the painting can be hung, either on a tree or wall, etc.

Each photo will be professionally photographed with the idea of reprinting the paintings and making them into Christmas cards at some time in the future. All of the paintings may be seen on my Flickr! page, access is easy... just click on the photo and it will take you here. I hope you find these as interesting and fun as I do.

UPDATE: As of 9:23 p.m., Nov. 8, I am completely done with these ornaments. This is an all time record. Start to finish in one 24 hour period. Waaaahooo! Let the party commence!

In praise of a danged good idea...

England Trophies
Originally uploaded by matters_1.

How many of us have trophies laying around the house? Either from our own well spent youth, bowling night with the boys, or even our own children's sporting mementos, we all have them someplace. Let's face it, after the relative moment of "IN YOUR FACE BABY!" the trophy on our shelf really doesn't get much play after that.

#1 has a bunch of old soccer trophies, and a few participant trophies from grade school events, metal ribbons, plaques of faux marble and walnut proclaiming success at spelling or 7th grade science, etc. His wife on the other hand has accumulated a zillion (yes, a zillion and I am not exaggerating a bit) trophies. She also has all the academic ribbons, medals, and trophies, but she was really good at sports. She was a gymnast; and at one time was on world tours for the Olympics doing exhibition gymnastics to promote the Olympics and Jr. Olympics. She was a cheerleader (grade, jr. high, high, and college on scholarship) and also did childhood sports. She has won numerous events as a choreographer and also as a coach for high school cheerleading and the list goes on. In essence, she kicks booty and has a gaggle of golden figures collecting dust in the garage.

Well #1 and his wife (and man! Do I need to come up with better names for the offspring and their spouses and children or what?) Any who, they have a new home. A home BTW they are both wanting to look very nice, no trophy rooms to be had, what to do? What to do?

She has a FANTASTIC idea. She, my little smarty pants daughter in law, is also the head educator for the preschool in her district for children with severe physical and mental disabilities. Her idea is to take all of those glorious reminders of their past triumphs down to the local trophy guy and have the name plates removed. The name plates are flat and easily stored in a scrapbook. New name plates will be made:

Best Smile and Attitude 2006

Most Improved Small Motor Skills 2006

Best "Best Friend" 2006

Best Mathematician 2006

Most Improved Language Skills 2006

etc. and so on. (I am making these titles up, she will have better ones I am sure.)

At the end of the year every student in her program will receive a trophy. Some will have young soccer boys shooting for the goals, while others will be girls bent over backwards, and even a few overly excitable cheerleaders with pompons raised in one hand. Some of these trophies will stand taller than the child in their wheelchair or walker. Some of the trophies will never be held by the recipient because the weight will exceed the little arms' strength. A few will be "loving cups" or punch bowls that will more than likely hold chunky cars or dolls. But every child in that preschool will receive a real trophy from a teacher who knows what really matters; that her students receive recognition for the strides they make while in her care.

Miss #1 LOVES her students like they were her own little kids. She lives to see their personalities grow along with their abilities. She understands that within each imperfect body or brain lay a perfect Spirit that hears her loving instruction and feels the warmth in her touch and voice.

This is a great idea. She is a super teacher. "Teacher of the Year!" in my book. Someone, give that gal a trophy!

It only happened once...then it happened again

I was called to the new stake RS presidency...again. This time I am the 2nd Counselor, still Education, but for whatever reason the Pres decided that #1 will be Enrichment gal and #2 the Education gal. O.k. So we had our first meeting together as a presidency.

In the first hour of this meeting we talked about many things. One of topic was about a small group of young women who became pregnant while still in their teens or early 20's. "They're just defiant, rebellious, I guess. They come from terrific homes, loving families. It's a puzzle why they would do this to their parents." was the response from one of the women at the table. Another said, "It's sad."

I piped up and said that "it was neither sad nor a rebellion against the parents but rather a lack of knowledge. A misunderstanding of who they really are. If one truly gets who they really are, they would never allow themselves to be abused, mistreated, disrespect, or seduced to a state where it endangered their standing in the eternities. Somewhere in their childhood they missed that 'child of God' lesson, or they didn't feel it enough to believe it."

I got three puzzled looks as they tried to understand what I was trying -obviously without success- to say. I think there is a lot of "psycho-babble" out there, a lot of excuses to be sure, but I also think there is something to knowing who you are. If I really believe that I am a literal Spirit son or daughter of God (any God- you don't have to believe in the same God as me, just that you are definitely Divine in nature) then chances are you will have self worth.

Now I know, there was a time back in the 80's when we all blamed every ill character trait on our lack of self esteem... but think about it. If you think you are it and a bag of chips, you won't take crap off of anyone. No one would talk down to you without your correcting them. No one could make you feel bad, hurt your feelings, lure you into something stupid to elicit sympathy or friendship. You would be confident to say "yes" and "no" when you wanted to, rather than going along with someone else with pressure for some form of reassurance or validation. You would be king! Kings answer to no one but themselves and God. Not arrogance or conceit, but true confidence in who you really are and your worth in general - enough to stand up for yourself in any situation. There would never be a "just this once", or "He said he was sorry, but I was too pretty (or made him mad), and it happened again." - "What happens between two people is their private business. Besides, it's only now and then." - "She was my best friend, don't you do things for a best friend?" and "No one will ever know except me."

The discussion at the table went from rebellion to "perhaps these girls were trying to get attention from their parents". My argument still stands. If they know who they are -the attention would be nice, but not necessary. "My father pays no attention to me, so I am going to my boyfriend to get the love I need." O.K. you're dad's a jerk; but if you think you are o.k. then you certainly don't need him to tell you what you already know. "I'm o.k. I'm lovable. I will be loved eventually by someone who deserves me." The thought of cheating on a test, engaging in chemical abuse, driving too dangerously, lying to another person -or ourself, would be beyond our comprehension. A child of GOD would never do those things because it would be beneith them to do so. The more we realize our worth, who we are, the closer we come to not wanting to risk our personal self. We want to rid our self of those habits, tempatations, or incidents that hamper our progression towards our eternal Home.

I have a friend who, somewhere along the way, lost herself to an abusive eternal companion. She did not start out in life loathing herself. She started out thinking she was smart enough, thin, educated, and pretty enough to land a guy. Trouble is the guy she got had grown up in a home where values got skewed. Not to excuse his behaviors, after all he has agency as well as the next guy, but he learned that in order for him to be "o.k." he had to be in control. Control meant power, power meant authority, and authority meant everything. Without authority he was nothing.

Little by little he demeaned his wife to the point where he robbed her of her family, isolated her from her friends, and closed her world up teaching her through words, actions and emotional outbursts that she had somehow "changed" and was losing all value in his eyes. She was becoming stupid, weak, incompetent. Day after day these drills took their toll until she no longer believed she was worth anything. She allowed herself to be abused, fearing that she had no power and that no one would believe her because she was incapable of communicating and articulating what had become the reality of her life. "After all, [she] was the cause. [She] made him, forced him to abuse her because she was worth less and somehow less than the rest of God's children." What esteem she had for her Divinity had been slowly grated away and replaced through trusting her most sacred companion... in his eyes she had become nothing. Because she trusted his judgment of her, she believed she was nothing and that she deserved what was coming to her day after day for 30 years.

People can be taught to love themselves or to hate themselves. When the latter occurs, they begin to doubt their own judgments and allow others to make decisions for them and the abuse begins. Whether beatings, verbal, or allowing someone to seduce you into thinking they love you only to satisfy a moment in time or even to "just this once" with a promise of future (not present)commitment...it's all because we forget that "I am God's child and you better back off before you mess with me." "Mess with me and you mess with my Dad...who just happens to rule the universe, SO BACK OFF!" "I know I love you and that you love me, but I refuse to lower my standard for either of us, because I am better than this small moment of temptation."

I am not sure that I ever made my point at the meeting, or even here. However the main thing is this: We are in this together. When we sit together we need to edify each other. To build each other as much as possible. Don't allow someone near us to feel they aren't worth everything. The members of the church, moreso than any other group, should understand their worth. Yet, we can see the depression on the faces of those around us. We hear the stories of lives that have been shattered, postponed, hearts broken and Spirits struggling to find a way back into a world where they know -for sure- they belong.

I wish that I had the ability to convince people who they really are. None of us are perfect, however when we understand that this whole planet was designed for our benefit, we do try harder to keep our Divinity closer, to grow more, to be happier, to earn those things our Father has; we fight for our Spirit, we guard our selves and protect our souls from harm. We treat others with respect and Christ like love because we know who they are too.

The worth of souls is great in the sight of God...and it should be in our sight as well.

From here to eternity...

A mid town cemetery. Encompassed within one small neighborhood block, this rolling hilled memorial land was dotted quite beautifully with all kinds of markers, stones and statues to honour and remember loved ones.

The standing angel actually stood over my head by several feet, hence the angle...but whomever was buried there had a very high and lovely crypt.


"GRIEF". Large enough to house 6-9 caskets, no one will ever know who is mourned lest they go to the house of records. Only "GRIEF" proclaimed for eternity on the monument's 2 sides.


Someone also lost, this time to weather and time, only in their 20's when they were placed beneath the small stone. Birth date: Feb. 22, 187_. Death: Dec.1, 1896.

At the center of the cemetery was a circular drive wide enough for one vehicle to make a tight U-turn. In the center of that circle were the graves of the local Fathers and Priests. A large standing cross in the exact center and their grave in spokes around it. One particular Father must have had the hearts of the locals as his memorial is much larger than all the rest and has the duty of providing the foundation for a statue of Christ surrounded by and holding lambs.

The last of the photos shows a very intricate cross with cut work detailing. Very ornate. Must have been a really nice person. Or fussy.

mish-mash

Chronicler informs me that we are, indeed, relatives. Evidently she has the exact same photo of Canadian geese walking through grass. Yup, we're absolutely fascinated by Canadian geese in grass. These were in a community baseball park. Hers, Hyde Park, NYC.

"Snickers" has moved. Clicking on the photo may enlarge it enough to see that condos will now replace this business, one that was in the neighborhood for generations. The condos are extremely modern, all exposed pipe and corrugated metal, and glass. Kind of cool, but really out of place next to the old style of buildings. Interesting turn of events.

"Armstrong Laundry"- evidently the "first automated" laundry in Cleveland- also being encouraged to move and make room for condos. Kind of sad really.

Not sure if you can see the progress of the changing neighborhood in this photo, but the stone arch tells a story. Through it you can see the young man who has the assignment of remodeling this stone home and making it a tad more, well, clapboard. From what I could see on the sight, this corner home was HUGE. They have taken down most of the facade and front parts of the home. Along one side of the house they have build a new structure completely out of clap board siding with a corrugated metal roof. Pretty. (depends on your view I guess) I thought from my observations that they intend to leave the arch and some of the other rock detail on the other side of the house; but why? This house will definitely blend the old and the new. Just not in a good way.

Lastly, as election time swiftly approaches we would like to remind you to "Elect Jesus".

more from the 'hood...

There are, seriously, so many different and varied neighborhoods! This is what Miss S'mee LOOOVEs about cities. Turn your head or walk a block and you have gone from Prussian Chapels to Mexican Barrio, or the industry of the past rolling into the condos that are replacing the old Jewish neighborhood.

These are photos (albeit mixed up because I still can't figure out why they are downloaded in one order, and posted in a terrifically different order...) photos of things I found wonderful!

The glazed Madonna in her turquoise robes and golden crown standing above the entrance to yet another church. This time Catholic. Around the corner from this Catholic church there was a Greek Orthodox with the most intricate windows of stained glass...in the basement!


In the heart of the industrial neighborhood, completely surrounded and dwarfed by the other structures was a restaurant. Hidden and cloaked down an alley way and guarded by the iron gate. How anyone finds this place (except by accident, like I did!) is beyond me! The food must be great because the street was lined with cars and folks were clamoring to get in there. But take heed to the sign on the gate and don't let the dogs escape! (there is so much here that needs to be commented on. Hidden restaurant, funky neighborhood, dogs where food is being prepared or served, dogs that want to "escape"....egads!)

I drove through a very crowded neighborhood with amazing tiny little 2, 3, and sometimes 4 story homes. Packed on each other with tiny little yards and very little space between. The tree lined streets were what brought me there first. Huge over grown, likely never pruned trees that clung to each other from across the narrow (and I ain't kiddin') street. The grasses from the lawns creeped over the sidewalks in places and happily began to grow in squiggles through the broken asphalt. Only four or five blocks deep and wide, the house were all unique; like each one had been custom build and over the last 2oo hundred years. Every style and every medium used from wood clap board, brick, stone, stucco and left over corrugated metal. Among them was a faerie tale house, the kind where you know Merlin lives if he had to live in the city. It seemed so out of place. I drove around the block twice just to get the picture. I like the brickwork around the door, the point on the porch roof and the way the soot from the street and wet is climbing its way up the unmaintained wood entry. I can imagine the visitors who are greeted through the door window as the owners peep through to see who has come to chat. Cool house.

I actually sat in my car, on the tracks to get the picture. The way the old tracks curved and snaked its way through the modern rail system above was just very pretty. Still used everyday, the train below doesn't deter the plants from growing along side nor the moss from making the cross rails home.

I missed the Rock and Roll Museum (except the parking lot, yeah, I took pictures from the sidewalk like a dork.) but I had so much fun driving through all the nooks and off beat places that I ran out of time to see the places I can actually see on line. Oh well, the drive was worth it.

Nature finds a way...

Cleveland is wet. Not as wet as New Orleans, but sitting on Lake Erie has a tendancy to make you humid even in the great heat of summer. Proof of that humidity are the many ivy covered buildings and bridges. (I have so many more of these photos, however they are in Thor's computer and I am not the technocrat I should be; so there they will stay.)

These buildings are still working businesses with people coming and going all through the day. Sitting across the street, you can see into the windows exposing rooms full of workers. Trucks drop off and pick up items; and the day goes on all without notice of what pretty surroundings the ivy seems to make to a desert girl.

Ivy is everywhere. Houses, churches, businesses, old abandoned cars, tressels, and bridges. This happens to be a draw bridge that is no longer in use. Pulled into it's upright position for quite some time the ivy decided "why not make it pretty?" and began to grow. There are parts of this bridge that the ivy hangs down fourty+ feet in long flowing stems that look like faerie hair blowing in the breezes. It really is incredibly gorgeous. I wanted a closer photo, however the building just below the bridge is a "gentleman's club" (nudey club to you and me) and I wouldn't go within 1/4 mile of the joint.

Both these photos were taken in "The Flats" area of Cleveland, known to the locals as manufacturing, industrial and unfortunately a "seedy" place to be. No one would ever go there during the evening hours without specific address and purpose from what I was told. That said, during the day it seemed quite interesting, and in some places, so pretty -I couldn't stay away after viewing it from the higher elevated neighborhoods.

Cleveland Rock of Ages!

It's Sunday so the post will be about Cleveland's beautiful churches.

Seems that somewhere someone decided that this town needed religion and they needed it bad. A contest was held to see which religion could build the prettiest edifice, and there you go... a city that is dotted, almost to the point of every block, with gorgeous old churches.
Churches of every denomination and with stonework, brickwork, and all over architecture that begs the parishioner, "enter".

The years of standing in the exposed elements of a northern states steel mill/refining town takes its' toll; and these old houses of worship are tarnished and covered with the black soot of a coke oven. The soot filled air clings to the brick, and when the rains come it drizzles down the facade, sometimes coating the faces of saints and angels alike. To me, the blackened stone and brick add to the gothic structures and lend power to the already dramatic entry ways and adorned windows. In addition to the soot stains there are the ivy and other clinging plant life that crawl its' way up to heaven via the sides of the buildings. Sometimes the buildings were completely green with plants! Giant 'bushes' with window cutouts and doorways cleared of the growth. Amazing.

I loved the church with the obviously well maintained red doors that literally grabs you by the eye and pleads with you to pay attention. The stained glass in most of these churches is detailed and reflective of the memberships' choice of deity, saint, or particular religious lesson, history, or message to the community or passerby.

The many and varied steeples in the city were indeed dwarfed by the other buildings; sky scrapers, a zillion bridges, steel mills, factories and bill boards...however they still manage to peek out of the trees and signal just where you ought to be -instead of where it is you are headed to. Some are crosses, some are bell towered, some are multiple steeples or crosses that even differ on the same building, such as in the photo here.

They divide the congregations into race, ethnic, language and regional versions of Christianity, Muslim, Jew, and others. This town is full of God fearing folk!

I was talking with a certain missionary about the LDS church in town. I found two, and they looked as familiar as any I have ever seen. Most of my readers can spot a LDS chapel without any trouble. If nothing else the LDS are good at finding a way to simplify and organize even the building of churches. However, there was one neighborhood that went to the church and asked them to step up and take the structure up a notch...or ten. Seems that they also were familiar with the typical LDS building and, thank you very much, but that just wouldn't do sitting across the street from the other churches. So they petitioned pretty hard and finally the church gave in and produced a church that the surrounding neighborhood would feel comfy with. One with gothic features and a tad more decorative touches. Unfortunately I never found the building. Darn it all!

I remember the same situation happening, and being retold to me as I rode the trolley tour in New Orleans. A LDS chapel there was also built to accommodate the surrounding neighborhood with all the New Orleans wrought iron and French influenced architectural style. The trolley conductor/tour guide pointed out that none other of the modern churches or businesses would comply with the city request. He was impressed that a bunch of "uptight folks" would even live in New Orleans, much less build to comply -and happily so.

So enjoy. I just love the red doors, the circular windows and the arched doorways, the now blackened angels and saints who watch over all who walk on the property, and the ivy and soot that compete to cover the whole of it. Cleveland still rocks, just not on a Sunday!

Utopia

So to change the subject back to simpler times...I give you Ohio, again. This first photo was taken as I drove through a state park during a misty rain. The colours do not come close at all to the rich greens and of course there isn't any scent on the screen so you can't tell how absolutely wonderful the woods smelled as I drove slowly through this part of the country, just a bit east of Kirtland. Gorgeous! I was quite taken by, number one (duh) the absence of hills, mountains or general large bumps in the landscape. Number two, the lush green foliage that just sprouts out of every inch of land unmaintained and unattended to. Spontaneous growth amazes this Mojave Desert chick...I was visually dazzled!

Second photo was taken in a little town that I had to drive through to get into a small Amish community just around the corner. Without my notes I am afraid I cannot remember the town's name, grrr. However I was immediately struck by the resemblance, however coincidental, to the town that is in "Back to the Future" complete with the town clock tower as in this photo. The center of town had the same little grassy mall, complete with white gazebo band stand and surrounded by the town square. There was a movie theatre at the end of the block as in the movie and small shops circling the square, plus in just the correct place, a malt shop/diner. If this isn't where the movie was filmed it was certainly the inspiration for the set at Universal Studios. Either way, this little town was typical to most of the older towns I encountered there. Simple life at it's best, and of course, magically green and filled with colourfull flowers and luscious trees.

As I drove from Kirtland out to the John Johnson farm, just 20+ miles away the country side was amazingly beautiful. Streams and small rivers crossed the highway so many times I gave up counting them. Fields of wild flowers between the fields being used by farmers to grow all manner of fruit on trees, and row after row of corn, hay, and smaller low growing crops. Tidy, smartly groomed farm houses, bright white with colourful roofs, doors and window shutters. Grass lawns that roll from home to home unimpeded by fences. Occasional buggies would mark the Amish farms, as would the black, midnight blue, and lavender clothes hanging to dry on the line just off sides of the house. I wove my way through tiny hamlets of 200 to 400 towns people. These little towns welcoming passersby with a block or two of shops and stores made of white clapboard and brightly coloured doors. Benches and rockers line the walk ways and, as our traveling companion noted the day he rode with us, the classic cars that seemed to be everywhere would make any young man drool with envy.

I guess my main impression was the green peacefulness that was constant for miles. The way the country side appeared to have stayed un-wrestled over the last 100 years, unblemished and untarnished by modernism or the conveniences of our day. Sure, they had all we have here in CA. It's was just left in proper perspective in this little neck of the woods.

As the events of last week still haunt me, all of us I guess;- I can't help but remember those peaceful few days when I thought of how lovely it was to be in a place that respected the values of quiet repose; and honoured the traditions of differing beliefs while living across the street from your neighbor in peace. The warm feeling of a community without fences; and the perfect blend of simplicity among the modern made the few days spent there a lasting memory of nostalgia for a time I have never lived. Tolerance is not something to be learned or applied with a mental note every day but something that has been so inbred that it does not need a reminder; it comes as naturally to those towns-people as does breathing. This is where we all want our children to grow up.

The problem is all of our children do not grow up in a Utopian society. We (adults) do not live in a Utopian society. Our neighborhood now suffers from severe classism, racism, gangs, nearby prisons, political agendas, and many other common calamities that plague "normal" life for most of us. The key is being able to make our own "acreage" (even if that "acreage" is a one room studio in a 5 story walk up) as close to Utopia as possible. To get rid of our familial fences. To plant the kinds of fruit that will yield not just this year, but through the eternities. As any farmer knows, plants need daily care, weeding, correct pruning and staking, fertilizer, and watering. If we want good fruit we need to pay attention. The house needs to be taken care of, maintained and groomed. The need for modern convenience needs to be balanced against the need to remain simple enough to enjoy what life brings and to act instead of reacting to what life teaches us. In a Utopian society one needs to have a good work ethic, integrity, honesty, and the abilty to enjoy life as it is; to be content with what we have.

What I am eluding to, all to ineptly, is if we want Utopia we need to make it ourselves. And make it on an everyday basis, continually year after year. We need to focus more on what is important and let go of what is not.

Years ago, in the midst of personal trial, I decided to make all my decisions based on what would matter in five years. "If I leave these dishes until my guests go home or even until tomorrow morning....will it matter in five years?" "If I take the office box of paper clips home for personal use...will it matter in five years?" "If I hold onto this grudge...will it matter in five years?"

Some of these questions can be answered both yes and no depending on my personal character, however, using my "five year" plan, I have been able to let some things go and pay much more regard to other decisions.

Utopia is a decision I made, it is there, deep in my heart. A desire that I believe is divine in seed. To make sure it becomes a reality I need to yearn for it every moment, and work it out in my daily routine. I need to want it not only for myself, but also for those with whom I share community. If I want this for my self and for my neighbors, then I have a much better chance of acting in such a way as to make my seed of Utopia grow to fruit.

I do not know if I am living in Utopia yet, however I have begun to pack boxes of my personal life in antiscipation of the move. I do know one thing: I am much happier now than I was 5 years ago. I antiscipate being much happier than I am now five years from today. That's my plan.

three oddities in Ohio to consider...

First up, "THANK YOU FOR NOT PICKING OUR NEIGHBOR'S FRUIT" a sign at the John Johnson Farm. Years ago the LDS Church owned the land where the tempting fruit now grows and folks got used to just taking a sample now and then when the moment beguiled them. The land was sold to private family farmers (several years ago) who would prefer consumers of their fruit to have purchased it prior to eating. The church agrees; and suggests so through the signs along the shared fencing.
Next, this amazingly shocking hot pink gas and tire station I found driving around Cleveland. At first I noticed the obvious colour of the building, then started to see that the colour somehow found it way onto the cars in the facility! Across the street was a bakery that was almost as vivid only in turquoise green and brick red. Between the two colourful businesses the street was a shock of colour and advertisement, fighting for your attention and dollars.
Lastly is a final tribute to someone who adores Chevy s-10s. This was one full block of granite! It is full sized and if you look closely enough you can see where the weight of the truck has made the tires slightly flat against the road, or in this case, grass. The detail on this monument was laser perfect and something that caught my eye from a block away. The point? That this particular tomb stone carving business would not be deterred by degree of difficulty, or choice of sculpture, to honour that loved one. They are the best in town and will/can carve whatever you wish to represent you throughout eternity.

All three of the above examples are meant to get your attention and focus your way of thinking for just a moment; just enough time to leave a decision making impression. Whether subtle or in your face we are challenge each day to make decisions that can impact our eternal course. Some influences are very easy to interpret, while others are more gentle and restrained. Yet the choices we make now (based on those influences), even the small seemingly insignificant ones, can matter eternally.

I am off again to the land of glaring, in your face influence...unfortunately most of the influence in this land will be of the negative variety. Things which pervert and distort reality in hopes of luring us and our morality away just an inch or two further from what would matter eternally. Those inches add up and soon, before we know it, we are so far from what we had originally set as a goal it feels almost impossible to go back and get on track again. Lucky for me, I have other choices in this land of indulgence. Lucky for me I know I have the power of choosing for myself.

So we head out for yet another conference in Las Vegas. I am so very blessed to have family close by, the temple to visit, and Thor to keep me company in a land of illusion.

Have a grand week! I will try to post more photos from Ohio while I am in Vegas. In the meantime, what are some of the odd things in your neighborhood that try to influence the folks in your town?

My vote for best Character goes to...

this guy! Oh my heck! Thor and I were people watching in New Orleans Square at Disneyland when we noticed a line beginning to form. This is Jack Sparrow. He had all the nuances, gestures and even a pretty fair voice representation that mimicked Johnny Depp's Captain Jack to a tee. He had a terrific time playing the role.

One couple came up for their photo op dressed similarly in dark denim jeans and matching brown shirts, each wearing Mickey Mouse ears. "Jack" took one staggered look and said dryly, "Oh cute. You're both dressed alike." and just as the camera was about to click, he tilted his head to the man and added,"Really bloke, you gotta stop wearing women's clothing!" The man's reaction was great as the crowd burst out laughing.

He had a comment to just about everyone who came up and all sounded as if they were part of the Pirate's movies.
Speaking of Pirates... We went through the ride and well...I am underwhelmed. I think perhaps it is a case of too high of expectations. I didn't notice that much difference in the old and the new and then I am a picky poo about the way Disney has slacked on renovations. Example: Before the renovation, the opening to the Pirate's ride had a ceiling that was literally falling apart, paint chipping, pipes exposed from years of neglect. Now with the new 'improved' ride, you can still see the paint chipping underneath a bunch of tree branches and vines they stuck on the ceiling. How does that renovate?

As far as the ride portion, well they took out most of the "Yo Ho, Pirates'Life" singing. In its' place you get a monotone "Dead men tell no tales...dead men tell no tales..." that repeats itself on and on and on and on and freakin' on. I miss the jolly singing. I am old, I like the singing.

There are three places where "Jack Sparrow" are featured, one is particularly good, but all are nice. There is place in the ride that is very dark where they placed a cool special effect water fall with an image of a pirate talking etc. that you go through. The little kids on the ride with us thought they were going to get wet...so that is totally fun. And then in the big battle between the ship and the village they have Capt. Barbosa on the ship. But they have taken out some of the other places where there used to be action going on. (insert sad face here)

And I miss the singing. "We're blighters and beggars and ne'er do well cads! Drink up Me Hearties Yo Ho! But of how we're loved by our mummies and dads! Drink up me hearties Yo HO!"

So there's the Disney Report for this week (winking at Chronicler). Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Pirate's Life for S'mee!

explanation

After the last post I got several comments (and a few e-mails!) in regard to the childhood that I experienced. I want to share a few more things in hopes to clarify what I feel. I do not presume to speak for my siblings; this is the way I feel, see things, or interpret our past.

Number one, yes I had a weird if not difficult childhood compared to Ozzie and Harriet or Leave It To Beaver. However, now that I am older I can see where many of my friends, who I thought had it perfect - mom and dad, no divorce, large house with a family vacation each year, school clothes etc.- had similar experiences in their homes as well. Their parents just were much more closeted than ours. There are still the postcard families like Thor's where everything really was pretty awesome. But that said, even their family has its' wild branches that never seem to get properly pruned.

Number two: As in most families, all the siblings will remember things according to their own experiences and ages when certain events took place. Some things will be the same intensity, while others may not seem quite that vivid to all the others. We all have different levels of understanding and healing. I am the youngest in the family and so the kids above me had to endure things that I did not, but there are events that I had my fair share in as well. We went through a lot for little kids. We grew up fast and hard and with circumstance and experiences that even to this day my grown children do not know of. We benefited from some of it and some of it will leave it's scar for life. In the end I hope to rid myself of any "victim" status and just "be". I live to be happy and satisfied.

I also want to clarify that I believe in my heart that my mom did what she could given her circumstance. I believe she could have loved more; maybe, perhaps, I don't know; and I waffle on my thinking here. One the one hand I want to give her a break, and on the other hand I judge her against what I have done in my own life. That can be unfair and I know my kids will write a novel or two on what I have done wrong...so perhaps that is why I try to forgive and forget.

But I haven't fully yet. But I am getting there.

I am trying to let this all go and find reasons why so that I can give her an excuse. I feel guilt still, to this day, because I can't think of her in the typical "mom" way. I fell guilt to this day also because we were taught to feel guilty. It was our fault her life was miserable. It is our fault that she had to give so much, work so hard, and whatever. It was always and still is all about her needs and wants and what she gave up for us. The abuse, neglect, or just turned head to avoid seeing what others were doing is still a fog in my head. Was it me or is it memorex? Did I deserve it, cause it, or make it up? Somehow all of it is still my fault. She once told me that I "have seen one too many After School Specials." and that I have made most of these things up to elicit sympathy. Perhaps. Perhaps.

She will never be the mother I wanted in childhood and any apology she could give now still would not make up for what was, in my opinion, neglect and emotional abuse. It's all water under the bridge now I suppose.

I know I probably wasn't the mother my children wanted. I guess that is life. I tried to take the good things and make up for the things that I missed. I know there were and still are times when, frankly, I have absolutely no clue how to act or react in a situation because there is no model for me to refer to. I do my best and it has been far short too many times. I know my insecurities drive my kids nuts and that if it weren't for Thor I would have lost it long ago. I am lucky and blessed. There was a lot wrong; but a lot was right. The main thing I hope for my kids is that they know how much I love them. Sometimes I know I blow that image too. I grasp at the clues around me in hopes of being able to find the way to let them know that they are most important to me. But in reality I know, that like my own mother, I have faults; and those faults are many.

That said, my kids call me, they play with me, they laugh and dance with me, they ask me to go with them here and there, they surprise the freaking heck out of me constantly with service and love and tokens of love; and they tolerate a lot of weirdness with much kindness towards me. I am blessed. I am WAY WAY WAY blessed.

from Chronicler, a penny for your thoughts...

18 September 2006

Complete the thought...

Never again in my life: will I forget who I really am; and that I control what happens to me.

When I was five: I was awakened from sleep, handed a butcher knife, hidden under a window, and eventually asked to run screaming from my home as I feared my mother's murder. Also the year I took my best school photo.

High School was: Less than fun. I just wanted it over. I learned quickly that High School was a defining moment in understanding true character in a person. High School was to be alone by choice. Jr. High, on the other hand, rocked!

I will never forget: when I was in 4th grade; I ran after my mom driving away from me, catching up to her as she stopped to tell me, "This isn't about you. Stop being such a baby. Go back to the house and live with Gramma. I don't want you in my life right now. I am leaving all of you leeches and I won't be back." and feeling she would never come back.

I once met: a few "famous" people. Not who/what I expected. On the other hand I have met some incredible non-famous folks who knocked my socks off with their amazing Spirit and go-to positive personalities.

There's this girl I know who: danced with this guy at a church dance and kept up very nicely thank you. (and was asked very politely to "not dance near him anymore as it made it look as if anyone can dance like this.")

By noon I'm usually: awake. I've been up for hours, but by noon I'm finally awake and personable. (I stole this line from Chronicler, but it fits perfectly. Perhaps we are sisters???)

Last night I: tried to get things done on the computer and otherwise in the house so that later on this week I won't need to -busy week ahead!

Next time I go to church: I will be acting in a way that will matter eternally.

What worries me most: That I am not worthy and may never be.

When I turn my head right, I see: Thor's desk, bookcases, and a piano covered with family photos.

When I turn my head to the left, I see: Book cases, a favorite photo by Jean Guichard, Little Man's calendar, and a wall that is indesperate need of painting!

You know I'm lying when: When I start to lie. I have been told by numerous people close to me that I CANNOT lie well, it's obvious from the first word out of my mouth that a "story" is coming. ugh, this does not bode well for surprises, or surprise parties.

If I was a character written by Shakespeare, I'd be: the jester who is secretly smart, and no one in the play ever gets it...only the audience figures it out.

By this time, next year: I hope to have caught up on a number of projects so that I can paint every day if I wish.

A better name for me would be: Contradiction

I have a hard time understanding: Math. And okra.

If I ever go back to school: I'll be amazed.

You know I like you if: If I go with you to lunch.

Darwin, Mozart, Slim Pickens & Geraldine Ferarro are: Misused, Gifted, Ridiculous, & Not as important as some people think.

Take my advice, NEVER: think you aren't in control of your own destiny, life, situations. It's all about you. It's always ALL about you. And it's all beneficial to you, no matter what.

My ideal breakfast is: Burnt toast with real butter and real creamy hot chocolate; always with a side of warm memories.

A song I love, but do not have is: a recording of my brother singing Rainbow Connection. Which always makes me cry when I hear it, heck who am I kidding? I am tearing up right now just reading the words.

If you visit my hometown, I suggest: (my childhood home) you purchase real estate, any real estate. My current hometown, bring SPF45 and wait for the sunsets, and night views of the stars.

Why won't anyone: put the dishes away in the right place? I mean really people! They have gone in the same place for thirty years. This is your entire lifetime. Don't get me wrong, I am PLEASED that you emptied the dishwasher, but next time at least leave me a note telling me where you hide the colander!

If you spend the night at my house, DO: what makes you happy. Enjoy! Use what you like, eat what you want, stay for as long as you feel, dance in my living room, sing loudly.

I'd stop my wedding for: looking back on it, not much! Including the parental announcement stating their refusal to attend, mom's destroying of my dress, their acknowledgement of purposely losing all the required legal papers and/or documents, blood work etc.; and the fact that dad tried to pick a fight with Thor (and lost both in argument and the physical portion of the event, Sabotaging the reception and guest list only added to my determination and solidified that I was doing the right thing in marrying Thor. (did I mention we will be married 30 years this November?)

The world could do without: bugs -in my opinion. Exception being butterflies, dragon flies, and lady bugs.

I'd rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: Are you kidding me? Death would come easily if given the choice of bug licking or taking a dirt nap.

My favorite blonde is: are, my two daughters, both of whom say they are not blondes anymore.

Paperclips are more useful than: say, rutabagas at any holiday festivity.

San Diego means: home. My childhood. The Zoo. When I was a girl you got in free if you were under the age of 16. I went every weekend with my brother. (again, stealing this line from Chronicler, but she said it best.) And I will add...one place where the feelings from childhood are pleasant, good, and otherwise sweet to recall.

I stole this from my friend and sis Chronicler. You can steal it from me! I'd love to read your finishes.

Kirtland

The home of Syndney Rigdon, impressive now, amazing for the day. Unavailable to the public, volunteers from the Community of Christ live here while they serve giving tours and working at the Kirtland Temple.
The Temple- still lovely and beautiful, still able to induce Spirit filled tears as one walks through it.
(no photographs were allowed within the walls of this temple; although we were particularly blessed to be on a tour that went through all three floors!)

The candle in the window of the room (at the N.K. Whitney Store) where much revelation was given; and where the Bible was translated by the Prophet, Joseph Smith Jr.

The doorway of the room (also in the N.K.Whitney Store)above reveals benches where the School of the Prophets met for instruction. Although we were allowed to take photographs anywhere on the (LDS owned) property, I just couldn't take a picture in this sacred room.

(It seems that between writing and posting the photos have jumbled. Sorry folks.)

Cleveland!

A few photos from Cleveland until I can post more. These from a program held on the steps of the City Hall to remember the events of 9-11, and also to honour a fallen police officer that was shot in the line of duty just last week (delivering a subpeona to appear in a divorce case.). See you soon with more!

o.k. folks, I am off again with Thor, this time to Cleveland Ohio! So for the next ten or so days, I will try to check in when possible, blog if we get a good line and until then, ya'all play nice and have a good time!

It must be in the water...

Another new blogger to welcome: Pea from My Own Little Pod ! Welcome Pea!

Pea is a member of the family as well; My brother's youngest daughter. She is a sweety, a young wife and mom, so full of Spirit -with a strong will to learn, and a good sense of humour. She loves life and having fun and she is a very unique individual.

Pop on over and check her out!

the 3rd Sister!

Introducing.... the 3rd Sister! Yes folks there she is, my big sis! Well, another of my big sissies, she the one in the middle. The one with the cool hair, the blue eyes, the best shape, and frankly a lot of talent!

She can paint anything! She is very creative and smart to boot. (When we were little kids, mom put us all in piano lessons. Let's just say that after six months, Sis over here was playing a 36 page concerto, while the rest of us were still on "Indian War Dance" -you know, two fingers on the left hand being the 'drum beat', dum dum dum, while the right hand had the difficult task of tinkling out a one fingered Indian tap dance. Needless to say the girl got a Gift!)

She's pretty, funny, knows a lot about a lot, and well she lives in TEXAS, so her life is pretty big. Go check her out and welcome her to the blogging world!

Another Meme!

Lisa from "Lisa's Ramblings" has tagged me for this fun meme! So before I make a run to follow #5 back up to the BY-U, I'll give you even more navel gazing!!! Everything you wanted to know, and then some.
ME-ME-ME.. *grin*All you ever wanted to know about little ole me!

1. How often do you blog? I try to blog at least everyday, but lately have had (remarkably, not much to say) But I check in on the blog very often, like all the time. And much like everyone else I am totally validated by your comments, so please, validate me and make a comment!

2. Online Alias: S'mee, Betty Cooks (not my name), The Pillow Queen (pilokween), Mom of 5 kids, and Lisa Smith (also not my name, but coincidentally is the name of my most recent new friend...who knew?).

3. Have you ever stood up for someone you hardly knew? I have a tendency to do this a lot. Add nosy Rosie to the list above. If kids are involved I come unglued. About a month before school let out, I was at a light waiting my turn when three big kids began to pummel a smaller kid. I pulled over and began to interfere. I called 911, flagged down a guy in a truck to help until the cops showed up, yeah, it was a mess, but I couldn't sit there and watch a littler kid get beat up and just drive home to make dinner.

4. What do you do most often when you are bored? Bored? Who has time to be bored? If I have NOTHING else to keep my busy I draw, doodle, sing, dance, and drive around; sometimes those last three happen at the same time.

5. When bathing, which do you wash first? Before any bath I stand up and take a shower so I can relax and not think about how if I hadn't taken a shower I would be sitting in a hot bath of my own filth. Once I am in the bath I use a hand towel instead of a wash cloth, I drench it with as hot of water as I can stand and place it over, my face....very relaxing. Most o' the time I just shower, and then it is top to toes, efficiency.

6. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? Yes and it is not a good thing. S'mee needs her beauty sleep or everything gets ugly.

7. What color looks best on you? Red, and shades of red; which I hated as a kid because that is all the parental units put me in if I got new clothes. Now, ' don't mind so much, but my favorite look currently is bright pastel turquoise.

8. What's your favorite drink? Milk, ice cold and whole.

9. Do you believe in heaven and hell as a real place that each of us will go to after death? After death? Sometimes I believe we are already in both of those destinations(try the 90 at 2:30 without 'Speedpass')! Heaven=warm beach with Thor and family. Ahhhh! I prefer to think of it as Life before death, why wait? And when I die, yup, I am sure there will be versions of both then as well.

10. Do you find that you have more online friends than offline friends? nope -no way. In real life I have 32 friends named (various spellings of) Kathy. 32 Kathys. EEEE freaking GADS..there are other friends, whose parents weren't quite so trendy.

11. What was your favorite subject in school? Grade School: recess, Jr High: French, but I got kicked out with my best friend because we went three chapters ahead of the prescribed pace. This was the beginning of my love affair wth pencils, as the only available class was drawing. High School: Art, photography, crafts, and yup I really took a class on basketweaving. I graduated HS with a 3.8 GPA and NEVER took a science class of ANY kind. Go figure...it was the 70s.

12. Are you a perfectionist? I am an exact 50/50 split personality, so yes and no.

13. Do you spend more than you can afford? Everyone does at some time or the other. However, as a kid I learned that over spending is not a pretty thing. I LOVE LOVE LOVE finding a bargain. I try to keep within the prescribed family budget and have found that if we do go into debt, it is usually for a good reason and the debt is eliminated as quickly as possible.

14. Is it better to have loved and lost than never to have love before? I think that if I truly love someone I am the only one who can take that feeling from myself. If I love you, and you decide to walk away that doesn't mean that I have to stop loving you. I just need to know that you may not love me; and/or that you may not be around anymore. I can still keep you in my heart and treasure that. Love doesn't stop, go away, or get lost for me.

15. Do you consider yourself creative? yes.

16. Do you give yourself the credit you deserve? Not always, but most of the time. I am certainly better at this now than I was 5 years ago.

17. Do you donate time or money to charities? Yes, and I try to find new ways to do this all the time. No matter how bad things can get there are always folks who have it worse. Service and sacrifice were always a part of our lives and still are. Besides, there are so many ways to be charitable that finding one that is fun and enjoyable is rather easy to do.

18. Have you recently done something that you've criticized others for doing? I am a horrid person because criticize many things. Hello Kettle!

19. What's on your mind? Lately, getting a list of chores accomplished so I can start back on my art. The offspring are always there someplace, hey, I'm a mom. My calling at church; things are getting exciting in our area and, well, I anticipatinging changes, and curious where things will end up when the final decisions are all made.

20. Say one nice thing about the people you are going to tag!

Well, hmm, this is where it gets nutso. I went to publish this before I left for the BY-U and thought I had. When I came home and found it still in the editing compartment, well, now it seems a tad late to be tagging anyone.

Lisa was the gal who got this started for me, so Here's to Lisa! One busy mom with a heart as big as Texas. I am in awe of her writing. So much that she writes tugs at me because she is honest and humble and so into being a mom. She's a great mom at that. I think about her and her struggles and how well she handles them. She is inspiring and hilarious and she tells a pretty good story now and then. She is someone I would love to have lunch with. In my world that is one of the best compliments I have.

Happy Birthday Sis!

There she is. The big sister. Chronicler The one we all looked up to, even big brother who was actually older, but I digress.

Look at that smile! She has a great smile, complete with killer dimples. (I have dimples too, I just sit on mine!) Those dimples got us both into, and out of, a lot of trouble when we were growing up; and as an adult she can still find ways to make those dimples work for her! Any body having a bad day? Flash 'em a dimpled smile and they feel immediate urges to laugh and have a good time.

She also has a good heart and a wise mind. She knows enough about a million things to hold an intelligent conversation with just about anyone they're interested in. She has so many talents she can keep you entertained as well with stories of the things she finds clever and the ways in which she spends her time. She has so many charitable ventures, she can find someplace to send every extra dime and much service.

Who would have thought that sweet little girl would grow up to be so complex? A Mom, Wife, Gramma to Little Miss!, Foodist, Mini-Cooper Fanatic, Apple User, Entrepreneur, Crafter, Seamstress, Farmer, Artist, Glass Craftsman, Book Enthusiast, Photographer, Scrapbooker, Wannabe helicopter Pilot (just give her time), Teacher, Friend, Cat Lover, Archivist, Counselor, Music Expert, and so much more make up my big Sis! There isn't much she can't do. She thrives on new experiences and learning.

She once described herself as a shark. Not that she'd eat a baby seal or a license plate, no, she's actually very picky -only good (as in amazing) tasting calories for sis. She is a shark because she can't stop moving or in her words, "[she'll] die!" Yup, she has an abnormal drive and desire to keep going and going and going. Maybe she isn't a shark, but an Ever-ready Bunny? Who knows, but she always has something brewing, that new idea in the back of her head that may take a few minutes or a few years to come to fruition, but it does and it's always a success.

So there you have our birthday girl for today. I love you sis, you are such a good friend to me! I hope you get to that Ocean soon enough and have a terrific day!!!

Now, y'all scoot over to Food Chronicles and or Cooper Chronicles and fill up her comments box with all kinds of birthday goodies!

French Lessons

#5 has been home and visiting with the Little Man. During the afternoon she decided that he would be the perfect student to teach French to. So for a few minutes she captures the Little Man and sat in a corner while she went over the way French people say "yes": OUI!

Over and over they practiced until Little Man tired of the game and went on to find something else to do.

Later that evening #5 decided to test Little Man and see if he remembers.

#5: Hey, Little Man, How do you say 'yes' in French?

(thinking, thinking...)
Little Man: uuuh, OUI!

everyone claps and whoops.

Today the same scene is rehearsed once again.

#5: Hey Little Man, can you say 'yes' in French?

(thinking, thinking,...)
Little Man: uuummm, uh, YES!; in French!

A bedtime story...

Yesterday we had Mommy and Little Man over to the house for a visit with #5. Daddy showed up after work and we all had a terrific time. Little Man, however went the entire day without a nap and, well, let's just say that when the family left at 10:45, we all thought that drive across the valley would knock him out. No such luck.

This morning we again were together as a family and mommy had this to report. Seems Little Man wasn't sleepy enough to fall asleep on the way home or even after 11:30! By midnight Mommy and Daddy were tired!

Little Man: I'm not tired!

Mommy and/or Daddy: GO TO SLEEP!

LM: I'm thristy!

M&D: GO TO SLEEP!

LM: I need a hug!

M&D: GO TO SLEEP!

LM: I need someone to lay down with me!

M&D: Little Man, you need to go to sleep. Look at Baby Brother, he is already asleep. He is a baby. No one is sleeping with him in his bed. You are a big boy! You don't need anyone to sleep with you in yours. GO TO SLEEP!
(not missing a heart beat)
LM: No one is sleeping with Baby Brother because his bed is TOO SMALL!

Mommy: (laughs quite loudly to herself as she walks back to her bedroom.)

Daddy: Move over Little Man. Get under the covers, share the pillow with Daddy. Good Night!

Plan A: If we call it by a clever name we don't have to acknowledge what it does

It's been a long time since I have blogged. A couple of reasons for that:

#1 I sliced the heck out of my index finger (thought it looked a lot like celery); and typing has been very tedious and slow as I have commented on a very few blogs.

#2 doing lots of work in the house and about, traveling a bit with Thor, so finding a computer that works has been difficult.

#3 Blogger's block.

#4 (yes I know Chronicler, I "need to get an Apple") The computer has taken another dive. This time it seems we were given a counterfeit program by the terrific guys who fixed it the last time. Thanks, guys.

Lisa's Rambling has taken care of #3...

Lisa has informed me that, as of today, anyone over the age of 18 can purchase the "Plan B" pill within the borders of the United States. Yup, ANYONE over the age of 18 can walk into a pharmacy and purchase the "Plan B" pill for between $20.00 and $50.00. No prescription necessary.

Prior to this announcement, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Washington, and Vermont allowed specified pharmacies to sell "Plan B" over the counter to women OF ANY AGE. In those states things won't change a bit. The law in these states gives the pharmacist the authority to write a prescription, and then fill it, according to the American Pharmacists Association.

Back in 1999 the battle began to make this "Plan" available to the general public via prescription by a doctor. By 2003 "agency advisors" and "scientists" agreed that nonprescription sales would be the best route for the U.S. to take; and it's status in the drug world began to morph. The first attempts were for any woman over the age of 16 to be allowed access to this "Plan B" alternative. That began the fight.

Unfortunately, the fight actually helped promote the drug's acceptance within the medical community and as of reports today, sales are up 30% this year!

THE ESTIMATED SALES FOR THIS YEAR WILL BE 1.5 MILLION PACKS!

As of this posting, there is still inconclusive data as to the safety for use in young women under the age of 18.

The manufacturers claim that the same chemicals in other "birth" control pills are in this Plan B pill, the trouble is, they both act the same way. Chemicals, hormones act in the body to change the levels that release an egg for sterilization. However, if an egg is already available at the time of intercourse, it can become fertile and travel down the Fallopian tube and into the uterus where, in normal function, it would attach to the wall of the uterus and grow to full term. With both "birth" control pills and the wonder drug known as Plan B, both cause the uterine wall to block attachment and the fertile egg is "lost" or "evacuated" during menses. This is still an abortion, just renamed.

So, as of today, anyone, read: ANYONE over the age of 18 can stroll into Target, Walmart, RiteAide, Walgreens, or any other pharmacy and purchase a pack containing a "Plan B" pill. How many of us know a "sympathetic adult" who is willing to purchase alcohol, cigarettes, and other "stuff" for young teens they deem responsible or otherwise? How many kids have a friend who is 18 who would help them out? Anyone out there ever make a fake I.D. to get into a club?Maybe I am just pessimistic. Maybe this just happens in "B" Hollywood movies.

THANK YOU FDA! Thanks for making it so very convenient for us to eliminate the middle man and give us one more way to kill our unborn babies, at home! Wow! And the price? $20-$50 what a deal! No dealing with a doctor. No hassling with ma and pa. No having to fill out a form that may embarrass one with nosy questions. Quick. Easy. No Fuss. No Responsibility. No Consequence. No Thought. No Accountability.

Did you get caught up in the moment last night? Are you inconvenienced by the thought you may be pregnant? No worries! For a quick $50 you're off the hook.

I can't wait for the commercials promoting this "Plan". Seems to me there was a Better Plan, one a tad more Divine.

When you throw a pebble into the water it makes a splash and a ripple. Today we throw a boulder in the water, and yup, there was the splash. I fear the tsunami that will come with the ripple. We, as a nation, are begging for it. Go ahead folks, move to higher ground now. The tidal wave is coming, and it isn't going to be pretty.

They'll love happily FOREVER after!

Bling Bling!
Originally uploaded by pissingir.

We met Tom about 3 years ago. A retired Ordained Minister who finalized his search for truth as he left the religion of his lifetime and entered the waters of baptism, from then on to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Once Tom made his decision he went forward with the vigor of someone who had lost a dear Friend and searched every book, asked constant questions and did everything possible to get closer to his Savior.

Shortly after being baptized, he met Virginia. She spoke only Spanish, he spoke only English, but together they fell in love. Virginia and Tom married after a few short months and she followed into the waters of baptism.

Tom went through the temple almost a year to the day of his baptism. He was on fire and so far no one has been able to put him out. Virginia has learned English and in her sweet shy personality caught Tom's enthusiasm for the Gospel of Christ.

Last year for Christmas, Virginia got the news that she had breast cancer and by February she had lost her breast, but not her will. She was and is still going through chemo, and during the middle of it all she got an infection and survived a flesh eating virus. She is determined. She is faithful.

Today, Virginia went through the temple to receive her endowments and also to be sealed to Tom for time and all eternity.

In the words of Paul Harvey -here's the rest of the story. Tom and Virginia are in their 60's or 70's. After leaving the temple session and resting her chemo-therapy worn body in the Celestial Room of the temple for a few minutes, Tom had a surprise. He got down on one knee, pulled an Eternity ring out of his pocket and asked Virginia if she would be his wife for eternity. She said yes through teary eyes and together they met a small group of family and friends in the sealing room.

A few tender moments later they were united, sealed and bound together for time here on Earth and for Eternity. Now I don't know about you, but this was pretty much the most romantic afternoon I have witnessed. Virginia, head covered in a white cap, crocheted to keep her little bald head warm, dressed all in white; and Tom, her romantic frail little hero, tear filled and emotional.

Don't you just love a faery tale ending?

It was on SALE!

Words that I am sure scare the bejeebees out of Thor.

My entire life I have not liked money. It is a means to an end. I am not impressed by it or by the things it can purchase. Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE shiny things. But I am also basically lazy and refuse to do whatever it is that builds financial security. It can seem to others that I am h*ll bent on making sure I die in poverty. I have one offspring that would swear by this.

O.k. That said, I also LOVE a bargain. I am one of the few, the proud, the brave who can actually talk a PIC-N-SAVE Manager into lowering the price "on this item. See, right here? Yeah, well I understand that this is a discounted piece of merchandise already. However, this is the last item you have of this and it needs some help. No one else will buy this in its' current condition, and so what can you do so that I will?" I have done this many times to the embarrassment of family and friends and to glares (and envy) of other consumers who, frankly, were too embarrassed to ask for the additional discount themselves.

Case in point: COSTCO. I have a lovely leather "cigar chair" with it's matching ottoman. Originally this chair and ottoman were priced $700.00+. But I waited. And while I waited I took Thor leather chair shopping. We went EVERYWHERE save the manufacturing plant (read: the field where they "grow" leather) so that he could see exactly why the $700.00+ price at COSTCO was such a deal.

Fast forward to the day of the purchase. We go in and there is but one chair left. The floor model. I check it out. Sturdy. Clean. No obvious wear. Just a tad dusty. O.k. This is GO TIME! I find the manager and present a plan. At the end of bargaining I walk out with the set for under $300.00. I can bargain, but after this experiment I learned. I could have gotten the set for even less had I played my cards correct. Live and Learn!

Now, there are others who make me look like a sales schmuck. My best friend for instance.

The following story is TRUE! Nothing in this story has been embellished to make my friend seem crazier than she really is. Only the names have changed to protect and praise the innocent.

Many many years ago "Thelma" purchased a home in Utah as an investment. In her thinking, she would buy this little house, rent it out to two separate parties; paying the mortgage and earn college funds until one by one her 6 kids would take turns on the top floor through their college years...rent free.

Thelma spent 4 grueling years building her dream home in SoCAL. To her credit she lived in a 18 foot travel trailer with her husband, Earl and one daughter while the boys lived in another travel trailer just feet from each other. They rented a port-a-potty and went to work. Thelma never paid retail for anything and she wasn't about to start now. They lived and built on that half acre like no modern people I have ever met.

After 3 years in the finished house, her husband decided it was time to move to Utah. Thelma left her dream home after only 3 years. They sold her home for $10,000 and take over payments. It just about killed Thelma.

Not one of her kids went to BYU. O.k. plan B. She had her husband decided to move to Utah and try their hand at a new business. They moved into the house, remodeled it and, yes, still had renters in the basement that paid the small mortgage. Essentially, they lived "free" of any house payment for quite some time.

One day Thelma met with another friend, Louise and went to lunch with a group of women. All of these women knew at least one person in the group, no one knew everyone. During the lunch, one woman lamented the fact that she had finally built her dream home only to live in it 5 years because her husband decided Hawaii was where they needed to be. Now she was in the process of selling her 'new' home for $10,000 and take over payments.

Thelma perked up. She asked Louise if she had ever seen the house that was being sold. Louisa replied that, yes she had been all through it and it was, indeed, lovely. "Is it worth the 10k and the payments?" "I think so." So Thelma asks the owner, "Where is you house?" "Salt Lake in a brand new subdivision. They aren't even finished with all the phases, however our house was one of the first built." They chat a while and after it was all said and done Thelma cut the woman a check right there at the table for $5,000.00 and bought herself a house... on SALE! Sight unseen, but trusting in Louise that it was a good deal, she bought a house.

I got the phone call first, about one hour after her lunch. The ink on the check was probably still damp. "I bought a house in Salt Lake today at lunch." "Wow! I didn't know you guys were planning on moving! That's cool. Tell me about the house." Well, I haven't seen it yet, but Louise has and said it was worth it. I GOT IT ON SALE!" "What did Earl say?" "Welllll, I haven't told him yet. I used my money, so he won't care."

The conversation went along rather oddly like that for about 3 weeks. She eventually found out where the house was actually at, loved it, told Earl about their move about 18 hours prior to moving, and they could not have been happier. They kept the house in Provo where it kept giving them income for many years.

She loved the new neighborhood, and her new friends in Salt Lake. The moral of the story: Never pay retail. Ask for a bargain. Trust good information. Never let your hubby decide when it is time to move.

hopefully the heart grew fonder...

o.k.! Time for a new post. I apologize for the long blank interim and hopefully will be back to my verbose prose as usual.

Let's see. Well, the whole Destiny thing really got to me, then I heard about two other, separate incidents that were similar, and frankly it shook me. I have a great deal of anger, sorrow, frustration, and ....I don't even have words for it now.

Next. The room is coming along and there is actual light at the end of the tunnel. Plans had to be changed but it is beginning to work out.

Um, kids, church, life, and a few other things just kept me away.

And then there was the trip with Thor back up to San Francisco! Wheeee! We began this trip by heading down to Long Beach for an early morning meeting. I dropped off Thor and went for a drive. I haven't been to Long Beach for years. I drove out to the Queen Mary, I was going to go in, but a little voice said to just do a drive by. Then over to the Pike, which I remembered as a kid was pretty darn fun. Now it looks like a giant food court. Maybe I couldn't see all the carnival type rides, carousel, or roller coaster from the street. Another drive by.

I drove out to a point as I talked with #3 about her ever changing major-minor mix-ups and some about her favorite new read. We had a terrific talk as I drove slowly by house after house and made out like a cop on patrol. Thor called MUCH sooner than I anticipated and so I drove over, picked him up and we began the 6+ hour drive up the '5' to the Bay area.

We stayed at the St. Francis for the third time. I like it there. And weird, but we had the very room we had the first time there, I take that back; the first time was on the 9th floor, this go round was the top floor. I like the corner room. It looks over Union Square and when you open the window, you get a room full of fresh air and all the city noise -which is actually cool. There was a street drummer, the kind with no drums but many different plastic containers, each with its' own pitch. He was good. He had a photo of himself and the Mayor, and an article from the newspaper laminated with clear tape and secured to one of the main 'drums'. He was famous.

We both enjoy just people watching. The families who sat all around us as we ate dinner. (How do these people afford taking a large family out? We were in a place that cost Thor and I just under $100.00 after tax and tip. Holy Hannah!) Then there are the foreigners who point and speak in excited tones as they see new or perhaps familiar things. I love being close to the SFMOMA and the Art Institute, you can see the funky dressed young adults who express their creative streaks in clothing and attitude as they bussel by all us tourists. And the lovers, old and young who cuddle under a tree, kiss at the intersections and never let go of hands as they walk through the square. And all the 'Carrie' wannabes, who click up and down the hills in their Versace clothes and Jimmy Choo heels...yeowch! And the homeless and mentally ill who find their place among the elite. What a contrast. It's a tiny little piece of the world all in one block.

The ride home is always so great. We took the long way home; along the '1'. I love this ride. I love everything about it. The scenery is fabulous, doesn't get too much better for me. I think those ragged cliffs, the barking sea life, and the waves are incredible! The scent of that briney ocean air gives me energy. We stopped along the way to see tourists, otters, elephant seals and just Big Blue herself.

As we headed inland we had to go through the Central Valley. Not a favorite of mine but still interesting with it's groves that seem to go on for miles. The vineyards were full of grapes, white, green and red. And then the stark contrast of fields where the water no longer runs; acres of dead grey trees standing in almost white dirt.

Anywho, here we are back in reality this morning. All in all I love being out on the road with Thor. The conversations and also the times when there isn't any verbal talking at all, but the scene takes over and the two of us don't need any words to enjoy the moment.