Matt S, Kelly, and Matt V
Kate, Sarah, and Lea
Kelsi
Tanner
Janet and Mike
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Friday, January 07, 2011
Selective Memory
My sister, Marilyn, called and said she loved reading "The Montana Years" and that there was a lot more detail than she remembered.
She did say I had forgotten that we had an 18th Birthday Party for Marilyn at Norma Kay's house. Kay was in my grade, not Marilyn's. I do not remember it at all.
It is very interesting what "selective memory" we have. I am not sure that term applies here but I did look it up and this is what it means:
Lacunar amnesia is the loss of memory about one specific event. It is a type of amnesia that leaves a lacuna (a gap) in the record of memory.
According to Steven Johnson, (the author of Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life):
"Scientists believe memories are captured and stored by two separate parts of the brain, the hippocampus, the normal seat of memory, and the amygdala, one of the brain's emotional centers... the brain is designed to preserve emotionally strong memories. Even amnesiacs, under the right circumstances, can remember their past feelings."
Furthermore, according to Alex Chadwick speaking on NPR:
"Some scientists now believe that memories effectively get rewritten every time they're activated... Theoretically, if you could block that chemical reaction in a human brain while triggering a specific memory, you could make a targeted erasure. Think of a dreadful fight with your girlfriend while blocking that chemical reaction, and zap! The memory's gone."
Daniel Goleman, in his book Vital Lies, Simple Truths, defines a lacuna as :
"... Lacunas, in short, create blind spots "
As I say, I can't imagine why I would selectively forget Marilyn's birthday party, but the above has certainly happened in the selective memories I have regarding relationships that fall apart. I simply have erased certain memories from my brain, absolutely. I also would erase from my mind disagreements with my husband. It certainly makes for a more peaceful coexistence. Richard, on the other hand, could remember everything--this is not nearly as good for the psyche.
Selective memory is a great survival mechanism.
She did say I had forgotten that we had an 18th Birthday Party for Marilyn at Norma Kay's house. Kay was in my grade, not Marilyn's. I do not remember it at all.
It is very interesting what "selective memory" we have. I am not sure that term applies here but I did look it up and this is what it means:
Lacunar amnesia is the loss of memory about one specific event. It is a type of amnesia that leaves a lacuna (a gap) in the record of memory.
According to Steven Johnson, (the author of Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life):
"Scientists believe memories are captured and stored by two separate parts of the brain, the hippocampus, the normal seat of memory, and the amygdala, one of the brain's emotional centers... the brain is designed to preserve emotionally strong memories. Even amnesiacs, under the right circumstances, can remember their past feelings."
Furthermore, according to Alex Chadwick speaking on NPR:
"Some scientists now believe that memories effectively get rewritten every time they're activated... Theoretically, if you could block that chemical reaction in a human brain while triggering a specific memory, you could make a targeted erasure. Think of a dreadful fight with your girlfriend while blocking that chemical reaction, and zap! The memory's gone."
Daniel Goleman, in his book Vital Lies, Simple Truths, defines a lacuna as :
"... Lacunas, in short, create blind spots "
As I say, I can't imagine why I would selectively forget Marilyn's birthday party, but the above has certainly happened in the selective memories I have regarding relationships that fall apart. I simply have erased certain memories from my brain, absolutely. I also would erase from my mind disagreements with my husband. It certainly makes for a more peaceful coexistence. Richard, on the other hand, could remember everything--this is not nearly as good for the psyche.
Selective memory is a great survival mechanism.
Marilyn, a few years ago, at the Anderson Cabin.
Dad's Birthday
Back Row: Dave and his wife Dorothy, Janet, Dick
Front row: Jeanne, Mom, Carole, Dad, Marilyn
He said they both enjoyed my book "The Montana Years" but I had forgotten he went to Dawson County Junior College in Glendive before he went to Utah State and he had two years there, ever though he did not graduate. He went straight from college to marriage and then managed one of the several stores my Dad and his brother had at that time. He said he also didn't remember me being with the folks when they picked him up in Idaho after he burned his legs in an accident. Neither one of us could remember what car we had. I just remember seeing his feet stick out the back door whenever we stopped and I was cautioned not to close the door on his feet.
Dave and Dorothy eventually ended up in the Anderson's store in Miles City. Miles City was about 80 miles from Glendive. One time when I stopped there on my way to or from someplace he let me out the alley door where my car was parked. It was early in the morning and someone he knew came by and was gawking. Dave called out, "She's my sister."
 |
| Dave and Dorothy 2009 |
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Kathy Bishop's Family
Mary lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Kathy and Myron live in Lander, Wyoming.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
Yes, I think this is a good time to review my personal goals, habits and determinations. It is never to late to make a fresh start. Seems the things I want to improve on are always the same but that just means I am probably not trying hard enough. What do I need to do for 2011?
More Exercise--although I am busy all day long, it is hard for me to stick to an exercise routine, especially since I have problems with my left metatarsal. This has resulted in Bandido and I each acquiring a few pounds this year. Yes, I will work on that.
End mindless snacking--I do this when I have a project, when I am thinking about something, when I am stressed, when I am bored, when I am lonely--it seems the reasons for mindless snacking are endless. I need to try and understand that outlet and stop it!!! I have given up so many foods such as gluten products and it has not been hard so I know I can do it. I just need to keep my head in gear instead of drifting into a daze.
Make time for things I enjoy and stop tasking all the time. Yes, I am great at finishing my tasks. I need to be better at doing what I enjoy which is???? I will work on that. Smile, smile, smile is the first order of every moment. And laugh out loud at least once a day. Things don't seem as funny to me as they used to...
Sleep more, yes, sleep more. I am sure I am sleep deprived--eat those cherries before bedtime, Stop staying up late. Get back to my habit of early rising, exercising, and then dressing for the day. I have spoiled myself with too many pajama mornings, just because I can.
Reach out more--I am too satisfied with my little world--I need to get more involved...although this is just a goal, it is not a prerequisite for my happiness, it is just something that would probably add to my life.
Oh, yes, Janet, and don't forget to get back to your 30 minutes of dancing a day...you ditched that for 2010...put it back in your life for 2011. Now print this off and put it front of your face once in awhile!!!
More Exercise--although I am busy all day long, it is hard for me to stick to an exercise routine, especially since I have problems with my left metatarsal. This has resulted in Bandido and I each acquiring a few pounds this year. Yes, I will work on that.
End mindless snacking--I do this when I have a project, when I am thinking about something, when I am stressed, when I am bored, when I am lonely--it seems the reasons for mindless snacking are endless. I need to try and understand that outlet and stop it!!! I have given up so many foods such as gluten products and it has not been hard so I know I can do it. I just need to keep my head in gear instead of drifting into a daze.
Make time for things I enjoy and stop tasking all the time. Yes, I am great at finishing my tasks. I need to be better at doing what I enjoy which is???? I will work on that. Smile, smile, smile is the first order of every moment. And laugh out loud at least once a day. Things don't seem as funny to me as they used to...
Sleep more, yes, sleep more. I am sure I am sleep deprived--eat those cherries before bedtime, Stop staying up late. Get back to my habit of early rising, exercising, and then dressing for the day. I have spoiled myself with too many pajama mornings, just because I can.
Reach out more--I am too satisfied with my little world--I need to get more involved...although this is just a goal, it is not a prerequisite for my happiness, it is just something that would probably add to my life.
Oh, yes, Janet, and don't forget to get back to your 30 minutes of dancing a day...you ditched that for 2010...put it back in your life for 2011. Now print this off and put it front of your face once in awhile!!!
On Waking Up More Beautiful
I thought this was an especially helpful article--I already do several of them, but I surely haven't heard of the rooster pill???
1. Get an Early Start
Make a habit of washing your face a few hours before bed. If you wait until you're tired, you're more likely to blow it off -- allowing "toxins and dirt to stay on there all night," says dermatologist Laurie Polis of N.Y.C. Another consequence? You miss the best time to treat your skin. "At night there's more blood flow to the skin's surface, and there's nothing else on your face to interfere with absorption," Polis says.
2. Sleep on Your Back
Note to Audrey Hepburn fans: Lying on your stomach is bad for "beauty sleep." The average head weighs 7 to 8 pounds -- a lot of pressure to be putting on your face every night. In fact, many dermatologists say they can tell what side of the face people sleep on by the number of wrinkles there.
3. Get a Lift
Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows, or put the headrest area of your bed on 2- to 4-inch pieces of wood. Gravity helps lymph and blood flow so fluid won't accumulate, Polis says.
4. Save Money, Not Wrinkles
At night you don't need to worry about eye treatments smearing your makeup, so slather on the richest formula you can. Polis swears by Aquaphor: "It conditions lashes and hydrates the delicate eye skin really well."
5. Sneak a Glow
Mix a drop of self-tanner into your night cream or use a cream that contains a bit of tan-producing DHA.
Try: Clarins Radiance-Plus self-tanning cream, $52; clarinsusa.com.
6. Avoid Carb Face
To wake with defined cheekbones, eat a high-protein, low-sugar dinner (try salmon and asparagus, a natural diuretic). Skip the rice, pasta and potatoes. "When our diet's high in glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance," says Connecticut dermatologist Nicholas Perricone.
7. Wrap It Up
To minimize A.M. frizz, sleep on a satin pillowcase or put your hair in a silk scarf. "Those fabrics are much softer than cotton, so there's less friction," says Harry Josh, a John Frieda stylist.
8. Find Your Inner Ballerina
Pile hair into a twist on the top of your head (use a scrunchie to avoid crimping). "In the morning you'll have major volume and beautiful waves," Josh says.
9. Turn on the Hair Conditioning
Sleep with a moisturizing treatment in damp hair overnight. We like Philip B. Katira Hair Masque, but any rich conditioner will do. Rinse in the morning.
Try: Philip B. Katira Hair Masque, $40; philipb.com.
10. Pop a Rooster Pill
Trust us, we were skeptical. But after swallowing two Wake Up on Time pills at 11 P.M., we found it much easier to get out of bed seven hours later. Created by a sleep-deprived single mother, the pills contain an energizing blend of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12 and guarana-seed extract. It's formulated with a coating that releases ingredients into your bloodstream toward the end of your last sleep cycle, so you wake up feeling clear-headed, not fuzzy.
Try: Wake Up On Time, $30/40 tablets; wakeupontime.com.
1. Get an Early Start
Make a habit of washing your face a few hours before bed. If you wait until you're tired, you're more likely to blow it off -- allowing "toxins and dirt to stay on there all night," says dermatologist Laurie Polis of N.Y.C. Another consequence? You miss the best time to treat your skin. "At night there's more blood flow to the skin's surface, and there's nothing else on your face to interfere with absorption," Polis says.
2. Sleep on Your Back
Note to Audrey Hepburn fans: Lying on your stomach is bad for "beauty sleep." The average head weighs 7 to 8 pounds -- a lot of pressure to be putting on your face every night. In fact, many dermatologists say they can tell what side of the face people sleep on by the number of wrinkles there.
3. Get a Lift
Sleep with your head elevated on two pillows, or put the headrest area of your bed on 2- to 4-inch pieces of wood. Gravity helps lymph and blood flow so fluid won't accumulate, Polis says.
4. Save Money, Not Wrinkles
At night you don't need to worry about eye treatments smearing your makeup, so slather on the richest formula you can. Polis swears by Aquaphor: "It conditions lashes and hydrates the delicate eye skin really well."
5. Sneak a Glow
Mix a drop of self-tanner into your night cream or use a cream that contains a bit of tan-producing DHA.
Try: Clarins Radiance-Plus self-tanning cream, $52; clarinsusa.com.
6. Avoid Carb Face
To wake with defined cheekbones, eat a high-protein, low-sugar dinner (try salmon and asparagus, a natural diuretic). Skip the rice, pasta and potatoes. "When our diet's high in glycemic carbohydrates, our features take on a soft, doughy appearance," says Connecticut dermatologist Nicholas Perricone.
7. Wrap It Up
To minimize A.M. frizz, sleep on a satin pillowcase or put your hair in a silk scarf. "Those fabrics are much softer than cotton, so there's less friction," says Harry Josh, a John Frieda stylist.
8. Find Your Inner Ballerina
Pile hair into a twist on the top of your head (use a scrunchie to avoid crimping). "In the morning you'll have major volume and beautiful waves," Josh says.
9. Turn on the Hair Conditioning
Sleep with a moisturizing treatment in damp hair overnight. We like Philip B. Katira Hair Masque, but any rich conditioner will do. Rinse in the morning.
Try: Philip B. Katira Hair Masque, $40; philipb.com.
10. Pop a Rooster Pill
Trust us, we were skeptical. But after swallowing two Wake Up on Time pills at 11 P.M., we found it much easier to get out of bed seven hours later. Created by a sleep-deprived single mother, the pills contain an energizing blend of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B6 and B12 and guarana-seed extract. It's formulated with a coating that releases ingredients into your bloodstream toward the end of your last sleep cycle, so you wake up feeling clear-headed, not fuzzy.
Try: Wake Up On Time, $30/40 tablets; wakeupontime.com.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Everything I Never Needed to Know About My Birth Day
Your date of conception was on or about 1 May 1932 which was a Sunday.
You were born on a Sunday under the astrological sign Aquarius.
The year 1933 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/6/1932 and ending 1/25/1933.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Monkey.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 16 April 1933.
Your lucky day is Saturday.
Your lucky number is 4 and 8.
Your ruling planet(s) is Saturn and Uranus..
Your birth flower is CARNATION
Your birthstone is Garnet
The Mystical properties of Garnet
Garnet is used as a power stone
Your birth tree is Elm Tree, the noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.
The moon's phase on the day you were born was waning crescent.
Sunday, January 22, 1933
Moon's age (days): 25
You were born on a Sunday under the astrological sign Aquarius.
The year 1933 was not a leap year.
Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/6/1932 and ending 1/25/1933.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Monkey.
The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 16 April 1933.
Your lucky day is Saturday.
Your lucky number is 4 and 8.
Your ruling planet(s) is Saturn and Uranus..
Your birth flower is CARNATION
Your birthstone is Garnet
The Mystical properties of Garnet
Garnet is used as a power stone
Your birth tree is Elm Tree, the noble-mindedness
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, tends to a know-all-attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.
The moon's phase on the day you were born was waning crescent.
Sunday, January 22, 1933
Moon's age (days): 25
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Anderson Family August 1967
He passed away while fishing his favorite fishing place on the Lamar River near Silver Gate, Montana. Linda had just turned 5 and Jimmy 1 in June.
You can see my brother Dick and Mary and Roddy on the left. Then Carole and Len, then Marilyn and Arky (holding Randy) and their children Sherry, Debby, Laurie and Bobby, Jeanne and Stan with Carole, Steven and Doug, then Richard and I with Jimmy and Linda (Maria and John were home with Richard's mother) and then my brother David and Dorothy. In the front row are Dick's girls Kathy and Cheri and Jeanne's boys David and Brian. Where is Stephanie, Carole's daughter? The baby must be Carole's Eric?
I flew up with Linda and Jimmy. Richard flew up just for the funeral and went right back. I stayed longer and helped Mom with some things. It was hard on Maria with us being gone so long and Richard being at work most of the time.
The Day After Christmas 2010
In Church on Sunday, Mandy, one of our vacationing regulars from Reno (they have a second home in LACC) told about her six year old boy declaring "That's not true!" when I spoke at the November Fast Meeting and told the story of a tender mercy of the Lord in my college days. (Refer to "An Answer to Prayer in the Mountains" in 'The Montana Years').
She went on to say how they used it for a 'teaching moment' and gave a very good talk about the importance of these teaching moments with our children. She also said that every once in awhile he will now say, "Remember that lady who Heavenly Father helped up the slippery hill?"
When her husband Andrew spoke, he also talked to the son in the audience about when the son's prayer was answered as well. They both gave very touching talks. Their families on both sides had been at their Lake Almanor vacation homes for Christmas and they were able to have their eight year old daughter baptized on Christmas Day in our Chapel. That will be a nice memory for all of them.
Afterward I said to Mandy that I hoped she had convinced her son I was not a liar. I then reminded her that I had commented before I spoke that for some reason I felt I needed to tell that story that day. She said, "It was for us, it was for us." She also said that for some reason he was listening very attentively to everything I said and that was most unusual for him. However, she was very embarrassed when he blurted that out quite loudly and was trying to cover his mouth.
When he told her later in their "teaching moment" that it couldn't be true because he had prayed to Heavenly Father and He didn't do what he wanted. Then they went over many times in their life when prayers had been answered. They referred to the day in February when the father, the daughter and he had been stranded out on the dark mountain when their snowmobile had run out of gas. They had prayed for help and that help had come.
Very lovely family and very interesting talks. We always enjoy having someone besides our few members visit and especially when they share their lives with us.
Lovely side yard in the snow.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas in Lake Almanor 2010
This was our Christmas Family this year. Matt, Mitch and Me plus Bruce and Bandido. It is only the second time in the 11 years I have been here that I have been home for Christmas.
However, we had the traditional Hardy Christmas. Christmas Eve dinner followed by our Christmas program--minus the Nativity Scene but we looked at the pictures of Christmas in Rancho Bernardo in about 1991 when all the grandchildren were dressed as shepherds or angels and Kristi was Mary, Mike was Joseph and Meagan was an Angel.
We then opened Christmas presents. There were not too many and we did not have the traditional White Elephant. I was touched that the boys gave me a beautiful card and that lovely red Christmas throw on my lap plus a darling glass house to hide secret things in (like hershey kisses).
As usual when Bruce is here, Bandido was very serene but he slept mostly in Matt's room. Bandido always did like men better than women. What is that about?
The boys each had a couch and I had my rocking chair. Very comfy. You can see the cute house on the Christmas table.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Salami and Pepperoni--What is the Difference?
Christmas always reminds me of salami and I like it with french bread and butter, and sometimes cheese or a top a ritz cracker. It was something I remember eating as a child with hot chocolate.
So today I was wondering what was the difference between salami and pepperoni--because pepperoni is something I could do without. Here is the answer.
Pepperoni is a corruption of 'peperoni', the Italian plural of peperone, referring to the bell pepper in it.
It is a spicy Italian-American variety of dry salami made of beef, pork and often veal. Pepperoni is a descendant of the spicy salamis of Southern Italy, such as salsiccia Napoletana piccante, a spicy dry sausage from Naples. Pepperoni is frequently used as a pizza topping in American-style pizzerias.
A 'Salame' (plural: Salami) is any cured (fermented, salted and air-dried) sausage made in the Italian tradition. The name comes from the Italian verb 'salare', meaning to salt.
Further, pepperoni is for pizza and salami is for sandwiches. Since I never had pizza until I was about 24, it is understandable why I love the salami of my childhood more.
So today I was wondering what was the difference between salami and pepperoni--because pepperoni is something I could do without. Here is the answer.
Pepperoni is a corruption of 'peperoni', the Italian plural of peperone, referring to the bell pepper in it.
It is a spicy Italian-American variety of dry salami made of beef, pork and often veal. Pepperoni is a descendant of the spicy salamis of Southern Italy, such as salsiccia Napoletana piccante, a spicy dry sausage from Naples. Pepperoni is frequently used as a pizza topping in American-style pizzerias.
A 'Salame' (plural: Salami) is any cured (fermented, salted and air-dried) sausage made in the Italian tradition. The name comes from the Italian verb 'salare', meaning to salt.
Further, pepperoni is for pizza and salami is for sandwiches. Since I never had pizza until I was about 24, it is understandable why I love the salami of my childhood more.
Jimmy and Cool Dog
Aspiring Dancer and Model
Lea poses with a mouse as she prepares to dance in "Nutcracker Suite"
I love that Lea loves her dancing.
Kelsi always has a model pose.
I think she is extemely photogenic.
Yes, I think Kelsi has a career as a model.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
It is a Big NO!
You can't make the traditional Christmas Cookies with gluten free flour. It is the texture. They puff up and lose their shape and they become very fragile when cool. Ok for eating with milk, the taste is good but just not the same. Same as I found with my favorite cookie recipe. Anyway I found a can of frosting I bought at the Dollar Store and frosted the blobs. No use spending a lot of time decorating these strange things. Do taste good though.
I will just have to wait for good cookies until I get to San Diego and can buy some of the Betty Crocker special Gluten Free mixes. They are really good but they are not sold up here. I am lucky I can get the UDI's bread and chocolate muffins.
The gluten free spaghetti is very good, I make up a big batch and keep in the fridge. The bread is good. The bread mixes are good. Someday I will try the pumpkin bread but not this year. I am through with baking for 2010. So another year without the traditional frosted Christmas Cookie that started when I was in college and lasted for 50 plus years. I guess I have eaten enough.
I will just have to wait for good cookies until I get to San Diego and can buy some of the Betty Crocker special Gluten Free mixes. They are really good but they are not sold up here. I am lucky I can get the UDI's bread and chocolate muffins.
The gluten free spaghetti is very good, I make up a big batch and keep in the fridge. The bread is good. The bread mixes are good. Someday I will try the pumpkin bread but not this year. I am through with baking for 2010. So another year without the traditional frosted Christmas Cookie that started when I was in college and lasted for 50 plus years. I guess I have eaten enough.
Angels and Shepherds Amongst Us
Snowed in Till Morning
Tomorrow I will be freed. I finally called a snowplow service. It will be my Christmas present to me and Matt I guess. I don't think he could have cut through the huge berm that has developed the last four days and another three to go!!! I know it doesn't look too formidable from here but it is also very wide and very hard.
I had my nice path all the way out to the street and the second snowplow came by and laid on a huge, hard berm over my path and on top of what was already there. I had to climb up, and over and back again to get the mail. Of course, I fell, but hard snow is softer than concrete! There is just nothing to get hold of to get back up but I made it. That was when I decided to make the call.
It is now snowing hard and heavy again so guess it is good he is not coming till morning.
I had my nice path all the way out to the street and the second snowplow came by and laid on a huge, hard berm over my path and on top of what was already there. I had to climb up, and over and back again to get the mail. Of course, I fell, but hard snow is softer than concrete! There is just nothing to get hold of to get back up but I made it. That was when I decided to make the call.
It is now snowing hard and heavy again so guess it is good he is not coming till morning.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
And Still Learning...
I am continually amazed that I am continually learning new things...or have I just forgotten...
At any rate it was time for my annual physical this week and as I was chatting with my Dr--bingo, I learn something new. I do not have to have Medicare D if I don't want to. Good I will take care of that.
Then I am getting my blood drawn and the technician is telling me about his fire stove. He fills it so full it will burn for eight hours at night!!! The only problem with filling it too full, he said, is that sometimes you burst the welding (that doesn't sound good). Why have I not been filling my stove full? I don't know...
Wow, another scary drop of snow outside. We have had two days of very cold and the snow has been stuck on the big pines--now it has warmed up enough to be snowing all night and some of the trees are dropping their glory in one big plop.
By the way, I did not like the movie, "Going the Distance"--it is just a lot of trashy talk. I do not understand why classy stars allow themselves to act in movies like that. I read it more closely represents true life. Well, all I can say, if true life is having the women talk like that, this country is in even more trouble than I thought, and furthermore I worry about these kind of women being the mothers of the next generation.
I have always heard that men will rise to the standard of the women and this determines the morals of the country. Younger generation women need to, "step a little higher" as my Mom used to say. They don't have to be influenced by whoever they are getting their trashy mouths from...
I liked a movie I saw recently where a detective was having to guard a classy woman and really began to admire her and care for her. His wife realized this especially when he asked his wife why she had to talk like she did (swear words). She said she had always talked like that and he never minded before, why now...
Why now, because he saw how lovely a woman could be, that is why, and he liked it.
At any rate it was time for my annual physical this week and as I was chatting with my Dr--bingo, I learn something new. I do not have to have Medicare D if I don't want to. Good I will take care of that.
Then I am getting my blood drawn and the technician is telling me about his fire stove. He fills it so full it will burn for eight hours at night!!! The only problem with filling it too full, he said, is that sometimes you burst the welding (that doesn't sound good). Why have I not been filling my stove full? I don't know...
Wow, another scary drop of snow outside. We have had two days of very cold and the snow has been stuck on the big pines--now it has warmed up enough to be snowing all night and some of the trees are dropping their glory in one big plop.
By the way, I did not like the movie, "Going the Distance"--it is just a lot of trashy talk. I do not understand why classy stars allow themselves to act in movies like that. I read it more closely represents true life. Well, all I can say, if true life is having the women talk like that, this country is in even more trouble than I thought, and furthermore I worry about these kind of women being the mothers of the next generation.
I have always heard that men will rise to the standard of the women and this determines the morals of the country. Younger generation women need to, "step a little higher" as my Mom used to say. They don't have to be influenced by whoever they are getting their trashy mouths from...
I liked a movie I saw recently where a detective was having to guard a classy woman and really began to admire her and care for her. His wife realized this especially when he asked his wife why she had to talk like she did (swear words). She said she had always talked like that and he never minded before, why now...
Why now, because he saw how lovely a woman could be, that is why, and he liked it.
And What A Busy Week!
First thing this week the power went off. This is what happens especially when we have a minor or major storm. But this time I was ready. Just last week I had plugged in my landline only phone so I could call out when the power went done (I listened to the PG & E man the last time he came out on an outtage).
Also last week I bought a flashlight just like the dishwasher installer had--so when the power went out I had my trusty flashlight and continued on with my life. (It was 6 AM and I was at the computer and it was still black as pitch outside.)
I looked across my back yard and could see the neighbors still had light. I looked down the front street and saw other neighbors still had light. Was this only me? Oh, no, I don't want to go out and flick the fuses, I will wait and see... Sometimes the power bounces right back on, not this time.
I used my flashlight to find a P G & E bill and called them. Oh, no, I was the first to call in. You know what they think, I am some old lady who has blown a fuse and is going to make them run all the way out to my house and turn it on. She took my number and assured me someone would be out soon or they would call when they found out what was wrong.
No one came, no call, however, I was able to go on with my life because I had my flashlight. It is eerily quiet when the power goes out. There is no hum of anything. I kind of liked it. I look outside again--the lights have gone out at the neighbors, it is not just me.
About eight o'clock I empty the garbage and when I come back in--there is a hum, the furnace is on, the computer is on, the lights are on...
I have successfully made it through the first outtage of the winter--and what did I have for breakfast? Peanut butter, of course.
Also last week I bought a flashlight just like the dishwasher installer had--so when the power went out I had my trusty flashlight and continued on with my life. (It was 6 AM and I was at the computer and it was still black as pitch outside.)
I looked across my back yard and could see the neighbors still had light. I looked down the front street and saw other neighbors still had light. Was this only me? Oh, no, I don't want to go out and flick the fuses, I will wait and see... Sometimes the power bounces right back on, not this time.
I used my flashlight to find a P G & E bill and called them. Oh, no, I was the first to call in. You know what they think, I am some old lady who has blown a fuse and is going to make them run all the way out to my house and turn it on. She took my number and assured me someone would be out soon or they would call when they found out what was wrong.
No one came, no call, however, I was able to go on with my life because I had my flashlight. It is eerily quiet when the power goes out. There is no hum of anything. I kind of liked it. I look outside again--the lights have gone out at the neighbors, it is not just me.
About eight o'clock I empty the garbage and when I come back in--there is a hum, the furnace is on, the computer is on, the lights are on...
I have successfully made it through the first outtage of the winter--and what did I have for breakfast? Peanut butter, of course.
Satan's Plan
Busy, busy, busy. This past week I gave the lesson in Relief Society and one point that was made was said so well in this poem and is the story of my life, always something keeping me busy, busy, busy:
SATAN'S MEETING:
Satan called a worldwide convention of demons. In his opening address he said, We can't keep Christians from going to church." We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the
truth. "
"We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior. Once they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken."
"So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ."
"This is what I want you to do," said the devil: "Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds," he answered.
"Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles."
"Keep them from spending time with their children. As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!"
"Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice."
"Entice them to play the radio, CD or I-Pods or cassette player whenever they drive; to keep the TV, VCR, DVD's and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly."
"This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ. Fill the coffee tables with magazines and papers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
"Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services and false hopes."
"Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll become dissatisfied with their wives. "
"Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night. Give them headaches too! If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin to look elsewhere. That will fragment their families quickly!"
"Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas. Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about his resurrection and power over sin and death."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
"Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God's creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and movies instead."
"Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
"Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus."
"Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause."
"It will work! It will work!"
It was quite a plan!
The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there, having little time for their God or their families, having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has Satan been successful in his schemes?
You be the judge""!
Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
Thursday, December 09, 2010
My FedEx Man
I have my FedEx Man well-trained. For some reason I have had some very heavy packages of late. I had to buy a new printer and then the paper, etc. And I also bought a mini trampoline so I can get some good exercise no matter what the weather.
Well, the first day he came with a big package he tried to leave it in the garage (nine stairs down) but I caught him and asked him to bring it upstairs and told him I didn't want to have to ask the dishwasher installer to bring it up for me. They actually knew each other and he laughed and he said, "Oh, you could ask him all right."
The next day he brought the trampoline all the way to the top and today he waited for me to answer the door and actually brought the paper inside for me. I almost asked him to snap the trampoline together but I thought that was going a little too far.
It is actually a very simple thing to do and I could put it all together except I do not have enough muscle to snap that first connection together. So frustrating being an old lady.
Well, the first day he came with a big package he tried to leave it in the garage (nine stairs down) but I caught him and asked him to bring it upstairs and told him I didn't want to have to ask the dishwasher installer to bring it up for me. They actually knew each other and he laughed and he said, "Oh, you could ask him all right."
The next day he brought the trampoline all the way to the top and today he waited for me to answer the door and actually brought the paper inside for me. I almost asked him to snap the trampoline together but I thought that was going a little too far.
It is actually a very simple thing to do and I could put it all together except I do not have enough muscle to snap that first connection together. So frustrating being an old lady.
Enjoying My Newest Treat
In trying to listen to my body and eat what my body wants instead of some sweet craving, I have come upon a new delight. It is frozen grapes.
The store clerk told me about it when I bought red grapes at Thanksgiving, so I put individual red grapes in a little tupper wear and froze them. Yummy. This week I didn't like the look of the red grapes so I bought the green and yes, they are very yummy, too. Actually they are both better frozen than regular.
Once when I was taking an Insurance Exam the gal next to me had a bunch of grapes. She said she always takes them to tests because they keep you alert, good brain food! And ...I note on the Chart Les sent me it does say they enhance your blood flow, same thing, right?
This morning I had a terrible stomach ache (had some sausage last night, not good) but I was craving cabbage which I thought might make it worse but actually I felt so much better and the plus side is it promotes weight loss as well as prevents constipation.
I have also been craving onions and eating them at supper each night and guess what they reduce risk of heart attack and lower cholesterol!! I think this Chart Les sent is very informational!
Also my cherries before bed each night has me sleeping like a baby and the plus side is they shield against Alzheimers and slow aging process, just what I need.
Also I craved broccoli today and guess what... it controls your blood pressure, just what I need as well. Also been craving apricots and walnuts--apricots controls blood pressure, shields against Alzheimers, slows aging process and etc. and walnuts boost memory and lifts mood as well as lowering cholesterol and rotecting against heart disease.
I love this Chart and I like listening to my body. Cravings for goodies are getting few and far between!!
I would put the chart in here but it doesn't maintain the formatting so too hard to read. I will just have to keep it on my fridge.
Haven't found a veggie or fruit for a strained back though...
The store clerk told me about it when I bought red grapes at Thanksgiving, so I put individual red grapes in a little tupper wear and froze them. Yummy. This week I didn't like the look of the red grapes so I bought the green and yes, they are very yummy, too. Actually they are both better frozen than regular.
Once when I was taking an Insurance Exam the gal next to me had a bunch of grapes. She said she always takes them to tests because they keep you alert, good brain food! And ...I note on the Chart Les sent me it does say they enhance your blood flow, same thing, right?
This morning I had a terrible stomach ache (had some sausage last night, not good) but I was craving cabbage which I thought might make it worse but actually I felt so much better and the plus side is it promotes weight loss as well as prevents constipation.
I have also been craving onions and eating them at supper each night and guess what they reduce risk of heart attack and lower cholesterol!! I think this Chart Les sent is very informational!
Also my cherries before bed each night has me sleeping like a baby and the plus side is they shield against Alzheimers and slow aging process, just what I need.
Also I craved broccoli today and guess what... it controls your blood pressure, just what I need as well. Also been craving apricots and walnuts--apricots controls blood pressure, shields against Alzheimers, slows aging process and etc. and walnuts boost memory and lifts mood as well as lowering cholesterol and rotecting against heart disease.
I love this Chart and I like listening to my body. Cravings for goodies are getting few and far between!!
I would put the chart in here but it doesn't maintain the formatting so too hard to read. I will just have to keep it on my fridge.
Haven't found a veggie or fruit for a strained back though...
The State of our Schools in 2010
I want a record of the state of things in our schools in America in 2010 and so I am putting this in my blog. When I was a student we pledged allegiance to the American Flag every morning. Prayers were allowed. We had many races, many religions and we all got along just fine. Outrageous students were sent to the principal for discipline. There was decorum in our dress. Teachers were respected and expected to be obeyed. Values and morals were taught from the lips of teachers. Religious songs were sung on appropriate holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah.
THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A 15 YEAR OLD STUDENT IN ARIZONA
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Ice Skating, Then and Now
The small community near me is flooding the baseball field this year to have an ice skating rink. This was done in the little town I lived in every year. So what is different now?
30-40s Free, anytime you wanted to skate--no supervisors, just come and skate--City Recreation Department was funded by our taxes, I assume
2010 $5 or $10 Family, 4 to 8 PM every day (Fundraiser for Recreation and Park District)
30-40s No snack bar--we brought our own snacks.
2010 Snack Bar operated for Fundraiser
30-40s No rules that I know of...
2010 Must sign a release of liability and must wear a helmet if under 18
30-40s City Equipment kept the ice cleared of snow
2010 Volunteers needed to prep the ice at noon
30-40s No adult supervision
2010 Need volunteers to staff from 4-8 pm
30-40s Shed with big pot stove and plenty of wood and benches to sit by the fire and warm up
(No adult supervisors and the place never burned down, no one was ever burned that I know)
2010 Go sit in your car and warm up, I guess
30-40s We all managed to have our own skates--a lot were just strapped on to the shoes or galoshes
2010 Asking for new and used skates to be donated
Yes, it was a different world in the 40's. Kids were expected to take care of themselves and use some common sense and respect the property. The community provided all kinds of recreational activity and nobody sued or expected someone to nurse them if they got hurt.
Of course, I was just a kid then, but I know it was a huge field and the boys could play their hockey and the girls still had plenty of room to skate and we somehow all got along fine without skating in a circle around the rink with everybody going the same direction.
Lighting, I think there were some light posts around, but it could be pretty dark in some areas. How late did we skate? Well, this was Montana and it was a lot colder than here so we went in and warmed ourselves when needed and went home when it was too cold or we were too tired to go longer. If we'd had to pay every day, none of us could have skated.
30-40s Free, anytime you wanted to skate--no supervisors, just come and skate--City Recreation Department was funded by our taxes, I assume
2010 $5 or $10 Family, 4 to 8 PM every day (Fundraiser for Recreation and Park District)
30-40s No snack bar--we brought our own snacks.
2010 Snack Bar operated for Fundraiser
30-40s No rules that I know of...
2010 Must sign a release of liability and must wear a helmet if under 18
30-40s City Equipment kept the ice cleared of snow
2010 Volunteers needed to prep the ice at noon
30-40s No adult supervision
2010 Need volunteers to staff from 4-8 pm
30-40s Shed with big pot stove and plenty of wood and benches to sit by the fire and warm up
(No adult supervisors and the place never burned down, no one was ever burned that I know)
2010 Go sit in your car and warm up, I guess
30-40s We all managed to have our own skates--a lot were just strapped on to the shoes or galoshes
2010 Asking for new and used skates to be donated
Yes, it was a different world in the 40's. Kids were expected to take care of themselves and use some common sense and respect the property. The community provided all kinds of recreational activity and nobody sued or expected someone to nurse them if they got hurt.
Of course, I was just a kid then, but I know it was a huge field and the boys could play their hockey and the girls still had plenty of room to skate and we somehow all got along fine without skating in a circle around the rink with everybody going the same direction.
Lighting, I think there were some light posts around, but it could be pretty dark in some areas. How late did we skate? Well, this was Montana and it was a lot colder than here so we went in and warmed ourselves when needed and went home when it was too cold or we were too tired to go longer. If we'd had to pay every day, none of us could have skated.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Introvert or Extrovert?
BYU has an interesting program called "Generations Project". In it one person is highlighted with investigative help and trips to trace their ancestory. Today the lady was a college professor who had had cancer and now had diabetes and was needing to change her lifestyle to a more healthy regime. She had heard stories about her great grandmother who had come from Ireland when she was 19 and had a very prolific life in America. Her grandchildren remembered the days visiting at her home in Camden, New Jersey as some of their best and had great admiration for her.
This professor wanted to find out what her great grandmother was like and where she got this inner strength that she was reported to have. She felt she needed the inspiration to have the strength to change her life as was needed.
This professor felt somewhat guilty about the fact that she always had people around her helping her with her projects and she helped them in return. She did not do things on her own very well. She always seemed to need that companionship to succeed at anything.
When she traveled to Ireland she learned about the way they lived in the 1800's, very much as a community helping one another. Her ancestors were poor and had a small home with two bedrooms and maybe four to five or more to a bed. She learned about the potato famine in Ireland when the potatos were rotten in the ground. She learned about the peat made from the soil that was used as firewood and how the women had to work along side the men. She learned about her great grandmother who had help from the community in getting her out of Ireland and to "America" in 1892 because she was hungry, yes, physically hungry. And how she had help from others as soon as she arrived.
She came to learn that she didn't need to feel guilty about wanting her 'community' around her in whatever she did, this was to her a genetic 'footprint'.
The statement that interested me is the fact that 'introverts' are those who gain their energy from being alone, and 'extroverts' gain their energy when they are surrounded by others.
And you know what they say about Swedes--"two's a crowd." So I guess that is my genetic 'footprint' as I am definitely an introvert. Picture on left, in Stockholm, Sweden, visiting my heritage with Linda and Maria.
Oh, yes, and Ireland was so beautiful, what a great place to take a trip.
This professor wanted to find out what her great grandmother was like and where she got this inner strength that she was reported to have. She felt she needed the inspiration to have the strength to change her life as was needed.
This professor felt somewhat guilty about the fact that she always had people around her helping her with her projects and she helped them in return. She did not do things on her own very well. She always seemed to need that companionship to succeed at anything.
When she traveled to Ireland she learned about the way they lived in the 1800's, very much as a community helping one another. Her ancestors were poor and had a small home with two bedrooms and maybe four to five or more to a bed. She learned about the potato famine in Ireland when the potatos were rotten in the ground. She learned about the peat made from the soil that was used as firewood and how the women had to work along side the men. She learned about her great grandmother who had help from the community in getting her out of Ireland and to "America" in 1892 because she was hungry, yes, physically hungry. And how she had help from others as soon as she arrived.
She came to learn that she didn't need to feel guilty about wanting her 'community' around her in whatever she did, this was to her a genetic 'footprint'.
The statement that interested me is the fact that 'introverts' are those who gain their energy from being alone, and 'extroverts' gain their energy when they are surrounded by others.
Her Irish heritage was one of being with a group, a community, having others around her--she no longer feels guilty about asking a friend to come and exercise with her.
Oh, yes, and Ireland was so beautiful, what a great place to take a trip.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Thanksgiving Weekend 2010
Maria and Johnny arrived in the late evening and it was fun talking with them. Mike and Matt came up later and settled in. The next morning Matt and Johnny worked on my garage door, the snowplowing, and Mike drove down for Mitch and Melissa. Matt and Mike also did the neighbors's driveway so Amerigas could put in a new propane tank for me.
We ate around 1 and Johnny cut the turkey, Maria made the sweet potatoes, creamed corn, and mashed the potatoes. Mike had baked his cheesecake the night before and made his favorite green bean dish. Melissa brought her special pecan pie. It was all delicious. I had made rolls, and the stuffing, the cranberry salad, waldorf salad, baked the turkey and made lots of gravy. The cream corn and cranberry salad were the first gone--need more of those next year and we all loved the cheesecake and pecan pie. Great meal with everyone's help.
That evening we watched "Immortal Beloved", the story of Beethoven (great movie and glorious music). We also played a fun guessing who game. Then Mitch entertained us with his guitar, harmonica, and voice, and Melissa added her accents on the organ. It was very fun.
Saturday morning Mitch and Matt loaded the wood and put all cut wood in the shed, and we went to lunch in Susanville at the Pizza Factory and met Dixie and Mike Valko there. The drive down was gorgeous as it was snowing again and staying on the trees. Johnny picked up needs to fix the broken garage door and fixed it beautifully when we went home. He also put down the cherry wood strip from the hall to the bathroom and that looks great. He further checked out my broken dishwasher and decided I may as well buy a new one as try and fix it. It was 23 years old! All in all it was a very productive weekend for me with the help of Johhny and the boys.
Matt, Melissa and Mitch stayed at their Dad's and Sunday morning Mike, Maria and Johnny left for San Diego and Bandido and I slept until 1 PM!!! Great weekend, love my family and enjoyed getting acquainted with Johnny.
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