What are yours?

We all have talents we are given. We are all special in our own way. One friend I have has a sparkling personality and a smile that will make you forget all your worries and just make you feel better. Another has a talent for small children. It's great to watch their eyes twinkle as she tells them magical stories. Another friend is a great seamstress creating many truly cute outfits for herself and her family. Yet another friend has a flair for decorating. Much of the time I see that we look at everyone else's talents and never look twice about our own.

Sooooo...tell me....what are your talents? Mine is most likely my sense of humor. In my family we choose to either laugh or cry at the hardest moments in our lives...I choose to laugh...it burns more calories don't you know?! I also juggle...no I literally juggle with balls. I am not a master by any means, but I can keep three balls up in the air for a little bit.

Now, it is your turn. What are your talents? Unusual or what the world calls normal. Share with us!!! Oh and by the way...that baby is made out of marzipan. I know, my jaw dropped as well!!!

From the receiver...

I was reading one of my "favorite" bloggers and she mentioned about following promptings if they be good. We have done a lot of following promptings around these days and I see the good it does. However, I also would like to share a story of my own receiving. When my children were little itty bitties we had a tough time with money. After paying all bills for some time we were able to spend $25 a week on groceries. Believe it or not I did fairly well. I was workin' the coupons and sales like none other and kept my kids fed, diapered and happy...Oh and all three were in diapers at the same time!!! GASP!!! I know...That nearly killed me. Anyway, back to the point. I hit one of those days where nothing was working. The sales items didn't work for me. I had no idea just what I was going to do. I prayed so wholeheartedly I could feel it in my toes. I poured out my stress to Heavenly Father and He listened...He always does. He listened to me name off about 15 different and REALLY random items I could use to make it through the week. It wasn't anything fancy, but it would blend well with my other items I managed to get from the store. Somewhere, someone was listening as well. When Heavenly Father whispered my list into their ear and told them where to drop it off...they listened. Not 24 hours after my prayer I opened the front door to find two bags filled with every item on my list. Somewhere, someone listened. Somewhere, someone thought they were being incredibly random...What they didn't know is not only did they provide me with the food to feed my children, but a lesson I will carry in my heart always. To all who are on the receiving end...never forget those blessings. And to those who carry out random acts of kindness and follow those sweet promptings from a receiver...thank you.

Beware of Swamp Thing!!!

Do you know what happens when you decide to sell your property? Everything starts falling apart. Seriously I am not kidding. First, we discovered a leak in the bathroom that needed all the tiles removed and new pipes and fittings put in. It turned into a major project, but ti got done. our neighbor is a fabulous handyman that was able to "recycle" our tiles and not have money come out of our pockets that didn't need to come out. We had to repaint the master bathroom as it was flaking a reddish purple paint. After headaches and actual sickness smelling the primer it was finished and again we were set and everything was happy again. So, what could go wrong?

GRRRRRIND!!! SNAAAPPPPP!!!! GURGLE GURGLE!!!!! BLUCK!!!!!
Yup, the pool pump went out on us. Did you know it was a state law that the pump must be working in order to sell the store?Oh yes, it is true. Bummer!!!! We talked to our fabulous, never fail, pool guru. This man has a passion for pools and besides he has a great sense of humor. So, I called him and he handed me the bad news. Another state law determined that we needed to install a newer pump that was energy efficient....$2000 is the price tag!!!! Huh What?!?!?!?! Actually, he managed to find a loophole in the law that he could order a pump that was manufactured after a certain date. He found one!!! yay for the pool guru!!!! So he ordered it and we waited. We waited......and waited....and waited. Three weeks later I get in touch with the all knowing guru who tells me that he is waiting on a bracket to install the pump. It should be here any time. Do you know what happens to a pool after three weeks? I didn't know either...until now.

Yup!!! This is my pool...It is actually a beautiful green that even Swamp Thing would approve of. While talking to the guru I mentioned there was a lot of algae. I mentioned I could actually walk on water. He didn't believe me...until he showed up today. He laughed as he walked into the store holding a can of a new product called "Green to Clean" and he figured this would be a great test. We had a good laugh as he threw a dump truck of chemicals to help battle the algae. it will clear up and once the bracket is in we will get our pool back to the crystal clear Tahoe Blue waters I love. Until then, if you see Swamp Thing tell him I have a temporary home for him to hang out in!!!

****In a surprise note---though we don't expect the algae to completely dissipate without the pump in place I do have to admit this morning there was a significant drop in the murky look and algae. We shall see how it looks tomorrow.

A look back...

As I was wandering on Facebook...I love being in touch with everyone again...Junior High classmates, Elementary schoolmates and even some high school friends that are still wandering around here. my niece posted some pictures from her graduation cruise. I went as a "chaperone" if that's what you want to call it, but we had a blast. I was so excited to see a beauty that most people don't see or don't appreciate about Mexico. After swimming with dolphins my niece and I came back on the bus when we were greeted by my sister-in-law who had set us up to go horseback riding in the back mountains of Puerto Vallarta...I thought it was all beach!!! You learn something new everyday. Unfortunately, we had to leave right then and there at the dock without getting a chance to even change our clothes. Fabulous!!!

So as you can tell Nicole and I happen to be the only ones wearing "flip flops" while riding...something I normally would never do. It was such a fun ride with the girls. While riding we saw some of the people that live among the wild mango trees in very meager circumstances, but the smiles that greeted us from the children were amazingly beautiful.

They were truly happy which reminds me always that it is not the house you live in, it is not the clothes you wear or even the car you drive that makes you happy. It is the pure and simple beauty of your heart and the goodness you bring to your life yourself.

It was a lesson I will hold in my heart forever.

BLINK!!!!!

Let me give you some advice...Don't Blink!!!

Don't get so involved in your life that your kids go from this:

To This!!!

Corinna is headed to high school for some brand new adventures and started getting a little bit of school spirit in her last night. Of course being graduates from her crosstown rival we took the time to tease her to the utmost of our ability. It is only fair!!! Bryan is moving onto 8th grade and Molly will be starting 7th. Where did the time go?!

Easy Tag

I Was tagged by Freyja.

The Rules

1 Go to my documents/pictures.

2 Go to the 6th file folder.

3 Go to my sixth picture.

4 Blog about it

5 Tag six people to do the same.

Before looking at the picture....

I am scared to death not knowing what you will find hiding in the depths of my pictures...be forewarned...it could be bad!!!

And now the unveiling:

Oh thank heavens!!!! 3 of my favorite cute kiddos!!!!! We had a New Year's Eve party where we invited the entire family. As you can see we had some young partiers who celebrated Eastern Standard Time's New Year arrival before heading home. Some made it the entire night until Pacific Standard Time. It was an awesome night of food, friends...and of course my favorite 80's music!!!!

So here goes my tags!!!!

Miss Jan at Crazy Lady on Road 80

Miss Jen at Time Out For Me

Miss Emma--- My fave gal!

Miss Laura at Riddles & Poems

Miss Lora at her family blog

and last but most certainly not least

Mis Jennie from the Silcox Stories

Good Gracious Good Morning...

It's no secret I had absolutely no sleep the night before...well 75 minutes if you want to get "technical", but whatever. So, I did fairly well, but I was also completely under the weather as well. So, I went to sleep fairly easily last night after watching a Duran Duran concert on VH-1... You gotta love that channel! We were sleeping fine until the alarm at the store screamed everyone to wake up at 3AM!!! No, it really was 3AM.folks. The motion detector went off which means the little critters were roaming the halls. Fabulous!!! Just what I wanted to think about. Needless to say we searched the property and there was nothing seen. We then went back home and dove under the covers. I slept and slept and slept...I ignored my dear little Blackberry when it told me it was time to rise and shine...I left it in my jacket pocket! Fabulous!!! Now normally, I wake up at 6am and then start the kids waking up at 6:30. Nope! Today I slept until 7:37am when my oldest told me I had overslept. I asked her to wake everyone and then I jumped into the shower. now, you would figure I woke up 1 hour and 37 minutes late we would be in trouble. It is in these times you find out how good you've done as a mother. I got out of the shower, dressed, make-up, hair done within about 15 minutes total. After slipping into my shoes I set about making lunch where Molly had kicked into play. Corinna and Bryan took care of everything else. Molly was working the lunch bag...without being asked...while I slapped together some good ol' PB&J's. Lunches made and everyone was ready...We left 10 minutes late folks. After all that only ten minutes later than our normal time. Oh and they weren't late to school either!!! My kids ROCK!!!!!

So...I was Sitting Here Minding My Own Business...

No, I am deeply sorry, but Blake did not walk in. We would ahve a great time messing with him if he did!!! Anyway, back tot he story. A young woman walked in with posters and honestly I thought she was in high school. Well, come to find out she works for the Oakland Oracle which sits next to the Coloseum where the Oakland A's play baseball. She asks if we can put a poster up for a concert. I agree as it is Blake Shelton and I love his music. Before I can get my hand son the posters to put up She also hands me a small envelope with 4 free tickets to say thank you for displaying it...I would've done it for free...Last time I met him he gave me a hug and said: "Hello darlin'. I'm glad you came today. I hope you enjoy the show." HELLO!!!! I jsut got a hug from Blake Shelton. You bet I'm gonna enjoy the show. And now I get to enjoy him again!!! Life is good!!! All this for just showing up to work!!!

Stop...Hammer Time....Oh get me outta here!!!

Wow!!! Is it enough to live in the same small town as the man?!?! Now we are going to have people following him around for his own TV series?! Are you kidding me?! What will the world come up with next?! Yes, Stanley Burrell,aka MC Hammer, lives here in little ol' Tracy, California, home of the Dry Bean Festival. So, they are going to follow him to Home Depot..yes he frequents there and is a decent do-it-yourselfer. They will more than likely follow him to his kids' little league games and even frequent the movie theater. Fabulous!!! Maybe they'll skip over our small town and just follow him as he commutes to the Bay Area, Oakland to be exact, working as a minister. Seriously, what happened to sit-coms. I loved them. Give me a Cosby Show, Home Improvement, Growing Pains or even Family Matters!!! Give me a bad situation that is dealt with in humor and love and the world's problems are solved in 30 minutes...I'm good!! So, everyone...enjoy hammertime. If you see a woman darting behind the stacks of lumber hiding from the cameras...it's me!!!

So Close...Yet So Far Away!!!

I've always been know for being a little off kilter. Never go for the norm. I mean really, why watch basketball when you can watch a sport of endurance, strength and the will to win?! Seriously!!! A couple years a go the Amgen Tour of California came through our area and I was able to take pictures of Levi Leipenheimer the follower of Lance Armstrong and the eventual winner of the tour. Some of you are saying...Levi Leipen who?!?!?! I understand really I do. Just like you would get that confused look when I tell you my favorite footballer is Wayne Rooney...thing soccer in the UK. Anyway, not even a mile down the road from our store the one and only man to ever win 7 Tour De France titles has just biked by...and I missed it!!!! Bummer!!! I just love the heart and soul he puts into his sport. Ya gotta love it. So good luck Lance and bike by anytime...just come a little closer so I can take a picture next time!!!!

What did you do for Valentine's day?!

So, what did you do for Valentine's Day? I worked. Yup!!! There's nothing like working on Valentine's Day with your hubby to make you feel romantic!!! He did sneak away and bring me a treat back which I loved...they match my computer. I love to be color coordinated!!!! Anyway, we had plans with friends for some cards/games...this time not trying to kill any member of the stake presidency. However, their little girl wasn't feeling her best so we bowed out which was great because I felt neither charming nor funloving tonight anyway. So, what to do? Well, what does any couple do? we went and got gas...NO!!!! Not at a restaurant, but we actually needed gas for the truck. So, we filled her up and then we ran by Wal-mart...THE most romantic spot for Valentine's Day don't you think? Anyway, I needed some straight pins.

Corinna finished her "modest" skirt for a personal progress project. Isn't it cute?!?!?!?

Then we had some free time so I made one really quick for Molly. I love how simple this one was. And it actually look decent!!! I almost had tears in my eyes. We had it done in 20 minutes!!! I am not kidding you either. We had "the fabulous" Liz tell me exactly how to make it and it was so simple that I am looking forward to my next one and I may even dare to make something for myself. we shall see what happens on that. I may throw one out for Corinna. Shhh...don't tell her!!!! And since we had so much time leftover it's always fun to let Molly ham it up a bit. Go girl!!!!

WARNING>>>Stake Activity Ahead!!!!

Ok! I'm not sure how it is in your stake, but in ours very few people have been attending stake activities. Our bishop "encouraged" us to attend stake activities so one approached that I had no clue on. A friend mentioned it to us and asked if we wanted to join. Eh! Why not! So off we carted ourselves laughing along the highway to the stake center laughing along the way. We get there and we find our table. Relaxing a bit we play a few games eat some pizza which I promptly choke on. So much for being cool. Oh well?! After we finsih our first games someone who shall remain nameless introduces a game that is a different version of musical chairs. It's called "Do you love your neighbor?" At some point it got funny and with the various "characters" there it made it more hysterical. Once a subject is called, all that it applies to has to race around trying to find another open seat. The game was going well and I sat thinking that choking was pretty much the worst thing that could happen to me that night. No, I did not require an ambulance, although I AM sore from darting around. The part where I turn bright red is when I nearly took out the stake president to get the seat he and I were heading for. Yup!!! I am due for a lot of trouble during the next temple recommend interview...if I'm not thrown out of church by then.

The moral of the story: "Always follow your bishop's counsel!" ;)

How far would you go...for a friend?

If a friend called in the middle of the night would you listen?....or fall back alseep cradling the phone?

If a friend's car broke down 4 hours away would you drive to pick them up?...Or would you call them a tow truck?

If a friend called right as you were getting ready for bed asking you to run and check on their grown child several hours away would you go? Or would you insist everything would be fine?

If friend asked you to watch over him while he prayed...would you keep a vigilant watch?...or would you fall asleep after a long day?

I Hate Valentine's Day!!!

Now before you all revolt on me, please allow me the moment to explain...

I don't want to have one night of romance a year. I want it 365 days a year, which hubby gladly agrees on. From a kiss on the cheek to danicng in the store with only the sounds of our hearts beating. Ahhhhh!!!! If hubby wants to get me a card he simply does...he doesn't wait for the day. It is the same for Mother's Day for me as well. Treat me with respect all of the time. That's all I ask. Romance 365!!!!

Happy Birthday to You!!! Whoever you are?!?!?!

I had a friend tell me once that everyone always forgot her birthday because it was so close to the holiday so I was so excited that I was going to remember and call her bright and early this morning. There was a skip in my step knowing I was going to cheer this friend who really was in need of a smile. The phone rang...and rang...and rang...then she answered:

Hello?

Hey!!! Happy Birthday To You!!! (Yes, I sung the entire song!!!)

Um...Wow, I don't know what to say?!?!

I just wanted to make sure you started your special day off with some laughter....

She laughed...and laughed...and laughed.

Honestly I didn't think it was truly THAT funny. Oh but wait...it was. you see, her birthday is:

June 28th!!!!!

Yup!!!! I called the wrong friend and I can't remember for the life of me whose birthday it is... So in an effort to finish my embarrassment to the hilt:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ALL...AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!!

Sandpaper....Dog Farts....Camel Snot...

My girls have horrible acne for their age. We have tried everything and hubby kept nagging me..."You should get them Pro-Activ!!" OK! Here is my problem with that. I truly HATE the concept of it and , Oh Yes, I will tell you why. If we were to run out of one product or another we can't simply just walk down tot he store and pick it up....NO!!! You have to order it online or call to order. Do you know what happened?

I caved!!!!

I gave in for one simple reason....If I tried it and saw no results I could claim the victory in the stubborn backbone war. I ordered and strike #1 immediately happened...product was backordered. He was undaunted..."So we plan ahead." Ugh!!! Why does he have to make sense?!

It arrives...strike #2....lack of good instructions. The healthy skin "system" has no clear instructions as to what order you do things and how often you do them.

And so we begin...first concoction feels like you are rubbing sandpaper against your skin....the second...has an odor. It doesn't last long, but the first scent hits you and gives you a wake up call...and the last feels like you are rubbing a fabulous slime all over your face. And now I wait for strike #3

Guess what? The stupid stuff works!!!! I hate to say that. it kills me to no end to say it, but yes, it is true. Ugh!!! I hate to lose...especially to him.

Walk by Faith...Not by Sight...

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a
classroom. The teacher was going to explain
evolution to the children. The teacher asked
a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree
outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass
outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see
if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes
later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see
God because he isn't there. Possibly he just
doesn't exist. A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the
boy some questions.
The teacher agreed and the little girl asked
the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree
outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass
outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the
teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we
were taught today in school, she possibly
may not even have one!
(You Go Girl!)
'FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT'
II CORINTHIANS 5:7

I thought you all could use some plain silliness!!!

Dragging his feet...

His eyes rolled as he sighed, letting me know his displeasure. Slowly he trudged for what looked like a death sentence. Bordering on tears, I drug him along behind me tugging and pulling him the entire way. As we walked through the doors the look in his eyes told the entire story...he heaved in his final breaths on this earth.

I don't know what came over me. I leaned in close to his ear: "It's a fabric store, get over it and be a man!!!"

Yup! I drug my poor hubby and kids to a fabric store. it was all innocent. Honestly it was. Of course as we purchased our goods I swallowed hard knowing the realization was coming....I can't sew!!!! Oh, I can survive on making so strange quilt people often lean their heads to the side and say: "Huh? I never thought anyone could make something look like that!!!" So, here's the deal. If I were to actually not have people looking over my shoulder and I was doing it simply for fun there would be no issues, but when the machine starts rumbling to life everybody and their brother has to watch over my shoulder shouting instructions....how much can an 11 year old know about sewing right?!?!? Well, I managed to get my oldest's skirt mostly done. I will work on the hem tonight and then start on the little one's. I offered one for my son, but he flat out refused a skirt. Whatever?!

I'll try and take pics once it's done.. Wish me luck!!!

Friends and Angels..

It has been a roller coaster of a week here. My emotions have been all over the place. As I struggled to right myself something amazing happened...friends and angels appeared. I have found throughout my life my friends ARE my angels. I've been on Facebook lately and this week I was reunited with not only my best friend from 2nd grade but also my best friends from junior high. It has been interesting getting to glimpse them in their lives now...seeing where we all ended up. Seeing that although we are the same as we always were we have progressed in our lives and thank heavens maturity...only a smidge on my part. After meeting up with them again I also found myself spiraling down dealing with the real world on my shoulders. I dip down into it sometimes and I just need to climb back up. It really is not a big deal...I've been like this all my life.

Yesterday was the worst day of the whole week. I was ready to just close up the store for no reason and go hide under the covers. We've all had those days haven't we? As I was closing up the store...at the appropriate time... a call came at the house. It was hubby's cousin and my friend. We went to high school together and hung out with the same crowd. I noticed on Facebook he was having a tough day and I simply sent him a message to make sure he was all right. I am sure he noticed I wasn't because he called. We talked for a good portion of the time and I felt that small lift I needed to pull up and bring myself back to center. We talked about high school days, our lives in between, our kids, our failures, and our triumphs. I found last night a friend whose halo should be glowing brightly because he was my angel last night. Do you have friends like that? Is there someone who has made a difference in your life lately? or just made you smile?

I hate cats....

No, not regular cats...I am talking about the ones outside howling for some special attention....if you know what I mean.

All night....yes all 8 hours of what was scheduled to be uninterupted beauty sleep turned into a concert of wailing and sounding exactly like a young child.

I heard the noise first when I was a teen and spent a couple hours listening and trying to find the "toddler" that made its way out of bed in the middle of the night and unwaringly out into the street.

While everyone slept I heard the noise outside searched for it. Boy did I feel stupid when I found two furry friends sharing a private moment in the bushes. I got angry and from that moment I voted cats off my favorite list and stuck with my good ol' mangy dumb dogs.

They may bark ALL NIGHT, but they never sound like a baby.

The funny thing was I had this truly grand post about being a "rock." You know, the rock that everyone leans on. I had it all planned out. It was great! Then I accidentally hit the publish key. Honestly, I was going to come back and fix it, but I kept forgetting since I was sucked into Facebook yesterday trying to help those who needed help and reuniting with my best friends from junior high. So the title of the post remained...and yet you answered. I love you all!!! Do you know that? I had a greatly needed laugh and received the support and thought from my friends. Thank you...

Why do I have to be the rock?

Band-Aid

I've often remarked to hubby and others that I am a band-aid at church. It seems to me, and others around me, that I am called to serve with some of the hardest to serve with women. I've felt, since noticing this, that I was put in to fill in until the real person was called to that particular calling. I've felt that way with all my calling with the exception of my current calling. I truly love my Laurels with all my heart. I watch them like a mother bird watches her babies fly for the first time. Yesterday, when one of my Laurels bore her testimony it touched my heart so deeply tears came to my eyes, which is not an easy thing to do. I grew up with 2 brothers...show no weakness, right? I realized at that moment each and every calling whether short or long...was meant for me. I was meant to be in that particular place and that particular time in my life. I felt so dumb thinking I was simply a band-aid. No, I was simply the tool the Lord needed at that time. I am so grateful to be with the girls I am with. I have grown close to them and the day I leave I will leave them with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. I am preparing my "last lecture" for them...gospel related of course. I thought about the professor who had done the same and I want to do the same for them. In a brief half hours time I want to give them an overview of what life really is and how they can be the happiest. It will be the greatest gifts I can give them. I owe them that. They've already given me everything. They taught me who I really am.

Seriously...do I really have THAT many friends?!?!?

So, I am checking in on Facebook this morning and I look at my friends list....107!!! Seriously, 107 people that I am connected with as friends. R U SERIOUS?!?!?! I've never had that many friends.

Let's just add in the groups shall we?

50% are people I know now and we are just trying to keep up with each other's lives

40% are people I knew in high school

5% are people I actually liked in high school

4% are my girls...my laurels!!!

1% are ex-boyfriends in high school....apparently starting some sort of weird club!!!

I am not complaining and I know we are getting older and wiser and such, but could someone please explain to me why a girl I went to school with...yet never spoke to once...would want to add me on as a friend?! And please tell me why an ex-boyfriend would want to add me as well?! Sort of creepy if you ask me, but I know...who's asking?!

Then there is the BIG question....why did I say yes to these people as friends?! Why do we always want to be accepted?! Soooo much to think about today!!!

Which Will I Be?

All week after the delicious treat Brother Davies had delivered to us I thought about the sweet gift. As I watched each bar be handed out among those who were present my mind began to drift into gospel related items. I began to think about Jesus healing the ten lepers only to have one of them return to give thanks. I often wondered...which would I be? The other nine lepers were most certainly grateful for the gift of healing bestowed upon them. I have absolutely no doubt of that. Just as our ward members were all thankful for the treats handed them.

I saw Brother Davies today in the hallway and called out to him so that I could personally say thank you. He smiled and handed me another large bar of Ghiradelli deliciousness.

"This is for saying thank you."

He smiled and walked off down the hallway. I could not feel better for the beautiful smile of this brother or the goodness in his heart, I am truly grateful. I find though, what means more to me than the bar laying in my church bag right now...is that this time...I was the one who returned.