Summer is here!!

Summer arrived and it happened the way it always does.....like that crazy uncle who sits on the porch and drinks home brew, we love him but are always surprised he showed up, and always wonder when he will leave.
Summer in Las Vegas is an event.  We talk about the heat like war veterans......When we meet someone new the question is always the same, "is this your first summer?"  That question is always followed by a chuckle, a knowing chuckle....which always makes me laugh SINCE WE LIVE HERE TOO!!
We wear our survival of the desert like a badge of honor..... as though there should be an accolade for living on the sun.  That might just be stupid. 

And every time we go to California we say the same thing....."why do we live in the desert?"

Summer started last Friday (I don't care what the calendar says it started last Friday) and it will go past Halloween.  Halloween my friends....hot until October 31.....that is followed by 2 full days of fall....then we immediately go into full on winter for about 2 weeks, just enough to freeze your favorite plants.... Then the  wind blows, a lot, it gets nice outside and then cold.  Cool and then cold.....wind blows and all the fruit disappears from your fruit trees....and then of course it rains.  About 4 inches a year....that's a good year.  4 inches which usually comes in a couple of rain showers.  Torrential rain taking cars, asphalt and large boulders along with it, not to mention every vegetable you have planted.

And then nothing......for months.....just blue cloudless skies for months.  We are the unweather land.

You can depend on the weather, unless you plan something outside for which the wind will blow or the rain will fall....just for your afternoon.

Las Vegas is a great place for your crazy uncle to sit on the porch and drink home brew.....just bring him in before he spontaneously combusts.

Continuing the soul search....

I wrote last week that I was going to start a quest....to search my soul.  Do a little digging so to say....and see what comes up.

I started by cleaning my closet.  Christine Northrup said she has carved out a bit of heaven by decluttering her home.  So I started in my closet.  I use about 3 things that are in my closet because I have successfully eaten my way out of almost everything I own.  I keep thinking I will lose the 20 pounds that keeps me from wearing what at least used to be nice clothes.  I simply cannot buy clothes that fit me right now.  I am afraid if I do,  this will become my new normal.  According to my mirror this present size makes me look at least 5 years older, and, well, squishy.....

So I took everything out of the closet....everything.  And then I went through it all, made myself a promise to lose weight and put back what I would wear if it would fit.  I know, I know I am not being realistic,  but even if I did get rid of everything that didn't fit I wouldn't be able to replace anything.  And that wouldn't be, "a bit of heaven."

Although it doesn't sound like a huge improvement, it is to me.  I was able to touch everything and decide if I needed it, or liked it.  I got rid of shoes, bags and clothes.  I haven't gone to the drawers yet.  But this was a great step.

I am happy with my effort on this.

The next thing I did was think about what inspires me.  And on every level it was simple.  I love a story about someone who refuses to give up.  The task may seem insurmountable, but the individual listens to no one except "that still, small voice"  The voice that cannot be counterfeited and can only be heard when we are truly attempting to listen.  Still and small can sometimes be drowned out by our own desires and the noise of the world.

This is why Seabiscuit, Field of Dreams and Remember the Titans are such great movies to watch when you are down.  Think you can't do it?  There are lots of stories to prove you wrong.  All you have to do is want something, something good.   And then make a plan to get it.....and then believe with all your heart that  you can do it.

How did Columbus get across the ocean?  He wanted to do it, he made a plan and then he did it.
How did we get to the moon?  Someone told us we could do it, we made a plan and then did it.
OK, how did we get underarmour?  Someone saw a need, made a plan and then did it.

Dreams are not made of cheese (unless you want to make cheese, cheesemaker is a worthy profession)......dreams are made of a pent up desire to achieve something that will make us happy.

Recently a friend of mine quit his banker job to go back to what he loves....photography.  In this economy he gave himself permission to be happy.  He made a plan and then he did it, and he is happy.

Another friend loves to travel, she formed a travel business and is making that work.  Even if you think you can make travel arrangements online....she can do it better.  She gave herself permission to do what she really wanted to do....and it is working.


Dream, plan, believe, do it......

Another friend moved to the woods....

My husband wants to cater.....he is learning how to do it, and he will succeed.

I know a woman who makes ties for little boys and sells them on the internet.

Another woman who sells hair ribbons, little girls clothes and other darling little girl things...

I have another friend who makes the best cakes in the world, 2 others who take pictures....beautiful pictures.

Dream, plan, believe, do it......

Our nation is in a pickle right now.  We are ham-stringed by leaders who tell us we are small and they must do our thinking.  Unfortunately, that comes at a huge price....lots of taxes and regulations....all to keep us small.  But that's  not who we are, we don't need anyone to tell us what we cannot do...only that we can do.

But also, that message has to start with us...WE  have to start talking to ourselves about how no matter what the opposition looks like, we can achieve our dreams.   No negative voices.  No one to tell you to watch out, or hold back.

Dream, plan, believe, do it......

Part of my problem is I stopped dreaming....literally stopped dreaming.  No day dreams or night time dreams.  However, I am happy to tell you I am dreaming again.  They are a little dumb right now....I am out of the habit, but I am dreaming, I started with night time dreams.  Let me tell you what happened...I have a friend, I consider her a very close friend, but we have never met.  My children think it is a little weirdthat I have a cyber friend who I talk about as if she lives next door.  My husband thinks nothing of it because he knows I am a little weird.  No doubt Ann is my dear, dear friend.  We even have lots of friends in common, and we have talked about meeting, but so far it hasn't occurred.  We met online about 10 years ago when I commented on a column she wrote.  I thought she was funny and brilliant....and I told her so.  She wrote back, I wrote back, she wrote back and then I officialized our friendship.  Two write-backs and it's official....friends!  Anyway I had a dream about sponsoring a 5K run.  As I was walking over the starting line to see everyone,  Ann's father walked up to me and said Ann was running in the race and to go see her when the race was over.  In real life I  have not met Ann's father.  I have seen pictures of him and that is how I recognized him.  After we finished talking I went to find a place to watch the race when I ran into her mother!  I haven't met her mother, and I don't even have a picture of her, but she said she was Ann's mother and she said I had to make sure I was at the finish line to meet her.  I look up from our conversation and see all the runners come to the finish line.  The loud speaker announces Ann is in the lead....I start running to meet her....and then I woke up....without meeting her.  But I will...

There a real life odd dream!!

I am going to figure out what my real dream is.  I will follow the pattern, dream, plan, do it.

I will stop listening to the voices who say we are too young, or too old.  Not enough schooling, too much schooling.....maybe we want to change a bad habit, or grow our hair really long....maybe we want to go to Hawaii....or run a race (Like Ann!!) ....maybe we just want to grow grapes.

Whatever it is get quiet, get a pen, get a plan and get going!  It is going to be fabulous......

Soul Searching Day 1

I have decided to do some real soul searching.  There are some corners to sweep, some crops to change.....some parts my life are just fine , but there are some parts that could be so much better.
I live beneath my privileges.
So I am on a journey....a quest....to find who I can be next.
Sounds fabulous doesn't it?



   Sometimes Green Smoothies are a real mess....

Happy Mother's Day to All!!

I am so grateful to be a mom.....Thank you Ashleigh, Trey, Mikey and Emma...I love you all so much, such wonderful children...

Thank you Raymond for your love and support all these years...

I never thought I would ever see a Mormon give a speech at Liberty University.  But it happened.  And it was the commencement speech no less!  Because I enjoyed it so much I am putting the link of Mitt Romney's speech on my blog today.   I found it to be filled with wisdom, hope and tolerance for everyone.  I hope you enjoy it because it seemed to me like the perfect Mother's Day kind of message.

http://www.mittromney.com/blogs/mitts-view/2012/05/mitt-romney-delivers-commencement-address-liberty-university

Happy Mother's Day to Opal Leigh who gave birth to me, Madeline who adopted me and Jerry for raising me.  Thank you ALL for your sacrifice and love.  I am who I am because of the mothering you did.....

Donna

Annus Horribiles

An-nus hor-ri-bi-les, noun (a-nas-hor-i-ba-las) a disastrous or unfortunate year.

Isn't that a great couple of words? Annus horribiles....horrible year. Ever had one? Ever had a year where it seemed like the dark cloud followed you all around? Pipes breaking, bills late, cars needing work, teeth needing work, and maybe even throw in some hemorrhoids for good measure. Sounds like a bad year....well I have had 10 of them.

Ten

Ten Annus Horribilias in a row.

In the last ten years 3 of my children graduated from high school, 2 graduated from college, 2 others entered college, we were sued 3 times, I taught seminary for 8 years, became a relief society president, both of my parents passed away, my mother after a protracted illness, my father after a short one, my husband left his career and started a new one....the new one didn't work...so we started another one and it hasn't gone anywhere yet, 3 of my children went on missions for my church, one amazing pet died, but we found 2 others, the economy of the entire country collapsed and along with it the value of our home and all of our retirement savings.....all of it, and if that isn't enough, I started a rather intense menopause chapter. Ten years all over the place.

So right now some of you are thinking I am way ungrateful. If you have your health and family nothing else is important. You would be right. Count your blessings....I get that. Until now all I have been able to see is what I lost. Every security blanket systematically vanished, and I was put in a place of extreme personal discomfort. We hate losing our security blankets don't we? It is way easier to trust money in the bank and a good job than trusting the Lord. One is tangible, the other isn't...

I didn't waste the last 10 years wallowing in self pity, actually the last 10 years have been the most productive of my life, even if they have been the most painful because I lived through my worst nightmare and survived. I did the best I could....but now my best is going to improve. When you know better, you do better. I am going to celebrate the victories, learn from the mistakes and move on. And I am going to do whatever I can to help other people celebrate their personal victories, identify mistakes....and move on.

It's time to forgive myself and stop wondering what life would have been like if we had made different choices. We did the best we could...

I feel the best place to to find answers to serious life questions is with people who are at the end of their lives. I want to live my life without regrets and most of all I want to stop living beneath my privileges. I went online and found the 5 biggest regrets dying people have... the commentary in bold type are my thoughts....

1.I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honor at least some of your dreams along the way.

Me: I am going to figure out what my dreams are. It is a shame I just plain ole got out of the habit of dreaming. How can that be good? Dreams are the stuff life is made of.

.2. I wish I didn't work so hard. This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

Me: Don't need to worry about this one....I am glad I followed my heart and stayed around my kids as much as I could, because they are "all growed up" now. And I don't think I have ever worked too hard. I give it my all....I just get to "all" a lot faster than everyone else.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

Me: Simple boldness without being rude, honesty.....authentic feelings. I don't have to apologize for what my heart tells me I am or what I believe. And when people withhold approval of my choices I will remind myself that I am being honest with myself and embrace my convictions. In short I want to become what I am capable of becoming, and be who I really am.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. Often they would not truly realize the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

Me: I am making a list of all of those people I have let slip through the cracks. Because I am not going to care how much money I have at the end.....but I am going to care who is there at the end. And the end of other folks too. I need to call my aunt and uncle, Patti and Roxane...and I want to treat everyone as though it is my last day on earth...

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying. Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness

Me: This is my biggest dilemma. I used to be happy all the time. I got up in the morning excited for the new day.....every day was "anything can happen day". The last 10 years I got up in the morning with the full weight of personal debt on my shoulders with no remedy, and no end in sight. But there is Gideon's army....God told him his army of 32,000 was too big to fight the Midianites...so he ends up with 300. The Lord's purpose for allowing such a small army to battle the Midianites was for Israel to not be able to boast that her own strength saved her. That honor would go to God but He would work through Israel. This has been my problem, I am trying to solve the money stuff....alone.....I know that "one plus God is enough". I am definitely Gideon's Army but I know He can solve my problems. Unfortunately giving up worrying about money is like tight rope walking without a net. Can I let go? I spent so much time being afraid!! So many vacations not taken....so much we didn't do. Even though I see how destructive it has been it is still hard to let go. I am working on this one the most. I should be able to find happiness in the most dire of circumstances. Why can't I "Be still and know that He is God"? Just trust....and be joyful and happy. I keep hearing in my mind, "everything will be all right". But believing it is so hard....I vow to

make that choice, the choice to be happy.

10 years of Annus Horribiles behind me, but I am not sorry I went through it....I am way better for the struggle.


Bad days come to an end,
Faith always triumphs,
Heavenly promises are always kept.

Ho Hum....

So today is one of those days...you know those days when you just don't want to do anything.  The problem is I have to do everything.....the house has reached critical mass, and it is vital for sanity that I finish what I started yesterday.  I have a monkey mind....so I clean here, and I clean there..... now I have a bigger mess.

I need to talk myself into this....

My grandmother, Minnie, who totally rocked, would always tell me..."Donna Lynn (all girls from Texas have 2 names - I knew when I was little that only the unloved girls had just one name) I am not afraid of work...I can lay down right beside it and go to sleep."


Don't you love that?

Minnie told me that having silver was a wonderful thing, but then she would wink and add that it was even more wonderful to have someone clean it for you.  I do have her silver, sadly I have never had anyone clean it for me.


She loved to meet my friends, always measuring folks with her special yardstick..."Donna Lynn, she seems like a sweet girl, but does she set a nice table?"  To her setting a table was a barometer on how much we care about our family and guests.  As harsh as that sounds, I understand it.  Going to a little extra trouble makes folks feel more important.  And that is what she liked to do.  Just make people feel better....and she knew food, a great story and a comfortable chair could do that......but she never took it all too seriously, we ate Thanksgiving dinner at half time of the Texas - Texas A&M game!
Every time I set my table I think about her.  She didn't save her things, Minnie assumed that every day was a special occasion.  "Y'all will never know what tomorrow brings...enjoy today."

My grandmother loved to fish, she loved jewelry, plants of all kinds, me....and her "things".  I have most of her things, my silly cousins didn't marry very well, so when she passed away, they didn't want the silver.  My husband wondered why I wanted it too.  He thought it was just a lot of work.  And it is.....but it soothes the soul.

OK, I feel better, got to get back to work, silver to polish, plants to water....Y'all have a great day!!

It's not about what you think it's about....

This whole thing about whether women are really working is not about what the media is making it about. 

This is just about contention.....the adversary knows exactly how to push our buttons...and we fall for it every time.  All day we have been mad, defensive and argumentative.  And I feel awful.

Do you need to defend any righteous choice you have ever made? 

No.....
 

So whether your journey is working at home or working outside your home....we are all still working.  And supporting hopefully each other. 

Don't let the adversary win....he is not only the father of lies, he is the father of contention.  The Savior was very clear, "let there be no contention among you".   He said that for a reason...He knew we would subjected to trials of every kind on earth and He wanted to warn us...


Regardless of what religion you belong to, or what higher power you listen to.....that advice would be the same.  Let there be no contention among you. 


As women we know a whole lot.  We have a PhD in life....we don't need to be a CEO to get it, we don't need to punch a clock or invent a new widget....we don't have to discover a cure, a new land or facilitate a Middle Eastern peace treaty, we don't have to change diapers or scrub toilets to know.....we don't have to be anything but a woman to know.  And we know most things just because.....because we are women.  CEO's scrub toilets and change diapers....SAHM (I learned that today thank you twitter) invent products and write books....we are powerful!


So if anyone tries to minimize you....give them the Braveheart speech and remember who you really are.

Do people really run out of Gas?

Do people run out of gas any more?

I am on the side of the road waiting for my daughter to bring gas because the car ran out of gas.
Understand I didn't run out of gas..

The car did.

With 2 smelly dogs.....

And a 5 O'Clock deadline.

Oh my.....

Wouldn't Stevie Love This?

A friend asked me if it was normal to be depressed.....so I thought about it for a minute and came up with something I am going to do today....

I am actually going to follow my own advice.

Everyone gets depressed ....embrace it, you can even give it a whole day if you want...but then move on.  If it lingers too long you may need to find out if it is organic, and then get some real help.   We are all made of fallen stuff, and that means it is normal to go through ebbs and flows. 

So try some of these simple fixes.....Be your own best friend....take yourself to a nursery if you like plants,

a bookstore if you like books....

to Williams and Sonoma if you love to cook, or maybe find a new herb. 

Listen to some music from a time in your life that was totally without responsibilities.

.

Have a great prayer and tell the Lord how grateful you are for all the amazing blessings you have...here are four of mine....

But the sure fire cure?  Make a list of 3 women  you know that have recently gone through a trial.  Be their Fairy Godmother...stop by just for a "hug and a kiss"  drop them a plant or a book or some music or a new herb (see how you can multitask?)
Depression is a part of life,  unless it is organic, it will pass.

And even if you aren't depressed this is a good idea.....right?

Spring Ball!

It is said with great reverence from the land of my birth.....there are only 2 real sports.  Football and Spring football.

It is wonderful to sit in the stands on a beautiful April day and watch football.

#Ilovemylife

Is Elvis a Mormon?

Today I read a wild email from a friend who is now prepared to watch the coming presidential race from under her bed....frozen with fear that someone is going to ask her about temple rites, baptisms for the dead or polygamy and she won't know the right thing to say.

Today no less a famous person than Maureen Dowd, New York Times columnist, is wondering if Elvis is Mormon.

What does that mean?

Is this a brace yourself moment? Are we as a religion about to be broadsided by a secular landslide that will rock our world? I don't think so...But if you are a Mormon I think it is time to put on your big girl (or boy) pants and start talking right out loud about your beliefs.

Most Mormons have been asked about their religion from an incredulous co-worker or neighbor with the opening salvo...."I heard something about your religion that didn't sound right and since I know you I thought it can't be true."

And then they proceed to ask questions from why can't you eat chocolate on Sunday (we can) to why do we hoard food? (we don't) There are others far more distasteful, and some just flat out profane. I enjoy answering questions....I don't think my parents asked me one question about Mormons. I joined the church at 18. Unfortunately my aunt was all too eager to answer their questions using information she had gotten from sources eager to distort. I should have cowboyed up, simply had the courage to talk to them. But I was young and I didn't know enough. I don't think as a group we have done a very good job explaining our religion. And if we don't start explaining it we have no one to blame but ourselves when Maureen Dowd steps up to do it for us. Ms. Dowd is a gifted writer, but she has a cynical streak when it comes to religion, especially, it seems when it comes to Mormons...should she be the one to explain what goes on in the temple?

I understand that Governor Romney is reticent to speak about our religion because we are so often misunderstood, and this election is not about religion...but I hope that he doesn't distance himself so much that we are deprived of the "when I was on my mission" stories that all returned missionaries enjoy telling. However he had an experience on his mission that few missionaries have. in June 1968, the car Romney was driving was hit by a vehicle head-on along a winding road in rural Bordeaux; the accident killed the wife of the mission president and severely injured the president, while Romney was knocked unconscious - and at first mistakenly declared dead by the French police. When the president returned to the US to bury his wife, Romney was left in charge of the mission. The missions work was in disarray. In a letter from his father George Romney quoted a line from Treasure Island, saying. "work on in your despair". Romney turned the mission's dire situation around. In a brazen move, Romney convinced the missionaries to shoot beyond their set goal for baptisms and when the year ended they had just that. (from Time magazine) And remember he was 21.

Wow I got way off the subject...I was going to write about baptisms for the dead...I will get back there.

Mormons are all about agency...the freedom to choose. I was sad to hear that Holocaust victims were baptized posthumously without family permission. I understand now that Jewish people have been forced throughout the ages to renounce their religion, and the thought of someone taking it upon themselves to baptize their dead sounded like tyranny to them. I would like to correct that misunderstanding right now. No one can force you to accept anything you don't want. Whether you are in this world or the next or Kemah Texas no one can force you to accept anything. I am glad that someone with authority from the church dropped a house on those folks who were going through the Enquirer choosing famous people to baptize. Which is, I guess, how Elvis is now a Mormon....remember only if he accepts it.

Mormons have great respect for family histories....we feel our ancestors are our ministering angels. Who else would know us more? Love us more? Or be able to protect us better? A dear friend of mine often tells the story of her grandfather Oscar McConkie who gathered his family together and told them, "I am your father, grandfather, husband, and uncle. I have prayed for you every day and just because I am going to die does not mean that will change. I will continue to pray for you every day no matter where I am."

The thought of my mother, grandmother.....Raymond's aunts....being my ministering angels gives me such peace, and a sense of unity of purpose. We were family on earth and we will still be family in heaven...family units going on into eternity.

So my message is simple.....you might hear some odd things about Mormons this year. Politics are ugly and the opposition may want to make Romney as weird as they can. Like his politics, don't like his politics but when you hear outrageous things about Mormons ask me first before you believe it.

Here is Ms. Dowd's column about whether or not Elvis is Mormon. She is a kick....

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/dowd-is-elvis-a-mormon.html?_r=1&ref=maureendowd#

Spring Break......is over

My adorable kids came home from college for the week, along with Mikey's roommate Brad.

We didn't do much of anything....and yet it was a great week. There was a lot of catch up stuff....Emma's old glasses were from 6th grade, her phone was broken and she needed socks.

So we found some great glasses, killer socks and great news!! The phone only needed a new memory card.

Mikey had to get a MRI on both shoulders and then hope the news from the doctor was good. So one day he had an MRI on one shoulder, and another day, the other shoulder....and then another appointment for the doctor. Turns out he has some extra bone....nothing serious...so another cortisone shot....and one day he can have surgery if he wants....I wish I had the picture Emma took of him getting the cortisone shot....

One day they snuck into the pool at Hard Rock.

They watched basketball endlessly.

Mikey helped me load dirt and mulch into the back of the truck for spring time planting....twice.

Emma helped Ashleigh time runners at a track meet.....

And they slept a lot...

Emma and I went to the beauty shop one day to get some girl stuff done and then we went and bought a lot of candy.....

Sunday we set the table with all the good stuff....china, silver, centerpiece and everything (why didn't I take a picture?) Then we had a delicious dinner with Betsey and Richard. Their son Matt is on a mission in Mexico and he played football with Mikey and Brad....we just sat around the table and talked about everything and nothing....and ate ourselves silly.

We ate a lot of pizza....and I think Mikey and Brad got 'Canes (a local fastfood place) every night no matter how much we fed them.

We went to the temple one day and got amazing Mexican food on the way home at our favorite Mexican supermarket. Mikey loves to order everything in Spanish...

Raymond and Mikey went shopping and bonding....

Allergies killed us and our energy....the weather went from good to great to cold...

It was a nothing special week....except all my children were home. And nothing is better than that.

Chevy Volt, Secretary Chu and Finding Another Outlet

Yikes! I just saw Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu get grilled at Congress. If you ever receive an invitation to chat with congress at their house...run for your life!!
The memo didn't get to Secretary Chu. And all I can say is yikes!

I did learn a great deal about the Chevy Volt....one Secretary Chu doesn't have one. But he would like for me to have one (thank you) but he doesn't have one. But no flies on him, he doesn't have a car at all. So from what I could tell his remedy for high gas prices is the vaunted Chevy Volt....an electric car. Now don't get me wrong I would love to just unplug my rollers and plug in my car. That 60 to 70 dollar a week gas bill - and going up - is killing us. But I want Secretary Chu to understand that as a mother I have been using that line of reasoning since my kids were little. For me it didn't matter what it was that we couldn't have or get or afford, we simply made whatever that was.....uncool. So who needs expensive shoes when you can go to Payless? Who needs a horse when you have a dog? Who needs to stay in a great hotel when you can camp? Who needs Disneyland when you can pop a quarter in the stuffed animal crane game at Wal-Mart?

See Secretary Chu I am on to you.....who needs to buy gas if you have a Chevy volt? Just plug it in, and the transportation problem is solved. Fabulous!! Because we all know that when demand goes down so will the price. Except that isn't how this works. Demand has gone down...and the price goes up.

The message Secretary Che wanted us to get was....Buy a Chevy Volt, and you won't care how high the gas price will go!!

But it might be problematic on a different level, while I could cram my considerable derriere into that tiny little car (I am still iffy on the $40,000 price tag...but hey if Al Gore can drive one around so could I)...I am not so sure how the volt is going to transport my pop tarts here from California...or a load of lumber for Home Depot.....Mayflower moving vans will have to trade in one big truck for 2,000 Chevy volts huffing and puffing up the hill with one families belongings....one long extension cord hanging out the back of the last one....but, dang it all, we are still going to have a gas problem that the volt cannot solve.

Sorry Secretary Chu my kids didn't buy it when I tried to use that logic. We may have to fix the problem instead of wishing real hard that it doesn't exist. And Chevy may have to put that darn little car back into production in order for us to even buy it....and figure out why it has a tendency to burst into flames.

Just sayin'

We Cannot Escape The Influence Our Lives Have On The Lives Of Others.

Ever think about how much you influence other people? I know I didn't either....until something happened the other day and I had to consider the influence we really have on each other.

It is the butterfly thing, you've heard of it right?

Sorry Einstein, "The Butterfly Effect"

Here is the explanation....The Butterfly effect is a term used in chaos theory to describe how initial conditions can affect large, complex systems. The term comes from the suggestion that the flapping of a butterfly's wings in South America could affect the weather in Texas, meaning that the tiniest influence on one part of a system can have a huge effect on another part.

Wow, I feel like the scarecrow (thank you Chelle) right after he got a brain...spouting all kinds of smart, intellectual stuff -

The reality is our lives truly reflect the butterfly effect...the tiniest influence in our lives can have a huge effect on other parts of our lives....

For instance...My uncle called the night before my mother's funeral. He couldn't attend and I was giving the eulogy...he wanted to give me support knowing I was going to be scared and useless. This is how it came out...."Donna! You can do this...you remember you are made of better stuff." That's it, one conversation, not only did I get through the eulogoy, but I have heard that voice for the past 12 years. When I get in a position where I need extra confidence, I just remember that fine Texas voice..."Donna! You are made of better stuff." And I remember I am.

My speech teacher in high school....a woman I already thought was made of gold, telling me simply...."You are good....you are really good." That one statement moved me through college. When I fell short, when criticism was intense.....and when I couldn't hear my better angels, her words would come to me..."You are good.."

The parent of one of my seminary students called one night to talk about her daughter. There had been some serious problems and I was one of many trying to help. She said this amazing thing to me...."you probably don't think about us very often, but we think about you every day." I was without words. She didn't mean it to be flattering....what she was saying and what I understood so plainly was....we need help and you are helping us and we are so grateful.

Recently a dear friend saved us in a way no one was else was able to. The butterfly effect...I whispered in his ear....."There will never be a night that passes that we don't pray for you and for your family, we are grateful forever." What he did for us was a sacrifice for him...but he followed an impression and it helped us so much.

Jan Graham sending the Mormon Missionaries to my home...one phone call changed my life forever. I learned how to share what means the most to me.

Pat Scott bringing a cooked ham to my home after a miscarriage...I learned how to bring in meals.

Betsey Holley coming to my house with a car full of food after a particularly difficult episode in my life....we cooked and laughed all afternoon! I learned how to serve my friends.

My grandmother teaching me how to set a table...and to never save your good things for a day that might not come. I learned how to share the best of what I have with others.

My daughter telling me her teacher only liked the "cool kids". I learned how important it is to treat people with love and respect...no matter how young they are.

My mother-in-law telling me how happy she was I married her son. I learned to accept people even if their culture and religion was different.

Beth Miller insisting I move back to Las Vegas from Houston....one month later I met my husband and began building the family I love so much. I learned to listen to wise people!

Molly Hyer who loved me when I was mess...never gave up on me and now cries each time she sees me....I learned to love people even when they don't really seem to want it, and are a little hard to love.

There have been endless times I have been the recipient of a small act that influenced my life in a big way.

The Butterfly effect works the other way too....negative flapping of butterfly wings...and I have let those demons shout my better angels down....but it's not much fun. So I continue to work hard to hear my angels....and to look hard to see what the smallest fluttering of butterfly wings will bring to my life.

Remember, remember, remember......we influence people every day.....mostly when we aren't looking.

We cannot escape the influence our lives have on the lives of others...President Thomas S. Monson.

My love to all the butterflys!!

Hey log on to my son Mikey's blog, it is a lot of fun!! http://suufootball.blogspot.com/

Modern Day Daniel

One of my favorite people in the Old Testament is Daniel. As you remember when Jerusalem was invaded by the Babylonians - see Nebuchadnezzar - they had several goals. One of course was to lay waste to Jerusalem.....which happened over and over again. But Nebuchadnezzar, no flies on him, had another goal. Instead of just invading and taking any 'ole thing, the edict was to find "Children in who was no blemish but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge and understand science and such as had ability in them to stand in the King's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans." Nebuchadnezzar wasn't just any Babylonian, he was a Babylonian with a clear goal. Take slaves, but take smart ones. He had a city to build....with hanging gardens....remember?

So enter Daniel, one of the greatest in the Old Testament and his three friends. Their names were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.....we know them better by their Babylonian names, Daniel was renamed Belteshazzar, and then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. The king provided for them a daily portion of the King's meat and wine. He did that because he thought it would be the best for them...the King decided what was best for them, very important point...... However these young men would not eat the meat nor drink the wine, they had been given a strict law about what food they could eat...and they wanted to follow what they had been taught. They wanted grain....and no matter what the King wanted they were not going to go against the covenant they made.

These young men followed God not the King.....in the end they were brought before the King and their health was ten times better than the magicians and astrologers who had followed the King...

Now why am I bringing up this story....a great story.....but why?

We are living it today.

There is a mandate (a mandate is something you are forced to do) in Obamacare that contraception must be provided by every health insurance provider. Seems benign, most women use contraceptives. But here is the problem. President Obama is telling Catholics they must provide contraceptives. Must....you must. It does not matter that your religion forbids it.....you must. And it does not matter that most Catholic women use contraceptives. What matters is our government telling a religion that they must obey President Obama and not the God they worship. The military would not allow Priests to read the letter from the Catholic hierarchy over the pulpit 2 weeks ago furthering the perception of denying free speech. Sorry Catholic hospitals, built with Catholic money donated by Catholics....we the government tell you what you can do with the tenants of your religion.

Nebuchadnezzar would be so proud.

It doesn't matter if you are Catholic or not, this is a shot over the bow for all people of faith. ....this administration is telling us that the government is to be bowed to....the government is the last word...they know best.

Oh really?

Push back? You ain't seen nothing yet.

Stevie Nicks would do it...

As you know Stevie Nicks is the patron saint of my blog.....the reason is very simple......she was in the background of my youth. When I was young I didn't worry about much of anything....I kept life very simple.....tan, work, play tennis, dance, sleep.....simple.

And Stevie Nicks approved. She could twirl out on a stage in a beautiful black dress, long blonde hair and great music....and we all felt pretty.

I am not having a mid life crisis....but I miss that Donna sometimes....she was a lot of fun. And by the way, she was always late too......so not everything changes.

I have to remember that once upon a time I had fun.....We all need to remember that. So dance to Motown today! Lip sync your absolute favorite high school song....call up a friend who knew you when you had a waistline and laugh about the one that got away. Relive some harmless pranks.....and just laugh!!




Best Medicine.....Stevie Nicks would do it.

A little of this, a little of that

Caucus, Superbowl, Ashleigh's lawsuit.....where do I start?

First Nevada's caucus.......simple. We had a great leader of our little precinct. No confusion, no problems....there are 500 people in our precinct, 47 bold souls showed up. We elected a delegate.....then we listened to folks speak about their favorite candidate. Every person who spoke represented their candidate well. Oddly enough their personalities were just like the candidate they chose to represent. The Newt Gingrich supporter was direct and to the point. The Ron Paul supporter was passionate about liberty......the Santorum supporter was the weakest. She was simply against Mitt Romney. I wished Santorum had a better speaker....and then several folks stood up for Mitt, plain spoken and to the point. I was thrilled only one was Mormon. And they all had good reasons......We were home by 11....I am a good American. I feel strongly that the presidential race is important....but Barbara Bush was right when she told a group of U.S. college students, "Your success as a family—our success as a society—depends not on what happens at the White House, but on what happens at your house." So no matter what occurs.....rock your house. Block the contention...hug your family.
Results? Santorum 2 Ron Paul 8, Newt Gingrich 12 and Mitt 25.....almost exactly how the rest of the state went. There are some voter problems in our fair state.....welcome to 2012....I don't think Nevada will Caucus ever again....primary next time, please?

Since my husband and children are Giants fans.....the superbowl was great fun....loved the catch made.....I love it when professional athletes look like professionals. And although not a fan of Madonna, I totally want to grow out my hair and dance more....she was doing cartwheels!!

Ashleigh's lawsuit.....5 years ago (count it 1 2 3 4 5 years ago) She got stuck in a traffic jam on the freeway. Stop and go.....and the woman in front of her stopped too short and Ashleigh ran into her. She was going 5 miles an hour. No damage to Ashleigh's jeep....but the woman she plowed into at such a high rate of speed was severely hurt......NOT. Our insurance company investigated her had pictures and everything, she went bankrupt during this time, Ashleigh went through 3 attorneys in this ridiculous journey.....the woman has 4 other cases, none of which can come out in trial....and Ashleigh lost. The jury, and heaven help us if this represents America, didn't even blink.....gave her every penny. The judge even said when the jury left that the woman would get every penny. How about that blind justice? Unless you have been sued you cannot know how it feels. This won't affect Ashleigh except in much higher premiums, but seriously? You do realize people can sue you for any reason at any time....right? When we were being sued people would say all the time, " drop the case." Are you kidding? Once the suing starts you are in for the ride until it is over. Our lawsuits.......there were 3, were soul wrenching. We survived, family and marriage intact, but the people who sued us have shredded lives. I think putting people through that kind of pain damages you in ways you cannot know. I will never do that to another person.

On to a new week.....a great week ahead.....

PayPal or PayEnemy?

Napoleon is credited with saying that an army moves on its stomach.....I think I will be known for the saying....."I move forward on the velocity of my mistakes."

At an age that my mother was quietly winding down I find I am ramping up. And it is disconcerting. Learning the computer is not a sweet little hobby so that I can organize pictures and keep up with old friends....it is the keeper of my business, my bills and my money.

And you need to know I have been measured and I have been found wanting.

The other day I received a payment for services rendered through Paypal. At first I was upset at the enormous charge for simply using Paypal to funnel money from one source to my personal bank account. But then I was annoyed at how long it took for the money to go from my Paypal account to my bank......one day, then another day....3 days? I called and found out I have to request Paypal to send the money to my bank account. I had used it in the past and never needed to do that. But if I was more savvy to the world of commerce I would have suspected it.

One button, just that one request.....and the money was on the way. But according to the brain trust at Paypal it would take another 3 to 4 days. In my ignorance I had added almost a week to the process. Lesson learned, it won't happen again.....but how many other land mines are ahead for my very unprepared self?

A few years ago I was doing some geneology at the family history library. I approached a volunteer worker there with a problem. After we discussed it and I was still unclear she looked me straight in the face and sternly said, "Sister I am 87 years old and I am learning the computer....we are not going backward.....learn the computer!"

What have you learned to do? What mistake have you made that we can learn from?

OK, now I am really mad....

Most of the people who read my blog will not be interested in the tirade I am about to go off on. So please just send this link to your crazy uncle or deadbeat cousin and be done with it.

I am hear by recommending that Rush Limbaugh rename his program "The Newt Gingrich Show". I have had it. We are to believe that Newt can reform from his philandering ways....but Mitt Romney can't change his mind. Perhaps at 68 the philandering ship has sailed, but seriously? Newt? Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh doesn't remember Sharon Angle. The tea party favorite who was not Nevada's best candidate and frankly was embarrassing.

Seriously Newt?

And by the way, I loved Sarah Palin. She was me....a housewife who worked her way up all the way to vice presidential nominee....and now she endorses (or might as well) Newt. I see her now as someone who has a lot of money and power and is not handling it very well. And is throwing her weight around saying things that don't even make sense......

I joined the Republican Party in the year 2000. Mostly to vote for a friend of mine in a primary. I am a social conservative, and a fiscal conservative....I mostly voted republican anyway....but who are these people? Rush and Sara look like my unreasonable cousin who is still mad I got my grandmother's flatware.

Seriously Newt?

I felt the same way when Sharon Angle was nominated. Here we go, another 6 years of Reid doing nothing for Nevada. And I was right. I met with a businessman this morning who needed my support on a project he is doing. They all say the same thing, no one is helping Nevada get back on their feet. Not a single politician....ever see Reid? Ever see any of them?

I will not support an unelectable candidate again. I will not vote for Obama because he has tried to get us back to work and he can't. Everything else he stands for doesn't really affect me....and probably doesn't very many others......but he never gets up and gives us the Braveheart Speech....

I want the Braveheart speech! I want people to believe in themselves again! I want people to start taking chances...get out there and fight for your home, and your way of life.

Don't let Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin and the rest of them talk you out of what you know is right. And if they still speak to you then great. But think for yourself. If Gingrich had done such a great job in Washington he would have a lot more support from those he worked with.

Read what Steve Largent has to say about him. Largent probably won't endorse Romney because of Romney's religion, but read what he says about Gingrich. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/72084_Page2.html

Just a thought....now I am going back to clean my bathroom.

Just a Thought....

I know this may sound odd, but I love politics. I always have. It was my major in college, and I loved it. How to run a poll, government in China, Roberts rules of order.....you name it, I loved it.

But not this....not this....current war. No matter what level the race is, the pattern is the same. Dragging a candidate out of his warm bed and stomping on his neck happens with every race from dog catcher to president....and you know what? It always has been that way. Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams went at it like crazy...by the time of the election finally rolled around both men would have wild stories circulated about their pasts, charges of murder,adultery, and prostitution with the help of partisan newspapers and the year? 1824. The race was finally decided by the house of representatives, with the speaker of the house Henry Clay maybe tweaking the outcome..........the more things change, the more things stay the same.

And as much as I enjoy politics, I recoil at how much government we now have. In 1805 Thomas Jefferson said our government was too big.....it is a mess now. Government was supposed to be a condiment...making sure the clocks all worked and water when we turned on the faucet...but now it is an entity wielding more power than was ever intended. Comparable to unions, first created to keep children out of factories, and being a voice for the little guy....now instead of the factory owner taking advantage of the worker it is the union. Ironic?

A long standing argument between my mother and I revolved around abortion. I am adamantly opposed to it, my mother was in favor of it. And she let me know that often. I don't understand abortion....I also did not understand my mother's viewpoint until one day she told me her best friend had died in Chicago of a botched abortion. She told me how beautiful this woman was, how talented...but that her boyfriend would not marry her after she became pregnant....so she felt she had no choice. And she died from a botched abortion in the fifties.

That story didn't change my mind, we always have a choice, but I understood why my mother felt the way she did. I disagree with a lot of people, I believe the world was created by God.....but I do not believe it was created in 7 days. I believe in creative periods. For instance after all the plants and flowers were created that was "a day".

not a 24 hour day...but a creative period. But if you want to believe the world was created in 6 days.....no problem. Or if you believe in evolution.....no problem. I think we should be able to believe the way we want to without being ridiculed.

This presidential race we are slogging through is hard to watch, hard to listen to, and above all, frustrating with how the facts are so twisted . And they are all twisting facts. I don't know very much, but I know the difference between the tax rate of salary and the tax rate from investments......and for people who know better to say that it is unfair that Warren pays 15 per cent and his secretary pays more makes me angry. How do we know she pays more? Where are her tax records? And by the way the money invested and then taxed at 15 per cent has already been taxed once at 35 per cent. I mean that money he invested had to come from somewhere....right?

Whoever gets the republican nomination will have gone through the most difficult process ever. How many secrets could be left out there for the enquirer to discover?

However I wish the pundits would stop.....talking. All of them.

I wish editorials would be filled with opinions of ideas. Critical thinking....real ideas, I would love it.

And yes, character matters. My husband refused to hire people who cheated on their husbands or wives.....he told me that if someone would lie to the person they make the biggest promises to, they would lie to him.

I wish someone like William Wallace would run.....blue paint and all. I love that Braveheart speech. I think the whole country would like that.

People in Las Vegas are confused by the cold. It's not normal, so we just don't understand. And until it warms up our lives are just sort of like those pictures of dogs playing poker.....or the republican presidential primaries.

This is how I look at the world any more....the RCA victor dog. He is just slightly incredulous, head cocked to one side.....silently wondering, "what the heck is going on?"

So many things were going on in that primary in South Carolina. This is just my opinion....but I think some people are so mad, so without hope, that they would vote for someone and in this case, anyone, who they think will avenge their feelings. Newt reminds me of that sort of crooked police chief who bends the rules to
"get the guy." But people are looking for a leader.....and in lieu of a real leader......they have chosen Newt.

At least Debbie Wasserman Schultz is having a good night. They have to be thinking that this is Sharon Angle on steroids....

What do you think is going on? Is it really the totally abysmal week Mitt had? Is it Newt's basically charm free campaign? Is he really that angry? Is anyone really that angry? What is going on?

My husband is convinced people simply will not vote for a Mormon........he can't explain it any other way. So he went to bed.

I don't know, maybe that's part of it....but I think people are mad at President Obama and they think Newt can embarrass him during a debate. That's all they want.....revenge.

Which brings me to my favorite show......Revenge. It is shockingly fun....and bad guys are in trouble!!! I love it...

What in the world do you think is going on? What is going to happen? What, What, What?????

Is It Really December?

So much to tell you...I have been so busy...Oh, you have too? That's right, it's December!

Go back to a few days before Thanksgiving...we had a great job for great people to cook turkey and ham for about 200 of the good men at Nellis Air Force Base. With the help of extra roasters, and our trusty ovens....we (mostly Raymond) cooked lots of turkeys and hams. He cooked them and carved them, put them in large pans and met sweet Becky at the door. Off she went to serve good food to our wonderful men in uniform....it was an honor.

Even though we were up most of that night, I decided to forgo a nap and instead play with my children who were all home....after all, I could go to bed early, so no problem.

Never say...."no problem"

Sound asleep my phone rang at 9:30.....my oldest son calling from his bedroom in horrible pain. The kind of pain that doesn't go away....that's right emergency room and kidney stones! He is young, in great shape so he mended quickly, but oh the pain, (and lack of sleep) and that was just the 6 hours at the emergency room. His next pain will be in the form of the bill for his uninsured self....

Thanksgiving was happily celebrated at our long time friends the Soderbergs....The highlight of the whole day was the moment Joe Soderberg took to express his gratitude. It was sweet, sincere and will stay with me for a long time. His wife Karen then took a moment to do the same, to welcome us all to her home, thanked us all for helping....I loved it! And the food was of course wonderful!!

We got home in time to watch the last (I will not ever believe it) game between Texas and Texas A&M....please know this game is as much a part of my childhood as anything. My grandmother would set a beautiful table for Thanksgiving....and then we would eat at half time....in fact she would remind us...."eat a little faster darlin', our Longhorns need us" And the fact they won!! Amazing. However, everyone get it together in Texas and give us our memories back. Next Thanksgiving is going to be a little bit sad.

The next day we started the long road of decorating....I love Christmas...I love the red and green and silver and sparkling things. The lights and songs. I love it all. I have been pretty busy, so it isn't finished yet! Isn't that awful? I am going to finish today...whatever isn't done won't happen..I have put up my fairies, my radko tree, the garland is strung....it's enough.

Last Wednesday I was in charge, along with a lot of other women, our of church's Christmas dinner ..... just for the ladies. Women volunteered to set tables with their holiday finery...we even set up an extra table just in case....we had 9 tables of 8....beautiful settings, beautiful centerpieces...I made sure the lights were low...(that is my tip for decorating - low lights, we look better, the house looks better - your welcome) Every thing went so well.....so many people doing so much! My husband cooked all day and made a delicious Chicken with basil sauce...Kim made tons of wild rice...and then we all loved Raymond's salad of greens with strawberries and candied nuts...his new dressing is just right and makes it all pop! And all the women who made dinner rolls! Is anything better? We had a beautiful program on the life of the Savior and then....that's right! Pie!! Thank you Charlie for amazing desserts. And thank you all for coming....so many beautiful women...I love them all.

The weather turned horribly that night so we left everything in the car to take care of the next morning. I was so tired and Raymond was beat....we had 2 great lunches to make the next day so we got up and just started working. You know how food is, everything goes well and then at the last minute it gets nuts! So Raymond went outside with me to pack the food and he opened the back of the Yukon, not remembering how much stuff was back there.....hold on......wait for it.....my grandmother's china came shooting out the back onto the drive. I was in front and just screamed! It triggered so many emotions...why didn't I follow the prompting to turn the truck around? Our driveway is on an incline and I know how easy it is for things to roll out. Poor Raymond all those glasses broken (they were so cheap no problem) but my grandmother's china? She had had them for 70, 80 years...I couldn't get them one block? The news is not as bad as it could be, only 4 bread plates were broken. How protected was I? Raymond felt awful, and was even more relieved that only 4 bread plates were broken!

Reality comes....it's just plates....because the next day was sadly spent with friends at the viewing of a beautiful daughter who left us too soon......there are no words to express the emotions one feels in that setting.

I am hoping we can express our love to each other regularly, we never know what is around the corner. So hug your loved ones today.... please forgive people their shortcomings.....the forgiveness you receive back is well worth it....as someone who needs forgiveness often I count on it.

Which brings us to today....my list of things to be grateful for grows. Today I would like to thank Claudia, Byron, Cris and Susie.....they know what for....and I want them to know how grateful we are for them. There are no finer neighbors. None.

The day looms ahead..... lots of problems to solve...but I know I can...my attitude is changing...I am trying not to be overwhelmed by problems..but instead overwhelmed by solutions. I know where my strength comes from...and I am so grateful for the Savior's guidance and influence in my life. I feel His love.

Thank you to all my friends....both around me and cyber.....

Go and have a great day!!

Jury Duty .......yikes!

So in keeping with a life lived on the proper side of the law I reported today for jury duty. I usually am a good sport about my number coming up for jury duty....but not today. I wore my very bad mood right on the outside of my face, and left it there.

I forgot to call the jury summons folks last night...I don't know how your system works but here in the hinterland we call the night before to find out if we need to report or not. I forgot to call and didn't realize it until almost noon. I panicked and saw a bench warrant in my near future. I was so relieved to find I wasn't supposed to report until noon......so I drove as fast as I could, I was only a little late and this is what I walked in on.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please line up numerically.....that is one number sequentially after another. What number are you sir? 108? What number are you? 115? We are missing a few people.....would number 109 please come to the front of the line? No Ma'am please stand behind 108 not in front of 108....would number 110 please come up?"

This went on forever......seriously forever.....

And then this exchange......."ladies and gentlemen would you please curve the line around the chairs in the back? No sir, behind them.....sir? could you please go behind the chairs in the back?

And this went on forever.......I felt like I was in the Star Wars Cafe.....

And I was just annoyed......and cranky.

And so I waited....and waited....I had some friends who worked in the building and they came down and visited with me.......and then some more friends came and went......they all seemed to find the humor in a situation that was certainly escaping me.

And then after another interminable amount of time the folks in charge of our little slice of heaven told us all to go home.

Another day in Paradise....and I made it through without a bench warrant for failing to show up for jury duty.

Flowers For Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays....the colors are warm, the times are sweet, the food is good, and we stop just briefly.....just for a moment......for gratitude.

This is my husband's work, he used all my favorite colors....












If you would like to order any of these arrangements, let me know.










As my grandmother would say in the deepest of drawls, "She seems like a nice girl, but does she set a good table?"












Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Decide to Decide

Aunt Stuff called the other day....not happy at all. This is the same always happy woman who has minimized her ailments over her later years. When I asked her how she was doing a few months ago she told me in that wonderful west Texas drawl "oh, Donna we're still kickin'! Just not very high!"

That same Aunt Stuff wasn't on my phone the other day. The woman on my phone was shaking with anger. She almost whispered, "Donna? Did you hear what has happened at Penn State?" When I assured her I had, she told me she was sick. Sick in her heart, sick at her stomach and sick with the thought of what had happened there.

Sick that young boys had been so used at the hands of a monster.

And no one did anything to help them. I cannot get the images out of my head. I have two sons....I remember when they were 10 what if this had happened to them and no one tried to save them? I can't wrap my head around what is going through their minds. The boys, the moms, the dads...so many innocent people involved......

The fact that no one helped these boys, and so very many people knew what Sandusky was doing...Aunt Stuff read the grand jury report...so many people knew what had happened. And no one did anything. How can that be?

I hope I taught my children to be valiant. To be people of honor who stand up when the world would tell them to sit down. Should we have to reassess on something that should be a reflex? Shouldn't it be a reflex to protect a child? There should be no thought to our own safety or in this case to our own career when a child is being raped.

Joe Paterno was an icon. Now he is a pariah......his reputation ruined. He is scarred forever. It is horrific that he made such a disastrous decision. Couldn't he have made one more phone call? But just one report? And no follow up? There was an eye witness, not a rumor, an eye witness. But they all filed it away, oh that silly pedophile! Let's just take away his key and tell him not to bring young boys on campus any more. Again, I am sick.

This monster has brought down a whole town. Ruined lives and careers in every direction. Joe Paterno will never get over this, his wife and children are forever scarred, Penn State will always have this scandal to deal with. Proud students who have to come to grips with the man they considered their "dad" let a ten year old boy be destroyed and did nothing. And how many other victims? It is hard to believe such evil can exist, it is also hard to believe that this monster was welcome on the Penn State campus up to a week ago, working out in the weight room.

I have been heartened that most of the sports figures that have come forward have said the same thing....."I had nothing but respect for Joe Paterno, but I have sons....."

As typical with evil it was all well hidden. For years it was hidden. I saw Joe Paterno as a guy who never ventured out of his beloved State College Pennsylvania. His home was on campus, he was the undisputed king of Penn State Football. Hundreds of boys went through his program.....he prided himself on making them men, teaching them values, making them work hard and be disciplined. Again the reality is parents are the role models, parents teach morals, how to work, be disciplined. Parents teach values. Sometimes we trust the people around us with too much and we foolishly abdicate our responsibilities. This story should make us all stop and think. And then reconsider the people we continuously set on pedestals for no real good reason. And trust.....with our children.....why do we do that?

This is why we have to decide to decide.....no matter what, no matter the cost....we will stand for what is right.

Oh The Places You'll Go!!

When I bought this book for my children I had no idea how profound that statement really was......

Have you ever analyzed all the places you go?

Come with me, you won't believe it......

Today started out OK in front of the computer, I have had to deal with car insurance premiums...so I checked that status...and then noticed that the credit from the auto part we took back still hasn't shown up on the bank statement......I got Mikey out of jury duty. He isn't a resident of Nevada any more so you would think that would be a no brainer. Nope....he has to fax a litany of information to the jury people. Then all hell broke loose when someone called who said they have something to do with an upgrade, or a new model or something like that for my husband's diabetic meter. Now I listen because this sounds important. But something isn't right, you know that feeling? I soldier on because it's medical and that seems important. But then I realize they don't know what meter he uses, what medicine he takes or his doctor's name. After denying a million times that she is selling something I realize I have given her all my information and she is selling something...a new meter. What a dope I am. And to continue my dopiness instead of just hanging up I keep pushing this wagon right off a cliff. Remember that story about the group of kids who are hiking and one gets bit by a snake? And the rest of the kids take the time to find the snake and kill it instead of rushing the injured one for help? The poor sick kid had a way worse recovery than if they had forgotten about the snake and went for help right away. Well that was me, instead of just hanging up I had to argue with her.....so what happened? Because I wasn't paying attention the dog ran out. I had to finish my argument so a long time went by before we started looking for the dog. My daughter's number is on his collar so I had to wait for someone to find him and then call her and then she had to call me and guess what? She is in New York waiting for it to be Friday so she can go to my Nephew's wedding.....11-11-11. By the time all these events took place and I finally talked to the person who had him, they were 20 miles away!! So dumb? Ya think?

Now I am fit to be tied...madder than mad...I missed an appointment AND I had to drive 20 miles to get a stupid dog AND then go to a mammogram. Forgot to tell you about that didn't I?...that's right a mammogram, ah the sweet days of Donna.

Seriously?

I have on no makeup, a terrible attitude and a need for revenge. So I set out to find the dog.

Found the dog.....and the sweetest young girl comes out to meet me. She tells me how they had to pick him up because he was in danger. My heart melts. Thank you I tell her.....thank you. And put the dumb dog in the car......oh he stinks.

Then I look over and see this amazingly huge real estate building...I find the front door and go in. It is the coolest lobby I have ever seen. The directory speaks to you....no kidding. The directory has this great touch screen touch the office you want and a woman's face appears and tells you where it is. I went to the wrong door just to be able to do it again. I loved it!! Once inside the right office I find someone and ask if they have anyone who specializes in raw land as I have an acre to sell. I give them my flier and they buzz around a bit. It may not work but I felt better. Have to sell that land.......

Then I decided to cheat on my diet and have a diet coke. That's right cheating on this diet is a diet coke. Don't ask. So for some reason I decide to go to the Middle Eastern mini mart to get my soda fix. As I pull up I notice another store next to it called, "Trading Labels - Contemporary Designer resale" My bad mood has abated a bit so I go in there before the soda and am wowwed!! St. John's knits, Burberry coats, Coach boots, scarves, shoes, jewelry. At a fraction of the cost!! It was heaven! And two of the nicest women, Natasha and Marlina, own and run it. Fabulous..... and then not to mention and added benefit, the pet groomer next door who brought a poodle in with a mohawk. A green mohawk......love Las Vegas.

Note.....mood improving.

After that I go into the Middle Eastern mini mart and discover middle Eastern people don't drink diet coke. But their food is fascinating. So I walked around....took in the smells and aromas...and I saw some produce I had never seen before! But alas, no diet coke, so back in the car.

Oh the dog smells.

On the way to a diet coke mini mart my friend Lianne called to talk about tomorrow. We are going to the hospital to sit with another friend while her baby, that's right a baby, is having open heart surgery. Couldn't be more serious. Our first instinct in situations like that is to stay away, not intrude.....so wrong my friends. Unless they tell you so, intrude! Bring your love! You don't have to stay long, but you never forget who visits in the hospital....

Mood waaaay improving.....

Now on to the mammogram. Picture me driving down the road with the stupid dog standing up on the console and I cannot get him to move. What I must have looked like to other drivers.

I get to the radiology department and stand there waiting to be helped. I am just about to say something when an elderly woman walks in, holds up a bag with an urine specimen in it and asks "Where do I take this? I couldn't give a sample this morning so they told me to go home and bring one in later." It was the most incongruous thing I had ever seen. We are all about radiology....x rays, mammograms, cat scans....no urine specimens. They tried to tell her this was not the place, but she was determined someone in radiology was going to take that sample. They finally convinced her to go down the hall to the lab. She slowly walked outside and came right back. "The line is too long. I am not waiting in that line." Again, Sheila, woman behind the desk at radiology, tells her they don't take urine specimens, and please go to the lab. I pipe up and tell her to go to the lab and find the table near the bathroom and put your specimen with all the rest of them. No line, no waiting. You know if they take urine specimens there is a table near the bathroom covered in specimens. Right? She disappears again......only to come back after awhile to tell me she did just what I told her. Found the table and left her specimen right there.

I turned and looked at all the women working behind the desk. They had the most incredulous look on their face. You know how you look when you see something that you cannot believe you saw, but you saw it anyway? Oh my, this day is so odd.

Now on to the mammogram and the fabulous Nancy Taylor, my mammogrammer.......in preparation we talked about my weird day, and how it was getting better. All it took was kindness. A little here and a little there.....the woman who found my dog, the two lovely women at the resale shop, my friend Lianne, Sheila at the front desk of radiology....and now the fabulous Nancy. Nancy reminded me there was a full moon, a meteor had just gone by and not to forget Friday, 11-11-11, a numbered palindrome which brings some kind of mystic quality to us all. Then not to forget next year, specifically December 12, 2012 starts the Age of Aquarius. I thought the Age of Aquarius was a song....nope, the Age of Aquarius is connected with all kinds of activity. From mayhem to harmony you be the judge.

Nancy was a kind voice, a calm in my abetting storm, and I was a different person. Thank you, Nancy. You never know where you will find a little helpful philosophy.

Oh the places you will go.....all in one day. From the ridiculous to the sublime. I so grateful I could see it.....grateful I didn't stay stuck in my bog.

We really are in control of our lives....I keep thinking I am being acted upon. Things are breaking right and left, bills are piling up with no end in sight, and my stupid land is not selling. And all I am is noisy.....noisy in my head, noisy in my prayers......because of all the noise, I am not listening and not paying any attention to the amazing life that is around me. I am glad I had this day....It was a gift.

What places will you go?