Memories of November in Photos

Most of our November has been absorbed in this...

Well crap. I was going to post photos of our redecorating project.

And I was going to post a photo of our quick visit with Katelyn in Rexburg.

And I was also going to post our Thanksgiving photos.

And finally I was going to post some wrestling photos since last night was the first wrestling match of 2012.

HOWEVER, I received a message stating that I had using up 100% of my 1GB storage on Picasa Web Albums.

First of all, I didn't even know that my pictures were stored on Picasa Web Albums.

Second, I don't have a clue how to access the album so I can delete pictures.

Third, I'm not sure that if I delete pictures from the Picasa album they will stay formatted in my blog.

Fourth, I hate feeling like a loser because of 1, 2, and 3.

So, I guess you'll have to look at the pictures on Facebook. Sorry in advance if you don't have a Facebook account (mom and dad).

Musical Memories

Pandora radio, what a great and wonderful technological convenience. I love creating unique radio stations. Some of the radio stations were created because they are nice to listen to while doing paperwork at work. Other stations are for the Christmas holiday season and are played from right after Thanksgiving until the new year. A few them were created because I like the memories that the songs bring to my mind.

The Harry Potter film score was playing the other day and my mind drifted to a time when I would read the books to Katelyn and Carson. Sometimes I would read on long car trips, but most of the time it was a nightly routine before bed. Katelyn would sit and listen intently, not really wanting me to stop at the designated stopping place. For Carson, the reading had the desired effect--he would inevitably fall asleep long before the chapter was complete. These are good memories.

I can't hear the Star Wars film score without reminiscing about Carson and his fascination with all things Star Wars. When he was little, I knew that if I heard the Star Wars theme song, my little Padawan would shortly come running to find me. He would come yelling "The words, Mom. The words." This would be my cue to rush to the family room to read the monologue at the start of every Star Wars movie. After awhile I had the script memorized and would recite it to him from wherever I was in the house. Thinking back on that time brings a smile to face every time.

I created Broadway showtunes channel so I can feel closer to my little, almost grown-up, college-aged thespian, Katelyn. Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Singin' in the Rain, Brigadoon...all of those conjure up memories of Katelyn. Sometimes I am reminded of how she would walk around the house either humming or singing the scores. Other times I smile as I remember watching her perform in the high school production of a couple of the plays. I am looking forward to the opportunity to watch her perform in a college musical.

Dave and I even have a few songs that have a special meaning to us. First is Richard Marx's song "Right Here Waiting." It came out right at the end of our senior year in high school. It was a perfect way to describe our year apart during our freshman year of college. "Fishin' in the Dark" brings back the memory of the time Dave and I saw The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform live on a wintery night in Park City. Then there is the Indiana Jones film score. It reminds me of the time when Dave and I were "extras" in the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectatucular in DisneyWorld. I pretended that we were an engaged couple just so we could be picked to participate in the show. Dave was such a good sport and just played along.

Oh my! The more time I think about music and memories, the more memories are stirred up. I am so grateful to have music as a part of my life to help me form and retain happy memories.

Grateful Praise for Some Random Things

The other day on the morning news there was a question about favorite children's toys. I thought back to my childhood and what toy brought me much joy and filled my time. Immediately I remembered how much I loved our Texas Instrument Speak and Spell. I would spend hours playing with that and practicing my spelling skills. I am pretty sure there were a few Christmas's when I asked for new modules for the Speak and Spell because I had mastered the old ones. That morning, as I was remembering the good ole Speak and Spell days I was grateful for parents who knew the importance of providing such educational toys and did so, even if it was a sacrifice. I have to admit that I did feel a little badly while I was reminiscing because I'm pretty sure this was supposed to be a "family toy" and I don't recall sharing it very well. Oops.

I had the opportunity to visit with our bishop the other night. I don't usually visit with the bishop. I can't remember a time when I have ever scheduled an appointment for ecclestiastical guidance. But as I have been thinking about some future plans I had the distinct impression that I should counsel with our current bishop. He is a good, thoughtful man. I am grateful for the time that devotes to our ward. I am grateful for his counsel and his willingness to meet with me.

As Dave and I drove down to visit Katelyn last Friday I was grateful for good roads, Dave's iPhone and Pandora radio. After visiting with Katelyn on Friday night, we could tell that she has settled comfortably into college life. She is doing a good job at managing her classes and her theatre responsibilities. I was grateful to see her happy and successful.

Monday was my last day at Greenacres Elementary. I have been at Greenacres Elementary since I started my school nurse career. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked there while my children attended that school. I am grateful for the relationships I formed with staff members and students. I am grateful for the new adventures that await me at Spokane Valley Tech and the Early Learning Center. I am grateful that I will be able to devote a little more time to Greenacres Middle School.

Dave is currently ripping up the carpet on our stairs and main level. I am grateful that he is such a hard worker. I am grateful and more than a little thrilled that we finally get to do some up-dating. After being in the house for 12 years (wow, I can't believe it has been that long!), the carpet and walls were starting to show some wear and tear. Thanks, Dave for pushing me to actually get this project in motion instead of letting me just keep talking about how much we need to update things.

In Observance of Veteran's Day

We have the day off of school today in observance of Veteran's Day. Carson is spending the day watching the HBO seriers Band of Brothers.

Watching these shows is not my favorite thing to do. I hate the violence even though I know war is violent. I find the death and destruction overwhelming. I don't even know how to fully express my feelings when I think about the great suffering that occurred.

I am humbled to know that men and women willingly chose (and continue to choose) to defend our country even though the threat of mortal danger was (and is) quite real. They believed in the freedoms of this country and were willing to die to protect them. How can I express my gratitude sufficiently?

This is going to sound a little strange. I have a testimony of how great this country is. Yes, we could be better. There is always room for more kindness, charity and gratitude in our society. But those principles that our founding fathers believed in

... that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
 

are still just as relevant today as they were in 1776. The belief and defense of these principles is what makes our country great. I honor and salute those men and women who will put on a uniform to defend those principles so that I might be granted life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Leroy "Bud" Swigart, my grandpa because I married his grandson. I love (and miss) him.

Good 'Ole Snail Mail

I received a little note in the mail today from a friend who moved to Arizona this past summer. I loved getting that completely unexpected note in the mail. I was humbled to know that I was important enough to her that she put her very busy life on hold for the few minutes it took her to write the note and post it. She could have so easily messaged me on Facebook or sent me a quick text. But she didn't. She did it old school. And I am so grateful for that. It was quite special.

Lesson for today is to remember to send notes the old-fashioned way. It is quickly becoming a lost art which is a shame because it is such a wonderful way to show someone you care and connect in a more personal way than texting, e-mail or Facebooking. Guess those Hallmark commercials have it right after all.

Moving On with Peace and Gratitude

I am not going to dwell on the disappointment of last night's election results. I have learned that for me dwelling on disappointment blinds me to seeing the beauty and joy that surrounds me daily. Last month I spent 21 days making a concerted effort to identify something virtous, lovely or of good report. I am not going to erase all of that effort by wallowing in disappointment.

I will find comfort in knowing that half the country felt as I did. I will find comfort in the belief that when one door closes, another one opens. I believe that while there may be some serious consequences that come from the results of this election, if I live my life with God as the focus and center-point, all will be well...maybe not free from hardship or tough times, but I can find joy if I remain faithful and believe God is faithful.

Today I am grateful for that peace.

Grateful Days

November 1st was a warm, sunny afternoon with only a few broken clouds interrupting a beautiful fall sky. I was sitting in the study room of Hutton Settlement's Cottage Two waiting for the young lady that I tutor every Thursday. As I was waiting, I watched out the big picture window for her and enjoyed seeing the leaves fall off of the old maple tree just outside the window.

Waiting gave me time to ponder what words I would use to describe the scene if I was somehow given the assignment of describing the scene. I thought about how I would write that the leaves appeared to be floating gently, catching a lilting breeze, and almost appearing to glow in the late afternoon sun. I wondered if that would paint as beautiful picture in someone's mind as was being displayed to my eye.

As I was thinking about this description, my mind wandered back to my first recollection of a creative writing assignment. I was in second grade and Mrs. McCartney had asked to write about how what it would feel like to be butter melting on toast. At first I was stumped. I didn't know what to write. Slowly ideas began entering my head and I would write them down. Before long I felt like I had written a good descriptive essay. I was crushed when Mrs. McCartney read mine out loud to the class and said it was a good example of "good attempt but not quite good enough." She then read another student's paper that was an example of exemplary work. From that moment on I was pretty convinced that I was not a good descriptive writer and my dreams of been a famous screenplay writer or play write were squashed almost before they even began.

As I sat waiting for the young lady and watching the leaves fall, I realized that I was grateful for those who do have the talent for painting pictures with words. Those talents make my reading hobby so much enjoyable and I seek out authors who can portray beautiful images just through words. I also read their works in hopes that some of their talent will rub off on me so that this little blog will be an enjoyable read for those that stop by from time to time.

November is "gratitude" month for me. My November entries will be about things I am grateful for and make my heart and life full.