Mary's Wednesday Babble

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
This comes from Plato (429-347 BC). Good advise.

Zebra Queen

(Zebra, meaning my floors are now black or white.)
I have been trying to clean the grout on my tile floor for the last couple of days!
I've rented a Sargent Steam cleaner that is supposed to be fantastic but it isn't so great. It's a lot of work which I wouldn't mind if it worked the first or even the second time but I am having to do it four times! Meaning steam it really good, let it dry and stream again and again and again! and it still isn't perfect.
End result = a zebra looking floor.
I have become a great fan of linoleum!
My mother never had so much trouble with her floors.

SUNDAY DINNER 3-14-2010

Menu
HAWAIIAN HAYSTACKS
dress Hawaiian (if you would like to)
P.S.
Hey Karlene I need a picture.
And how about you and kids teaching us the hula?

stunning!

Mary's Wednesday Babble

Actually, this week it's good stuff, not just babble.

After everyone left our house last Sunday, I found this written on a note paper.
When you can't sleep at night don't count sheep, talk to the Shepherd.
Good suggestion. Lisa said that Lori told it to her for a possible handout.

In keeping with the above message I thought I would include two of my favorite scriptures. D&C 84:88 and
I Nephi 21:14-16
Would love it if some of you would tell us a favorite of yours. You could add them in Comments.

The brethern at the BYU game

The other day at the BYU game, Pres. Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar were there. I had to zoom with my little camera so the quality is bad, but I thought it was fun! Next to Uchtdorf is Pres.of BYU and he usually has at least one of the well knowns there, but it was fun to see 2 of my favorite people!!

State Road 92

As you know sr 92 is undergoing new construction. There is a video that is kind of fun to watch that shows how the road will be when finished.
click here on www.udot.utah.gov/sr92/
then click on the middle of the picture, then the sound emblem (lower right of picture).
It's worth watching.
P.S. sr 92 is the road between Thanksgiving Point and Alpine.

B I G sale at Pepperment Place

(click on picture to enlarge)

My heck, I almost started to hyperventilate when I saw that I could purchase --
100 gingerbread men for $1.00
100 pumpkin things for $1.00
12 Valentine cookie cutters filled with chocolate for $1.00
a bunch of witches for 25 cents
a heart shaped box of chocolates for $2.00
etc. etc.
Treasures all!
So what does this all add up to? = Buyers Remorse.
What in the world am I going to do with all of this?

NAMES

We all remember with fondness when Trek couldn't remember Lucy's name so he referred to her as "the sitting down grandma". Well, yesterday Austin called Grant his "white haired grandpa". Love it!

I need HELP!

Can you believe I watched Pride & Prejudice again today?
At least it was only the 3 hours version but altogether that adds up to 18 hours of P & P in one week!

SUNDAY DINNER 2-28-10

MENU
Taco Salad
Dessert? Not sure yet but something yum.

Mary's Wednesday Babble

Still recovering from tooth extraction and a biopsy. I hoped it wouldn't take this long but it is. So, yesterday I felt justified in watching the SIX hour long Pride & Prejudice. All together I have watched the three hour version three times plus the six hour version once, which equals fifteen hours of Pride & Prejudice. I think I have it memorized. A good reward.

Hi everyone this is Brinley I am super bored at home so I decided to try and do this!!! I don't really know what I am doing but ok hey everyone! Love you guys! Bye

Glad your still among the living Mary...

But rest assured that if you do go, we will keep your memory alive for all the great grandkids

UPDATE

Well, everything went well at the oral surgeon's office yesterday. I was in the dentist chair for over an hour! Was given three prescription. Then back home, I enjoyed Pride & Prejudice - TWICE (just the 3 hour one).
About bedtime things started going downhill . I had an allergic reaction to the medicine (Percocet & possible Clindamycin) and ended up in the ER today. Not fun. We just returned home. Thank goodness for hospitals and competent physicians.

P.S. Karlene can you find a picture of someone who looks half dead? Actually 99% dead would be more like it.

I ran across these photos and thought I'd share

2000 with Grandma DeVere

Mary's Wednesday Babble

I'm having some minor oral surgery tomorrow. At first, I was kind of dreading it but then I took my own advice (see Babble on 2-3-10) -- "focus on something that's after the dreaded experience". Now I am focusing on coming home from the dentist and spending the next SIX HOURS immersed in Pride & Prejudice. It's hard to justify watching a 6 hour movie but since it's my reward, it's ok. Now I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow. Well, almost.

Hey,
I have a question for you all. Here in Thailand, they have shops that make sports jerseys for way cheap and my companion gave me the idea to get matching family jerseys. What do you think if I got some of those for us? Would that be something cool? They would look like soccer jerseys and we could put whatever we want on them. If you decide you want to do it, let me know of colors and sizes. For measuring purposes, I wear a size large on the jerseys. Well just let me know what you think. I think it could be a cool souvenir to bring back but it all depends on if you would all wear them.
Steve

Maybe Chuck could design us some kind of family logo or something, what do you think? Lori

100 things about me

Karlene was talking about "writing 100 things about yourself". She'll have to tell us more about it. Just one line somethings. Anyway, I started writing stuff about me and it's kind of fun. Sample to follow:
I love Utah
I never nag - never
don't like being barefoot
I fear I might be plump?
love the rain
haven't had a bath in over 15 years (but I do shower daily)
favorite color to wear - black
on time 99.9% of the time
feel "grateful" a lot

I had a second ultrasound yesterday (my big 20 week ultrasound)..... and it's 100% GIRL! Everything measures perfect to my due date so I'm still due July 3rd

Sunday Dinner (2-14-10)

MENU
Dutch oven dinner.
roast - potatoes - carrots - gravy - hot rolls
pretzel salad (we need something red for Valentine's Day)
I'll have to come up with something appropriate for dessert - maybe something red?

Great Performance!

Amy did GREAT in her performance Saturday night. Great I tell you! Great!

Mary's Wednesday Babble

I saved $200.00 yesterday -- maybe more! A couple of friends and I went to Gardner Village and there were many items that I loved. I practiced my 5 minutes rule (pick it up but wait 5 minutes before buying) and amazingly, the honeymoon was over within 5 minutes with each item. BIG savings.
P.S. I don't understand why Grant doesn't understand "savings".

there she is - Rail Robinson 1 day old

New Addition

We have decided to name our new addition Rail Robinson. Lisa likes it -- points out: Lori, Lisa, Ron, & Rail. You can all have a chance to look at, hold, take pictures, etc. during our next family get together. So fitting that it will be on Valentine's Day!

Mary's Wednesday Babble

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
This scripture is so true but there is also another "fear thwarter". It's all about "focusing".
If you are nervous about something -- a dental appointment, giving a talk, an upcoming test, whatever -- you can ease your fears by --
First: being prepared, of course.
Second: by focusing on something that will occur after the feared event.
Such as -- after my operation I will reward myself with . . . .
Or, after my dental appointment I am going to enjoy watching my favorite video.
Or, after I sing my solo in church (this one will never happen to me) it is going to feel soooo good to sit back down in my seat.
You get the idea --concentrate on the reward. Try it, it works.

I LOVE those pictures of the birthday boys, Ron and Steve!

SUNDAY DINNER 1-31-10

MENU:
Soups in Bread Bowls

When I asked Ron what kind of birthday cake he wanted he smiled and said, "The Orange Cake that you made for the California cake baking contest."
(There is a long story about that cake but hay,
I won a prize -- fourth in the state!)
Keep your fingers crossed and don't expect too much.
The last time I made this cake was in May 2005 at Lori's request and it was about the same as eating cardboard.
Well, maybe it wasn't quite that good.

Performance Alert!

My performing doesn't happen very often anymore, y'all. Want a night out??? Come!!!


Wicked, Les Miserables, Rent, West Side Story, The Secret Garden, Lion King, Fiddler on the Roof…A showcase of popular musical theater featuring some of Utah’s finest talent! Hosted by award winning recording artist, Jenny Jordan Frogley.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!!!
Saturday, February 6th
Two performances-6:00 and 8:30
Orem High School, Elison Auditorium (175 S. 400 E. Orem) Arrive early for parking!
$10.00 general admission, $15.00 reserved- All proceeds will go to the Syd Riggs scholarship. Tickets can be purchased in person or over the phone through the Orem High School financial office 801-227-8765 ext 252

The cast includes more than 100 of Utah’s finest performers, most former students and friends of Riggs, who are all donating their time and talents. Professional credits include: film, television, Broadway, national and international tours, commercial and print, recording, dance companies, cruise ship and theme park entertainment. The performance will also feature a performance by current Orem High School theater students.

This year’s show will also be a tribute and farewell to the Elison Auditorium as the reconstruction of the high school will be complete this coming spring.

Syd Riggs passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2005. Thousands in Utah and beyond have seen and enjoyed her shows. Riggs worked on shows for Hale Center Theater, Sundance Summer Theater, Provo Theater Company, Thanksgiving Point, The Playmill Theater, Promised Valley Playhouse, Backstage Theater, SCERA Center for the Arts, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, and Orem High School to name a few. She directed hundreds of plays and musicals in her career and was a beloved teacher at Orem High School for more than 15 years.

Mary's Wednesday Babble

We have so much to be grateful for, so much.
Lately, I have an increased appreciation for photography. I love looking at the pictures you post on the family blogs. Our ancestors never dreamed of such a thing. It was tradition (before photographs) to have a small lock of hair from a loved one, to remember them by.
Photography is a modern day luxury/blessing that I truly appreciate and enjoy.

Our month in pictures..

Whitney asked Nick to Preference.
Trek got asked by Katelyn. They all had a great time.
Fun family night. I recommend Cranium! Really fun!
Baylee had a root canal. Ouch!
Needs no explanation..

I love this boy! I can't get over how blue his eyes are!

TIP OF THE DAY

When you have lots of really good advice but no one listens to a dang word you say -- start a Tip of the Day thing. Everyone is compelled to read it just out of curiosity.

I'm done -- the end. No more "wiseness".
What is wiseness? see comments under Where? 1-12-10, I love it!

P.S. Well, maybe I could take Darci's suggestion and do a "weekly" thing.
Wednesday's Wiseness?
Sounds good. Back here on Wednesday.

Help with name......

Ok so I need everyone's help.....Jas and I are having a debate on how we are going to spell your little girls name! I want everyone's vote!!

Kinzley Morgan
or
Kenzley Morgan

What do you think???

TIP OF THE DAY

Tired?
President Kimball had a great idea to solve this problem. Every afternoon he would lay down on the living room floor and take a nap. He said the floor was the best place for a nap because it wasn't comfortable enough to sleep more than 20 minutes and that was all he needed to feel refreshed.

Even duct-tape has it's limits!

I say nothing...

A pictures is worth 1000 words?

and then some pictures require 1000 words to explain.

Karlene has the twin picture of this one. Hope she posts it soon.

TIP OF THE DAY

Hand washing dishes.
Put some dish soap on a Dobie or cloth or sponge and wash each item with it. Rinse under running water. Much better than a dish pan full of soapy water. Have you ever been washing a bunch of dishes at the church and someone comes along and puts more dirty dishes with food still on them in your dishwater? Gross, gag, puke!
Use this suggested way and you'll not give a hoot about such a thing happening.

P.S. Maybe I need to up-date my memory bank. I don't think we wash lots of dishes at the church anymore (yeah for paper plates).

TIP OF THE DAY

Teaching a church class & having discipline problems?
Years ago, the Primary program made the following suggestions.
1. Stop talking. Just look at the one causing the problem and "wait" for them to stop.
2. Walk over and stand next to them.
3. Talk to them privately, ask for their cooperation.
4. Arrange seating so it's boy, girl, boy, girl.
5. Ask someone to visit your class and sit next to the problem.
6. Move to a different ward.
P.S. that last suggestion didn't come from the Primary.

TIP OF THE DAY

Movies I love:
1. Napoleon Dynamite
2. Pride & Prejudice (the one made in 2005 that's 3 hours long, & the 1995 BBC one that's 6 hours long. Many versions have been made, the worst is the one made in India, it's pathetic.)
3. A New Leaf, with Walter Matthau & Elaine May

TIP OF THE DAY

Books that have changed my life.
"How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
"How to Stop Worrying & Start Living" by Dale Carnegie
"Jesus the Christ" by James Talmage

Think PINK :)

We found out today that we are having a baby girl!! We are so excited to start thinking PINK..... or I should say that I'm excited, Jason is worried about our bank account :)

TIP OF THE DAY

Where are you?
When baby sitting, on vacation, or in someone else's house know where you are in case you need to call 911.

TIP OF THE DAY

Cankers?
They are not fun. Since Grant & I have been using Listerine we haven't had any cankers. If you feel one coming on then use Listerine several times in the day and "no more cankers". Joy!

TIP OF THE DAY

Driving & Sleepy?
Pull over to a fast food parking lot. Close your eyes for 10-15 minutes. Makes a huge difference. Or take 1/4 or 1/2 of a No-doz. It's better than falling asleep at the wheel.

TIP OF THE DAY

Want more blessings?
Check out Leviticus 26: 2-6
A powerful message on how to receive more blessings.

TIP OF THE DAY

Wishing you had more/better/newer stuff?
We could use a new mattress but when I consider that it is better than what most people sleep on I appreciate it more.
Do you know that one fourth of the world's population live without electricity?
And one-half of the world's population has no running water in their house?
These statistics are hard to believe but I checked a few different sources on the internet and they all say about the same thing.
Our old mattress looks more like a bowl than a bed but when I consider the above statistics, it looks pretty dang good.
We are all greatly, greatly blessed.

54 Years ago today

54 years ago today our lives changed. Grant & I met on a blind date -- we went to the Rainbow Rendezvoux (a nice dance hall in SLC) to hear Dave Brubeck. Love at first sight? No, but started getting serious pretty soon after that.

P.S. I had to ask Grant how to spell Rendezvoux. He knew how to spell it because when he was in the Navy he used to type up the ships logs and they used that word a lot -- whenever meeting up with different ships.

Today is also the anniversary of when Grant got his first car. A black Mercury with a white top -- "Leaded-in". Leaded-in was removing the handles and have the area where handles used to be "leaded-in". Grant only had the trunk handle removed. We had to pull a leaver in the back window area to open the trunk. Dumb now but back in 1956 it was "cool".

TIP OF THE DAY

What time is it?
Check out www.time.gov
You'll love it.

TIP OF THE DAY

Feeling downhearted?
Step outside. Enjoy the beauties of nature. God's creations everywhere.
Enjoying nature is therapeutic. Spiritually renewing.

Where ?

Recently I was asked where I found the information for the Tip Of The Day.
Can't blame anyone else -- all of these stupid ideas came from my own head -- but they work for me.

We had an Ice Cream Social Sunday night-it was fun and Yummy!

TIP OF THE DAY

Make your bed every morning.
So the bed looks tidy?
No, so spiders can't get in there.

SUNDAY DINNER 1-17-10

ITALIAN MENU!
Bruschetta
Pasta - 3 to choose from
Sauces - 3 to choose from
French Bread
Green Salad
Dessert ? I'm checking out a few possibilities

TIP OF THE DAY

Some chore hanging over your head?
Something you dread doing -- then do it first that way you only have to do it once, not a hundred times in your head.
Do you know where the phrase "hanging over your head" comes from? The guillotine!

TIP OF THE DAY

Do you have CRS? (Can't Remember Stuff)
Keep a journal, it can be of great help.
For sometime now, I have wanted to know when we started our Family Quilts. Karlene thought it was in 2006. So I checked my journal for that year and found this entry ---

18 March 2006 Saturday
Lori came down from Farmington then Lisa over from Orem then Karlene and her girls and we all went shopping for quilting fabric. Started at Nuttle's in A.F. then Fabric Mill and JoAnn's in Orem then back to Nuttle's. FOUR hours of shopping. Then back home and worked for sometime on cutting and sewing pieces together. Quite fun. Lori's idea. Everyone excited about it.

I already wrote on my quilt 9-9-9, the finishing date. Now I can add 3-18-06 for the starting date. All because I kept a journal and because Lori did 99.9% of the work on my quilt, otherwise the ending date would yet be sometime in the distant future.

TIP OF THE DAY

Bored, depressed, unhappy?
Listen to some "good" music.
Research has shown that even cows give more milk when listening to Mozart.

TIP OF THE DAY

Oven needs cleaning?
Learn to open & shut the oven door without actually looking in there.

TIP OF THE DAY

Itchy ears?
After showering, dry ears with q-tips.
No more itchy ears.

TIP OF THE DAY

Spouse imperfect?
Make a list of how you can be more loving to them.
Then do it.
100% guaranteed to improve your spouse.

TIP OF THE DAY

Did you know that towels are less absorbent if you use a fabric softener on them?
In fact, years ago when fabric softeners first came out (we didn't need fabric softeners before clothes dryers or nylon fabrics were invented) there was a notice on the label that it makes diapers less absorbent. That was back when cloth diapers were the only option.

TIP OF THE DAY

Knee high stockings won't stay up?
Just before pulling them up -- put quite a bit of hand lotion on your legs. It works!

TIP OF THE DAY

Life getting you down?
When I was teaching Early Morning Seminary in Dallas, we taught the students that the answers to all of life's problems can be found in the scriptures.
Personal example: on 5-16-04 I was feeling stressed. My mother was kind of a challenge and I felt a little overwhelmed. I opened the scriptures, looking for some encouragement or something.
I read, Mosiah 7:23 "And now, is not this grievous to be borne? And is not this, our affliction, great? Now behold, how great reason we have to mourn."
My situation was so minor compared to the one I was reading about that it actually made me laugh out-loud. Helped my perspective.

TIP OF THE DAY

Do your babies or toddlers wake up easily?
Leave a radio on in their bedroom (tuned to some soft music) and they will sleep much better.
We did this with our kids and they would sleep so soundly that we could even vacuum around their bed and they wouldn't wake up. It works.

TIP OF THE DAY

Don't eat anything in the dark or without looking at it first.
Once I was eating my favorite candy bar, Hershey with almonds, it was half-gone before I actually looked at it. The almonds were crawling with little worms!

TIP OF THE DAY

only one more sleep

Oh Baby!

Yesterday Whitney, Baylee and I got to take care of the triplets for a few hours while Emily slept!! It was soooo fun! They are just precious!! In this first picture Baylee is holding Ruby, I've got Bennett and Whitney has Alex. (I think haha) We had so much fun. We wish they lived closer.

Tip of the Day

coming soon
only two more sleeps

Family Dinner 1-3-10

MENU
Chili & Corn Bread
Rice Pudding for dessert
Yum, I can hardly wait!
Hope to see you here!

Amazing

Check out Karlene's blog -- "Reason To Smile".
She has become quite the professional photographer. Grant used to say that Karlene's kids "are the most photographed kids in the world!" All that practicing has paid off.

Amazed but not surprised.

Sunday Dinner 12-20-09

Menu: Lasagna, french bread, green salad & red jello (yes, Christmas colors). We'll be celebrating the birthdays of Brook, MaCae & Myles. Brook chose her favorite cake -- Score Bar Cake for the BIG day. Looking forward to seeing all of you again.

TIP OF THE DAY

Coming soon -- beginning January 1, 2010

Family Dinner 12-20-09

Dinner as usual on the 20th at our house. Celebrating Brook, MaCae & Myles' birthdays.

For our Christmas Eve gathering we will meet at Olsen's home at 4:00 p.m. Big dinner with all the fixings. Possibly a reenactment of the Nativity scene. Really looking forward to seeing all of you there.

Sunday Dinner 12-6-09

I'm not going to post the menu because if I did you might not come so I'll just announce that the dessert will be fresh Razzleberry Pie from Marie Callender's (Craig's favorite).
So thrilled about Darci and Jason's announcement!

I do not have a face to see, or put inside a frame.

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss, I don't yet have a name.

You can't yet hold my tiny hands, nor whisper in my ear.

It's still too soon to sing a song, or cuddle me so near.¨

But all will change come July, 3 2010, that's when they say I'm due.

I'm your new grandchild, niece or nephew; I can't wait till I meet you.

All I ask between now and then is your patience while I grow.

I promise I'll be worth the wait, because of all the love we'll know.

So what I have to give you now, is a wish to you from me.

I cannot wait to be a part of this wonderful family.

Christmas Tree

We had a lot of fun last night putting up our CHRISTMAS TREE!! Austin was so careful with all the ornaments and Grandma Olsen had so much fun showing each ornament to Austin and showing him all the details and what they were doing and what they meant! Austin just ate it all up!

Righteous Living

Another obsession has come and gone. Thank goodness I only teach a few times a month! This handout refers to Isaiah 57:20-21 "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." So I am giving them a piece of the ocean with actual California sand, Orem water and a Roberts Crafts seashell!

Lori's blog

Hey, I was thinking... someone needs to add Lori's blog to the list on the right side of our family blog. I would except that I don't know how! Lisa

Family Dinner

Looking forward to our next family dinner (Sunday 11-22-09).
On the menu:
Meat Balls, Gravy, Rice, Corn, Jello, Green Salad, and Tom's Birthday Cake. He chose German Chocolate.
AND BEN WILL BE HERE!!! (after being away for National Guard training).
I love our get-togethers!
Love - Grandma

Up Up and Away!

Jeremy got to actually fly an Apache Helicopter. Isn't that awesome.

Here is a picture if an Apache

Trip to Disneyland

Here are some pictures from our Disneyland trip in October

Dinner Schedule

Just a note to let you know that we will be having our regular family dinners every other Sunday as we usually do PLUS the two holidays, Thanksgiving & Christmas Eve. FUN, FUN, FUN!

WARNING

If you are talking Fosamax or some other medicine to increase your bone density -- STOP! It can cause ONJ which is awful. I have stopped taking it and plan to increase my calcium intake through milk,yogurt,cheese, etc. It's scary stuff.

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! Now break out the Christmas music!! ♪♫♪♫

THANKSGIVING! Yeah!

I love Thanksgiving Day! Many fond memories of Thanksgivings from years past. Always at my Flygare grandparents house with my Evans grandparents invited plus many others, Zona, etc. -- all having a great time.

We'll be celebrating Thanksgiving at our house this year and all are invited to come and join in the tradition of appreciation for our blessings.

At 1:00 p.m. Thursday the 26th. Hope to see you there.