Back Blogging

I'm going to attempt to do some catching up on my blog; consequently, I'm going to be all over the place.  I said I was going to lose weight this year - TOP PRIORITY.  I also want to be more consistent in my blogging.  We're on the hunt for a new computer which will really help.  In the meantime, I'm catching up with photos I have already downloaded or that people have emailed to me.

For starters, I had another opportunity to see my cousin Susan. (Susan is really my mother's first cousin, but we're closer in age.) When I go to the Redlands Temple I try to plan a visit with her. The facility she stays in is in Yucaipa which is very close to the temple. Susan has always asked me to bring other family members to  see her.  Happily, Janna made a point to come along.  She obviously is not pictured, but is taking the photo.

The last time Susan had seen Janna she was a baby.  I went on a trip to North Carolina 20 years ago to visit my sister, Beth, and her family.  I made a point to also see Susan who was living in Beaufort, South Carolina at the time. That was the first and last time she saw Janna until our summer visit.  Susan commented on how she thought Janna looked like her girls - tall, thin, and beautiful. Wish Susan was closer in vicinity. It's been eight months since we've seen each other.  I'll probably make another trip soon.

Susan and I
Far apart, yet close in spirit.

Cassie in her element.  She helped put together a wedding for her friend Jennifer last August.

Good Friends - Jennifer and Cassie
at Jennifer's Wedding Reception

Creative Grandkids - Ammon and Dexter
with Becky looking on.

One of the other reasons I haven't blogged or got anything else done around here is because I worked steadily for a teacher who was ill.  I was happy to be of service and it was a good four months of steady work - great on the pocketbook, but it really taxed my time.  I have to say,  "I couldn't have gotten through Christmas without Becky!" She loves the holiday and I was so busy working.  She wrapped and kept track of all the gifts, so grateful for all her help.

This was taken on Becky's birthday last year - 2012.
To show how far behind I am,
she's had another birthday already this year,
The BIG Three-O (30).
In celebration, all the kids went to Disneyland this year.

Ready to go -Haley, Becky, Cassie, Tom, Sam, Bailey, Janna

January 2013 - about a month before Becky's real birthday.

Everyone said, "It was the BEST Disneyland trip, EVER!"

Sam and Cassie at Disneyland

Janna and Bryant

Over the Christmas holiday we finally had the opportunity to personally meet Bryant.  He's a good friend of Janna's.  He came to eat one evening with our family.  We had heard so much about him.  We thoroughly  enjoyed his company.  Hope to have him over again.

Cassie and Dexter
Christmas Cuteness

All the girls, on our way to the
Sierra Ward Relief Society Christmas Party.

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."

Kahlil Gibran

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!!

For seven years we have had the privilege of walking across the street to church. When people would observe us on our short walk they would comment about the ease our family had in attending church.  My response was always, "I pretend I moved to Utah!"

We lived 17 years in our previous home.  There we could walk to church too, but we usually made the short drive.  Our home was just around the corner from the Lancaster Blvd. building.  Sometimes we'd walk through a vacant lot for a shortcut, but that was never too good on dress shoes.

When we bought our new home one of the main draws was the location.  It was just steps away from the church. Before we made the final decision to buy, we would review the pros and cons of each house we had viewed.  Hughie would always say with a sense of allurement, "I really want to be able to walk to church."  I would then mention that we were already able to walk to church; he just didn't walk with us.  Hugh was currently serving in the stake so he was usually at the other building.  With that reminder, he would then add to his plea, "So . . . I want to walk together."  Needless to say, we bought the house three doors down from the church and we have thoroughly enjoyed our short jaunts not to mention the money we have saved on gas.

Anyway,  we're moving - not our house, but our ward.  Sierra Ward will now be attending church back on Lancaster Blvd. starting May 5th.  They are adding a Spanish branch to the stake, so things consequently needed to be juggled around to add the new unit.  I won't share all the details about who is going where and when, but it's obvious they had to do some orchestrating to make it all work. We will happily accept the situation.

The changes were announced at stake conference yesterday.  We had two Seventy visiting our stake, Elder Whiting and Elder Sabin.  It was an inspiring weekend to say the least.  Elder Whiting let us know that things were coming together in the Antelope Valley. EXCITING TIMES! Lots of missionaries are coming to the area too and we will soon (July) be a part of the newly created California Bakersfield Mission.

After the meeting, I wrote our stake president assuring him of our support, "We are happy to do our part in building the kingdom of God, even if it involves driving across town."

Hurrah for Israel!

"I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?"

—Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement", Ensign,  March 2001

Confessions of NOT Being on the Program

Even though I made a commitment to stay strong in the month of March I easily waned while struggling to get better. I need to stay strong in spite of setbacks that come my way.

Confession #1 - I haven't exercised much, but I did start walking again.  I got in about three times a week the last two weeks of  March.  Yeah!  Hopefully exercise will be easier in April.  Mid-month I still had a bit of a headache and knee ache; but now, after two months from my fall last February, I'm feeling very recovered.  I'm definitely grateful and happy about that.

Confession #2 - My allergies always get the best of me this time of year and this year is no exception.  In fact, the doctor had me on prednisone for a week to get some of my acute symptoms to subside and it definitely helped.  I'm not perfect, of course, but I am feeling better.

Confession #3 - I only worked one day last month; very weird, since I was working daily for so long.  With hurting, being sick, so much to do (I won't list), and me moving along at a slower pace; it was just easier not to work and has given me some needed recoup time. Why is this any kind of a confession - eating makes me feel better when I'm feeling down and out.

The results for the month:

March 1st  235 lbs.

April 2nd  240 lbs.

Gained  5 lbs.

Total loss since January 1st  10.8 lbs

"A diet is when you

watch what you eat

and wish you could

eat what you watch."

Hermione Gingold

Happy Easter

I want to bear my testimony today - that Christ lives and He loves.

He brings peace and I am grateful.

Happy Easter!

 

"I am the resurrection,

and the life:

he that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live."

John 11:25

Trailing Clouds of Glory

#10 and Counting

Charlotte Martha Blair

6.6 lbs

19 inches

Born 1:30 PM

Pensacola, FL

March 10, 2013

A new baby in our line of grandchildren - Charlotte Martha Blair. She was born today on what would have been my husband's father's (which is Charlotte's great-grandfather) 85th birthday. That is a nice sentiment not to mention her middle name is my own first name.  Her older sister's middle name is after her other grandmother, Kristine.  

The baby came early too.  Wendy has had all her children early. Everything went well though with the delivery. The family is all doing great and we were happy to get the special news.

One other side note, because Rick and Wendy have moved so much, each of the children has been born somewhere different:

Evelyn - Utah

Will - California

Eddie - Okinawa

Charlotte - Florida

Maybe I shouldn't be so forthcoming with all this information on the Internet, but I think it's interesting.    They are anticipating another move later this year - does that mean another baby will on the way?  Just thinking out loud, too loud no doubt.

HAPPY DAY! 

"Pretty dresses,

Little Curls,

Oh thank heaven for little girls!"

The Call

We were anticipating Janna's mission call last Friday, but it didn't come.  What a disappointment, but it came Saturday!  Hoorah for Israel!

First the guesses,  I hope I got everyone:

Me - Liberty Jail Visitors Center (Liberty, Missouri)
Hughie B. - Mongolia
Bailey G. - Spain
Sam B. - France
Marla M. - Brazil
Jeremiah D. - New York
Joseph D. - Puerto Rico
Ammon D. - Taiwan
Cassie D. - Holland
Dexter D. - Italy
Ruben D. - Missouri
Mark R. - Rome, Italy
Jo R.- Helsinki, Finland
Robert R. - South Carolina
Paige R. - Pensacola, Florida
Scott R. - Rapid City, South Dakota
Nancy H. - Hamburg, Germany
Heidi B. - Spain
Danette S. - Russia
Janessa H. - Philippines
Kathleen J. - Ohio or Italy (Yikes!  Only one vote.)
Tammie H. - Japan
Annie S. - Kansas
Kim F. - Germany
Laura C. - France
Jeffrey H. - Sacrament North
Erica P. - New Zealand
Berkeley P. - Oregon
Jennifer S. - Overseas 
Anita G. - Independence, Missouri
Cei K. - Portugal
Michelle T. - Canada
Emma R. - New York
Don and Kathy O. - New Zealand
Beth E. - Canada
Candy R. - The Carolinas or South America
Jeanette M. - Japan
Sally R. - Oklahoma, somewhere warm
Jacob L. - Florida
Brittany L. - Japan
Kendra K. - Argentina or New York, New York
Zoe B. - Hollywood, Florida
Charles O. - Seattle, Washington
Aimee I. - Paris, France
Sydney B. - Lancaster . . .
Kellie H. - Boston, MA or Argentina
Alyssa A. - Lancaster
Emilyann B. - New York
Ricky F. - Texas
Mike T. - Pocatello, Idaho
Stephanie S. - South Carolina
Thomas B. - Thailand
Rebecca B. - Paris, France
Natalie B. - New Zealand or Montana
Veronica M. - Kansas
Tracie D. - France, somewhere in Europe
                 or maybe Washington D. C.
Nicole B. - Guatemala or NYC
David E. - Dominican Republic
Teancum Q. - Korea or Texas
Jared Q. - Temple Square
William B. - Jacksonville, Florida
Rick B. - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wendy B. - Texas
Evelyn B. - Mississippi
Will B. - Alabama
Eddie B. - Texas
Dave L. - North Carolina
Lisa B. - England
Beth L. - Michigan
Kate R. - Michigan
Jana T. - St. Louis, Missouri/Dallas, Texas/Ireland
Perri L. - Spain
Jessica L. - Utah
Doyle M. - Temple Square
Julie M. - New York
Michelle G. - Tonga

The Call:  Florida Orlando Mission
               Leaving - July 17, 2013 (Janna's dad's 60th birthday)

Referred to as "The Happiest Mission on Earth"

Runners-Up:  Billy Blair guessed Jacksonville, Florida.  Bill served in the Florida Jacksonville Mission over ten years ago.  Things change, as in the boundaries; we found out that there are places in the Orlando Mission where Bill served when it was in the Jacksonville Mission.  We're making special note and maybe Janna will get to serve in those same areas.
                      Zoe Burgess guessed Hollywood, Florida.  This is where she currently lives.  It is in the Florida Ft. Lauderdale  Mission; close, but no prize.  Ft. Lauderdale is where my sister served almost 35 years ago - Spanish speaking.

Winner:  Well I'm giving it to my nephew, Jake Lockhart, for his more generalized answer - Florida.  He's coming to visit so he'll get a Disney prize when he comes to town.  Congrats Jake!

"I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,

Over mountain or plane or sea;

I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord,

I'll be what you want me to be."

Hymn No. 270 "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go"

Text: Mary Brown, 1856-1918

Music: Carrie E. Rounsefell, 1861-1930

Back on the Wagon

I had a bit of a setback this month.  I got injured for one.  I fell walking at the mall, twice, and tripped three times in between my falls.  What was that all about?  After 45-minutes of nearly killing myself (hitting that tile floor felt like getting hit by a Mack Truck, twice) I figured I better get out of there while I was still alive.  I haven't walked since - so obviously I am exercising less.  I don't know when I'll start walking again. I am still riding my stationary bike.

Being weakened, I didn't think about eating less, but ate more.  Mid-month I also went to a wedding and a funeral (more food). Anyway, I caught myself close to the end of the month.  I was starting to gain back a pound a day.  I caught hold of myself and regrouped mentally. I still hurt from the fall, but I can see I'm getting better, so I'm grateful for that.  It will be sometime before I totally quit hurting (or is that even possible at my age).  Anyway, I'm feeling optimistic once again, but I definitely lost some losing time.  YIKES! Becky's birthday party last night - heart attack on a plate (Chicken Alfredo) and homemade chocolate mint ice cream, none of which I should have had.  It was YUMMY!

March 1st is a new day.  Is it any wonder, I started out the year with:  On the Program for the REST OF MY LIFE!  It literally has to be that way.  I'm back on the wagon.

February 1st 236.6 (had gotten down to 231 early this month.)

March 1st  235

Lost an additional 1.6

Total loss since January 1st  15.8 lbs.

Don't dig your grave

with your own knife and fork. 

~English Proverb

A Family Tradition

Ricky went to the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh Mission

Billy went to the Florida Jacksonville Mission

Tommy went to the Texas Houston South Mission

Janna_________________________________

(Fill in the blank.)

 

Janna's mission papers have been submitted. She's given her availability date as June 17th. Tommy and Haley will be married. School will be out. Work will be over. She'll be ready to go, but where is she going?  Like her brothers before her, we're playing a little guessing game.

Let the guessing begin! 

Janna should receive her call in a matter of weeks.  If you'd like to join in, feel free to email me, call me, or leave a comment with your guess.  I'll make a post later with all the guesses.  We'll see if there is a lucky winner.  Last time I made a Texas Sheet Cake when we found out Tommy was going to Texas.  Of course, the winner happened to live here in Lancaster.  So . . . I don't know what I'm giving, but I'm giving something; you'll just have to wait and see.  I'll put up all the guesses with the winner when Janna gets her call.

"Sisters,while you do not have
the same priesthood responsibility

as do the young men to

serve as full-time missionaries,

you also make a
valuable contribution as missionaries,

and we welcome your service."

President Thomas S. Monson
"As We Meet Together Again,"
Ensign, November 2010

Elder Reynders

Scotty or I should say, Elder Reynders, left January 9th
for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah.
He was there for three weeks.
His mother is forwarding his emails
so we can hear how he's doing.


Leaving home - Clovis, CA

Uncle Adam and the cousins picked him up in Salt Lake City

Greeted at the MTC in Provo, Utah

What is the purpose of life?

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What happens when I die?

Elder Reynders arrived in Minnesota last week.
He is ready to teach and answer these questions.
He will be guided.
He will find those searching for the truth.
I have no doubt!

The BEST to you Scotty - Elder Reynders!

Time to Weigh In

I should have posted this a few days ago, OOPS!

January 1st - 250.8

February 1st. 236.6

I've lost 14.2 lbs.

Wondering how?  I'm daily tracking my weight, calories, and exercise at loseit.com.  Sounds tedious, I'm getting use to it and it's working. I've got a freebie account there and I'm grateful for the support it gives me. I've got a few cheerleaders at the house too. YEAH!  Let's hope I keep it up.   

I did have one set back and I'm still recovering. I fell walking at the mall last weekend. Guess I need to pick up my feet better and quit shuffling.  If you can believe it, I fell, tripped three more times, and then fell again.  I had to get outta there before I got killed.  Anyway, I'm recuperating.  I'm not walking at the mall right now, but still riding my stationary bike.  Here's hoping for more weight loss in the month of February and no injuries.

The only way you get that fat off

is to eat less and exercise more.

Jack LaLanne

Our Computer

YIKES!

 

Some people seemed destined to have car problems, teeth problems, health problems.  I guess we've all got something we're dealing with.  Ours is evidently computer problems.  We bought a new computer and within a week it just wasn't functioning anymore.  Rather than struggle like we did with the last one (for over a year) and then found out it wasn't us it was the computer, we decided to just take it back.  All of a sudden our ol' clunker of a computer doesn't seem so bad, in spite of it's seven year age and limitations.  What a mess!  Our consistent torment with computers goes on.  It made me think of a T-shirt I saw someone wearing once:

"You know how you have one of those days,

Well, I have one of those lives."

Here's hoping for a better computer situation - someday!

On the Program for the Rest of My Life

Happy New Year!

 

It's resolution time.  I'm going to lose weight this year instead of gaining - famous last words.  How many times have I said it?  How many times has it been my goal?  I wish I could start with a picture, but with the computer complications I've been having I'm not going to deal with it.  (I'll add one later. Suffice it to say, we need a new computer. Blogging will be easier and better when we get one and hopefully that will be this year.)

I weighed in this morning at 250.8 lbs.  I'm a good double what I was when I got married.  YIKES!  I will be writing about my doings throughout the year.  This is my number one goal I will focus on and will continue to focus on, hence, my blog post title:  On the Program for the Rest of My Life.

Family Home Evening this week was from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's latest general conference talk Of Regrets and Resolutions, he said:

"Let us resolve to follow the Savior

and work with diligence

to become the person

we were designed to become.

Let us listen to and obey

the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

As we do so, Heavenly Father

will reveal to us

things we never knew about ourselves.

He will illuminate the path ahead

and open our eyes

to see our unknown and perhaps

unimagined talents."


HERE I GO!!!

Did You Have a Merry Christmas?

Gifts of time and love
are surely the basic ingredients
of a truly merry Christmas.
~Peg Bracken
 
I admit, Christmas came to quick for me this year.  With working everyday and the last day of school being December 21st, I just wasn't ready for it all.  I suppose I always try to do too much; but with getting older, I couldn't push if I wanted to.  Instead, I went to bed and Becky took care of some of the last minute details. Thank You!  We even skipped Christmas dinner today with the idea that we would do it tomorrow when more of us were here. We've had our moments together today.  I'm grateful for less.

Best Wishes!

Have a Jolly Holiday!

I've been working more than my usual substitute norm since school started this fall. Here it's Christmas and I've worked everyday this month. Busy, busy! I just wanted to get a little greeting out there so you'd know I'm still around and hoping to get back on the blogging bandwagon.

Wishing you the best

and hoping you're having a

JOLLY HOLIDAY!

Janna the Elf

During a Christmas celebration last Saturday on Lancaster Blvd. Janna was an elf. She's a bit of a blur because she's in a giant snow-globe. She was in there for three hours - waving, wishing all who passed by a Merry Christmas, and getting her picture taken a lot.

"Well, way up north where the air gets cold
There's a tale about Christmas that you've all been told
And a real famous cat all dressed up in red
And he spends the whole year workin' out on his sled

It's the Little Saint Nick . . .
Run, run reindeer . . .
He don't miss no one!"

by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys