The Love of My Life

Yesterday, James turned thirty-three years old! Wow! Do you know how old thirty-three was when I was a teenager? Whoa! Well, times change, and thirty-three is the new twenty-three, or something like that. What does that sort of comparison mean anyway?? It's like saying "green is the new pink" for baby accessories. Whatever.

Anyway, back to my sweet husband. I have been so blessed to be his wife. He is such a great guy! I often think of what Sister Hinckley said of President Hinckley, something to the effect of "He always gave me wings and let me fly." I'm sure that's not exactly how she said it, but that is how James has always treated me. He loves me and treats me so well. He always supports me in any of my desires or ambitions. He balances my craziness and over-reactions. He is wise and kind-hearted. I have learned so much from him, and am glad that I have an eternity to continue learning from him.

Oh, and on the subject of getting older, ... the first time I actually noticed some white hairs peppering James' temples, I was struck with the strongest, deepest emotion and thought that I am so happy and so lucky that he is the man with whom I get to age and experience life!

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Me, Lehi, and the kid from Kentucky

There was a news "byte" a few years ago about a young man in Kentucky who had been "run off the road" and had "survived in the wilderness for 4 days, until he crawled up to a road and stopped a car to get help." I was intrigued with this 'byte' and wanted to hear this survival story. However, when they showed the interview with the victim, I was no longer quite so impressed, and actually had a good laugh. Let me preface this with the fact that I obviously don't know the whole story, but what I do know has given me something to ponder about.

This guy was probably about eighteen or nineteen. When he was run off the road, his car went down into a gully and stopped near a stream. His hip became dislocated, which I'm sure is painful. This guy said he laid there for three days, surviving on stream water, and calling out to the cars that he heard passing on the street above him. He said he was sure that someone would have heard him if their windows had been down. Finally, on the fourth day, he decided to crawl up to the street, which he did and was quickly helped by some motorists.

I'm sure that he believed he was seriously injured. It did, however, seem ludicrous to me to think that he spent three full days laying there in pain, hoping that by chance some passing car would have it's windows down and hear his calling, before he took the initiative to get himself up to the road (which couldn't have been that far away if he could hear the cars, and figured that they could hear him.)

What made me laugh was the image of this kid, with a relatively minor injury, laying within sight of the road and hollering, "Help!" for three days, rather than crawling up to the road and getting help on the first day. Maybe you don't find that funny. I hope you don't, because that would mean that you are a much better person than I am.

However, I have actually applied this story to my life, and unfortunately, found that I do the same sort of thing. I experience unexpected inconveniences, or offenses, which I'll term as my minor injuries. Yet, rather than "suck it up" and do what needs to be done, I figuratively lay there, nursing what I believe to be terrible injuries, hoping-- on the off chance-- that someone might respond to my cry for help. When all the while, true help and healing and rescue are within my grasp.

I "went off the road" a few years ago, down into a gully of self-pity and, really, of self-deceit; imagining that I had received a serious injury. I nursed my fictitious injury for a long time before my wonderful husband happened to hear my cry for help, and put my dislocated thinking back into place. It's strange how a fictitious injury can create a need for true healing. I've come a long way since then, but I sure wish I had crawled up to the road in the beginning rather than wasting time and causing true injury.

I am reminded of a verse in the Book of Mormon, toward the beginning of Lehi's Tree of Life vision: And after I had traveled for the space of many hours in darkness, I began to pray unto the Lord that he would have mercy on me, according to the multitude of his tender mercies. (1 Nephi 8:8) I suppose it's possible that Lehi, and this kid from Kentucky, and myself are not the only ones who tend to "travel for the space of many hours in darkness" before we remember to ask for help.

ZZZZzzzzzzz. . . .

We thought we heard someone on the stairs during our movie last night.

FIRST ANNUAL NATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY!!

My good friend Corrie has designated this, the 19th day of July, in the year 2007, as the first National Friendship Day. What a great way to celebrate those relationships that are so meaningful and which carry us through the hard times and which celebrate with us in the good. To commemorate this momentous occasion, I have written a National Friendship Day theme song, which I dedicate to each of you, and to all of my dear friends (including family) who don't read my blog, as well.

(Sing to "Happy Birthday to You")

Happy National Friendship Day to you!
Sometimes life can be a zoo!
We all need each other,
So, today I honor YOU!

Wow! I know you are astounded at my song writing talents! I give permission for this to be used by each of you for absolutely no charge! : )

Seriously, thank you, each for the positive impact you have had on my life, and the lives of my family. You are each wonderful, and I value your friendship dearly!

Some Fun Photos

I was looking back through recent posts, and realized that there are NO pictures of my beautiful, wonderful children. So, here are some silly and fun pictures I took just to have some to post!

Happy.

Crazy.

Mysterious.

"Hey! What are you doing??!"

"I'm not doing anything!"

SOoo Big!

Ready for prayers.

Product Reviews

I offer you, today, my uninhibited critiques on random products, services, etc. ....

Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Light
I rate this product a "BLECHT" at best. I bought it last week and tried it on my green salad on Saturday. I spat out my first bite and rinsed my mouth out, the taste was so disgusting. I thought, perhaps that my lettuce or something was bad. The next day, I made my Super Pasta Salad, using this dressing again. How upset and disappointed I was to discover the same AWFUL taste ruining my pasta salad. The only common ingredient: Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Light. On the bottle, it says, "Betcha can't tell it's light!" I just want to know what I win from that bet.

Essie, greeter at Sam's Club
I rate Essie as a "FANTASTIC" employee. She went through TONS of carts to find one that had spaces for two kids to sit up front. I kept insisting that she didn't need to keep looking, and she kept insisting that we should have what we wanted. She was so nice and went above and beyond to deliver what most would consider an unimportant service! Thank you, Essie!

Huggies Little Swimmers swim diapers
I rate these as "DECEPTIVE". My thought about a swim diaper is that it should hold in what the child lets out, while keeping out all of the pool/lake water. On several occasions at the waterpark recently, I have received a warm, very wet sensation as I have held my little one while walking from one area to another. What an unpleasant thought to think about all of the little ones in the pool, wearing these swim diapers. Um, what's the point if they just let the pee run right out??

The Bridge to Terabithia, the movie
I rate this movie as "WE WILL OWN THIS", which is my highest rating for movies. Without giving any of the story away, I will let you know that this is a movie that my entire family enjoyed. There were many great lessons in it, to spark discussion later. The acting was great and the story was wonderful!

The Employee, whose name escapes me, from our local UDF
I rate this unnamed employee as "WONDERFUL". She was so sweet to my children. In the two minutes that we were at the counter to check out, she called them by name, having heard me use their names. She was very grandmotherly, and then she helped me out to my car with my two gallons of milk (since I was also carrying Brianna.) What great service!!

Land O' Lakes Light Butter
I rate this as "NOT FOR BAKING". The taste was just fine, but the items that I baked with this instead of regular butter did NOT turn out. They were heavy and didn't seem to 'set up' correctly or to get crispy as they were supposed to. Use this just for buttering toast, and you'll save on fat grams.

So, what products, services, etc, would you like to review??

Vingettes

When I was seriously considering getting rid of Dolly:
Me: "Ben, how much do you love Dolly?"
Ben: "Oh, ... about a thousand times around Pluto and back."

*************

At a concert in the park, waaay past Brianna's bedtime:
Brianna: Whine, whine, flop, flop.
Me: "Brianna, are you ready to go home?"
Brianna: Signs "please".
Me: "Oh, are you ready to go 'night-night'?"
Brianna: Blows kisses.

**************

Thinking of how Dolly needs to feel loved and reassured:
Me: "Ben, you need to go outside and play with your dog."
Ben: "Why don't you want to spend time with me?"
Me: Heart breaks in two.

****************

After giving a massage, I had my money in my hand:
Ben: "Wow. You have a lot of money!"
Me: "Yep. I get paid to give massages."
Ben: "Why don't I ever get paid for my work?'
Me: "What work do you do?"
Ben: "I'm the best massage therapist in the house. So, why don't I get money?"
Me: "Hmmm. We'll have to look into that."

*****************

During a typical diaper change, in which Brianna is constantly trying to escape:
Brianna: Pushes herself off of the changing pad.
Me: Putting her back. "No, Brianna. Hold still."
Brianna: Pushes herself off of the changing pad.
Me: Putting her back. "Brianna, hold still."
Brianna: Pushes herself off of the changing pad.
Me: Putting her back. Three VERY light swats to her leg. "No."
Brianna: Three very light swats to her other leg, and a HUGE grin at me.

Um . . . Goodbye Dolly??

Free to Good Home, or at least a home that doesn't mind middle of the night howling and barking, and who has no need for in-tact screen doors!

This is the ad which will be placed SHORTLY if things don't improve dramatically very soon!

Hello Dolly!

O.k., so we went and picked up our little Dolly from the only home she's ever known. She is really cute, and seems to have a very mellow temperment. She is not a pure-bred, but seems to have a lot of Welsh Corgi in her. She is six years old, which in dog years makes her the oldest in our family. That's nice for me, because Ben loves to point out often that I'm the oldest, so now he's got to change his tune.



I think Dolly is still wondering, "Why did these nice people take me away from my family??" She is really good for us, but her little tail hasn't been a-waggin'. I hope she adjusts soon, and accepts us as her new family. I'm also hoping that her mellow temperment isn't just the result of having her world turned upside down.



Ben simply adores her, and, according to him, he's given her no fewer than "a thousand" dog biscuits today! He had two friends over today and they played out back with Dolly off and on all afternoon. At one point, when they had been inside for a while, I heard Ben announce, "I'm just going to check on Dolly. She's my dog, so I need to check on her." He also told them, "I just love Dolly. Even though she's a girl, I still love her!"


Brianna is very cute with Dolly. It was about an hour car ride back home after we picked Dolly up. At first Brianna seemed terrified. But soon, she was reaching her little hand over, and tentatively petting Dolly. Today, every time she saw her, she would get so excited. If we were outside with Dolly, Brianna would come right up to her and pet her a little bit. She kept bending over and "talking" loudly to her. It was very funny. Maybe Dolly is hard of hearing and Brianna's the only one who's figured it out!

I forgot to take pictures before the kids went to bed. So, I tried to get a few of just Dolly, but she wasn't very cooperative for her photo shoot. This was my best picture, unfortunately, it shows the awful condition of our deck. Hopefully that will be fixed by the end of summer!


Dolly seems to be very clever. Today she figured out how to open the screen on our sliding glass door. And she also managed to carry her food dish all the way down the deck stairs without spilling all of it! She did spill a little, but more stayed in the bowl than was lost. I was pretty impressed. I'd like to see a human carry a bowl full of food in their teeth, head-first, down a flight of stairs and not spill it. In fact, I don't care if they do spill it, if they're willing to provide that kind of entertainment for me!!


Oh, one funny story. I called James today to tell him that Dolly seems to be favoring her front left paw. He said, "Great. It's just like when we bought that car, and the transmission went out the next day." He's so funny. She seems to be o.k., but we'll watch that paw!

The Latest in the Dog Saga

Just for the record, I was thinking about getting a dog, long before my brother and sister just got dogs, and I have the posts to prove it! However, it was the very cute pictures of my sister's puppy that got the ball rolling again. Out of curiosity, I checked our paper on-line for any "free dogs". Lo, and behold, the very dog that I had researched months ago--a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, was listed. So, I called. . . . We will be picking up our new dog this evening.

If you've seen the movie Because of Winn-Dixie, you know that the girl named her dog the name of the grocery store. Today, Ben decided he wanted to name our dog Wal-Mart. We'll see. It is an adult dog, so unless the name is something we just can't live with, we'll probably keep the name that it already has.

So, a little information about the breed:

These dogs are the smallest of the herding dogs. "Corgi" comes from the Welsh language and means "dwarf dog." This breed enjoys obeying its owner and is eager to accomplish its duties.

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi is the smallest breed in the AKC Herding Group. Described as a big dog in a little package, the breed is quite sturdy and very athletic. Corgis are almost twice as long as they are tall, which gives the dog an unusual look that some find endearing. Their pricked ears and pointy muzzles give the head of the Pembroke a distinct fox-like appearance. The ears should stand erect and taper to a slightly rounded point. Eyes are oval shaped and dark with an alert intelligent expression. The nose is fully pigmented and black. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are athletic herding dogs and they should move easily on their short stocky legs giving the impression that these animals could work all day if need be. A deep chest provides lung room, and the topline should be level. .




Temperament:
Herding dogs tend to bond very closely with their owners and Pembroke Corgis are no exception. Extremely loyal and intelligent, these animals love to please their people, making this a very trainable breed. The Pembroke was bred to herd animals many times larger then itself, and though they are now kept primarily as pets Corgis have kept the boldness and brains needed for such work; even the breed standard insists that a Pembroke must never appear to be shy. They also make great little watchdogs and will bark to alert their owners of a stranger's approach. Corgis, like all herding breeds, may have a tendency to herd small children and animals.

Oh, and I know you're all thinking, why is the family getting rid of the dog. Apparently the dog is a casualty of the parent's divorce. We have it scheduled for doggy therapy later this week. : )