sunday quote

"Human beings are expected by their Creator to be actively employed in doing good every day of their lives, either in improving their own mental and physical condition or that of their neighbors."

Brigham Young

This week, every morning before I get out of bed, I will dedicate my day to doing good.

And my prayers will request Divine Direction

so that I will do the most good where it is most needed.

what i like best about saturdays

just knowing i can sleep in if i want to

but waking up early cuz my body's used to it

means that while everyone else sleeps in

i get all the "must-do's" finished

and have the rest of the day to play.

Today was especially fun.

making/eating curry

laying around

a bit of shopping

more laying around

and phone calls to people i love.

I love Saturdays.

Ooooh!!!! wanna win this!

do you look for giveaways?

have you won one?

One time I won a TV. This is true.

one of our local grocery stores in Sitka used to do monthy drawings

my name was drawn one december

and I went home with a brand-spankin'-new tv.

Now I want to win this:

amazing Lindsey is hosting this giveaway

at her blogsite.

she also happens to be the jewelry maker

and sells this beautiful stuff at

her etsy shop, the r house couture

check out her blog ... you just might get hooked and become a regular reader

when you enter to win this, make sure you take a moment to read some of her posts

she's truly amazing

(and we're almost related! ... what is she to me if she's my daughter's sister-in-law?)

here's crossing my fingers & hoping i win!

night on the town

if you know me very well

you know my all-time favorite nighttime activity

involves dressing in my pjs, sipping hot cider and curling up on the couch

at home

i'm a big 'ole party-pooper and NOT a night person

HOWEVER

when I can be talked into going out at night

almost without fail

I HAVE A BLAST!

such was the case earlier this week

Amy & Chris treated us to a night out.

I won't go into the delicious dinner details, suffice it to say:

everything I tasted was amazing

but Brad's wasabi-crusted pan-seared ahi made my tastebuds go crazy!

I had never heard of Austrailia's group, HUMAN NATURE

but holy schmoly! they are amazing!

We tapped, clapped, bounced, danced, sang, whistled, cheered.

OH WHAT A NIGHT!

THANKS Amy & Chris

my mess

... well, at least i didn't wait till April 15th ...

good thing!

cuz this mess of papers took all morning to sort thru

the picture below may look worse than the 1st

but actually, it's my organized mess

and it's all turned into ....

A TAX REFUND!

one of those days

you all know what i'm talking about

i need to go to sleep and pretend today just never happened

and really - anything i touch today is going to self-destruct-

so the nicest thing i can do for myself

for those i love

for inanimate objects

for complete strangers

is to jump into my bed and sleep the rest of the day and night away.

someday maybe i'll tell you all the specifics

but for now, be glad if you are one of

the lucky ones who didn't come in contact

with me today

and sorry to those of you who did

sunday quote

"A child needs a mother more than all the things money can buy. Spending time with your children is the greatest gift of all."

Ezra Taft Benson

I remember the "Parents Fireside" in 1987 when President Benson presented this address: To The Mothers in Zion

We were students at the University of Utah. I went away with renewed determination to spend not just quality time, but quantity time with my children.

After reading this quote today, I'm going to rededicate myself to making time for each of my children.

And, being my parents' child, I know that we never stop needing our mothers. So my determination extends to my grown children. They may not get amazing gifts, or financial support or big vacations. But they'll continue to get emails and phone calls and prayers on their behalf.

I love my children.