Merry Christmas to All & update

To all those who have made us goodies, dropped off things at our door without letting us know. THANK YOU,your kindness is appreciated. I spent a week in Utah with my friend. I got to enjoy a week of fun and relaxtion without having to worry about work or church responsiblities, a person sure deserves a vacation once in awhile. Some of the fun things I got to do was visit Temple Square to see the Christmas lights, I got to see the movie Tangled and I really enjoyed it. We also saw the movie Inception, spent most of the movie confused, but at end it became all clear. We ate a few new places and yes I actually liked them. We did some shopping, actually went to a few scrapbook stores. Tomorrow I look forward to enjoying our annual breakfast of waffles with strawberries and whipped creme, with my daughter. Melissa and I made gingerbread houses with graham crackers, last Saturday. Bandit and Brownie got new winter coats for the winter. They look so handsome. I will add more later.

Social Life....What is that????

Question of day or week (depends how much time I have during week)
Tell about your social life.List the names of your friends and the activities you enjoy. Do you go to dances, movies, or games.My social life has changed over the years. Right now my social life is going to work, coming home and spending time with my daughter. On Sundays my day starts with church and then an occasional nap. My daughter is 24 so it isnt necessary to spend so much time with her. Wednesday evenings I might spend some time at church with the activity day girls. I kind like being an homebody now. But if I can go visit a friend I do.






When I was younger I was more active socially, I spent time with my friends at dances, church activities, and I did date some. I had a few close friends that I spent time with doing things, like shopping,(even though it is not a favorite activity of mine.) I enjoy going to movies (mostly for the popcorn though). I wasn't and still not much of a fan of sports. I did go to high school football games, but mainly because my best friend Annette was on the drill team. We only did baseball games as a family activity and if we got free tickets. I hate basketball so never did those unless I was with a friend and their kids were involved. When I joined the church in 1974 I enjoyed the youth dances and roadshows (church plays and shows). I think I did whatever I could to not be at home during those years.

As far as friends go, I have alot of acquaintances whom I consider friends but I have always just had a few very close friends in my life. I have known these people for many years and even though we don't see each other often we can still pick up our friendship where it was left before. But a have a few close friends that I have known for a few years but didnt become close friends until recently. I tend to admire qualities of certain people and want to be friends but deep inside I am shy and private so it takes me awhile to get past my fears enough to become what, I feel is a close friend. So my thanks for your love and friendship to Annette, Stella, Stacee, Angela and Tara. I love you all...........

What is in a name?

Tell how you got your name,what it means and if you were name after someone. Do you have a nickname?

My name is Joy Lynn, My first name is my mothers middle name. So I guess I was name after her. Both of my brothers were also named after someone in our family. My older brother Edward has our father's middle name as his first, my younger brother Cecil is named after my grandfather Hyatt (Hiatt). My mother would have liked my daughter Melissa to have Lynn as her first name. but she did end up having Joy as her middle name. So she got named after her grandma and myself. A funny story my mother always told people about my name was: She always wanted a boy and a girl then another boy. So after she had me and the doctor told her it was a girl she said Oh Joy!!! and that is how I got my name. I tell people that story now. She did get her wish a boy a girl, and then 2 more boys. I have a brother that died 5 days after his birth.

My name JOY means:
Meaning of "Joy"
English name
In English, the name Joy means- Joy. Rejoicing.. Other origins for the name Joy include - English, Latin-American, French, French.The name Joy is most often used as a girl name or female name
Meaning of "Lynn"
English name

The name Lynn means- waterfall. Other origins for the name Lynn include - English, French, German.The name Lynn is most often used as a girl name or female name. So my full name means: Rejoicing Waterfall sounds kind of nice. When my family used my name it was always JoyLynn as a one not two names. To this day my aunts, uncles, cousins, still call me that. Most of the time my mother called me JoyLynn.

I have had a few nicknames in my lifetime: First one was "Waddles" because when I was wearing diapers I would look like a duck waddling when I walked. I have also been called "Crusty" at first I wasn't sure why this name was used, but it was explained to me I always act kind of tough and sarcastic when I am not sure of the situation but once I am comfortable I become kind of soft and caring. It relates to something like bread first you have the crust (kind of hard) then as you continue eating the bread it is soft in the middle.
My name has always been used in many forms, Joyful, Joyous, so yes I have had many nicknames.

For fun I went and found out what my daughters name would be: Meaning of "Melissa"
Greek name
In Greek, the name Melissa means- a honey bee. The name Melissa originated as an Greek name. The name Melissa is most often used as a girl name or female name.
Greek Name Meaning - a honey bee
Origin - Greece
Meaning of "Joy"
English name
In English, the name Joy means- Joy. Rejoicing.. Other origins for the name Joy include - English, Latin-American, French, French.The name Joy is most often used as a girl name or female name.
English Name Meaning - Joy. Rejoicing.
Origin - English
So Honey Bee Rejoicing............. NICE

When I was younger I didn't really like my name because everyone thought I should always be happy and joyful. Or they always would sing "Joy to the World" to me. It was both the Christmas song and the 3 dog night version.

As I have gotten older I have come to appreciate it.Am I any more happy or joyful NO but I realize that I have a name that meant something to my mother.

Do you have a favorite TV show? Describe It

Yes my favorite show is Criminal Minds. It is about a group of decetives that work for the FBI they profile criminals mostly serial killers. I enjoy it because they solve the mystery in an organize manner. It also explains different kinds of mental sickness'es and why they might do things they do. I espically Garcia she is a computer genius and she knows different ways to trace people via the computer. She is affected by the sickness of these criminals where as the detectives are somewhat harden by what they have seen many a time.

memories of my youthful days............Holidays

The question pulled from jar today was..............
Describe a favorite childhood Christmas. What gifts did you give and receive?

My favorite Christmas memory was when I was 8 years old. I had asked for a doll. Not just any doll but a doll called Baby Hungry, you mixed this little mix and fed it to the doll, the doll's mouth moved and she actually ate it. Why was this so special, well let me tell you why. I was a major totally major tomboy.. I never wanted anything to do with being a girl, I hated dresses only wore them because my mom made me. When she did I would find the quickest way to ruin it or get it dirty so I wouldnt have to wear it long. I hated ribbons and barretts never kept them in my hair. So when I asked for a certain doll believe me it was a major milestone. It was such a big deal that I got everything to do with a doll, a crib, a high chair, baby clothes, My mother worked nights so when she got home. She came upstairs to our room and woke me and my 2 brothers up and we snuck downstairs in case Santa was still there. We looked at all the gifts under the tree and then my mother made us go back to bed. She wanted to get some rest before we went to my Grandmother's house for the family celebration. Our small family didnt have much money so the gifts we gave were things we had made in school. We made tree decorations for our tree. Christmas was good back then. Hardly any commericalism pushed on you. Lots of fun with your cousins, I love those memories.We always got new clothes for Christmas Here is a picture from a few years later of me and my brothes.

How do you answer this one?

Ask your Mom and Dad to tell you about their courtship, engagement and wedding. Write about it and describe your mother's wedding dress.

I would ask them this question but they are both gone. My mother has been gone for 8 years and my father hasnt been a part of my life since I was 5 (not sure if he is still living or not). I can tell you what I do know about their relationship though.

My parents were young when they met each other they both are from Springfield, Illinois. I am not sure how old when they met but they had my older brother when my mother was 18 and he was 19. I was born when she was 21. They were married at the courthouse. My Aunt Linda was one of the witnesses to the marriage. Not sure what her wedding dress was like or if she even had one. She did marry a second time and I remember that being a skirt and jacket. I believe it was creamy white. (I was older). These pictures were taken after they were married and had us children. My father was in the air force he was stationed in El Paso Texas and in Homestead Florida.

Today's Question

Describe a typical day when you were a child in elementary school.

When I was in elementary school they didnt have kindergarten. We moved alot when I was young so I don't really remember much about most of my elementary years. So the years I do remember are 2nd grade, 3rd grade and sixth grade.
I attended the same school for these years even though we lived in different houses, we lived in two different houses on the same block.
I dont think I stayed at the same school for more than two school years until I was in high school. A typical day of school for me was getting up and eating cold cereal or oatmeal then walking how ever far the school was from home. I never took the bus to school until I was in high school. I remember walking to shcool by myself because my younger brother went to a different school then I did. My older brother was always a grade ahead so he had his own friends and walked with them. I would walk down the street singing to myself.At school I was very shy and quiet. I loved school espically reading. I remember going to library and checking out 3 or 4 chapter books every week. My parents were divorced when I was young and so we came home to a babysitter because my mother worked at night. She slept during the day. So during the school day my life was somewhat normal. I did the same things at the same time every day. I had meals at the same time. We had spelling bees, math, social studies, PE wasn't really offered that I remember. Music was a part of my daily school day. Art was even a part of school. We used paste most of the time (No I did not eat the paste) not glue. In third grade I was sick alot with throat infections. ( I think now it is called strep throat). I had tubes put in my ears, tonsils out,they kept you in the hospital for these surgeries, so I spent alot of time catching up the school work I missed. In sixth grade I became a victim of sexual abuse by a neighbor, I became withdrawn and sometimes a class clown which is the time I started getting sent to the principal office. I never spoke to anyone about what was going on. Even through all this my grades were high.

Learning about me.....via an YW activity

Back when my daughter was in the Young Women's Program in church they took a mason jar and put strips of papers with questions on them to help them begin to write their history for their future generations. As I was cleaning one day I ran across that jar,seeing as how my daughter isnt much of a writer the questions are still in the jar. I deceided that maybe I could answer a question each week from the jar, that way my daughter might someday have some things to tell her children about their grandmother(whenever I become a grandma).On the front of jar there is this written:

INGREDIENTS: Life was not meant to be bottled up forever. This jar is jam-packed with deliciously interesting questions to inspire you to celebrate something very important. YOU!
RECIPE: Combine a generous slice of your life history with a dash of nostalgia and several cups of facts and feelings. If you will follow this simple recipe, you will find that you will soon have a very delicious personal history.
All you need to do is draw out one slip of paper everyday (or at least once a week) Spend a few minutes and just enjoy the remembering. Then paste the question at top of a blank page and begin to tell about it.
Don't worry about spelling,handwriting, etc..........just tell YOUR story!
This product was prepared to preserve your life history. Enjoy the scrumptious homemade memories.
SERVE YOU AND YOUR POSTERITY.

Here is the first question I pulled from jar today.

1.If you could be an animal, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose an polar bear.
Because I love snow and they get to live where it is snowy. They are big enough to defend themselves, they only have a few children and everyone loves to see them at the zoo. As a dutiful mother they usually have one set of twin cubs and teaches them to hunt and take care of themselves and they leave after just two or three years. And I don't think they move back home to live off their parent.

What to blog about...???????

I have been struggling about what to write about on my blog lately, as you all can well see not too many posts lately. When I first starting blogging I had lots of ideas, but as I thought about those topics I realized that some of them might be too personal for me to let the world of blog readers see or maybe it is inapproiate to put on a blog. I am a private person, very few people know what is really in my heart. Basically they know what I let them know. A lot of you know that I am primary president in the branch. I have lots of mixed up feelings about this calling and have had some hills to climb in my calling (Mostly good but some learning experiences). It seems that my personal/family life has been tested because of my willingness to serve the lord. So I thought I would put this out there for my followers which are a very few. What would you like to know about me. Of course I get to deceide if it is something I will post about. LOL Some ideas I have had are Childhood memories,(I grew up in a generation that only had board games for fun),
So come on friends, family, and others that read this give me some ideas.

Favorites

Lately I have been asked often "What do I like to do?" And so I thought I would list all my favorites;

COLOR:Blue (mostly the darker shades of blue),Yellow,White.
FOOD: Mexican,Steak and potatoes, anything really as long as I dont cook it.
DESSERT: Ice Cream, Chocolate
PLACES TO VISIT: Utah, Idaho, Wyoming (yellowstone),Florida,
VACATION: Disney World in 2008, Disneyland in 1998,
PLACES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:Swizterland,South Dakota,Tennessee,
MOVIE STAR: Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock,
TV SHOW: CSI-all of them, Criminal Minds,
MUSIC:Country,lots of the older songs and artists.
MUSICIAN: Reba McEntire, George Strait,
THINGS I LIKE TO DO: Camping, Scrapbooking, play computer games,family history, visit friends,play in water,read blogs, and reading in general.
BOOK: Laura Ingalls stories, Mary Higgins Clark,
MOVIE:Wizard of Oz,
SUBJECTS IN SCHOOL: History, Math, PE,
DAY OF WEEK:Friday
HOLIDAY: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas (I like the decorations)
HOLIDAY SONG: God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, Away in the Manager, Monster Mash,
SEASON: Winter
SPORT:Softball
MY MOST FAVORITE THING OF ALL: my daughter Melissa (who likes doing all the girly things, make-up, lacy, and girly dresses)
CHILDHOOD MEMORY: My mother came home from work about 3:30 in the morning on Christmas Eve, I was about 8 years old. She woke me and my two brothers and told us that Santa had come. Here was my mother and us 3 children sneaking downstairs just in case Santa was still there. She let us open one gift then she put us back to bed. I found out later she did this because she was hoping we would sleep later that morning so she could sleep until it was time to go to my Grandmother's house for the family dinner. That was also the Christmas it had snowed so much the snow was above my head. We still went to my grandmother's. I had asked for a certain doll that year (which was a miracle in itself as I was a major tomboy, did not do girly things,) I remember getting a high chair and a baby bed to go with her. She was called BABY HUNGRY.

Along with my favorites there are some things I absolutely don't like.

FOOD: Blueberries, Ketchup
MUSIC: Hard Rock, Opera
SPORT: Basketball
People that think they have to put you down to make themselves feel better. Micro-Managers, friends that make everything a competition.

I finally got to do something I like.....CAMPING

I enjoy setting up the tent, starting a campfire, and cooking over a campfire, (I don't cook much at home.)the sounds of the crickets chirping and even the sounds of the animals, I even enjoy taking down the tent. But sad in the sense that it means we have to stop having fun and roughing it (A tent for us not an motor home) to come back home to reality.
I was able to get a three day weekend because I switched days off with someone at work so she could go to doctor. Melissa had Saturday off and she got off at 3:30 on Friday. We went up early Friday morning to set up our tent and reserve our camp site. Then while she was at work I got things ready for our one night of camping. I am primary president in our branch and since my 2 counslers were not there I need to be. But hey one night is better than none. RIGHT? We enjoyed playing in the ford/river at Pammel Park. Which was nice because it was hot and somewhat humid. Even though the weather was cooler this weekend.










Even the puppies got to go with us. They barked less at the campground than at home which I find amazing in the sense that there are strangers and other dogs at camp.(They are sure tuckered out today.) But here at home they know the neighbors and their dogs. But yet they bark at them.We played games at camp and actually had a conversation with each other.
Isn't it too bad that even for a day we can't get away from the techonolgy. Melissa is here in this picture texting a friend. Of course I can't judge her too much, I had my cell phone with me too (But until I get the pictures off her phone card there is no proof). But I didnt use it except to take a few pictures.
We had gotten these really huge marshmellows at the store to roast and make smore's with. They were so big it was almost too big to eat. But we managed. I even had one more after breakfast.. Who knows when I will be able to go again this season. Wonder what it is like camping in the winter time. lol
YUMMY.........

Some say Changes are Good.....But me I am not sure............

In February we got two of the cutest puppies ever...... Well they are now about 6 1/2 months old. They are growing taller. I thought I would do a comparison of them then and now. When we first got them they were both about 1 1/2 lbs now they about 4 1/2 lbs. We were able to put them both in a small pink basket but now neither one would even start to fit into it. Look at the pictures they speak for themselves. They both have their own personalities. They will bark like they are so ferocious but yet whenever you walk towards them they will run like a chicken. It is quite funny. Bandit likes to play rough but Brownie holds his own.
They are a lot like babies......They wake up at 5 every morning cause they have to go outside. They take care of business then they want to eat. Then of course they need to go outside again. My morning routine has become getting ready for work taking care of dog then finish getting ready for work. Melissa gets up puts them out again takes her shower then lets them go outside before she leaves. She comes home lets them out. Then when I get home I let them outside again. I think the pups have got us trained. LOL I love these little guys. But next time I am getting cats they don't need me to go let them outside to go to the bathroom they use a litter box. I miss my sleeping in days................ And barking at every little sound is driving me crazy. But really I do like them.
They love going for walks even though it has been humid and hot and we havent gone on one for a week they still like them. Every Tuesday they go on a play date with Melissa to her friends house where the dogs play and frolick. When they get home they are really tired. I like Tuesdays...........LOL Brownie loves to sleep under the recliner chair. Bandit is too tall to fit under there. So when Brownie has something he doesnt want to share he goes under the chair. Bandit is really good about going into the kennel but Brownie will lay down and roll over on his back and wait for you to pick him up and put him in. We are not sure why he does that he use to be so good at getting in kennel. Also they chew on everything. I have become quite proficient at not letting anything touch the floor. You should see what they did to my work badge. Yes the dogs really did chew up my badge, of course it was already cracked in half being held together by clear tape (works almost as good as duct tape), but now it has puppy teeth marks. Do you think the hospital will believe when I tell them the dogs ate my badge..............I will let you know later. Gotta get a new one Monday.
One of the primary teachers gave me some beautiful roses from her garden about a month ago. They were really pretty .

Thanks Bev..........I like to enjoy flowers when they are still in the gardens. But on occasion I don't mind having them inside.

Well except for some occasional drama at my job and church our lives are pretty much the same. I have no travel logs to tell you about. Melissa did color and cut her hair on Thursday evening it is nice. I will see if I can get a picture to put on blog to show everyone. She got a guitar hero. She sounds pretty good when I have heard it. Maybe she can become a rock star and support me. I wont complain too much.

Updating

Things are going well here in the land of corn.(Iowa). My church calling (Primary President for those of you that don't remember) is going okay. We have had our fair share of struggles but the last two weeks have gone well. We had our Stake Primary training and expressed our concerns about some of the ways things were being handled and now they are starting to smooth out. Just in time to make some changes. We have grown to the point that we need to have two sharing times, a junior and senior primary sharing time. WOW...is all I can say right now. I am feeling like it might smooth out sometime in the next few months, then it will be time to be released.

Mother's Day was good for me this year. Melissa got me a garden statue that looks like a ladybug. (Picture above). I wanted it in memory of my mother. We went up to Clark's Tower in the city park and let balloons go off to heaven. I miss my mom and have had some tears flowing these past few weeks because of it. It must be my age because I have never been a crier but the buckets are getting filled up lately. Not all because of missing my mom either.

Melissa is getting older and maybe a little wiser in her choices of guy friends. I like her new friend his name is Patrick he seems nice and he comes over and watches movies and plays with the puppies. Speaking of the puppies they are growing up the both are weighing in at 4lbs these days. They got the big boy shots a couple of weeks ago. Soon they will have the big boy surgery so they don't have any of their own.









I am still working at Mercy Child Development Center in the Pre-Kindergarten room. We just had our preschool graduation on Friday. I would love to tell you all I still love my job. But I can't it has become very stressful lately. I still love working with children but the politics and the cattiness of some of my co-workers gets kind of in the way of enjoying what I was born to do.


I want to end off on a happy note. So let's see what else am I doing oh yeah!!!! Nothing I have no life... But I got this poem from another person thought it was pretty good.It is called:
It depends whose hands it's in
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6
A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million
It depends whose hands it's in

A tennis racket is useless in my hands
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship.
It depends whose hands it's in

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea
It depends whose hands it's in

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands
It depends whose hands it's in

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in. So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because....... it depends whose hands it's in.

--- Written by Paul Ciniraj ---

In Memory of You Mom

It was 8 years ago today, that you left this mortal world to join Heavnly Father. I miss you and think of you often. Melissa misses her grandma so much she is willing to get a ladybug tattoo on her ankle in memory of you. I wished you were here so I could talk to you about her. Mother's Day is coming this weekend and Melissa and I will send our annual message up to the heavens in hope that you will know that we love you.This picture is one of my favorites of you. My favorite ones of you and Melissa,
In your memory every year we look for and buy something that has an ladybug on it. This year I got this garden statue for Mother's Day
I believe you knew that you wouldn't be around when Melissa grew up so you tried to give her your grandmother's wisdom when she was young. I LOVE YOU MOM. REST IN PEACE

Just found this one..........It was for last year

Make a free greeting

It was 8 years ago today that you went to see your Father In Heaven. We miss you and love you. I have thought of you alot lately and really miss you.

FINALLY.....it is back

I finally am back up and running................Well at least my laptop is. I got a virus on it and it took weeks to get it back and then I had it for an hour and had to take it back. After another attempt to remove virus. My friend finally had to take my laptop back to factory specifications (That means according to JOE blow it out of the water.Delete everything). Thanks to Joe for doing it for me and loaning me an extra computer he had at his home until mine was up and running. I am so excited to be using my own laptop. Now I can do work save it and not have to worry about downloading unto a flash drive just so there isnt so much to delete later.
My church calling is going well it has been quite a learning experience for me. It seems like one thing gets accomplished and twenty other things come up. But I have faith that soon it will get all organized.
We have finally warmed up here in Iowa but for how long?????? It is nice for a day or two and then it cools off and rains. AT LEAST IT ISN'T SNOW (a four-letter word).
I am trying to think of ways to make my blog a little more exciting for others to read. I could you that my love life is blossoming but it is not. I could tell you stories of my childhood but that would be depressing. I could list all my favorite things but...........that could take about an minute or two. I could tell you about my job but I try to get away from that on the weekends. If you want to appreciate being alone just work with children for a living and any silence you have will be GOLDEN.............

My life is so exciting....NOT

My life is so boring right now that, I just spent 45 minutes trying to decide which background I wanted to change my background to. HA HA HA, actually my life is so busy that the 45 minutes I took to decide was the first time in a month that I could actually do something so frivolous. I am actually trying to find a happy medium for myself between work, primary and being me. I haven't had time to do scrap booking, being on face book, chatting with friends,or keeping up my blog page. So if anyone has any suggestions lets hear them. I am trying to organize my time and my mind so that I don't feel like a chicken with my head cut off. Even when I am not doing primary I am thinking about it. A friend suggested Tahiti a few weeks ago. That did sound pretty good.
What do you all think?

Computer crashes again...............UGHHHHHHHHH

I had a lovely laptop that made me happy everyday. I could get up and check my email,facebook friends, and generally do whatever I wanted to do whenever I wanted to do it, if I wasn't working or doing those things we must all do in our lives like Housecleaning, cooking, or taking care of our families and their needs. One Saturday morning February 27 to be exact. I turned on my computer with the intention of checking emails and then getting off to do housecleaning. Then I couldnt get online at all with out my computer tryng to do a virsus scan from a program that I didnt have on my computer. Whenever I checked into it the program wanted me to pay for the new program. I followed my gut reaction and didnt buy it. Good thing I didnt because I found out it was a virsus and it would have taken my money and information and given me nothing in return. Now this happen the day before I was called to be primary president in our branch. I proceeded to take my laptop to a person who knows enough about computers to have him try and remove virsus come to find out it is a virus that very few people know much about but it will take over and it goes in so deep that you can't even find where it started. The advice given is to just buy new computer. I dont have the money for that right now. So he loans me an extra computer he has. I get it home hooked all up and then after having it about 3 weeks I turn it on one morning and it wont work. It starts running a scan I know from previous experience this is NOT good. I call and he says sounds like a virus again. Needless to say I am at library on the computer any extra time I have. He has the tower so he can clean it up and I can use it again.
Two things I have learned from this issue is that I need a computer at home so I can do and visit sites I need to for work and church anytime I can. The second thing I realize is that I don't have free time when library is opened. So I have to learn to reorganize my time. I also have to have an agenda when I come to library to use computers because they have an 1 hour limit unless no one wants to use computers. I have been lucky so far. I have been able to be on one for the time I need. So if you email me and I dont respond quickly don't take it personally cause I am coming whenever I can. Amazing how much we use technology in our lives these days.:) Talk about withdrawals of the technological proportions. You never really realize how much you use them for. My suggestion now is to put all pictures, family history, and any other things you dont want to lose on a a memory stick so when the computer monsters want what you have you wont be crying because they got your precious memories or hard work.

Random Thoughts from my rambling mind.....

Random Thought # 1
A couple of weeks ago I said that I like to read other peoples blogs. But,,, Some of the ones I follow don't update as often as I would like them to. But how can I judge them for not updating when I am not consistent either. Yes that is a rambling thought.
Random Thought # 2
Let's see I have now been in my new calling for almost 3 weeks now. I feel like I haven't accomplished anything yet. It has kept my mind busy lately. There has been moments of frustration (trying to figure out who would make good counselors and teachers) also moments of enlightenment (questions that I have had for years have been finally made clear to me.) Why are people so sure our church is true. I realize that I need to read the scriptures more and prayerfully contemplate what they are saying to me.
In being in this calling I am learning the Bible stories again.
Random Thought # 3
Why do we complain that it is too cold, or there is too much snow in the winter and wish for Summer but in Summer we want it to be cold again? I love winter but I also love to be warm. Makes no sense to me.....
Random Thought # 4
Am I being petty when I want to be acknowledged for my ideas and the work I put into my curriculum at work. Should I be upset when both of my co-workers in the classroom constantly call in sick (about once a week for one of them) but yet they get credit for my ideas when I am not there.
Random Thought # 5
Last but not least. I have some pretty cute little puppies that are playful and loving. I want to go scrap booking tomorrow but then I don't want to. I should go prepare my lesson and sharing time for church on Sunday instead of waiting until Saturday night.


See I told you my mind was rambling ! !

Inactive to Active in a nutshell

Who knew that after 8 years of being semi-active to totally in-active that I would with the encouragement of a friend decide to return to church.(Thanks Stacee I knew I should have given up the chocolate & coke instead) LOL. after going to church for most Sundays for 5 months every Sunday except for Fast Sunday that I would be where I am right now. We have a new Branch in Winterset and after a meeting with our Branch President on Sunday, I have been called to be the...............
PRIMARY PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am nervous and excited at the same time. I know this is what my Father in Heaven wants me to be doing right now. So hopefully since I am doing as he wants he will bless me with the knowledge and strength I need to accomplish this. Basically I am starting from scratch. I spent the day visiting with a friend who is the Primary President in her ward which I was a member of until February 14Th, getting her advice and some ideas on how to get started.(Thanks Kathy). Now I have to explain the night before this my computer became infected by a Trojan virus. And if there is anything I have figured out since then is that I NEED a computer. I use it for work and now I will definitely be using it for church. Thanks Brother Tory for letting me have use of an extra computer until I can replace mine.I was saying I needed something else to do on my days off and weekends besides being on Face book well now I have it.

Watch what you pray for................ LOL

FYI...........I like reading blogs

I have started reading blogs just for something to do. Most of them are friends but then I might not know the people personally but I enjoy learning about others. I was just reading one that I follow the person has some thoughts that I enjoyed so I will post them here. Funny how it relates to church today

"YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE! A Prophet of the Lord, Spencer W. Kimball gave our family some VERY good advice when we had decisions to make when we were not quite sure which "WAY" to choose. He said, "No matter what the decision you have to make... whether it is where you live, the friends you keep, or what job that you do . . . you will ALWAYS HAVE AT LEAST TWO CHOICES! You can go this way...or that way. ALWAYS CHOOSE THAT WHICH WILL GET YOU THE CLOSEST TO THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM AND YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER!"

As we see the trials and TESTS of this day in which we live, you have the CHOICE to decide whether you look life as a GREAT DAY...or a DREADFUL DAY! Is your glass half full...or half empty? Are you a Positive person or a Negative person? The Pendulum of Life swings both ways! If it swings far to the left, it will swing just as far to the right. Scripture says, "As a man thinketh...so is he!" Every decision that you make should have ETERNAL significance!

Something to think about..........

First Sunday as a New Branch

No this is not what our Branch Building looks like but who knows maybe some day it could grow to this....... :) This is Winter Quarters Temple.

Today was our first Sunday as a new Branch in Winterset. Thought I would share my feelings. It was nice not having to leave an hour before church just so you could sit in the chapel. Today would have been a longer drive because we woke up to the snow coming down in big humougus flakes and blowing around. The roads were snow covered again. During the week I debated whether I would enjoy being in a small branch or not. I kind of like blending in with the other members. I am nervous about getting to know the members. In a bigger ward I get to choose rather I want to be involved and to what degree my involvement is. Our new missionaries stopped by yesterday to let me know about the new branch. Of course they stood at the door because they won't come in. I was impressed with the building. I thought it would be small but it didnt feel that small. As you walked in the front door you could see the chapel towards the back. There was a few classrooms on the right side with the Branch Presidents office. The building was bright and cheery. I think after they maybe put up some pictures on the walls it will really feel like home. The branch presidency were the speakers today. Our theme was about missionary service. But the approach they took was not your usual missionary talks. Brother Chapman spoke from a ensign magazine talk in 1988 the one point that was made is 2 reasons that maybe we are not comfortable doing missionary work is because we are afraid that if we talk to our friends about our beliefs they might not be our friends anymore. Or we might offend one of them. I know that I am not usually one to share what relegion I am because I don't want to debate the church and what others feel is wrong with the doctrine. President Price gave an analogy of being member is alot like being a team member in a extreme sport. If one member becomes tired or weak the others will take their rope and hook it onto the weak members and give of their strength until that member becomes strong again. Kind of like being members of the church we give our testimonies and build up the member who is struggling. One thing I was impressed with is that he admitted that he usually kept his spiritually to himself. I have always been impressed with his testimony even though it wasnt spoken you could feel it. Bro. Turner spoke about missionary work also. He has a son who is on a mission right now. He wasnt a member until he met his wife she lived by example. She didnt like it when his language was colorful as he put it. She didnt attend parties with him. On sundays she attended church and he didnt believe she would attend for 3 hours so he told her to prove it. She did. He was baptized and a year later they were married they have 5 children their two youngest are adopted from China. He said that he had the hopes of being a missionary when him and his wife were older. He feels that his calling in the branch is his chance to be a missionary now. After Sacarment meeting we had a meet and greet type social. Members brought some refreshments. We only had Sacarment meeting today. The only calling that was filled today was Relief Society President. And NO it wasn't me. Boy am I glad of that.

I have become a New Mom to twins....

And before anyone gets excited !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are both boys and fraternal they are PUPPIES..... Last night our new puppies came home they are almost 7 weeks old. They are called Bandit and Brownie....... Their father is a Bichon he is white and their mother is a Chihuahua she is brown. Neither Bandit or Brownie are the color of their parents Here are some cute pictures of them. The black and white puppy is Bandit and the Brown/Black puppy is Brownie. They only got me up twice last night. Melissa said they whine more, but she was up still so she took care of them. They are doing pretty good on housebreaking. We are trying the crate training way. They had their first bath just a few minutes ago. I believe Brownie will have the Bichon look because his hair tends to curl and Bandit is looking like a Chihuahua at this point, we will just have to wait and see. They will not get much more than 12 to 15 pounds and not more than 12 inches tall.

Church just got closer to home. Found another lost post....

So how does Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Winterset Branch sound to you? To me it sounds pretty darn good. Now instead of driving 30 minutes to church I now will drive 5 minutes and that is if I hit all the red lights in town. There is only 4 traffic lights here in Winterset. When all this snow here melts (I think they say it might melt by July) I can even walk to church if I so desire. I kind of feel like I live back in Utah where there is a church building on almost every block.

We will meet in our new meeting place on Sunday February 14th. We will only meet for sacrament meeting because they don't have any of the church position filled except the Branch Presidency. Our Branch President is Aaron Price his counslers are Josh Chapman from DeSoto Iowa and Tom Turner from Winterset.The branch clerk is Brother Cottrell he isnt actually in branch boundaries and neither is Bro. Chapman but until the branch is bigger they will have visiting leadership. Someone from another area will be asked to help out. Here is a picture of the new Presidency

It is the back part of a building that has a appliance store in the front half. It is small but it will work until we get a few more members. At this point I think they said we will have about 40 members. Since August I have been trying to become active at church again. It hasnt been easy for me. At this point I havent had a calling for about 8 years (my choice) I wanted to go to church because I felt like going not because I had a calling. Now with this new Branch I am sure a calling will come. Am I ready for one. I am not sure but I will pray for the knowledge to know it is the right calling.
Now about this weather...............GO AWAY SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even a winter lover like me can only handle so much of it........ Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy since I already did and can go right outside my door and enjoy it if I so choose to.