Potatoes

This afternoon Steve brought home some yummy crab, and I decided to make french fries with my new Cuisinart french fry blade. So out to the garden I went to dig the last of the potatoes, hoping I would find some big enough to make fries with. I noticed that some of the potatoes were starting to grow. I decided I would dig all the potatoes. I kept digging and digging and I ended up digging 45 lbs of potatoes. Needless to say I found some big enough. I thought I had dug more than I had obviously. If you are wondering if the potatoes are purple, they are. They produce really well and taste a lot like red potatoes.

The crab was good, but the crabbing isn't so good. Steve the Crab King has come home skunked more than once. Today he got 8, and there was two of them in the boat. There was only one big one. He said someone else at the dock had only caught 2. He said he has never seen so many boats in the bay at this time of the year. Oh well, it hasn't been a crab/salmon year. You can't have everything.

My fingernails have still been doing good. I have worried about them because when I go out to the garden and put on my gloves, dirt still gets in my gloves. Today I grabbed a pair of gloves that were in the garage. They were stretchy on the back and leather on the palm. They have a strap around the wrist so you can cinch it up. After digging all those potatoes, not one speck of dirt got in my gloves. I was pretty excited about that. I am hoping I can find a few more pairs of them. They are my new best friend!!!

These are my fries! I need to cook them longer. I think they would be better if they were deep fried, I oven baked them.

Well, I decided I have truly watched Gilmore s a lot. I was watching the first season today on DVD while I was cleaning the crabs. When the music started for this one scene I knew it was a first snow scene. I looked up and sure enough it was. That is pitiful, or I am just amazing. You know which one I want to be, but I'm afraid that probably isn't the one I am. :-)

I wish I could say my day today was like yesterday, but I didn't start out right and never seemed to get it back together!! It's like they say you have to lay a good foundation or the building will not stand! I remember in the temple one day watching the creation scenes and thought about how each thing that was created was necessary before the next step could survive. I thought, if we are to learn from the temple, the lesson for me is that there is an order to the way things should go. If we don't follow that order things can't work right, because some things need to be built upon the next. I'm 51 years old, do you think I will get that someday!!!?? I hope so. :-)

Well, love you all!! Hope you all had a good day.

Great Day!

Yesterday started out as one of those amazing days. Then I got distracted and spent all day trying to clean up a mess instead of doing what I really wanted to do. I felt the Spirit tell me to go out to my greenhouse, but I thought I had to clean up the mess I had made. When we cleaned the garage, some things came into the house. They had finally made me crazy so I started to put them away. Well the only way to do that was to displace some other things. Before I knew it I had stuff all over the table and counters. The more I tried to figure things out the more upset I became. Finally I just took a lot of it up to Danielle's old room and stuffed it. I then went into my room and ate all the weight watcher treats I could find. I was so disgusted with myself and was very discouraged as I went to bed. I had spent Saturday morning making the perfect schedule (scary I know) I got up at 6am like I planned, exercised, ate, and then read my scriptures. I had a great scripture study time. I was a little behind, but trying not to focus on time and just the order of things to do. Well, thats when it all started to go bad.

So this morning I woke up at 6 still discouraged, exercised, ate breakfast, started laundry. I then went in to read my scriptures. After 2 chapters for the SS lesson, I was still not feeling good. So I stared at my scriptures and heard in my mind something our SS teacher said about doing this worksheet she had prepared. I thought well, I will do that, I recognized it was the spirit bringing to my remembrance what she said. I took the worksheet and started doing it. Before I knew it tears were running down my cheeks and I felt so close to the Saviour and so grateful for everything. That of course made me feel so loved by my Father in Heaven and the Saviour.

I felt the spirit say about half way through the sheet, to stop and go start on the rest of my day. I got up and worked on my list and got a little distracted, but mostly listened to the spirit. I found a way to store my tuna jars, empty and full, that had become a growing nightmare. I actually made some boxes for the empty jars that had no box and then it became clear to me how to rotate the empty ones and full ones. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I know the spirit was guiding me. I then went out to my greenhouse came in after a little while, ate lunch, then worked on my church calling. I then took my shower, made a dish for our Weight Watcher potluck, and went to the potluck. I feel so good inside now. I know I did what the spirit wanted me to. I think the key is to have a plan, but let the spirit tell me what is most important on that list. I think I will always do the first three things on my list, exercise, eat with Steve, and then read my scriptures. After that I think it will vary. I have been reminded that you have to take breaks and do some things just for recreations sake. During lunch I watched part of a Gilmore s DVD and felt really good about that. I have really been affected by Elder Oaks talk on Good, Better, Best. Yesterday I didn't even do the good stuff by evening. Tonight when I got home, I thought about getting out my church stuff again( I have to train a new Primary Counselor on Scouting this weekend, I knew nothing about scouting) but I felt the spirit say no. Interesting huh? I think I am just supposed to free my mind and relax. I think I will read Les Mis.

Anyway it was also gorgeous outside today, the ocean was so flat Steve and I felt like we could have taken a canoe out on the beach and rowed out to sea. I studied my church stuff on the deck, it was nice!

Well, that was my great day!

Epiphany, Humanitarian Aid, Ever Changing weather, and Confession

Epiphany:

For those of my daughters that skim, I would really like you to read this part. (anyone else is welcome to read also) Yesterday I was pondering on my fast for today. It was early in the day I was getting ready to study my scriptures. I usually don't think about my fast that early in the day, but it was on my mind. I gathered my scriptures and realized I had already read the Sunday School lesson scrips, so I thought what shall I read. Goodie, the Book of Mormon. One of the frustrations of scriptures is that we are supposed to read the SS lesson, and some prophets say we should be always reading the Book of Mormon, plus we are supposed to read the Priesthood/RS lesson. I have found great value in reading all of the above before Sunday, so I read the BoM on the days I don't read the Sunday lessons requirements. I opened up to the last place I was reading hoping it would shed some light on my fast. It did that and more so. Mosiah 23 and 24 are about Alma and his people, their escape from the wicked Nephites, to their capture from the wicked Lamenites, and to their eventual freedom. I realized in my reading something I knew, but not as deeply and clearly as I learned yesterday. Heavenly Father has a tailor made plan for us. He knows us so very well, and knows what will teach us what we need to know. For some odd reason we learn best through trials. Because of our different personalities, which I firmly believe we came down here with, He has to give us different trials and challenges. Some of us hide ours pretty well, and should. Some trials are obvious to all around us. No matter what kind they are, I have learned through having 6 children and thankfully being close to them and from my own life, that we all have trials and challenges. It may look like others have a trouble free carefree life made in the shade, but I will guarantee you that is not the case. So back to my scrip study. Alma's people were very righteous, they did nothing bad that caused them the need to be humbled and go to the Lord, they were already that kind of a people. Yet the Lord allowed them to be captured and become prisoners of the Lamanites, and be tormented by the wicked Nephites that had joined the Lamenites. They cried unto the Lord and he eventually lifted the weight of their burdens, but he did not take them away. He took away the pain, and gave them the energy to do what they needed to do, but did NOT take them away. The people bore their afflictions with cheerful attitudes and were grateful the Lord had given them strength to bear their burdens. Soo to make a long story short, we are not going to get out of trials no matter how righteous we are, the challenge is to learn what Heavenly Father wants us to learn, and to learn to bear them cheerfully. Not an easy task, but none the less the more painless route to take. Today I was reading Elder Holland's talk on the "Tongue of Angels" and he said he never knew a situation that was so bad that whining made it easier. I loved that! I'm a good whiner,and mummerer. I realized that true happiness comes from realizing Heavenly Father loves us, the Lord atoned for our sins and therefore can strengthen us if we will ask and let him. If we will humble ourselves and do all we can with cheerful hearts having faith that Heavenly Father is very aware of our trials we will be able to bear them and learn great things from them. And we will also be able to become grateful for them, for they will make us more like the Saviour who bore all things. Heavy I know but a lesson if you could learn now would save you a lot of pain and wasted time in your life. I know that grief is real and necessary to go through. I just know if we will trust the Lord and ask him to teach us and heal us it won't take as long and we will be so much happier. I have suffered so much longer than is necessary in this life and caused others to suffer with me because I was stubborn and didn't trust the Lord. I hope you will read Mosiah 23 and 24 and think about you trials, and then read Elder Hollands talk in the May 07 Ensign. By the way that is not my confession this has been my Epiphany. The confession is yet to come!

Humanitarian Aid:
Today in RS, they had some blocks they needed sewn together for quilts. I looked over at them and thought about my talents and my ability to sew very quickly, and thought I would be a very ungrateful servant if I didn't take one of the quilts. So here is the one I put together this afternoon while watching the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (now you know I don't just watch religious shows on the sabbath, still not the confession, I bet you're starting to wonder what it isss?)
It is just top, I don't know who will put it together, its pretty huh?

Ever Changing Weather on the Coast:
When we first decided to move to the coast, Bob and Judy Line happened to visit our ward one Sunday. I asked them why I should move to the beach. I asked them both separately, and the first thing out of both of their mouths was, "the weather". They said the loved the ever changing weather. That their was more sun and a nice moderate temperature, never too cold or too hot. I have found that to be true!! I love the weather here. It is ever changing from hour to hour, day to day. One of the hardest things about living here is not wanting to constantly take pics of the ocean. It is so beautiful no matter what the weather. I have a whole folder full of pics of the ocean out my back door. Here are just a few, hope you enjoy them.
Yesterday

These two were this morning


Today at 5:00

Some random days







These amazing sunset pics are much more common than you would think, but nonetheless never taken for granted. I almost always take time to stare! Last but not least the many colors one.


Well, it is time for the Confession:
I wrote a pretty arrogant hypocritical assessment of the Vampire books. While some of the things I said I do still feel, I have to admit, I miss the vampires and werewolves, and have had a hard time not thinking about them. I have thought a lot about Bella and agree with Danielle she is pretty realistic of her age. Also I think the reason she irritated me at times is because I like her react before I think (hence this confession) I consider this a weakness of mine and therefore am probably not very patient with others with the same weakness. Even though it can be a strength, it far to often comes around to bite me in the rear! I also love a good romance and I have to admit, it is a pretty powerful romance. It was a bit repetitive, I felt she leaned on the romance to keep it going too much, but it was nonetheless pretty powerful. All in all, I enjoyed them and am looking forward to the next book. Now wasn't' that big of me? HAA HAAA!

Pics of b-day presents and thoughts on the Vampires

Today was a frustrating day, it didn't start with prayer and scripture study so I got nothing done, except one load of dishes in the dishwasher, and one Vacation Rental hooked up to the wireless internet and my blog. AAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhgggggggg! I have no one to blame but myself!

I'm not decorating for Christmas yet, these are the cute blocks Daneille made for me that I forgot to mention. Aren't they cute!! Well, these are my b-day presents so far. Steve got me two hats. Before we started dating I had a really cute green hat, winter dress kind. I had a coat to match. Steve loved my hat. I also wore a staw old fashioned hat my senior year to church and a few other places. After we were married he talked me into to buying one that matched a blue coat I had, it was also a dress felt hat. I got lots of compliments in it. Then I became obese, and I didn't feel comfortable in hats. Probably because it drew attention to me. Steve has always like me in hats so he surprised me with two for my b-day. I am not as brave as I used to be, but I have worn the first hat twice now, once to weight watchers and to the bank. I am trying to get braver. It's silly I do like them. Anyway here they are!


Steves favorite veiw of this hat

Lizzie got me a french fry blade for my cuisenart!! I am so excited to use it

And then last but not least, Rebecca got me Twilight, I didn't take a very good pic of it, but most of you know what it looks like
So if you haven't read all three books you might want to stop reading here, I spent all week in my room with little exception, with the Vampires and the Werewolves. I thought they were entertaining but I wouldn't put them in the category of Harry Potter or true great literature. I think she has the potential if she gets more experience and wants to write long term literature. I hope she does, she has a good imagination, is good with suspense, and paints a good picture If you can write a book that is as sensual as this and keep it clean it will reach a large audience, but to truly be a book that will "stand the test of time" as Rosalie say's about Tad Hamilton you have to make people think about their own life and who they are or make them want to change who they are, or teach them why others are the way they are. Those kind of books are around 100 years or more. I hope I don't sound snooty. :-)

I have to say, Bella might be realistic, but I was never that selfish when I was her age. The only reason I believe she might truly love Edward is because Daneille and I got married at 18. But from my past vampire obsession, I have thought about this a lot (it's okay you can laugh at me) and I have decided maybe she truly loves Edward, because of the time they were apart she still loved him or wanted to be with him. In my past Vampire experiences, vampires had the ability to make anyone love them. sooooo I wondered whether she really loved him or if she was just under his spell. But when a vampire left his victim or the person he was wooing to become a victim, if they could get the person away from the vampire they would snap out of it-Bella didn't snap out of it. I just find it weird that if she truly loved Edward that she wouldn't love Jacob. And if she truly loved Edward, she wouldn't put Jacob first so many times and hurt Edward so much. She neeeeedddddds Edward, and loves Jacob. Her love for Jacob seems healthier.

Now lest you think I don't think Bella and Edward should be married, I love Edward soooo much that I would cry if they didn't get married, I just don't think she deserves him. I know some of you would say, but he is so much older that is why he is so mature. That is true, but when you truly love someone you will let go of your past for them. I think Edward loves her more than anything else on the earth. I think he loves her, not just her blood or whatever. I think he was intrigued by her because of her scent, but then grew to love her. I love how he wants her to have a normal life, that he would sacrifice his happiness for her no matter what the cost. When he went to Italy I truly was dieing. I knew there was no way they could kill him, but I have to admit, my heart was racing.

I will say, I was entertained, but I thought some of the dialog between Bella and Edward got a little annoying. I wanted to yell at Bella. And I did actually several times in the second and third book. Rebecca said she was Bella , I love Rebecca way more than Bella.

I loved Jacob also and I thought some of the best writing was the last chapter of Book three. I couldn't stop thinking about Jacob. He might not have always played fair, but he truly loved Bella.

It was fun to see the difference in her way of presenting some of the folklore as myths, and the other Vampire things I have seen. (Mostly "Dark Shadows") I would kind of like to watch them or a few episodes to see some of the comparisons.

I loved Alice, and Angela. They were so loving and kind. I loved Alice's personality. I thought Emmet and Jasper were cool also. I had a hard time with Rosalie. I liked her better after she told her story.

I did think Stephanie Meyer did do a good job making you really think about whether Bella should become a Vampire. Being a mother it was hard for me to think about her never having children. I thought it was cool how the Vampires made such good use of their time, and I loved Carlise and his wife. I thought it was a good example of how we always have choice.

I did get tired of Bella trying to get Edward to have sex with her. I hope I don't sound too negative. I did enjoy the books. I will probably read on!

So theres my take on the books.

My b-day Oct 29th big 51

Well, this year was way low key compared to last year. I was tired and just wanted to stay home and read, what do you think I was reading????? You guessed it Twilight, Rebecca got it for me and I bought the other two. I started the day early substituting for seminary. I am probably the only person that would look at that as a gift to me. I got lots of wonderful phone calls all morning, went to lunch with a good friend, and read the rest of the day. I was going to go out to dinner, but by the time I got home from lunch I just wanted to sit and read with a blanket on me. It was cold and kind of raining. So Steve went and got shrimp, bread, and Strawberries. It was great. I think we are going into town a week from Friday for my b-day with the valley people.

I will take pics of my presents tomorrow, I got two cute hats from Steve, a cool new blade for my Cuisinart that makes french fries from Lizzie and Shad, and Twilight from Rebecca.

I then proceeded to read until 11:30pm, got up the next morning and continued to finish the first book by about 1:30. I started the next book in the evening. (I had to get some things done) Then today I finished the 2nd book, and will probably start the 3rd book tonight. Now lest you think my life is one big cushy life, I chose to do nothing for the last 3 days (at least most of the last 3 days) to read. I decided I needed some time off, my life has been nonstop crazy since July. I feel like I did when I was a young mother and would sit on the couch for 3 days and do as little as possible and read. The kids would destroy the house and I didn't care. It was worth it. I had to feed them and change diapers of course, but I think that is all I did. At the end of 3 days, I would have finished my book and was ready to go for the next 6 weeks. I still read, but not non-stop. You can tell that I don't have little kids to interrupt me now, since it took me 3 days back then to finish a book versus one day now!! There has to be some perks after all those years of diapers, sleepless nights,cleaning up vomit in the middle of the night several times, never sleeping in until Danielle graduated and went away to college, and etc. I loved those years though and would never trade them for anything. I tell my daughters, enjoy the years with the celestial people in them. Once they turn 8 and get baptized the world changes!!

Well, I need to study my weight watchers topic for tomorrow and start the third book! :-)

Yea!!!! The Garage is Done (for now)

Well, Saturday night at 7:30 I started taking pictures. I thought I would never get done. It is all the little screws, nails and etc. that takes so long!!!!! For those of you that never saw our garage before, (I forgot to take a before pic) we have lived in this house for 4 years and 2 months. During that time I have been able to park in my garage on two different time periods that didn't last long. Our garage has never been empty enough to park both vehicles. One day we decided we must think our garbage and crap is worth more than our vehicles. Here on the coast things rust very rapidly, and our precious garbage got to be protected for 4 years while our cars have slowly started to rust.

I am posting a lot of pics but it took me a long time and I need to post the finished product! It may look still crowded, but we took two loads in Steve's Forerunner to the dump, one full load in the back of my van full of stuff to St Vinnies, and one full van load to the recycling. Not counting the stuff that cluttered and is still cluttering our kitchen, and the stuff that went into the attic. Anyway Steve helped me one day, the other 3 days were just me.

The for now statement is because now that we can actually get to our 72 hour pack, I am going to go through it. We would have about killed ourselves if we had tried to get to it before. Also I am going to go through our food storage and improve it. Plus I am going to go through my baking shelves and organize them better!!

For my family you are probably wondering what the white things are beside the freezer and refrigerator. When we purchased our Newport Vacation Rental we had these cupboards we took out of the craft room , we brought them home to put in a shop for Steve. Then we decided that we didn't need a shop and so I said I wanted to put them in our garage. Steve screwed them into the wall, and I put the doors on and filled them up.
As you can see I still have lots more room!! Yea for me.
we have actually moved the coolers to the other side now and moved the garbage can over to this wall. You know how it is, once you start to use it, it becomes obvious what works and what doesn't.

the back pack and stuff above is our 72 hour pack. If we can drive out we will take a bigger tent and our stove. If we have to walk out we have a back packing tent attached to the pack and a backpacking stove. I will carry the sleeping bags. I am grateful for the 10 years of 4th year hikes!!!
I don't know if you can tell, but I drilled holes in the wood that this saw was attached to and then put screws in the wall so we could hang our chop saw, cool huh!!?
This is the inside of Steve's, shop/closet. The pic on the left is for tools, it is so great to be able to find tools w/o ourselves!! The shelf to the right is one of his fishing shelves the pic below is for more fishing supplies, look at the empty space, Christopher Lowell would be proud!

Now the pic on the left is the wall , I hung up all the life preservers up high since he doesn't use these as often.
And now for the finished goal!!! tight quarters, but we did it!!!!

Day 2 on the Garage

Well, I knew it would take time to do the garage, but more than 2 days?!!! Part of the problem is today was only me, and I have spent a good share of the time cleaning the shop/closet. I am getting so close to being done but with weight watchers tomorrow I fear it will be Saturday or next week.

The weather has turned. The rain has started. Part of me is ready. Well, this is very short, but I am tired and there is only so much I can say about my garage!