whatever

2014

 

There is something incredibly hopeful about a fresh start. I suppose at one time or another we have all wanted to start again with a clean slate.

So, I cleaned the slate blackboard...and began a new

How do you make a better you? 

Happy New Year

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What I made...Homemade Christmas

Christmas visit-

Two for Christmas-

(Our gift to each other army boots "bunny boots" for snowshoeing.}

As things would turn out....Christmas Morning this year was just the two of us.  We made the best of it and had a sweet time...(it had been over 35 years since that happened....well, for that matter this was really the first time...just the two of us.} 

Christmas eve was spent with Jessica and Mason.....we baked and had dinner together....fun.

Back to Christmas morning...we slept in....that's always nice.

Then we opened gifts....thanks Danny for the Christmas coat and army boots.

It was a different kind of Christmas morning...but it was good.

We filled the rest of Christmas day this way.

Click over here. 

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Progressive Family Christmas Dinner

What I made...Homemade Christmas

On Being Refined?

I have had this topic on my mind for some time....and wondered if I should share my thoughts....well, here goes.

(please note ... I'm not passing judgement on anyone... but pose a question?}

When did we stop trying to be refined?

A couple early memories of my Mother-

Sunday mornings- she made sure we were cleaned, clothing pressed military style, shoes shined....all 8 of us.

(all of this was taken care of Saturday evening....with the help of us kids.}

My Mother wore gloves and a hat to church for most of my early years....around my Teenage years the styles changed a little...but she always looked pressed and clean...and always a string of pearls. 

We had freshly pressed linens on the Sunday table....and always Sunday dessert.  Dinner was never exotic...just mashed potatoes, veg from the garden, and beef that was raised on the farm. 

For most of my growing up years we lived in very small homes...usually only 2 bedrooms and one bath....remember 8 children =)

Our home was clean and organized.  We took care of what we had.  When I was 8 years old I wore my first "store" bought dress.  I usually had one Church dress and 3 or 4 school dresses.

(I didn't wear pants to school until I was in 9th grade.}

 Mother made most all of our clothing.

We were not wealthy by any stretch of the word.

We never took a family vacation and as a family we never ate at a restaurant. (On a date at age 16 was my first time in a restaurant.}

My Mother took a lot of "flack from other women"...who made fun of her for taking the time to clean, organize, teach good manners, read good books, listen to good music.

(Women why do we do this to each other?} I see it happening today "the making fun of"....so sad.

Okay, so I share this part of my history because....I want to know....

When did we stop trying to be refined?

 

One of the purposes of our earthly probation is to become like our heavenly parents in every conceivable way so that we may be comfortable in their presence.

 

When did it become more socially acceptable to have a dirty home as apposed to a clean one?

Today... if your home is clean then you are a uptight  crazy hanger lady.

(Now, please note... perfectly perfect is not what I mean nor would I strive for....I have always said...if the floors under all the toys and books are clean....your good to go....also, I believe that everyone that lives in the home should help clean it...including the children....it's not just a Mom thing.} 

 As a Mother of five, one girl four boys...I know that it takes effort and time....much of which is lacking during the early stage of Motherhood....

My point is when did we give up? 

 When the Lord comes he will not expect to meet a dirty people, but a people of refinement.” ^{President Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901)} 

 

When did wholesome ...Art, Music, speech stop being something we "seek" after?

David Starr Jordan, former president of Stanford University, wrote:

“To be vulgar is to do that which is not the best of its kind. It is to do poor things in poor ways, and to be satisfied with that. … It is vulgar to wear dirty linen when one is not engaged in dirty work. It is vulgar to like poor music, to read weak books, to feed on sensational newspapers, … to find amusement in trashy novels, to enjoy vulgar theatres, to find pleasure in cheap jokes.

Quote-ELDER DOUGLAS L. CALLISTER

Refinement in speech is reflected not only in our choice of words but also in the things we talk about. There are those who always speak of themselves; they are either insecure or proud. There are those who always speak of others; they are usually boring. There are those who speak of stirring ideas, compelling books, and inspiring doctrine; these are the few who make their mark in this world. The subjects discussed in heaven are not trifling or mundane; they are sublime beyond our most extended imagination. We will feel at home there if we are rehearsed on this earth in conversing about the refined and noble, clothing our expressions in well-measured words.

When did we stop being refined?

 Mother always taught us that the way we dressed shows respect for our-self and those we love including Heavenly Father. 

Some may say- “How I look has nothing to do with how God feels about me.”

But it is possible for both earthly parents and heavenly parents to have unspoken disappointment in their offspring without diminished love.

I tried to teach my children if in doubt on what to wear to Church or an activity....think...how would President Monson or Sister Monson dress? 

Meaning your best....it may not be someone Else's best...but your best.

(and certainly not worldly best}

Quote-ELDER DOUGLAS L. CALLISTER

Audrey Hepburn while she was making the movie My Fair Lady. She spoke of the opening scene in the movie in which she depicted a modest, unpolished flower girl. Her face had been besmirched with charcoal to make her seem part of her surroundings. “But,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “I was wearing my perfume. Inside I still knew I was a lady.” It doesn’t take expensive perfume to make a lady, but it does require cleanliness, modesty, self-respect, and pride in one’s appearance.

 I'm blessed with a daughter and daughters in love who strive to be the best person they can be...this makes me happy.... 

Because I have seen first hand how living beneath ones potential is so very harming....even depressing.

Refining takes time and effort...big effort... but so worth it....don't give up, baby steps.

Maybe start with a corner of your home, or a pressed skirt to church, or learning something new in Art, literature etc.

I still work day by day to refine things in my life....and  believe me  it is not always easy...it will be a daily earthly battle...I'm okay with that because I know that  this is part of the reason we are here....to learn & improve.

I write this post because in the last year I have talked with and seen Women who seem to have given up...the kind of "throw your hands up in the air and walk away giving up."  

They don't care how they look, what condition their home is in as long as they can find the bed at night....and I feel so sad.  What can I do?  I could help for a moment...but then are we back to square one...once the help has left?

What do we do Women?  

How do we help each other?

Could it be about "refining"? 

 

Like I said at the beginning of this post...

 I'm not passing judgement on anyone... but pose a question?

 

When did we stop trying to be refined?

 

 Remember kindness matters...what one person is trying to "refine" may not be what is needed in your own life...we all have different things to "refine" 

 

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Parenting-

Personal Handwritten notes-

With all the new technology of today, the golden age of handwritten letters may be past.  But receiving personal handwritten letter is still a treat. 

I usually save every handwritten note I receive....there is something so personal about it that I can't bring myself to throw them away.

Today I was cleaning out my office desk when I came across this....the last Christmas Card that I received from my Dad....(can't believe that it's been almost a year}  and it warmed my heart....just as much or more.... then the day I first received it.

During the last few years of Dads life...he wrote lots of handwritten cards and note....To just about anyone he knew...if a thought of them came to his mind...he would write them a note.

(I'm guessing that some people may of wondered why he was writing} he meant no harm...just wanted to say....Have a great day and Happy Trails.

I think it was his way of helping out....when that is just about all he could do close to the end of his life.

I miss his little notes....just glad I have old notes to read over.

Finding Dads note today was just a little push to get me to be better about writing personal handwritten notes....I find that my hand writing  is terrible and so I tend to type or email my" Happy Day thinking of you notes."

 

I have several friends that are awesome at writing beautiful letters...Ellen, Bev, Ruth and Sandi to name a few. =)

I need to do better-

So, if you get a letter from me in handwriting that is hard to read....just know I love you and wanted to wish you a Happy Day.

Hey, lets start a new trend... send a handwritten letter to someone you care about....if for no other reason then to honor my Dad.

Happy Day

 

 

today.... a picture story-

When did we stop twirling?

At Mason and Jessica's wedding....my two granddaughters twirled  the night away.

Sandi  and I took such joy in watching them.  They didn't care what others thought...they were having fun! 

Our thoughts-  "When did we stop twirling?"

Why isn't it okay for us to go out there and twirl and dance? =)

Love this song from Mindy Gledhill's new album- Shadow Children

 

She asks some of the same questions-

Where? Where did we go?

Oh, when we lost our shadows?

Looking to get my twirl back.

Empty Nest- You will be needed in a different way- being honest here.

 

 

 

 

Empty Nest-   I admit it....I struggle at times.  Don't get me wrong....I love my empty nest and who I share it with...we have a great time.....but....there is always that Mom in me that wants to know the...what, when, how.... of their children's life ...first.

Really, to let go I guess you have to deal with not being needed as much.  Like that first time you drop your child off at collage and they are  in a hurry to see you go...Ouch!

 The trick I think is to not take it personally....because really isn't that what Mom's want?  Their kids to be strong and independent?  (still hurts though}

and maybe in a small way having to have control in my opinion is really about hiding your own insecurity.  (I admit it I have insecurities}

One of the hardest things I've ever done/doing  is to let go..... (there is such a fine line...that I'm always trying to not cross over)

Then my crazy insecurities kick in....but so and so children call her four or five times a day and text her frequently as well. 

(they even share things with their Mom before they tell their spouse}

Then I remember Danny saying...Teresa...Have you notice how great our kids are?! 

and this counsel given us from this talk by President Kimball'

"Unfortunately, some parents have a hard time letting their children grow up and become independent. President Kimball said: “Well meaning relatives have broken up many a home. Numerous divorces are attributable to the interference of parents who thought they were only protecting their loved children.” He also observed that sometimes parents “will not relinquish the hold they have had upon their children.”  Wise parents will honor their children’s adulthood, foster their independence, and respect their marital boundaries, thereby giving their children the opportunity to establish strong marriages."

  Obviously I don't have all the answers or even some of them... I just don't want to be "the problem" of my children not growing and being the best adult they can be....I know that my children at times will need to be lonely a little, scared a little ....if they are to reach out and grow. (standing to the side...hardest thing ever.}

(I can't even image how Heavenly Father and Mother do it!)

I guess what I'm trying to get across..(in my own crazy way} is that it is hard....to not be needed like you use to be....and then trying to figure out how you can be of help with out being  too much help or not enough help.

When they were little....see a problem fix that problem....now it is different....now it is more about counsel and let them fix it. (crazy hard...think teaching them to ride their first bike only without training wheels x 100....sometimes standing to the side is the hardest thing ever.}

I know in the blog world filled with stories of  young families and their "stories" (and Happy Day for that...I love reading their stories} it may seem what I write here seems old and out of place. (maybe because I am old and out of place =}

But this is who I am and what I do and things I worry and think about. 

Just need to keep telling myself...you are needed in a different way now....now go and have fun!

Happy Day

 

 

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Slipping through...my fingers-

Fearlessly-

Fearlessly Decorating my own way--- at my age.........I think I have become one of those old ladies that doesn't care what others think...Purple hat, leopard skirt kind of gal. 

So, I was at Home Goods today....rummaging through their 70% off pile.  And I found this awesome quilt for $15 ...loved the colors...it was out of the bag lost....so, I had to give it a home. 

I laid it across the shopping cart as I was looking for a fun pillow to go with it....came across this one right away and thought cool I like that....when a very nice looking women said to me..."

"Oh, I don't think that is a good idea, do you need some help?"

 (really? I thought it was awesome!}

(Sometime I wonder if I have a sign on my back that says...be really rude to me} Just saying. 

I thanked her anyway (why?} because she helped me realize that I decorate for me and my family.

Sometimes it's a little crazy and sometimes it's not....but it's always me.

I've pulled out all the old quilts I own... along with a few added pieces....I plan to throw it all together up at the cabin and see what I get.

I think it will be a couple fearlessly, eclectic,  vintage  rooms. 

(Or it will look like a funny old lady who wears leopard skirts put it together....and I do....wear leopard skirts.}

Fearless....

are you?

 

 

 

Broken Things to mend-

Torn- To pull apart or into pieces by force; rend.

2. To make (an opening) by ripping 

yes....the pigs are at it again...not even funny!

and the woodpeckers have never stopped.

Sometimes I feel all I do is mend things.

A Vintage quilt Danny's Grandmother made- This is what it looked like yesterday......

Tried my hand at being a surgeon .... with iron-on tape and some careful “finagling” today it looks like this.

Repairing, mending  and fixing....the story of my life.

Ok so I'm having a little pitty party...just when I think I can't fix another thing or feel broken myself...I remember a talk given by Jeffrey R Holland....(one of my favorite talks}

And then all is well.

 

One more thing-

As I was going over each line of sewing....checking for any torn areas...I found something I had never noticed before...(and we have had the quilt for close to 40 years} 

Got to love GrandMa Carrie...never one to waste anything.  On the edge close to the binding.... she used some left over fabric from what looks to  me like a cross-stitch pattern.  

Happy Day

 

Confessions of a White Dishaholic-

I admit it....I love white dishes....and I have way too many. ...but....to my defends I use them all the time.

{not all at once, although that would be fun because that would mean a big sit down party for over one hundred.....Holy Cow!} 

while I'm confessing I might as well get it all out there... I have a stack about this same size at the Mill House. and flourish. 

Now you know my secret....or maybe you've known all along and were afraid to say something to me.

So before I find myself at a white dish intervention.... {really I'm okay...it could be worst I could  be a shoe-aholic or purse-aholic}

Why do I buy white dishes?

1. They are pretty…. and go with everything and they are good in any season or at any holiday.

2. They are functional. I use them every day...I don't need to worry if they will match or go out of style. If one breaks I can find another one to replace it. 

3. They are affordable – most of the time.{smile}  Home goods, Target, Crate & barrel and vintage stores are my favorite places to find them. 

I put myself out there, now it is your turn...What do you hoard   collect?