D.I.E.T., The Worst 4-Letter Word Of All!

New Year's resolutions are notoriously about losing weight. We set these lofty goals just knowing this time will be different and we mean it at the time, but as most resolutions are lost in the daily routine, I must DO something to not let that happen!! Just as President Kimball said, "DO IT!", so should I. Therefore, I am committing myself to reading health books, in addition to making myself get on that scale, and write down what I eat, etc. in order to entrench myself in the reasons why I am doing this in the first place.

For me, it has never been about dress size, or wanting to look good in a swimming suit, although I like those fringe benefits, but rather, it's about not growing old and sick. My issue has always been better health. So, here I go, with a different resolution: to read from my health books every day. This is a much better goal for me, and the rest of that diet will fall into place and those numbers on the scale will drop.

Richard Simmons and I never have liked the word "diet", so I choose his new word, "live-it!".

Heart Attack!

And they told the Bishopric they were

going on a "Scavenger Hunt".

Well, these "scavengers"

weren't home when they came - HaHa!!)

Our youth are great!!

Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!

From The Quest For Camelot

OK, my fridge had been on the brink of splitting at the seams for some time, and I for one had had my own fill of it! I'd made other things a priority long enough and now it was time.
So, I've been working on clearing shelves of old food and wiping them down as I go, and what happens? A half empty can of pears, (no lid) along with the juice, falls to the freshly pollished floor and onto my pink slippers and new throw rug! I don't lose my temper anymore and I don't swear, but I did find this annoying, so as I cleaned it all up I decided I wanted to bring the Spirit back.
I have a favorite song called, The Prayer, from The Quest For Camelot, sung by the Tabernacle Choir on Heavensong. It fills my heart and home so quickly and effortlessly that I play it whenever I wish to feel close to my Heavenly Father. Here are the lyrics:

I pray thee be our eyes, and watch us where we go
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer, lest we lose our way;
Lead us to a place, guide us with thy grace
To a place where we'll be safe.

We pray we'll find thy light, and hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where thou art.
Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day;
Lead us to a place, guide us with thy grace,
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended
And every heart that's broken will be mended
And we'll remember we are all thy children
Reaching out to touch thee
Reaching to the sky.

We ask that life be kind, and watch us from above;
We hope each soul will find another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer, just like every child
Who needs to find a place, guide us with thy grace;
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

Who needs to find a place, guide us with thy grace;
Give us faith so we'll be safe.

It's Been A Very Nice Day!

Much of the day has been quiet and uneventful. I woke up to a Happy Birthday phone call from Sam. Abbie and Mollie also called (Paige was busy taking her third bath so as to be ready for her friend's baptism for which she had been asked to offer one of the prayers.) I talked to Dawn and Mark today, and Shannon yesterday. (We already know about HER gift!) And Suzanne's family? Well, let's just say, they outdid themselves with cards and singing from all the kids and a card and autobio. of Julie Andrews, pre-Mary Poppins, plus some cash towards a poster for our master bedroom. It's of the black beach on the lee shore of Oahu that she took when we visited there. David gave me a much needed jewelry box - not that I have an overabundance of jewelry, or that it's expensive, I just didn't have a place for what I have, and now I do! And we went to one of our favorite places, Black Bear Diner, for dinner. I love to order breakfast,and tonight I didn't have to make a cake... I had multi grain almond pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream!!

The day was ended with a breathtaking sunset and a good movie.

Puzzling

Whenever we get together with Suzanne's boys, it's Puzzle Time!!!

Happy Birthday's Eve!

A beautiful card with a sweet poem inside came today from my sister, Sheryl.

And Shannon and Joe and Isabel sent me an edible bouquet.

I was so surprised I could hardly speak! It was so fun I didn't want to eat it!

Well, almost!!!

All's Quiet On The Home Front

After a busy, noisey, crazy, occassionally frantic, very fun almost 2 weeks, our kids had to go home...

We Love Chuck E. Cheese!

The Entire Lineup!!

Suzanne got some GREAT pics!!

Cousins At The Park

Joy's Gift

The last time I saw Dr. Watson was December 10th. He walked into the exam room long enough to tell me I didn't need Physical Therapy anymore. The x-rays looked good, healing was complete and anything I would need to do at PT I could do at home. Well, that's mostly true, I guess, minus the massage of my neck, but people cannot be replaced. Physical therapists become friends. They are genuinely interested in your welfare and as they give of themselves to bless your life, they become dear.
I have such mixed emotions about this portion of my life coming to an end. There is no way to properly repay... I know I've said this before, but I am profoundly grateful and my simple thanks seem so lacking, but it's all I've got. I know they get paid for their work but there is no price for a person's quality of life being restored to them. Thank you Joy, and Michelle and everyone at Pro PT!

Merry Christmas!

This year Christmas has been busy, busy busy! I don't know if it was because of planning too many activities and too much shopping, or if it was because I'm a bit slower these days, or a combination of the two... I actually vowed to give gift cards or money next year! I don't wish to have a "bah, humbug" attitude, but I didn't get to do many of the usual homey holiday things that I've always loved to do.
Take decorating, for example. I did a pretty skimpy job there, leaving many traditional items in their box. I didn't get all of my baking done or my house sparkling clean, or watch Christmas movies with the fireplace crackling and a warm cup of cider. But I did get presents bought, wrapped, delivered and/or mailed. We went to Utah and visited friends and family, which was very important, too.
So today, I treated myself to wearing purple snowflake pajama pants and a nice, loose-fitting pink top, and cozy socks all day long. I stayed at home, made my Jewish dinner and allowed for some less important things to go undone rather than push myself into a panic attack. It was lovely, even rather restful.
After dinner we talked about the significance of some of the foods served, and then we watched the church DVD "Joy To The World".
Now, with all the loose ends tied and the gifts and food ready, I am about to head off for a not-long-enough-but-typical-Christmas-Eve Winter's nap, wishing every one of my friends and family the Merriest Christmas EVER!!!