Tears

Look at my tissue box. It has a map on it. As I open the box, I pull off most of North America. I've lived there, and there and there. I have lived in every section of the United States plus British Columbia, Canada. I have lived in some places as a child in my natal family, some with my first husband, some with my second, some with just children, and some as a single person. Generally speaking, even when moving away from a place I liked, there was some anticipation for the new adventures to come. This time, there are just tears.

Everyone said how awful it would be to move to New England. "They are so closed in their society--no one new is accepted. Period." That's what I was told, by not one person, but by many--some who'd even lived in New England. I was leaving the familiar town of my youth, my family, and everything familiar. Tears would have been reasonable, but there were none. Cold hands, warm heart is what I say. I loved New England, my children loved New England, my husband loved New England, heck, two of my kids were even born in New England!

Moving to the South [in August--from northern New England!] was an especially difficult move. I was scared of The South. When I saw my first KKK'ers up close [fortunately I was in my car I floored it!] I couldn't understand the people I lived among. Literally--the southern accent is very slow speech--especially so after the down east of northern Maine! Many times there were tears--of frustration, loneliness and despair, until I finally made a friend [of course, we couldn't talk over the phone, only in person, because I could not understand anyone over the phone for a full year!] and slowly I began to learn...it's the heat, everything moves more slowly, even the speech. But it doesn't mean people are stupid--just different. After four years I was finally pretty well adjusted, had my activities, loved my school, principal and other teachers...and we joked that 'Mom's feet left drag marks behind the U-Haul as we left!' But it was off to a new adventure--and that was just the journey.

Finally to the Mexican border...and the English was so fast I could barely understand it, let alone the Spanish! As time went by, I sped up, my ears sped up and soon I could keep up. My students never caught on that I could understand their Spanish, however...I had a bilingual aide, so it worked better that way. Lots of trouble was averted because they would talk openly in front of me--in Spanish, thinking I was too stupid for words! Ha! That's all I have to say. Within a few months, I again had my activities and friends and for me all went pretty well in that regard. I was sad to move away so soon, but looked forward to the southeast.

The East Coast has so much history to explore. Williamsburg, VA has been one of my all time favorite places to visit since the family trip in the mid 1960's. I still love it. Life there didn't fall into place so easily, however, and I never really had my own activities or friends. After eight years I'd personally seen as much as I wanted to see in that area of the country, and the kids and I were usually going far afield on our trips! So when we learned we were moving to North Dakota [where I have cousins] I was actualy quite excited. I've liked ND since my first trip there in '69. So I packed, then left to visit one of my kids elsewhere. The phone rang, my husband said, "We are not moving to ND after all," pregnant pause during which I screamed in my head--you mean I did all that packing for NOTHING?--he continued, "We're moving to Ohio instead."

As all who know me personally, or through blogging, are well aware...I love my village. I love my ward. I love my friends. Although I have no local family, I feel as if I do, for everyone has become family...friends, neighbors, villagers, I am involved! I have my activities etc. Life has been very good. I've really enjoyed my home...working on my house, making a home...

I am very grateful that my husband is once again gainfully employed. I just wish it could have been here! I know it is rather selfish of me, but I do NOT WANT to move. It is coming. I am leaving. For awhile I pretended it was just that I didn't look forward to the climate of the Gulf Coast. But the cold, hard, reality is that I do not want to leave my home and friends and active involvements here. But I am going to do it, and the time is coming quickly now...less than a month. So I cry. The emotions have to spill over somewhere! With me, they're spilling out. Tears, welling, overflowing, streaming, damped down and wiped off, only to start anew at the slightest reminder. Tears come during the very fine Sacrament talk given by one of the Elders on friendships. Tears come again after church when I attempt to tell him my opinion that he gave a good talk. And again when I'm asked when I'm leaving--and the choir director tries to schedule a performance before that time because I had mentioned that I've sorta sung that song in several wards--but always moved before it was performed. Tears--it's going to happen here again. Tears as I planted my flowers and a small garden, why? Because I just had to do it! This is my home and it was time to get the plants in the ground. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to complete. Tears for all the projects I didn't get to start. Tears to give up the SS calling I never wanted! Tears to leave the Family History Center--even though I am quite certain there is one where I am going! So many other tears that I cannot list them all, but they keep pouring.

I know that I can make a home basically anywhere. It might not be the same, but it will be fine in the long run. Right now, however, let me just emote. Excuse me, I need a new box of tissue.

Feeling Patriotic?

I don't really know how to post a link, so I'm putting it into a blog for now. GreatDanePro has made a bunch of patriotic mini-movies. I highly recommend them all. This will get you to one of my favorites, and you can go to others from there. This is for you, Lura...and all the others like you: http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Soldiers%20Wife/index.htm
Other sections are devoted to patriotic songs [See Battle Hymn!] branches of the service [I've watched only the AF so far...] and individuals. If you are feeling patriotic...or feel the lack thereof...this site will help. I promise.

Getting A Life

A good friend of mine recently told me that all she does is get up, go to work, go home, walk her dogs[unless she's too tired--then she just turns them out into the backyard to run awhile] go to bed and start all over. I said she could have some of my life. Yesterday and today are a typical slice. Yesterday we [the kids I tutor, their Mom and my son] went to downtown Columbus to see the Santa Maria. It was really interesting--quite different from the Jamestown ships actually 100+ years made a huge difference! Next we swung by the old deaf school to see the topiary gardens because I'd heard of it and wanted to see it. I was quite surprised, if you walk up to the rise not only do you see a relief of the painting [I forget its actual name...I only remember the play!] but it is all topiary, "Sunday in the Park with George"! The Paris park scene painted by George Surat: Isle de something. So I assigned the kids a paper on the Santa Maria. After dumping the kids, we mothers went for lunch and to the library for some time sans teens. whew! Just need that break sometimes!

Today, we started tutoring earlier than usual, this so that we could get a good two hours under our belts before another friend collected me. We went out to take pictures for the power point we're putting together for one of the songs for our ward's Patriotic Program [for Armed Services Day] 17 May. It goes along with the song the choir sings "To the Unsung Heroes". Lunch and many pictures later we whipped over to the missionaries apt, where one received a haircut from my friend outside while others and I loaded their unpacked moving boxes from last week into the van for drop off at my house. Finally reached home about 15 minutes late, grabbed my make-up shirt, boxes were unloaded, and Richard and I took off for his school production of Treasure Island. I'm ready for bed, but am giving Seth 'til midnight to e-mail his paper to me!

Oh, and before all that--both days--I've been working on a script for our book club skit at the Stake Enrichment Day. Unlike my friend...I have too much life! But I wouldn't have missed this time for anything, it has been some of the happiest time in my life. Tomorrow I am going to put new batteries in the camera. I will take tulip pictures--both in the yard, and ones Keith sent "before Mother's Day" .

If I didn't do the things I do already, I can see a half dozen other activities in which I could easily get involved in my community. How does anyone get to the point where they do not have a life? There is so much out there and available to do! Anyone need a few suggestions? I got tons! :)

Retired

Many years ago as a young mother living in a largely retirement aged community, I remember when a new couple moved into the Ward. He said that they were retired from their jobs--not from life, so please put them to work right away. And so it was done.

In my current ward, it is a standing joke about how many are in "the waiting room" for death, and after three [or was it four?] funerals within just a couple weeks, my then bishop declared a moratorium on dying until pageant was over that year. It must've worked, for while we've had any number of others enter "the waiting room" the first death was quite recently.

As a young "retired" [due to disability] I cannot understand what others have meant by retired, but have come up with my own definition after observation and participation. To be "retired" meant that you are tire again and again because of all there is to do.

In my own case, I volunteer for only a couple of things at the high school--working on the Madrigal, the spring play and working with the genealogy unit in sociology every semester.
At church: Sunday school teacher [currently Gospel Docrine/adult class] choir--including the Stage manager / scene designer / design executer for our May Patriotic Program. Book Club is held monthly in my home.

I tutor two home schooled kids in English daily.

I work at the Family History Center 2nd & 4th Tues and sometimes 5th Tues, and sometimes go in with an individual appointment[like last Mon afternoon--2 1/2 hrs] I work on my own genealogy and serve as a ward family history consultant. I try to do at least one page of indexing, daily.

I garden /can etc. I also flower garden. I often volunteer at the Bishop's Storehouse. Occasionally, I have the pleasure to babysit for a family with baby/ and or young children.

I continue to work on Pageant to get things in readiness for next year.

I'm a Visiting Teacher. Our book club has been asked to prresent a skit for the upcoming Stake Enrichment

I'm a community volunteer [tho am pulling back with the upcoming move]

Yep. I'm tired, and retired on a daily basis...but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Because of my mdedical history, I qualify as one in the waiting room, but I figure on being around for quite some time to com...just tired and daily retired!

Steel Drum Music

Look--I found something to write about! All on my own!

I was blessed to receive quite a lot of musical training, it made up to a large extent for my total lack of talent. Then all my kids went through band, and I was always a very active Band Parent, so I thought my knowledge base was fairly high. I've spent my life going to a variety of types of concerts. While not terribly knowledgable about strings, I've been privilaged to have many close friends who were quite the virtuosos on their instruments, so over the years I learned quite a bit. One of my favorite sections in any large museum is the area with musical instruments from all over the world. I thought I'd been exposed to it all, but oh how not so!

Last Sat. I went to the local high school's Steel Drum Concert. I've wanted to go for the past three years, but it just never worked out. This time they had one of the top guys in the world in, along with a touring college band.

I had NO idea!!! It was so musical that originally I strained looking for an electric piano. I did not believe that much music could come from such "ordinary" objects used as instruments! By the end I realized that each one had not a plain flat top as I'd expected but they were concave and many had different concave pockets. Those with the largest drums had a grouping of up to six drums circling the drummer, who would whirl around from one to another. It was amazing. It was fun and invigorating! I'm so glad I finally went. All because the director is Richards PA [performing arts] instuctor and I promised him I would attend. Richard couldn't--he had work and church activity. I invited his drummer friend [who had the church activity, but I didn't know about it 'til then] and his mother, my good friend. So she and I went. Fun!

I'm looking forward to the end of year concert--band, steel drum company, two HS choirs, middle school choir and parent's band! That was a new one on me! It is probably a good thing that I didn't know about it before. I believe I could play some percussion still...but it is better not to find out, I'm sure!

Z, Zed, The End!

Finally, the end of the alphabet. And it isn't even a whole month since last I wrote--it must be THE END!
Everybody knows that Z is for Zebras well as the Zoo in which we see them. I began thinking about the zoos [and similar types of places]I have known, and there have been not a small number. I first remember the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from when I was a little girl in the '50's. We lived in the Chicago area--the city, it's suburbs or a bit further into northern Indiana until 1960. Even when we were no longer in Chicago, we had family there until the late '60's, and returned often to visit. This helped to keep early memories sharp. The Brookfield zoo was famous for its Petting Zoo. I remember most riding--yes, riding upon the back [shell] of giant turtles. Galapagos perhaps?
In California, the first animal place I recall is the snake farm across the street from Knott's Berry Farm. It was our excursion on our first Christmas away from family and friends. Besides we were building up on the hill, and Dad wanted us instructed properly about rattlesnakes. We were. And we never had a serious snake problem because of that trip.
Later we went to Jungleland [no longer in existence] where we drove through in our own car to see the wild jungle animals in their "sorta natural" environment. I don't think the place lasted too long, so it must not have worked very well. I don't think they did it right--not like the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Growing up in Southern CA, we were spoiled by the San Diego Zoo, and later the Wild Animal Park. In my experience [not vast in the field, I know] it has got to be the best Zoo going. I remember when animals were in smallish enclosures and cages. Today, the enclosures are huge, and rarely is there a cage involved!
When living in OKC, OK, we were excited to take the kids to the zoo. It was awful! Accustomed to San Diego, we adults felt sick to our stomachs at the cages and small enclosures they still employed [I believe it has changed since then.] The girls were not impressed either, except Erica, who was only two, and didn't know any better. Needless to say, we cut the day as short as we could!
As a kid, I remember Marineland in the LA area--a sort of water zoo. It was really interesting. Trips to Disneyland always educational back then, included the Jungle Cruise--with its so realistic animals that my grandmother visiting with us actually believed they were real--and my Dad could NOT convince her otherwise--ever. The Submarine ride took us under water to see the sea life--another type of "zoo."
As an adult, living in Arkansas, one of my great fears was alligators in the wild--especially when my son had the strange job of "throwing ducks" for a hunting dog trainer. As they worked around and in water I always worried about alligators. Daily he would assure me of no sightings and try to assuage my fears. Last summer, under the "ten year rule" [things that would have only worried Mom can now come out--its over and done with a decade ago...so too late to worry] the truth came out--he saw alligators every day! In any case, I took the "little" kids to an Alligator Farm and Deer Park. I actually held a 3 year old alligator on my lap and we all petted it! The owner said it was this 'gator's last year as a pet, by opening next season, he would be too big and no longer tame. We also enjoyed going into the deer enclosure and feeding them out of our hands and pockets--except for one child who was terrified of the deer! Alligators--OK, but deer, somehow frightening?!
In VA we had the actual Richmond City Zoo, which is no longer located in the city of Richmond, but quite a ways out, and is privately owned! However it is a very nice zoo. I especially like the giraffes there because of the way the enclosure is built with a fairly low bridge along one end. It is not only possible, but encouraged to feed the animals out of your hand! It is fun to be on eye level with them as well. We also had Maymont Park which includes a new Nature Center with all sorts of fish, turtles etc. including river otters. Then outside you can walk the trail to see a cougar [in a large multi-story cage] bear, buffalo and farm animal once you reach the children's farm. There are exotic birds and various monkeys on the trail as well. No zebras, however.
For zebras, my favorite "zoo" is the Hemet [CA]"Zoo". A wealthy family owned quite a lot of acreage and have collected a number of exotic plains animals. There is plenty of parking, and people go up there all the time just to look over the fences at these animals. My favorites are the zebras and a donkey which is almost zebra-looking [I've forgotten what it actually is]. On the other side of the hill, they also run a herd of buffalo.
The zoo here is pretty nice, and I understand improved from when I was there; I was quite disappointed in the small size of the lion enclosure. It was, however, undergoing renovation at that time, and the reason it was so small is because of moving animals around to build more space, while still keeping everyone safe. I look forward to seeing it updated.
Another "zoo" my family has loved is in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is really not a zoo at all, but an animal shelter for native animals. Hurt animals are brought in and while they are still healing--not ready for re-release to the wild, they are able to be seen. So one never really knows ahead of time what they will see there--except for a few permanent residents whose injuries are such that they would not make it should they be released to the wild--like the one-legged road runner.
My favorite "zoo" though, is the one under my own roof. When my family is all together [rare because of distance and finances, or the lack thereof] it is a zoo--and I love it and all of them!

Y is for Years

Y is for all the Years I take to accomplish any project. Even when I finish a project, it sometimes takes me years to deliver it [like Lura's "Mugtoons" quilt]. However I am discovering that the years are paying off. I've worked for many years [decades even] on just one area of our genealogy. This week with the newFamilySearch [we are in one of the experimental areas] the brick wall came a tumbalin' down! And I've "met" a new relative! So again I urge all who can take even a half hour per week to do a page of indexing--so much of the information we seek is out there--and now we're getting it to be availible to everyone who needs it.
I'm beginning to really notice the rapid passage of the years as I contemplate my last child leaving home for college [oh, all right, so once again we are leaving and moving the home...still, no more kids at home] and grandchildren rapidly moving into the stage of life that so recently my youngest has left: ruled by school days and schedules, starting sports...the years, they go so fast.
I am so grateful for scrapbooking [thanks, Sariah--even if my style is quite different from yours] as I have found it a good and satisfying way to record family history. Making Vol I of Vinnie's Been There, Done That Book was truly pleasurable, it helped me as it brought back so many really good memories along with a way to ignore the not so good.
I notice with health changes and concerns that I am not as young as I used to be...the years are passing. But it is all good. I am able to do things now that I could not do when I was younger due to other responsibilities and concerns. It is part of life that the years go on by, hopefully we take full advantage of the experiences offered us, but realistically, we don't always succeed. In the coming years I hope to do better concentrating on what is really important.
Fill out one of those 12 generation family pedigree charts...and boy do the years whiz by! I am amazed that I can fill in all the way to the end of the chart in so many lines...and it seems like just a moment ago rather than almost forty years since my Grandpa and I began working together on our family tree. He always wanted to know the first names of his grandparents [Adam and Margaret] and now I know the names of his 10th Great grandparents, and more! Families, stretching back through the years of history...and families stretching on into the mists of the years to come.

X--I Know ItsTaken a Long Time!

X is a useful letter. It has really gotten me thinking...I had some great ideas...
X is For Ex-es, and I had lots of thoughts about writing about how after sveral decades exes and new spouses and families can get along! But the whole idea freaks ouit Sariah, after years of wanting us to be friends, but now it is just too late for her to comprehend!
X is for Crossing Things Out as in fixing errors--but woth the advent of the computer, we no longer really cross things out much. [The newFamilySearch does use a crossing, or at least lining things out!]
X is for X-ray. Very important for diagnosing all sorts of medical problems. And there are a batch of different types of X-Rays now, as well!
X is for Xylophone. We all know that from kids' ABC's books--and from all the xylophone toys kids have.
X is for Christ. Learning as I did this year, that X-mas is not a modern invention, but the the X represented Christ on the cross, made that "abbreviation" much more palatable.
X Marks the Spot. It can be a fine game for FHE or whatever.
So X is for all sorts of things...what should I write about? What can I wax eloquent upon?
Obviously, not much--either the topic was too deep, or it was too shallow. I am having a really hard time. I don't write as well as some, like terrierchica, Sariah or Julia. But I do know that X is Not what ? I want to see in my genealogy--X's equaling blanks, and I am desperately working away. T new FS is great, but a lot of work. It will be great as it gets up and working well. I really want to do this. So X is getting to work as am I. The more I work at it, the more ignorant I feel. The more I need to work. And I encourage any and everyone to work on your Family History so yours will not be filled with X's but with real people!

W is for Wimpy Woman in a Wheelchair

W is for me--a wimpy woman in a wheelchair.

I was paralized at age 19. After brain surgeries, recovery came slowly, but finally, I reached the Wheelchair stage. I was also moved to a rehab hospital at that point. I cheerfully put in my hours of PT [physical therapy] calling it Physical Torture because it was! But I could get around by myself in my wheelchair. [Very good for chariot races in the hallway.] Then the quad cane--a funny looking cane that goes down to a base with four--"quad"--feet. Then just 10 days after getting the chair, I graduated to the straight cane. [Great for swordplay in the hallways.] I held te record in speed going from wheelchair to straight cane. I really hated the wheelchair. As I was a left hemi [paralized on the left side of my body] I had to roll with my right hand and steer with my right foot. Yuk! I swore I'd NEVER use a wheelchair again!

However...most hospitals share the policy of taking their discharging patients to the door in a wheelchair--like after having a baby, etc. Well each time [and they were all different hospitals] I was able to talk the nurses into letting me walk--but the chair had to follow alongside. At least I was not IN it.

The years ticked by--and I was able to avoid using a wheelchair on other hospital stays as well. Then I was struck down with sciatica. This is a glorified "pinched nerve". Extremely painful. Because of the plethora of health conditions I have, it took extra long to diagnose the problem, so it got bigger and bigger until I was living on cortisone shots received at the huge hospital where I had to walk a long ways, and really could not walk. I caved, I folded, I used the chair. Then as I recovered--no more wheelchairs for me.

Time continued to roll on, and I had other problems which often leave me confused in crowds or unfamiliar places--like strange airports. Add long walking distances when changing planes. Add the fact that I once dropped my familys' tickets on the floor at the airport [I'm thinking it was O'Hare!!] and while they were quickly located, panic mode had set in.

So now when I fly--especially by myself, I ask for and gratefully use the wheelchair. So there you will see me--a Wimpy Woman being pushed along in a Wheelchair. I still don't like it, but am ever so grateful to be able to receive such a service.

V is for Victory!

Ahhh, we have been Victorious in pulling of the Nativity and enjoying our family Christmas celebrations this year! We're finalizing the costume cleaning and bagging tonight. All is well in this little corner of my mountain. Daughter's have come to the "top" to seek advice on a variety of subjects, and generally I've been victorious in being able to help.

I disagree with Big Bird. There are lots of words that start with V. There's vegetables [yum--and they're healthy!] and victory [always good when its your side--right?] and vim and vigor [returning after the stresses of Pageant and holidays--trying to do everything just so] and vacant [the vacant historic house I pass regularly is looking very happy and no longer vacant--and no longer looks like a haunted house.]] and village [I love mine] and villains [not too many here in our small village!] and vices [thats what New Year's resolutions are for--to help us conquer our own vices, no matter the size.] Violins and Viola playing vivatiously. [All right, I admit to preferring band!]Viscious vixens are not in the area, and that's a good thing. So I'm Very very happy for the many blessing we do enjoy!

[And I could come up with lots more V words, too--just in family names! Valerie, Val, Vincent, Vince, Vin, Vincenzo, Vincente, Vic, Vittore, Victor, and Veronica; plus Vicky and Victoria; also Vinceanna, Velma, Vern, Verna, and many many more!]

U is for Understanding

This time of year made the call for my U...for Understanding. It seems like so many of our troubles stem from not understanding--the other guy, the other society, the other point of view etc. We all [in our culture, at least] talk about peace, joy, goodwill and understanding towards all, but it is so much easier done than said! Understanding does not mean agreement, nor even approval. It means just...understanding that the other person might have a different viewpoint, which is as valid to him as mine is to me. The other culture might have a different background, so a different way of interpreting events etc than mine. We can understand that we have differences.

That said, understanding that others have different viewpoints does not make all views equally valid. I can understand that the colorblind man sees the stop sign as grey, but it remains red. Verities do not change because of differences in understanding. I know certain things are true, but if you understand it differently, I do not have to look down on you, nor do I have to accept your understanding as true as mine. I simply have no right to ridicule you or persecute you for your lack of understanding as I do. That is true tolerance. To know what is right, to understand the differences others may have, to accept the people with the incorrect opinions as valid and justified in their opinions without accepting something that is intrincically abhorant as equal in value. The person is equal in value to me or to anyone else, but understanding is rarely equal because we have such divergent backgrounds that while some of us show great understanding, others might not be to our level as yet.

All this rambling can be taken in a religious sense, but not neccessarily so. It could be about politics or even about dog breeding! I think we [people] just need to show more understanding towards others in general.

T is for...

Time to spend as I like--reading, watching TV, visiting friends, sleeping, and a whole host of other things.

Toys to purchase--Christmas presents for family and friends. [Remember, we don't all define toys the same!]

Television to relax by, or to bake by or quilt by or a myriad of other things that occupy hands but leave the mind to wander.

Travel near and far. Not that I'm doing a lot just now, but a girl can dream, can't she?

Tools. I've told my family that I want a drill bit set for Christmas. I'm tired of having to take a trip to the hardware store every time I need a different drill bit!

Want to hear a joke? While set up was madly going on for the Nativity, one man sent his young son over for a hammer from my toolbox. "Be careful not to mess up Brother B's tools," he said.
Ha ha ha. Get it?! Brother B's the first to admit he breaks out in hives at the very idea of entering the hardware store, whereas, it is one of my favorite stopping places in town.

Town. I like mine. I hope we can work it out to stay awhile.

Talk. I like to talk with family and friends, and am grateful for the internet as well as
Telephones which make the communication lines easy to keep open.

Ta- Ta. And I'm going to get this alphabet finished off in a more timely manner now.

S is for Snow

S has to be for Snow. It is 5 Dec and we are getting our first snow of the year. It started during the night, so we awoke to a lovely scene. It is continuing, though expected to stop this afternoon. Because it is the first of the year...it came with accidents, school delays and school cancellations. We have planned to put up our Christmas lights this afternoon, but we may not get it all done in one day--I don't know because part of the drill entails walking out on the roof, and I'm not so sure that I want Richard out there in the snow. We'll see. With the Snow, I feel like Christmas really is coming! Just last night I was putting up jars of tomatoes from our garden--the last ones, picked green, but turned red finally. I still have six or seven pumpkins to put up, so I'll be canning yet awhile. Still Snow makes me feel Christmas-y. OK, I know the Saviour was born in the Spring [hence lambs...] but it certainly puts me into the mood! Now I'm ready to write my Christmas letter, finish my Christmas cards, start baking, decorate the house...of course I have to clean it first after the months of neglect! Keep Snowing!

R is for Rest, Reading and Relaxation.

Yep, R is for Rest, Reading and Relaxation. Post-Pageant I'm due a little R & R & R, I think. My feet hurt so much that I wore slippers to choir practice Sun afternoon. [I couldn't figure out which shoes would hurt the least--and it was time to go!] I don't plan to get out of bed on Mon 'til at least 2:00. If then. With the laundry all caught up by my thoughtful husband, and dinner being provided by a close friend, I am milking Mon for all it is worth!

Then...back to the Nativity--although we had a 3 hr "Strike" to change our building back into a church for Sunday, the coat closet is jammed with over 200 costumes needing sorting, laundering and storing for the year. It will be parceled out to many women at church, we just have to keep track of the costumes. I am currently devising a master index. I will also have a picture in each file showing the complete costume. Other files will be sets, and what materials were used and where those materials are stored. A shot of each "booth" in the marketplace will aid in set-up next year, as well as arranging for replacement of some of the rickety thrown together shelves from last year. A publicity file will show what all was done this year... and we carefully stored the missionary display which was made for this as well. Finally, I will update the cast files.

Then back to R & R & R. I am looking forward to getting our Christmas lights up--we're running late this year--not just my fault, Richard was working when we usually do it anyway...now for some good weather to do it in! It will be fun. [Relaxation] I will get busy on other Christmas activities [Relaxation] but I will be able to stay home mostly, and not have to be on my dead feet so much [Rest]. I will even be able to sleep in, and/or take naps as desired [more Rest!]. Once I am rested enough, I will even be able to read something longer than a post on a blog site--ooh, maybe a book! Wow! We haven't even had Book Club since Oct [and that was a sharing of old favorites] because most of us were too drained to read anything more than a couple pages long!

So, now you all know my priorities...burn myself out, then Relax, Rest and Read. Whoever it is in the family who has us for Christmas [don't be upset, Sariah, I know who we have...] Books...I'd like some new LDS fiction and even nonfiction. Books I'll never probably buy myself, but would enjoy very much. LDS because other stuff I can easily get from the library. My new Year's resolution will be to do more R & R & R. I need some right now!

In case you do not know what I am referring to when I mention: the Pageant, the Nativity, etc. the following is one of the advertisements I sent out to family and friends. It is the most difficult thing I have ever directed...because it is so varied and each detail much be followed. Each "scene" is presented in a very different way, for example: lighting--in the Marketplace is basically the cultural hall lighting, but on the Road to Bethlehem, we employ directional lights that turn on by movement. The Inn is lit by candles and lantern from inside, garden solar lights in the courtyard, and a couple [electric, disguised as not electric] torches. Add a couple strands of decorative lights in the bushes, and we're done. For the shepherd encampment [in addition to the fire pit] where and when the angels appear, we use a conglomerration of lighting trees [in regular life, volleyball poles] and a behemoth sound/lighting platform. We are adding an additional light this year to shine straight up and out of the Herald angel's costume, and a star above his head. Moving back indoors for the Holy Family in their cave, we use the lights in the foyer sparingly, with one focused on the Holy Family, and just enough other light for people to see by. Last year we used just the regular lights in the overflow for the courtyard of the temple, but I'd like to have a spot on Simeon's door. Not yet figured out! In the Temple, we have some ambient lighting from the side sconces, add a spotlight where the major action is, and light from the Menorah. And that's just the lighting!!! Every other aspect of the pageant must be similarly dealt with! I'm so tired! Two weeks to go and still so much to do! Then perhaps I can think R is for something other than rehearsal: here's my "flier"...

Nativity Enactment
"A Prophesy Unfolds"

Presented by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
6500 Fox Hill Dr
Canal Winchester, Ohio


FREE ADMISSION
TICKET REQUIRED due to limited group size

Call for FREE TICKETS: 614-837-8207

THURS NOV 29: 7:00, 7:30, 8:00
FRI NOV 30: 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30
SAT DEC 1: 5:30, 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30

Come enjoy the LIVE NATIVITY plus the Marketplace at Bethlehem, [watch out for the Romans...] at the Inn, and later at the Temple with their Son. View with the shepherds the amazing appearance of angels.
Afterward as you explore the Marketplace, you will be offered free refreshments and the opportunity to visit the creche rooms containing a large collection of Nativity sets from around the world.
Sign Translation for the deaf throughout, Spanish and many other languages available upon request. [European, Asian, and African] If other languages required, please let us know when you order your tickets.

Of course, my smart-alec daughter [who won't be here anyway] asked for translation for...Canadian!

Q is for Quiet

Along about one of the last few days of Sept. my daughter arrived with her two little boys, aged 2 and 7 mo. to stay for a month. It was wonderful having them here--even if I spent over half the time sick. And I got sick as they recovered!

Finally everyone was well, and everyone adjusted. The last week and a half were terrific! I miss them so much!

They left 1 Nov, fairly early in the morning. Suddenly it was quiet...a quiet so loud that it screamed, "QUIET " in our house. Oh there is still noise--from outside, from TV and radio and even the refrigerator hum. But it is so QUIET! I still have not put the toy baskets away in the garage, but there are no musical toys playing.

I like the quiet at the church when I go over by myself and work on costumes [unpacking from last year, ironing, organizing]. I like the quiet as I sleep at night. I like the quiet as the colder temperatures drive us inside more and close our windows. But I miss my daughter's company. And I miss my grandsons playing, talking, and, yes, even crying. [I love cuddling and singing the baby to sleep!]

Yep, Q is for Quiet. Both bad and good.

P is for...Paper!

I'm drowning in it! If it isn't junk mail, then it is mail I must attend to. Where oh where are the cute Halloween cards bought to mail to grandchildren? Purchased ahead of time, and oh so thoughtfully, yet they carelessly ended up with the paper! I have computer paper--blank and used on one side, now "scratch" paper. I have paper of different weights and colors for publicity. I have more paper of more colors and more weights for scrapbooking. Then there are the pictures and the stickers and... and... and... when it comes to scrapbooking paper! Then there are scripts. "sides" [partial scripts for those who are in only one or two scenes] costume charts and pattern papers.

Papers which come home from school occasionally find me.

Then there are magazines [made of--you guessed it Paper! Oh, and books! ]

A number of years ago in our school district in VA it was claimed that we were to become a paperless society. If that is so, why do I need the printer so very much?

Some days I would really like P to be for entirely something else...Pageant [produces copious amounts of paper] Plants [recipes for green tomatoes after the freeze were printed out on --Paper!] planes [one of our family traditions on Thanksgiving was the making of Paper airplanes...] Popsicles [they come in Paper--very sticky...] Pumpkins...had to dig out the James Whitcomb Riley poem: "The frost is on the punkin..."but the poem was on Paper! It is everywhere!

Help! In this brave new world of a paperless society, I'm drowning in... Paper!

O is for Orders

There are a few different kinds of orders I must explain. As a child growing up Catholic, "Holy Orders" meant becoming a priest, as in "receiving Holy Orders" and was one of the seven Sacraments [the only one I never received, I might add [unless you don't count matrimony, as I was not married as a Catholic] and never could. But I had friends and family who did receive Holy Orders. And it made lots of sense to me because I was also an Air Force brat! In the military, Orders refers first to a duty assignment [as in "he received Orders for Canute AFB"]

Then, of course there are the everyday sort of "orders" given by parents or other persons in authority. Obedience to those orders are directly in line with respect for the giver by the receiver. I think that parents must give orders, and children must learn to obey, but all parent's requests should not be couched as orders, for then a child never learns how to decide correctly for himself. Soldiers must obey orders--usually without question, but American soldiers have always held the right to think for themselves, and to disobey a direct order if believed to be a bad order.

As a director, I must give orders at times, [tho I prefer to make requests] as final decisions must be made by someone who is then held accountable for those orders--just like in the military, or the family.

Sometimes it is nice to know that you are not the person responsible for the orders or for the consequences, for they do go hand in hand...[I love seeing school trips--and thinking, ha! I'm not in charge!]

I guess I've gone full circle in my thinking, for I think that commandments are "Holy Orders." Our Heavenly Father has given us relatively few...but if we follow them, we can reach safety and peace. I always think of the Johnstown Flood of Pennsylvania. I read of a boy whose Prussian Father always gave orders expecting instantaneous obedience. During the flood the two of them were on their roof awaiting rescue. When a boat came, there was room for only one, and the waters were so strong, they could not get very close to the house--nor stay in the area very long. At one point the boy, dimly understanding what was happening, received an order from his father. "Jump" was the order. Without hesitation, the boy followed his father's commamd. and was caught into the rescue boat. I don't recall that the father was saved. But he saved his son, who knew how to take an order. I think of this when I think of the many commandments given us by our Heavely Father. And I ask...Do I close my eyes and jump whenever He commands? I would like to say yes, but it would be a lie. I must learn to trust Him implicitly, close my eyes and jump at His orders. I pray we may all do so. It is hard to always be 100% sure of Holy Orders, but I keep trying.

Wednesday and Thankfulness

1] I've been really sick all week. A lousy way for my daughter and grandsons' visit to begin. But, it could have been so much worse! Lura brought a light case of IT with her. The boys went throught IT quickly. Richard hasn't caught IT, nor has Grandpa. I'm beginning to get over IT. And I am so very very thankful!

2] I love my new chiropracter. His goal is not the normal, "Let's get you off the cane." But rather: "Use the cane, fall over less." Unfortunately, I was not using my cane when I went out to push a solar lamp down into the flower bed. No, I fell--on my lovely [well at least they were]
flowers. But my neighbor heard my cry for help, and came over and helped me up. My back hurts, but it could be from sleeping sitting up just as much as from falling down! But at least I was taken care of!

3] Good friends who share their joys [Sarah had her baby! I just finished talking to her...] and sorrows [The good news is that it probably wasn't a heart attack, but...] and share in mine [my daughter this, my son that, my grandchild this and that!!!]

All in all, life is pretty good where I'm sitting right now!

N is for . . . NUMBERS!

I hate 'em! When I was younger, they would dance all over my page, so I ended up with the neatest arithmetic papers ever--I needed to have a huge margin above , below, and on both sides of each problem! Somehow, I suffered though all the higher math I needed for college. Then when I returned to school after a decade of absence, things had changed...more math [and I thought I had done with it!] Somehow or other, when I took my CBEST [CA teacher's exams] I actually pulled off an "above average"!

I even taught math...first grade level! That is about all I can handle.

But...I love the show Numbers. The mathematical talk and equations confuse me, but I find the whole idea a fascinating one. Guess some of my Dad's love of math rubbed off despite my best efforts to avoid numbers for life!

Time to go count some sheep!