LAW OF GIVING........

                      I found this thought in a book I am reading and it seemed to follow the little story about the bus driver that I didn't want to lose........ but think more about......I would love to be there for all the sad, lonesome, lonely and sick people out there......maybe I can't for all of them.....but I can for a few.
                 "The best way to put the LAW OF GIVING into operation.....to start the whole process of circulation......is to make a decision that any time you come into contact with anyone, you will give them something......It doesn't have to be in the form of material things;   it could be a flower.....a compliment.....or a prayer......In fact, the most powerful forms of giving are non-material.  The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give....and they don't cost you anything.......When you meet someone, you can silently send them a blessing, wishing them happiness, joy and laughter.  This kind of silent giving is very powerful."

               When I feel frustrated or upset by a person or a situation.....I must remember that I am not reacting to the person or the situation.....but to my feelings about the person or situation.....These are my feelings and my feelings are not someone else's fault......when I understand this.....then I can take responsibility for how I feel and change it.

           I now have a new goal to try and follow the law of giving to everyone I meet and think about how and why I am feeling about the things going on in my life.....some I can't change!

NOTHING BETTER THAN FAMILY........

Had a great two days with my Vernal family.......then Pam brought me a treat and we had a good visit.....really feel spoiled this week.  Sherrie brought Ken and Brayden in and they helped me get Ken's room ready for his Mission Stay with me.  We moved furniture and put two twin beds together, and made a cute and comfortable place for Ken.  The next day Brayden and his friend Gabby were off to Ghana Africa for a two week service mission at an Orphanage.......so neat to see adventurous young people off willing to help the less fortunate  ....../and what a learning experience for both those cute young people.  They made it to Amsterdam safely and should arrive this afternoon in Ghana,  it was one of my favorite places in africa.

More family news.......... Nicci and Bill are driving out to Utah for the Fourth of July......but going straight to Idaho so I won't get to see them......I am glad the Pannier family can all be together and I know they will have a great time.....Tiff's family and Will will also go up......a real family reunion......plus 6 dogs!

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF YOURS........

Don't know how I have been so lucky to have been put in the "cottages" ......with such wonderful people all around me!
With two of my girls so busy with their families and lives and one treating me like I am already dead.....don't see much of my family.....but I have good neighbors who care.  The door bell rang this morning and there was a neighbor needing my garbage can in the garage to put all the weeds in he had dug out of and edged my flower beds......I could have cried!  My X husband never even weeded in our 30 years of marriage.......Which brings me to this story that really touched me......
            "Some years ago, I was stuck on a crosstown bus  in NYC during rush hour.  Traffic was barely moving and the bus was filled with tired cold people deeply irritated -----with one another.  But as the bus approached 7th Ave, the driver got on the intercom......"Folks, he said I know you have had a rough day and your tired but I can't do anything about the weather or the traffic, but here is what I can do.......As each of you gets off the bus, I will reach out my hand to you.  as you walk by, drop your troubles into the palm of my hand.....okay?.  Don't take your problems home to your families tonight-just leave them with me......My route goes right by the Hudson river and when I drive by there later, I'll open the window and throw your troubles in the water.....Sound good?"
            It was as if a spell had lifted......everyone burst out laughing.....At the next stop......just as he had promised he put out his hand.....palm up and waited......One by one all the exiting commuters placed their hand just above his and mimed the gesture of dropping something into his palm.
           We live in a hard world......Some times you have a bad day.....sometimes that bad day lasts for a very long time.....You long for a light but you don't know where to find it......But what if you are the light.......that's what the bus driver taught them that day......That guy wasn't some big power player, he wasn't a spiritual leader, he wasn't some media-savvy influencer......he was a bus driver-----one of society's invisible workers, but he possessed real power, and he used it beautifully.\
           Ask yourself....."WHAT CAN I DO....... RIGHT NOW TO BE SOME BODIE'S LIGHT?"

DOORS.......

As I have traveled around the world I have always been fascinated with the many doors that have been opened to me......or Not.  Do doors keep you in......or do they keep you out?   This has always been a question in my mind. Doors are symbolic of choices.....opportunities that invite us to enter a new world......and the door you're drawn to shed light on where you are going and the possibilities that lie just ahead.......for instance......

Choosing an exotic or ornate door shows your intellectual and artistic curiosity drive you to embrace new experiences and help open doors for you both literally and figuratively whether you are exploring the hidden gems of a city you are visiting for the first time or walking through the door of a cute new boutique your inspired by beauty and have worldly, sophisticated tastes......  or

A doorway leading away from the structure of our manmade world and toward the wild beauty of nature reflects your contemplative and spiritual side......you are seeking the solitude you thrive on and that sparks the original ideas you are known for......or

If you chose a decked-out festive door, you likely have an especially fun season of social gatherings ahead of you.....warm and empathetic you light up around friends and loved ones and are the life of the party.......or

If you chose a door opening to the light you are ready to put a challenge behind you and enter a new phase of your life with energy and optimism. .......Smart and determined, with a healthy perspective on the ups and downs of life       you know that when one door closes  another opens and often the path it leads to is sunnier and sweeter than anticipated. 

Which door do you choose?  Which kind of door appeals to you?  I have entered many doors around the world and had many interesting, fun, or scary experiences.....but from each and everyone I feel I have learned something and will always be fascinated by door I guess......and I am eager to press on to open the next door that comes along.

WOW.......ALMOST THERE......

Yep......grandpa Rob is almost 60????  Yesterday was his big 59th birthday.   He took us all to dinner at the Bohemian and as usual we had a great time.  The baby is now a big 18+ months old and feeding himself mac and cheese.....Rob is a great husband, father and now a grandpa......and one of my favorite people.  He is very good to me and we have shared many good times together.  He has been a great mediator in the Peterson family.  He LOVES to fish and LOVES his place in Island Park Idaho.  His family is very lucky to have Rob as a father and grandfather......I wish my X would have been this kind of person to my 3 girls and 9 grandchildren.   Happy Birthday Rob and many more.

OH YES.....THE GOLDEN YEARS?

I

Don't you get tired of hearing about the GOLDEN YEARS?

As I watch my friends come down with Bell's Paulsey, broken bones, crippling arthritis, buying hearing aids......they don't turn on.....new glasses and letting their hair go white.......and as I struggle out of bed each morning hurting everywhere and feeling dizzy......I have to ask myself......"Are we having fun yet?"

Most my friends are in their late 70s and early 80s.....we have lived quite long lives......I guess we should be focusing on the quality of life.....not just the quantity.  I know there are many things that improve our quality of life.....we all still drive, have nice families and good friends.  Many need to work on our attitude, we need to wake up every morning and choose to be happy. .....Like the glass is half full, not half empty.......Look at what you can still do.....not what you can't! I checked out the "FUNCTIONAL INVENTORY".... for the elderly.in a magazine.......I am not still mowing my grass....I am not removing snow.....I have a great neighbor who does it for me......Yes I take out the trash each week....I pay my bills and manage my own finances.....I AM STILL DRIVING.......I take a few meds......I can use a telephone......well kinda, I am still trying to figure out the new smart phone.....Does sticking a tv dinner in the microwave count for preparing my own meals?.......I do my own laundry and housework.....well I am capable of it but ignore it as long as I can.....SHOPPING......I am the worlds best and it is my retail therapy.....as long as they have baskets in the store you can push and lean on.....I won't comment on the last one of walking outside, upstairs or room-to-room....I manage.  I feel I am hanging in there on that list.

As we face our own mortality.....we can't help but ask what happens after we die.  No matter what our organized religion is, or whether we have one or not, we face this question.  Making peace with this can be comforting, and it can contribute to making our golden years golden.

Who came up with the word 'GOLDEN'......bet they weren't over 20.

 

 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD.......

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the greatest father a girl could have ever had.......What an example you always were and I always knew you were there for me cheering me on and keeping me safe.  I always tried to make you proud of me. I was so proud to call you Dad......tall, dark and handsome......never fat, bald or grumpy......when people told me I had your eyes , I loved it.  You were the greatest example of kindness and honesty.....you loved all your kids the same.  I hope you are happy and still fishing and hunting and doing the things you loved to do. I will always, always love you so much and thank you for helping make me......... me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIRST GRANDCHILD.......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY........... TIFFANY MARIE PANNIER/HORTON........I am so proud of you and love you so much......you were the first person to call me grandma and the first person to make me a great-grandmother.....so exciting to be GG now to Aaron. We have many memories to share and I appreciate your love and caring for me.  I hope your birthday weekend and Father's Day with your dad in Island Park has been a good one......OH......I GUESS CAPTAIN GETTING "SKUNKED"......LAST NIGHT WASN'T THE BEST?

CATCH-UP TIME.......

 

Had a busy week as usual......Bridge, lunch with Shirley while she fixed my computer, Patty over a couple of times for coffee and a movie.......or two.  Sherrie was in Lake Powell most the week where they received Kennie's mission call!  He is assigned to the Church's Publishing Mission and will move in here to start his mission August 15th.

Brayden and Gabby did not get their visas back in time to leave for Ghana for  humanitarian service at an orphanage so will take the next one the 29th of July.......both really excited.......when they get back both will be off to college.....at different places.

Saw on Face Book where Andrea and Matt bought a house in Union Park which is up by Heber........they lived 10 minutes from me for 10 months and I never saw them so guess I they will really be out of my life now.......When Will bought his house he called me immediately really excited to tell me and let me share his good news.......which made me very happy.....Karrie has done a good job of turning her children against me!

Looking forward to seeing Nicci and Bill when they come to town on the 4th of July.

Pam and Rob are in Island Park for the weekend to celebrate Father's Day and Tiffany's birthday.

"I USE TO CARE BUT I TAKE A PILL FOR THAT NOW......CALLED...... NO SHIT"........

TWENTY-SIX YEARS.........

 

Couldn't get the darn computer to work for a week .....BUT yesterday was Christenson's 26th anniversary......Twenty-six years later and three great sons plus a daughter-in-law they are still going strong.......All three boys have graduated from high school.......two have gone on missions and the third will be off on one soon.......all three are Eagle Scouts.  I am very proud of this family and wish them another 26 years of happiness, health and good luck.

ROOTS.......

      I AM NOT SO SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS "KNOW YOUR ROOTS" STUFF........PROBABLY  THE MOST  HATED PERSON IN MY LIFE THAT I CAN THINK OF IS NOT SOMEONE THAT I WOULD WANT TO BE CONNECTED TO BY ANY AMOUNT OF "ROOTS"............BUT I AM!  MY SHERRIE IS BIG ON GENEOLOGY AND HAS SHOWN ME MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT I  HAVE DESENDED FROM AND THAT I AM AND CAN BE PROUD TO CLAIM AS CONNECTIONS THAT MADE ME WHO I AM.......BUT WHEN SHE SAID MAYBE I BETTER SIT DOWN WHILE SHE HAD SOMETHING TO TELL ME......IT IS THAT BARACK OBAMA IS MY 9TH COUSIN.......WORST EVER NEWS........I DON'T CARE IF HE IS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES........I AM SENDING OUT MY DISCLAIMER!  I KNOW THEY SAY YOU CAN PICK YOUR FRIENDS BUT YOUR STUCK WITH YOUR RELATIVES.  IT IS ON MY DAD'S SIDE AND WOULD BE OBAMA'S MOTHER'S SIDE???????
         THERE WILL BE MANY CHAPTERS IN YOUR LIFE.....DON'T GET LOST IN THE ONE YOUR IN NOW!

LOVE IS.........

         I REALLY THINK LOVE IS SOMETHING YOU FIND......OR NOT?  YOU FIND YOU LOVE MANY THINGS......FAMILY, FRIENDS, FOOD......PLACES.  BUT, YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING AND REALIZING THESE THINGS ONE AT A TIME.  ANYWAY GIVES ME SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
        BUSY, BUSY WEEK........BEAUTIFUL WEATHER IN THE 90'S.  MONDAY HAD MY NAILS DONE AND CLEANED A LITTLE......TUESDAY SAW A WONDERFUL MOVIE WITH PAM....."ME FOR YOU"......WEDNESDAY PLAYED BRIDGE, THURSDAY WAS MY DOMINOS CLUB WITH LUNCH......FRIDAY HIT COSTO, THE DOLLAR TREE AND OUT TO DINNER WITH PAM.   I WAS GOING TO GARAGE SALES THIS MORNING......BUT IT IS RAINING SO COLORED MY HAIR AND DOING CATCH UP THINGS AND ANOTHER WEEK HAS SLID BY!  THE GIRL ACROSS THE STREET IS MOVING OUT TODAY......
         I JUST HAD A HAPPY THOUGHT......I AM SINGLE......BYLINGLE.......AND READY TO MINGLE!!!!!

JUST REMEMBERED......

                          Just remembered .......for those reading this a hundred years from now......Today is Don's 87th birthday! He was to have another stint put in his heart today........and the KMart Lady couldn't be up here with him as she had a Dr. appointment in California where she lives!!!!!  I guess all we can do is say HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA DON......hope all goes well,

DON'T KNOW WHY?????

For some reason......I just don't care about much any more!!!!  I am finding my friends really cheer me up and are the people I see the most......Tomorrow is bridge and the next day Dominos.....both a great blessing in my life.  Spent last weekend  in bed with VERTIGO......every time I got up or bent down things just kept spinning......Hate it and do get it now and then.   Pam and Tiff came by for a visit with my cute great-grandson......getting so big .......and busy!  Monday was nail day and today I was off to the five dollar movie with Pam.....Rob is fishing in Idaho for the week.  Sher keeps me anchored everyday with the out of town news.......

Leslie and family off to Missouri for a family reunion.......Lucille said Gene was not doing good....Patty's sister is in the hospital again and Jay fell down their stairs and is in the hospital......Shirley broke her toe on top of her Bell's Palsy.....Some days there just isn't any good news at our age.......

My cute Lindsay is coming in from Vernal to stay all night with me......she has some kind of class here in town tomorrow for her work......it has been 80 and 90 all week and I am lovin' it!

I love my computer but for some reason the month of May and so far in June I can't seem to get interested in blogging......do hope to try harder.