Updated - "This is Howie Do It" Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, WISH YOU WERE HERE!

All I want for Christmas...

I want to sponsor a child from India. I want someone to call Rising Star Outreach and sponsor a child in my name. I want to write to this kid (boy or girl) and tell them how wonderful they are, and how much a little birdie in America misses them and aches for them.

Happiness, Freedom and Peace of Mind...

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature

that the three things we crave most in life --

happiness, freedom, and peace of mind --

are always attained by giving them to someone else...

-Peyton Conway March

Pollyanna.... ya gotta love her...

This Blog is just an update to my Glad Game post a little while ago. My neighbor has some prisms she wants to put up in her window. I'm getting some serious inspiration, and just wish I also had a window, but alas, I do not. here's the picture MC! Hope you love it!

DRESS UP, UPDATE

Update on the Costume Closet. We are cleaned out, and have kept a few "collections". We are still playing Castle Games, hanging out with Mary Poppins, Oliver Twist and the Dickens Crew. We're crossing the plains with the pioneers and keeping a few of our fantasies with Dorothy, Cinderella and their friends. Thanks for all our friends who took our excess and have fun playing dress up!

I'm delighted that with all the costumes cleared out, I can get down to the real work of finding my ancestors. Every day these historical pieces mean more and more. :)

Take Two- Tag

Two Names You Go By:
1. Momma Linda or Momma Shattuck
2. Lindy-Lou

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now: (other than clothes)
1. Reading Glasses
2. Boots (I'm the only one in house that hates to take off shoes!)

Two Things You Want Very Badly At the Moment:
1. To take a nap, and let dinner finish itself..
2. That Chocolate cake from "Aqui".

Two Things You Did Last Night:
1. Had a deluxe private tour at the Harley-Davidson store.
2. Early dinner at JCWs with Jigg & Marilyn.

Two Things You Ate Yesterday:
1. Hickory Bacon
2. Bowl of Cream of Brocolli Soup

Two things you are Doing Tomorrow:
1. Praying for Mark to get a job at BYU.
2. Paying bills.

Two Longest Car Rides:
1. California to Utah with U-hauls
2. Driving home from Washington, with a colicky screaming baby boy.

Two favorite Holidays:
1. May Day
2. Easter

Two Favorite (working) Vacations:
1. Tahiti
2. British Virgin Islands

Two Favorite Beverages :
("other" men in my life)
1. Dr. Pepper
2. Mr. Pibb

Two People I Tag:
1. Katie Doo Day
2. Lizabuff

Christmas List revisited (UPDATED)

I'm going to add my Christmas list here, and I'll add everything from the ridiculous to the sublime. It's not because I want gifts, it's because I make a list every year, and I never show anyone. This year, I decided to "expose" my little Christmas list. This will be updated and prioritized, but for now, it's just a work in progress....

1. My husband to get over his dental phobia! His tooth is killing him...argh

2. Two new King size pillows from Bed, Bath & Beyond (I'm picky!)

6. A date with my daughters to a decent sushi house.

7. Long dress length "dress bags" that hold at least 4 dresses, to organize my costumes!

8. Someone smart who can help me get a 90 day supply of anti-convulsants from my insurance.

9. For someone to tell me Jacob's favorite foods.

10. Go to India with Lizzie next summer to meet her friends.

11. Mansmith's ORIGINAL barbeque spice, large - from San Juan, or Hollister!

12. Knee socks. (not multicolored, just thin, black, dark blue, dark brown) cotton! Target kind.

13. A really high-quality scanner, to scan & organize & preserve my family photos!

14. A couple bags of those really cool white little triangle make-up applicators, disposable.

The GLAD GAME (what are YOU Thankful for?)

Today, my friend Michelle gave a great lesson in R.S. on gratitude and also other subjects based off the last conference addresses from President Monson. She and I are both big fans of the movie Pollyanna. Is this the first time my children are hearing this? Anyway, I love the prisms Pollyanna refers to, and how her enthusiastic optimism affects those around her and how that optimism is manifested in the love she shows others. Today, I want to express my gratitude and play the GLAD GAME for myself. Here's what I'm glad (grateful) for:

1. I'm glad I am married to the right man, in the right place, at the right time.
2. I'm glad my children are all hungry learners. It will serve them well their whole livces.
3. I'm glad my children are all playful. Life is hard and serious. Have a sense of humor!
4. I'm glad for my daughter to teach me how to blog, it's been "serious" fun.
5. I'm glad to have a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and what that does for our optimism.
6. I'm glad that I live so close to my honies, so we can 'sup together, and find out what's 'sup.
7. I'm glad to have such life-long loving and loyal friends! I reflect back and cherish you all.
8. I'm glad my children have picked wonderful friends. Sam, Jaimie and Lars, you're my favs. "That's what I'm talkin' about......"
9. I'm glad for Rachel Ray. She's made my life so much easier these days. Let's get cookin'!
10. I'm glad for Marines. Semper Fi. I'm off to Booty Camp, so stay tune for a healthier me.

Loree on the Left....standing...FINALLY...

I love my Loree. Did anyone else see this in the Ensign Conference issue, inside the front cover? I don't know how it happened (since this was painted near 1850) but it's clearly Loree or maybe her TWIN. Every detail, when examined closely, from her hands to her toes to her color of her dress (like the one Donna Corno painted of her) looks just like my little Loree Lou. Gosh I miss her. I can't stop staring at this painting. It's like finally being able to have some peace that it might be like this for Loree in heaven. Finally standing on her feet and learning from her Savior that loves her dearly. I miss you Loree Michelle Jones.... "It's about time..." I called the Ensign Dept to thank them for posting this amazing piece of art, and the comfort it has brought Loree's mom, sister, and all her friends. I hope you enjoy it too.

"

4th Picture Folder, 4th Picture TAG!

OK - this is so wierd, but I'm addicted to playing "tag" in posts.... So, I'm randomingly posting the "4th picture in my 4th picture folder". Wanna play "post tag"? Here is the picture! Without selecting a picture, I just went to the 4th folder, and the 4th picture. I started laughing like crazy! This is at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, with Katinka on stage and I don't have any idea what was happening at the time, but obviously it was a moment of surprise on stage for her. Maybe it was when she pinched Davy Jones of the Monkees on the bum? True story....

Quirk Tag! (I'll show you mine, you show me yours!)

I've been tagged by Tamra Tungate in QUIRK tag. Here's the deal, you have to confess 6 of your quirks, so here goes. (P.S. Tamra, I didn't know any of your quirks, except your clothing quirk and I think you're awesome to wear vintage clothing!)

1. I type out with my fingers or in my head - everything everyone says. My children often find me typing on my leg or in my lap. It's totally involuntary, and I do it a lot. It was a trick my 6th grade typing teacher taught us to learn to type fast, and now I really do - type fast. Unfortunately, this stuck with me, and not only do I type out what people say, I count the words too. :) I'm pretty sure it borders on OCD.

2. I - like Tamra- have to wash my dishes almost completely before they go into the dishwasher. It's not completely inexplicable, because my mother did it that way too. I tell my kids, it's not a dish-WASHER, it's a dish-STERILIZER. :)

3. I have a worthy-but-ridiculous goal (obsession) with having to do some SPECIAL act of service for a member of my immediate family each and every day, or I can't sleep (literally), and it has to be beyond the normal cooking or cleaning. They don't have to know about it or acknowledge it, but I have to do it. It's insane, because I use it for my lame excuse for my insomnia, which has no mental nor organic causes. So, whatev, I use it as my excuse. I convince myself that once I finish the task, I can sleep. This doesn't make me noble in the least. It just adds to the insomnia. LOL

4. I have to check the locks on the doors 3 times each night. I will go to great lengths to do this. I also have to be the last one to sleep, because I don't trust anyone else to do it. Say I'm from "L.A." or say I'm from "San Jose". It's not because of living in the East Side, it's from being totally quirky and maybe a little OCD. In my house in Hollister, there were 3 doors. I would have to criss-cross across the room 3 times each (don't do the math, you'll start laughing hysterically, and then I'd have to start over, because I don't remember if I "really" locked it or just accidently unlocked it. That's seriously quirky, and completely ridiculous, but I did live on the East side of Riverside, California - does that count? Give me a little break, or give me the number of your pschycologist :)

5. I'm in love with...... Clorox Wipes. I think I might like them more than Johnny Depp. This is beginning to be a problem....and the writing is on the wall - - wait....I guess it's not anymore, because I probably wiped it off with my Clorox Wipes (lemon or orange flavor please!). Buy me a little cylinder container, and we're friends for LIFE.

6. I have to own shoes that are made in foreign countries. Don't know what my deal is but it probably has something to do with "walking in another person's moccasins". I love to travel and having shoes from other countries. I have cute little slip ons from other countries, and I love getting little foreign shoes as gifts. (and my birthday is May 6, and I'm a size 6 1/2, hahaha). I don't own a lot of shoes, compared to most women, I just love little slippers for my very little feet. Makes me feel "dainty". (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)

QUIRK TAG, you're it: Kathryn, Rachel, Donna, Christine, Lars and Stephanie!

The Family Rules :)

I've been asked to repost this older deleted post - so here it is again! Good luck! I was NOT the perfect parent, so please don't hold me to any high standard what-so-ever. I made lots of mistakes and probably still continue to make a lot of them. This worked for me. You'll have to ask my kids if it worked for them. They would be the best judge of it. I didn't add my wonderful son in law to this picture, because he didn't have to abide by these rules. It's an old picture, but we love him dearly. I hope to add a really awesome pic of him soon. Go Trav!

The administration of the rules are as follows, to ensure maximum success.One minute for each year of age of the child for each rule broken. The rules must be posted opposite where the "offender" of the rules will be sitting for time out (mine was always in the bathroom, with rules posted just opposite the toilet. (It also helped to reinforce the rules when they went potty, because it was "there" in plain sight to remind them.)Put the offender in time out (on the closed toilet). After time out is served, as them the following question:"What rule did you break?" then..."How did you break it?" then...Maybe ask (if they are older) ...."what can you do differently next time?"Then the most important question "Why do we have these family rules?"Their answer must be WORD FOR WORD correct and with good attitude "Because you love me and want me to be happy". I answer "yes, that's right (I also hug them at that point) ....because I love you, and want you to be happy.Sometimes I would add.... "and Heavenly Father gives us rules, because he wants us to be happy too."Ok - here are the rules. (very important...... #7 is an automatic double time out - ALWAYS)

1. We respect ourselves.
2. We respect our parents and others.
3. We respect property.
4. We do not manipulate.
5. We supervise ourselves and clean up our own messes.
6. We follow directions.
7. We are always honest.
8. We ask permission before doing things.
9. We do our jobs.
10. We have good dress and grooming habits.
11. We have a good attitude.
12. We go to bed on time and happily.

Tribute to my Father in Law......

This is a quick tribute to a very special man. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful Father-in-Law. I'm sure there is a special spot for him reserved in Heaven and in history as a supreme good example of a Father-in-Law . I'm sure he and I were good friends before this mortal life, because we have a very special relationship. I know I'm not his only daughter in law that feels that way and that's the wonderful part - we each feel like we're "the favorite". Happy Birthday to a wonderful man and mentor. He's set the bar very high and we're all trying to measure up. Thanks for watching over us, praying over us, and making sure we keep in touch. The first year I got married, I had to leave my honeymoon early for Thanksgiving. I was broken-hearted. He sensed it, and had me sit by him at the table. He's held a special place in my heart ever since then.... and I love him for his sensitivity and spirit.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes.....

Ray Anderson married Rita Fay today at 10:30am for time. They were married by President Whitlock and they move to Portland tommorrow morning. He's looking forward to a new beginning and companionship with Rita. I wish them all the best of luck in their new adventure. Thanks to President Don Mortensen for insisting on this picture and sending me copies of the wedding pictures. Don Mortensen, what a nice man. Guess he's known me since I was about 6 years old. He explained a lot about my life as a child, that I didn't understand, and I'll sleep a lot better tonight. That's two nights of good sleep...two nights in a row. The only thing constant is change. I'm getting a lot better at handling it too....feels good. Glad Lizzie went with me today.

A New World for My Future Grandchildren?

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAG

I guess I'm just bugged because my kids' school in California didn't have enough money for fieldtrips to the museum for Spencer, ballet or opera or culinary academy for Lizzie or even enough money to take Kat to the Fremont School for the Deaf, Galluadet or anything else to help her with her interests. Money ran short for science programs, science faires, and music programs..... but there's money and time for this? Honestly! Spencer was reading Beowulf, Cantebury Tales and Shakespeare in the second grade and they couldn't "afford" to bump him up into a 6th grade class. They said it was a social issue, or a maturity issue. It's ok that I'm bugged today. At least I'm doing something about it.

My Ultimate Hero....

Dave, I love you. One of my favorite seminary students has become my life's greatest hero! Remember when...

1) Remember when.... our seminary class all cleaned our "souls/soles" and yours was white and mine was black?

2) Remember when...I had a seizure outside with you waiting for your bus, and you took care of me and comforted me? and then laughed with me? (and at me....that was hilarious)

3) Remember when you took the time to show me the bus routes and how to get home?

Dave, you're my hero. I'll make sure to stand by you in Heaven and tell them how much you affected my life for good. Have you ever heard this song? Well, it's my theme song for you...."Because I knew you, I have been changed....for GOOD". Dave, you ROCK!

FALL COLORS TOUR with Spencer

Spencer took me on a special date to commemorate my October 17th "Glad to be Alive Day!" Only once have I gone up to the canyon behind my house, but I have been watching the news and seeing the pictures for weeks. I'm so glad he took the time to do this, even though he wasn't feeling well. We hiked all over and was able to see up to Cascade Springs. Perhaps others who live here have done this, and he's done it plenty of times, but it was a huge treat for me! This special time with my son was so precious, and we had some great talks. He was so accomodating, and showed me all about the geological wonders!
Spencer even took the time to show me the spectacular falls, and took the long way around so we could really take in all the colors and take some special pictures too. We took pictures for other people, saw some really cute families taking Fall Color family pictures. We even went around the Provo way and I got to go to Sundance and it was beautiful. I've never really walked all the way around, and I was so grateful for this special time with Spencer. Awesome tour guide and perfect gentlemen. I also love his music, so we're good roadies together!
Thanks, Spence, for the great day!!!

2 NEW Additions to the Family!

Welcome to the family! Lizzie came home with 2 new little additions to our family! Welcome to our new little baby fishes. They've had lots of new names, and the fish are actually really cute and they're growing fat and happy. They aren't quite goldfish, yet they look similar but with a black tail. Ok - help us name our goldfish! The adorable children next door named the fishy babies WANDA and COSMO, the fish fairies. Guess it's from a Nickelodeon movie series, called "The Fairly Odd Parents". That suits me just fine. . . :)

I love "Bold and Stupid Men"

This time of year, I really get homesick for California, wait, scratch that.... I always get homesick for California! This is the time of the NorCalifornia Fall Harvest RenFaire, and I miss the Bold and Stupid Men! Here we are with Jeff and his side kick, "Bolt U". We miss you at harvest time and missed being chased about by the Puritans, the town criers, the washer-women, Moonie & Broon, Sir Francis Drake and the Glover's Son, Sir William Shakespeare.... Huzzah! The faire is over, but the memories last a lifetime.

I GOT TAGGED!

Four Random things about me:
1. I recently learned how to cook, just in the last 4 months!
2. I've also become a RachelRay fan! (Learning the cooking tips!)
3. I really love to garden (both weeding and planting!)
4. My favorite colors are Basil and Tomato (year round!)

Four Movies I could watch more than once:
1. Phenomenon
2. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (I love it too, Christine!)
3. Skit of Dentist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9T8i4FkNVo
4. Disney's "Brother Bear"

Four TV shows I watch:
1. Rachel Ray (the cooking part only)
2. Starfish Television Network - the Charity Channel
3. Family Expo on BYU channel - (I'm still learning!)
4. SVU (I used to work with SVU years ago)

Four places I have been:
1. Japan (Tokyo, Okayama, Kyoto)
2. French Polynesia - Tahiti (all islands)
3. Great Britan - England & Ireland
4. Carribean - St. Kitts, Nevis, Virgin Gorda

Who emails me regularly:
1. Misty
2. Gloria
3. Sheila
4. Sabrina

Four foods I like to eat:
1. Olives (all kinds! stuffed, etc!, especially California ones!)
2. Anything creamy (My downfall! I AM the dairy queen!)
3. Shooms (well, actually mushrooms in ANYTHING)
4. Onions (I add them to everything! - almost)

Four places I'd like to visit:
1. Santa Cruz (I just wanna go home to the beach!)
2. Yellowstone, to the "It'll Do"
3. Church History sites
4. India.....

Four things I am looking forward to, a year from now:
1. Christmas!
2. Tulips in the Spring that I've planted.
3. New additions to the family. (Still have YSA's here)
4. Better health and medication control. :) WooHoo!

So glad to be alive....

What more can I say? One year ago, I was fighting for my life. Today, I lived one year ago to tell about it. Life is beautiful and precious. My husband took me out for a little treat tonight. We split an appetizer at 9:30pm at night, but I was so touched that he said "It's just the beginning of celebrating..." I was so glad he remembered. So, I baked a bunch of cookies tonight (snickerdoodles) and I'm so excited to take them around to the neighbors that helped me so much this last year. I think I'll sleep well for the first time in weeks. I'm going to bed tonight, not dizzy, not seizurey, and not stressed. Everything is starting to take a turn for the better, and it probably helps a lot that my meds are straightening out too. Ok - that's probably a lot of it.
It's 12:17am and I'm a really happy camper. It's October 17th, 2008, and I lived to tell about it. Thank you to everyone who took off work to spend that day with me last year. Kat, thank you so much for coming up and being with the family. I appreciate you so much, and I love all you kids for helping me get through this last year. Thank you also to my special neighbor angels.

These Are Few of My Favorite Things (Music)

PART ONE: Favorite Music:

Dolly Parton's "When it's Family"
Cat Steven's "Peace Train'
Elvis Presley's version "How Great Thou Art"
From Pete's Dragon "I'll be Your Candle on the Water"
Sophie Hawkins' "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep"
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
and... the laughter of little children.

The Faces of Unconditional Love

I want to take a moment to thank the many people, especially the two people in this picture who have supported me through some difficult years. This blog entry does not exclude all the others who have been supportive. I just wanted give a tribute to my folks.

I learned recently in church (conference) that we can be angels on earth to each other. I've been to far too many funerals this year and had to say goodbye or "until then" to too many people I truly cared about. I've learned that our sojourn together on earth can be very short, and we must cherish every minute of it. Thank you, both of you, for caring to remember special days, testing days, interview days, doctor appointments and remembering the details. Thank you for giving us the best gifts: your time, concern, phone calls, belief in us, and expecially your prayers. Thank you for being our angels. I love you for giving us what we needed beyond the bare necessities, and that was your love. I am learning more from you every day. You have both traveled difficult paths to become the people you are today, and I appreciate the things you've said and done and by your example. I have a lot to learn from you still. I just wanted you to know that I notice what you say, what you don't say and how you conduct your life. I think I'm finally beginning to grow up and see things more clearly. Thank you for being a part of my life and for never ever giving up. I love you very much. I can't wait to see you again.

October 17th - Survivor's Day

October 17, 1987 - Survived massive California Earthquake

October 17, 1993 - Survived 1st Cholesteatoma Ear and Brain surgery, 1 encephalocele

October 17, 2008 - Survived 2nd Cholesteatoma Ear/Brain surgery, 2 encephaloceles

We all have bad days, and some have bad years. This has been a difficult year, but also our greatest blessing. Losing one’s equilibrium is a great symbolic lesson, and it teaches me “to be still and know that He is God, and that he is in control.” My constant concern over balance and equilibrium causes me to move slower and more deliberate in every decision and every movement of my life. What once was viewed a curse is slowing being recognized as a great blessing. By the way, please don't let anyone tell you "The Lord won't give you anything you can't handle". It's not in Holy Writ, at all. He gives us plenty we can't handle. He wants us to give it back to him. He'll handle it. We need to reach out, and give it back. It's the only "Way". He is truly the Way.