Thursday, December 23, 2010

Idaho Botanical Gardens Winter Lights



I went to the Idaho Botanical Gardens Winter Lights on Friday night (DEC 17 ) w a date(my friend Kasey) . It was so beautiful. I have some pics i will add later. walked around and talked, had some hot cocoa. It was so cold out. I was told it was a reminder of what the temple lights on temple square looked like this time of year but i have never been to temple square in DEc.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

xmas cards and etc

i just finshed getting my xmas cards mailed out yesterday and few today, ha nothing like the last min! But who cares, lol! Working in retail this time of year is crazy. Between work and the last things i need to do work is just kicking my butt. I have been working ten hr days at least. and had stuff to do still after that too. When its all done i could sleep for a week. Okay got to go time for another work day!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Christmas Spirit

"We can learn a treasured lesson from the pen of Dickens and from the example of Christ. As we lift our eyes heavenward and then remember to look outward into the lives of others, as we remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive, we, during this Christmas season, will come to see a bright, particular star that will guide us to our precious opportunity.

Such was the experience of a Sunday School class some years ago when a wise teacher placed aside the manual one Sunday morning as Christmas approached. With her class members listening in, she telephoned me. I was serving then as the bishop of a large ward situated in the central part of Salt Lake City. The teacher inquired, “Are there any poor in your ward—people who need a sub for Santa?” She then described her own neighborhood as one of affluence and mentioned that she wanted her class to remember this particular Christmas. I responded that our members had the necessities of life but mentioned a family that would welcome a special experience—one that would also greatly benefit her young class members.

The family I had in mind had recently emigrated from war-torn Germany and had rented a humble, older home in our area. The children were new to America, and, while they were learning to speak our language, they were shy and reluctant to mingle with others. Their personal possessions were few; they had lost so much during the war.

In a private telephone conversation with the teacher, I suggested an appropriate evening when her class could accompany her to our ward meetinghouse and together we would journey to the home where the Mueller family lived. Again the teacher stated that she wanted her choice class to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I responded, “Could I suggest, then, that each child bring with him or her a gift that has a special meaning to the individual; a gift the person treasures and would rather keep for himself.”

Just four days before Christmas, the class journeyed to our ward. Several adults brought them in large, expensive automobiles. Such an array of wealth had never before graced the parking area. We then walked to the Mueller home, singing carols along the way. The laughter of the children and the hurried pace of their steps reflected the anticipation of Christmas.

It was at the Mueller home, however, that the frills of Christmas became the spirit of Christmas. I watched as one girl looked into the eyes of one of the Mueller children, a girl about her age, then tenderly handed her a beautiful doll she had received on her own birthday, a gift she herself loved. She anxiously told her newly found friend how to dress the doll and hold it ever so tenderly in cradled arms. I observed a normally rowdy boy take from his left hand his genuine leather baseball glove, which bore the replica signature of Joe DiMaggio, and place the glove on the left hand of a German-speaking boy who had never seen, far less worn, a baseball glove. He then explained how to catch the baseball in the special pocket of the glove, which he had hand prepared hour after hour with a particular oil. Such was the experience of each child with each gift.

As we left the Mueller home and walked back to the meetinghouse, not a word was spoken. One could hear the crunch of the newly fallen snow as young feet, guided by happy hearts, made the two-block journey. We entered the building, there to have donuts and apple cider. In the blessing that was asked upon the food, a beautiful girl, her voice choked with emotion, described the feelings of all as she prayed, 'Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the best Christmas we have ever had.' "

Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of the Christmas Spirit,” Ensign, Dec 1987, 3

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Christmas Candy making....

On Monday we went to Lisa to make Christmas candy. I had to be there by 8am to baby sit her babies, she lives in kuna. OK listen to this. I set my alarm for pm on sat which i was almost late for work lucky i was able to hurry super fast that day. Well Sunday i didn;t need to set alarm we have late church time and i slept in 9:30 ya! So it was still on PM when i set it for Monday. I woke at 7:28 got in the shower and and was out the door by 7:35. I am not kidding you i showered in 2 mins threw all my stuff in a big bag. Threw on clothes and walked out the door w the towel still on my head, lol. I knew i could get ready at her house. My other sister came over w her 4 kids and made caramels. We ate lunch and than i went to the store to get the stuff i needed. I came back on made peanut brittle. I have only made it one other time and i burned it. It is so hard to make. I kind of burned this one too but not that bad just little bit in the inside but i am still eating it. It takes forever i mean forever to cook. I also made these things called peanut butter sweeties(they are like a peanut butter truffle on a pretzel). I was going to take a pic of them but my mom left my brother take them when he came over. They were so good i am going to have to make more now. She is in trouble. I also made coconut truffles but i just barely for them rolled out into balls and will dip them later in the chocolate. Sometimes i over do it but i love to cook and bake stuff. I want to make my own caramels(there are so good also) I always make caramels every year. I love peanut butter fudge...ok i guess i got to stop..cause i could make a million more kind of truffles. I have lots of recipes i can post them later if people want.

SAd weekend..week...... :(

I have a lot of mixed emotions i don;t know what to think of. I don't know what to think. I know i just have cried a few times here and there. It really doesn;t feel like christmas right now w all the stuff that is going on w us right now. This time of year is about making happy memories, well at least we try. I have thought a lot about Christ this month and remember Christ in Christmas, especaiily the last few days. I have thought about all the gifts we have been given spiritually and how we can regift those gifts w others. and sharing our love. It makes me sad when so many people say they just can;t wait till this month was over when to me i wish it was a month longer. I love the pretty lights, cute decorations, christmas songs, christmas crafts, Christmas candy making, wrapping Christmas presents and making them pretty( i am a pro wrapper) skipping along to the christmas spirit in my heart. I love singing Christmas songs. It would be so fun to me to go Christmas caroling But most of all spending time together as a family on Christmas. i also have mixed emotions from Christmas last year, Which i think it can't get any worse right. I am trying to decide weather the heartless jerk gave me a gift w that blow he delivered to me, right before Christmas. Cause i am 100Xs happier than i ever remember! My sister is not well right now and i know in time it will get better. Please pray for her(Rebecca). Even thought she doesn;t see this...I love you Rebecca!!!! :((((

Thanksgiving 2010

So I did help w some stuff. I seasoned the turkey and put it in the bag and finished the potatoes. My Brother Brent and his Girl friend(Gaylene) came over. There was also my mom, me, Rebecca, matt and gayle came w her 4 kids.I forgot to take pics this day. We ate dinner, which was really nice to just spend a low key relaxed time together as a family. And we played Phase Ten which is our favorite family game. Well we really played phase 5 cause i had to go to bed. Which I should have been in bed at 6 and i didn't get to bed till 7 and i had to work the next day at 345am yes i said Am. For a bit people kept being to noisey and i was all stressed over having to get up early. That as the time went on i got more stressed catch 22. So in the end i got no sleep i am not kidding i didn;t sleep at all. I was really tired that day. But oh well. I made it. I am so greatful for so many things. I am greatfull for family and friends. Love you all!!!! I didn't take any pics forgot.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

faith

"The Winter Quarters Temple property adjoins the burial ground of many who gave their lives for this cause which they regarded as more precious than life itself. Their journey to the valley of the Great Salt Lake is an epic without parallel. The suffering they endured, the sacrifices they made, became the cost of what they believed."I have in my office a small statue of my own pioneer grandfather burying beside the trail his wife and her brother who died on the same day. He then picked up his infant child and carried her to this valley."Faith? There can be no doubt about it. When doubts arose, when tragedies struck, the quiet voice of faith was heard in the stillness of the night as certain and reassuring as was the place of the polar star in the heavens above."It was this mysterious and wonderful manifestation of faith that brought reassurance, that spoke with certainty, that came as a gift from God concerning this great latter-day work. Countless, literally countless, are the stories of its expression in the pioneer period of the Church. But it does not stop there."As it was then, so it is today. This precious and marvelous gift of faith, this gift from God our Eternal Father, is still the strength of this work and the quiet vibrancy of its message. Faith underlies it all. Faith is the substance of it all. Whether it be going into the mission field, living the Word of Wisdom, paying one's tithing, it is all the same. It is the faith within us that is evidenced in all we do." Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Miracle of Faith," Ensign, May 2001, 68

Monday, December 6, 2010

thanksgiving 2010

I was still so sick this day as i was sent home early from work the day before. I decided i needed it to be a day of rest for me. I felt bad but i didn;t help prepare much of the food. I just stayed in bed. I knew i couldn't miss the next day of work and i had to work the next day a ten hour shift. plus lunch so i would be there i knew 11hrs and also knowing it was going to be the busiest day of the year too.(Ya go JENN sold over 6000 dollars that day!!!!!!) Okay i rock, year to date i am 154% of my goal for the year. and 190% in credit, i just suck in IPT( Items per transaction) and AS(average Sale). So my goal is for the rest of this month& next, finishing off the year to focus on IPT and AS...Oh opps this was supposed to be about thanksgiving..

BSU vs. Fresno Nov 19th

Me and Trina went to the BSU vs. Fresno state game. One of my co workers has family seasons tickets and she asked if i want two of her tickets for the game. She just gave them to me which was so nice. So i took Trina. I went home from work and got all dressed in my bsu gear & warm clothes(layers). I still didn't have a coat than so i had to just take one in the closet i could find( don;t worry i now have a coat). It had been raining all day and the seats were in the upper section. We got there about an hour late. I had to go pick her up from work after i went home. Trina is one of my single friends its nice to have single friends you can find things in common w. But not saying that i don't love my married friends. I sure do!!! Actually my BFF Jennifer was at the same game and we were texting each other across the field, lol! She was on the other side from us. We were on Southeast side. I got some kettle corn( i Love Kettle corn and popcorn), and Hot cocoa as it was so cold. Lucky i brought blankets and Nicki gave me more blankets too. The game was a bore i will say as we blew them out of the water. But we has tons of fun that night. Thanks Nicki! But shame on me cause i was still sick when i went! Oh well! Only game i would have gotten to go to this year. Oops camera was on zoom.

Primary Program

We had our Primary program in the middle of Nov or first week now i don;t remember. We had practiced in the chapel the week before, the sat before which we had a breakfast and feed all the kids pancakes. It is amazing how it seems like oh no we need more time to practice but than the day of the kids just pull it together and it was beautiful. I was really sick this day, i got my sunbeams on the stand they were just standing by the podium in front of the bishop. I helped them w their parts when the time came and me not feel well almost feel over when i was helping them w their parts how embarrassing was that since i was right in front of the bishop. Like really i barely caught myself w my hand. Lucky are our part i took the kids down to the front row in the pews and i had to sit w 8-10 kids age 3-4 but lucky i had someone to help me, during the rest of the program. I have been pondering a lot what my calling is going to teach me in my life or purpose, i read an article in a past ensign about a story where a lady later on found out why she was called to the position at one point in her life. So i asked this question right there on the day of the program as i am sitting w like i think it was 8 kids, in my head. I won;t tell you what i asked. I am not sure if i am crazy. all of a sudden i got this buring feeling/overwhelming sensation and i was only joking on the question i asked. I am thinking are you crazy, what. I decided to forget about it and not worry about it cause if it is really so has nothing to do w me right now, and maybe i was just crazy, that day i was sick, lol!

illness

In the beginning of Nov i got really sick, went to the doc and i had a sinus infection(which i had one in Oct also) and Bronchitis and i had Laryngitis really bad, so bad the doc told me i couldn't go to work or talk to people at all. I missed a bunch of work but not all together. i was on Antibiotics, i was getting better voice came back but i started to get sicker, the doc put me on another Antibiotic which helped the infection go away and i felt much better i had a bad cough for a while and took till the end of last week to finally go away for the most part. I still have some congestion in my nose and only a little cough here and there. I even had a fever at one point. I don;t think i have been that sick in a super long time. I usually get really sick but than it goes away really fast. But this just dragged on. So i bought some vitamins.

a nice sunday...Nov 7th 2010

Madi and Lilly(my two nieces, my sisters girls) sometimes spend the night on a sat night and we take them to church w us. This was Sunday evening. I got the girls to massage my feet. I had one rubbing lotion on one foot/massaging and the other doing the other foot. What the life, lol! they finally said we are tired can we stop, but we had plenty of giggles and laughs. And were taking pics too. I am crazy cause i let the girls play w my camera. And that is Becky the one w her tongue out. She is 15 and admits last night she is 5 when i called her that, lol! My other sis Gayle is in the last pic.




Dressing up at work for Halloween and a sad day it became






I decided to dress up as an 80's rocker chick. I decided to put my creativity to work. I looked up ideas online and put this together. I already had leggings, i found the denim skirt on the clearance rack at Old Navy for 2.50(pretty good). I bought craft paint at Walmart and splattered it on it(thank you Sarah for the Idea) and set it w hairspray. I watched a video on YouTube on how to cut up a shirt, i used on old shirt. I had a hot pink tee already. Watched a video on how to do 80's hair, Makeup and found the Accessories in a few stores in the mall. Sarah is the Kitty cat, we have to same manager but she works down the way, the clown Linda is my co worker. It was such a fun day and to see all the other people that dressed up and since Halloween this year was on a Sunday they let us dress up on Sat too so this was Sat.
The Last Pic is one of my BFF, Farzana(know as Sapna). I have worked for Macy's for 13.5 yrs and she had worked for Macy's for 7 yrs. she was always the top at everything. I was no where even near where she excelled. But you know what to a large company they really don't care. I do love Macy's but at the same time i hate corporations. Cause this day she was terminated but she wasn't notified till the following week. Another coworker punched her and the do not contact policy was violated by that co worker. The decisions was made by HR national to just terminate them both. Idaho is a right to work state which means that any company can terminate anyone for no reason, and there is nothing you can do about it. Idaho is so beautiful to live in and the people are great but some laws i really don't like, like this and the 50/50 law when you get a divorce(which really means if your jerk ex won't pay the bills than you need to pay all 100%, lol I am laughing!) I was so sad cause i looked forward to seeing her everyday at work. Which we had tons of fun at work together. But not as sad as she was. I know it broke her heart cause she loved her job & me!

Costume and Donna Palmers Hallween party! 2010


i Was trying to find a costume to wear on Halloween . I bought this one and took it home. I tried so many but didn;t have much luck after my sister told me what i looked like in this one, I won't repeat what she said but to come from a 15yr old and i felt like a squeezed sausage anyways this one went straight back to Walmart.


Than on the Monday night before Halloween. A lady that is in our ward does this annual Halloween party that she has had for the last 17yrs i guess. she basically invites everyone from the whole Eagle stake. She has super Hero's Parachute out of a plane(batman and Spider Man) And than after the plane flew back and forth dropping candy from the sky, and they say things don;t come out the sky besides rain and stuff, lol. Well i will tell you all those kids there went crazy. If you lost your children it wasn;t worth finding them till it was all over. She provides hot dogs, popcorn, hot cocoa, & water. There was dancing in the barn, little wood stoves and little fires threw out the property to snuggle around and keep warm. There was a haunted hay ride which i didn;t go do. A pirate treasure hunt, which I didn;t do either. Becky, my mom and I went to this and we also took 2 of Lisa kids. Cali and Brock. I took Brock to the haunted house and you had to walk threw a pasture to get to it but at least the path was lit w pumpkins. I got to see lots of people a grew up w from our ward or the area cause Eagle was so small back than everyone new everyone and so on from younger people to older ones. So i did lots of visiting and catching up.



I got some new shoes in Aug. I was being silly one day and took pics of my feet. I will say i do love to shop. I am very much a girly girl! But there is one kind of shopping i just detest and that is the grocery store!

sand dunes


we went to the Sand Dunes one weekend in Oct the weather in Idaho was still nice and warm. The Sand Dunes are located in Bruneo right out side of Mt Home. I went my sister Lisa, Her Husband, Kids, Me, Becky and i picked up two of my older sisters kids. The kids had a blast they loved running and rolling down the hill. The babies had never touched sand before and they just loved it but the goal was to stop them from trying to eat it. Me and Lisa decided after we walked all the way up the hill, try walking up a hill in sand when you also slide and slip into the sand, we were so out of shape. The kids beat us up the hill in 2 secs. We decided that once we went down we weren't going up agian. Than we had lunch in the picnic area. There is a lake there too so later the kids playing in the sand by the lake. It was a nice day!