And Now...The Rest of the Story

A few years ago, Ron, Emily, and I spent a lovely two weeks visiting "old stuff." We went to Washington D.C. for a few days and saw "old stuff." We went to Kirtland and Hiram, Ohio and saw "old stuff." We went to Palmyra and Manchester, New York and saw "old stuff." We went to Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois and saw "old stuff." We finished our trip in Missouri where we saw more "old stuff."

Ron and I LOVED it. Emily, not so much. She says that if we were to take her on the same trip NOW she would appreciate it a lot more. I think she's right.

Today, I would like to share an experience as we visited the Liberty Jail in Missouri. It was one of our last stops on our Church History tour before we flew home.

A rendition of the conditions Joseph Smith experienced while staying in Liberty Jail.

There were very few tourists visiting the Liberty Jail the day we visited. The wife of the Director for this particular visitor's center asked the young sister missionaries if she could be our hostess. I am so glad she did, because it was such a wonderful spiritual experience. She gave the three of us our own private tour.

After explaining what happened to Joseph and the other men as they spent several bitter cold months in Liberty Jail she shared a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith. Perhaps because we were so attentive she felt impressed to share the following story.

"A few months ago, we had a tour group come through. They were the direct descendants of Joseph and Emma Smith. As you know, there has been a rift between their family and the Church but in recent years, the rift is healing.

"One of the tour leaders recently joined the Church. He wanted his family to learn more about their family and church history, so he had arranged this tour. Because we knew they were coming, we asked a young sister missionary who is a direct descendant of Hyrum Smith to be their tour guide. She was understandably nervous. Hyrum's family had gone West with the Saints while Joseph's family had stayed in Illinois. How would they react when they found out who she was?

"The Spirit was strong as she led the tour and then shared her testimony of Joseph Smith. She knew he was a prophet of God and she payed tribute to his descendants. The tour leader then shared with this young missionary and his family how he came to join the church.

"He related that for years he was troubled about how Brigham Young could leave Emma and her family behind after Joseph's martyrdom. He needed to understand what had happened.

"One day, he was traveling in his car, listening to some music. Suddenly, the car radio shut off. He fiddled with the dials, but the radio simply stopped working. As he sat in the silence of his car, his mind went back to his great- great-grandmother Emma and again he pondered HOW could Brigham Young and the other church leaders just leave her behind?

"Suddenly, he heard a woman's voice. He said he knew it was Emma. Her voice seemed to come from the radio but he knew it didn't. The woman said, 'I was too tired to go west.'"

After spending nearly 1 1/2 weeks walking the streets that Emma had walked and comprehending more greatly how much Joseph and Emma had gone through, this story really touched me. My heart went out to her for all the trials and sacrifices she had gone through. I could understand how she could be so weary and so tired--after losing several children, her parents and now her beloved husband. I have shared this story a couple of times with others as a lesson that we shouldn't judge others harshly since we don't know all they are going through.

Imagine my joy when I opened up Meridian Magazine's website the other day and learned the "rest of the story." I invite you to follow this link and read what Bob Smith, the direct descendant of Joseph and Emma has to say about hearing Emma tell him "I was too tired to go west" and his decision to join the Church.

http://www.ldsmag.com/index.php?option=com_zine&view=article&Itemid=3&ac=1&id=7384

Mother-Daughter Date

Last evening, Emily and I went on a Mother-Daughter Date.

We have had many such dates over the past 17 years. When she was younger, she enjoyed trips to the park where I would push her on a swing higher and higher until her "feet touched the sky."

We enjoyed trips to the library for story time and to search for the perfect book.

We enjoyed trips to the pool where she would splash and giggle and jump into the water without any fear even before she knew how to swim.

As she has gotten older, we have enjoyed lunch dates where we have feasted on delectable sandwiches, yummy soups, and tasty salads.

We have enjoyed shopping trips to the mall to find the perfect dress, another cute top, or a darling pair of shoes.

But last night, we did something we have NEVER done before!



We went to a city council meeting.

Let me tell you--it was exciting! Emily is taking Civics right now and one of the requirements is to attend school board meetings, city council meetings, planning commission meetings, Superior Court sessions, and perform community service.

She didn't want to attend the city council meeting alone so I told her I would be happy to go with her.

Perhaps happy is too strong a word.

Perhaps I should rephrase that and say I would be willing to go with her.

Because she is my daughter and I enjoy spending time with her.

Even if it is at city council meetings.

But lest you think that the hour was total boredom and monotony, let me reassure you that we LEARNED things! We learned IMPORTANT things!

For instance, did you know that "Kim Trails" is causing a serious problem with our air, soil, and ground water supply?" A well-dressed woman approached the city council and city manager and gave a very eloquent presentation about how airplanes are causing us all to be poisoned with their "Kim Trails." She explained that there is a GOVERNMENT CONSPIRACY COVER-UP because no one is DOING anything to prevent more "Kim Trails" and THEY need to do something about it!

I finally figured out she was talking about contrails.

We also learned that the city council is thinking about going "paperless" which will SAVE the city government SO MUCH MONEY because they won't have to replace the expensive copier nicknamed (and I am not making this up) "The Workhorse" next year and it will mean less work for the overworked clerical staff who spend EIGHT hours every time there is a meeting typing, collating, and stapling these bulky agendas. (I was thinking to myself, "Do the clerical staff REALLY mind spending eight hours every time there is a meeting? I mean, doesn't that mean that they at least have a job?")

Oh, and by-the-way, it will ONLY cost the taxpayers $6500 to purchase seven i-pads! But what a bargain.

Of course, several city council members shared their technology fears and how they were worried they wouldn't be able to figure out how to operate said expensive i-pads.

I whispered to Emily, "You would have to train me on how to use an i-pad."

She whispered back, "Yes, I would."

And I whispered back, "But I AM getting better at computer stuff."

And she whispered back, "Maybe an eensie-weensie bit better."

And THEN I whispered back, "But, it's progress."

And then we decided we should be quiet so we wouldn't miss the NEXT fascinating piece of city business.

I'm telling you! Emily and I had a GREAT time! We had such a good time that we are going to do this EVERY WEEK!

At least until she has enough civics points.

Monopoly

Dear Dustin,

Do you remember last week when you updated your Facebook status about never playing Monopoly with an accountant?

Well, I hope your accountant was NOT as obnoxious as Ted Forth!


Love,

Your FAVORITE Mother-in-Law!

New!

Ron and I attended a convert baptism Saturday afternoon for a 17 year old young man. His mother had been baptized three months earlier in the Central Valley. He attended her baptism and was so touched, that when he returned to the Bay Area where he lives with his father, he asked to meet with the missionaries.

The baptism was very special. The Spirit was strong and there was great support from not only the young men leaders, but the Priest's quorum as well. As Robert changed from his wet baptismal clothing into something dry, a few people shared their testimonies. Ron asked his mother to share her testimony after Robert returned.

His mother, a recent convert herself, shared a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, and Jesus Christ. She shared how happy she is. His uncle, who has been a member a lot longer also got up and shared his testimony when Robert returned. When they finished, a 16 year old boy in our ward gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.

What happened next surprised all of us. Robert spontaneously got up and shared HIS testimony. Smiling broadly he said something like this:

"My heart is beating so fast right now and yet it feels so peaceful! I feel so good! The atmosphere in the room has changed since I got baptized. I don't know how to describe it, but I feel new and I know I made the right decision."

He finished his testimony and sat down. There wasn't a dry eye in the room.

His experience reminded me of my own baptismal day when I was eight. There were several children getting baptized that day. I remember having butterflies in my stomach as all eyes were on me as I walked into the font. My dad then raised his arm to the square and exercising his priesthood power baptized me. As I came out of the water, I felt so warm and good and clean. I felt new! I am sure I was grinning ear to ear--much like Robert was on Saturday. I didn't want to do anything wrong EVER again.

Unfortunately, within a couple hours of getting baptized, I remember sticking my tongue out at a younger sibling who had annoyed me. I remember covering my mouth with my hand so no one would see the offensive action--yet I knew that Heavenly Father had seen me and I was so sad that I wasn't clean any longer.

Thank goodness, as we take the Sacrament worthily each week, we can be forgiven of our sins and imperfections. We can feel new again every week as we strive to repent.

I love this song from the musical--Debbie--Diary of a Mormon Girl. The lyrics were written by Barbara Tanner.

Just out of the water, still wet behind the ears.
Dripping like a spring leaf, a face soaked with tears.
Out of the water and into the air,
The first breath of freedom I've had anywhere.

I come from the water's edge, pure and undefiled,
A sacrifice worthy as Abraham's child.
World! I have found it, the fountain of youth,
Come bathe your tired soul in the waters of truth!

New...I am new,
Not tired and spent, for one shining moment,
Not weary or worn.
New is the feeling and clean is the scent
Of body and spirit together reborn.

You are a Winner!

Don't you love when you turn on you computer and you see an e-mail announcing "Congrats--you are a winner!"

Oh, it wasn't announcing that I was the winner of some Nigerian lottery that said, "All we need to verify that YOU are a WINNER is your social security number, your bank information, and oh yes, a promise that you'll give up your first born.

That would be creepy.

It wasn't an e-mail announcing that I had won one million dollars from the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.

Don't I wish.

It wasn't even an e-mail from Deseret Book announcing that I was a winner in their "New Authors contest" and they were publishing my upcoming children's novel, The Bloody Blobs.

Now, THAT would be a dream come true!

No, it was much simpler than that. Today, I found out I won a copy of The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate from Goodreads website.

There was great jumping up and down in my chair and gleeful shrieking when I read that I won.

You would think I won the Nigerian Lottery or the Publisher's Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. You would think that perhaps I was appearing on Oprah's Show as a guest to discuss my Fletcherizing Issues. You would think I had won an all-expense vacation to New York City to say good-bye to "The Great One"--Regis Philbin before he retired. You would think that perhaps I was making my debut appearance on "The Tonight Show" with "California Sister" as we reveled the audience with our comedy routine.

Of course, none of those things happened. But I WON a book and I couldn't be happier.

It's on its way to my mailbox and when I finish reading it, I will post a scintillating review on Goodreads and also let you know, my Internet Friends just what I thought of this book.

I bet you can't wait!

I Have a Dream

Martin Luther King electrified our nation in 1963 when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and declared to the world that "I have a dream...." I was too young to remember that speech, but I've seen bits and pieces play out on TV and have read his speech. His courage and leadership helped propel the civil rights movement.

I have a dream, too. It isn't as grand as Martin Luther King's but it's been something near and dear to my heart for many, many years.

I met Ron when I was 19. I married him when I was 20. I had my daughter Christie Ann at 21. I never finished college. I remember attending Ron's graduation from BYU, carrying a young 1 1/2 year old on my hip and crying silent tears when he marched into the Marriott Center. I was so proud of him, but very sad that I wasn't getting my diploma, too. It was my dream to someday finish, but with the joys and busyness of raising 4 girls, being a stay-at-home mom, a PTA volunteer, and a very busy church member, the timing was not right for a very long time.

And yet the dream did not die. It just lay dormant for many, many years.

Flash forward. Christie, my oldest born was graduating with her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from BYU. Ron and I wouldn't miss her graduation for the world. As I watched Christie march into the Marriott Center, my dream once again resurfaced. I wanted to graduate from college. I wanted to accomplish my dream.

I didn't say anything to Ron or anyone else for a couple of months. I wondered if I could do it? I had a very heavy calling. I still had two daughters at home. I was still involved in PTA. Yet, the more I studied it out in my mind, the more hopeful I was that I COULD go back to school.

I remember talking to Ron. He was excited and very encouraging. You can do it! I filled out the paperwork, was approved, and took my first class. I remember how hard it was to get back into the routine of studying, memorizing and tests. I remember how excited I was when I got the results back on my first closed book test and I got an A! I cried tears of joy! I could still learn!

For the past few years, I have taken one to three classes every year. For the past few years I have met with my Bishop to receive my ecclesiastical endorsement. For the past few years I have written papers, taken quizzes, and studied for finals.

Today, I found out I only have one more class to take! For some reason I thought I had two or 3 more.

Once again, I shed tears of joy as I see the accomplishment of my dream so very close.

I have a dream. And my dream is coming true!

Little Letters

Random letters for a Thursday afternoon....

Dear Regis,

How I will MISS you! You have brought great joy and delight to my life for the past many years. I remember as a young mother I would finally get around to eating my breakfast at 9:00 am--just in time to turn on your show and enjoy "Host Chat" with you and Kathie Lee. You were the adult companionship I had on a daily basis as I dealt with young children. You almost always were able to put a smile on my face. Thanks for the memories! I will miss you!

Sincerely,

A long time fan


Dear Costco Management,

May I say I have NEVER enjoyed shopping at Costco as much as I have recently. It's not the free food samples that makes me so happy. I rarely partake. It's not the closeness to my home. It's actually further away. But, let me tell you why I am so happy!

There are virtually NO lines where I shop now! It doesn't matter what time of the day or evening I shop, I usually only have to wait two to three minutes before I'm checked out. And you have a friendly employee that unloads my shopping cart for me! What service! I am going to Costco more frequently as a result. I am sure that is helping your bottom line!

Sincerely,

A very happy customer


Dear American Idol Producers,

I admit, I was skeptical about the changes. But last night, I was pleasantly surprised. The new judges are good! OK, I only saw the first hour of the show because teaching early morning seminary has caused a serious decrease in my television viewing habits. But what I saw pleased me. And that young 16 year old boy with the big grin? He reminds me of David Archuleta--who is my ALL-TIME favorite American Idol (even though he didn't win.) How can a season be bad with another wholesome David Archuleta wanna-be?

Just sayin'.

Sincerely,

I might actually watch this season if it stays as good as the first episode.

Kitchen Disasters

Last night we fed the full-time missionaries. We feed them on a monthly basis and you would think after doing this 12 times a year times at least 25 years that it would become easier.

It hasn't.

I always stress that they won't like what I make. I always stress that there won't be enough. After feeding four daughters, I forget how much boys and men can eat. I always stress that the dinner won't be ready when they arrive which will cause them to be late to their evening appointments.

I don't know why I always worry because the missionaries are always so appreciative of whatever I make. I have NEVER had a complete disaster in the kitchen when I feed them. That doesn't mean I haven't had disasters at other times.

For example, let me share the tale of "Pepper Soup."

When I was a teenager, my mother was in a car accident. She suffered from a whiplash injury which prevented her from doing many of the things she wanted to do. And some things that she probably didn't really want to do, but did anyway. Such as cooking.

Barbara and I took over the cooking duties. We weren't too proficient. We knew how to make really good cookies and brownies, but making dinners was another story.

One day, my mom told me that I would be making Hamburger Soup for dinner. I browned the ground beef, chopped up the vegetables and started everything simmering together when I began adding the spices.

One teaspoon of salt. Check.

18 tablespoons of pepper. Check.

I didn't even QUESTION adding 18 tablespoons of pepper to this soup! I had to be at least 13 years old and it wasn't until I added the 10th tablespoon of pepper that I thought, "Wow! This is a lot of pepper! I don't think I'll add anymore."

When my mom questioned the "pepperiness" of the soup, I told her that the recipe CALLED for 18 tablespoons of soup and she should be GLAD I stopped at 10. She asked to see the recipe.

"Loralee, you were supposed to add 1/8 teaspoon of pepper."

"Oh."

We did not eat the Hamburger Soup now nicknamed, "Pepper Soup" for dinner that night.

I have not made Hamburger Soup since. It traumatized me greatly.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the last time I really made a mess in the kitchen.

On Christmas Eve, we got together with the extended family and enjoyed a wonderful meal--roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, perfectly made gravy and all the other trimmings. My brother commented on the absolute deliciousness of the gravy and said, "I make pretty good gravy--but not as good as Mom's."

I replied, "I don't make good gravy."

David laughed and said, "Remember when you made that gravy one time and how bad it was?"

"Yes," I said, "And I haven't made gravy since."

Yes, another culinary disaster. It's not that I don't WANT to make gravy. It's not that I don't LIKE gravy! I'm just afraid of making a mistake of such monumental proportions that it will go down in the annuals of family history such as the "Pepper Soup" and the really, really bad runny, lumpy gravy that Loralee made that one time.

So, my little family has led a nearly "gravy-free" existence except for the occasional treats of Grandma's Gravy and gravy purchased with KFC's mashed potatoes.

My family is quite deprived.

Maybe this should be one of my goals for 2011--to get over my gravy phobia and learn how to make good gravy that nearly rivals my Mom's!

But, I have no desire to make Hamburger Soup again!

Time Flies

2010 was a stressful year in many ways. It ended up being a good year, too. Here is a recap of some of the more significant events of 2010:

January: Still recovering from Jennifer and Jacob's wedding, Christmas, and a stake New Year's Eve dance, I began attending ward conferences. This year, our presidency changed EVERY lesson depending upon the ward's needs. It was a good change, but added a lot of work to our conferences. As a family, we were still getting used to Ron's super commutes. It was very lonely not having him home every night. I was also a "hair model" for a hopeful cosmetology student. It was NOT a good experience.

Tim, Christie, Me, Jacob, Jennifer, Ron, Emily, and Heather

February: In February, our stake sponsored a formal dance for the three stakes in our region. Our theme was "An Evening in Paris." It turned out very well! We also enjoyed celebrating Valentine's Day as a family and enjoyed watching the Olympics on TV. Once again, I fixed our every two years Olympic Dinner. This year it featured "Canadian Baked Beans" along with our ski pole cookies and Olympic Torches. Man, I can't wait for the next Olympics! I also attended an 11-stake leadership meeting where Sister Dibb was the featured speaker. She shared many important lessons we can apply to our callings but more importantly she shared her testimony about her father, President Monson. This is what she shared:

"My father is President Monson. At nearly every General Conference, he will mention attending a cultural celebration or another large youth activity. He believes in these activities and let me share why.

"When he was a Deacon, he participated in a roadshow and that is when his testimony first began to develop. He and the other members of the Deacons quorum were Eskimos in their play. His older sister, who he absolutely adored was the Statue of Liberty. She had a big part in the play as she recited the inscription found on the Statue of Liberty. Their ward group practiced and practiced. A few days before the roadshow, his sister lost her voice. She could not utter a sound and she wanted so much to be able to give her part. The Monson family tried several home remedies (some Sister Dibb told us that were quite questionable) and nothing worked. The evening of the roadshow, the Eskimo clad Deacon's Quorum gathered together and knelt in prayer for Tommy Monson's sister. Her voice came back and she was able to perform. Pres. Monson witnessed a miracle that evening and he has told his family several times that was the beginning of his testimony. That is why the youth events such as young women camp are so important. For many of our young women, it is the beginning of their testimony."

The second session she spoke to all the stake and ward leaders for all three auxiliaries. She specifically spoke on how much she loves her father, but she needed to develop her own testimony that he truly is a prophet of God. She talked about that and then she shared the following story:

"My dad isn't home a lot on Sundays, but when he is home, he enjoys visiting different rest homes. He has two in particular that he enjoys going to (she mentioned the names, but alas, I did not write them down for the benefit of the Utah family). He has told Sister Dibb that he likes attending church where the members are close to the veil and preparing to return to Heavenly Father. Whenever he attends, at least one person shouts out sometime during the service "There's Prophet Monson!" He just grins and waves back. He always talks to each person in the room before he leaves.

"On one occasion, an elderly woman and her adult son were reading the Bible together on the front porch. Pres. Monson felt prompted to go over and talk to them. Sister Dibb was there and she realized that they were not members of the Church and had no idea who her father was. Pres. Monson told them. "I want you to know that your Heavenly Father knows who you are and He loves you very much." He shared his testimony and the conversation was over. She told us that this experience touched her very much. She really understood at that moment that her dad isn't just the prophet for our church but for the whole world."

March: The big news in March was that I accepted the "Smokin Hot Mamma' Challenge. It was HARD giving up chocolate. It was hard not eating after 7:30 pm. But, I persevered and it got easier. Our stake also sponsored a Young Women Conference. Our theme was D.I.V.A which stood for "Daughter's Inviting Virtue Always." We had a wonderful day where the young women learned how to be Domestic Diva's, Service Diva's, Singing Diva's, and Scriptural Diva's. Our keynote speaker than spoke on Virtue after we enjoyed a yummy lunch.

April: This was a very good month indeed. I celebrated a SIGNIFICANT birthday this month and Christie, Heather, Dustin, Jennifer and Jacob drove all the way from Utah to surprise me. We spent my birthday in the Sacramento Temple with Carol, Dan, and Lauren. We went to lunch. We went to dinner. We enjoyed Chocolate Satin Pie. It was a very good birthday! Later in the month, I flew to Utah for BYU's Women's Conference. I bonded with my sisters and sister-in-laws. Heather had recently become engaged to Dustin and we shopped for wedding dresses. April was a VERY GOOD MONTH!

May: I stopped blogging in May. I stopped sending out mass e-mails to my family in May. I stopped sleeping in May. I had so much going on. Not only did we have another wedding to plan, Ron and I were seriously talking about moving. I didn't want to share the news with my friends because it was just too depressing. Emily sang and danced in The Music Man. As I watched her perform, I could not stop smiling! Her smile was so infectious and she was a joy to watch. Our family also participated in Mormon Helping Hands as we painted over graffiti at a local park. Life appeared on the outside to be going the same, but on the inside, I felt like crying all the time. The thought of leaving my home, my friends, and my ward was just so hard!

June: Emily attended EFY where she made new friends and strengthened her testimony. Ron finally found a home to rent this month. I told him he was in charge because I couldn't do one more thing. He did a great job and I am so pleased where we ended up living (despite a few quirky features about the house.) We began telling people about our plans. I was still in a great state of denial but I began going through closets, drawers, and other areas of the house, sorting things and getting rid of a lot. I also spent about 11 days in San Jose taking care of my Aunt while my parents took a much needed trip to Utah. The following week I went to Young Women's camp. Probably for the last time. Again, many tears were shed because I knew that I was getting released as stake Young Women's president. I truly loved this calling because the young women in Stockton are so special!

July: Ron moved into our rental with a few belongings. Each trip to work, he would bring a load to stick in the garage. I spent mornings working on Heather and Dustin's wedding and the afternoons packing. I attended my last tri-stake dance and gave my last Sacrament talks (two in one day!) as a High Counselor speaking companion. We put on a new roof on our house. Heather received her endowment on July 29. Christie, Tim, Jennifer, and Jacob's flight was delayed but the Oakland Temple was willing to have her go on a later session so that all worked out. The following morning, Heather and Dustin were sealed in the Oakland Temple. It was a very happy day!

Dustin's Parents, Scott and Angie, Dustin, Heather, Me and Ron

August: One week after the wedding, we packed up our moving van and moved. The High Priests in our old ward and several good friends were so helpful in carrying loaded boxes and vacuuming the house and washing out kitchen cupboards. The new ward's High Priest quorum showed up in great numbers to help us unload the van. I felt overwhelmed by all the changes, but so grateful for the support. A week after we moved, Ron and I flew to Arizona for Heather and Dustin's open house. Ron flew back home, Emily started her senior year at her new high school, and I flew to Utah to attend my niece's wedding. It was wonderful spending time with my sister. When I flew back home, reality finally set in. I had really moved!

Jennie and Joie's Wedding

September: Ron was called to serve as ward mission leader. He was excited because missionary work is his love! I finally began blogging again. Emily began settling into high school life and enjoyed her first Spirit week. The rental had a new roof put on. We spent many Saturday's in Stockton as we prepared our house to rent out. We finally found a good renter the end of September! I got lost many times in my new town and felt even more lost at church. September was a very hard month. I wondered if I would ever feel needed again at church. I wondered if I would ever find a friend. I cried. A Lot. On a happier note, I began taking care of my Aunt on Friday mornings. That was a good thing.

October: Things started getting better in October. I felt like I was slowly getting to know people at church and my way around town. I received not one, but three callings--serving as young women secretary, working in the Oakland Temple once a month, and serving as the on-call substitute seminary teacher. My nephew returned home from his Honduran mission. It was wonderful being at the airport when he got home and listening to him speak at church. Living closer to my family has truly been a VERY GOOD THING!

November: I taught early morning seminary nine times! I survived teaching early morning seminary nine times! We canceled our trip to Utah because of a large snowstorm but enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with the California side of the family. Emily began spending hours and hours rehearsing for It's a Wonderful Life. High School was becoming easier for her as she met others who shared her interests and values. Perhaps her Senior Year wouldn't be so horrible!

Thanksgiving 2010

December: We enjoyed watching Emily perform in "It's a Wonderful Life." We attended another production of It's a Wonderful Life in Monterey County. We enjoyed attending the community Christmas concert. We enjoyed attending the ward Christmas party. We felt like we were becoming more a part of this community. We carried on many of the family traditions like our Joseph Smith dinner, making our Candy Train, and having the Christmas night Treasure Hunt. We spent time with my family on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve's Eve playing games. Emily had her first date since moving to Morgan Hill.

2010 had many wonderful highs and a few lows. But overall, despite the stress (especially during the spring and summer months) it was a very good year.

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

Last Friday afternoon I finally had time to take a much needed nap. After teaching early morning seminary for a week and getting up even earlier that morning to take care of my Aunt, I was exhausted. I diagnosed myself with "Seminary Brain"--a very serious condition that is so RARE in the annuals of medical history that very few people have ever heard of it--unless of course they are either:

1. Seminary Teachers

or

2. Seminary Students.

I don't know how full-time teachers and students do it EVERY DAY!

As I was saying, I knew if I didn't get a short nap, I was going to be not much use to anyone. I could hardly complete a legible sentence. I was forgetting words. I was forgetting names. I was afraid I wouldn't recognize my own family soon.

It wasn't that I didn't TRY to take a nap earlier in the week, but we our blessed in our neck of the woods with a proliferation of landscape artists who lovingly mow, blow, and chainsaw the various yards in our neighborhood. Whenever I tried to take a nap earlier in the week, I would be suddenly awakened with great noise pollution.

Finally, on Friday all seemed quiet. I had just picked up Emily from school I had planned a very easy dinner and so was itching for even 30 minutes of peace, quiet, and oblivion. Just as I finally fell into a deep sleep, I suddenly woke up!

No, it wasn't a landscaper with his power tools that did it.

Something fell on my bed!

And some big bird type creature like a HAWK or an EAGLE had flown into my bedroom window.

Startled, I sat up in bed. I noticed nothing out of the ordinary had landed on my bed. When I looked at the window, it appeared to be in one piece.

My adrenalin was going and in my seminary induced brainless state I shuffled into the family room.

"What happened?" I asked Emily.

"We just had an earthquake!" she exclaimed.

Ahhh, yes! After close to 25 years of nearly earthquake free bliss, I was back in the land that shakes, rattles, and rolls.

I can't say I missed it.

Lost Keys

When I was a very young, my parents taught me how to pray. I remember my mother sitting on my bed, and Barbara, Daniel, and I kneeling down in a row at bedtime as she helped and listened to us say our personal prayers. We had family prayer and blessings on the food as well. Prayer was a natural part of our lives.

When I was four years old, my parents only had one car. If my mom needed to run errands, she would bundle up her children early in the morning and drive my dad to work. I remember those early morning drives still wearing my pajamas and still half asleep.

One particular day when my mother had the car for an important appointment, she could not find her car keys. She looked everywhere. Frantically she asked me, her oldest child, if I had seen them. I had not. She continued to look.

I remembered that we could ask Heavenly Father for help. I remember going into my bedroom, kneeling by my bed, and asking Heavenly Father to help me find the keys. My mommy needed to go somewhere and she could not find the keys anywhere.

When I finished praying, I stood up, walked out my bedroom, down the hallway, through the living room, into the kitchen and out the back door to our back yard. Without any hesitation I walked over to the clothesline. I remember reaching up into the bag where the clothespins were kept and reaching in with my little hand. I couldn't even see into the bag because it was higher than I was, but when I reached in, there were the keys!

I grabbed them and walked into the house.

"I found your keys, Mommy!" I called.

I don't remember if I even said a prayer of thanks, but this memory has stayed with me all my life. I have told this story many times as I have taught Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. My testimony of prayer began as a four year old. It has continued to grow as a teenager and an adult.

I'm so grateful for prayer.

To Fletcherize or Not to Fletcherize--That is the Question

Last Saturday, my brothers, my mother, and I along with our spouses went to the Oakland Temple to celebrate my mother's belated birthday. We rode together in David and Laurie's car, affectionately nicknamed, "The Beast." David had thoughtfully provided donuts for our ride up to prevent the rumbly in our tumbly feeling. (That was a reference to Winnie the Pooh, by the way.)

About ten minutes after the donuts were handed out, my brother Daniel loudly asked, "OK, who has finished their doughnut by now?"

Everyone raised their hand. Except me.

"What a surprise!" Daniel exclaimed.

I"m always the last one to finish. Because I enjoy my food!

There was much teasing until I said, "You should be kind to me. My friends have discovered that I have a medical condition known as fletcherizing."

OK, maybe it's not TECHNICALLY a medical condition, but to fletcherize \FLECH-uh-rahyz\ means "To chew food slowly and thoroughly." That's me!

Back in Stockton, everyone KNEW how slowly I ate. I was given special consideration at ward socials.

"Loralee needs to be at the FRONT of the line so she can finish eating before the program starts."

I was given special consideration at girls camp.

"The group doing Pearl Divers will eat first and oh, yeah, that old lady over there, too"

This is not a new condition by any means. From the time I was a young tot I made sure that each bite was thoroughly chewed. I was always the last one in my family to finish eating. And when anyone asked why I was taking so long I replied, "I enjoy my food."

Now, I have entered a new phase in my life--a new ward that doesn't realize how special I am!

My Stockton friends thoughtfully suggested that I make a "handicapped" placard and wear it around my neck for ward socials so I can have preferential treatment. They have suggested that I have a special table reserved where no one disturbs me while I am eating. They have even offered to put a public service announcement in my ward bulletin, educating people to my condition. so that they won't tease or judge me harshly! Don't I have great friends?

Personally, I think we should have a combined Relief Society/Young Women lesson on the joys of eating slowly so that we all might learn to thoroughly chew our food so that we can enjoy every morsel--every bite.

Won't you fletcherize with me?

How to Get Rid of a Telemarketer in One Easy Step

In early November, we received a phone call from a telemarketer. We have caller ID so we pretty much know who is calling us or at least we know their phone number. Ron answered the phone. listened to the spiel and politely told the company we were not interested. End of story, right?

Wrong.

Every day the remainder of November, December, and the beginning of January the same telemarketer called. THE SAME ONE! It was always the same phone number. They called as early as 7:45 am and as late as 9:15 pm. Despite letting them know that we were not interested, they would not. give. up.

I always let the answering machine pick up. No use wasting my time by letting them know EVERY DAY we were not interested. They never left a message. Because they are telemarketers and they do not have good manners.

Soon, the phone calls were increasing to twice a day. Twice a day I would look at caller ID and see my "friend" attempting to reach out and touch someone. However, I didn't want to be reached, much less touched.

Finally, in great exasperation I forgot my New Year's resolution about trying to be more loving and kind and gentle and all that good stuff and I answered. the. phone.

Yes, I did.

But, I didn't say, "hello" in my normally sweet telephone voice. (I've been told that my voice changes when I answer the phone and I sound like my daughters. I'm working on that. I still want it to sound sweet--just not so young!)

I didn't say anything. Instead, I muffled the receiver and walked over to our TV.

I turned the volume up to the loudest it would go and then, I un-muffled the phone and placed the receiver right next to the speakers and walked away.

A few minutes later, I could tell that my "friend" had finally hung up.

Guess what?

They haven't called back.

This is a public service announcement. You may want to try this when you have a persistent telemarketer who doesn't take "no thanks, I'm not interested" the first time.

You're welcome.

Top Favorite Recipes for 2010

One of last year's goals was to try out a minimum of 12 new recipes. There were some real losers such as the Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake mentioned in an earlier post. Emily says that it doesn't even deserve a one half star rating. But others were keepers. Here are my three favorite new recipes for your dining enjoyment. Because I'm generous like that. Enjoy!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
This recipe is pure dining enjoyment. It's a little bit of heaven here on earth. If you are a sweet and sour fan like our family, you MUST try this recipe. It's that good!

*Serves 4-6

Chicken:
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup canola oil

Cut boneless chicken breasts into chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Dip chicken in cornstarch and then in egg. Fry in a little oil until brown but not cooked through. Place in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix sauce ingredients (below) together and pour over chicken.

Sauce:
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
½ cup vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic salt

Vegetables and fruit:
3 large carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, diagonally sliced
1/2 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 can of pineapple, drained well

Bake chicken for one hour at 325 degrees. Turn chicken every 15 minutes so it is evenly coated with the sauce. Last 15 minutes of cooking time, add the vegetables and pineapple. Serve over rice.

Broccoli Cheese Bacon Stuffed Potatoes

From Parade Magazine

Wow, that's a mouthful of a title, but it describes this recipe PERFECTLY! I have made this recipe at least a half dozen times in 2010 and it's on the docket for dinner next week. This is perfect for a main course with a salad and fruit on the side. This recipe always brings happy memories because shortly after eating it the first time, I got the BEST birthday surprise EVER! Less than an hour later my darling daughters (and their significant others) showed up from Utah. Maybe that's why I'm such a fan.

4 large russet poatoes
4 T. butter
3/4 c. cottage cheese or 1/2 c. sour cream (I like it better with the cottage cheese.)
6 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
8 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
1 1/2 c. cooked, chopped broccoli
salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prick the potatoes with a knife and bake them on a foil-lined baking sheet until tender; about an hour. Remove potatoes from oven.

2. Cut off and discard (or munch) the top quarter of each potato. Scoop out the flesh and mash it with the butter, cottage cheese or sour cream, and cheddar cheese. Stir in the bacon and broccoli and pile the stuffing back into the potato skins.

3. Bake another 20 to 30 minutes; or until browned and piping hot.

Broccoli and Chicken Casserole

Several years ago, my family compiled a family cookbook. I finally tried my sister Karen's delightful recipe. She calls it simply, Broccoli Casserole, but I've added chicken to the title to help describe it in all it's glorious goodness. I need to make this casserole again soon! It is a dreamy delight and perfect served over rice.

2 BIG bunches of broccoli, cut up quite chunky. (According to my sister Karen, the broccoli is the BEST part! Some members of my immediate family might disagree, but I think it is quite good, too.)
2 cans of cream of chicken soup (fat free works well for this recipe.)
1/2 c. low fat mayo. (OK, if you must use the full fat variety, that will work, too. But only use mayo. Do not substitute with Miracle Whip.)
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. curry (the secret ingredient)
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. Bread croutons. (Karen says to make these croutons, take the thick "Texas Bread" and toast in a toaster or broil them briefly in the oven. Cut the toast into 1" cubes. Saute the cubes in 2 T. butter. Delicious!) (OK, Karen says she lied! The broccoli isn't the BEST part, but the croutons are. She usually doubles the amount of croutons she uses--it's that good. I agree that it is the BEST part!)

1. Cook broccoli slightly (half cooked) Line the broccoli at the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish.

2. Cook chicken and cube into chunks. Put on top of the broccoli.

3. Combine soups, mayo, curry, and lemon juice. Spoon over top of chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.

4. Place croutons on top.

5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover and continue baking another 10 minutes.

There you go! Three meals that should please your taste buds!

Excuse Me...I Didn't Catch Your Name

Tuesday night the doorbell rang. Ron and I answered the door. There stood a nice looking older couple on our doorstep. They said, "Hi, we're here to take you to dinner!"

Wow! That's never happened before.

Unfortunately we had already eaten and Ron, Emily, and I had commitments that evening.

Emily was playing Nerf guns for Mutual. I was helping the Mia Maids with Personal Progress. Ron was going out with the missionaries. We also had three steaming hot lasagnas on our kitchen counter waiting to be transported to the church to feed the homeless at the Armory.

Ron explained all this to this very nice looking couple.

The man said, "No problem. My wife will visit your wife and we'll take the lasagnas to the church."

With that, the woman came into our house. I excused myself for a minute to make sure Emily had woken up from her short nap.

"Who is in our house?" she whispered.

"I have no idea," I whispered back.

There was a very nice looking lady sitting in my living room and I had no idea who she was!

Now, that doesn't happen every day!

I walked back into the living room and the very nice looking woman and I began making conversation. I figured out that she is a member of our ward. Good to know! I discovered that she has three adult sons. I learned that she can't wait to have grandchildren. I found out that she's lived in Morgan Hill for over 30 years and that she used to work for Kaiser.

I learned quite a bit of information about this very nice looking woman but I never learned her name.

Ron and the very nice looking man came back from delivering the lasagnas. They sat in the living room and we continued our conversation.

I learned that the man has worked in construction since he was in his early 30's. I learned that he worked for a large Utah contractor for many years before starting his own company. I learned that he never made a lot of money, but he's happy. I learned that he knows my brothers and my mother and Jack and that he was surprised to discover I was related to them.

I learned quite a bit of information about this very nice looking man but I never learned his name.

As they prepared to leave, they expressed their disappointment that we had already eaten. They were really looking forward to getting to know us better.

"We'll have to do it another time," they remarked as we said our good-byes. Ron and I said we were looking forward to it.

The door closed. They drove off.

"Who are they?" I asked Ron.

"Hmmm...I'm not sure," Ron replied.

All I can say is that we better figure out their names soon.

Tangled Up in an Old Spice Commerical

If you are sitting at home, wanting a little fun, this post is for you.

If you are a devoted fan of the Old Spice commercials, this post is for you.

If you enjoyed Disney's Tangled, this post is for you.

Entertainment in a 30 second clip. What more could you want?




By the way--LOVE that horse! And who can resist "The Smolder?"

Reflections of a New Year

Today after I taught early-morning seminary, I went for a long walk. The rain had finally stopped, the sun was trying to break through the clouds, and I wanted to think and ponder.

As I climbed up and down the hills in my neighborhood, I silently prayed, "Heavenly Father, what do you want me to do?"

Sometimes, my life feels like a jigsaw puzzle. There are missing pieces and yet, if I can just find the right combination of patterns, colors, and pieces, everything will fall into place. I love the New Year because it feels fresh with a whole world of possibilities. Some of my friends tease me because I LOVE to set goals. I also love to work on them. I don't always succeed in every goal--but I am making the effort and hopefully by the end of the year I can look back and see some progress.

So this morning, as I walked, I asked, "Heavenly Father, what do you want me to do?"

I had already written down some goals I wanted to accomplish for the coming year. I want to study the life of the Savior as I re-read the New Testament. I want to continue to read the Book of Mormon. I want to attend the temple at least once a month.

I had some physical goals as well--exercising 250 times this year, organizing my recipes, filing my magazines. And I had some intellectual goals as well--completing a couple more BYU classes and reading at least 24 books. But, I felt like something was lacking.

As I walked up and down the streets of my neighborhood, silently praying, this is the thought that came to me:

"Don't just study the life of the Savior, but become more like Him."

It made me think of one of my favorite Primary Hymns.

I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm following in His ways,
I'm trying to love as He did,
In all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still, small voice whispers,
"Love one another as Jesus loved you,
Try to show kindness in all that you do,
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught."

--I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus from the Children's Songbook.

This coming year I will try a little harder to be kinder. I will try a little harder to be more loving. I will try a little harder to be more patient. I will try a little harder to be a little more like my Savior.

I may not be able to measure this goal in numbers--I won't be able to wake up one morning saying, "Good job--you did it!" But, hopefully at the end of 2011 I will feel a difference in my spirit.

Time Capsule Opened

Yesterday afternoon, I was determined to find the lost time capsule. After a little bit of searching, I found it! When I looked at the carefully labeled lid I realized I was supposed to open the time capsule last New Year's Day! Ooops! I guess with all the excitement of Jennifer and Jacob's wedding and Christmas and the New Year's Eve youth dance that I was helping with, I forgot.

Well, better late than never!

Ron and I had a good laugh over some of our predictions. Some came true. Some did not.

A couple of my predictions that did come true was that I went back to college and that we paid off our mortgage. One of the predictions that did not come true was that Ron and I would travel to Israel. Oh well. Maybe this decade!

I also asked each family member to share a little bit about themselves for the time capsule on their "Who I am" paper. Jennifer's paper made me smile when she wrote as an 11 year old, "I like horses and hope to own/ride one someday." She also shared "I like playing Centipede the most (on my computer.) You have to destroy the centipede and save the world." Go, Jennifer!

In our time capsule I included the front sections of the local paper for Dec. 31, 1999 and Jan. 1, 2000. The New Year's Eve issue's headline was "Clock ticking down." It also mentioned that "Ex-Beatle stabbed by crazed intruder." The New Year's Day paper's headline read, "Jan. 1, 2000: Looks like we made it!" The whole Y2K scare was just that--a scare. Thank goodness.

My favorite part of the time capsule was the sheet of paper titled "Words of Wisdom." Here is what we wrote 11 years ago.

Emily (age 6) "Hug and kiss someone everyday."

Jennifer (age 11) "Don't ask Mom what you can do when your room is a mess." More words of wisdom: "Don't write things you don't want other people to read." A.K.A "I didn't want to keep the first message I wrote, but Mom said I couldn't cross it out."

Loralee: (age much younger than now.) "Start the day with prayer, scripture study, and exercise."

Ron: (age much younger than now.) "Buy low--sell high."

Christie (age 18) "Do what is right even when it's hard. Sometimes the right thing to do is not always the 'popular' thing to do."

Heather (age 14) "Always finish what you start."

Dear Christie, Heather, and Jennifer,

Your predictions will go into the mail next week along with your "Who I Am" papers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Love,
Mamoom