I'M SO EXCITED!!!

I am so pleased to be able to announce that I was one of the three winners of Liza's PIF! In case anyone doesn't know, PIF stands for "Pay It Forward," an activity (event? thing?) that is sweeping through blogdom like a prairie fire. It's simple--you leave a comment on the blog of someone who is hosting a PIF contest. The contest host randomly chooses three winners and gifts them each with something that represents the host's talents or interests. In return, each of those three winners hosts a PIF contest on their own blogs and they each randomly choose three winners. And so on and so on...

Just a few rules:

1. Please include your name in your comment and tell me a little about yourself. (Since my normal comments are limited to just Liza and Emily it may be hard to surprise me with new information.) I welcome all comments--friends, strangers, relatives, recent PIF winners, etc. BUT you need to have your own blog in order to Pay It Forward. So if you don't have one, get started!

2. Please feel free to scroll through my past blogs, but leave your comments on THIS BLOG ONLY to be entered in the drawing.

3. You have until midnight, October 5, to leave a comment. I will draw three names and announce the winners on Saturday, October 6.

4. Prizes will be mailed the Monday following the drawing. There is one possible exception to this rule. My daughter, Sarah, is expecting a baby in three weeks and if she delivers early, everything will be put on hold until I get back from St. George.

Good Luck and Good Commenting!

Newton's Makeover

Vote for your favorite look

Test of Faith

What is the biggest test of faith when it comes to living the gospel? For a coffee-lover, it might be giving up your favorite beverage. For a boater, it might be giving up your Sundays on the lake. But for many of us it is the annual Primary sacrament meeting presentation. Today was our dress rehearsal, in the chapel. I would compare it to Saturday afternoon...at Wal-Mart...two days before Halloween. ("Chorister down on aisle 5...")

The best thing I can say is that no one died.

Children who suddenly can't read in either English or Spanish. An entire Primary who listen to the prelude for "I Want to Live the Gospel," a song they have practiced about 400 times, and look at you like you have just launched into the opening notes of the Swedish national anthem. An eleven year old narrator who decides ten minutes into rehearsal that "this is dumb" and instantly loses the power of speech. A ten year old who gets a big laugh when he dives onto the floor and twitches after reading his part and decides to permanently incorporate the move into his portion of the program. A chorister who decides after the second song that "It's time someone else learns how to do this!" and hands her big box of lyric posters to the pathologically shy second counselor.

By the time we finished there wasn't an adult in the room who didn't have a migraine and a head full of homicidal thoughts. Someone (not me) thought it was a good idea to schedule another rehearsal on Friday night. I thought we should just go for it on Sunday and let the bodies fall where they may. My inability to communicate my opinion in Spanish, though, left me disenfranchised.

The good thing about Primary sacrament meeting presentations is that they roll forward like gospel truth and the stuff that drove you nearly insane during practice takes on a kind of charm when presented to beaming parents who somehow get the message and are moved by the Spirit. And that is how we know that the gospel is true. It thrives despite us.

Olivia Ann is three today!

Happy birthday, happy girl!

The Eyes Have It

Here's a little photo quiz for all my loyal readers. Which eyes belong to which of our nine grandchildren?

It's the New 21!

Sociologists and Hallmark agree--30 is the new 21. Turning 30 means that you are no longer an irresponsible kid. You're an adult--a contributing member of the community with obligations and an enhanced sense of duty. Of course, this is Emily we're talking about. Emily has been a responsible adult since she was ten. So I guess she's really turning 50 tomorrow! Don't feel bad, Em. A lot of people would like to be turning 30 (or 50). Especially people who are 54. Have a Happy Birthday, and remember--like a fine cheese, you're just getting better with age.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EM--MY DAUGHTER, MY FRIEND

Report From Utah

We had a fine trip to Utah for Grandma's seventy-fifth birthday. Despite a broken arm, she shopped and lunched with Sarah and me and was the center of attention at a Golden Corral birthday feast. We also enjoyed a Sunday afternoon visit to Gunlock to share a meal with Sean's family and meet their new "puppy." Unfortunately, x-rays taken on Tuesday showed that Grandma's arm is not mending straight, so instead of a cast, she will need to have an out-patient surgery on Friday, to repair the break with pins. I know that she would appreciate everyone's prayers and good wishes. While in Utah, we were able to confirm that Sarah is, indeed, pregnant (due Oct. 15). Ashton continues to make suggestions for naming his baby brother. His two latest ideas are "Shirley" and "Sean Hannity."

Our trip home was without incident until we got about 30 miles from home and blew out a rear tire. Not wanting to wait the estimated two and a half hours it would take for the cavalry to arrive, we changed it ourselves and made it back to Bakersfield in time to pick up my car from the mechanic's where it was being fitted with a new fuel pump. Rushing home to change clothes and drop off Newton, we arrived at the stake center in plenty of time to participate in Carl's ordination to the office of high priest and his setting apart as a member of the stake high council. A beautiful ending to a lovely holiday weekend.

Tag...You're It!

Apparently, while recovering from her two day stay in the hospital for a mysterious lung ailment, Liza had enough strength to "tag" me. I don't want to shake her faith in me, so here goes...

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?
1997 was a great year. Bill received the President's Club award for the first time. We missed the award presentation because of Liza and Jeremy's wedding in November. It was not a big loss as it was held in Minnesota--in November! (President's Club, not the wedding, which was beautiful and in Los Angeles), and a couple of weeks later, Emily and Eric got engaged.

2. What were you doing one year ago?
A year ago we were in Amarillo for Morgan's birth, then things went south for the last month of the year. Bill ended up in the hospital with cellulitis and Emily, Eric and girls moved to San Antonio.

3. 5 snacks you enjoy:
Where to start, where to start? Frozen, sugar-free York peppermint patties, mini-bell cheeses, cream cheese and sugar-free orange marmalade on a bagel, Coke Zero, and honey wheat pretzels.

4. 5 songs you know all the words to:
"I'm a Little Tea Pot," theme song from "Gilligan's Island," "Silent Night" (English AND German), "King of the Road," "I Am a Child of God"

5. 5 things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Divide half of it among my kids, pay off our house, do some home improvements, buy a new car, and go on a fabulous cruise

6. 5 bad habits:
I gossip, overeat, criticize, put off practicing piano for church until the last minute, and don't call my parents often enough

7. 5 things you like doing:
Finding a great bargain, going out to eat, watching my favorite TV shows, sewing/needlework, being with my family

8. 5 things you would never wear again:
The dress I wore to Carl' s wedding, the dress I wore to Liza's wedding, the dress I wore to Emily's wedding, the dress I wore to Sarah's wedding, the shoes I wore to Clare's wedding

9. 5 favorite toys:
My sewing machine, my computer, my DVR, my hot tub, my digital camera, my cell phone (Yes, I know that's 6 things--I'm a VERY grateful person)

And now...I want to tag Laura Swenson!