Living With the Lense Cap On. . . What the Braille

Super Powers

2007-08-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

As a little girl, I had great adventures as a superhero in my own kingdom. I grew up in a beautiful valley in northern California. The green hills, dotted with oak trees, framed the valley floor. In the spring, gorgeous grape vineyards sprang from the chocolate soil. The carpet of green would soon appear followed by vibrant yellow mustard flowers. The almond trees with their bright pink blossoms stood as sentries. This was my kingdom.

I would climb to the top of the hill on which I lived to marvel at its beauty. I sat on the ground and surveyed the land. I was not only the superhero but the queen as well. After I had thought of how lucky I was to rule over such an enchanted place, I would stand up, run as fast as I could down the steep slope, flap my arms and jump into the air. For just a brief moment I could fly. I felt like Super Man. I would then shoot webs from my wrists and make it the rest of the way home swinging from cherry tree to cherry tree. The “bad guys” had no chance in my kingdom since I had "powers” and could stop them dead in their tracks. After all, I had my webs and my magic lasso. If occasion demanded, I could jump, see and hear like the bionic man and woman.

Call this imagination or perhaps delusion, but as a little girl, I needed strength to overcome great challenges and power beyond my own. I longed for a place that was free from trouble where I could feel peace, comfort and safety. Through great trials and difficulties, I would plead to my Heavenly Father for help and he would grant me portions of his power. I learned that only His power could get me through and assist me in carrying out my mission in life.

At the age of seven months, I was diagnosed as having bi-lateral retinoblastoma. This, being translated, meant that I had cancer in both eyes. My sweet parents prayed for direction from Father and at such news even planned my possible funeral. They were sent to a leading hospital in the area. Here, the recommended course of action was to remove the worst eye and then treat the better eye with radiation. The Spirit prompted them that this was not the right action for me and led them to another hospital. Here I received radiation on both eyes. My life was saved and so was some of my vision. This particular treatment would prove a tremendous blessing in years to come

As an infant, I was anesthetized and put into a large machine. The radiation beams were directed at the dots tattooed on my temples and the cancer was eradicated. This radiation was a blessing in saving my life and some sight but it damaged the bones surrounding my eyes and would cause more problems later in my life. As my head developed my eyes and surrounding bone and tissue did not.

Between the many doctor visits and treatments, I grew up in a loving family environment with great friends. I attended a “normal” school and functioned basically as a “normal” child (although my siblings would disagree). I used a magnifying glass to read and write and, although it took me a lot longer to study and complete my work, did well in school.

I knew I looked different from those around me and couldn’t do all the things that I wanted to because of my sight or doctor’s restrictions. However, somehow, I thought, this would eventually change. In my mind, someday I would see and look like everyone else. My parents were very good to explain things to me a little at a time as I grew older and could make sense of it all. Yet, something didn’t click until one unforgettable day.

My mother and I had traveled the hour and a half trip to the eye clinic. It was just another check-up. But while I sat in my “throne” (the exam chair), it hit me. I don’t know what the doctor and my mother were discussing. In my head I had realized that this was as good as it was going to get. I would never see any better! This was permanent and I would have to live my life with this problem. I was silent through the rest of the exam but when we left the room, I began to sob. I wept out loud and grew scared and angry.

Thoughts of how it wasn’t fair filled my mind. This wasn’t what I wanted to have happen. This was not the way I should have to live my life.

As my storm of emotion rage, my mother sat me down and held me in her arms. The Spirit blessed her with the words to comfort me. She sweetly told me that I had a choice to make. Either I could be angry, bitter and upset, like I was now doing, or I could pray to Heavenly Father and ask him for help. I could tell him how scared I was and allow him to comfort me. She told me that He loved me and would help me get through this.

After a few minutes, I stopped crying, took my mother’s hand and began the long trip home. When we arrived I went to my room to pray. Some time later, I found my mom in the kitchen. I told her that I had prayed and that Jesus had told me He would be with me and help me.

This was one of thousands of times I would need and would receive power and strength to go forward through my difficulties. I learned that Father loved me and wanted my success. This experience seemed to set the tone and direction of my life and deepened my trust in Christ. He gave me power.

Q& no A

2007-09-03T04:41:00.000-07:00

Ever since my son responded,” Why should I?” when I asked him to do his jobs today, I’ve been pondering life’s mysteries. There are so many questions, with and without answers. There are those annoying ones from the checker at the grocery store,”How are you doing today? Did you find everything OK?” (They don’t really care.) Or from the workers at the In And Out drive through window, “Will you be eating this in your car?” (What’s it to you? Why the heck should I tell you that?) Your server at a restaurant asks, “Did your meal taste alright?” (It was alright but I couldn’t tell what it was.) The workers at the department store ask, if they aren’t busy chatting on the phone, “Can I help you find something?” Or, “Can I call another store to see if they have that item?” (They act all put out if you chance to answer in the affirmative.)

Then there are the questions from the male/female that is interested in you but you don’t return the feelings. “What are you doing Saturday night?” (You want to say, “Are you taking a survey?” But instead you say, “Nothing.”)

Or, “What’s your major?” (It’s pediatric medicine because I think feet are vital. I also have a minor in Zoology because I love animals.)

We look inside ourselves to answer religious questions like: “Who’s on the Lord’s Side? Who?” "Err you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?”; “Where is heaven? Is it very far?”

How about those questions you ask others? “Who left the toilet seat up?”; “Are you crazy?”; "Watch where you’re going, Mr.! What? Are you blind?”;”What the heck do you think you’re doing?” (If you’re a mother) “Is it time for bed yet?” Or, “What do you want now?” “

There are questions we are asked every day. For example: “What’s for dinner?”(My mom always said,”Sauerkraut and weenies”.);”What time is it?” (Time to get a watch!) ; From my 4 year old,”Will you wipe me?” ; From my 8 year old,” Where are my shoes?” (”I haven’t seen them.” )

But what about those deeper questions that we may not fully understand right now like: “What’s love got to do with it?”;” How Deep is Your Love?”;” What do you do in the summer time?”; When it comes to stewed prunes, is three enough? Is four too many?”; "Where’s the beef?”; "How do you solve a problem like Maria?”; "Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near?”; “Who let the dogs out?”; “Can I borrow your towel? My car just hit a water buffalo.”

I don’t know if I’ll ever figure any of these things out. I’ll just keep them in the back of my mind until one day the answers come and I wonder, “What was I thinking?”

So, what deep questions lurk in the back of your mind?

Labor Day?

2007-09-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

I’ve always wondered what exactly Labor Day was really for. When I was young my Dad woke us up early with The Cougar fight song and made us work. When we complained and said that it was a holiday, he’d reply that it was Labor Day and that meant we needed to labor. So we pulled weeds or something just as stimulating. We probably considered forming a labor union against holiday work. Then, is it to celebrate the formation of the first such union?

I personally think it is to acknowledge all those billions of women who put their bodies through heck to keep the human race alive. “Labor” deserves at least one Monday off from work. But, then that doesn’t work either. The children are still home on that day because they don’t have school. When I’m POTUS, I’m going to make children go to school longer than the regular school day. Then that would really give the ones who labored to bring them into the world a break. Maybe I’ll even have a Labor Day Sleep-over Program. While we’re at it, there could be a 15-24 hour period of simulated labor for all males to endure. That would open their eyes, not to mention give them stretch marks and hemorrhoids. For at least a few days they would show gratitude for their wives.

Or, perhaps Labor Day is designed to allow road construction laborers a day off from doing and redoing the same projects. They’ve got to be just as sick of seeing the same drivers day after day as we are to see them. There’s always that darn sign holder who makes more money standing there than most lawyers and doctors. Maybe I should get a job doing that. Do you have to see to hold up the stop sign? I think I could direct traffic just fine.

But, I digress. What are your thoughts on why there is a holiday called Labor Day? Was it created just to have a limit to how long people could wear white? Was it the birthday of the first rail road laborer? Does anyone know, or are you all out pulling weeds?

Pups & Poops

2007-09-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Everyone poops. I know this. But do they have to poop on my floor?

For the last 6 weeks I have been the proud mother of 5 new puppies! Well, not the mother exactly, just the lactation specialist. Our Pug and a Yorky friend had “Porkies”. I was hesitant about the whole idea but my husband wanted to breed and sell some designer dogs. I learned that this means you take 2 pure bread dogs of different breeds. They become good friends and their posterity become “designer”. This is the newest thing in Dogland.

“They’ll take care of themselves.” My husband said. “You won’t have to do a thing.” This was his response when I expressed my non excitement about the whole thing. I gave into his puppy dream and some time later our home became a bit more crowded. It also became a bit more fun and frequented by many of the neighborhood children.

When the puppies were born, their mother, Lucy, wanted nothing to do with them. She had no interest in nursing or cleaning them. So, we had to lay her down and hold her there while the puppies nursed. This was my life for 5 weeks. Every few hours I fed the dogs and cleaned them. Now, don’t freak out. I didn’t clean them like a dog would. I’m not that much of a die hard!

As they got older and could walk, I found a new meaning to walking by faith. I found many little treats on my carpet by Braille. It’s pretty sad when you’re scared to walk in your own home for fear of stepping in poo-poo. I have a very strong testimony of
409 and bleach!

Lest you think it was all horrible, I must say that I love those adorable little puppies! They all have such fun personalities. It’s fun to play with them and hold them as they curl up to sleep. They are easier to interact with than the children. They don’t say mean things either. Yesterday, we sold 2 of them. When the first one left, I cried. It was so sad to lose one of the little ones I had raised thus far. We have only 2 left. I am glad and sad to see them leave the nest. Needless to say, I’ll be calling the carpet cleaners ASAP! But it’ll have to wait until I have a nap. I’m exhausted from the whole experience!

Today's Household Silly Tivia

2008-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

1. Reheat PizzaBlock quote startBlock quote startHeat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove,set the heat to medium-low and heat till warm.This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza.I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.2. Easy Deviled EggsPut cooked egg yolks in a zip-lock bag.Seal, mash till they are all broken up.Add remainder of the ingredients,reseal the bag, keep mashing it up, mixing thoroughly,cut the tip of the baggie, and then squeeze the mixture into the eggs.Just throw the bag away when done -- easy clean up.3. Expanding FrostingWhen you buy a container of cake frosting from the store,whip it with your mixer for a few minutes.You can double it in size.You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount.You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.4. Reheating refrigerated breadTo warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated,place them in a microwave with a cup of water.The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.5. Newspaper keeps weeds awayIn your garden, when you start planting in your plants,work the nutrients into the soil. Then put layers ofwet newspapers around the plants, overlapping as you go.Cover with mulch and forget about weeds.Weeds will grow through some gardening plastic,but they will not grow through wet newspapers.6. Broken GlassUse a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick upthe small shards of glass you can't see easily.7. No More MosquitoesPlace a dryer sheet (e.g. Bounce) in your pocket.It will keep the mosquitoes away.8. Squirrel Away!To keep squirrels from eating your plants,sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper.The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plants,but the squirrels won't come near it.9. Flexible vacuumTo get something out of a heat registeror under the fridge add an empty paper towel rollor empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum.It can be bent or flattened to slip into narrow openings.10. Reducing Static ClingPin a small safety pin to the seam of your slipand you will not have a clingy skirt or dress.The same thing works with slacks thatcling when wearing panty hose.Place the pin in the seam of the slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.11. Measuring CupsBefore you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water.Then dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup.Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter,and watch how easily it comes right out.12. Foggy Windshield?Hate foggy windshields?Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep itin the glove compartment of your car.When the windows fog, rub them with the eraser!!It works better than a cloth, a Kleenex or your smudgy hand!13. Reopening an envelopeIf you seal an envelope and then realizeyou forgot to include something inside,just place your sealed envelope in the freezerfor an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.14. ConditionerUse your hair conditioner to shave your legs.It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream andleaves your legs really smooth. It's alsoa great way to use up the conditioner youbought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...15. Goodbye Fruit FliesTo get rid of pesky fruit flies,take a small glass fill it 1/2" with apple cider vinegar and 2 drops ofdish washing liquid, and mix well.You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!16. Get Rid of AntsPut small piles of cornmeal where you see ants.They eat it, take it "home", but can't digest it,so it kills them. It may take a week or so,especially if it rains, but it works and youdon't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!17. Info about Clothes DryersThe heating unit went out on my dryer!The gentleman who fixes things around the housefor us went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter.It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.) But he told us thathe wanted to show us something, whereupon he took the filter over to the sink, and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material, and the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!It didn't run through it at all!He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh,and that film is what burns out the heating unit.You can't SEE the film, but it's there.It's the ingredient in the dryer sheets that makes your clothes soft,static free and fragrant too -- that waxiness on the dryer sheets --which builds up on your clothes and particularly on your lint screen.This is also ! what ca uses dryer units to catch fire and potentiallyburn your house down! Our handyman said the best way to keep your dryer working for a long time (and simultaneously reduce your electric bill) is to take that filter out andwash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.He said that can double the life of the dryer!Block quote endBlock quote end

"Our Most Cherished Responsibility"

2008-01-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

I found this quote this morning and it slapped me in the face! I have to keep reminding myself again and again that being a mother to my cute boys is really so important and worth the struggle. More important than everything else I want to do or get done. When they drive me crazy, which is most of the time, they are still my priority.
I wanted to share these fantastic truths.
"We should cherish and care for our children with unwavering dedication. The older we grow, the more precious our family becomes to us.
We come to see more clearly that all of the wealth, honor, and positions of the world pale in significance when compared to the precious souls of our loved ones. You young parents who are beginning your families must guard against seeking financial gain, worldly comforts, or achievement at the expense of your children. You must guard against being so anxious to get to work or to a meeting that you do not have time for your family, especially time to listen to anxious little voices. . . .
"We cannot and we
must not allow the school, community, television, or even Church organizations to establish our children's values. The Lord has placed this duty with mothers and fathers. It is one from which we cannot escape and one that cannot be delegated. Others may help, but parents remain accountable."

(M. Russell Ballard, "Teach the Children," Ensign, May 1991, 79-80)

Hallelujah!

2007-12-09T18:08:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely grateful to Heavenly Father for his tender caring for my family. For 9 years my husband and I have been taking our sons to Primary Children’s Hospital for exams under anesthesia (EUA). Every few months we have taken them to be evaluated for retinoblastoma. Child #1 was tested for 4 years without cancer being manifested. When #2 came along, we had genetic testing done on both boys. It was determined that #1 did not carry the gene but that #2 did. Thus, #1 no longer needed to be tested but #2 still needed to be examined every 2 months. (Follow?) It has been an ordeal to wonder and worry, each time, if the doctor would walk out with news we didn’t want to hear and which would change everything. However, we felt that they would be alright.

This last week was #2’s last EUA!!! He was completely clear of the disease. He will be checked in the office every 6 months but doesn’t have to be put under any longer.

At age 5, the likelihood of having the cancer is almost nonexistent. It has been necessary to have them under anesthesia to keep them from moving and/or bumping the instruments used in the exam which could cause serious eye problems. Now that the five year mark has been reached without cancer, #2 can be checked at a regular check up. My heart is so thankful. The doctor was amazed that we have “dodged the bullet”. I think that he really expected cancer after the genetic test results. But, Father has protected my sweet boys. I certainly did not want them to have to go through what I have in my life.

As a young teen-ager, I was counseled by a good doctor that I should never have children. He explained that if I found that I was pregnant, I should abort the baby. This crushed me. I thought of my own life and that I deserved to live even with my cancer and eye problems. Wouldn’t my child deserve life as well? Of course. Other medical professionals advised me in a similar manner to not have children who would likely have cancer. I have trusted Father and he led me in the decision to have both children. In his infinite kindness and perfect plan, he has heard my prayers and the prayers of many others. Neither of my boys have had this horrid disease! I am so grateful. I can physically feel the thanks in my heart. It’s hard to explain with words, but I can literally feel gratitude inside.

I also appreciate all my family and friends who have helped through these years in so many ways. Thank you! I know that the Lord’s hand is in my life more than I may notice. It is fabulous that the 9 years has come to an end without cancer!

New Phot Contest!

2007-10-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Alright. We played along with Bartimius and his darling side kick. Now it’s time for some more fun. Only this time, I get to set the rules. (Mrs. Dub, use your real identity. We like you just the way you are.) Here is the deal. Below, I’m imagining a photo that I snapped while on vacation. The trouble is that I live with the lense cap on. So, let me tell you what I notice and you can create the perfect journal entry for my cute scrap book. (You should see it. Heck, I should see it.)

OK. I hear the sounds of people screaming, babies crying and loud rumbling noises surround me. A seagull screeched too close to my head. My feet stick slightly to the ground and I feel like I’m spinning as I walk. I smell elephant poop and popcorn. The sun is very hot and I need a drink. I hear trickling water off to my right and move toward it. Something or someone tugs on my shirt. I feel something hairy brush against my arm and I scream.

Imagine and compose for future posterity.

In the News!

2007-10-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a blurb from the local paper covering an event that some how I got roped into. I enjoyed speaking at 3 assemblies to over 625 students. We had a good time together. Hopefully, when they need it, the students will remember what we spoke together about.

102207 NC Freesign
Matt Snarr courtesy photo Red Ribbon Week included making a sign of themselves spelling ÒFREEÓ on the school playground for students at Renaissance Academyin north Lehi on Friday.ÊThe theme for the week-long program was ÒBorn to be Free.Ó ÒThis means free from drugs, gossip, bad feelings, bullies, bad wordsand free to make healthy choices for our bodies and minds,Ó said Michelle Porcelli, school family engagement committee member.
images/buythisphoto
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Academy students are 'Born to be Free'
PDF Print E-mail
Cathy Allred - NORTH COUNTY STAFF
Renaissance Academy students had a busy week of activities for Red Ribbon Week including making a sign of themselves spelling "FREE" on the school playground.
Red Ribbon Week at the charter school focused on more things than just drugs, Michelle Porcelli, school family engagement committee member, said in an e-mailinterview. The theme for the program was "Born to be Free."
"This means free from drugs, gossip, bad feelings, bullies, bad words and free to make healthy choices for our bodies and minds," Porcelli wrote.
The week's activities included an assembly with Dr. Rebecca Johnson discussing over the counter and illegal drugs and Kris Belcher, who lost her eye andsight to cancer, and discussed bullies, acceptance and disabilities.
"It went really well," wrote Belcher in an e-mail interview. "The students were very responsive to my comments at the assemblies. I taught them they had"Super Powers."
She explained how, when she was little, she would run down the steep hill on which I lived and pretend to be Superman as I ran and tried to fly.
"The students may not be able to fly, but they have a super power within them," she said. "That power is the power to choose their actions, words, attitudes.If they are being bullied, they can leave and report the problem. They don't have to stick around for the mistreatment."
Children have the power to choose how they will treat other people, especially those who may look or act different from themselves was taught during theweek.
"They can use their words to hurt or help others," Belcher said. "I think they caught the vision and hopefully it made a difference for someone."
Students also signed a pledge banner and tied ribbons around the fence. Parents gathered the teacher's baby pictures and had the students guess whom theybelonged too to go with the theme "Born to Be Free."
There were assemblies, prizes and fun activities for the students, Porcelli said.
Students wore a friendship bracelet all week for a chance at a prize. Each bracelet was red, yellow, orange, pink or black representing different traitsand students were asked to do something representing the traits of the bracelet they wore.
Tuesday, Oct. 16, was Red Day and students wore red polos for their school assembly. The next day was "Born to be Free" pajama day, Oct. 18 was "Turn YouBack to Drugs" day and students wore their Renaissance cloths backwards. "Team up Against Drugs" day was Oct. 19 and kids got to wear their favorite teamapparel whether it was soccer, gymnastics, football or other team activity.Article views: 115

Purification by Fire!

2007-10-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

I was scared to death! What had my child done? I was shampooing my hair in the shower, (don’t picture it.) when the piercing rings of the fire alarm began. I wrapped up in a towel and ran to the kitchen with soapy hair and water dripping everywhere. The screaming alarm had ceased, but I was worried nevertheless.

“I heard the noise, Mommy.” Child #2 said innocently as he met me in the kitchen.

Of course I asked in a panic if he had gotten down the matches. Just two days before, he and a few friends had been playing “camping” under the deck. At least half the large match box had been used in an attempt to light their” camp fire”. They had told me at the time that they had been burned but they were fine. I spoke to all the boys and explained the danger of playing with matches and had them collect all the discarded sticks. I hid the remainder of the unused matches; so, I thought

So, I had reason for concern to say the least. My innocent child reported he had just been playing with toys and had heard the alarm. I instructed him to stay out of the kitchen. He went back into the playroom to resume his play and I returned to desoap. Well, a few minutes later, the alarm screams sounded once more. I again panicked. I wondered if my sweet Smokey the Bear was playing camping again or if the alarm needed the batteries changed. (It’s always good to have another line of thought so I’m not always blaming the children. But, I’m not naive.)

It took longer for the alarm to stop this time. Smokey explained that a box of matches had fallen out of the cupboard and one match fell out. That had made the alarm go off. I calmly had him bring me the box and the match that had so unexpectedly fallen out. I hadn’t known there was another box within reach.

Later, the boys and I were in the playroom and I found about 10 used matches behind the TV. There was also a marshmallow stuck onto several matches. (I’m not kidding!)

“Were you roasting marshmallows?” I asked. A quiet “yes” was the answer. The carpet was a bit melted in spots and there was ash on the floor. It is a miracle that was the only damage.

Wow! I feel baffled at my child and extremely grateful to Father in Heaven for protecting him, myself and our home.

Child #1 commented,”I don’t understand why he would do something like that when he knows better.”
“Hmmm.”, was my reply. (Something about kettles and black came to mind.)
It is a bit scary to not be able to see or smell the smoke or see what the child is doing. I’m praying for direction on how to firmly teach the “not playing with matches” lecture. James says we could always handle it like his father did. “He just pulled down my pants and burned my butt.” (Do we say butt?)”I never played with matches again.”
Any ideas?

Thank You!

2007-10-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

It was such a great feeling! At the end of the day, yesterday, every hamper in the house was empty. Now, they weren’t emptied onto the floor, as is usually the case in the boy’s room. But I had done load after load of laundry and got it folded and put away. (OK, there was one still drying when I retired to bed.) For just a few minutes I was caught up on the washing, drying, and putting away of all the dirty clothing in the house.
I stood in amazement of my hard work and thought, “It’s too bad no one else in this home even notices that I’ve done all this. No one thanks me or stands in awe of my housewifeliness.”
So, I thought I would thank myself and all those out there who work so hard to keep the laundry done. It doesn’t stay done for more than a few minutes, but for the briefest of seconds you have concluded a monumental task! Don’t think nobody notices because I do. I know there were many things you would have rather done than touch gross clothing from your children’s floor. You don’t necessarily enjoy folding other people’s underwear (I hope.). You do it out of love for your family. Or is it to stop the stench from filtering out of the children’s room? Maybe it is due to getting tired of everyone saying, “Have you seen my blue socks? Where are my pants?” You think or perhaps mutter, “They’re in the dryer. They’ve been wandering around the house on their own for weeks. Someone had to take action.” Whatever the cause, I thank you, you noble launderers/laundresses! Without you, this world would be one smelly mess!

Halloween Trauma

2007-10-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

I understand now why my mother wouldn’t let us discuss our Halloween costumes until October. It didn’t seem fair as a child, but now that I’m on the other end of things, I think it’s a pretty good rule.
Our #1 child has been planning his costume since last October. I’ve put him off again and again until now. This is due to it now being October, unfortunately. He’s been looking at mailers from stores that we’ve received and begging us to be the creepiest things. For example, last week he freaked out because I said he couldn’t be Dark Lord Skull Child (which James said was another name for Satan) or the Flying Reaper. It isn’t fair that we say no to the bloody skeleton (which is the mild one). We don’t agree that he should be the evil jester (which he tells me is just a clown, “What’s the matter with being a clown, Mom?”). Of course there’s always Zombie punk skater which has a Mohawk and skull underwear which show from the top of the ripped shorts that the skating zombie wears. Oh, “he is just wearing a bracelet, Mom.” Well, the “bracelets are really spiked leather wrist bands that match the spiked choker around his neck. I don’t know why I am not thrilled with that one. The Death Rider is another favorite. He wants to go to the DI and find a leather biker jacket he can rip up for that ensemble. The one he may have settled for is the Street Mime. Tell me why that one appeals. I think it could be due to the fact that the one in the add has a goatee. He thinks it is a bit creepy with the white face. I’m not arguing with that one because I told him that if he was a mime, he would have to be silent the entire day of Halloween. I might end up liking the holiday after all.
What happened to the days of dressing up as a Hobo, witch, baby or even Donny and Marie? I was Marie one year and just put foil over a screw driver for a microphone and JELL-O ed my hair back. That was so cool. This was the one year in which I was something other than a Gipsy. I always wore mom’s hand painted Mexican skirt and a blouse from Jerusalem. I’m not sure how that made a Gipsy, though. But, Mom didn’t have to do much for that one. I did love it for the first few years.
Child #2 is happy to be Batman or Scooby Doo. It is too bad child #1 won’t go for something like that. Instead we have to persuade him that he doesn’t need to look like Satan. “Halloween is for scaring, Mom. It’s not for being Christ like!”

The Pulpit revisited

2007-09-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

You may recall the spectacle in Sacrament meeting from a few weeks back. To refresh your mind, I’ll site it again:

This past Sunday, James and I were asked to say the prayers in sacrament meeting. I love to pray, but now that I am blind, it gets a bit more difficult than before. We usually sit near the front so that I don’t have a long way to cane while everyone watches me go to the podium. After I have said the prayer in the past, I have a lot of people pat me on the shoulder and tell me, in a sweet little voice, what a wonderful job I do and how brave I am. While I try to be a good sport, it is a bit much for just saying a prayer.
Well, this week we kicked the embarrassment level up a notch. I was all prepared to cane my way up to the stand with a smile on my face. We were positioned on the second row so I wouldn’t have far to go. Now, you may be asking why James doesn’t just walk me up there. If he does then we have Benji crying because he wants to come and Christopher who follows because he doesn’t want to be left alone. So, instead of making it a family affair, I find it just as simple to get myself up to the podium. Well, when the meeting was over, the first counselor conducting, said,” We’ll now close with a closing prayer by Sister Belcher. We’ve asked Ty Porter, one of our deacons, to walk Kris up here.” Just then, I felt someone sit down by me. It was Ty. I swallowed my glee (pride) and took his arm to go to the front. He did pretty well guiding me. That is, he did pretty well up until the point where he said, “Here is the podium” and walked away. So, I took a step toward the audience and there was no podium. He had left me several feet from it. The Bishop thought I was going to fall over the edge of the rostrum and sent both counselors to help save me. They each grabbed an arm and did a kind of shuffle step sideways and not very softly, I might add. “Here’s the podium. No, wait. Yep, there you go.” Was the whispered dialog. By that time I am ready to scream! But, I remained calm and just smiled as I stood there collecting myself enough to pray. Wow! Who knew church could be so entertaining. I knew that everyone was just trying to help (even though I didn’t ask for it). I worked at being gracious and then tried for the next two hours to stop shaking my head in disbelief. Being blind isn’t all it’s cracked up to be no matter what anyone says.
Next time I am asked to pray in sacrament meeting, I’m going to have my little deacon guide dog just bring me a roving microphone! Amen.

Present day…
So, today was a fast and testimony meeting. I really wanted to share my testimony. I did want to show the ward and the bishopric that I was capable of walking on my own, but this was not the motivation for going up to the stand. I was praying for the Spirit to fill up my empty cup. So, right after the counselor finished, I got my cane and made my way to the stand. Another person was at the pulpit so I sat in a chair. When he was done, I stood and walked toward the microphone. Well, the brother leaving the pulpit grabbed my arm and said “Let me help you.” I told him I was fine and kept going. Someone on the stand said loudly, “Stop!” and Benji yelled from the audience, “You’ve gone too far, Mom!” Another person, I think a bishopric member grabbed my arm as well and said, “Over here.” I think I told him to let go of me and turned to go to the pulpit. I hadn’t missed the mark by much and wouldn’t have missed it at all if they had just left me alone. I literally felt like a caged animal. I only wanted to share my testimony and by the time I got there, the Spirit was not with me. I was frazzled and a bit irritated. I took a deep breath and proceeded. I began by saying, “I wanted to come up here, not only to show the bishopric that I could walk on my own but to share my testimony.”

I wrongly assumed that if they had all seen me walk up the stairs alone that they would get that I could make it the rest of the way. I guess that was to much to assume. I finished my testimony and returned by myself to my pew. I am about to give up. I just wish I could see again. It’s times like these that drive it home strongly. But, I still get to be “the blind lady” of my world. The good news is that Benji says I’ll be getting my new eyes in a few years. Until then, can you help me to the stand?

Buttons & Prayers

2007-09-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

Putting the kids to bed can be exhausting! At the end of the day, I am ready for some quiet time. Let’s face it, I need a time out for at least 12 hours.
The other night, it seemed we’d never get the children to sleep or that they’d stay in their beds. We had family prayer and child #2 wanted to say it. Well, he prayed, “bless Mom to have another baby and help Jesus to be reverent in church.” I don’t know if he saw something I didn’t in church, or if he was trying to remind himself of proper church etiquette. I’ll guarantee the plea for another baby won’t come true though. We read scriptures, tucked them in and said goodnight.
About 10 minutes later, child #1 comes in our room and says, “There’s a button stuck in my nose!” We think he’s just trying to stay awake and don’t really believe him. He explained that he was lying in bed and a button off his bed spread came off and just fell into his nose. The buttons on his bedspread are quite large and don’t tend to fall into noses. If it was in there, it was way up there. It definitely had to have a lot of help being crammed up that far. James got all disgusted with him and couldn’t believe he would cram a large button into a small whole. After all, he is 8 years old, for the love of Pete! After much prying and near surgery via the hands of a florist, the button surfaced. He was right. It was one of his buttons off his bed. If it truly fell in remains to be proven.
So, what outrageous prayers have you heard and what items have “fallen” into your nose or those you know and love?

More Me

2007-08-27T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for more from Fris, you can go here. (Mine is the one entitled "Leading with Love.")

Saturday is a special day?

2007-08-26T04:44:00.000-07:00

I’d like to meet the person who wrote that primary song and see what fantasy land he/she lives in. A special day? For sure. Today was definitely one special Saturday. I woke up determined to keep my cool and be so sweet to my darling boys as we did our Saturday jobs. Well, that lasted for a few minutes. We cleaned the house and cleaned the house. We (I) washed our clothes and shampooed our hair. I finally got my shower around noon. I even washed the dog. Don’t worry, I didn’t do those things at the same time.

It is difficult to be the only parent home on Saturdays to teach my children how to work. As I work with them - (prod them with a cattle prod) - I think to myself, “I can’t believe I get to do all this without seeing a dang thing!” Those cute boys know how to tell me that a job is completed when it really isn’t. I figure it out after they have left to play. I know all kids do that, but it bugs me that they can stand there and lie and get away with it.

They worked pretty well today. It is usually a lot worse. I hold onto the vacuum with Benji and walk back and forth with him to teach him how to do it. I work along side Christopher so he’ll stay on track. Of course, I have a trash bag and fill it up with junk while they aren’t watching. (I’m not the only one being duped.)

Now I understand why Dad was such a sweetie pie (not) on Saturdays. It is exhausting to get things done and teach children while doing it. I guess it would be easier if both parties worked happily. That’s something to work toward. Maybe next week.

Greetings & Salutations!

2007-08-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! This is a place for my mind to find once more the creativity it used to possess. So, join me on this blogging journey. As Captain Stubing said, “Come aboard. We’re expecting you.” (Feel free to burst into song, play shuffle board or go to the bar to find Isaac under all that hair.)