{a little inspiration}

I've been thinking about things that inspire me.

I've been so blessed to have such a sweet mother-in-law and people often tell me . . .

"She's the salt of the earth."  She really is.

Last week, Sweet Laura had a doctor's appointment before she came to stay with us.  Her appointment was REALLY early and after the appointment she felt she needed some food before she could drive very far.  She stopped at an iHop.  She asked the waitress the cost of a cup of hot chocolate. (It was a COLD morning.)

$2.09 

Sweet Laura is a smart girl and remembers the effects of the Great Depression.  I'm sure her face said it all.  She replied, "I believe I'll just have water."  After bringing her food, the waitress returned with a cup of hot chocolate saying . . .

 "Have some hot chocolate, it's on me."

Yep, it made me cry and inspired me.  I've prayed for that sweet waitress.

Laura is sweet like that herself.  

I'm thankful she gave me these beautiful bowls.  When I look at them, I want to be beautiful too - on the inside.

Other things also inspire me.  

I have WONDERFUL parents.  On Saturday morning, we were privileged to help clean our church. 

My parents volunteered the same day!

My dad saw me and called me "gorgi-boofer," which is the family word combination for gorgeous + beautiful!  While it is true that all fathers are blind when it comes to their daughters, my dad really is blind.  

(He has 9 daughters so I still like to think that he knows something about "gorgi-boofer" girls.)

He is legally blind and has almost no vision due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.  His willingness to volunteer inspired me although I had no idea what he was going to do.   

I only had my iPhone but I couldn't resist:

He walked around the entire, LARGE building dusting all the "chair railing."  My mom is just as amazing.  I'm a lucky girl . . . and very inspired to be better.

"I plead with you that you be happy in your work.  Wear a smile on your face, and have a song in your heart as you serve the Lord.  I am an old man now.  I simply do not have the energy to do what I once did.  But I will not permit myself to be unhappy in doing what I can."

                      - President Gordon B. Hinckley

{just my luck}

Today was my lucky day!

I got to spend my day with these BEAUTIFUL ladies . . .

As well as these BEAUTIFUL ladies . . .

Jealous???  That's what I expected.  Sorry!
I'm just lucky like that.

I don't always have perfect luck . . . I only had my iPhone camera (and they still look gorgeous!).

What did we do?

Just boring things like make-up counters, shoe department, clothes, lots of laughs, made plans for the BALL . . . picked up a few books to help with our upcoming trip.  Nothing too interesting so I hope you aren't feeling left out.  We really wish you'd been there.

India's 12th birthday will pretty much be FANTASTIC after shopping today.  She's getting some REALLY great stuff.  I know because Kelly & Rachel helped me find the PERFECT gifts.  (They also kept India entertained so I could make the purchases!)  

It was SOOOOO fun!

I did promise to show you what my sweet Laura gave me yesterday . . .

Isn't it beautiful!  I LOVE crystal bowls. :)

She actually gave me TWO!  The second non-identical bowl is also beautiful! I even took lovely pictures of them together.  As luck would have it, I ran out of space for pictures in Blogosphere.  I have no idea if I can delete extra pictures but I did purchase MORE space!  Guess what!  Luck . . . it "may not be available for 24 hours."  Apparently, they were serious and I'm out of space.  You will have to come back to see the lovely pair.  Laura is ever-so sweet and thoughtful.  I'm so glad she thought of me when she wanted to give them a new home.  She claims she wasn't using them . . . I will!  What should I serve in them first?

{an eclectic day}

Here I am posting about my day after midnight!

Thursday was nothing like what I had planned but it was still a great day.  My blog still looks the same (and so does my house).  Sometimes life gives us something better.  That was a tough lesson for me to learn. 

 Many years ago, I was a very busy girl with three little boys and big ideas.  I had a sweet friend and her children who would visit us EVERY afternoon.  Their visits coincided with Nolan's homework, cooking dinner and a myriad of to-dos.  It's embarrassing to admit but I NEVER stopped for their daily visits.  I was happy to see them and would visit with my friend while I continued with my tasks.  She would follow me around my house or sit and visit as I worked on whatever I was doing.  What was I thinking??  (I previously mentioned I'd never be a Hostessing Diva.  Please don't act surprised by my behavior.)

Then, I got sick.  I got really sick and was in a lot of pain.  By the end of the day, I was often wheelchair bound and in tears.  My friend and her children came to visit one afternoon after I had begun to get better.  I sat in the living room and as we began to visit she said, "Now you HAVE to sit and visit with me."  OUCH!  I deserved that!  She has since moved away.  What a dear friend to teach me a lesson I've never forgotten.

Time is the great equalizer.  Regardless of health, wealth, or interest it is the one thing in life that will always be fair - everyone has 24 hours in a day.

Today my mother-in-law, sweet Laura, came to visit - ALL day and she's staying the night!

I'm glad I changed my plans.  We visited!  We went to the Resale Shop!  We even stopped to visit with my mom and sister while we were out!  We had visitors for lunch!  (It got crazy so she went and sat by the pool.)  Too bad I didn't get more pictures!

The missionaries stopped by and shared our LEGENDARY "Mickey Sandwiches".  Six missionaries added to my crazy crowd is always a party!

I'm definitely not a hostessing diva.  I didn't care when my sweet India brought out snowman plates . . . in March.

It's been a FABULOUS day!  We had more visitors drop by this evening and I was thinking - it's ALL GOOD.  Tomorrow, I'll show you what my sweet Laura brought me!

{my blog and distractions}

It's Spring Break and I had BIG plans! 

The week is not over and I still have hope. 

My internet was having technical difficulties until late last night.  (*sigh* Sir Thomas is my hero!)

 I'm just now getting to blog for the first time this week. 

One of my BIG plans was "operating" on my blog.  

I still need to learn how to do so many things! 

Not to mention, I want it to look really great!

Some of the distractions:

1. NO internet

2. Cute kids

3. Pesky pets

India is a #2.  She's abetting a #3.

Can you see why we are distracted?  Raja is TOO cute and India is smitten.

She would much rather attend to Raja than anything on my list!

(I actually sympathize.)

Rambo is NOT my dog.  He is a #3 and belongs to Keaton.  

My problem?  He wants to be a lap dog - my lap dog.

How I wish I had crazy photo-editting talent.  Can't you picture me with Rambo in a cute cozy around my neck like India and Raja?!?!?

Rambo thinks he is like Raja.  Dog = Dog

He stays under my feet, keeps his head in my lap, and begs for attention.

Blogland impressions of me are important so I included the pictures of me smiling . . . making him look endearing.  Rambo, please go find your boy now.

Problem #1 has been corrected and I hope #2 & #3 are willing to cooperate! :)

My fingers are crossed!

{missionary moments}

We love having the missionaries live behind our home!  

I could create and entire "missionary moments" blog 

. . . and it would be AMAZING!

This post is not just about our backyard missionaries.  There are three sets of "elders" living in our area along with another great companionship living in Orange.  

These are real people with real birthdays so we like to celebrate! 

Saturday, March 5, was Elder Orndorff's birthday (pictured on the right).

His companion, Elder Kemp's birthday was Monday, February 28.

How cool is that?!  Birthdays in the same week!

Saturday morning, March 5, was Birthday Breakfast time!

These are not "our" backyard missionaries but we're so glad they come over anyway!

(Everyone has to love the inflatable birthday cake!) 

Such a great group of guys!  We count our blessings that they not only tolerate Rambo but seem to like him!

Not everything went exactly as scheduled.  Sir Thomas created a delicious breakfast quiche . . . which wasn't ready on time.  :(   Never fear!  I served store bought pastries for "First Breakfast."  Does that make me a REALLY BAD hostess or just a BAD hostess?

I should clarify.  If I had my own cooking show I would title it: "The Distracted Chef". 

I get terribly distracted when I cook.  I always intend to come right back . . .

Sadly, I have found myself exercising and wondering what was burning.  Dinner!?  I ONLY left for a moment to start a load of laundry.  HOW did I manage to end up exercising while the food burned?

So, India presented them her precious handmade cards.  Then, we sent them off to be missionaries while we got everything ready for "Second Breakfast" . . . to be served around the time of a traditional lunch. ;)

While the quiche finished cooking, I made myself STAY in the kitchen to make cookies.  I'd been promising Keaton some homemade oreos and this appeared to be a great day to make them.  

Homemade Oreos are my kid's favorite!  

I should make them more often.

I always make the UGLY kind but my darling friend, Janene, rolls hers out so they're PRETTY. 

Who doesn't want to be like Janene??  Exactly!  

I rolled my cookies.

(You can visit her lovely blog and make her cookies: Super Yummy Homemade Oreos)

(P.S. She's currently on vacation and I didn't get permission first but I'm really excited because this is the first time I've copied a link!!!  I feel successful!)

This blog is probably too long anyway so I won't post ALL the pictures from "Second Breakfast" but at least these guys didn't complain!

Happy Birthday Kemp & Orndorff!  I hope your wishes come true!

Some days I feel really lousy.  

No, Saturday wasn't perfect.  I served homemade cookies instead of homemade cheesecake.  

Check out the styrofoam cups!  Nice.  

I'll never be a diva! 

"First Breakfast" was a bit of a disaster, 

thankfully we had enough salsa to garnish the quiche for "Second Breakfast."  :)

Yet, it's still a really great life and these guys are so amazing!  I thank them for showing up, smiling, and always coming back for more of our craziness.  

If missionaries knock on your door . . . let them in!