Grandma Jo and Grandpa Gary

Lately I've been a bit distracted (sorry to those who are waiting on me). Grandma Jo (she's my bio-dad's wife, my stepmom and Grandma to my kids) is in a coma. Her surgeries went well, so we're just playing the waiting game for her to come out of the coma (they took her off the breathing machine recently, she's breathing on her own). If you're the praying type, please include her in your prayers for a healthy recovery.

Jo is a lovely lady (even if she weren't related). Her kindness radiates and you can't help but feel good around her. She and my bio-dad came into my life when I was 25, and I feel richer because of that. Not that I felt I was missing something, but the addition has been fun. They taught me how to play my favorite game, Mexican Trains (dominoes), and I'm extremely grateful for that ;)

She's active at her church in Candy Kitchen, NM, line dances on a regular basis, is an avid walker and great entertainer. Not like Cedric The Entertainer, but like having people over and socializing. My paternal grandmother lives in San Diego, CA alone, but Jo and Gary make a point to get over to see her on a regular basis without making her feel incompetent. Jo remembers our birthdays, anniversaries and holidays like clockwork (that's not my strong suit, so I admire that quality in others). She's enjoyable to be around, talk to and call a friend.

That's the snippet on Grandma Jo, but there's more that involves Grandpa Gary...
Long story short, this is my bio-dad, Gary (I call him "dad," but some get confused because I call my dad that raised me "Daddy" instead of stepdad). He wasn't around from when I was 2 until I was 25, but it's kinda creepy how much alike we are. His sense of humor is similar to mine, we are both dang smart (teehee) and he's sooo non-drama. So much non-drama that he didn't bother to tell me about Jo's recent condition right away (a couple weeks) or how his gall bladder had to be removed in an emergency surgery during all the hooplah. I can see a little why he didn't want to bother us with the bad news, hoping she'd pull out of it and he could call with good news, but next time (if you're reading this) I'd sure like to know much sooner than later ;)

Here we are at Sundance a few years ago when they came to visit. We all had a blast (and we played more Mexican Trains than you could imagine, and I could've played more).
Piper liked getting cozy with Grandma Jo while watching a movie. I absolutely love Jo's smiles :)
Piper likes to do this weird face when I have the camera pointing at her. But I loved this one of Jo and couldn't pass up the chance to show her off.

Gas

This might come as a shock to my mother (she thinks she knows everything about me), but I don't pay attention to how much I pay at the gas pump. Here's my thought... if I pay attention, I'll know how much I'm getting raked over the coals. I claim ignorance and, they say, ignorance is bliss. Blissful indeed until I figured it out today.

At Costco in Woodinville today (the sheriff was in line and I selectively chose a lane far away... you know, just in case), the lanes for the driver side pumps were a mile long (it felt like it was, but we all know Costco's parking lot isn't THAT big) so I bellied up to a passenger side pump that had a max of three cars waiting (I also say "belly up to the bar" and I don't even drink alcohol, or serve alcohol, for that matter, but I still say it and I won't stop, in case you're wondering), figuring that I can pull the line across the back to the driver side where my tank is.

As a side note to this little story: the picture of the gas pump on your dash does NOT necessarily tell you which side your tank is on, contrary to this little legend (but wouldn't that make sense and why DON'T the auto manufacturers make it so, sheesh, I'm tired of cranking my head out the window to see which side mine is on --- no, I don't have a good enough memory to just know without looking sometimes).

As ANOTHER side note, this story isn't about which side of the car my tank is on.

Back to the original point of this post.

I paid $3.53 at Costco and drove by a Chevron a couple miles away that listed the same grade of gas for $3.75... that's 22 cents a GALLON! At that rate for 20 gallons I saved $4.40 today and spent it on a Kid's Meal Crisp Chicken Burrito Meal at Taco Time to celebrate (psst, I didn't have a kid with me)!

As another side note... the new BBQ Chipotle Chicken Burrito at TT is tasty but waaaayy too messy for any normal person to put up with.

{EDIT... yeah, it's $3.53 and $3.75, respectively, and I've made the change; see, I don't pay attention to gas prices! LOL}

It's About Time

Grey's ... is ... baaaaack (phew).

We're having a new family (moved from AZ in Jan) over for dinner. They have two kids our kids' ages, she laughs at all my jokes and her hubby is computer savvy so it's a match made in heaven, right? :)

However, they just found out their oldest might have an allergy to food issue (no gluten, dairy and somethingorother; he can eat meat and veggies). It's a new discovery, so they're in the beginning phase of cutting everything out so they can narrow it down.

She will bring his own dinner so I don't have to worry about his restrictions, but I sure would like to figure out a way that I can accomodate him while still making fabulous eats. Without a planned menu, I'm open to suggestions that will get the ideas flowing. Maybe I'll just swing by Costco (I need gas anyway) and the dinner will plan itself (that place has a funny way of doing that).

Hey, did you hear about the latest rice and oil rationing going on at Costco and other grocery stores? Yikes!

Reaction Time

How fast are you?

Twilight Movie

Some clips, if you're interested, in the making of Twilight, the movie. I'm looking forward to the film (expected in theaters Dec. 12) and hope I enjoy it as much as I have the book series.

If you have NO IDEA (as this writer didn't) what I'm talking about, click here to see inside the first (Twilight), second (New Moon) and third (Eclipse) books by Stephenie Meyer.

Christmas Photos

We're way past Christmas (has it really been that long?) and I'm trying to organize this house. Seems that the places I thought would work for things aren't so I'm rearranging. Don't even get me started on the garage (looking forward to Ben making shelves so we can find stuff). We still haven't unpacked everything, so I wonder if my attempts to organize will be shot once we open the rest of the boxes.

Anywho... as I've been shuffling, I came across my precious Christmas photo cards and pictures that friends and family send every year.

For the record: I LOVE getting photos from friends and family, anytime of year.

But now I wonder what to do with them. They'll certainly not go in the trash (I don't throw friends and family in the trash, thank you). I'd rather them not spend the year in a box somewhere. There are too many for frames (although they all DESERVE a coveted spot in a frame, but I don't have the space to then put those frames). Not being a fan, the traditional peel and stick albums aren't an option, especially because I'd like to have them alphabetized then add to them each year.

Ooh, that reminds me of something that might work... but I still wanna know if you have ideas.

I diiiiid see a cutecutecute album thingy that a friend at church made for each of her girls. It was a SUUUPER simple idea, although she did WAY more than my short-attention-span could handle (in a scrapbooky sort of way). Right about now would be perfect for a visual aid, but I don't have one so you'll have to use your imagination.

It's an A to Z book. Each letter has it's own page. Each page has a picture of the subject of honor doing the particular letter, like: asleep for Sleeping, laughing for Joy, looking cute for Cute, holding a ball for Ball. Then each page had simple lettering added such as "S is for sleeping" applied with the S being a die cut. To finish, each page is laminated (thickly), hole-punched and attached using a simple binder ring (kinda like a skinny metal shower curtain ring) with matching ribbons knotted to it. SOOO cute!

Q: So do YOU have any ideas for the Christmas pictures?

Sell Your Kids

Didn't realize this really was an option until Piper mentioned it at bedtime tonight...

Me, way past bedtime having to tend to Piper again: Grrr, why aren't you guys asleep already?

Piper, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed: We're just not tired, I guess.

Me, ready for the AI results show: Well, you're driving me nuts!

Piper, as sweet as an angel: So are you going to take us out and sell us to another family?

Both of us: giggle ... giggle

Sunday, Sunday

Today I had the IMMENSE pleasure of getting my promised hug from CW in person! (It was great, by the way.)

As she, her sister (who came over from Coeur d' Alene, ID) and I sat under the Space Needle on the lush, green grass, enjoying the 70 degree loveliness, we pondered on all sorts of life oddities. One particular subject was that of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy (and how everybody has their interpretation of that commandment; some more strict than others).

This reminded me of a change I'm making in my family this week.

See, we're used to not shopping, going to restaurants or participating in rigorous outdoor activities (sports and yard work) on Sundays. Instead we attend church, use our talents for the Lord (sing in the choir or teach Sunday School, for example), spend time with family and friends, write letters to family (Ben's brothers are serving two year missions for the church out of the country and really enjoy hearing news from back home), journal (would blogging count?) and rest from our labors (don't work).

But we still watch TV, play video games and spend time on the computer/internet. Those are the things that have been bothering me lately, because I'm thinking that we can eliminate them for ONE DAY out of the week and find other wholesome things to take their place. I'm not saying that anyone that does those things is sinning or not Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy (don't take this post as some high-and-mighty soapbox, this is a personal reflection and not a judgement), I'm just thinking that our family would feel more of the Spirit in our home without those distractions. If anything, wouldn't it be worth a try? Couldn't hurt, right?

Here's an article I found about the subject by Earl C. Tingey...
The Lord counseled the Church more than 165 years ago that we can keep ourselves “unspotted from the world” by properly observing the Sabbath day. While others may watch how we observe the Sabbath day, we should not be self-righteous or attempt to elevate ourselves in the eyes of others (see Matt. 6:1–6, 16–18). We should simply keep the Sabbath day holy because it is what the Lord would have us do. Then we will receive joy and strength from doing so.

The Lord teaches us in Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–13 that Sunday is a day to:
• Rest.
• Worship.
• Offer up vows in righteousness.
• Confess our sins.
• Partake of the sacrament.
• Prepare food with singleness of heart.
• Perfect our fasting.

Additionally, President Spencer W. Kimball said the Sabbath can be used for:
• Reading good books.
• Contemplating.
• Studying the scriptures and preparing talks.
• Visiting the sick.
• Preaching the gospel.
• Doing good.
• Visiting quietly with family members.
• Seeking forgiveness of sin.
• Journal writing.
• Fellowshipping members and nonmembers.
• Enjoying uplifting music.
• Resting.

President Ezra Taft Benson said the Sabbath should not be used for:
• Gardening and housework.
• Taking trips to recreational areas or resorts.
• Wasting time.
• Making up for sleep lost on Saturday.
• Refueling the car.
• Being so busy there is no time for prayer or meditation.
• Engaging in sports or hunting.
• Reading material that does not spiritually uplift us.
• Shopping.

So tomorrow, I've vowed to have our family NOT watch TV, play mindless video games or get on the internet. Instead we'll have breakfast without the TV being on, do a craft with the kids (make magnets for their bulletin boards), get ready and go to church then go to our friends house for dinner. At bedtime, I'll ask the kids what they thought of the day sans TV and video games. Hopefully their answer will be positive and hearts will be filled with the Spirit confirming to them of their obedience.

Exodus 20:8-11 (all these scripture references are KJV)
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.


Exodus 31:16-17
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.


Deuteronomy 5:12-15
12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.

13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:

14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.


15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Q: Do you have any uplifting stories to share about Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy? How about your family teachings on what to do or not to do on the Sabbath? I'd love some ideas of alternative activities that kids could do in keeping with this doctrine.

It Shoulda Been Sayesha

Tonight, I was, as were others, shocked to hear that Michael Johns was voted off American Idol. Not that I thought he'd win in the end, but I certainly didn't think he'd go before Sayesha. SHE should've gone before MJ. KLC should've gone before MJ. He'll be fine, I know, but it's like a slap in the face that the annoying baby crier slash failed Whitney Houston and Fantasia copier got to stick around.
I'm LOVIN' David Cook... he's REALLY got talent (wait, isn't that another show?). I think he might need to NOT win like Chris Daughtry did last year so he can do his thing instead of having to wait a year while he does the expected red tape as the winner. Simon is right (as he usually is) in that David has some kind of arrogant, cocky, pride thing going on when he performs (although he tries to seem humble when he's not singing; but I guess that's what should happen when you're singing... you should show confidence). But his voice is awesome and I dig how he reworks the songs so they're his.

Q: What'd YOU think about Michael Johns getting voted off tonight (granted that you actually LIKE American Idol, of course... no haters on the Lucky Red Hen blog)?

Obituary of a Legend

Maybe you've already seen this...

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment and the fine family dining communities.

The Pillsbury Dough Boy died yesterday of a yeast infection and complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Dough boy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Dough boy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Dough boy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Dough boy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.