Reading the Ending

I am sorry that I shocked some of you by my disclosure that I read the ending, but it is not the first time and will not be the last. It is kind of like the vampires's taste of blood, once you do it, you can't resist it!
I have this very annoying and bad addiction. If I am enjoying a book, I can't put it down. I have to read until it ends. I know my daughters have inherited this same weakness. They use to get so mad at me because I would read and read and ignore their needs. Now they do the same thing.
My experiences have taught me that I can control that addiction by knowing what happens. I still read every word, but just not at such an addictive pace! When I was reading this last book and it was at a particularly tense part of the story, I found myself wondering what I would be like if I didn't already know the ending. I might have hyperventilated or caused a heart attack. I have to be careful at my age you know. People younger than me have had heart attacks!
I have the same problem watching close games on TV or exciting movies. I pace and sometimes just leave the room because I can't stand the suspense! So, when I am reading a book, I don't have to stress myself out. I just read the ending and then I can enjoy the rest of the book.
Makes perfect sense to me!

New Design

Tonya has the attitude "if you can't beat her than join her" and since she gave up on me learning how to make my blog a little more attractive, she just did her herself. I am GRATEFUL because I do like it. Thank you Tonya for making my blog a little less BOORING!

Book Two-New Moon

Ok, I finished Book Two-New Moon. I must admit, I am interested in reading on to see how all this turns out. I am not addicted, like some of the younger readers seem to be, but I am enjoying the series. It does flow quickly and keeps you captivated and I like that. Maybe it is an age thing and maybe I am too old to get enraptured by the true love story, but I am enjoying it. It is strange and weird, but enjoyable. I did have really strange dreams one night after reading, but they weren't nightmares, just strange dreams. So, I give it a thumbs up!

Book Two

Today I purchased the next book in the Twilight Series. Now I have not read much of it but I knew that I had lots of work to do and I knew I would not get it done because my curiosity always get the best of me, so I read the ending. Yes I already know how it ends, however I am still anxious to read how we get to that end, but at least I will not be physcotic about it and read all night. I still have seminary in the am and lessons to prepare... I will get some work done and reward myself with a chapter and so on. Stay tuned for the book review to follow.

Christmas Spirit

Today in choir, we practiced for the Christmas program. We sang some of my favorite songs. As we sang one of the songs, I pictured us singing it at Christmas and I saw my family in the audience with my son who will be here from BYU. I actually had tears in my eyes. Now, keep in mind that I had very little sleep last night and that probably contributed to my weepiness, but I also think that I did feel that special spirit that Christmas, family, and carols bring. It is also cold outside with snowflakes falling. I have also been shopping since we will be exchanging gifts at Thanksgiving with those who will not be here at Christmas. So, I hate to admit it, but I believe that even though it is still early, I do have that Christmas spirit already. Why fight it? Just let that excitement come early and enjoy it longer. I will not overlook Thanksgiving. It is part of the Holiday, especially to me this year. We will have so much company that weekend that it will seem like Christmas. And of course, we have lots to be thankful for- so Happy Holidays!

Book Review

I stayed up until 1:30 reading that "Twilight" book last night. I am tired , impatient, and crabby as a result. Actually, it was very windy and I can't sleeep when it is windy for some unknown reason, so I read until I finished the book. I can't remember what I had read on some of the other blogs about these books but I do remember my daughters telling me that I would love them and I had to read them but I had to all of them before I started them. So, here is my opinion:
It was a page turner- but so are lots of other books I have read,

I was interested in what happened next- but I usually am when I read a good book and sometimes I can't wait and I have to read the ending. I did not read the ending of this one first,

I will probably get the next book and see how it goes,

The author is a good writer.

However, I am not sure what all the hoopla is about. It is good, but so are lots of other series out there and this is a little strange. Would that girl seriously not be afraid of vampires? Hmmm
Now, if you relate the whole storyline to other things in this real world that are true- like resisiting temptations, standing up for what is right, courage, etc., then it has some real value. So I will read the next books and I will try to convince Alex to go to the library and see if he can get me book two. So stay tuned for book 2..

Giving In to Pressure

We have often talked in our Seminary classes about peer pressure and how we should avoid the temptation of giving in and doing what everyone else is doing. Most of the time, this is in regards to peer pressure. However, we can also receive pressure from other sources as well.
I love to read and can read just about anything. My daughters know this and have been "encouraging" me to read the "Twilight" series. I have had no desrie to read books about vampires. I have thought all the raving about these books is probably exaggeration. I was doing very good at resisiting their influence until they ostracized me.
At Thanksgiving, while they are at my home, they plan to go to see the movie. I am very excited to go to a movie with my daughters (of course by my daughters, I include Natalie). But, they told me that I cannot go unless I read the book! I argued that I do not need to read the book ,that I can go to a movie, but they will not allow it.
So, I bought the book yesterday and started reading it. I have only read the first chapter, but so far I am not that impressed. The jury is still out as to whether or not it deserves all the acclaim it is getting. But the bottom line is that I WILL go to the movie with the girls. And, I will enjoy the company of that outing far more than I will enjoy the movie-of this much I am sure!
Stay tuned for the real unbiased book ratings....

Random Rantings

I do enjoy reading other people's blogs. I just have a hard time writing my own. But I love to read the comments when I finally write something. However, it is so long between my blogs that I think others give up on me! So, I am going to try to be more consisitent in my blogging. I just checked my other post and saw that Susan had commented since I last looked at it and I was so excited. Thank you to those of you who check on my blog and do not give up on me. The reason I usually do not write, besides the busy factor, is that I have nothing exciting to say! My life is quite boring! I do seminary, then I work, then I come home and eat, prepare my next lesson, go to bed, and start the routine all over again. In the next few days, I will look for interesting blogging items, so be prepared!

The Dreaded Phone Call

Ok, I have been getting bugged to post a new blog. However, with work, and seminary, and my computer hog teenage son, I never have a chance. But, I cannot pass up the opportunity to tell this tale. After raising five children, three of which are boys, I have felt pretty lucky that I have never received those dreaded phone calls-like your child is in the hopstial or at the police station. Of course, we did get that one terrifying call that our kids had been in an accident and totaled the car in Iowa on their way back to BYU, but all in all, I am grateful. So now I am approaching the finish line, with Alex a senior in high school, and I am feeling pretty confident and cocky that all is well. And then I got the dreaded phone call. The call from the vice principal while I am at work that goes like this: Hello this is Mr. Eldred, the vice principal at Avon High. I have your son Alex sitting here in the office with me. We had a random drug search today and the dogs searched the lockers and the cars! (Now about this time, my heart is in my feet and is alternating between being stopped and pounding vigorously) Then he says, oh by the way, I should tell you that your son is not in trouble. Well I guess I should have told you that first! (Well yeah I think you should have because I just about had a heart attack) Well to make a long story short, the dogs sniffed out Alex's car. He had to open the trunk for them to check it. On the way to the car, the Principal and the other vice principal who have known all five kids and knows Terra and our family, was laughing at the policeman for even thinking that Alex would have drugs in his car. The principal even pointed out the BYU sticker and the fact that Alex would someday be a "pastor". The first thing they see in this teenage boy's car is a toy ball, various other toys, little boys clothes, and even a shoe. They had fun laughing at that stuff. (Tonya had left that behind and we did not know what to do with it so we left it in the car!) Then they saw the goods.. the contraband that is illegal to have on campus ...the axe! Yes, it was an axe. The Boy Scouts had borrowed our axe, I had Alex's car and opened the trunk and told them to put it in there , shut the trunk and left it there. Of course the authorities asked Alex if he knew it was illegal to have it and why it was there. Then the Principal and Vice principal that knew us, spent the time on the way back into the school convincing the others of reasons why Alex should not be punished and not expelled. Once back in the office, the secretaries were shocked into silence(quite a feat if you know these ladies) upon learning that Alex had to speak to the VP. So, I got the call and had to explain why the axe was in the car. It got confiscated and the next day Terry had to go to school and get the axe. Meanwhile, back on the school campus, Alex has the reputiton of being the axe man! We are no longer the family of goodie two shoes-our reputation has been soiled. Not since the time of Nicholas and his toilet papering issue, have we been so tarnished! And just when I was approaching the finish line!

"On" the Boardwalk, we'll be having fun...

Memories

Memories!

Here are the rules:1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It does not matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog/email and leave one about you.

Let's see what happens

Missing in Action!

Ok, Ok, I'm back! I have had a wonderful and in some ways sad summer. Let's see, after my last posting, Terry and I went to Buckeye Boy's State to see Alex. That was a very interesting and relaxing weekend. Then, I worked and got ready for our camping trip to Pa. Since all 5 of my kids and all 7 of my grandkids were there, I was in seventh heaven that weekend! It was great fun and we have some interesting memories from that weekend: like how the RV broke down and Tonya and the boys would have been stranded along side the road when it got towed away but Alex and I pulled up from Ohio just before they towed it and how we continued on to the campground without the RV and without anything to cook with and did not know what we were going to do but just happened to pull in right behind Aunt Karen and Grandma who had plenty of food and camping equipment to cook it on and who were camping right next to us, and how the Reeds got a flat on the way home and called to tell me just before Dad passed that spot in the RV so I was able to call him and he could stop too and help Jared. So even though we had some bad luck, we had better luck so that we were not in bad circumstances. Does that make any sense? Then, Tonya and the boys stayed a week and we celebrated the fourth with more fun and picnics and family and then I had to take them to Cinncinati to meet Dustin. It was fun, but sad because poor Austin thought they were moving back to O H I O, and he was very upset to part ways and he broke my heart. So, I worked some more and then I went with Terra and the girls to Illinois to their new home. That was very bitter sweet. We had a fun road trip and a fun day being tourists, but it was sad to fly home and leave them all there. Once again, my heart broke. But I had to work some more and wash clothes and pack for vacation. We left again and went to Philly. We saw Martin and Nicholas and then we packed up Natalie and Weston and continued on to the ocean. That was also a bit of heaven. I had two things I really wanted to do and I got to do both. I wanted to have a nice meal at a place on the ocean where I could watch the gulls and the waves and the boats. And as an added bonus, Terry's sister and her kids joined us that day and stayed for the meal. Since it was at the opposite end of the boardwalk as our hotel, we strolled along it afterwards. The next morning, we rented a surry and rode it up and down the boardwalk. I don't think anyone but me was too excited about it, but they all humored me and I loved every minute of it. I have always wanted to do that. I actually think they enjoyed it too. I think I heard someone say "this is the life". So we then returned to Philly and Nat and I did some shopping and some recuperating and they had a birthday party for me and we had a grand old time. Then I came home and have been sad... and that is the end of my tale. I am home for a few weekends before I take off again for Tenn., which I think is the last of my trips, unless I can sneak one in to my sisters, which I really want to do. I have decided that I want to be a professional traveler when I grow up and just go from one place to another. Do you think someone would pay me to do that? Hmmm-maybe I should look into it.

A Walk In the Park

Today I joined the Reed family for a walk at Sandy Ridge Park. We saw several deer, 2 muskrats or beavers or whatever they were, a rabbit, herons, birds, frogs, geese, ducks, and nature in all its glory. I love nature and many times we only take the time to enjoy it when we are on vacations, which is another reason why I love vacations. But, we have lots of beautiful sites just a few miles from our home and we do not take the time to enjoy them. So, this summer I am going to try to take time to enjoy the outdoors right here at home and not just when we go camping or to the beach. At the end of the summer, we will see how well I did on my new goal! I'll keep you posted.

Summer Fun

You may think that because I have not written since Memorial Day that I have not done anything since then. However, that is WRONG, WRONG WRONG! I have not written because we have been sooo busy! We got the pool opened-yeah, thanks to all who helped since I cannot do it myself. I spent some time at Indian Brave Campground in Harmony, Pa. planting flowers at the RV(better known as Bertha),swimming, walking, and eating at a deligtful place called the Log Cabin Inn. It is a log cabin and it is nestled in the woods. We ate out on the deck which protrudes out into the woods. We felt like we were in a rain forest. It was very nice. The next day, my sister and her husband and Asha and her fiance came to visit us at the RV. We had a picnic and walked again. It was fun and her fiance is really nice. I went to Safety Town graduation, dance recitals, Duct Tape parade, Duct Tape festival, and many other events. This was all sandwiched between planting a garden here and my flowers and doing the yard work! So life has been busy. I know it will be drastically reduced once the Reeds leave, but I will not allow myself to even think about that now. There will be plenty of time for tears once they are gone! Whne I get a chance, I will post some pics, but that may not be for a while!

Memorable Memorial Weekend

What a fun weekend we had! It started out with me going to the Indians game with my two sons and Alex's friend. The game was the game that almost never ended and I was really bored but Alex's friend took a walk around the whole park with me and that was nice. We couldn't leave early because the whole reason I went was for the fireworks to country music! We endured to the end and I saw my frieworks. Meanwhile at home, Nicholas' family arrived. Now that was killing m , to not be there for their arrival. If the game had been normal, we would have been home, but of course, it wasn't! However, we finally did get home and on Saturday we had a family picnic. The rest of the weekend, games were played and movies were watched. We went to Avon's parade on Monday. I love that parade. It is a typical small town, midwestern parade-not too big, but just right. That is one thing that has not changed through the years of Avon's changes and I love it. We end at the Indian Mound cemetery for a service and they sing patriotic songs and play taps. This year it was extra special because the Reed family was in the parade, and Nicholas' wife and son were there to enjoy it with us. It was a great kick-off to the summer. If only I were ready for the summer! And, of course, after everyone left, I had to shed my tears. Some things never change!

Mommy's Day

I had a very nice relaxing Mother's Day. My breakfast in bed was as always, a great treat. Dinner was delicious and the company was delightful. So, it was a very good Mother's Day. The day before was also very special. We went to the temple and sealed my Mom and Dad. I don't know if they will accept it, but it felt good to do my part. And, as always, the temple was just what I needed. Afterwards, we went out to eat and stopped at the Amish stand for some baked goods and homemade buckeyes. It was a nice weekend and I hated to have it end and go back to work. And in typical fashion, it was a horrible Monday! Oh well, there must need be oppostition in all things, right? Plus, all good things must come to an end. Or so they keep telling me!

BIG 3 0

The BIG 3 0!

I am not sure who the big 3 0 is more stressful for...the person turning 30 or the parents of the person turning 30! It is one thing to say your children are in their twenties, and quite another to say they are in their thirties! I still cnanot get it straight. I actually have a child who is thirty! Oh my goodness gracious! If the next thirty years go as fast as the last 30 years went, then I better not blink because I am sure I will miss most of it! However, having said all that, I must also add that I am very pleased with my thirty year old and her family. I could not have asked for a better thirty years of motherhood or for a better thirty year old daughter!

My Bragging Rights!

For those of you who read my blog and not my daughter-in-law's blog, I copied and pasted the following info:Monday, April 14, 2008
Way to go Nicholas Jay...


Beware...this is my bragging post about my wonderful hubby! I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard in school, and it has definitely paid off. In his field they need to publish their experiments to succeed. Before they will even consider letting him start writing his thesis, he should have some publications. Nick has worked hard and has already published one paper about his research in a good science journal. Also, his lab just wrote a review that was published as the featured article in this Nature review magazine. He is only one or two good experiments away from submitting another article about his research!!

It even made to cover! You can see the title on the bottom left!!

Way to go Nick! But don't let this get your head!!!!!!!!

The picture did not come out, but as I said in her comments..That's my son!

My Conference Cold

This weekend was conference weekend. That means that we had two, two hour sessions of meetings on Saturday and Sunday, broadcast from Salt Lake City. In years past, these days were rather painful. We learned early in our young parenting life that 4 sessions was too much for little children. We would try taking them outside between sessions, going to visit relatives between sessions, and taking food to church between sessions. We decided that to get anything at all out of the sessions, we would pick the ones we would take all the children to and rotate going. That worked pretty well. Then came the age when we could listen on the internet, and we would all gather in uncomfortable positions around the computer. However, we did get the sessions in. This weekend, I woke up with a terrible head cold. My nose won't stop running, I can't stop sneezing, I'm cold and hot every other minute and I feel pretty lousy. But, since it is now the age of watching conference from home, I was able to sit in my comfy recliner, with my blanket and hanky, and watch and listen! It was great. I really enjoyed conference weekend! And, what made it even better was that Alex and Terra's family joined me for every session. During one session, Jacob joined me on my chair and fell right off to sleep. During another session, Katy joined me and snuggled and listened and even asked a question about one of the stories. It was so different than the days of old. I really needed to stay home this weekend but I would have been plagued with guilt for missing them. Thank goodness for modern technology!

This 'N That

Today I got bit by the geneaology bug and what I thought would only take a few minutes ended up taking hours! I wanted to just check on a few names for our upcoming temple trip and one thing led to another and another and a phone call to Nicholas and an entirely different line and, finally, hours later, I decided that I had a headache and needed a break. Meanwhile, Tonya called and said she had updated her blog with pictures that I have been waiting to see. It does look beautiful down there and certainly nicer weather than we have had. I did not get the video she sent though because my Outlook Express would not let it through. Oh well, at least I saw the pictures on the blog. Needless to say, I have been on this computer most of the afternoon. It is no wonder that I have a headache, since I am not a computer person! I am going to finish up and get ready for bed since I have to start seminary again tomorrow. I really enjoyed that extra sleep last week. Funny, there was a time in my life that 7am was early, and now it is sleeping in! Life just keeps going on...

The Best Things in LIfe

Today I received a phone call at work from Terra. She told me that as soon as I got home I was to get my mail and then call her. I expected some surprise wedding invitation. I looked at my mail and then called her to tell her that I did not get anything exciting. I must not have been invited to the unexpected wedding! She asked if I had received my Church magazines and I replied that I had. As soon as she told me to open my Friend, I knew what to expect! On one of our last Sundays as a Westlake Ward Primary, we had out picture taken. I made copies and frames and gave one to all the kids and teachers. I decided to send one to the Friend magazine for fun. I knew that it could take up to a year to get in because they had told me that it might. However, after the year passed, I gave up hope. The interesting thing is that just this weekend, I was gathering some Friend magazines together for my grandchildren for Church. I had noticed that the ones they had were really worn out. As I looked at the magazines that I had gathered, I thought about the picture that I had sent in. I was so disappointed that it was never published in the magazine. I had so wanted to surprise all those special children. And then, today, I got suprised myself! One of the best things about the surprise was the way Terra found out about it. She was talking on the phone to one of her friends from the old Westlake Ward when her friend's children came screaming into their mother. She had no idea what they were so excited about until they showed her the picture. Now that is exactly what I wanted to have happen. It was well worth the wait! I am so happy that our little picture finally made the magazine. Small blessings are the best things in life.

2 for the Price of One

I really do not like it when Easter falls on the same week as St. Patrick's Day. Usually, 2 for the price of one is a good thing, but 2 Holidays within one week is too much! In honor of our Irish heritage we have always had a big Irish dinner and have always put up decorations. It is fun and all of my children have continued the tradition, so they must have enjoyed it too. However, this year I had to hurry and take down all the green and put up the Easter things as soon as dinner was over. I felt like I was rushing the day. When I went shopping for the Irish meal, I also had to do the Easter meal and I forgot things for both meals. I wasn't thinking straight because I had to plan for 2 big deal meals. Oh well, it doesn't happen often, so grin and bear it, and ENJOY!

Life Repeats Itself Over and Over Again

Everyone who has had children leave home know what it feels like that first day they leave home. For me, tears always flowed. When Terra first left, I couldn't stand to even walk by her room. But, as time goes on, you go on with life and it doesn't hurt quite so much. Then just when you get accustomed to them being gone, they come back and you have to start the cycle all over again. For the past 5 years or so, we have had little ones in our home. Some days I wanted to pull my hair out, but other days I just loved it. Lately, when I have come home from work, Austin would run to the door to open it for me and greet me. I loved it! However, today when I came home, the house was empty and forlorn. I was hit with the reality that they were gone. I went downstairs to get some food to make supper and I saw some of the little toys they left behind and before I knew it, the tears were flowing once again. I came upastairs and decided to take advantage of the quiet and do my Seminary lesson. However, my eyes were so blurry, I couldn't even see to read. I can barely see now to type! I knew that their stay here was not for long, and I am very happy for them, but I wish they were down the street so I could go help them move and see them. It didn't work out that way, so now I have to get accustomed to them being gone, again. Today, I will go and visit my other grandchildren for a while and be happy they are still close as I know before long, they will be gone, too. Then I will have to go through the cycle all over again. Well, Alex just came home and he makes enough commotion to fill some of the void, at least. I will have to tell him to be home when I get home from work, so he can greet me at the door! Life does go on and repeats itself, over and over again!

Sledding Fun

When I was growing up in the mountains of Western Pa., I spent many winter days sledding with my sister and cousins. I loved it and would stay out until my feet were so cold that when I came in my Mom would make me put them in a basin of hot water while I sipped on hot cocoa. Well, today, with the help of my grandchildren, I relived some of those exciting days. I went sledding with them! Since I was a novelty, and I have never gone with them before, they all wanted to go down the hill with me. It was great at the time and I had a teriific experience. However, after a few hours of being home, my muscles are beginning to ache and I think I am going to pay for the excitement of the day. Oh well, no pain, no gain! And today, I gained a great memory. Last winter, I took some of my children and their children back to the hills I use to sled down. I described them in such a manner that they were all expecting something fabulous. We all got dressed in our winter duds and trooped to the town of Cramer to do some serious sledding. Somehow through the years, the hills downsized, and everyone was greatly disappointed. We decided to give it a go anyway, but there just wasn't enough snow to go anywhere! Needless to say, our sledding adventure that day was a bust! But today's sledding adventure was a great success. We even made a little snowman by the park sign to welcome all the other outdoor enthusiasts. I am expecting Terra to put some of the pictures on her blog, so be sure to check it out!

Nima's Horrible Terrible Week and Fun Friday

This was a horrible terrible week. It started off with the aches on Sunday and continued to roll along with the headache that would not go away. Insomnia made it's debut on Sunday night and continued on throughout the week making friends with the headache. I was swamped at work with all kinds of new problems which, of course, required too much concentration. It rained and snowed and was dreary. I even found myself driving down the road at 2:30 in the morning on my way to seminary instead of the usual 5:30 am time. Oh yes, I really did do that. It is a long story related to my insomnia, but I had to turn around and come back home when I realized that both the car clock and my watch could not be wrong! By the time Friday came, I was ready for a nice celebration until I realized that this week I had to work on Saturday too! I had promised Austin that I would come home early on Friday and play with him. However, my work load did not co-operate and by the time I finally got home, he was napping. So, I decided to fulfill a long overdue promise to the Reed girls to watch a movie with them. I went to their house and spent the next couple hours watching a very enjoyable mermaid movie with my grandaughters while snuggling baby Jacob. It was great. I had to leave before 8:00 though because that is when the Seminary Zombie takes over my body. However, when I got home, Ausitn was awake and waiting for me to play with him. So, I spent the rest of my evening, putting puzzles together and ending with eating ice cream and watching the tail end of Chicken Little. Mason's idea of playing with puzzles consists of taking them apart, so he had to be removed from the action. However, he warmed my heart by grinning wildly when I entered the room and reaching for me and following me around. Now what could be better than that evening? The one thing that could have made it better was spending a little time with Weston playing trucks and trains. For that fun, I had to rely on my memory of our weekend in January together. What a Fun Friday. Being a nima/grandma makes getting tired, sore, and almost old actually fun!

Predicting the Weather is Painful

Last Saturday, my body started aching all over. By Sunday morning, it was painful to even move and my misery was compounded by the headache that would not go away. I did not know if I was getting the flu or if the weather was changing, but either way I was miserable so I opted to stay at home under my covers where the pain was at least bearable. The next morning, I felt much better and then, the rain started. And it rained and rained and rained until we all nearly floated away. The rain was topped off, like icing on a cake, with the snow. At least my body aches were gone, but the headache continued! It hurt so bad that I could not think straight. And that is why I totally forgot about Martin's tiger balm cure passed on to him by Susan. They both swear by it. Now where was that Martin when I needed him. Probably off having great college fun! How rude!

OK, I am going to try posting on this thing. First I will do that silly tag game.

Here are the rules of the game- Enjoy!
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, as we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 random or weird facts

1. I really hate to answer these silly "things about you" e-mails and blogs, and I rarely do them!
2. I grew up in a home without indoor bathrooms, yes I really did!
3. I have eaten chocolate covered grasshoppers and ants.
4. I have delivered a baby! I was a student nurse and the lady in the room that my patient was in
starting screaming for help and no one was helping her, so I washed my hands, went to her bed, caught the baby as it was coming out, held it upside down and got it to scream. By the time the nurses and doctors came, I was standing there holding the baby upside down. Of course, I did not get paid for that! (I wonder who did?)
5. I can predict the weather. My legs ache when it is going to rain or when there is going to be a weather change. My children have been known to consult me instead of the weatherman because I am more reliable.
6. I am the duct tape queen. I can fix about anything with a good role of duct tape. One year at girl's camp, they were supposed to sew these little bags. My girls did not want to sew so instead we duct taped our bags. The girls loved it, but the stake camp leader was not too happy!
7. I have a great fear of going underwater. I almost drowned when I was a young one and I do not know how to swim.

As for tagging seven people, I do not know seven people to tag and since I hate doing these things, it would not be very nice of me to tag a friend!

Holidays

We had a great Holiday. Our whole family was together and what better gift is there than that! Thank you, my children, for spending Christmas and New Year's with us.