Corbin's Baptism

Congratulations, Corbin!

Mother knew best

Just in case you ever wondered, you never outgrow those moments when you hear your mom's voice in your head: "It won't take any longer to put it away now than it will if you do it later." Yes, you'll always be her daughter, always be tutored by her wisdom. Sometime maybe I'll make a list of more of the whisperings from my mom that keep me in line. For now, I just wanted to let you know you're never too old to realize that Mother really did know best.

Next Year

I just thought of something else: Katy recommended a book about financial freedom which I ordered and Tom has already read before me. He stayed up very late one night working out a financial plan for us. It is so nice to have him that involved with our finances and I have much more of a sense of security about our future now. I also ordered a book on CD for him: "Younger Next Year for Men." He has listened to it and taken it to heart. He has been exercising and doing other things to improve his health. I'm excited! I'm going to have a younger and richer husband next year!

What's Up?

I don't have anything in particular to say tonight. I just thought I should post SOMETHING since it has been awhile. Not much has changed in my life. However, I have started a new diet that is working. I have a free health coach named Lydia and I love her! As my blog title "Return and Report" suggests, I do best with having to be accountable to someone. Knowing she is going to be asking me if I have cheated at all keeps me on my toes. But after having lost as much as I have in such a short time I don't want to do something that would make me have to start over again into the fat burning stage. I am loving the way I'm feeling--lots of energy, confident, NOT hungry!

In choir we are preparing for performances that begin next week with a recording for a PBS program. I helped them learn their parts but they actually have a "canned" orchestrated accompaniment they have to use. I will be going to be a chaperone. (Does anyone have any ideas for activities to keep kids happy and getting to know each other during a ten-hour round trip on a bus?)

Well, that's about it for now. I'll see if I can find something more interesting to share next time. At least you know I'm alive, healthy and happy.

One season following another...

I need to check my blog periodically to see what surprises Amy has for me. I like the new background. I bet Michael does, too.

Summer is nearly over and so is my free time. Monday I begin working at the schools and teaching piano every day again. I will be home from 9:15 to 11:15 and from 1:30 on. I teach lessons from 1:30 or 2:00 every day and finish at 6:00 or 6:30. So all the projects I didn't get finished during the summer are now on hold until next summer.

For months I have wanted to make quiet books for my grandchildren. I have taken steps toward that but by the time I get them completed they will have babies of their own.

I have been trying to write a history of the Copper Hills Ninth Ward since it no longer exists. When it is finally done, people from that ward will maybe have forgotten it ever existed in the first place.

I wanted to organize the photographs I have. I want them in books so my grandkids can look at them and learn more about their family. My family is growing so fast and the photographs growing even faster and I can't keep up!

These are only a few of the projects I have been working on. I will always have things to do. But I don't want to just focus on what I haven't done. I did get some things accomplished this summer.

I taught group piano lessons and our theme this year was "My Walk Through Music History." I learned so much about the history of music and enjoyed very much all the research. I feel a lot of satisfaction because of my efforts in this area and I enjoyed our closing social a couple of weeks ago. I'm looking forward to beginning the individual lessons next week.

I planned a family reunion for the weekend of July 24th. It was the first time in four-and-a-half years all my family was together. The last time we had five grandchildren, and now we have fifteen! We were missing my son-in-law, David, but everyone else was here. My father and Tom's mother and sister were here, too. It was a wild and wonderful weekend! The highlights were: we went to a sock-hop, went fossil-hunting, and had a pizza and salad cook-off. I was in heaven. Then suddenly they were all saying good-bye and it was over. A month later it's almost as if it hadn't happened at all. But I keep gathering things around the house that are evidence that they were here. I recently made a trip to the post office to send five packages around the country--shoes, socks, baby toys, artwork, fossils,

etc. that had been left behind.

My house is more home now that all my family has been here and filled every corner and hole with sounds and soul that warm my heart. Thanks, family, for taking the time and expense to give this gift to me.

I went to New York in June and had a wonderful week with Alan and his family. For a couple of days Alan and Jessica were able to get away to celebrate their anniversary and I had a great time with the kids.

I've been able to do some temple work and have loved the peace and learning and feeling within those walls.

I rode Amtrak with Corbin, Morgan, and Miralise. What a fun experience!

I started a friendship quilt for some dear friends--our first in Spring Creek--who recently retired and moved to Utah after living here for thirty years. I made squares and had ward members write their sentiments on them. With the help of another dear friend the top is together now and Tom is right now finishing quilting stands. I have the quilt ready to put on the frame and by this afternoon will be quilting. This is a project that will be finished before the weather turns cold.

I have three afghans that will also be finished soon. This is therapy for me. I love making afghans for those I love.

I've read some good books, written in journals, done housework, babysat grandchildren, moved my office to the bedroom so Tom and Michael can use the other office strictly for their business, kept up with the bills, etc. Now the flexible time is over and my life will be more structured but I am looking forward to the things I have committed to. The students I have, the choir members and Mrs. Hansen, the choir director, are all important to me and I enjoy being part of their lives. I enjoy the children in Primary and am finding more ways to include them in the sharing of music in our meetings.

I have a good life and am thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me so much--my family, my religion, my talents, my knowledge, my friends, my memories, my desire to serve and use my talents, my home, my neighborhood, etc., etc., etc. Thanks to all of you for your part in making my life so wonderful--for making each season of my life rich and vibrant and fulfilling!

p.s. I would add photos but that option is not working for me today.

The truth.

Truth is, I have some pretty sexy daughters. Here's a sampling. Sorry, boys, they're taken.

The Secret's Out

This is hard to say & it will be harder for some of you to hear. But I can't hide it anymore. I'm tired of the lies, the deception.

The truth is.... my daughter Cindy is the best-looking of all my children. There. I've said it. I can't unsay it now. Look at her; she's a vision of beauty!

Exercise buddies

Michael and Laura have a new exercise program. It's called "Sweating with the Oldies." That's right, they are getting Tom and me to exercise with them. They have these DVDs called "Insanity." It's a pretty good workout. If it doesn't kill me I'll be in pretty good shape in a month!
My main goal is to tighten the core so I don't feel so flabby. I have struggled a great deal the last year because of health and other issues. But I'm determined I'm going to keep my strength so that when we are financially able to do so we can serve a mission. Besides spending time with my family as often as possible, the only other big thing I want to do with my life is serve a full-time mission. I would be so disappointed if I found I couldn't go because I had not taken good enough care of this body of mine. So thanks, family and friends, all of you who are doing your best to encourage me to do what I can to get and keep in shape. I appreciate it so much! Now I need to go shower and get rid of all the dried up sweat!

Life as I knew it....

...is no more. But that doesn't mean I wish for it to be what it was. Now I have two little boys here to delight me and keep me moving every day! Michael and Laura and their twins, Kalsin and Kodiak (3 1/2 years old) have moved here and are staying in a trailer by us until they can find a house. We told them to treat our home like theirs so the boys would have space to move during the day. With each day I am more and more delighted with them and their antics. Laura is an angel and so pleasant to have around. Tom is truly enjoying having Michael here as a friend--a buddy--to help him with home projects and to ride to the mines with him every day. We are very happy they made the decision to start over again in a new place--our new place--and that they were willing to share their lives with ours. Thanks, Michael and Laura. Good-night, "Alsin" and "Odiak!" I love you!

Modern Marvel

I may have posted this sentiment previously, but I just have to comment again about the marvelous technology that helps us stay connected with those we love. Last night as Eli held my cell phone in his little hands and conversed with his parents who were hundreds of miles away, it was nearly as though they were in the same room. They heard him instantly and responded just as instantly. There was no moment of waiting for them to be able to hear so they could respond. It's just a little piece of metal and wires and chips or whatever it takes to make it work, but it is priceless. My cell phone. My link to my family and friends.

The Ultimate Diet

Yesterday when I waited for an hour to see my doctor, I read a health magazine. It was full of helpful information, much of it addressing issues I face in my life. What excited me most was an article listing FOODS that BURN CALORIES! Imagine that! We can eat good food and lose that belly fat at the same time. So I am working on a new menu based on that information.

From now on, my breakfasts will include: one cup of oatmeal with chopped walnuts and blueberries; one egg with hot sauce served on a slice of high fiber toast spread with half an avocado instead of margarine; either an orange or a grapefruit (or maybe both--if one is good, wouldn't two be better?); yogurt with berries (yep, I'm going to get all the berries I can!); and a cup of milk. This should keep me from being hungry until it's time for a fat-burning snack!

Mid-morning snack: one apple, sliced and served with peanut butter.

Lunch: Black bean salsa served with a whole-wheat quesadilla full of calcium-rich cheese; yogurt and--you guessed it--berries!; and sweet potato fries (baked, actually). The sweet potatoes will be coated with olive oil so I can get my good oil for the day. It's good for the brain. I'll eat lots of the sweet potatoes so I can get the fiber, burn belly fat, and reduce my chances of going senile in my old age. And I do have about twenty pounds of belly fat I want to burn, so the more fat-burning foods I can eat the faster I should burn the BF!

Mid-afternoon snack: The article said that dark chocolate is good for you. Since I don't have dark chocolate but I do have milk chocolate, I figure two milks would equal one dark so that's while I'll have for my snack. Of course, I won't eat this every day. On some days I'll eat chocolate chip/oatmeal/walnut cookies. There was a recipe in the magazine that was called "America's Healthiest Cookie." Sounds like a good option to me! Oh, and I should have more berries, so I think I'll add strawberries--dipped in chocolate, of course!

Supper (or dinner, depending on what it's called in your part of the world): Vegetable soup with broccoli, asparagus, carrots, tomatoes, celery, peppers (every color I can find), mushrooms, cabbage and cauliflower. I'll use chicken broth and shake in some cayenne pepper or hot sauce so I get that capsaicin that is in hot peppers and is supposed to burn fat. I'll have whole wheat bread with it (you can't eat soup without bread!). And I must have another yogurt because I have now read three articles telling how yogurt burns fat and that you should have three servings a day. Of course, I've got to toss in some berries and this time I'll add some nuts, too.

After dinner snack: The article said that you shouldn't ignore your cravings. If you have been wanting to eat a donut, then eat it! No one ever died from eating a donut, the article said. But for me it will probably be a cookie that will call me. Or Tom's cinnamon rolls. And if it's supposed to be good to eat one, then what's wrong with two--or three?

Bedtime snack: When I am lying in bed relaxing after my hard day of dieting I'll reward myself with a Skinny Cow Frozen Truffle or a Weight Watcher's Giant Fudge Ice Cream Bar--but not both! I wouldn't want to overdo it! Ahh, that will feel so good. You must treat yourself well when you have been faithful to your diet plan. That way you'll want to keep doing it.

I bet than in a few weeks when you guys see me again you won't even recognize me! I am SOOO glad I had time to read all about these foods while I was waiting in the doctor's office.

p.s. You may be wondering why I was in the doctor's office. No big deal. I had my thyroid checked again last week and needed to see what the doctor thought of the results. It turns out I need another boost in the hormone so he increased my dosage. You know, if your thyroid isn't working right it is harder to burn the fat. With my new diet and the increased medicine, I'm bound to see some changes!

My Day

Monday through Friday, this is my day's schedule: I get up, shower, go to Spring Creek Middle School and accompany the choir from eight o'clock to eight-forty-five. (There are two choirs; it's a different one each day.) Then I go walking for an hour. I head home, take care of things that need to be done (I've got some projects I'm slowly making progress on, plus I do my cleaning, piano lesson preparation, etc. during this time.) I drive back to the high school at 11:10 a.m. to accompany first the Select Choir, and every-other-day I also accompany the Chorus (all girls this year). Once home I begin supper if I have decided on the menu and shortly piano students begin showing up. I finish teaching in time for supper. Unless I have meetings in the evening (rare, but this week it so happens I have something every night except Monday!) I get to relax a bit, read my scriptures, write in my journal, say my prayer and go to bed to get sufficient rest to do the same thing again the next day.

I was sitting in the Salt Lake Temple yesterday and looked at my hands and felt a surge of gratitude for all I have been able to do in my life because of my hands. I am very glad I can play the piano, that these fingers listen to the directives from my brain, and that because I have this talent I have had so many opportunities to serve and to get to know very many wonderful people!

I was pondering my purpose in life recently and came upon the realization that I don't need to wait for God to tell me what my purpose is. I need to decide for myself what reason I have to get up every morning. I determined that my purpose is to touch as many lives as possible with my music abilities. Music reaches the heart in ways nothing else can. It is healing, it teaches, it soothes, it excites, it calms, it provides enjoyment, and in many cases it leads one to Christ. That is my purpose. I recall reading that Beethoven's brothers found a letter he had written to them in which he explained that he had contemplated committing suicide as a result of his deafness. But he realized he could not end his life because God had given him a gift which he needed to use until God said it was time to stop. I am certain I didn't explain that adequately but you get the idea. Everyone needs a reason to live. I have mine.

I probably ought to explain to my family that I do count them as a reason to continue living. They have been my life. But something changes when your children marry and have families of their own. Mothers don't play the same role they used to. It is very satisfying to me to see my daughters being taken care of by wonderful husbands, and watching them take such good care of their own terrific children. I am also pleased that my sons have such special, angelic wives who satisfy their needs and are raising such beautiful children. We all have such a terrific relationship but I am not needed to solve problems or do the things that I was needed for as they were growing up. I need to be needed daily, and my students and those choirs fulfill that need for me. Whereas my family used to need me, now I need my family. I couldn't live without them. They are my world and always have been. I love them with all my heart. I am thankful to know that we can all be together forever. If that couldn't be I'd give up trying completely. Heaven wouldn't be heaven without those people who have made me who and what I am, those who love me and whom I love.

Now I'm going to bed so I can get up and start "My Day."

Things I've Learned

Things I've learned:

If you cry with your glasses on, you get salt spots all over the glass.

Elko, Nevada, is not like Las Vegas, Nevada. It is much, much colder!

Seeing your grandchildren in photos is nice but it's not as nice as being able to hold them and hug them and dance with them and read to them while they're sitting on your lap.

It gets harder and harder to maintain your weight the older and older you get.

If you leave your weights in the car too long they are too cold to hold in your hands.

Just because you get older it doesn't mean your problems are fewer or easier.

But when you get older you do find there are more things to be thankful for. Like hair dye, orthotics, bifocals, hearing aids, large-print, and grandchildren.

Having friends is life-saving. Sometimes for you, sometimes for them. It works both ways.

Grown-up kids show a parent how effective their parenting was.

Sunlight is nice any time we can get it in the winter time.

Home is a good place to be.

When you fly Southwest, be certain to do the online check-in twenty-four hours before your flight so you can be in the first group of boarders.

Southwest still lets you check the first two bags for FREE!

You are supposed to take your thyroid medicine a half hour before you eat something and four hours before you eat or drink anything with calcium or iron. That messes with my breakfast routine.

Early church meetings are better. For me, anyway. I like having my afternoon free to write letters and read.

Writing in my journal and crocheting are therapeutic for me.

Things that feel good are clean sheets, clean teeth, clean rooms, clean dishes, clean hair, clean cars.

And I'm done for tonight. But since I'm over fifty years old I have learned many more things than I can possible remember.