Weekend Musings

A truly mixed bag this weekend. 

Busy Saturday with baptisms (2) at the church. 

Went back home & changed clothes to go back up to church for Pinewood Derby where DH "volunteered" to run the races/heats, set up the track, judge the heats, etc.  Not exactly the evening we had planned for but it seems that the kids had a good time.  What was especially nice is that everyone was invited to make a car & participate in heats after the Cubs were through.  I wanted to create a Bedazzled Mobile but didn't get it done.  But I will next year.

Sunday was a weepy/happy day.  One of our "kids" and his family are moving in a week or so.  We've watched him grow up since he was 8 (well over 30 years & counting).  He's had some real ups and downs in his life but I am proud to report that he's definitely on an upswing at this point in his life.  We adore his wife & kids.  And will miss them terribly.  I feel like the last one is leaving the nest. 

She spoke in Sacrament meeting.  I did pretty well until halfway through.  And then just lost it.  What a waste of perfectly good makeup.  By the end of the meeting it was practically dripping off my chin and my nose was a lovely shade of crimson. 

But they've done good with their kids and their lives and they are all ready for a new adventure.  I just wish it weren't so far away.  But it will give us a reason to travel to them there parts. And DH & I are already mentally mapping out a trip between Arizona (where oldest +1 will be) and then up to Nevada (where they're settling).

Shotgun!!!

Ramblings from a Simple Mind

Wow.  That would make a great title for a blog.  I certainly fit the bill.  I have been known to ramble.  Quite a bit.  And my mind, at times, is terrifyingly simple.  I guess that would be a good explanation of our family motto, "Easily amused."

On the drive home yesterday I noticed a man standing in front of his house waving his arms, blowing kisses, & jumping up and down.  Okay.  Got my attention.  So I slowed down as I was passing his house and saw three little faces all squished in the window by the front door.  They were blowing kisses and waving to their daddy, sending him off to work in style.  I'm sure that when he comes home they'll all be tucked in bed so won't be able to take part in the standard "Daddy's home!!!!" ritual.  But I'm sure his evening will go so much better with a send off like that.  So sweet.

Turned the corner and saw a guy walking his two dogs.  I couldn't tell who was walking who.  He was laughing at them and their antics.  And they were walking. jumping and trying to keep up with their dad.  He finally sat down and just doused them with hugs, pats and good lovin'.  I don't know whowas smiling more - the man or the dogs.  Yes, dogs do, too, smile. 

My DH called after work.  Would I like a salad for supper?  YES!  He told me he'd get the makings on the way. He's thoughtful that way. But since I had to get breakfast stuff for me, I ended up at the same store at just the right time to find him checking out zucchini in the produce aisle.   Nice surprise for me.  So we got to stroll down the aisles together.  Well, actually he strolled, while I danced to Michael Buble.  What?  That's NOT the reason why they play good dance music while I shop?  Could have fooled me. 

Poor man just trundles along behind me as I'm attempting to cha-cha along with Mr. Buble's tune.  And yes, I was indeed on aisle 7.  (OLD family joke.  Thank you, Michael Keaton, AKA Mr. Mom)

And I got to spend some quality time with my younger Gdaughter this past week.  We get to take her to Activity Girls every two weeks.  And spoil her for a little bit all by herself.  And she doesn’t ask for much when we get her.

1.    Gum when she gets in the house

2.    Dixie Chicks on the radio when we get in the car (I consider this a promotion of sorts. She no longer asks for Radio Disney.)

We went to Souper Salads for dinner. Then a quick trip to Half Price Books.  Found 3 DC’s CDs for her collection of tunes from her Mimi.  Her collection so far includes girl groups from the 60s, the Monkees and Dixie Chicks.

Next?  Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat and then Queen.  Going to the ridiculous to the sublime?  And maybe I’ll teach her Amazing Grace.  Yup.  That’s a good mix.

See?  I told you simple things. 

A Whole Lotta Nuthin’ Going On

I’ve never had the reputation for being at a loss for words.  But this past week no inspiration nor perspiration for my blog.  Not that there hasn’t been lots going on.  Just nothing to goodly report.

Parents, kids and Gkids are all fine.  DH is better than good.  Dogs are not in the pound.  Check book balance is slightly in my favor.  Repair bill for the AC repairs are within our budget.  Job is still good.  Fridge is full.   Good friends.  Good times. 

The world is spinning in greased grooves.

Sitting in Time Out With 2,000 Other Women

What a treat. My kids would never think that about being in time out when they were kids. But this was time out on the female adult level. Totally different experience! And we didn’t have to be naughty to get there! Speaking only for myself, of course.

Time Out for Women is an event sponsored by Deseret Books. Great speakers and musical groups share talks, thoughts, and talents to a large group of mostly Mormon women that pay for the privilege of sitting in a room for most of the weekend in uncomfortable chairs and no snacks (unless you count the chocolate truffles that are sold by the book store). But SOOOO worth it!

How to describe this? Hmmm. Think the Women’s Session of General Conference with applause and raucous laughter. Yup. That pretty much sums it up.

That doesn’t mean that there aren’t incredible spiritual moments (there are LOTS of those). The sister that wrote President Monson’s biography had some of the most tender stories. Of course they would be. He’s the Prophet for Heaven and our sakes!

Or that there wasn’t music that uplifted and brought me to tears (there was plenty of that). Tears of laughter (let’s just say that I’ll never hear “Bye Bye Baby Bye” without a huge grin on my face). And heartache. (“Bring Him Home” from Les Miz. I think I raised the humidity factor in the room by at least 10%. But I wasn't the only one.)

But I’ll never get to SLC for Conference. So this is probably the next best thing.

The theme was “Seek the Good” and the scriptural reference is Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it HEARTILY”. Amen, sisters! I can do that!

Got to spend time with my daughters. They reconnected with friends from their childhood. Watching all of them mix and mingle was a marvel. Looks like they hadn’t skipped a beat in all those years apart. I visited with friends that have moved away. Met one of “my” Young Women (served in the YW presidency when she was a teenager) – and now she’s pregnant with baby #4! Made new friends. Kept the old. Some are silver. Some are gold. And all are priceless!

A great time was had by all. And even thinking of going down to a session in Houston in September. Yes, I like it THAT much! There will be different presenters and musicians there. That’s fine. The more talent the merrier.

Off to seek good for the day.

There is goodness all around!

Go find yourself some!

A Reason to Celebrate

I love those “On This Day in History” bits in the paper. Especially the funny, odd and off-beat ones. And there’s one coming up on Sunday that no one should miss!

Everybody has my permission to celebrate one of the longest dating sprees in history. I’m happy to announce that effective April 15, 2012 I will have officially been dating the love of my life for 42 years. A very special day in history indeed!

He was funny (and still is) and I was (and still am) odd and off-beat. A match made in Heaven.

Poor man. Lucky me. I’m sure that if he knew then what he knows now he might have put up a bit more of a fight. Or at least have me put on a longer leash.

I want what I want when I want it. He didn’t stand a chance.

Boy meets girl.

Girl lets boy catch her.

And they’re living happily forever after.

Lucky boy. Happy girl.

And the heartbeats goes on.

You should be so blessed!

Hairy Houdini

Yup. You read that right.

We’ve been blessed with lots of rain. Which my lawn (mostly weeds) loves. And which my dogs hate. Both are low riders and wading through through chest deep water is not their idea of a good time. So the “smarter” of the two has taken matters into his own paws – and has started climbing the fence to get out.

In his defense it’s not just his trying to get out of the water. The real reason is because he’s bored and wants to go find someone to play with. He’s visited with the ladies next door. They love him. They open their backdoor- and there he is. They welcome him w/ open arms, spoil him rotten and when they’re done with him they send him home. He really doesn't look all that happy when I retrieve his furry little backside. I wish we could come to some sort of agreement about their providing puppy day care while I’m at work. But DH has discouraged that.

He’s plugged up holes in the fence. Used chicken wire as a deterrent. Not such a good idea. Newton figured out it was just a more secure paw-hold. I’m all for barbed wire or a “hot wire” to run across the top of the fence. But with our luck – flooded backyard, determined pooch and a hot wire will not a happy puppy make. He’d turn into “hot dog”, for sure.

So today after work I get to bail him out of stir. He’s on a “wanted” poster at the city pound. Since he’s chipped they were able to ID him, put his picture on their website, and then call us. They even got his name right.

At this point I’m almost willing to let him stay where he is and let a family with kids take him home. That’s what he really wants. He LOVES kids. He just goes crazy when the Gkids come over. I love on him a lot but it’s nothing compared to what smaller hands and higher voices can do for him. He’s such a little attention seeker, couch sitter, loves cookies, stuffed animals (especially the ones that sing and/or dance), and walkies. Hates riding in the car. Is polite during family prayer (has been known to “bow his head”). Not so crazy about balls and forget the whole fetch thing. He’s SO over that.

What a brat. I do love him but there’s probably someone out there who could love him more.

How much is that doggie in the window?

Free to good home.

Name That Tune

Music has played such an important part in my life. Gifts from my mother, who was a talented musician playing the piano, organ and violin. And she could carry a tune quite nicely.

I took piano lessons. Taught myself to play the recorder, organ, and ukelele. Learned to play the glockenspiel in Jr. high. Was in choir from 8th grade on. Sang in duets w/ Older. Sang in choirs at church. Sang to babies and Gbabies lullabies, silly songs, and folk songs.

Nowadays I only sing w/ the radio or the hymns in church. I no longer have the pipes that I once had. A sorry side effect of too many years suffering from GERD and other maladies.

I’m currently enthralled with a show on BYU TV called “The Song That Changed My Life.” They recently showcased Alex Boyé (from the MoTab Choir) and Lea Salonga (from Les Miz fame & other productions). They’ve featured artists that are not so well known but no less talented. But last night was a group that really grabbed me – The Lower Lights.

Three years ago a mishmash of guitarists, fiddle players, drummers, horns, tubas, and several different vocal styles got together to share talents & ideas. They’ve cut an album that features hymns in the style that might have been sung by the Pioneers. Soul felt. Full of praise. Often filled with sorrow and a hunger for home. The songs include both LDS hymns + some standards. All sing-alongable since they seem to be in my current limited vocal range.

But what song in my life has impacted me the most? Changed my life? Too many to name. And depending where/when I was. Before marriage – anything by Judy Collins. DH introduced me to CSN&Y (if I have to ‘splain that one to you – so sad). He could gauge what kind of mood I was in at the end of a long day by what was blaring through the house. Judy? Depressed. CSN&Y? Much better mood. Of course, there’s the Beatles, Beach Boys, and girl groups. Les Miz. Phantom. Wicked. And my tastes have changed. And grown.

But which song?

Well, for now it’s a gorgeous song based on a poem by Robert Frost called “The Pasture”, sung by the men of MoTab. This song is beautiful and takes my breath away. There’s one particular phrase that sums up my life at this point w/ DH. “I shan’t be gone long – you come too.” An invitation to participate in the most mundane of chores and/or trips around town.

Too many times I’ve turned DH down. I have to change that. He’s my best friend. My eternal companion. My rock. My target for barbed humor (but that’s okay because he gives every bit as good as he gets).

Same with invites from kids, Gkids and friends. I need to go with them when invited. And invite them all for more opportunities to “go, too”.

Music was created to ease hearts, heal wounds, make you laugh, better appreciate your blessings, and move your feet.

So for today, sing a song. Sing it loud. Sing it long.

All together now!!!