Don't Get Your Panties All In A Bunch!

This is it. This is what drew me in.

This is what hooked me pole, line and sinker!

I was in the mall. I was shopping with my cute girls. They were giggling and having a great time looking at everything from bright colored sweaters to fashionable headbands. I was feeling old, and a little disappointed that fashion designers do not necessarily cater to the older rounder more mature woman, you know, like me. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would find shopping a little disappointing, that's about the moment I passed a store I hadn't seen before. Teavana was printed in big letters on the front of the entrance. "Hum," I thought, "Tea .....who drinks tea?"

I'm a Mormon. I belong to the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. WE ARE NOT A CULT! I'll be chanting that mantra till I die. What is with people? Our entire religion is centered around Jesus Christ! He is the supreme pinnacle of our faith! We follow Jesus Christ. We learn of Jesus Christ. WE ARE CHRISTIANS! We strive to emulate Jesus Christ. We try to be like Him in every way. We try hard. We fail miserably some days, but we keep at it! Well, at least I do. Ok, so now, hopefully this gives you an idea of our religion if you happen to drop by here and wonder, what's a Mormon. Go to Mormon.Org. for more info. or LDS.org. I am not writing about religion today. I'm not writing to sway anyone over to Mormonism, although I would if I could. After all, it's the truest religion on the planet. Ok, you can say I'm biased, but it's true, on both accounts!

Now back to the task at hand, me, standing in front of Teavana. And the next thing I know, I'm tasting tea. YIKES! Now don't get your panties all in a bunch, let me explain. Mormons can't drink tea right? Or so you thought. Ok, so this is where I have to say it, Mormons can be morons. hahahaha well, it's true. Actually all people of all faith's can in deed be morons, so I don't know if the Mormon morons I know are exceptional to my faith or just part of a larger whole. Just know there are a wide variety of annoying people in all faiths and I know some.

During the beginning of our faith, in it's earliest days, the Prophet Joseph Smith was issued a revelation. It was concerning our health. It is called, "The Word of Wisdom." It is found in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 89. I guess you could safely refer to it as the Mormon church's law of health." It's a good law. I could go on and on here about doctors, their recommendations and the health priorities they encourage us to live by, the Mormon law of health is no different. It's a good law that leads us in the direction of good health. You can even do research as to how Mormons live longer because they follow it, ten years longer in fact. That is not my point today. My point is, we are asked to abstain from alcohol and hot drinks. We are further advised against the use of any beverage that contains ingredients that would be harmful to the body. If we follow the counsel of the Word of Wisdom, we are promised physical health, wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, the ability to run and not be weary and walk and not faint, and protections from influences on this earth that would seek to destroy us.

I think it's safe to say here the use of alcohol is self explanatory, as it is addictive and can cause numerous health problems, including liver failure. As a lover of herbs though I have long been interested in the Mormon's dilemma over tea. The Word of Wisdom states no "hot drinks." "Hot drinks" were officially defined as tea and coffee in a general conference in the very early days of the Church. Elder John A. Widtsoe, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles reported the following:

"The Word of Wisdom contains certain very important warnings. It declares that alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee are not good for the body. The revelation says hot drinks," but before the revelation was a year old, "hot drinks" were defined to include tea and coffee" (Elder John A. Widtsoe, Conference Report, April 1926).

And Victor L. Ludlow has further clarified that the "hot drinks" referred to in the Word of Wisdom do not apply to the herbal teas.

"The Word of Wisdom counsels against drinking "hot drinks," which have been identified by early Church leaders as coffee and tea. "Tea" refers to the standard tea derived from the tea plant, sometimes called black tea or green tea. The Word of Wisdom has not been interpreted as proscribing herbal teas, stating that "all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man (D&C 89:10)" (Victor L. Ludlow, Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel, p. 434).

Here is where I'm going to clarify even further. Tea, being from the "Tea Plant" or Camellia sinensis, is partially fermented in oolong tea and fully fermented in black tea. In white tea and green tea it is not fermented. All tea is made from the tea plant. Both coffee and tea (from the Tea plant) stimulate the body and cause a warming effect. Both Coffee and Tea are not only addicting, but have a high concentration of Tannic acids that are very harmful to the body, (unless your are a new nursing mom, then a used steeped black tea bag refrigerated is great as a pack on your very sore areola and nipples.) Tannic acid in tea and coffee is known to block iron absorption and inhibits the absorption of calcium and the B vitamins. It can cause heart burn, indigestion, and acid reflux, which in turn cause Ulcers. It can cause intestinal damage, stain teeth, and it interacts with a wide range of medications, reducing their effectiveness. It does not matter whether tea or coffee is caffeinated or decaffeinated, its origin is from the tea plant which contains the harmful addictive properties.

Further research shows that the "Tea" name has been used improperly for decades, as it is used to describe a form of plant and water. The name "Tea" belongs only to the "Tea Plant", while other Herbal drinks, or the plant and water, technically are called "Infusions," "Cecoctions," or "Tinsanes". Oh hallelujah! Now I can have my herbal tinsane and not go insane! Theoretically, herbal tea isn't herbal tea at all, it's called herbal infusions. If you don't believe me check out Teavana.com

We are also told in the Word of Wisdom that all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man. I don't look at the Word of Wisdom as a list of what I can and cannot eat or drink. I look at it as a recipe for a good diet that leads to good health. As I have come to understand the benefits of abstaining from Alcohol, Coffee, Tea, and Tobacco..... and taking into my body more Fruits, Herbs, Vegetables, Grains, and little meat..... I have also come to enjoy a healthier life.

Wisdom goes beyond the letter of the law. Generally when we speak of the Word of Wisdom, we are talking about exercising wisdom in what we take into our bodies. I quote from a letter from the secretary to the First Presidency,

'But the spirit of the Word of Wisdom would be violated by the drinking or eating of anything that contained a habit-forming drug.' (The teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p 202)

I can tell you the only thing habit forming about my morning or evening herbal infusion is taking a moment to sit down, relax, ponder, and enjoy the chance to meditate a little over the blessings of the day. Taking a little quiet time to myself, that is what is truly addicting.

This is where I come back again to me standing in the Teavana Tea shop sampling such subtle, sweet, fruity combinations like Blueberry Bliss and Kona Pop. The sample I tasted that day was aromatically sweet smelling and put me at ease the second I held it in my hand. I stood there and sipped on it and fell in love. It truly was an infusion of goodness. The mixture I was drinking is actually an infusion of two infusions, but inside me they were one in purpose. Well, it made my heart go POP and my wallet too! It was so delicious. By the time I walked out of Teavana I had spent nearly a 100 smack-olas. I was shaking my head and thinking to myself, "What in the world have I done?" When I walked into that shop I felt like a sinner from hell. I was thinking, "Some Mormon is going to see me in an evil tea shop and condemn me. I could hear their chanting, "You're going to hell for even entering." Awe, but I came out feeling like I had died and returned to my heavenly roots. I felt like Angels themselves were going to sit down and have a cuppa with me! I felt wholesome and healthy. My herbal infusions along with my German rock sugar tucked in my sack made me want to drive straight home. Who cares about my pin-headed Mormon friends. The word "TEA" gives herbal tea a bad rap on the Mormon spectrum. That's why I went to town researching every ounce of material I could on herbal teas being OK for straight edged Mormon like me. I did this for my Mormon moron friends. Hahahaha so I can prove, "No, I'm not going to hell for drinking herbal tea which is actually a herbal infusion, thank you!"

Last week I went shopping with my girls. I told them the only place I wanted to go was to the Teavana tea shop. Yes, they looked at me like I had turned into a heathen. I told them of my new found research and love. While in Teavana, I stumbled on a new herbal infusion, or herbal tea, whichever. It's called Tulsi Dosha. BE STILL MY HEART!!! The girl working there made me a cuppa. I gave my girls each a lengthy taste. They sipped on it and kept returning to my cup for more. That was the moment in time I had some real parental entertainment. I thought about my first visit to Teavana. I thought about my shocking crazy expenditure on warm herbal cup of serenity, a hundred dollars. Then I proceeded to watch my girls step up to the counter and each drop 80 bucks. I laughed until my sides hurt. Now we are all herbaly infused!

My daughter sent me a funny text message this morning. It said, "Thanks a lot mom for ruining my cheap crappy herbal raspberry bagged tea that comes out of a  cardboard box. Now I've tasted Teavana loose leaf tea I'm hooked and I had to throw it all away." As you can see, Teavana is not cheap. The great thing about that however is, it doesn't taste cheap either! When you pull the lid off your air tight, light tight canister, you see large chunks of fresh dried fruit. It's amazing and it's true, nothing about it is cheap, especially the taste.

This morning I made me a cuppa Tulsi Dosha. I bought some Almond milk on the recommendation from my daughter. I added that along with my German Rock Sugar, a little Vanilla and honey. Then I sat down in my fuzzy warm slippers and watched the sun come up over the Wasatch mountains and thought about my day. It was a quiet serene moment. It was a blessed moment. It was a chance to reflect on my life, where I've been and where I'm going. It was a chance to breath a little deeper, feel a little warmer, and focus on the important aspects of living. There are many words of wisdom from my maker, one of which is life is to be lived fully, enjoyed wholly, and savored immensely. God wants us to take heart in this life. He wants us to live soulfully! I did that this morning. I caught the infusion of sitting down and taking a moment to steep in life!

15 Simple Rules For Easy Fat Loss

Follow these simple tips from registered dietitian Jayson Hunter, the Head of Research and Development for Prograde Nutrition, for a lean and healthy body. 

1. Eat 4-6 small meals day a day instead of the usual 2-3 large meals. Eating frequently will help regulate and boost your metabolism to burn more calories.
   
2. Consume whole foods that are high in fiber and low in sugar, such as lean protein sources (lean beef, chicken, fish, and whey protein), fruits & vegetables (oranges, apples, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, peppers, asparagus, carrots, nuts (almonds, cashews, & walnuts), and whole grains.
   
3. Eat low-glycemic carbohydrates such as vegetables, whole-wheat products and oatmeal instead of refined processed carbohydrates which usually come in a box or a bag.
   
4. Consume 25-35 grams of fiber per day. Fiber will help satisfy hunger pangs as well as control insulin and blood sugar levels which tend to promote fat storage.
   
5. Eat some type of lean protein at each meal. Protein helps to satisfy hunger and provide the necessary building blocks to maintain lean body mass while losing body fat.
   
6. Consume adequate amounts of healthy fat foods such as olive oil, walnuts, almonds, Omega-3 fortified eggs, or other Omega-3 products.  Healthy fats are great antioxidants as well as help with brain function and many other essential processes that take place in the body on a daily basis. Essential Fatty Acids, according to clinical studies, could also help prevent certain diseases. To guarantee you’re consuming enough Omega-3supplement your diet with EFA Icon.
   
7. Eat 5-10 servings of fruit and vegetables a day to meet your micronutrient needs.  Vegetables also contain a good amount of fiber and help to control appetites and curb hunger. Additionally, VGF25+ provides the power-packed nutrition of 25 whole vegetables, greens, and fruits in a convenient “super pill.”
   
8. Consume Green Tea or Water instead of calorie-filled drinks such as soft drinks.  Green Tea has many health benefits and you should be drinking 1ml of non-caffeinated fluid for every calorie that you consume. This works out between (8-12) 8oz glasses of Green Tea or Water a day.
   
9. Balance your fat intake for the day.  One-third should come from saturated fats, 1/3 from monounsaturated fats, and 1/3 from polyunsaturated fats. Again, ensure you’re consuming antioxidant-rich Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids by incorporating EFA Icon into your nutritional plan.
   
10. Consistent fat loss requires good habits. If you want to create good habits, then you need plan. Therefore, map out your meals every day and follow them. If you follow your plan everyday for 2-3 weeks, you will form habits that become part of your daily routine and part of your life.
    
11. Incorporate “superfoods” into your meal plan on a daily basis. Some examples are salmon, low-fat plain yogurt, tomatoes, spinach, mixed berries, whole oats, mixed nuts, olive oil, flax seeds(or flax meal), green tea, and various beans. Many of the super nutrition found in these “superfoods” are also found in VGF25+.
    
12. Keep total fat intake under 30% for the day.  This can easily be accomplished by avoiding “extra” fats such as butter, sour cream, mayonnaise… This doesn’t mean you have to completely eliminate these items, just use them sparingly and avoid adding them to foods whenever possible.
    
13. EXERCISE! Yes, you can lose weight just by changing your eating habits. But very few people succeed long-term - and it takes much longer to lose fat - when they don’t exercise. And something most people don’t realize is, just how critical ingesting the research-proven Protein to Carbohydrate ratio is to optimizing the results of your workout efforts.
    
14. Record what you eat and drink. You will be amazed by what you find. Keeping a food journal is critical to your success because you need it to evaluate and analyze your current eating patterns. If your fat loss efforts are stagnant, the answer can usually be found in your food journal.
    
15. Follow the 90% rule. If you can follow your plan 90% of the time, you will soon see unwanted fat melt off your body. However, if you find yourself breaking these rules more than 90% of the time, your chances of failing increase significantly. 

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

~Ernest Henely

(Invictus means undeafeated in Latin. It was written in the 19th century to express what the author, Ernest Henely, endured over a twenty month period in an infirmary where he was being treated for tuberculosis and arthritis.)

White's Whiter Please

I am my mother's daughter. This means I am required to keep all things clean. Don't tell my mother, but I sometimes struggle with this. Lately, I'm not into cleaning anything. 

My mother was referred to as the "White Tornado." She could get out any stain. People actually use to bring her projects, neighbors, friends, relatives, and mostly her kids. Every individual came with a cry for help! You had to be careful though. Once my sister gave her a shirt with some foreign spot on it and my mother got the spot out alright, but there was an unsightly hole where the spot use to be. My mother was persistent!

I use to follow all of her recipe's for making white's whiter. Those recipes included Mrs. Stewarts Blueing, various detergents, even boiling and freezing the item. Mom would be proud of me if she could read this post.

A friend of mine posted a new recipe for getting whites whiter. Well, being my mother's child, I had to try it. Looks like times have changed and newer, better methods for whiting are appearing for us baby boomers.

Here Ya go! Pearl would be proud!

Soak your white in this mixture for at least an hour.
Soak in HOT HOT HOT water (This is where my mother would boil the water. I agree. Nothing like scalding hot water to clean with.)
1 C. bleach. My mom would use Clorox!
1 C. laundry detergent. I used tide.
1 C. granulated dishwasher soap. 
1 C. Borax. (My mother used Borax for everything under the sun!)
After soaking, wash and dry as normal. My mother would dry it out on the line. Dryers just yellow things she would say.

There you have it. Now when your whites are looking a little dingy, brighten them up!

My mother will look down on you with pride!

I Want To Be A Cat!

I need more than 24 hours in a day. I need more Fridays and Saturdays in my week. I need more money! Serious. I need more money so Man With A Drill can slow down. And more than anything else, I need more lives than just one. I wish I were a cat. I want NINE lives! One for every dream in my heart!

Did I tell you I love life. Every fiber of it. I haven't had a chance to sit down and write for sometime and I gotta say, I love breathing and living. And I love writing about it all. And for me it's not enough to just go about each day living mundanely. NO,  I want to live  and breath pasionately, with heart and soul. Yes, passion, the kind you can feel right down to your toes. I want to taste and feel and experience all the good life has to offer up.

There are so many things I want to do, so many things I'd like to see. And I want to be good at something before I die! Not just OK, but GOOD, GREAT infact! I have always hated average. I want to really excell at something in my life. I want to leave my mark in this life. I want to leave footprints that can't be erased. The kind that are so big all of my posterity can fit inside.

I have so many things left to do in this life and I'm already 55! This is where I write, good hell!  I don't know what is wrong with me but I didn't really know what I loved until now. I didn't know what I wanted to do until now. I suppose it's because I wanted to be a mother first and foremost. And I did that. I'm still doing it, but now I finally have some time to do the things I'm personally dreaming of. I guess I've finally realized, I didn't dream past motherhood. Here I am and I'm just starting to dream of all the things I want to do before I die. And now I'm old. Gotta say it, good hell! So, I wanna be a cat. Please, God, please can I have nine lives? I love the one you've given me right now! You've given me the greatest life. And now, I don't want to sound greedy, but I want nine more, cause lets face it, I'm more than half way done in this one!

I hope Heaven is going to be fun. I'm worried. Some people are so serious when it comes to religion. You gotta admit it can be a tad boring. I hope Heaven is going to be earth life without the emenities of the hell that sometimes surrounds us here, cause sometimes this life can be pure hell. I hope when I travel from this earthly sphere and I land in the next heavenly one, I hope it's fun there and I can go on dreaming and doing all of the things I wanted to do here. And if not, then I'm going to need eight more lives to spend down here. Even that is a scanty number for all the things I want to do!

The picture you see above was taken in California on Deserey's graduation trip. I took that picture. I can't tell you how one single photograph speaks to my heart. My soul is in those waves, churning with a desire break into life and roll up on a million differnt shores.

And since I doubt I'm ever going to be a cat. I have to say, God has given me more blessings in this life than I ever deserved. So I'll be content, grateful for everything He's blessed me with and I'll pray I can make the most of my time I have left here. I hope it's a good long while. I pray he'll bless me to use my time here wisely. It's so precious. And then maybe, just maybe, someday when it's all over, I can stand in some line up in Heaven and request a re-visit ticket so I can come down here and do it again.

I love walking, living, breathing and experiencing the greatest journey ever!

Happy New Years

Today is March 19th and I haven't posted my New Year's Motto.

Last week I found this in my journal. Things I wanted to do in 2011

Revamp my blogs.

Pursue my photography, take classes, improve.
Work to get out of debt.
Organize my pictures.
Organize my life.
Clean out my house.
Get a new roof.
Tare out the water stained carpet in Seth's old room.
Finish the New Testament.

I finished two out of nine. How's that? Well, I'm working on my blogs. I'm still working on my photography, my life long goal. I'll get out of debt when I die... maybe. I am always organizing pictures. Organize my life? Ok, that's a life long goal too. Clean out my house? Another continuous goal. Hey, I did fix the roof. It's not new but it's repaired. I am sad to say, the disgusting stained carpet in the bedroom is still there. And I gave up reading the New Testament in order to go back to reading the Book of Mormon. Only because it's the choice of scripture study this year in Sunday School.

New Years Eve, I started the following post. I wasn't going to post it. But then after reading it I want to remember it. I want to remember that I changed my attitude.

_________________________________________________________________

"New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights." ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Today is January 3rd, 2012 ---the beginning. Here I am typing on a blank page. 363 days await! It's leap year.

Every year I pick a motto. Something to inspire improvement in myself. Tonight I really sat down and looked over six years of motto's that were meant to foster change and in doing so I was sorely frustrated. I suppose it is that realization and frustration that has really inspired my motto for this up coming year.

2006- Just Do It

2007- A thing done when thought of needs no more attention.

2008- 2008 Will be great.

2009- Rise above it.

2010- Be happy.

2011- The year of great relationships.

Just for the record. I hated my New Years Motto for 2011. When I picked it the two one's standing side by side reminded me of a great relationship, the kind I'd like to have. Maybe some symbolic example of two people who move through life as if they are one. 2011's motto is a motto I will never pick again. Why? Because I am only half of any relationship. I repeat, only half!

I'm a sour grape today. Snarky would be a good description of my present attitudes. Not a good day to pick a motto. None the less, gotta keep up the tradition. In looking over the last six years and given my present snarly disposition. I've chosen something really appropriate. And I'm sticking by it.

My motto for 2012... "To Hell With It!"

Yes, you read that right. "To Hell With It." How's that for a New Year's Motto? I'm telling you it's really growing on me. Yup, this year I fully intend on taking the entire year off. In 55 years I'm giving myself a much needed break. Don't you think I deserve one? I've had my head in a self help book since I was old enough to read. I forgot to buy the one on perfectionism first. Maybe if I'd bought that one to begin with I could relax a little.

In the year 2012 I'm not going to buy one single solitary self-help book or set one single solitary goal. How's that for making sure I reach my potential. It's going to be the hardest thing I've ever done, but I'm going to deliberately by pass the self-help section of any store and I'm heading right over to the fiction and romance shelves. Maybe since I can't seem to produce great changes in my own life I can read about some fictional character who does.

So there you have it, I have no intention of working on myself one bit this year. There's going to be a lot of disappointed people. I'm really excited though, and I feel a great sense of relief. Self-improvement is hard work, excruciating, grueling, labor intensified work. This year I'm going to give myself full permission to be a down right slacker. Goal setting is over rated and only for those who want to succeed. I'm sorry, besides being sour I'm also sarcastic today.

This year I'm going to embrace my imperfections. Maybe even shine them up for people. I'm going to fully be accountable to myself and myself only, well, and God of course. Some how I think He understands where I'm coming from more than anyone. He knows my heart.  I know it's sad, but this year I'm not going to get my self all in a fix over the billion and one things I need to improve on. Nope, I'm sitting this year out. I'm going to give it a rest. I need a rest. I'm tired.

So here's to 2012 and being a down right imperfect human! I know one thing, you might want to stay clear of me for a bit. This year I'm taking a sabbatical. Hallelujah, a complete year of rest from stressing over improvement. I can't wait to see how this goes. I am embarking on territory I've never seen before.

I'm also moving my writing to my own personal blog. Oh I'll still post family stuff on the family blog, but that's it. You can see where that's headed can't you?

One thing I want to do more of this year is write. I love writing! I love writing about life! I love finding a way to give the high's and lows meaning with descriptive honest words. And I want to get better at it, so I'm going to practice in my own persoanl space, a place where people can participate if they want, share opinions and insight. I love blogging.

So that's it.

Happy New Year!
Yours Truly,
Despicable Me

_______________________________________________________

I've decided to improve my attitude today. So here it is my real 2012 New Year's Motto.

Henry David Thoreau said, "To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts."  So that's it, today I'm going to live artistically. Draw my day out and live it colorfully in an artsie kind of way. I'm going to strive to make each day count. I'm going to be present in the moment because today is really the only time I have. That's it short and simple. I'm going to take life one day at a time right now. I'm going to improve how I look on life ...TODAY. I'm going to concentrate on makeing each day a good day. Sounds near impossible doesn't  it?

Don't Forget The Vinegar

The other day I was on Facebook. One of my friends asked if vinegar was really a good cleaner. Oh my! When I read that question, wild horses couldn't hold me back. I went off like a rocket scientist and quickly answered her post on how I love vinegar!

I use Vinegar all the time and for so many different things. I keep some under every sink in the house and I have a bottle in the laundry room, I keep it in the garage. As far as I'm concerned, vinegar is a little wonder product.

Now, May is officially National Vinegar Month. It's true, mark your calendars! I'm not waiting till May however, to brag about it. I'm going to brag about it right now in the blessed month of March. Come May, you'll thank me.

First of all, let me start by putting in a plug for "Windex with Vinegar!"

I use Windex with Vinegar to clean everything. EVERYTHING! Walls, doors, baseboards, counter tops, you name it. The only thing I don't use Windex with Vinegar on, are my windows and mirrors. You can use it on those things, but it streaks more than I like. I have a bottle in every room practically and I go through this product more than any other product I buy, even milk! Ok, maybe not milk, but almost.

Here's a few vinegar tips I've collected:

Cleaning drains: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda in the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar; the mixture will foam as it cleans and deodorizes. Use every few weeks to keep drains clean.

Mildew on plastic shower curtains: Put the shower curtain in the washing machine with light-colored towels; add 1 cup white vinegar to the detergent and wash.

Soap scum on shower: Spray on vinegar, scrub and rinse.

Toilet hard-water rings: Shut off water at the tank and flush to remove as much water as possible. Spray vinegar on the ring, sprinkle in borax and scrub with drywall sandpaper.

Shower head deposits: Pour white vinegar into a plastic bag, tape to the shower head and leave overnight. Brush the shower head to remove remaining deposits.

Softening laundry: Fill dispenser with 1/4 cup white vinegar to soften laundry without leaving odors.

Cleaning vinyl floors: Add 1/4 cup vinegar to 1 gallon hot water for spotless floors.

Cleaning windows: Mix 50 percent white vinegar with 50 percent water in a spray bottle. Spray glass surfaces and wipe dry.

Neutralize pet odors: Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water. Pour on stained areas and blot; never rub to remove stains and odors.

Greasy dishes: Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar to liquid dish soap to boost its cleaning power.

Ice-proof your windows...with vinegar! Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of water---preventing water from freezing! *


Laundry:
Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.

To remove soap residue that makes black clothes look dull use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Before washing a mustard stain, dab with white distilled vinegar.

Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Timely Quote

Sunday I was released from my Young Women's calling. I served as the Miamaid advisor. After hearing the news, I cried for three days. I get emotionally attached and I have to say emphatically, I love my young women. They are the greatest group of young women any Young Women's leader could ever ask for.

Sunday I taught my last lesson. Good thing I didn't know at the time it would be my last lesson. The lesson
centered on "Finding Joy Now!" As I was preparing it, I thought about the message the world constantly bombards young women with. I think that message revolves around an all out attack on young women and their sense of worth. I think the world constantly sends a message that is meant to make young women feel as if they are not good enough and that in order to be happy they have to be something they're not. This message simply isn't true and I wanted my young women to know that.

As I read through the lesson, I thought about the happiness that comes when young women trust in their own individual worth and their own divine nature. I remember what it was like to be young once and I know that this positive message can never be stressed enough. In fact, I think it's a message that is important at any age. 

Dr. Suess said, "Today you are YOU, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is YOU'ER than YOU!" I want young women (and old) everywhere to know ---YOU can find great joy in being YOU! You can find a deep sense of satisfaction in coming to know yourself, coming to like yourself and in being the best YOU you can be! There is great joy in being your own best self and in liking who you are.

This week the lesson instructs to "Be happy and find joy in your journey now." It gives a powerful quote to remind you, "Happiness does not depend on what happens outside of you but on what happens inside of you."

I think Joy is something we can have today! Our Savior wants us to be happy here and now and he has provided a way for us to live so that we can surely feel that happiness.

Today I'm going enjoy my journey. Time is so fleeting. I'm going to strive to follow this advice today. I thank the young women in my ward for being great examples to me. I love them and I'm going to miss them terribly. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with them and all the things they taught me. I will forever think of them as my own. And I'm glad that the thought I walk away with today is one to be remembered.

Trust in your journey! Find enjoyment in it ---Today!

What Matters Most

Days pass by real quick in this life.

Today my daugher reminded me to notice the blessings that surround me. She reminded what those blessing really are.

Think I'll buy this song on iTunes today!

Thanks Kaedelly

A Good Thought For Any Day!

Need A Mother's Day Gift?

(Photo Posted Honors A Sweet Little Angel, Kolbi Mae)

Ever thought of doing a stone cast hand impression for a gift? Everyone loves little hands cast in stone, especially moms for Mother's Day!

I love Mother's Day! And I am excited to announce, I am now taking appointments for those who want to give a gift EVERY mother LOVES! Bring those little children over to me and let me cast their hands in stone, you'll have your shopping out of the way, you won't have to fight the crowds, and mom will be impressed!

Mother's Day requests fill up fast, so hurry!

Make an appointment today, or purchase a gift certificate so mom can watch the whole impression process herself!

Prices depend on size and mold choice. email me for information!

Kristi Approved

I need to lose a few pounds.

I'm thinking of trying something, sort of, maybe.  My friend suggested trying a Kristi Approved meal plan for six days. I decided what the heck. Here it is. I am preparing my food all at once. Putting it in zip lock baggies, freezing or keeping it cold for the week and I'm NOT cheating.  I'm eating every two to three hours. (I like that part!) I'm drinking lots of water with lemon in it. I've hired vicious wolf dogs to guard the candy drawers!!! We'll see.....

Watch THIS



Here's part two




Here's the meal plan spelled out. Thank you! It took me forever to do this.

Meal One Protein Shake:
1/4 Cup Oats
1 Scoop Protein Powder
Water
1 Banana cut up into slices that's been frozen.
Keep this meal in the freezer and then just pull it out and blend.

Meal Two:
1 String Cheese
1 Apple

Meal Three:
1/4 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
1/4 Cup Black Beans
2 TB Canned Corn
3 oz Cooked Chicken (cut in chunks)
1 TB Fat Free Sour Cream
2 TB Salsa ( My daughter Em got me onto Jack's Special at Costco.)

Meal Four:
3 oz Cooked (Chopped in Chunks) Chicken
1/4 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
1/4 Black Beans
2 TB Canned Corn
1 TB Fat Free Sour Cream
2 TB Salsa

Meal Five:
3 oz Canned Chicken
2 TB Fat Free Sour Cream
1/4 Cup Diced Apple
1 Cup Cole Slaw Mix
Mix all above ingred. well.
Eat with 2 Wasa Crackers

Meal Six:
4 oz Cooked Chicken
2 TB Stubs Barbeque Sauce
4 oz Cooked Sweet Potato
1 TB Fat Free Sour Cream
1 Large Side of Veggies (Can be any vegetable cooked or raw)

Cute Easter Tradition!

Now here is an idea you are not going to want to miss!

Saw it on Pinterest today!

This only works on the eve of Easter.

Get your magic jelly beans......

Plant them in the dirt!

In the morning, providing the gardner has done his work.

Look what you will find!

I can't take credit for this cute idea,

The credit goes to See Jane Blog!

Check Walgreens for the Lollipops, I think they have them there for a dollar... maybe... hopefully.

She had another good idea, now if I could only figure out how to plant a money tree!

Little Red Riding Hood

Do you know what I'm doing right this very minute?

I'm sitting here in front of my computer like a drone!

I'm waiting.

I'm chewing my nails.

I'm stressing.

I'm deep in anticipation!

I have gotten myself hooked on a bike ride. A 50 mile bike ride through Lewiston, Utah! Some day I'm going to do the full century which is 100 miles, but not this year. I need to work up to that.

It's called Little Red and it's going to be one of the funnest things I do this year. I know, I say that about a lot of stuff I do, but it's true, this is one fun ride.

Getting into this ride is no small feat! I sat glued to my computer for over an hour. In fact five of us were glued to our computers while the minutes ticked by and it was only through helping each other that we all got in!

Three thousand, five hundred women registered for this ride. It was full in just a little over an hour. And I'm here to tell you there were more women who wanted in and didn't get in and boy were they mad.

I'm in! And I'm as happy as can be. Woot Woot! Hurry up weather! I need it to warm up so I get training!

My Life In A Frame

This is what my desktop looked like the other day. Yup, it was a mess. Gavin my son took one look at it and said he wanted to kill himself. What can I say? It was bad. The sad thing is, I would say most of the time it looks this way. I have a drag and drop problem. I totally work from my desktop and I drag and drop everything there. (Big sigh!)

There are places in my house that look just the same. I'm guilty of dragging and dropping in every aspect of my life. My bedroom right now looks like I'm fighting for a prime time spot on the weekly show, "Hoarders." My study looks even worse. My desk down in my kitchen can't stay free of clutter for five seconds. I never have to dust the wood. You can't tell the desk is made of wood. It looks like it's made of a conglomerate of junk.

I finally cleaned up my computer desktop. Spent an entire day organizing it. Now it looks like this.

Now just look at both pictures. Sit for just a minute with each and ask yourself how you feel when you look at one picture verses the other. I know how I feel when I sit and look at the top photo, I too, like Gavin, want to tie a rope around my neck and fall from the nearest tree. With the top photo, my soul feels heavy, disoriented, and split into a million different directions. When I sit and look at the clean version, everything feels lighter.

So my question then is why do I allow it to get that way? The last few weeks I've been seriously analyzing why "THINGS" have such power over me, why they pile up, why they take over. I want to know. The older I get the more I long for a life that is quieter, simpler, and more minimilistic.

So today I started. I'm throwing things out! I'm refusing to let "STUFF" control my life any longer. I think of that book by Peter Walsh, "It's All Too Much!" I bought it. I read it. Today I'm following his number one tip. Have the urge to purge! I'm seperating all my junk into five piles: Keep. Sell. Give Away. Toss. Fix.

I'll let you know how it goes. I can already tell it's going to be a slow process.  There is one thing however I'm looking forward too, the peace that comes with less. 

An Expression Of My Heart

For the past week I've been camped out in Bear Lake. I needed some down time. I wanted to separate myself from the world and just quietly exist alone for a few days, so I ran away from home.

When I arrived at my cabin, I was surprised to find the ground a barren brown at best. I think Winter has fled and escaped to some place far away as well. There is no snow in sight and the first couple of days I was here I could have made my daily walks without a coat it was so warm. Maybe Winter needed some down time too. Maybe Winter decided to run away.

I've concluded Winter is a woman who mostly wears a frown. I'm sure of it, since after a few days of mild temperatures, she showed up again. Her air was cold and she had turned frigid. I guess she hadn't really gone far away afterall. The trees also announced her arrival, she let loose her gusty attitude, huffing and puffing, whipping every barren branch she came in contact with.

Winter must be tempermental. She hadn't been outside my window long when she started throwing things. I saw odd pieces of garbage flying through the air. Her cold front felt like she had taken on the demeanor of a bedraggled spoiled child, pouting in order to make her presence known. I could tell from the sound of things she was not happy to be back.

At night I laid in my bed and listened to her crying sounds. My rafters creaked and groaned each night. It felt like every nail was struggling to hang on to its spot of wood. Now her tears have frozen, they've turned to ice crystals, blowing everywhere. I went out to take a picture. Today I think Winter is mostly ornery and miserable.

I didn't mind her pitching her fit outside. My dense logs kept her tantrums at bay. The fire in my hearth with its rolling flames made things toasty warm and I spent much of my time in my favorite stuffed easy chair. Life felt serenely good with my fleece blanket tucked around me, a hot steaming cup of cocoa in one hand and a good book in the other. Winter could do what ever she wanted outside.

Every soul needs some peaceful time to sit and digest life. Quiet unfettered moments to sort, ponder, analyze and process those day to day occurrences that bend and shape us when we're not looking.

No emotion gets past me when it comes to living life. I seem to feel everything in a way no one else does. Maybe I'm just naive though in thinking I'm the only one who ever feels things with such omnious intensity. I have spent much of my time here seeking the spirit in my analiyzations. Today I found light in my thoughts and a great realization.

It came to me in a peculiar way. I was working on my computer when I decided to turn on some music. I've been so discouraged lately. I don't know what it is, but since my mother passed away, its like I've been groping my way through a cloud. Maybe it's time and how fleeting it feels. Maybe it's just seeing my future and wondering what path to take. Up until now my time has been spent caring for people. Before my mom died, so much of my time was spent caring for her. Before that, half my life was spent caring for my children. Now here I am in this new place that feels totally unfamiliar and I've got to say, quite a bit empty. I'm not sure what to do with my life. Suddenly I've come face to face with myself and to be quite honest, I'm not sure I like it! I have things I want to do and yet I feel guilty for doing them. Is it ok now to focus on me and not my children? I think worrying about it all, drove me away from home. I think I ran away to escape the unfamiliar.

I like to listen to music. I turned on my tunes and was meditating on so many thoughts, chewing them up and at the same time trying to swallow them whole. The music started to clear my mind. I started listening to a song by Sara Groves. And there in the sweet serene melody something came to me clearly. I am amazed at how the spirit works through music. Right then, it spoke to me with surety. Listening to the words I realized I worry to much. Right there inbetween each note was a prominant thought and I saw myself and I saw what sustains me.

I don't have anymore answers to my day to day problems than when I arrived here. I do know one thing though, there are always peaks and valleys in life and while some days the journey might seem rough, I always have a sustaining force that walks beside me. It always sees me through. It always will.

Enjoy this sweet song. I hope it brings you the same message it brought me.

How Does This Happen?

I probable wouldn't take time to note this, but I love photography and I'm rarely without a camera in my hands. After reading this, I'm sorry I didn't keep my first Kodak. How does an icon like Kodak go out of business? Read the whole flipin flapdoodle story! "Photography pioneer Kodak Files For Bankruptcy."

Eat At Chili's Today

Eat out at Chili's today in any location in Utah and help out the Ogden City Police Departement.

READ MORE ABOUT IT.

I Think Everything Is Art!

‎" I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. our smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art!"

Help The Burrell Family

This is worth a post on my family and my personal blog. Meet Kasey and Natalie Burrell. This cute little family lives next door to my daughter Kaedell. Natalie use to be a Panunzio. She went to school with Em. Kasey is one of the Ogden City Police Officers who was seriously shot while attempting to serve a search warrant with his squad. The following letter was posted on facebook. Hope this helps.



Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to take a moment of your time and tell you about a dear friend of mine and the struggles he is now facing. Most everyone is aware of the tragedy that recently occurred within the Ogden City Police Department. One officer lost his life and 5 others were wounded.

He was shot in the head and the stomach. He was in intensive care for a week and has recently been upgraded to fair condition. His recovery period could last for several months to years.

Kasey and Natalie have 2 small children ages 5 and 2, with a baby girl expected to join their family in June.

I believe it would be very unfortunate if this families financial needs were not met. I want to be able to help them and I'm asking for your help in this effort. We all have been blessed well beyond our means, but I am not asking for anything that would put a burden on your family. I am asking for whatever amount you would feel comfortable with giving to this special family.

It is times like this that not only rally a community together but it blesses us all as we help those who are in desperate need.

You can donate at any WELLS FARGO BANK
DONATE UNDER THE KASEY AND NATALIE BURRELL ACCOUNT (make checks payable to Natalie or Kasey Burrell)
THE ACCOUNT # IS 1941707455
You can also give to this account by your online banking institute: GO TO YOUR BANK/CREDIT UNION ONLINE THEN "BILL PAY" CREATE A PAYEE TO:
WELLS FARGO
PO BOX 3488
PORTLAND, OR 97208-3488
Enter the account # listed above and then the amount you would like to transfer from your account to the Burrell account.If mailing a check is more convenient they may be mailed to Superior Roofing at 3405 South 500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84114. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO NATALIE BURRELL.

Finally A Logo

Ta Ta Ta Da!

Drum Roll Please!

I can't tell you how long I've been working on developing a logo for my photography.

I'm so excited I can't stand it.

Do you like the camera there sitting in my name, 

the lens making the "O" in Crowther? 

You need to appreciate that cause I thought it all up!

Yup, all by my little ole' self.

And it' only took me 8 months.

And I'm a Crow. Gotta have a Crow in there, so I added this cute little guy.

I'm old and not really super fantastic at anything.

But I'm learning and I'm growing (I think???.) And that's what counts.

Next I'll be working on a watermark,

And then ...

My photography blog is getting a remake.

Want to visit? Go to . . . 

fayeBphotography.blogspot.com

Stop by, so you can see just how great the new changes will be.

Click, click . . . Over and out!

Declarations

Begin

The quote in it's entirety is as follows and there is some real debate as to whether or not it really comes from Goethe. Regardless of who the quote comes from or whether parts of it were borrowed from one author or another, the quote has come together with truth in it's core and that is what draws me to it.

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of thiings occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

So today I begin.