I should have been "Playing"

I should have been "playing" with my fun friends at the theater tonight but my cough guided me instead.  I just couldn't imagine having a cough attack surrounded by people and not being able to get out. (I do pretty good but there are times I cough so hard I throw up...couldn't take the chance)  As far as I'm concerned I am better but others might no agree if my cough kicks in.  I figure I was sick for a week and that is all I'm giving to it. (my cough hasn't quite got the message that we spent enough time together but I am done)

I didn't want to stay home though because I have done that enough lately.  I figured Larry and I would do something but then a few choices came up.  Our friends, The Winters had called to hang out and so did Kamryn.  The Winters had initially called first but hadn't got back to us when Kam called.  Either way I knew we were not staying home.  If I got coughing I knew I would be able to leave.  Sue did get back to me and so we went to The Winters for dinner and to play games.  My kids went to watch movies with Kamryn and her family. (I love that Julie and Kevin include our families when they have a movie night...so thoughtful)

Alan loves to cook and so he cooked up some yummy fish and we enjoyed some wonderful fish taco's.  Then we played cards and had banana splits for dessert.  It was fun visiting with them and spending time with the Winters.  Alan's sister Debbie and her hubby came too and it was nice chatting with them.  I think Larry and Bishop (Debbie's hubby who's name I can't remember) chatted a lot about church stuff.  When this couple was first called we bumped into them at Cherry Hill's one night.  Debbie told me that she had been reading in her journal about that night and how much my words had helped her.  That made me feel good....that's probably why we "bumped" into each other.

The missionaries text Larry and wanted to come over and so we ended up leaving.  It was probably good though so Sue and Alan could visit with their family before it was too late.  

Recipe

Since I made these this week I decided to share the recipe for these yummy Scotcharoo's.

Heat: 2 cups of Karo Syrup and 2 cups of sugar and bring to a boil.
Take off the stove and add: 2 cups of peanut butter and stir until well blended. (I like how everything is 2 cups...easy to remember)

Then add: 9 1/2 cups of Rice Krispies.  Stir well and spread on a big jelly roll pan.  (spray it first)

Melt: 1 lg bag of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips and 1 lg bag of Butterscotch Chips.  I melt them in the microwave and it only takes a few minutes.

Spread over the rice krispies and put in the fridge until the chocolate sets up.

cut and enjoy!

I'm also going to share the Funeral Potato recipe I like.

I use canned potato's and try to keep them on hand.  I shred about four cans of potato's and put in a cake pan. (use more potato's if needed) (You could also just boil and peel potato's or use frozen ones)

Heat: 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup, 1/4 cup butter, 1 cup grated cheese, and 1 pt (2 cups) sour cream.  Stir until melted and smooth.

Pour over potato's and mix up.

I cover this with grated cheese and foil and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.  Easy and Fabulous!

about Me

Ever since I can remember I have been afraid of the dark.  For some reason when everything is dark the bad people come out and hide and try to get you.  That's what I grew up believing.

I hated to go downstairs to my bed if I was the only one going down there.  I would sit, it seemed for hours, on the stairs waiting for my siblings to join me.  I remember sleeping on a top bunk bed and being so afraid someone was going to break into our house and get me that I would move the mattress away from the wall so that I could fit between the mattress and the wall.  I would lay so still and try not to breath too heavily on many nights.

There were a few times I remember seeing "people" come down the stairs into our house.  One night before our bedrooms were finished I remember laying in a bed with my sister and hearing someone walking down the stairs.  (I might have been around 4 or 5) I leaned up on my elbow and I saw two guys and they saw me looking at them. They didn't seem scary.  One was tall, the other short and round.  They walked into the laundry room.  I watched and waited for them to come out of the laundry room.  I wasn't really afraid because I believed it was the "sand man" coming to put sand in my eyes so that I could sleep.  I never saw those two again.  Perhaps I made them up...perhaps they were spirits.

I don't like spook alleys or haunted houses unless it's at Disneyland.  I even hated the spook alleys that the primary did every Halloween for us.  I don't like being scared even when I know it's coming.  When I was in Junior High or maybe even High School I remember going to Lagoon and riding the "Horror Ride" with my sister.  It was a dumb ride and we were screaming just to be goofy.  The ride stopped and my sisters scream increased and was real.  I couldn't figure out why...and then "it" touched me!  Someone was in there with a gorilla suit and touched our head and shoulders.  It was a good scare and kind of funny because we knew it wasn't real.

The real stuff still scares me.  I still listen at night for the boogie man.  I imagine him sneaking into my home even now.  However now I realize there really are boogie men but they don't need doors to enter...and they seem to always come in the night.  I often have to wake Larry up because I can tell by his breathing that he is frightened and is having it out with the "boogie man".  I've had my fair share of those kind of experiences also and know that when bad spirits make a visit that we must be on the right track and they are trying to stop us.  However, if they don't visit that doesn't mean we aren't on the right track.  I had to pray for many years that I wouldn't have those kind of experiences anymore.  They are real but Heavenly Father and Jesus's light is also real and trumps everything else.

I still don't like the dark.  If I am somewhere, including my house, and someone turns all the lights out I will freeze in my spot.  I won't move unless it's down to try to make  myself smaller.  I try not to breath...I am still just as scared.  I would not have been able to handle the time in the scriptures when the earth was black for 3 days and nights.  I would have been one screaming....really probably not...I would have been still....very, very still.

All About Jared

Today my thoughts were about Jared.  Tonight he received his Patriarchal Blessing so today I fasted along with him and Larry.  It was easy for me and when I did think to get a drink I quickly remembered why I hadn't had a drink and said another little prayer for my son.  

I love the inspiration that is given to Patriarchs.  Of course they prepare themselves to receive that inspiration.  I admire how they sacrifice for each of us. Tonight I admired Patriarch Thompson as he laid his hands on my baby's head and blessed him.  He was the mouthpiece of the Lord.  It was such a Spiritual Experience.

I have always wondered why Jared has been spared at times in this life.  It's because he has a great work to do. 

The Patriarch taught Jared before his blessing in a simple and perfect way.  Each Patriarch has been perfect for each of our children.  It's been a blessing to have been able to have three different ones with our children. 

I always smile after each childs blessing.  Being their parent we are blessed to know them so well.  I adore each of my kids and I am thankful that Jared was our last.  He's a great kid  to end on.

President Monson once explained, "A patriarchal blessing is a revelation to the recipient, even a white line down the middle of the road to protect, inspire, and motivate activity and righteousness.  A patriarchal blessing literally contains chapters from your book of eternal possibilities... (It) is your passport to peace in this life.  It is a Liahona of light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home."

 "Your patriarchal blessing will see you through the darkest night. It will guide you through life's dangers." Thomas S. Monson

I forgot to take picture until after when we went to eat.  Jared and Larry ordered huge, double cheese burgers and ate it all.   I'm thankful for this baby of mine.  He truly is a wonderful child and I am lucky to be his mom.

Food 4 Thought Friday

A little feast without the calories!!!
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Breakfast: What is your current favorite song? How Great Thou Art...it might not really be my favorite but I often find myself singing or humming it throughout the days.  I really like the Happy Song by Pharrell Williams too....it makes me Happy! :)

Lunch: What is something that can always brighten your day no matter what? A compliment from anyone.  It might come from a comment, a card, a text or said to my face.  Being told something nice works every time at Brightening my day

Dinner: What is something you feel like you have improved on the past week? Slowing down.  I have been sick and really haven't had a choice but to slow down.  I'm not sure I really enjoy it either.

Midnight Snack: If you could go back and change one thing this week, what would it be?  If I knew how I caught this yucky cold I would go back and not catch it.  

Recipe of the Week:  (instead of your recipe for life what is it just for the week?)  Things Happen for a Reason.  We might not ever know the reason but I believe there always is one.  I wonder what I should be learning from being sick....patience?....simplifying?....tolerance?....compassion?  There's a reason I am down....I might figure it out....and I might not!

Oh SNAP

I went bowling and high fived the others in the air.  I avoided the hugs that I usually desire and love.  I coughed in my napkin and arm.  I bowled better than I felt but we still lost all our games.  The team we were bowling was pretty closely matched to us and all the games were close but we had less points in all the games.  Oh well....I really do not care.  We try each week to do our best and for me that is good enough.

Carla and I decided to stop at the Drug Store on the way home for some cough syrup.  Even though I got a blessing last night from Larry and Jaydan and even though I expected to wake up feeling wonderful I was still coughing with a bunch of gunk in my throat.  I took the cough medicine as I got home and waited for the miracle.  The pharmacist told me the best cough syrup to get and said that is what he uses. (it was a Walgreen brand) He said it works fast and is good.  I couldn't really tell a difference at first.  I still coughed.  In fact...I coughed so hard I was throwing up.  With tears running down my cheeks I looked into the mirror and remembered the part of my blessing that commanded the sickness to leave my body.  I guess this is one way of leaving my body.  I really debated on going to SNAP.  I told Nikki I would give her a ride home and I knew that she had probably already got on the bus to go when I was questioning what to do.  I decided that I had better go just so I will know what is going on since we won't be having a production this year.  For some reason a production specialist never got called...or at least no one accepted the calling.  It's all fine we will adjust and everything will be perfect.

I put on a clean jacket that wasn't germy and went.  I didn't get real close to anyone and just tried keeping my distance.  Ryan...my buddy...didn't care though and came and sat by me and gave me a little hug. (he usually gives me a huge hug)  I told him that he'd better not get sick and he promised me he wouldn't.  He also told me that he would pray for me to get better.  I figured that is all I would need...sweet Ryan praying for me.  The girls watched a movie and I was sitting there amazed how good I felt when I felt a cough coming on.  I left the room and remained out in the hall the rest of the time.

I slept really good for the first time this week.  I only coughed a few times but nothing major.  Everything is working great together and I am getting better.

getting Cabin Fever

I have kept my calendar empty this week because of the crud that got me.  You'd think that I might enjoy the rest but really I don't.  I think I prefer getting up and going somewhere.  I don't really prefer getting up and doing too much in my home.  I don't really enjoy cleaning the same things over and over.  I do it when it needs done and could be better at organizing but I choose to leave it instead.  I'd rather visit with others and just get outside first thing in the morning.  I do enjoy relaxing in my home in the afternoon and evenings but something about being here all day every day gets to me.  

I needed to go pick Ivy and Zaden up from school today and decided to see if Tammy was okay if I stopped by before I went. (I've been missing her)  Tammy and I are friends that just visit.  I drop by her house often and we just chat.  It's nice!  She was out running errands but would be home soon.  It was perfect for the time I had.  We had about an hour and it's just what I needed.  I love talking with Tammy and sharing our insights with each other.  I sure appreciate my good friend.

I got to enjoy my cute grands for about an hour before I had to go pick up Jared.  I had bought Pizza before picking up the kids because I know they are always hungry when they get done with school.  Hungry is right.  I watched Zaden eat 3 pieces of pizza and I'm sure that's how much Ivy ate as well.  It wasn't a lot of time with the grands but better than no time with them.  I also found out while I was talking to Trichelle on the phone that I gave her all my Rice Krispy molds....Hooray!  (she said I could borrow them anytime)

About the time I got home with Jared it was time to go to Kimleighel's Orchestra Concert.  Kimleighel loves her Cello and being in the Orchestra.  It makes her soul sing!  Kimleighel invited everyone to her concert (she always does) but because of busy lives usually it is just Larry and I who attend.  This concert Alexi came.  It was so wonderful seeing her cute face and hearing her compliment Kimleighel on how good she is.  She even brought Kimleighel flowers.  I know Alexi just topped the "favorite people" list of Kimleighel.  How sweet is that?

When we got home I asked Larry and Jaydan for a blessing.  This stuff is hanging on and I'm not liking it.  I'm just not use to feeling yucky!  I coughed all night and ended up going out to the couch to sleep so Larry could get some sleep.