When you are going to have guests to your home, what do you clean?
Another way of saying it, when you go to someone's house what do you notice is clean? Not clean?
Our stake has been doing preparedness classes. I volunteered to host the last class in the series this Thursday. I have been in the process of re-organizing bathroom cabinets, the playroom closet, food pantries and storage room. The last two in case someone asks to see my storage systems and the others just because...I don't know why but it seemed important at the time.
The playroom is/was a total waste of time because there are about 6 kids coming and they will play in the playroom (see irony of the playroom blog). The first mothers that take their kids in there will be duly impressed I guess.
The other wrinkle, which I know will get me no sympathy, is that the person who helps with the cleaning comes on Friday, the day after.
Come clean! Where do you look, and where do you clean?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Changing Clothes
Sometimes Change Is Not Good!
This memory is from my childhood...
I remember mother and daddy getting mad at me for changing my clothes “10 times a day”. "They’re my clothes, why can’t I change them whenever I want?"
Of course I didn’t understand the mess and the laundry resulting from that practice…
Angel was the same way, changing her clothes constantly. I told her my story, but said if she picked up her clothes after she changed them, it was okay.
Then… there was laundry.
To her, picking up her clothes meant putting them in the laundry basket. I told her if she did her own laundry she could change as much as she wanted. That pretty much took care of her changing clothes all the time, or at least how it affected me.
I realized that my mother couldn’t just throw in a load of clothes like I could, she borrowed my grandma’s wringer washer at that time and hung the clothes outside on a line. It was a lot of work for my mother with our large family.
Now, Angel has two little girls who change clothes constantly! Angel scolds them about it but I don’t think you can fight genetics!
This memory is from my childhood...
I remember mother and daddy getting mad at me for changing my clothes “10 times a day”. "They’re my clothes, why can’t I change them whenever I want?"
Of course I didn’t understand the mess and the laundry resulting from that practice…
Angel was the same way, changing her clothes constantly. I told her my story, but said if she picked up her clothes after she changed them, it was okay.
Then… there was laundry.
To her, picking up her clothes meant putting them in the laundry basket. I told her if she did her own laundry she could change as much as she wanted. That pretty much took care of her changing clothes all the time, or at least how it affected me.
I realized that my mother couldn’t just throw in a load of clothes like I could, she borrowed my grandma’s wringer washer at that time and hung the clothes outside on a line. It was a lot of work for my mother with our large family.
Now, Angel has two little girls who change clothes constantly! Angel scolds them about it but I don’t think you can fight genetics!
Monday, October 6, 2008
The Fascination of Impending Doom
(dialogue of me to myself)
Today's self-psycho-analysis session will focus on your fascination with impending doom. The format for today's self-psycho-analysis will be the Who/What/Where/When/Why/How format. Please keep your answers short because you are paying by the hour.
Who are the likely recipients of impending doom?
In my mind, (since that is where self-psycho-analysis takes place and does not necessarily follow a rational thought process) only the wicked or foolish will suffer.
What are your impending doom fascinations about.
1. Armageddon. That is my number one. I say get this whole thing over and done with so we don't have to worry about wars and wickedness and R-rated movies anymore.
2. Bombs. Destroying only the wicked, of course. Mainly that Abbameanajob guy. I say nuke him before he nukes us or the Israelis.
3. Widespread viral outbreak. That season of "24" was not to be missed or taken lightly. If we are all confined to home I hope we will still have internet and cable connections. I have food in my freezer and enough antibiotics to protect a small army.
4. Weather. Hurricanes get the most news coverage. Personally, I look forward to snow.
Where do you look for impending doom information?
For most of my news I go to Fox News. They have great financial and political doom scenarios. Also Glen Beck. He takes impending doom and puts it on a platter. It would just be rude to not have at least a taste of it floating around my head.
TV series have great impending doom scenarios I might never think of on my own. Jericho, for instance, took a nuclear attack to a whole new level.
When do you expect this impending doom to arrive?
Hurricanes are the best because you get a real timeline updated in real time. I hope no one gets hurt except the "unwise" who go surfboarding. That is just natural selection at work. I wish no homes would be destroyed but when you build your house on the sand below sea level in a hurricane zone...well we know how that song ends.
Why do you think you have this impending doom fascination?
There is a line between being prepared and being paranoid. I need reading glasses so that line can become fuzzy at times.
Being prepared is good a thing. When I think of a disaster, but know that I am prepared for it, I feel secure.
How does your thought process work?
Now, if I knew that, I wouldn't think it! Basically, I think planning for the worst and hoping for the best is ideal, but not a characteristically familiar thought process. I see the possibility for impending doom and figure out a way to make it bearable if it happens to me.
Have you ever experienced impending doom first hand?
I've blocked out that memory.
Today's self-psycho-analysis session will focus on your fascination with impending doom. The format for today's self-psycho-analysis will be the Who/What/Where/When/Why/How format. Please keep your answers short because you are paying by the hour.
Who are the likely recipients of impending doom?
In my mind, (since that is where self-psycho-analysis takes place and does not necessarily follow a rational thought process) only the wicked or foolish will suffer.
What are your impending doom fascinations about.
1. Armageddon. That is my number one. I say get this whole thing over and done with so we don't have to worry about wars and wickedness and R-rated movies anymore.
2. Bombs. Destroying only the wicked, of course. Mainly that Abbameanajob guy. I say nuke him before he nukes us or the Israelis.
3. Widespread viral outbreak. That season of "24" was not to be missed or taken lightly. If we are all confined to home I hope we will still have internet and cable connections. I have food in my freezer and enough antibiotics to protect a small army.
4. Weather. Hurricanes get the most news coverage. Personally, I look forward to snow.
Where do you look for impending doom information?
For most of my news I go to Fox News. They have great financial and political doom scenarios. Also Glen Beck. He takes impending doom and puts it on a platter. It would just be rude to not have at least a taste of it floating around my head.
TV series have great impending doom scenarios I might never think of on my own. Jericho, for instance, took a nuclear attack to a whole new level.
When do you expect this impending doom to arrive?
Hurricanes are the best because you get a real timeline updated in real time. I hope no one gets hurt except the "unwise" who go surfboarding. That is just natural selection at work. I wish no homes would be destroyed but when you build your house on the sand below sea level in a hurricane zone...well we know how that song ends.
Why do you think you have this impending doom fascination?
There is a line between being prepared and being paranoid. I need reading glasses so that line can become fuzzy at times.
Being prepared is good a thing. When I think of a disaster, but know that I am prepared for it, I feel secure.
How does your thought process work?
Now, if I knew that, I wouldn't think it! Basically, I think planning for the worst and hoping for the best is ideal, but not a characteristically familiar thought process. I see the possibility for impending doom and figure out a way to make it bearable if it happens to me.
Have you ever experienced impending doom first hand?
I've blocked out that memory.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Top Ten Reasons to Buy a Segway
In San Diego we went to the Wild Animal Park and went on a Segway tour.
In this picture we are not moving but standing still on Segways, with a mean looking Bison in the background.
To ride, you simply put weight on your toes or heels to move forward and back. By turning the handle you can turn 360 degrees. Segways are balanced with a gyroscope and run completely silent. So-o-o-o...I need to think of some ways to convince Dan we should buy Segways.
Top Ten Reasons to buy a Segway
10) Emergency Preparedness. A great evacuation vehicle, it can travel 8-10 mph for about 20 miles on a single charge.
9) Save the Planet. It uses no gas, emits no fumes.
8) Cost effective. If gas were $10 a gallon and we could save...maybe 2 gallons of gas a month...a Segway could pay for itself in only 20 years!
7) Exercise. More distance = more exercise. Think how many miles we can "run" without ever breaking a sweat.
6) Coolness Factor. "My Grandpa has a boat." "Yeah? Well my grandpa has a Segway."
5) Visits from relatives. Be honest, wouldn't you be creatively thinking of a reason to visit? Perhaps, a spontaneous desire to bring us homemade chocolate chip cookies?
4) Date night. Forget $75 for dinner and a movie. We can see the world (within 20 miles) and probably be invited to a neighbors barbeque.
3) Christmas Cards. "Dear friends and family, We are well, the kids are swell. We have Segways. Happy Holidays"
2) Easy access. Access to fast food has never been easier. A front storage compartment will hold a Big Mac, fries and an extra large Sprite. Loan payments are conveniently made with easy access to drive thru banking.
1) And the number one reason why we should buy a Segway? You tell me. Believe me, Dan is a hardsell on this one so make it good!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Why I Make My Bed
There are two important times for your house to be clean:
- Christmas
- Vacation
The reason for the first is obvious. "Santa doesn't come to a messy house."
Seat belts for car accidents. Life jackets for boat accidents. Remember: "Seat backs in their full and upright position. In case of a water landing your seat cushion may become a floatation device." Low calorie, low fat and low sodium. Yes, potential death is a real motivator.... but not as motivating as potential public embarrassment.
If you are in a fatal accident while on vacation the Relief Society will "come in". This "coming in" will include judgement on what kind of a person you were, based on how clean your house is at the moment of tragic and sudden death.
Yes, the Relief Society will see if you have left any dishes in the sink or failed to make your bed. The "tsk-tsk" of a Relief Society President who had to "come in" only to find your laundry was piled up would never let you rest in peace.
This embarrassment would live in infamy. It would be unfortunate to be remembered as "that woman" who left her home a mess when she left on vacation.
Let this be a warning; "Yea, a reminder for this generation". Wear clean underwear and mop the floor on the way out.
If I am in an accident while on vacation would someone please "come in" and clean my office before the Relief Society does!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Making Lemonaid Outside the Lemonaid Stand
I am a good lemonade maker!
Give me a lemon, or most any "fruit" and I can create some sort of juice. I can take a problem and then find a solution, if not immediately then at least eventually I can find a way to improve it. I do not take full credit of course because Dan and I come up with a lot of this together...here are some examples.
Problem: Traffic at the airport is insane. There are "Airport Nazi's" blowing whistles for you to move on and then you have to take the 1 mile loop to come back. Cars have been lined up a quarter mile at times. The cell phone lot is in a dark, deserted place that I try to avoid.
Solution: We have a two level deck with departures upstairs and baggage claim for arrivals downstairs. While the whistles, honks and sighs of frustration emanate from down below....I am relaxing smugly at the curb upstairs. There are maybe 10 other enlightened souls up with me waiting for their spouses to arrive. Few if any passengers are departing at these peak arrival times so I can park and relax until Dan comes. If he has checked luggage he simply rides the elevator to the upper level.
Problem: How to get American goods while living in Italy on our mission.
Solution: Parents come with empty suitcases to pick up their missionaries. Dan would call one or two as needed to ask them to bring some things with them. We ordered the items on the Internet and had them sent to the parents home. Sometimes we asked parents to buy things if we couldn't order it online and then we reimbursed them upon their arrival. This is a partial list of the items brought to us...6x8' area rugs (2), nylons, items won on eBay, lap top (twice:), favorite candy, "underwear", 1000's of Cd's (only got nailed with tariff's once), decongestants (TONS! we sold them at cost to the missionaries) and onion soup mix. None of the other MP's had thought of this.
These are clear examples of making lemonade outside the lemonade stand, but it's really the small, everyday solutions that I come up with that sometimes amaze even me! I've even figured out something to list as a talent on the Relief Society surveys: making lemonade!
Give me a lemon, or most any "fruit" and I can create some sort of juice. I can take a problem and then find a solution, if not immediately then at least eventually I can find a way to improve it. I do not take full credit of course because Dan and I come up with a lot of this together...here are some examples.
Problem: Traffic at the airport is insane. There are "Airport Nazi's" blowing whistles for you to move on and then you have to take the 1 mile loop to come back. Cars have been lined up a quarter mile at times. The cell phone lot is in a dark, deserted place that I try to avoid.
Solution: We have a two level deck with departures upstairs and baggage claim for arrivals downstairs. While the whistles, honks and sighs of frustration emanate from down below....I am relaxing smugly at the curb upstairs. There are maybe 10 other enlightened souls up with me waiting for their spouses to arrive. Few if any passengers are departing at these peak arrival times so I can park and relax until Dan comes. If he has checked luggage he simply rides the elevator to the upper level.
Problem: How to get American goods while living in Italy on our mission.
Solution: Parents come with empty suitcases to pick up their missionaries. Dan would call one or two as needed to ask them to bring some things with them. We ordered the items on the Internet and had them sent to the parents home. Sometimes we asked parents to buy things if we couldn't order it online and then we reimbursed them upon their arrival. This is a partial list of the items brought to us...6x8' area rugs (2), nylons, items won on eBay, lap top (twice:), favorite candy, "underwear", 1000's of Cd's (only got nailed with tariff's once), decongestants (TONS! we sold them at cost to the missionaries) and onion soup mix. None of the other MP's had thought of this.
These are clear examples of making lemonade outside the lemonade stand, but it's really the small, everyday solutions that I come up with that sometimes amaze even me! I've even figured out something to list as a talent on the Relief Society surveys: making lemonade!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Why Sheep Get Lost
The purpose of the Primary lesson was to teach how Jesus is our shepherd. We are his sheep and should follow Him. After explaining what a shepherd does I thought I would teach the 5-6 year-olds how to be good sheep and follow the shepherd with an object journey.
"We will be quiet sheep," I optimistically instructed my 7 sheep. "I will be the shepherd." I lined them up in twos. One boy was asked to be the shepherd helper in the back to make sure all the sheep came.
I opened the door. Before I could step into the hall most of the sheep were halfway down to the chapel. The sheep who were paying attention came back and we waited for the others to notice they were astray. Our first stop was the library and we almost made it there together as a flock.
We continued outside because it was such a beautiful day and sheep love the sun. The flock scattered from the path and did not hear the voice of their shepherd. It was a lot like herding cats.
We came back into the building because clearly this was not going well. We stopped in the area between the inner and outer doors to continue the object lesson. There were only 7 children (I've had as many as 14) and I could hardly contain them within an enclosed 10x10 spot. "This is our sheepfold where we would stay for the night." The shepherd's helper was placed at one door and I was at the other. I told them that he was like the Bishop who helps Jesus. Each of them were given a wall - a commandment that would help them stay safe. "The shepherd will help you be safe if you stay together and listen to the shepherd."
I was frustrated. This was turning out to be a great lesson but no one was listening! The sheep were ignoring the shepherd and doing whatever they pleased.
Suddenly it all became very clear...this is the predicament the Savior is in. He can certainly not force the sheep to stay in the fold. He loves his sheep and does not want any of them to be lost...but they are just grazing and looking for green pastures to roam on their own.
This is why sheep get lost.
If we stray from the safety of the sheepfold we are prey for the wolves of the world. If we do not learn the voice of our Shepherd we will be distracted and not know which way to go. We need to PAY ATTENTION or the lessons will be over and we will end up coloring a picture instead of painting an eternal future.
"We will be quiet sheep," I optimistically instructed my 7 sheep. "I will be the shepherd." I lined them up in twos. One boy was asked to be the shepherd helper in the back to make sure all the sheep came.
I opened the door. Before I could step into the hall most of the sheep were halfway down to the chapel. The sheep who were paying attention came back and we waited for the others to notice they were astray. Our first stop was the library and we almost made it there together as a flock.
We continued outside because it was such a beautiful day and sheep love the sun. The flock scattered from the path and did not hear the voice of their shepherd. It was a lot like herding cats.
We came back into the building because clearly this was not going well. We stopped in the area between the inner and outer doors to continue the object lesson. There were only 7 children (I've had as many as 14) and I could hardly contain them within an enclosed 10x10 spot. "This is our sheepfold where we would stay for the night." The shepherd's helper was placed at one door and I was at the other. I told them that he was like the Bishop who helps Jesus. Each of them were given a wall - a commandment that would help them stay safe. "The shepherd will help you be safe if you stay together and listen to the shepherd."
I was frustrated. This was turning out to be a great lesson but no one was listening! The sheep were ignoring the shepherd and doing whatever they pleased.
Suddenly it all became very clear...this is the predicament the Savior is in. He can certainly not force the sheep to stay in the fold. He loves his sheep and does not want any of them to be lost...but they are just grazing and looking for green pastures to roam on their own.
This is why sheep get lost.
If we stray from the safety of the sheepfold we are prey for the wolves of the world. If we do not learn the voice of our Shepherd we will be distracted and not know which way to go. We need to PAY ATTENTION or the lessons will be over and we will end up coloring a picture instead of painting an eternal future.
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