"Quiet! I Need to Toot!"

 I have a problem.  I rename things.  I don't know why I do it, but I give things new names (I do the same with people, but that's another story for another day.)  For instance, I call this:

THE PUNCHER.  

My kids grew up thinking that was it's real name.  I've always called it the puncher. 

 I call this:

a BANGER.  

Just seems like that should be it's name to me. 

 And I call this:

a TOOTER.

I lead a women's singing group called "Keynotes"   The other day at rehearsal, I had a bit of a problem with my renaming. ( I'll bet you can see where this is going. )  Everyone was chatting and it was time for us to start singing one of our acapella numbers- so time for me to give the pitch.  I shouted out, "Quiet!  I need to toot!"  It got quiet alright!

I think, from now on, I'm calling it a pitchpipe.

The Project

What?  A craft project on my blog?   I know, it doesn't happen very often, since I'm not much of a crafter.  But since they have all opened them and are using them with their children, I can share with you "the project" I worked many hours on this fall.  When my children were little, I made one of these nativity advent calendars.  They grew up doing it every year, taking the different players in the important nativity story out of the pockets each day.  I found out how much it meant to them when they all came for Christmas last year and the number one request was that I have my calendar out for their kids to do it.  I determined then that I would make one for each of them for Christmas this year.  It was so fun to make each little figure and think about each of my grandchildren how they would enjoy what their moms had enjoyed when they were little.  I hope it helps them to feel the true spirit of Christmas in their homes.

Michelle wrote a guest post on a Mommy blog about this tradition.

The Happiness Project

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


My daughters and I read this book for our online book club. I think it generated the best discussion we've had on any of the books we've read. The book is the report of the author's research and year-long experiment in improving her personal happiness. It is full of great quotes and research on the subject. It prompted all of us to set goals and improve the happiness in our lives, so it was definitely good. But, I kept wanting to share with Mrs. Rubin the real keys to happiness. She almost gets it, but not quite. She put her children in day care so she could write about happiness. Something is wrong with this picture! She's climbing the ladder of happiness, but when she gets to the top, she may find that her ladder is leaning against the wrong wall!   But, as I said, there is much good in the book and much food for thought.



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Thanksgiving at Our House

We had Thanksgiving just alone at our house this year.  I was pretty depressed thinking about it before, but it turned out to be a very happy and wonderful Thanksgiving.   There was delicious food, of course:

And we even got the Christmas decorating all done!

Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?

We enjoyed skype calls from all the kids in the afternoon, so it almost felt like we were together.  

It was a wonderful thanksgiving, as we have so much for which to be grateful!

Jesus, the Christ

Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


My husband and I finished reading this book together about a month ago. I’ve tried many times to write a review of it’s 700+pages, plus extensive footnotes. I had read it once before. We weren’t exactly on the fast track in reading it as it took us about 1 ½ years to read all 700+ pages, including every footnote. How does one review a book of this magnitude and content? It’s impossible. At least I’m finding it to be impossible. I’ve come to the conclusion that only a slick, on the surface review will have to suffice. I hope it’s enough to entice you to read the book in it’s entirety.
I was fascinated to learn that the majority of the book was written inside the Salt Lake City temple. Elder Talmage was asked to write the book by the first presidency of the church. He had been lecturing and teaching about the Savior, and he was asked to write it in book form. He was later called to be an apostle. After his call, he found it nearly impossible to write as he had so many duties. So he was given a room in the temple to work on the project. At the book’s completion, he read the book in it’s entirety to the first presidency in many sessions. Much of it was discussed by the group. To me, this makes it a companion to the scriptures.
I am grateful for this comprehensive work on the life of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I think that part of James Talmage’s life mission was to use his magnificent mind and organization skills and testimony to give to all of us a greater understanding of Jesus, the Christ. I am grateful he fulfilled that mission.




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