Ken's Camping Trip

After getting home from Idaho, we still had another week off from temple service as the temple was closed for cleaning.  Ken decided to spend a few days alone camping on Cedar Mountain.  He loves to get in the mountains and enjoy nature.  Me-not so much.

The campsite

He saw lots of wildlife, and beautiful scenery.

He enjoyed being in the outdoors, camping, fishing, and reading.

Meanwhile, back at home, I used the time to clean out a closet in what was Michelle's bedroom.  The closet has become a catch-all for extra clothes, and lots and lots of stuff!   I took this picture right after I got all of the clothes out of the closet.  Since then, much more stuff has come out of there and it looks even worse than this.  But, poco a poco it is getting done.  I work on it a little every day.  DI, here I come!!!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved, loved, loved this book. Not only was it brilliantly written, but Eleanor is one of the best characters I have met in literature. This is a book I will be recommending to everyone.



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Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Dick Winters

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


My husband and I listened to this book on a road trip. Well, he listened to it. I slept a lot and actually read another book during part of it, so can I count it as a book that I have read? Heck yes! It was painful. I am counting it!
I really have no interest in war books, and this one was particularly dry.
Though, I’m sure an excellent leader, Major Winters was not a writer. His many claims to his own humility were overpowered by his boastings.

Though I didn’t find the book very enjoyable,
I am deeply grateful for Major Winters service and sacrifice, along with all of the others that sacrificed so much so that I can have what I have today.
The book ended with Major Winter’s Leadership tips (he was asked often to speak at conventions and meetings about leadership). I thought they were really good:

“Leadership At The Point Of a Bayonet“
1. Strive to be a leader of character, competence, and courage.
2. Lead from the front. Say, “Follow me!” and then lead the way.
3. Stay in top physical shape–physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.
4. Develop your team. If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.
5. Delegate responsibility to your subordinates and let them do their job. You can’t do a good job if you don’t have a chance to use your imagination and creativity.
6. Anticipate problems and prepare to overcome obstacles. Don’t wait until you get to the top of the ridge and then make up your mind.
7. Remain humble. Don’t worry about who receives the credit. Never let power or authority go to your head.
8. Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.
9. True satisfaction comes from getting the job done. They key to a successful leader is to earn respect–not because of rank or position, but because you are a leader of character.
10. Hang Tough!–Never, ever, give up.




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Welcome Home, John and Cindy

On September 15, John and Cindy reported their mission to the Phillipines in their home ward in Caldwell,  Idaho.  It was such a spiritual feast to be there.

This was taken at their home after the meeting.

Ken and I drove to Idaho on the Thursday before.  It was a long trip!

On Friday, Ken, Tom, Whitney and her roommate, Tara went camping and hiking in the mountains. Tom was a great host and guide.

Tom, Tara, Ken, Whitney

Soaking in Idaho hot springs is always part of their mountain adventures.

Joan, though she had just arrived home from Disneyworld with her kids, dropped everything to spend time with me.  We shopped (always have to go to Trader Joe's and TJ Maxx), went to lunch both days, visited, watched the BYU game (YEA!!!) and went to dinner on Friday at Devin and Sarah's.  They were so kind to host us for a nice dinner with their family.

We went to dinner on Saturday night after the hikers got home at a Mexican restaurant.  It was delicious!  Idaho has really good Mexican food.

Joan and Tom have recently moved into a beautiful home in Hidden Springs.  They are so happy in their rural Boise home.

I was sad I was having a bad hair day when I would be seeing so many loved ones that I rarely see.

After the sacrament meeting we partied at John and Cindy's.  There were a lot of people there.  In the front is my cousin, Martha and her husband, Ron.  I always love to see them and reconnect with a favorite cousin.

It was a delightful weekend.  We drove to Shonna and Blake's in Logan on Sunday, then on to St. George on Monday.  I didn't take a single picture at Shonna's and I'm sad.  But I will describe to you a picture I will hold in my memory:
As we left, Shonna and the four kids came out on the front porch to wave goodbye.  It was early, so the three youngest were still in their night clothes and all of them waving and blowing kisses.  Man, I wish I had stuck my camera out the window and took a picture!  It was so precious.
The kids were so happy to see us.  Caleb and Lily were learning about 9/11 and told us all about it and brought out a big photo-filled book about it.  Caleb had written a report on it for his class.  They knew a lot of details I had never heard.  It made me grateful that the schools( and their parents) are sensitively teaching about the day that changed the world.  We had good chats with all of the kids.  They are beautiful children being well-taught by their parents.  Blake worked us in for dental work early on Monday, for which we are most grateful.  They treat us like a king and queen, as did Tom and Joan when we were in Boise. It was a wonderful, memory-filled weekend.

Which Wolf Am I Feeding?

There is a story told of an old Cherokee teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil: he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good: he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person too.”

Illustration by Allen Garns

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

                                                             Elder Shayne M Bowen from New Era, Sept 2012

Isn't that a powerful story?  "Which wolf am I feeding right now?" makes a powerful mantra.  No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can usually come up with an answer.  I think especially when saying our nightly prayers, we can ask, overall, which wolf won today?  I so want the good wolf to win inside of me!

Which wolf am I feeding?- Another mantra to consider.

To view other of my mantras click here.

The Life of Paul

The life of Paul by Benjamin Willard Robinson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


When he was in college, my husband took a religion class on the life of Paul. He loved that class. The lesson manual for that class was a book amazingly was called “The Life of Paul”. He really loved the book and has reread it twice in the years since his university days.
I teach the adult Sunday school class in our church. We are studying the New Testament this year. I wanted to learn more about Paul, so I read this book. This is a very informative and readable book about Paul’s life and ministry. It explains so much about the background of his teachings and puts a very non-chronological book (the New Testament) into chronological order. I learned a lot about Paul’s personality and his great desire to serve and convert, especially the Gentiles. His epistles reveal his great desire that the Christian congregations unite in faith and love, despite their differences. His writings and teachings are just as applicable today as they were in his time. I am grateful for Paul and for this book.




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Ladies' Night

Ladies' Night by Mary Kay Andrews

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Though it certainly kept me engaged, I cannot recommend this book. I didn’t feel like it was uplifting or that it reflected my values.



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Educated

Educated by Tara Westover

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A friend recommended and loaned this book to me. I loved it. I’m looking for the 6-star button. It was hard to read, but it was also really hard NOT to read. I honor the author for her courage, tenacity, and honesty. I highly recommend this book.
*Note: Because the author did not make this clear, I want to. The religion her parents practiced was NOT Mormonism. It was obsessive survivalist paranoia and extremism. Those were their personal beliefs, not part of their religion. I am a Mormon or, as we prefer to be referred to, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Those beliefs are not preached or practiced as part of our religion.



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Mr. Terupt Falls Again

Mr. Terupt Falls Again by Rob Buyea

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is another delightful book in the Mr. Terupt series. Seven sixth-graders in Mr. Terupt’s class narrate this book about growing up, dealing with trials, challenges, and peer pressure, and learning from a most- wise teacher.



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The Bookshop

The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I hate to say it, but I really didn’t like this book much. I really wanted it to be a nice book about a “Shop Around the Corner” kind of book shop. But instead, it was a battle between a kind and decent widow who simply wanted to establish a book shop in her little English town and a mean and manipulative woman who wants the old house the widow has purchased for her shop for other purposes. And the bad guy wins in the end. Doesn’t the author know books are supposed to end happy? Considering the book was nominated for a prestigious award and a motion picture was produced based on the novel, my negative review probably tells more about me than it does the book.



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Designated Survivor

Hang on to your hat, folks! Every episode of this show on Netflix is high drama and action-packed.  It is really, really hard to turn it off after watching just one episode.  We have thoroughly enjoyed watching this series.
 Whoa!!!!!!  Stop the presses!!!!  I wrote the above while we were watching seasons 1 and 2, several months ago.  As soon as we started watching season 3 we saw a HUGE change.  The characters swore more using the vilest of swear words.  Even the hero- the president of the US suddenly had a filthy mouth. More elicit scenes were included and topics and themes were disgusting.  What happened???  We decided we couldn't watch anymore.  It was a sad decision as we really enjoyed seasons 1 and 2.  It really makes me wonder what happened?  New writers?  New director?  Sad, very sad.

Update 8/2019:  I read in an article online that seasons 1 and 2 were produced by ABC network.  Then ABC cancelled the show.  Netflix took the show and produced Season 3.  So there's the difference.  Netflix has no standards, evidently.  What a horrible difference.  I guess the lesson is beware of shows produced by Netflix.  I guess Netflix has cancelled it now as well, so there will be no Season 4.  Not that it matters to us.
The Label on this post is "Movies and Shows We Liked." Though we liked Seasons 1 and 2, we most definitely do not now recommend this show.  We suggest you do NOT watch it.

If You Always Do What You've Always Done

Henry Ford

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."  Henry Ford

I think until you realize this statement is true, you can't make any real changes in your life.  If you want something different in life then you have to put something different into it.  If we keep doing the same thing, then we will keep getting the same result. But even a slight change can make a big difference.

As we analyze what we need to change in our lives, we also need to analyze what, in detail, we will change to make it happen.
An example of using this mantra would be to use it to lose weight.  We can analyze what specific habits we need to change to accomplish this goal and make the changes.  Small changes can net big results.

This is a mantra that can elicit great change in our lives.  If you want to see others of my mantras, click here.

Downton Abbey

I'm sure everyone has heard of Downton Abbey and probably most have watched it.  We watched as far as was available a few years ago and recently watched the final season. The scenery, sets, and costuming are beautiful and it is well cast.  We enjoyed this period show.
We look forward to seeing the movie that is set to release next month.

To see other movies and shows we have enjoyed, please click here.

It's Gonna Be a Such Good Day!

If you want to hear something cute, press the play button.  Hannah sent me a voice message the morning of her first day of Kindergarten.

This precious little girl was SO excited to start Kindergarten!

I wasn't sure whether to post this as a mantra or a grandkid post. Maybe I will do both!  Isn't that a great mantra?  If we could wake up each morning and say, "It's gonna be a such good day!"  Thank you sweet Hannah for helping Grandma to see the world through your happy eyes!  I love you!!!

William's Birthday

We got home from Park City on Friday, then headed down to Vegas on Saturday to celebrate William's 2nd birthday. 

This precious little guy brings us lots of joy.  When you ask him if he wants something he says, in a cheerful little voice, "Okay." 

He loves to give hugs.  With his arms wrapped around your neck, he says, "Oh how nice."

It was a fun day with the Prince family.

First, Jaron had to show Grandpa what he had been reading.  Ken read this series of books by Jim Kjelgaard when he was a child and loved them.  He recommended them to his grandsons.  Jaron found them at the library and he loves them, too.  Gabbi showed us what she has been reading, too, and told us all about it. She is reading the Land of Stories series and is LOVING it. 

Her cousin, Brielle (reader extraordinaire) recommended it.

Two-year-old William

Jared and Anepo Hinton live in Vegas.  They brought their daughters to the party, too.  Jared is Ken's oldest brother's youngest son.  They are such a nice family.  Michelle and Brian get together with them frequently.

The spread:  Brian made delicious Chinese rice, potstickers, salad bar, tomatoes and, of course, birthday cake and ice cream.

The kids table

Michelle made such a cute cake for him

This little guy is such a pleasant fellow with the cutest personality.

+

He wasn't sure what to make of the fire.

But he was all in on the cake!

For some reason he wanted this piece of streamer tied around his waist.

He loved all of his presents.  He had a swarm of kids around him to open them.  They would take away what he just opened, trying to get him to open the next present.  He didn't like that.  He wanted to just play with the one he opened.  He would try to hide the toys behind his back and try to move somewhere else to get away from the kids.  Nothing worked!  It was so cute.

Gabbi and Jaron had spent the week turning their loft playroom into a city of "forts (using every sheet in the cupboard- eek!  Michelle is a patient mom.)  All the adults ended the party by touring the city.  It was pretty impressive.  They each had houses, a library (the most impressive to me), and lots of other "buildings."  So fun for kids!

Happy birthday, William!!!