Give thanks for . . .

the restored gospel.

Before we leave


What are
you thankful for?

A little inspiration
as we head in to
the Christmas season.

A Fancy Nancy Friend

A Fabulous
Fancy Nancy
Friend.
Joan Pitts
creates
awe-inspiring
centerpieces
for each
Relief Society
Dinner.


She readily
tutors
Fancy Nancys
in training


and blesses
the world
with her
creative genius,
exquisite jewelry


and divine ensembles.
Thankful for fine friends.

Give thanks for . . .

Mr. Jensen & Mr. Bradley - Halloween 2009

All of God's creations

large . . .

Mr. Norris - Lake Michigan - October 20008

Ryan, Miss Baby & Mr. Norris - October 2008

Miss Daisy - July 2009

Miss Baby & Stephanie - Lake Michigan - October 2008

and small.

The cats - Mr. Luigi & Miss Pumpkin

Give thanks for . . .

His birth

and wise men
and women
who still
seek Him.

Give thanks for . . .

Brothers

( with fine heads of hair)

(Note the GQ pose)

Sisters




Goodly parents


Memories

Give thanks for . . .

Blue-eyed
turkeys.


- Thanksgiving 2004 -

Fancy Nancy Football Fans

Fabulous,
Festive Football
Fans


They would
make
Fancy Nancy
proud!


Timpview 35
Springville 6


Congrats T-birds
on a 4-peat!

A fabulous end
to a fierce football face-off.

Missing Mom

- October 1986 -

A Fabulous Find at Costco

Do you think
they sell glitter
by the gallon
at Costco?

Thank You

Civil War Cemetery
Franklin, Tennessee


U.S. Flag retrieved from the
USS Utah at Pearl Harbor


Freedom
gained and preserved
at a great price.

Giving Guilt the Boot

Miami - October 2009

It seems that I'm packed and ready at any given moment for a guilt trip. My mother was a master at using guilt to elicit obedience. I found guilt to be a short term motivator - kind of like having the teacher in the room. If, when the teacher steps out and the class is not motivated by something deeper than guilt, chaos quickly takes over.

Over the years I have felt guilt over missing a birthday, not exercising, being abrupt with a child, saying no, saying yes, buying the nylon velvet hide-a-bed, taking a nap, not being perfect, etc., etc., etc. A lot of years - a lot of guilt.

Then, one day while driving I was listening to Dr. Laura on the radio. A woman called in and expressed guilt for not wanting to interact with her alcoholic mother who had created a very toxic relationship with her daughter. She felt pulled between the obligation to her mother and the need to be sane and healthy.

Dr. Laura stopped her as she expressed her overwhelming guilt with this situation. Dr. Laura pointed out that there are only two times where guilt is the appropriate response - One, if you have done something legally wrong or, two, if you've done something morally wrong. She told the woman that she could feel sad, angry, disappointed, exhausted or any other emotion in response to her mother's dysfunction BUT, because she was doing nothing morally or legally wrong, she needed to unload the burden of guilt.

As women, I think our tendency is to strap guilt to our backs and lug it around for years. I think sometimes we feel guilty just for being human. I now challenge my 'guilt trips' to see if they meet the legal/moral definition and I'm getting better at recognizing my limits and not feeling guilty in doing that.

All in all, I'm ready to give guilt the boot.

*Need inspired perspective, read this.

Interior/Exterior Design

What were we thinking?

Elizabeth, Ryan & Jason - Jason's blessing - 1982

* We were so practical
with this couch purchase.
We decided to buy a QUEEN
nylon velvet floral hide-a-bed
in case we had company stay with us.
The only problem with that was that
ALL OUR FAMILY LIVED IN TOWN!
We had no visitors!
There were only three things
wrong with our couch -
First, it weighed about a half a ton.
Second, it NEVER wore out and
Third, it tended to unfold as you were
moving it through doorways.
So when you hear 'Harvest Gold',
'Avocado Green',
'Burnt Orange' or 'Rust',
be afraid!
Mr. W. liked the couch but then,
he is horribly color blind.

There is a saying - Don't mess with
Mother Nature.
Our first couch is proof of that!

Provo, Utah - Fall 2009

No one does
floral 'earth tones'
as well as
Mother Nature!