My husband and I were watching the coverage of Hurricane Gustav tonight. Geraldo Rivera was one of the reporters. He was interviewing an archbishop from the Catholic church in New Orleans. My husband commented that you could tell from the archbishop's demeanor that he truly believed in what he was doing and was a kind, good-hearted man. I replied that he reminded me of President Gordan B. Hinckley. Pres. Hinckley had that kind of a demeanor: kind, loving, patient, concerned with what you had to say, like he had all the time in the world to just sit and talk with you. I truly admire that in people. How is that learned? One way I think it is learned is by working with people and serving them. However, I don't think everyone who works with people learns this. Some people learn the opposite, they learn impatience, rudeness, and act like they don't care what you say. What is the difference? How do some people learn patience, kindness and love, while others learn rudeness, loathing and impatience? I think one answer is you have to love your job. You have to actually like what you are doing. President Hinckley was a perfect example of someone who loved what he was doing. He always had a smile on his face. I loved it when he would joke around. It kind of caught you off guard sometimes to have your prophet tell a joke from the pulpit, but it was great!
Have you ever sat and talked with someone who acted like what you had to say was the most important thing in their life at that moment? One person that comes to my mind when I think of this is my mother-in-law. She is the greatest listener I have ever sat and talked to. She acts like she has nothing better to do than to sit and listen to you. Maybe because this is true - she HAS nothing better to do than to just sit and listen to you because she is in her 80's. But she has always been that way to me. I love to just sit and talk with her. Especially if it's just you and her. She gives you her full, undivided attention. I think this is one of her greatest gifts. She is someone I would like to emulate in that characteristic. My husband also has this gift if it is just you and him and he's not near a tv. But he is not as good at it as his mother.
So try this experiment: The next time you talk with someone-either someone you know, or someone you don't know - look them in the eyes when you speak. Smile. Listen to what they are saying. Reply with comments so THEY know you are paying attention. Listen, instead of trying to think of an experience or story you can tell as soon as you can jump in. Don't look at your watch. Don't look over your shoulder at people passing by. Don't watch tv or look at a magazine or the newspaper while you listen...and watch their reaction. Look at their face. These are all things I need to work on. Lately I've tried doing this a few times. It's sometimes hard to do. And no, I can't do it every time. But it has interesting results...
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DELIRIOUS!
Today is my younger sister, Delirious' birthday! Since Delirious was about what - 6 or 8? when I got married, I don't have a lot of memories. In fact this first memory I don't really remember exactly, but I have a very faint memory of it:
When Delirious was born, my mom had to go back into the hospital. I think she was only a few weeks old. My grandmother came to visit and take care of us, Delirious, and Mom after she got out of the hospital, but before Grandma got there, Mom was hospitalized. I think some kind of kidney infection. Mom was so worried that Dad wouldn't wake up when Delirious woke up for her night feedings. Maybe I sensed her worry, I don't know, but Mom says that when Dad did wake up in the middle of the night and looked at the clock he thought he had overslept and not heard Delirious cry. Then he heard something and he looked over and there I sat in the chair feeding Delirious her bottle. Dad went back to sleep, and a few hours later he woke up and did the same thing - wondered if he had overslept. Once again, he looked over, and there I was feeding the baby again. I was about 8 or 9 years of age at this time. When I was a child, I LOVED babies. I adopted Sticks, Delirious and our youngest brother as "my" babies. The only reason I didn't adopt Twist is because I was only 3 when he was born. :0)
I loved having Mom, Dad, Delirious and my brothers come to visit me after I got married. One time Delirious had come for a visit when she was still young, she came to me and said, "Nene, can I snoop in your house?" I thought that was so funny - she was curious and wanted to look in my drawers, cabinets, and closets, but was polite enough to ask first.
My children LOVED having Delirious come to visit, because their favorite thing to do when Delirious and my brothers came, was to play "hide and seek". Now this was not your normal "hide and seek" game. Delirious and my brothers used to make "clothing dummies" - sort of dummies out of clothes that they had stuffed to look like a person. They would "hide" these dummies in beds, etc. so it would look like someone was in the bed.
I remember when Delirious came back from her mission in Taiwan. I was so excited that she was going to have a long lay-over in our airport! Unfortunately her plane was over an hour late (can't remember how late it was). I was Enrichment Leader and had a big Enrichment meeting that night. When I found out how late her plane was going to be, I called the Enrichment Counselor and asked her if she could do the Enrichment meeting herself so I could stay at the airport. (And actually, I was going to leave and take all the stuff to her since it was in my car, and then come back to the airport). She freaked and said she couldn't possibly do it. (It wasn't that big of a deal.) I seriously thought about just not showing up, but then I decided to do my duty. When Delirous got there, I only had time to walk her to her next terminal and gate, give her a hug and tell her goodbye. I cried all the way to church, being so mad that the counselor wouldn't help me. When I got to church, she said to me, "Oh, I'm so sorry, you should have just stayed." I said to her, "Well, that's why I called you, to see if YOU would do it, but you said no." I felt so bad having to leave Delirious there to wait 2 hours more until her plane came. (I couldn't have gone back, since it was an hour's drive home from the airport and would have taken another hour to drive back.)
I remember when Delirous came to stay with me when I had Survival Knife. I think she had only gotten there the day before. My pains started and I knew my husband was still in school and I couldn't get in touch with him (this was before cell phones). It would be 2-3 more hours until he got out of school. I was afraid to wait too long before going to the hospital, so I went into my bedroom and prayed that I would know for sure that I was in labor. Within just a few minutes I knew I was. So we loaded up the rest of the kids and Delirious drove me to the hospital. Even though the hospital was clear across town, we only had to go down one street to get to it. I told her that coming back, once she got close to our neighborhood, the kids would be able to tell her where to turn.
Delirious is a wonderful person and a great sister! I am so proud of the woman she has become. She is still fun to be around, and when she and I and Inklings get together, for me it is enough to just sit and talk and talk and talk...like I need to fill up my "sister" reservoir so it will last until the next time I can see them.
HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY DELIRIOUS! I LOVE YOU!
When Delirious was born, my mom had to go back into the hospital. I think she was only a few weeks old. My grandmother came to visit and take care of us, Delirious, and Mom after she got out of the hospital, but before Grandma got there, Mom was hospitalized. I think some kind of kidney infection. Mom was so worried that Dad wouldn't wake up when Delirious woke up for her night feedings. Maybe I sensed her worry, I don't know, but Mom says that when Dad did wake up in the middle of the night and looked at the clock he thought he had overslept and not heard Delirious cry. Then he heard something and he looked over and there I sat in the chair feeding Delirious her bottle. Dad went back to sleep, and a few hours later he woke up and did the same thing - wondered if he had overslept. Once again, he looked over, and there I was feeding the baby again. I was about 8 or 9 years of age at this time. When I was a child, I LOVED babies. I adopted Sticks, Delirious and our youngest brother as "my" babies. The only reason I didn't adopt Twist is because I was only 3 when he was born. :0)
I loved having Mom, Dad, Delirious and my brothers come to visit me after I got married. One time Delirious had come for a visit when she was still young, she came to me and said, "Nene, can I snoop in your house?" I thought that was so funny - she was curious and wanted to look in my drawers, cabinets, and closets, but was polite enough to ask first.
My children LOVED having Delirious come to visit, because their favorite thing to do when Delirious and my brothers came, was to play "hide and seek". Now this was not your normal "hide and seek" game. Delirious and my brothers used to make "clothing dummies" - sort of dummies out of clothes that they had stuffed to look like a person. They would "hide" these dummies in beds, etc. so it would look like someone was in the bed.
I remember when Delirious came back from her mission in Taiwan. I was so excited that she was going to have a long lay-over in our airport! Unfortunately her plane was over an hour late (can't remember how late it was). I was Enrichment Leader and had a big Enrichment meeting that night. When I found out how late her plane was going to be, I called the Enrichment Counselor and asked her if she could do the Enrichment meeting herself so I could stay at the airport. (And actually, I was going to leave and take all the stuff to her since it was in my car, and then come back to the airport). She freaked and said she couldn't possibly do it. (It wasn't that big of a deal.) I seriously thought about just not showing up, but then I decided to do my duty. When Delirous got there, I only had time to walk her to her next terminal and gate, give her a hug and tell her goodbye. I cried all the way to church, being so mad that the counselor wouldn't help me. When I got to church, she said to me, "Oh, I'm so sorry, you should have just stayed." I said to her, "Well, that's why I called you, to see if YOU would do it, but you said no." I felt so bad having to leave Delirious there to wait 2 hours more until her plane came. (I couldn't have gone back, since it was an hour's drive home from the airport and would have taken another hour to drive back.)
I remember when Delirous came to stay with me when I had Survival Knife. I think she had only gotten there the day before. My pains started and I knew my husband was still in school and I couldn't get in touch with him (this was before cell phones). It would be 2-3 more hours until he got out of school. I was afraid to wait too long before going to the hospital, so I went into my bedroom and prayed that I would know for sure that I was in labor. Within just a few minutes I knew I was. So we loaded up the rest of the kids and Delirious drove me to the hospital. Even though the hospital was clear across town, we only had to go down one street to get to it. I told her that coming back, once she got close to our neighborhood, the kids would be able to tell her where to turn.
Delirious is a wonderful person and a great sister! I am so proud of the woman she has become. She is still fun to be around, and when she and I and Inklings get together, for me it is enough to just sit and talk and talk and talk...like I need to fill up my "sister" reservoir so it will last until the next time I can see them.
HAVE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY DELIRIOUS! I LOVE YOU!
Monday, August 25, 2008
PERSERVERANCE PAYS OFF
For as long as I've been blogging, I've never been able to write a post using my desktop computer, but have always had to use my laptop. Not that I mind using the laptop, but the keyboard is a little freaky and sometimes it will jump up and start typing in another part of the post where I have already typed. The reason I always used the laptop is because I could never log in to write a post with my desktop. Every once in awhile when I am on my desktop computer, I try "one more time" to see if I can log in. The other day I tried, and Lo, and Behold! It worked! Did the computer fairy come and fix my desktop? Did my desktop finally give in and admit that I was going to blog with or without it? I don't know, but I am glad I finally have both computers cooperating!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILBERT GIRL!
Today is Gilbert Girl's birthday. Once again I will share some memories in honor of her birthday.
Gilbert Girl was born during a baby boom. The hospital was so crowded they were putting 3 people to a room, using labor and delivery rooms for regular maternity rooms, and women in labor were having to just be in the hall. They even ran out of those plexiglas basinets and were putting the babies in some cardboard ones they had for emergencies. I was only in labor with her for an hour and a half.
When Gilbert Girl was about 2 1/2 I used to take her to Primary with me and put her in the nursery. Only she wouldn't go into the nursery. This was when we had Primary during the week after school. So whenever it was my turn to conduct, I had to take her on the stand with me. This came to a screaching halt one day, when I realized that instead of standing reverently beside me as I was conducting, she was instead standing beside the podium sticking her tongue out and making faces at all the Primary children. I'm sure you can imagine the kids'reaction to that. So the next week I threatened her that if she didn't go into the nursery, I would call her dad as soon as he got home from work (back then he usually was home by 5:15) and he would come get her. She didn't go into the nursery, I called her dad, he came and got her and took her home. The next week she went into the nursery.
When Gilbert Girl was about 5 we went to visit my Grandparents. My Grandfather had been very ill and he actually died a few months later. While we were there, she and Native Minnow took a special interest in Grandpa. I think they were worried about him. Every time he got up, they would go to him and take his hands and help him walk around. They walked him around the house, and even around the yard. He didn't speak much to them, but we knew he liked having them do it, because if they weren't around and he went to get up, he would say, "Where's that boy and girl?"
When she was 4 1/2 she got to be Mary in a Nativity scene for Christmas in Primary. She said she didn't want her dad and I to come in and if we did she wouldn't do it. We stood in the hall and peeked through the back door.
When Gilbert Girl was small I swear she had ESP. Many times she would say something that had to do with what I was thinking at the moment. I used to even try and test her. For some reason it seemed like whenever we were in the car was the best time. I would think of something and sure enough, she would comment on it. Sometimes it was even like she was finishing a thought I had.
Gilbert Girl had her handwriting analyzed by her Aunt Delirious. Here is what Delirious said about her: (which I think describes her)
-positive drive and determination
-very sensitive to pleasures of life, doesn’t like to overdo it. (For example: May appreciate a sundae with fewer toppings.)
-wants to get on with life
-disciplined and organized but busy
-adaptable nature in relationships
-good balance of giving time to self and others
-likes to be in control of emotions
-likes to take time to get to know people (more slowly)
-rational, get-to-the-point
-intelligent
-likes to be involved with others
-easily bored with routine
-interested in many different things, wants to do it all
-comfortable with self, same in public as in private
-unsure if she wants to be independent
-does not need continuity of thought to arrive at conclusion
-somewhat intuitive indecision making process
-confident in appearance
-a person of conviction
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILBERT GIRL!!! I LOVE YOU!!
Gilbert Girl was born during a baby boom. The hospital was so crowded they were putting 3 people to a room, using labor and delivery rooms for regular maternity rooms, and women in labor were having to just be in the hall. They even ran out of those plexiglas basinets and were putting the babies in some cardboard ones they had for emergencies. I was only in labor with her for an hour and a half.
When Gilbert Girl was about 2 1/2 I used to take her to Primary with me and put her in the nursery. Only she wouldn't go into the nursery. This was when we had Primary during the week after school. So whenever it was my turn to conduct, I had to take her on the stand with me. This came to a screaching halt one day, when I realized that instead of standing reverently beside me as I was conducting, she was instead standing beside the podium sticking her tongue out and making faces at all the Primary children. I'm sure you can imagine the kids'reaction to that. So the next week I threatened her that if she didn't go into the nursery, I would call her dad as soon as he got home from work (back then he usually was home by 5:15) and he would come get her. She didn't go into the nursery, I called her dad, he came and got her and took her home. The next week she went into the nursery.
When Gilbert Girl was about 5 we went to visit my Grandparents. My Grandfather had been very ill and he actually died a few months later. While we were there, she and Native Minnow took a special interest in Grandpa. I think they were worried about him. Every time he got up, they would go to him and take his hands and help him walk around. They walked him around the house, and even around the yard. He didn't speak much to them, but we knew he liked having them do it, because if they weren't around and he went to get up, he would say, "Where's that boy and girl?"
When she was 4 1/2 she got to be Mary in a Nativity scene for Christmas in Primary. She said she didn't want her dad and I to come in and if we did she wouldn't do it. We stood in the hall and peeked through the back door.
When Gilbert Girl was small I swear she had ESP. Many times she would say something that had to do with what I was thinking at the moment. I used to even try and test her. For some reason it seemed like whenever we were in the car was the best time. I would think of something and sure enough, she would comment on it. Sometimes it was even like she was finishing a thought I had.
Gilbert Girl had her handwriting analyzed by her Aunt Delirious. Here is what Delirious said about her: (which I think describes her)
-positive drive and determination
-very sensitive to pleasures of life, doesn’t like to overdo it. (For example: May appreciate a sundae with fewer toppings.)
-wants to get on with life
-disciplined and organized but busy
-adaptable nature in relationships
-good balance of giving time to self and others
-likes to be in control of emotions
-likes to take time to get to know people (more slowly)
-rational, get-to-the-point
-intelligent
-likes to be involved with others
-easily bored with routine
-interested in many different things, wants to do it all
-comfortable with self, same in public as in private
-unsure if she wants to be independent
-does not need continuity of thought to arrive at conclusion
-somewhat intuitive indecision making process
-confident in appearance
-a person of conviction
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GILBERT GIRL!!! I LOVE YOU!!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Well it looks like Ireland is going to happen - we're ordering our visas! I feel like we've been on hold for a long time and someone is getting ready to shoot the starting gun. Two years seems like a long time. Mr. L is coming home this Friday. He's been there for 2 weeks. He'll be home 2 weeks then go back. He rented a car this time and has been driving over there. (yikes!) He said he is staying at an old converted "Jane Eyre" type manor home. The hotel rooms are in a new addition. It's out in the country. He says it's pretty cool. He went to church this Sunday and found out the ward we will probably be in. I looked on the church website and there are only 3 or 4 wards in Ireland and the rest are branches. There are like 10-12 wards and branches. We will be in the Preston, England temple district.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
STICKS AND STONES....
I'm a good natured person. I tease people a lot. A lot of people tease me a lot. But here's a question: When does teasing get old and become irritating to you? And what do you do about it?
Thursday, August 14, 2008
YOU'RE KILLING US J.K.!!
I just read a news release today that said that the next Harry Potter movie, "The Half-Blood Prince" will not be released this November, but they will wait until July 2009!!! I don't know if this was the only reason, but they said basically that they wanted to wait until July 2009 because the summer movie audiences were bigger. Is that all it's about - MONEY????!!!!
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
HAPPY 50th STICKS!!!!!
Today is my younger brother Sticks 50th Birthday!!! Wow! I feel so old! Here are some memories I have of him:
I remember when he fell off the landing on the stairs. He had a bad cut under his chin - it was really deep, and I think he crushed some of his teeth. I had to hold the washcloth under his chin to keep the wound from gaping open while Mom called the doctor.
When he was a kid, I remember one of his favorite things to eat was macaroni and cheese.
Sticks was a very happy, easy going kid, always smiling.
I remember once when Mom had picked us up from elementary school, she had just turned the corner and was driving in front of the junior high and Stick's car door came open and he started to fall out. Mom looked around and told me to grab him. I did, but had just caught his shoe, which came off and he fell out the door onto the street. Mom stopped the car, I jumped out and ran back to get him. He was okay, but was crying because his school paper had got torn.
I will not tell the toliet flushing story since it is his birthday. :0)
I remember him and Twist sitting right in front of the old black and white console tv watching cartoons all the time.
I can also remember Sticks and Twist pinning bath towels around their necks so they could be Superman. I remember Sticks "playing Superman" and jumping onto the bed in the basement, only to hit his head. I also remember standing on the porch with him and he fell somehow and hit his head on a concrete block. And no, I had nothing to do with either time!! :0+
I remember after I got married, he came to my house and had a big huge boa constrictor in a bag that he was taking out to BYU. I think that was the year of the Olympics and we all sat and watched the Olympics together.
Here are 50 things that describe Sticks: happy, cheerful, hugger, mountain man, woodcarver, trail boss, smiling, bright eyes, great dad, loving husband, strong, easy going, whistler, priesthood bearer, teacher, dependable, teaser, brother, comedian, singer, guitar player, country boy, horseshoe thrower, knife throwing, gun shooting, fisherman, cook, camper, always there for you, big bear hug, cute, dimples, joker, great, loveable, marvelous, ready, son, wonderful,laughing, budding writer, poet, patriotic, missionary, lizard catcher,horny toad catcher, frog-leg eater, over-the-hill, catching up with his sister, fabulously 50 year-old!!!!
Have a great 50th birthday Sticks!!! I love you!!
I remember when he fell off the landing on the stairs. He had a bad cut under his chin - it was really deep, and I think he crushed some of his teeth. I had to hold the washcloth under his chin to keep the wound from gaping open while Mom called the doctor.
When he was a kid, I remember one of his favorite things to eat was macaroni and cheese.
Sticks was a very happy, easy going kid, always smiling.
I remember once when Mom had picked us up from elementary school, she had just turned the corner and was driving in front of the junior high and Stick's car door came open and he started to fall out. Mom looked around and told me to grab him. I did, but had just caught his shoe, which came off and he fell out the door onto the street. Mom stopped the car, I jumped out and ran back to get him. He was okay, but was crying because his school paper had got torn.
I will not tell the toliet flushing story since it is his birthday. :0)
I remember him and Twist sitting right in front of the old black and white console tv watching cartoons all the time.
I can also remember Sticks and Twist pinning bath towels around their necks so they could be Superman. I remember Sticks "playing Superman" and jumping onto the bed in the basement, only to hit his head. I also remember standing on the porch with him and he fell somehow and hit his head on a concrete block. And no, I had nothing to do with either time!! :0+
I remember after I got married, he came to my house and had a big huge boa constrictor in a bag that he was taking out to BYU. I think that was the year of the Olympics and we all sat and watched the Olympics together.
Here are 50 things that describe Sticks: happy, cheerful, hugger, mountain man, woodcarver, trail boss, smiling, bright eyes, great dad, loving husband, strong, easy going, whistler, priesthood bearer, teacher, dependable, teaser, brother, comedian, singer, guitar player, country boy, horseshoe thrower, knife throwing, gun shooting, fisherman, cook, camper, always there for you, big bear hug, cute, dimples, joker, great, loveable, marvelous, ready, son, wonderful,laughing, budding writer, poet, patriotic, missionary, lizard catcher,horny toad catcher, frog-leg eater, over-the-hill, catching up with his sister, fabulously 50 year-old!!!!
Have a great 50th birthday Sticks!!! I love you!!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
MOVE OVER SHIRLEY MCCLAINE...
I had lunch at MacDonalds with my daughter and grandkids today. Going back to my house I had Miss A and Miss M ride with me. Miss A remarked, "When I was 19 I used to ...." (she's 4) I told Miss M to listen to her. Miss M said, "Oh she does that all the time. She'll say, 'When I was 16...' or 'When I used to be a dog..' or 'When I was Hannah Montana...', she thinks she's lived many lives."
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