tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21426823194302178062024-03-03T13:14:07.253-07:00 Miller MomentsA Day Such as ThisKorinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-46591794331183897322024-03-03T13:02:00.013-07:002024-03-03T13:13:35.899-07:00Service Doesn't Have to be a Big Deal<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUV3BUQswcE4HX2bF0Akr4dyOjRkk02nily8ezBH2kVSCf_KNgcbe6qKNMAVFoDtPTbnfNHIT3vRB9ldIjb7v3eIr-4qS-pGI_xVLNRXX1dqtLJVfZhhKf3D9f5YOzribemlPlORhFJ-pMPuB_Or8Is1QVMWMnajgY2vI-09JiKakO30Wcyred3GKw5I/s337/cookies.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="200" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUV3BUQswcE4HX2bF0Akr4dyOjRkk02nily8ezBH2kVSCf_KNgcbe6qKNMAVFoDtPTbnfNHIT3vRB9ldIjb7v3eIr-4qS-pGI_xVLNRXX1dqtLJVfZhhKf3D9f5YOzribemlPlORhFJ-pMPuB_Or8Is1QVMWMnajgY2vI-09JiKakO30Wcyred3GKw5I/s200/cookies.jpg"/></a></div>
<p>When I was growing up our family lived in the country next to a gravel road. One summer they decided our gravel road needed to be blacktop. I was probably 8 or 9 and the neighbor boy a year younger. We set up camp on our front porches and were intrigued watching the men and the big equipment transform our road. There were big willow trees around our house and when they would take breaks or stop for lunch they would come sit in the shade of the willows. Mom told us not to pester them, but we would go sit with them and listen to their stories.</p>
<p>The next day as they moved further away from us, I remember thinking how hot they must be. There were no willow trees to provide shade for them. We enlisted the help of my mother and we made chocolate chip cookies and put some Kool-Aid in a canteen and headed out on our bikes when we saw they were taking a break. They were gracious and invited us to stay and have lunch with them. They were out of sight by the end of that day and we never saw them again.</p>
<p>The 2nd floor apartment I lived in that first year of school overlooked a house that was next door to us. From our living room window, we could look down into their living room window. There was, what appeared to be an older woman and her husband who lived there. She would see us watching them and would get up and close the drapes. She looked a little scary and we, not so kindly called her the witch lady.</p>
<p>One evening after she had pulled the drapes yet again, we got to talking and wondered how many times she’d had to sacrifice sunshine and light for her privacy from the eyes of the many girls who had lived in those dorms over the years. Our hearts were pricked and we decided that we needed to apologize. So, of course we made some chocolate chip cookies and knocked on her door. To say she was surprised to see us there would be an understatement. She did invite us in and we had a wonderful visit with she and her husband who she so lovingly cared for. Her name was Helen and after that day we would stop by often and say hello. She would invite us in and we would have the best visits. We made a new friend when we began to consider what her feelings might be. We grew to love Helen and I was sad when I left that apartment and moved to Logan, because I knew I was going to miss her. </p>
<p>If you have a thought that you should do something for someone – do it! Don’t wait. One such day I needed the prompting three times before I acted. When I showed up at the door of someone that I knew would be working, instead of being met with silence, the door opened to a tear-stained face and the words “I knew you would come.”</p>
Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-31668683424939660672023-10-14T15:06:00.005-06:002023-10-14T15:09:36.401-06:00Halloween Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTVuinusSjgydNZ79smt45OsE2oqPXdG9JNsZSaIeBqfNDWjbfGW30YLM3hHmCY1OHmQhgg3LyOGD4GoIA3gwXj4lc29Pn43Rli7w9oLY_Sc2mPO2Ji2OCk1lipfNIgVHbgjuCI-XSWqcL9zqv-i_D1m31JHQ4hSpqA4m-DS4Aaz1E-L55b31zmBj8w/s4032/IMG_3256.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDTVuinusSjgydNZ79smt45OsE2oqPXdG9JNsZSaIeBqfNDWjbfGW30YLM3hHmCY1OHmQhgg3LyOGD4GoIA3gwXj4lc29Pn43Rli7w9oLY_Sc2mPO2Ji2OCk1lipfNIgVHbgjuCI-XSWqcL9zqv-i_D1m31JHQ4hSpqA4m-DS4Aaz1E-L55b31zmBj8w/s600/IMG_3256.HEIC"/></a></div>
I've had a whole pile of Halloween fabric sitting in my craft closet. Left-overs from quiet books, trick-or-treat bags and other miscellaneous projects. I decided it was time to whittle it down a bit, so I made this cute wee quilt! The blocks started out at 4 1/2". I had everthing I needed to create it except for the binding fabric and a little warm and natural. There's always a way to use fabric leftovers.
I'm thinking I might need to do a wee quilt for Christmas! But I think I'll start it next spring and do something other than just the diagonal pattern I've done with all my quilts.
Do you have a favorite, easy quilt design? I have so many different ones pinned, but I get a little overwhelmed. I'm not a terrific quilter - my blocks don't always line up....but sometimes the beauty can be in the mistakes, right? But seriously - if there's a quilt pattern you love that would be good for a beginner - please share!Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-19240067827092752492023-08-17T11:59:00.004-06:002023-08-17T12:43:17.998-06:00RechargingIt's been hot in the valley. And you know how you feel when you find yourself
stuck in the routine of the daily things that are required of you? You know what
I'm talking about: laundry, dishes, preparing meals, cleaning up after meals,
etc. It just never goes away. That's why sometimes we need to take ourselves
away and have the opportunity to slow down, to breathe deeply, to look at the
sky and to relax so we can remember why we are here.
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Some of our family headed to the mountains for part of their stay-cation and
invited us to join them for the evening. When we found the perfect campsite for
them (we headed home later to sleep in our own beds!), we saw that someone had
left fun things for us to enjoy. It felt a little 'Flintstone-like' if you know
what I mean!
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It was a perfect time to 'step away' from our routine, enjoy some family, relax
and remember what it feels like to connect. Not just with nature, but with our
family and with our creator.
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And to be a little silly in the process!
Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-58278482435662553332023-06-27T15:19:00.000-06:002023-06-27T15:19:39.086-06:00Another Beautiful Day - Another Baptism Quilt
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTue_17tsZ-S1XR46Y4tCp_LwpJp0DoNooqZd-GyWFKVZVeoGsPbbx83wS8A8vDCIcchuFAv6foRyhbmQAXUuqCELngGIqepfaROGKXZB78t6fkgyJOwmbPZWENWCNa8MMczyt9BkGWnQGFQTtptWnZpoIQ4yFx1pVPAze3OO3zUFhLRpUmOtZ2lewXw/s4032/IMG_2513.HEIC" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTue_17tsZ-S1XR46Y4tCp_LwpJp0DoNooqZd-GyWFKVZVeoGsPbbx83wS8A8vDCIcchuFAv6foRyhbmQAXUuqCELngGIqepfaROGKXZB78t6fkgyJOwmbPZWENWCNa8MMczyt9BkGWnQGFQTtptWnZpoIQ4yFx1pVPAze3OO3zUFhLRpUmOtZ2lewXw/s400/IMG_2513.HEIC"/></a></div>
It was another beautiful baptism day for one of our grandchildren. This is the 4th baptism quilt that I've made and I always seem to make little adjustments along the way. I consider these practice pieces so I can perfect some of my techniques for a quilt I have on my mind to do, and they don't mind at all. They seem to really look forward to this special gift from grandma and grandpa. I love making them! It was a wonderful day, and he was so excited!
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He chose the color scheme for his quilt. He had also picked green as a color to include, but when I laid it out with the green blocks, we both decided that it was not going to work. So glad I asked him about it before I started sewing it together. My friend stitched his name and his baptism date on a block so it will aways be a reminder of the day he made a commitment to our Father in Heaven to be baptized into his church and to follow Him.
Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-57067994943766987232023-05-16T14:12:00.002-06:002023-05-28T15:49:21.909-06:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQqVMJafHGMCFXBqzsWM1aEFScFglAvDHmDm8TQLeVsnREkr0liM7VBHmfeN1EmQLMzUkmsqxuH1iqZq6sfIewDScqgO4ZQH7rN-ujo6tNIZ8gIVP5JMcALqs_w0zCjyaymw5rRsxajo8/s4032/IMG_3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQqVMJafHGMCFXBqzsWM1aEFScFglAvDHmDm8TQLeVsnREkr0liM7VBHmfeN1EmQLMzUkmsqxuH1iqZq6sfIewDScqgO4ZQH7rN-ujo6tNIZ8gIVP5JMcALqs_w0zCjyaymw5rRsxajo8/s4032/IMG_3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQqVMJafHGMCFXBqzsWM1aEFScFglAvDHmDm8TQLeVsnREkr0liM7VBHmfeN1EmQLMzUkmsqxuH1iqZq6sfIewDScqgO4ZQH7rN-ujo6tNIZ8gIVP5JMcALqs_w0zCjyaymw5rRsxajo8/w240-h320/IMG_3017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">There was this one year...oh wait...it was more like five years, when almost every week something would happen that would feel like this! It's that 'oh my word - are you kidding me?' feeling! (by the way, isn't she adorable)?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Why is it that we often can't see the blessings that come from walking through trials until we are through the trial - or at the least - towards the end of it? It was five years of employment frustrations, health frustrations, worrying over many things. It was HARD! But these are some of the things that as we reflected back over that time that we learned. These things that have become part of who we are.</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">No matter what we have to do, we can't do it alone!</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Prayer works. Our personal prayers and the prayers of others in our behalf.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Faith is sustaining.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">God loves us, knows us and wants what is best for us.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">There is great power in priesthood blessings.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Having righteous priesthood leaders is a strength - a bishop, a ministering teacher, etc.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Personal revelation is real and necessary.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The importance of relying on our family members and close friends.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Forgiving is vital to moving forward.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Recognizing that there is evil around us - the adversary won't stop at trying to get to us.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">It's ok to ask others for help.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Our prayers - for ourselves and for others - need to be very specific and heartfelt.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Those that be with us are greater than those that be with 'them'. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Ways are provided for our escape.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Our burdens have been made light, and our ability to bear them has increased.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't hold on to what is holding you back. Don't look back. Move forward.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't let how others treat us affect who we are.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Let go and let God.... there are some things that we just need to turn over to Him.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't let our doubts and fears block the blessings that our Father in Heaven desires to give to us.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Look for and appreciate the blessings that we have. Enjoy the vistas even when the journey is difficult.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Fasting brings spiritual strength.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">The temple can bring peace and strength - answers and confirmation of answers often come while in the temple. </span> </li></ul><div><span style="font-family: arial;">What are some lessons learned or blessings you have received because of trials in your life?</span></div>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-60036748627244509762023-03-16T16:46:00.002-06:002023-03-17T11:37:02.934-06:00Lather, Rinse, REPEAT<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO45ogwuBERJLn3fXes7FuG9moTm_bDzmzkGTcYhfe2Lojy__OTRVLYisl_EOrI-dhRTZpm6FpVMOkE5p_PfHOpq5r_bECPz5uPGdr0_CdFyw36voJqcBWJhzIal69jIXcW0pmTfhd6Xp5mpGLF1awGI9x8AMG-O5_7LdlpWXjISVeQjNZXXGHRdbW/s5472/edited-8708.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5472" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO45ogwuBERJLn3fXes7FuG9moTm_bDzmzkGTcYhfe2Lojy__OTRVLYisl_EOrI-dhRTZpm6FpVMOkE5p_PfHOpq5r_bECPz5uPGdr0_CdFyw36voJqcBWJhzIal69jIXcW0pmTfhd6Xp5mpGLF1awGI9x8AMG-O5_7LdlpWXjISVeQjNZXXGHRdbW/w400-h266/edited-8708.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love this picture of spring flowers. I know as the snow is melting, the soil is getting warmer and the sun shines just a little brighter, that we will soon see the influence of spring in our valley. It happens every spring. And every spring it brings a little joy to my heart. It's a rhythm that I can count on. I watch for the early greenery to start peeking up through the dirt. The cycle repeats each year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I heard a story once about a one word change made to the directions for using shampoo. Up to this time the directions had just said: 'Wet hair; apply shampoo and lather well; rinse.' Supposedly a marketing person suggested adding one simple word to the directions: REPEAT. Did the company's income increase? Yes, it did!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It got me thinking about the things in our lives that would be increased, or made better, if we continually repeated the process of doing them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are just a couple of my thoughts:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Kindness... If we were to be kind to everyone we came in contact with on a certain day, I imagine we'd feel pretty good about our day, and I'm sure the people who we had been kind to would have had a better day because of our kindness. In repeating that giving of kindness every day the differences made not only in our lives, but in the lives of other people would be amazing! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Prayer... I struggle sometimes with my personal prayers. We have great couple prayers, but often my personal prayers are just spoken in my head or out loud at various times during the day while I'm doing other things. What if I set aside 10 minutes every morning and evening to have a real conversation with the Lord? To thank Him. To plead with Him for things and people that are important to me. EVERY morning and evening! 20 minutes total! I feel like I have a decent relationship with God - but how much would it improve if I really set aside that personal time EVERY DAY?! It makes me excited to think about it. I believe I'll write it in my planner and repeat it as a daily 'to do'. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This list could be endless - the possibilities are never-ending. It's exciting to think about!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What could become of your life if you chose to consistently REPEAT things that are important to you that maybe you aren't giving persistent attention to? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Start small. Choose one thing. Be mindful of it for the next week. Record how you feel and if you've noticed any changes in your life. As it becomes a habit and something you just naturally make time for, or do as part of your daily walk, select something else to make a priority in your life. Then notice what changes happen in your life. </span></p><p><br /></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-77053764412662900602022-07-01T10:36:00.017-06:002022-07-01T10:56:07.769-06:00Be of Good Courage<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzyEkH2jEs1lwe2Ph1diDTUYeStsZXyxs4NXGRQgAXYKsYkUM1iU1w6ivgJn3YsAirW-gin4ifMzIZOX5va--y8kdSfqiElGk9doj97WGNjQ4obPnaKUrg_mSnsew2BidYkR_z3BZMaWQqiq6rRzLn2Wlg9Oczr1_llvw4UoJAlGAHU5Hpm8Idrl4/s3836/nauvoo_temple_sunset.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3017" data-original-width="3836" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzyEkH2jEs1lwe2Ph1diDTUYeStsZXyxs4NXGRQgAXYKsYkUM1iU1w6ivgJn3YsAirW-gin4ifMzIZOX5va--y8kdSfqiElGk9doj97WGNjQ4obPnaKUrg_mSnsew2BidYkR_z3BZMaWQqiq6rRzLn2Wlg9Oczr1_llvw4UoJAlGAHU5Hpm8Idrl4/w431-h339/nauvoo_temple_sunset.jpeg" width="431" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We are often asked to do hard things.... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>....to say no to a marriage proposal because it doesn't feel right</li><li>....to say goodbye to friends who aren't really being good friends</li><li>....to walk away from a job that has blessed you and/or your family because...</li><li>....to struggle with a disease or injury that will be with us, maybe forever</li><li>....to lose a spouse or a child because of sickness or injury</li></ul><div>These are just a few examples - so many more can be added to this list. We've all struggled through them. And usually, we come out with blessings that we couldn't even imagine would have come from the struggle.</div><div><br /></div><div>President Thomas S. Monson once said this:</div><div>"I wonder how we would have felt if we lived in Nauvoo with our beautiful brick home with all of the comforts of life - and then heard the call to move westward, to leave our homes, to leave our families in some cases, to leave behind the beautiful greenery and put our vision westward to the valleys of the great Salt Lake, where one tree greeted us upon our arrival as pioneers. Yet, where would we have been today were it not for the courage of the Latter-day Saints to expand the frontiers of the Church?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Consider the hard things that you have had the opportunity to struggle through. In the middle of the struggle, it's hard to see the blessings, but as you look back on the experience, what gifts were you given because of it? Do you have more compassion and empathy for others going through something similar? Do you more immediately recognize the hand of the Lord in your life or in the lives of your family members? Have you come to cherish relationships more? </div><div><br /></div><div>"...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" D&C 122:7-8</div><div><br /></div><div>Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-57479011606294590352022-05-28T19:52:00.001-06:002022-05-28T19:52:55.152-06:00Baptism Quilt<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grandchild #3 was baptized in May. He told me that his quilt needed to be red! It's his favorite color. I did what I could to oblige. He was so excited to get it, that when we went to his house after the baptism, he saw I was carrying the quilt and came running to me with arms outstretched and said: "Come to papa! "Funny boy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPlcMY2ZS2lD4uWsCsV2B5l7Tta-HhHr62Ie7_BJhTZDR9FT-TP3GyWej7bKJEsZrWt3eMQgYMPaqO6P1zpQBCrgiX2mI1cIJLHYN6O5F-UDwzA6EkimCbg5nIZx_dG33AHHgtyNeVdRtNOSYmkfwEY2VsUPDaUsdpTrb8R4Qes_BabHlWrsapecj/s4032/IMG_1111.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPlcMY2ZS2lD4uWsCsV2B5l7Tta-HhHr62Ie7_BJhTZDR9FT-TP3GyWej7bKJEsZrWt3eMQgYMPaqO6P1zpQBCrgiX2mI1cIJLHYN6O5F-UDwzA6EkimCbg5nIZx_dG33AHHgtyNeVdRtNOSYmkfwEY2VsUPDaUsdpTrb8R4Qes_BabHlWrsapecj/w480-h640/IMG_1111.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I cut each of the blocks 9.5" square, so when they are all sewn together they are 9" blocks. I only chose one fabric that was minky. The kids love how it feels, but I don't like sewing with it so the majority of the blocks are flannel as well as the backing. I have a good friend who stitched his name and baptism info on a block and I chose a fun, coordinating cotton fabric to bind it with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still not a great quilter, but I'm getting better. I'm glad I can do this for our grandchildren and they genuinely seem to appreciate them! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn28S_7Xrb_HNQG2x7X4VSMdatBfOqGV-ZVYE0C9fjv5mLpod3nyeyAmdiQlMezu-zoV0rHrElitLd_iL16TUjBrhnorhclSbuuFjZOta7sV_4kL9CGNxSPonXH7f0UkCxPE-N5zPLXkPu-5o5U-i0yFwTMso4HO1rd6v7sGq4WkBNBZxCyUFMxaA-/s1062/Resized_20220514_130750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn28S_7Xrb_HNQG2x7X4VSMdatBfOqGV-ZVYE0C9fjv5mLpod3nyeyAmdiQlMezu-zoV0rHrElitLd_iL16TUjBrhnorhclSbuuFjZOta7sV_4kL9CGNxSPonXH7f0UkCxPE-N5zPLXkPu-5o5U-i0yFwTMso4HO1rd6v7sGq4WkBNBZxCyUFMxaA-/w480-h640/Resized_20220514_130750.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <br /><br /><p></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-71639146648273668662022-03-27T15:09:00.001-06:002022-03-28T15:18:33.223-06:00It's not the packaging, but what's inside -and- Chocolate Chip Cookies<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">A little while ago I was making some cookies. I needed 3/4 lb of butter (and yes, the cookies are fabulous!). I finished one package and opened another. I was struck by the appearance of the two sticks of butter. One is more 'short and stocky' while the other is more 'tall and slender'. But do you know what? They both contain the same amount of butter! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Both packages of butter will accomplish the same purpose.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Although they look different, their value is identical (to help make the best chocolate chip cookies ever)!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So - why do we do it?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Why do we look at someone and judge them because of their appearance? Do we know anything about them? Do we understand their story? Do we know what they have to offer? Do we know their heart?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">My guess is no - we don't. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6UQ0aXDAjTlUBw_eqwzT-hTk43ybJoc5lftk7qgNVDcIig2TxvZabzdMklH_0Vscz1ouvw166jysTluMnD4G9QdOkOLvi7FiEsCFJFf_qgZrptRj55KHgFRDkrCRXknyunFr94ikrgyGOgZscdCqmTfAE8422EmU59nsLAv6CLoVKc6TAWm8C32LY" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="592" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6UQ0aXDAjTlUBw_eqwzT-hTk43ybJoc5lftk7qgNVDcIig2TxvZabzdMklH_0Vscz1ouvw166jysTluMnD4G9QdOkOLvi7FiEsCFJFf_qgZrptRj55KHgFRDkrCRXknyunFr94ikrgyGOgZscdCqmTfAE8422EmU59nsLAv6CLoVKc6TAWm8C32LY=w238-h317" width="238" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Do we really want Jesus to judge us by our outward appearance, or are we hopeful that he will look upon our heart?</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I know I don't always present myself well. For example, I struggle with some anxiety and sometimes if I'm leaving a gathering, I just go. I don't tell anyone I'm leaving, I just walk away. Doing all of the hugging and saying goodbye and making sure I don't miss anyone is exhausting to me (and I love hugs). But sometimes I just walk away. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I know that Jesus knows my heart. He knows I don't always try as hard as I should, but He also knows that often-times I do better than I ever thought I could. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's be a little less judgmental, a lot kinder and pull more people into our circle, not less. And let's do it over a warm chocolate chip cookie!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>Cream together</u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3 cubes butter (3/4 lb) softened<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1 cup granulated sugar</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1 cup brown sugar<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>2 eggs</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>1 1/2 tsp vanilla</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>Mix well and add:</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4 cups flour<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1 1/2 tsp baking soda</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1 1/2 tsp salt</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><u>After ingredients are all mixed well, add</u>:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>1 pkg milk chocolate chips<span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>1/2 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>1/2 pkg white chocolate chips</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span>Mix well and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. (I usually leave them for 15). You will want to remove them when they are 'lightly' browned, but may still seem a little gooey in the center. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. They will finish setting up as they cool. I have three large baking sheets, and sometimes I just pull one from the oven and leave the cookies on the baking sheet and put in another batch on a different one. </span></span></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><br /><br /></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-1305159404662644962021-11-25T20:06:00.000-07:002022-03-20T13:15:56.287-06:00Baptism Quilts<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been working on baptism quilts for our grandchildren. It is such a special time for them and I wanted to make something so they could always remember their special day. I didn't get a picture of the first quilt I made all by itself, but you can see how happy this sweet girl is with her quilt. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">It's just the perfect size for snuggling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I let them choose their color scheme and make the quilts from a combination of flannel and minky fabric. T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he squares are cut 9 1/2 inches square. I use 6 colors or color/pattern combinations. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The quilt is 5 squares wide x 6 squares long. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">I also have a friend embroider their name and the month of their baptism on one of the corner blocks. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm working on quilt #3 right now. He requested every color (except the girlie ones!), but I had him narrow it down to his favorite color - which is red! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgKkJoXyLb9hna_6mJvv91PE_PfkBO31U9rM5upYNvqklzFj9qney36URXo6dyntn4mboMB1IbUnUFGU3BgXGW3d767iiLm6LYduQnQDTr6COMKqMOywO0TgEvC33vY3S2o7XMBZ8PEA/s2048/IMG_4386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbgKkJoXyLb9hna_6mJvv91PE_PfkBO31U9rM5upYNvqklzFj9qney36URXo6dyntn4mboMB1IbUnUFGU3BgXGW3d767iiLm6LYduQnQDTr6COMKqMOywO0TgEvC33vY3S2o7XMBZ8PEA/w300-h400/IMG_4386.JPG" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMAIcvISiQSesNyBGrnF9ON08cIB1xLD59zoa-OcOdgTiHG3D0BZ0NA-x3VphdzhZZyhsDOdAjzriNXUcA_RcXCqc_-BfEtr-Quzt2XR1WVk8XueqI-j8EAXcWY3aC3c1OnCOUxtW2hI/s4032/IMG_5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMAIcvISiQSesNyBGrnF9ON08cIB1xLD59zoa-OcOdgTiHG3D0BZ0NA-x3VphdzhZZyhsDOdAjzriNXUcA_RcXCqc_-BfEtr-Quzt2XR1WVk8XueqI-j8EAXcWY3aC3c1OnCOUxtW2hI/w300-h400/IMG_5340.JPG" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjYfyYnMrrHoDxbnOA4Mjf_27abYRZ4AUX5Wp6OZy-NiX8YAUTszYm55-r1qxpwRgkDU_r69J3N_tlR7P_2r5c4lKmzUjVOY7QZTahUI_WiujGpjJHUJT9zpX35umoeOegcqRsW2csaM/s1731/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="779" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjYfyYnMrrHoDxbnOA4Mjf_27abYRZ4AUX5Wp6OZy-NiX8YAUTszYm55-r1qxpwRgkDU_r69J3N_tlR7P_2r5c4lKmzUjVOY7QZTahUI_WiujGpjJHUJT9zpX35umoeOegcqRsW2csaM/w180-h400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="180" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-85708229825049804332021-08-01T15:48:00.002-06:002022-03-20T13:16:26.678-06:00YET...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO8f66vwnzYo_v5G-_K-lyXoKC_tmcVT4dKD8vXDhm69PGtmv4SI5dOsMS9PlcvzqeJPm_wn93n-I6pv5e6LeotuQQW0NKoxyjd4oAAJxQTOcd-d1hzNiBs5uU4mN7AkzbLZqkRiNz_w/s2704/Yet+w+background.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="2704" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizO8f66vwnzYo_v5G-_K-lyXoKC_tmcVT4dKD8vXDhm69PGtmv4SI5dOsMS9PlcvzqeJPm_wn93n-I6pv5e6LeotuQQW0NKoxyjd4oAAJxQTOcd-d1hzNiBs5uU4mN7AkzbLZqkRiNz_w/w640-h277/Yet+w+background.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When I worked at an elementary school, the PE teacher had a word on each of the four walls of the gym...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>YET</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When she would teach a new skill to the children (like how to dribble a basketball), she would often hear: "I can't do that."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She would respond with: "Yet. You don't know how to do it yet."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She would explain why dribbling is an important skill to learn if you want to play basketball.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">She would demonstrate the skill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Everyone would be given a ball and a chance to practice. Some would pick it right up, others needed a little one-on-one time with the teacher.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They would dribble standing in place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">They would practice walking while they dribbled.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pretty soon they were running back and forth across the gym - dribbling!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Doing the thing they didn't think they could do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't you think each one of us is like those children? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">When we are asked by our Heavenly Father, or our doctor, or someone we trust to do a 'thing'.... </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">...Maybe it's to pay tithing. Or to listen better to those we love. Or to be more focused on studying the example of Christ. Or to go all in on learning how to decorate cakes!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Maybe it's to eat better, be in better shape, lose some weight.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's so easy to say: "I can't do that."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We need to remember that small steps and lots of practice will help us accomplish those things that we don't think we can do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">If a seven year old can learn to be darn good at dribbling a basketball, what might you be able to accomplish?! It might not be <i>yet</i>, but with practice - it will be amazing!</span></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-42258052766563408372021-06-22T12:17:00.000-06:002021-06-22T12:17:01.275-06:00There's Always Room for One More!<p><b><span style="font-family: times;"><i> <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Quilting Bees!! </span></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They happened in different homes, and sometimes with different women, but typically it was the same core group of ladies that went from home to home to work on quilts. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They came to my home when I was a child. I had aunts who were there, neighbors, and ladies I did not know. I remember lying underneath the quilt as they worked and listening to them share stories of their families, express concerns and relay their hopes and dreams. It was a magical time for me. I didn’t know it at the time – but that was my first exposure to the Relief Society in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the sisterhood that comes when you participate in it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fast-forward 40 years.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I returned to that little community I had grown up in on a summer day, looking for an older cousin to chat with. I was told she was at the church, quilting. My husband and I went to my home church building, and there on the stage was a beautiful quilt in progress. But even more beautiful were the women gathered around it with needles in hand. Some of them were the same women who had been in my living room those many years before. Some were the daughters or daughters-in-law of those women. There were grandmothers, women whose lives had taken some tragic turns, widows, those who had never married, young mothers and newlyweds.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My mother passed away a few short months before I got married, and many of these women were responsible for some of the beautiful quilts that I now enjoy. Two were made from scratch, and another was given to me by a sweet woman in our congregation who shared with me that my mother had worked on that quilt. She knew it would be a treasure to me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBGSQL82t6abJ0PUQhdeLtuyopINxMkLuVe_BmiY3nJxRGaR_0Jova19vqITTu9nCBBDFwdQ4Wewyqqcz_4DcjfFXGq0dPHdDGs2uZwa4Oj95wz9nehEnxc5QHnLxbcN1LaCbza_Xxmpf/s4032/IMG_4351.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "comic sans ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizBGSQL82t6abJ0PUQhdeLtuyopINxMkLuVe_BmiY3nJxRGaR_0Jova19vqITTu9nCBBDFwdQ4Wewyqqcz_4DcjfFXGq0dPHdDGs2uZwa4Oj95wz9nehEnxc5QHnLxbcN1LaCbza_Xxmpf/w375-h500/IMG_4351.JPG" width="375" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This sisterhood had blessed their lives in so many ways throughout the years. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I recognized stability there, and the feeling of being needed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Strength and support from others who had already walked the path that someone else was currently traversing.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Trust. A physical, emotional and spiritual source for when it was needed.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If I could go back to my younger self - one thing I would change would be to include more people in my circle. There are so many things I could have learned from others if I had only let myself invite them in. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So maybe - those lessons learned from under the quilts can be applied to a time such as this...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We need one another - there is always room for one more!</span></p>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-69250931878718031392018-05-06T07:17:00.000-06:002018-05-06T07:17:01.404-06:00Just ONE Page.....<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I read an article found <a href="https://magazine.byu.edu/article/an-experiment-upon-the-word/" target="_blank">here.</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This article shared how people of many different faiths were asked to read just one page in the Book of Mormon and share their feelings about what they read. It showed that although people of different faiths/beliefs might worship differently, that there are similarities in those things that we do believe. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to take the challenge. I got my copy of the book that I keep in my vehicle, randomly opened it, grabbed my highlighter so I could mark any references to deity, and I read one page.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7eRdy8rXqS8W03jxoZvdHER8oj4cvoPsE2BS5PmvBkai6yw2MM-x85kH24ynwkFKL_bDfOp-xy4n5fuM51d7Ygj497zBi5pqWbGx9te_1Ga2ATMQfGN8Uoqobp91CMSZeB46TH63G28/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7eRdy8rXqS8W03jxoZvdHER8oj4cvoPsE2BS5PmvBkai6yw2MM-x85kH24ynwkFKL_bDfOp-xy4n5fuM51d7Ygj497zBi5pqWbGx9te_1Ga2ATMQfGN8Uoqobp91CMSZeB46TH63G28/s640/IMG_1995.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My thoughts from what I read: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a God. Jesus Christ is a God</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He will teach us His ways - when we know what He teaches, it is easy to follow Him</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus is the Lord from Jerusalem</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're admonished to walk in the light of the Lord</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those who choose to live a wicked life, they will be judged by their works </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can testify that there is a power in reading the Book of Mormon - by doing so, it will answer questions you have about life - about deity - about faith, hope and charity - about grace and redemption and so much more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don't have a Book of Mormon and would like one, if only to read <i><b>one page</b></i>, leave your name and address in the comments and I'll get one to you. OR - you can access a digital version by going <a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng" target="_blank">here.</a></span>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-1151289014313998922016-10-15T16:00:00.000-06:002019-10-04T12:02:31.570-06:00Pumpkin BreadI've had several people ask for my pumpkin bread recipe, so thought I'd share here. There aren't any pictures at this time because we've finished off the last of the bread that I made a couple of weeks ago.<br />
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It's yummy! Enjoy!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pumpkin Bread</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">6 eggs, beat well</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 1/2 cups sugar</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 c. vegetable/canola oil</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 c. pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 tsp. salt</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 tsp. baking powder</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 tsp. baking soda</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 tsp. nutmeg</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3/4 tsp. cloves</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 tsp. cinnamon</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">5 cups flour</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a large mixing bowl combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin and mix well. Add the spices and flour and combine on low speed until mixed well, then on medium speed. Be sure to scrape the edges of the bowl to make sure the ingredients are all mixed together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lightly grease and flour loaf pans. Fill 2/3 full and bake at 300 degrees for 85 minutes. Check with a toothpick before removing from oven. If the toothpick still has sticky batter on it after sticking it in the center of the loaf, bake an additional 5 minutes and check again. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remove from oven and lay pans on their sides or on a cooling rack to cool. When completely cool, remove the bread from the pans and put in ziplock bags, or wrap in saran wrap. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was a recipe my mother had and I used to make it when I was living at home (LOTS of years ago). Our house was never wired to be able to have an electric stove, so we heated our water and cooked all of our meals on the coal/wood burning stove, and it still turned out fabulous! And hey, I'm not THAT old - but growing up certainly was an adventure!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hope you enjoy the bread - our family loves it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-68339357753356457362016-05-03T20:43:00.001-06:002016-05-03T20:54:18.711-06:00Prayer<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><img alt="The Christ-Centered Home" class="img-responsive" height="320" itemprop="image" src="https://d26iejr7yj7kfh.cloudfront.net/product-images/000/716/573/detail/Christ-Cntrd_Home_dark_bkgd_new.jpg?1455642445" width="208" /><b><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've been reading a new book by Emily Belle Freeman titled: <u><i>The Christ Centered Home</i></u>. I've found that it can be purchased at any book store, but the one I order from online most frequently is Amazon or <a href="https://deseretbook.com/p/creating-a-christ-centered-home-12-stories-of-jesus-teaching-his-followers-at-home-ppr?variant_id=126597-paperback&utm_source=ebfcccsite&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=website" target="_blank">here.</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our family has had an interesting couple of years, and as I read the chapter that focused on having a household of prayer and really conversing with the Lord, I realized that we really have been doing that. We've called on Him in our times of great need. We've prayed for others, by name and for specific blessings that we know they need and/or desire. On my way to work, I often pray to thank Him for the beautiful valley that we are blessed to be living in, for our family, for the amazing scenery - and last summer - for the abundance of rainbows! I've prayed for calmness, and it has come. I've prayed to know how to serve others, and thoughts have come into my mind. I've prayed for our children, their spouses and our grand-children. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I truly have found that as I've included my Father in Heaven in the details of my life, I have felt His presence in greater abundance. I have been made aware of times when others have prayed specifically for us and our circumstances, and we have felt lifted up because of those prayers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I want to share a bit of my own testimony about prayer by quoting a short paragraph from this book.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i>"Making prayer a part of our daily routine may require us to set aside and turn upside down many of our original daily patterns. We have to shift our thoughts vertically. Inviting the Lord to be part of our lives will require us to live intentionally. But the blessing of constant companionship is worth it. The ongoing conversation will bless our lives in a way that we may have been missing out on previously. Through prayer we can receive answers, comfort, and strength. We can experience the miracles that can come only through prayer and fasting. We can find direction. Perhaps the most important lesson we can teach our children is the importance of regular prayer."</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope that your life can be enriched and your relationship with your Father in Heaven and Savior will be enriched by making prayer a part of the int<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">imate</span> moments of your life.</span></span>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-41627232994927000662016-04-10T20:11:00.001-06:002016-04-10T20:11:43.607-06:00It's a girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The grand kids got to help announce the gender of the new baby that will be joining our family in August. That silly string is PINK!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Miss Emma is very excited that a sister is joining the family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are finally enjoying some amazing spring days. There's still snow in the mountains, and we are getting rain showers. We love living somewhere that is like a 3D postcard each and every day! </span></span><br />
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<br />Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-40851079150492489212016-04-06T16:48:00.002-06:002016-04-06T16:48:30.715-06:00Anxiety - Part 3!It has been such an interesting process figuring out 'life'. It's something we all do each and every day. Every person has different experiences that they are working through and different perspectives that they bring to the table - so each and every one of us will have different outcomes. How I handled my situation that was causing such extreme anxiety in my life may not work for you. <br />
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So - a year plus since my last post on anxiety, and I'm happy to report that I'm doing well! Let me tell you about that year ---- whew!<br />
<ul>
<li>I quit my job</li>
<li>My husband retired from his job </li>
<li>In April we spent three weeks in Utah helping our daughter with a new baby and looking for work and houses</li>
<li>Made an offer on a home - it didn't go through </li>
<li>The first part of May our house in Missouri sold!</li>
<li>We went back to Missouri and finished packing our place up and doing things to the house that had to be be done for the sale to go through</li>
<li>Phone & Skype interviews -- that happens when you are 1,000 miles away from where you are trying to find work</li>
<li>Lots of emotional good-byes to very dear friends. Some that we likely will never see again. Thank heavens for FB, email and phone calls!</li>
<li>Packed up and drove across country. Do you want to know what caused me the most anxiety about all of this? Driving behind the U-Haul! I watched it almost go off the road, I watched it look like it could tip over while changing lanes on uneven pavement. I watched it going way too fast down some very long hills. I had perfect trust in our friend and driver of that van, but still - that was hard!</li>
<li>Moved in with some friends because we didn't have a house of our own.</li>
<li>We were basically homeless and unemployed! YIKES!</li>
<li>Spent lots of time with family - so therapeutic! </li>
<li>Went to the LDS Employment Center every day and spent hours filling out job applications, interviewing, crying over rejection letters, etc.</li>
<li>I got a job the end of July</li>
<li>Bought a home </li>
<li>Don's back is getting worse and worse</li>
<li>In October or November met with a neurosurgeon and determined that surgery was necessary</li>
<li>Major back surgery the first part of December</li>
<li>Don was called to be the bishop of our ward, that we had only been members of for three months! </li>
<li>He's still looking for work </li>
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When I scored the events of the year on one of those <a href="http://www.stress.org/holmes-rahe-stress-inventory/" target="_blank">life stress inventories</a>, the score was quite high. Anything 300 points or more raises the odds to about 80% of having a major health breakdown in the next two years. We scored 423!<br />
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Even with a high score on the stress inventory, we felt SO MUCH PEACE! Staying in the upstairs apartment at our friends' place was truly a healing time for us. When we needed a friend, we just walked down stairs. We had prayed and fasted and received a LOT of counsel from people we trusted as we made the decision to walk away from those things that were causing us the most stress. So even with all of the changes that we made, and the stress that they could have (should have) caused in our lives, we have never had a time in our lives when we felt peace on such a consistent basis. <br />
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We have loved being close to our family and enjoying time with our adult children, their spouses and the grandkids. What a blessing each of them are to us. What a joy to have those little ones walk in our house and throw their arms around us. <br />
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We did a lot of 'studying it out in our minds and hearts' as to what we should do each step of the way. We felt the strong confirmation from a loving Father in Heaven as we made decisions that we were on the right path - even when we couldn't totally see the path! We felt like Peter at times, as the Lord issued the invitation to him 'to come' - to leave the boat and walk to Him on the water. Sometimes we felt as though we had just taken a flying leap into the wind-tossed waters - but even as we did so - we felt our Savior's outstretched arms there to catch us. <br />
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We feel blessed. </div>
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We feel loved.</div>
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Life is good!</div>
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We are happy! </div>
Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-69725233519497504722016-02-17T09:55:00.002-07:002016-02-17T09:55:25.804-07:00February Update - Frost, Friends, Fun and more....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have a fun place to go play with the grandkids here in town - it's called the Bounce and Slide. After I got trapped in the obstacle course one a few weeks ago, I decided it was much safer to stick to the the big slide. <br />
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We've had some amazing frost events. We live in an area where there are a lot of streams so we tend to get more frost. There were a couple of mornings where everything in our area was covered in this wonderful hoar frost. It was so pretty.<br />
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Our friends, Brad and Martha Cochran brought their daughter Becca to Utah to drop her off at the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Provo. She will spend about ten days there before flying to Nevada to begin that part of her mission. They were able to come and spend a couple of days with us and WE LOVED IT! It was so good to have them here. See that 'smoggy cloud layer in this picture? That was covering our entire beautiful valley. From down in the valley, you couldn't even see the mountains, so we took a drive up into the mountains and enjoyed a beautiful day at Hardware Ranch. It's a place where they feed the elk during the winter so they don't go down into the valley looking for food and cause property damage. <br />
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On our way up to Hardware Ranch we saw this moose eating the tops off of the sage brush. </div>
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And then we saw the elk. The estimate was between 400-500 elk that are fed on a daily basis. We watched them with binoculars for about an hour. On the weekends they take you out in the middle of the herd on wagons pulled by horses. We've done that before and it is so fun. <br />
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<br />Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-79801453817471072822016-01-17T15:05:00.002-07:002016-01-19T20:03:20.793-07:00January thus far....<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For all of our friends and family that we don't see much any more, we wanted to share a bit of what is happening in our lives. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">First off, Don had his one month post-surgery check-up last week and passed with flying colors. Most of his initial restrictions were lifted. He still can't lift more than 10 lbs and he does need to be very careful about putting himself in situations where he could be injured. His stamina is not where he'd like it to be yet, but the doctor told him that by the three month check-up, that he would be able to tell a big difference. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were able to see some views of his presurgery MRI that we hadn't seen before. The cross-section view looking down into the vertebrae w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as</span> amazing. What was amazing was how little room there was within the vertebrae with the most damage. When we looked at that one compared to the others she showed us, our comment was: "Where is the spinal cord?" There was a cyst sitting in there along with stenosis (which is arthritis in the spinal canal) and scar tissue -- we couldn't actually see the spinal cord because of the amount of compression that was on it. The doctor told us that when she sees an MRI like that, that those people are usually bed or chair-bound because either a) it hurts too bad, or b) they have lost a lot of mobility. So we count ourselves very blessed. He is walking 2 miles a day on the treadmill and has been able to increase the speed at which he is walking quite a bit. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The week after his surgery we had a visit in our home by the new stake president. Our bishop had been called to be in the stake presidency...we had a bad feeling about that visit! On December 27th, Don was called to be the bishop in our ward and today he and his counselors were sustained. This is a very humbling position to fill and we wonder 'why'?! But we have learned that when our Father in Heaven gives us these opportunities to serve, He will also strengthen us and lift us to accomplish the things that He would have us do. </span></span><br />
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Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-30822471883505342982015-10-29T20:23:00.001-06:002015-10-29T20:23:42.911-06:00Fall in the MountainsA couple of weeks ago Don and I took a drive up in the mountains. The fall colors had mostly come and gone, and there weren't many bright yellows because of a fungus that affected the Quaking Aspens, but it was still an amazing day up in the mountains. The blue of the sky, the smell of the clean mountain air, the rustling of the leaves....it was a very therapeutic day. <br />
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<br />Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-78412599911546472142015-10-12T20:30:00.001-06:002015-10-12T20:30:41.460-06:00Halloween Table Runner<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finally had time to do a little fabric shopping and make this cute table runner for our coffee table. I had some different fabrics in mind when I went shopping, but I'm happy with the results.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I was going to share with you the blog post that was my inspiration for this table runner, but when I went to the blog I couldn't find it. I'll keep looking - and I promise - when I find it, I will update this post. Mine is cute - hers is amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the little porcelain ghost sitting there? The fuzzy spider on his head plays music when you push it. We've had that ghostie for a LOT of years. Our daughters used to enjoy him, and now our grand-kids are having some fun with him too. </span>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-48500015251967638012015-10-11T18:46:00.003-06:002015-10-11T18:53:02.416-06:00Our New Home<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've been in our new home for three weeks now. All of the boxes are either unpacked, or they've been opened and we know what's in them! We have a gallery wall to do, and some updating of pictures that we already have hanging. For the most part - we are settled! We are happy to be here and it feels like home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As we went to help a daughter with some family pictures this afternoon, we kept remarking about how beautiful it was and what a perfect day. Clear blue skies, fall leaves, nice temperatures and mountains! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This our new home! I cleaned out all of the flower beds on Saturday and I found muscles that haven't been used in a while! We are looking forward to spring and putting in one or two Knock-out rose bushes, a hydrangea bush and tearing up some of the back yard for a garden. There is a cement pad out back that will be home to a fire pit.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is standing in our kitchen looking into the living room. There is a fireplace on the right side of the wall.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is standing in the living room looking towards the kitchen.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is the room just as you walk in the front door.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love this staircase. At the top of it is the little tv/play room that is pictured below.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Master bedroom looking out to the hall.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are two more bedrooms and a study/craft room. Plus a HUGE pantry! LOVE IT!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is plenty of room for company! Just sayin'!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the next few days, I'll show some of the special things we enjoy about our home in more detail. </span>Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-83811987676843211812015-08-30T15:06:00.001-06:002015-08-30T15:11:02.811-06:00Dear Realtor.....My husband and I have spent the last several months looking for a house to buy. We've gone online to look, then driven around neighborhoods of houses that we like. There has been one consistent thing that has made this house-hunting experience very frustrating, and that has been some of the photos used in the advertisement for the house. We know that you might want your client's rooms to look bigger than they actually are, but seriously!!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA5j5rwgB9lVYGLbFFo0T1E7WvJy5uRCXaNwh9d-ME1xZP0y2wIyZbYFmDtfeMZs8_g81bb6pHsRvpq0Z7b8lD9W1V-emT7wGqdzDFAU5LBkTqyBR7oeekY9cBeWA6mLD8K3eVMhAfZk/s1600/wide+angle+bedroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKA5j5rwgB9lVYGLbFFo0T1E7WvJy5uRCXaNwh9d-ME1xZP0y2wIyZbYFmDtfeMZs8_g81bb6pHsRvpq0Z7b8lD9W1V-emT7wGqdzDFAU5LBkTqyBR7oeekY9cBeWA6mLD8K3eVMhAfZk/s640/wide+angle+bedroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a picture found in a listing.... really? This bed is for a very tall person who doesn't mind sitting on the edge of it with their knees up around their ears. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMG0J63_8Rw8teWX22iNKz2FYOrP5KcMcAJGxk6WPLbJuAStRquYVssGKYqUU2s1kadPTAfENJADwDDejTkDBDXzoLGwVU-uliHmQZQIsTXDPXuq9BI7rndgMzpgk65bXnIJlwhgy_gU/s1600/normal+bedroom+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQMG0J63_8Rw8teWX22iNKz2FYOrP5KcMcAJGxk6WPLbJuAStRquYVssGKYqUU2s1kadPTAfENJADwDDejTkDBDXzoLGwVU-uliHmQZQIsTXDPXuq9BI7rndgMzpgk65bXnIJlwhgy_gU/s640/normal+bedroom+shot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To this realtor's credit - they did include a 'normal' photograph also. Why even use those wide angle shots? Hate them. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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To be honest with you Mr. or Ms. Realtor - there are houses that we didn't even go to see because we were so disappointed with the quality of the photos that were used. Here are a few more examples. These photos just do not do justice to the home. I can 'almost' say ok to some of the fish-eye lens shots -- almost.... We did actually see a couple of these rooms in real life. They looked much better than how they were portrayed in the ad. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the squatty fridge? </td></tr>
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As a person who is trying to sell your home - ask to see the photos your realtor takes before they go live online. And I beg you - please don't allow them to use wide-angle shots, they are a disservice to your home and will not help to sell your house.<br />
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We did finally find our next home - and not a single picture in the home ad was a wide-angle shot! Likewise with the house that we sold. Kudos to good, old-fashioned, picture it as it is photography!Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-67128388658208502082015-01-26T13:14:00.000-07:002015-01-26T13:17:17.668-07:00Quiet Book PagesLast fall I spent a considerable amount of time making quiet book pages for my grandchildren. I've learned a few things along the way - and the next set I make will likely be a little different than those I have completed. I made some about 1.5 years ago that were very similar in style to the ones I have pictured here.<br />
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Even though I will do some things differently with the next set, the desired outcome has been the same - the kids love them. They do provide a quiet activity for them to do - especially in places like church or the car. So no matter how you do them, just do something. I've got some ideas I can't wait to make happen!<br />
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The first quiet book I made, I made my own cover. This one I used a 3-ring binder. I glued a layer of warm and natural to the binder, then glued the cover to the warm and natural. I sewed the straps on before it was glued. Easy peasy! Although, I probably should have used a 2" binder rather than a 1". It really limits how many pages can be put in the book at a time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq_SYelCgRANssyeklJURuRTFwgQRGRl7fmt6F9qzVhsTbiywyPl47p32_KRTnbzdEf5_3TI92Q4dehwxJMkYpNFbQYvDp3Ko00LXf2HeDhgmemqIOI2Rcy_BCj4kYKhybdGWy58-DiY/s1600/IMG3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUq_SYelCgRANssyeklJURuRTFwgQRGRl7fmt6F9qzVhsTbiywyPl47p32_KRTnbzdEf5_3TI92Q4dehwxJMkYpNFbQYvDp3Ko00LXf2HeDhgmemqIOI2Rcy_BCj4kYKhybdGWy58-DiY/s1600/IMG3845.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the fabric was glued onto the outside of the binder - I flipped it over and glued it down on the inside. I then took a piece of card stock and covered it in the green striped fabric and glued it to the inside covers. This covered up the edges of the outer fabric that had been folded over and glued down.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYbz2PqrmAhHxgVu1OSQvij0rAoPwjb73x36sV0Xv2phNUQlJwyz0M8L6gNH-VDEes7HWYp8w6d_08Q3cU4kcqK3u-SB5YdKL_tLNjs0OvZab17PqEub2fYclc17OfPLJJAJhU7hPIaQ/s1600/IMG3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYbz2PqrmAhHxgVu1OSQvij0rAoPwjb73x36sV0Xv2phNUQlJwyz0M8L6gNH-VDEes7HWYp8w6d_08Q3cU4kcqK3u-SB5YdKL_tLNjs0OvZab17PqEub2fYclc17OfPLJJAJhU7hPIaQ/s1600/IMG3844.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCfcCe_59FCVHnAz4z3eMY5ecOqGryLux9vyCmNIKC3Wzt6OERLOsZbFWl5tsEY3TtcTMaL4EWrSaq05P9AXZzP-t1WmxvsRosq5tJYSYFzMkMi7TEKwZrJuIqwRA5RD6IXaw3yMk5Y/s1600/IMG3847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DCfcCe_59FCVHnAz4z3eMY5ecOqGryLux9vyCmNIKC3Wzt6OERLOsZbFWl5tsEY3TtcTMaL4EWrSaq05P9AXZzP-t1WmxvsRosq5tJYSYFzMkMi7TEKwZrJuIqwRA5RD6IXaw3yMk5Y/s1600/IMG3847.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the barn page. I found the cute finger puppets on-line. I
decided to try using the pencil pouch to store them in rather than
making a pocket on the page. Love that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2b07ik-fYQJbKYy885b0E0dz-b0ojSEsYhx3O030zlPpLkhYUh4DLgT_bEQ-pNNaed_TjGmRAkzIJKVRK7S6tZdmfwOkzOKTfYOjOf-cXiGWrnGWPeDLmRPQWCEECJn4NiMmHg40pfw/s1600/IMG3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2b07ik-fYQJbKYy885b0E0dz-b0ojSEsYhx3O030zlPpLkhYUh4DLgT_bEQ-pNNaed_TjGmRAkzIJKVRK7S6tZdmfwOkzOKTfYOjOf-cXiGWrnGWPeDLmRPQWCEECJn4NiMmHg40pfw/s1600/IMG3857.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another thing I learned ... SEW EVERYTHING! When I took this picture I hadn't sewn along the outside of the barn or on the white pieces at all. It wasn't long before those edges were pulling up and the pieces were detaching from the barn even though I had used a LOT of glue. Before it was given away - everything was stitched.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdZ8gRnh-DWTl3MkyGztLPGzhZwXACGOH5dWlKyFVGxlydqXf_hbFxjcjkE_KaqRqyFYNFnHbLJXUZoXDjjAS9o2Z1Ceva4k7mYrrdzwJeO0Q-547qBdNxk1sODCBhZxvwgllfU1W_4/s1600/IMG3849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLdZ8gRnh-DWTl3MkyGztLPGzhZwXACGOH5dWlKyFVGxlydqXf_hbFxjcjkE_KaqRqyFYNFnHbLJXUZoXDjjAS9o2Z1Ceva4k7mYrrdzwJeO0Q-547qBdNxk1sODCBhZxvwgllfU1W_4/s1600/IMG3849.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The I Spy page made from fabric that is on their I Spy quilts. This was taken before the finishing touches were put on the page.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3KunyatSSNDeDJn1YmXQi7Yc5CvtI2Sw7wsQPsQGEfxIb9t8dFqkW5hy5tmJEAXqe6TXqwO7mW5EGohhLrYChU1f5JsfnQZI6GuUM3tKpmcr5kY7Ijh__9hhsk98Yzek1Yjh9osP-zw/s1600/IMG3850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3KunyatSSNDeDJn1YmXQi7Yc5CvtI2Sw7wsQPsQGEfxIb9t8dFqkW5hy5tmJEAXqe6TXqwO7mW5EGohhLrYChU1f5JsfnQZI6GuUM3tKpmcr5kY7Ijh__9hhsk98Yzek1Yjh9osP-zw/s1600/IMG3850.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a fun one to do - but if I were to do it again I might use regular cotton fabric as a background and make the bee so he could be moved around.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3JTPBvmD8AdqaC7Kk_zh1HAppZEzj_F9ivsx5KZyLwVBzU_2fZJBF4eMSe2yPXCj8nHUACpHqpp4cx04Hp6ryBx6IXNUm8qGQEbZw8f1XGaxUGcqRnaw_drqPrjuoaAakA5v252sgLk/s1600/IMG3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3JTPBvmD8AdqaC7Kk_zh1HAppZEzj_F9ivsx5KZyLwVBzU_2fZJBF4eMSe2yPXCj8nHUACpHqpp4cx04Hp6ryBx6IXNUm8qGQEbZw8f1XGaxUGcqRnaw_drqPrjuoaAakA5v252sgLk/s1600/IMG3851.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used tablecloth vinyl to make the packet and filled it with buttons and beads and all sorts of tiny trinkets I found. Use your 40-50% off coupons on this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYs2KWzYOaruaY-YKuynr0rUBkOJHaZvZbqnBeGrqdLrJboXUuuN7yaNO3SWkbCMTvDPitx1E3xUgpdJ9Yj5jRX5eDYctijNyX2eAOsQckTyelpPDIT-oujtcgfV9OSx2abBsgqxB1Ao/s1600/IMG3852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYs2KWzYOaruaY-YKuynr0rUBkOJHaZvZbqnBeGrqdLrJboXUuuN7yaNO3SWkbCMTvDPitx1E3xUgpdJ9Yj5jRX5eDYctijNyX2eAOsQckTyelpPDIT-oujtcgfV9OSx2abBsgqxB1Ao/s1600/IMG3852.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one that I glued down REALLY well and figured I didn't need to sew anything. The first time my grandson was on this page, he was picking at the edges and it was already starting to come apart. Ugh....lesson learned. SEW EVERYTHING!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXOe7E5QpQuafIB-b5tWo6VNspevttH0XtZ511KLEctgMBFTxFNZJgirAS3FAr1ns9nKyol07fpnuGTojd0T-JRCvl_jppnsC7w1F4zQmDHv-uWFytSAMByb38Ri3DIvahxQTXN3ZHsA/s1600/IMG3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXOe7E5QpQuafIB-b5tWo6VNspevttH0XtZ511KLEctgMBFTxFNZJgirAS3FAr1ns9nKyol07fpnuGTojd0T-JRCvl_jppnsC7w1F4zQmDHv-uWFytSAMByb38Ri3DIvahxQTXN3ZHsA/s1600/IMG3853.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE this page! I chose to not cut out felt numbers and letters. Got these in a package of foam stickers. I added E6000 adhesive to the backs of them and they did stick VERY WELL!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoKmkIl9ugQOKs19UdEYjaKksi-x-iBz4UshGpjUM-rTwSUIdp7yrbjNeCJUtvmkWcYne2shMVmjF_MLaA0pkExHjcc0PQZ1ZZNe2kkDfaAR53_5loF1AYIbbGHLcSL6ek3cQniSGY8A/s1600/IMG3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsoKmkIl9ugQOKs19UdEYjaKksi-x-iBz4UshGpjUM-rTwSUIdp7yrbjNeCJUtvmkWcYne2shMVmjF_MLaA0pkExHjcc0PQZ1ZZNe2kkDfaAR53_5loF1AYIbbGHLcSL6ek3cQniSGY8A/s1600/IMG3854.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And look - the flaps lift up with little jewels for them to count. Again, I used the E6000 adhesive to glue them down.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbBebrS0lEI5l58yl7ZRjTG3wtlrqj5h75jMJ1wS83FNXIzX_eMWDgLZ5oPhhaUcGPG4J5cFdbM-U_3wBuSKQu9ggQAkn9c_2EQ8eJctGiqUaJEmIxQPmVNptAbjyS2Mu3NkCeaaSKi8/s1600/IMG3855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbBebrS0lEI5l58yl7ZRjTG3wtlrqj5h75jMJ1wS83FNXIzX_eMWDgLZ5oPhhaUcGPG4J5cFdbM-U_3wBuSKQu9ggQAkn9c_2EQ8eJctGiqUaJEmIxQPmVNptAbjyS2Mu3NkCeaaSKi8/s1600/IMG3855.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felt strips with a fabric backing. I wish now I had used all felt.... You can see the fray edges of the fabric. These can be stuck together to make a chain, or simply connected one to the other to make a long strip. Good color practice and eye/hand coordination when sticking them together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHh2d6JM713TW_r82o39m9pMiBdYNZo4l5y_snOv6E-VCKfYtqJ_cuyzacD8sc4hhPCdan6LJOh1vO5n1fepGyX7ot8UHL2BEeHYhfKlHz6yAxyUxDzoxfx0JadFAGU8ChjbhvmmNtUI/s1600/IMG3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHh2d6JM713TW_r82o39m9pMiBdYNZo4l5y_snOv6E-VCKfYtqJ_cuyzacD8sc4hhPCdan6LJOh1vO5n1fepGyX7ot8UHL2BEeHYhfKlHz6yAxyUxDzoxfx0JadFAGU8ChjbhvmmNtUI/s1600/IMG3946.JPG" height="640" width="480" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this is one of my top three favorite pages! The fish slide back and forth along the ribbon. I lined the fish with vinyl so they would slide easily. The other critters on top were cut out of fabric and glued to felt with a velcro backing on them so they will stick to the 'sand'. The edges should have been treated with FrayCheck - not sure if that happened before it was given away! </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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There were several more pages that I did - Mr Potato Head, tic-tac-toe, an Easter egg with Easter themed finger puppets, etc.<br />
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The one VERY IMPORTANT thing that you need to know about making your quiet book is this: NEVER TELL YOUR HUSBAND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SPENT DOING IT!!! I would purchase things with coupons and on sale, and get things a little at a time, but I stopped keeping track of how much it was costing me because they have truly been a labor of love.<br />
<br />
As I said - I'm already planning the next set of pages to do. I will tell you this: there will not be any holes in the pages. I'm looking at a totally different way of putting them together in a book. Can't wait!<br />
<br />Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142682319430217806.post-41953074522817906572015-01-06T20:52:00.000-07:002015-01-06T20:52:19.851-07:00Anxiety - Part Two!So - the previous post I wrote about anxiety - and how I was going to stay on top of it so I didn't have the kind of experience that Sandra Turley had?! Remember that? Well - I'm happy to say that I did just that - I had almost exactly the same experience that she did. <br />
<br />
It was Tuesday night, December 16th. I could not go to sleep. You know those nights when you lie there wide awake? Yup - one of those nights. After an hour or so of tossing and turning I decided to head to the recliner so I wouldn't disturb the hubby. He had an important meeting early the next morning. I'd been there about 1/2 hour - just enjoying looking at the Christmas lights - when <span style="font-size: large;"><b>BAM</b></span>! <br />
<br />
My heart started doing somersaults. Seriously. It felt like it was violently flopping back and forth in my chest. Then I got an intense pain around the sternum area. I thought I was having a heart attack, so was going to call out to the sleeping hubster, but suddenly I couldn't get my breath. I was nauseous and dizzy and had a difficult time getting out of the chair. I made it to the hall closet where the medicine is kept and took an aspirin. They say to do that if you are having a heart attack. <br />
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Now, this is where you <i><b>DON'T</b></i> do what I did next. I could breathe a little easier and my acrobatic heart had slowed down considerably, so instead of waking up my husband and heading to the emergency room or calling 911, I decided to head to the computer. Yup - that's what we all do when we think we might be dieing, right?! Guess I should have written my final farewell while I was at the keyboard. Instead I googled heart attack symptoms and really, it didn't seem like that was what was happening to me. So I googled panic attack symptoms. <i><b>BINGO</b></i>! Every symptom - I just checked them off one by one. By this time I had decided that I wasn't going to die, so I popped one of my pills for anxiety and headed back to the recliner. Within 20 minutes all symptoms were gone and I felt much better. <br />
<br />
I hope to <i><b>NEVER</b></i> have another panic/anxiety attack. It was seriously the scariest medical situation I've ever been through. <br />
<br />
I had made a major decision to quit my job, which I knew would alleviate some of the stress I was having in my life. Our little family has experienced a lot of stressful situations this last year. Some of them were really wonderful - like a new grandbaby being born, a daughter and her family moving into their own home, and another daughter moving back 'home'. Some were really difficult - like my husband being put on probation at his job unjustly and everything that went along with that including a quick emergency flight home to be with him; opening up a new school with double the student population and everything that goes along with that, including spending time in classrooms once a week. I'm not a teacher. I wanted to be a teacher once - long, long ago. But after that first practicum experience, I knew that I would be eaten alive by those children so I changed my major. So this experience of being in the classroom often left me in tears in the nearest bathroom when I was done. <br />
<br />
In hindsight, I can tell you some things that I've learned.<br />
<ol>
<li>If something is being overly stressful in your life - don't play the martyr and stick with it because you don't want to feel like a failure.</li>
<li>Don't worry about doing everything, all of the time. It's ok to let some things go and not be perfect. Why is it that we sometimes feel we have to be the 'superwoman'? That's just wrong!</li>
<li>Be honest with your feelings and talk with someone about them - be it your spouse, a trusted friend, your doctor or another professional.</li>
<li>A strong relationship with your Father in Heaven can help you through really difficult times.</li>
<li>Studying the scriptures can give you insight and strength and help you feel the love of your Savior.</li>
<li>"Those that be with us are greater than those that be with them." 2 Kings 6:16. I believe that the adversary is working overtime to make us feel that we have failed and that we are of no worth. I also believe that we have a loving Father in Heaven and his son Jesus Christ who know us personally and love us perfectly. Through the gifts and blessings of the Atonement, we can be succored and strengthened through the Savior.</li>
<li><i><b>When you are having a medical emergency - don't google it! Get professional medical help immediately.</b></i></li>
</ol>
Our lives are full of stress. Learning to cope - and learning to let go of certain things will help us enjoy the life that is ours to live. Carpe' Diem!Korinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970851065073357478noreply@blogger.com0