Lovely Blog Award

The lovely Joyce Smith of  Zany G's (Grandma)

 World blog  http://zanygsworld.blogspot.com

 has honored me with the lovely blog award and I am to write seven interesting facts about myself. Here they are:

1. I never liked to admit that I’m not good at finding the right direction. I don’t give up easily so it is not unusual that I would drive around some places for hours until I find it.
2. I’ve been lost in Pensacola, Florida, New York City, Chicago, New Orleans, and Houston.
3. Once I went with a group of YSA in New Jersey to a dance in Manhattan and we ended up driving through all five boroughs of New York City to get there.
4. When I was in 5^th grade I was chosen as one of three children to be a special escort in the ceremony for the laying of the flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington D.C.  Unfortunately, since I got my directions mixed up—I went the wrong way during the ceremony. (In front of about 100 people)
5. I use to work as a greens keeper on a golf course in New Jersey three summers in a row.
6. I never liked playing golf.
7. I consider myself very patriotic.
8. I love to write.
9. When I was little—my parents would put my sister and I in front of all the family at reunions and had us sing songs. (I actually liked it)
10. When my children, husband and I lived in a farmhouse in Foley Alabama, we were visited by six teenaged pigs.
11.  I once saw two mice dance together on their hind legs while I was watching TV in the house where we were visited by the teenage pigs. (No one ever believed me)
12. We once caught 23 mice in traps while living in the farmhouse in Foley that was visited by six teenaged pigs.
13.  I once swam a race in an Olympic sized pool and came in third place.  (There were only three people in the race)
14.  I love living in Loxley though we have never been visited by pigs. Only mice.
15.  One time when I was younger, my sister and I went trick or treating and a neighbor gave us dog poop instead of candy wrapped up in a napkin.
16. Most people can never guess my age.

I actually wrote a few more than seven as I have written this funny piece about myself a while ago and wanted to use it for this blog.

The other requirement is to pick 15 to 17 other blogs to receive the Lovely Blog Award.  So here are they are:

1. Wendy Dewitt---http://everythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com/
2. Shaunna Gonzales----http://shaunnagonzales.blogspot.com
3. Betsy Love: http://sweetbetsylove.blogspot.com

4. Tristi Pinkson: http://tristipinkston.blogspot.com

5. Stephanie Albany: http://stephaniereadthat.blogspot.com
6. Jennifer Wolf:  http://wolftalez.blogspot.com
7. Anne Bradshaw: http://annebradshaw.blogspot.com
8. Liz Adair: http://sezlizadair.blogspot.com
9. Rachel Brooks:  http://rachelbrookswrites.blogspot.com
10.Tanya Parker Mills: http://www.tanyaparkermills.com
11. Bonnie Harris: http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com
12. Theresa Sneed: http://theresatalks.blogspot.com
13. Karen Adair:  http://karenadair.blogspot.com
14. Gabriela Lessa:  http://aspiringwriterworld.blogspot.com
15. Dede Smith:  http://designzbydede.blogspot.com

Now in order for all of you fifteen lovely blogs to accept this award please do the following:
copy, cut, & paste the above award and put in your pictures folder. Then paste in preferred design format of your blog. Answer the seven random facts about yourself and post 15-17 new blogs that you think are deserving of the award on your next blog... wallah, you're now a lovely blog recipient! Congratulations!!!

Food Storage Frenzy

With news of what the world is experiencing I have found myself contemplating more and more of what we are lacking in emergency supplies.  The last time the country went into “a food storage frenzy” was in 1999 right before the Y2K extravaganza. Everyone, regardless of culture, creed or religion was stashing emergency supplies anywhere they could.  But after all the fuss calmed down, everyone forgot about the world coming to an end and the food storage thing went away. Life went back to a normal pace.  My family ate down what we stored and tried to replace it as we ate but we didn’t.  The frenzy of activity no longer existed and I couldn’t keep up.  But now that feeling has returned and I feel what is placed on my heart is to start up the food storage frenzy again; only this time there will be no reprieve.

            With the study of world events, ancient and modern scripture revelation, commentaries of trusted religious leaders and pondering, I and my family have come to the conclusion that this is it. All those years of hearing about what will be happening in the “last days before Christ comes again” and now we are finally here.  It’s almost unbelievable.  It’s surprising and even shocking. Most people wouldn't believe it.

We (my family and I)  have come to realize the time is close at hand to a total world collapse of food, energy and government.  Not a lot of people are paying attention as life seems to be moving forward without discussion of what will happen if our government falls or if the teamsters can’t deliver food or marshal law is implemented  or an epidemic is released.  We all need to be prepared without panicking.  We all need to have some kind of food and water supply so when “the crap hits the fan” as they say, we can all help each other in our small communities without danger to ourselves.  

The following links are websites which specialize in emergency preparedness.  The first is a link to a website which shares a lot of information on all emergencies and how to prepare.  The other one is a 222 page book you can download for free which covers every aspect of emergency preparedness including food storage and safety.

 Link to Emergency Survival

Link to Emergency Survival book-free download

We need to start the food storage frenzy again and really get prepared for what the future brings.  This is not a panic attack but a call for all to prepare themselves for what could happen. We need to inform our neighbors as they will become our closest community in keeping our neighborhoods safe from looters and crazy people.

This next part is a list of the top 101 things to have on hand that will be in great demand to barter. Yes, the barter system will come back when money is scarce so why not get a jump on this list and stash things away for a rainy day.

Top 101 Barter Items

by  M.D. CREEKMORE on MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009 

1.Coffee

2.Sugar

3.Salt
4.Pepper
5.Hard candy
6.Paperback Bibles
7.Kitchen Matches
8.Needles and sewing items
9.Nylon cord
10.Duct tape
11.Cigarettes 
12.Pencils, paper, note pads
13.Toilet paper
14.Tooth paste
15.Soap
16.Rubbing alcohol 
17.Peroxide
18.Aspirin
19.Baking soda
20.tooth brushes 
21.Reading glasses 
22.Liquor 
23.Socks 
24.Tarps 
25.Tools for gardening 
26.Condoms
27.Wooden matches
28.Skills
29.Hand Tools 
30.Boyscout Manual 
31.22.LR ammunition 
32.12-gauge shot shells
33.Water Filters 
34.Firewood 
35.Coleman Fuel 
36.Knives 
37.Manual Can Openers 
38.Vegetable Oil (for cooking) 
39.Lighter Fluid 
40.Charcoal 
41.Diapers 
42.Washboard 
43.Vitamins 
44.Tampons
45.Thermal Underwear 
46.Aluminum Foil 
47.Garbage Bags 
48.Paper Towels
49.Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) 
50.Clothes Pins 
51.Fishing Line
52.Fish Hooks
53.First Aid Kits 
54.Batteries 
55.Spices 
56.Solar Calculators 
57.Belts 
58.Flashlights 
59.Lightsticks 
60.Garbage Cans 
61.Toothbrushes
62.Toothpaste 
63.Nail Clippers 
64.Mosquito Repellent 
65.Duct Tape 
66.Rope
67.Candles 
68.Sewing Supplies 
69.Non Scented Bleach 
70.Canning Jars and Lids
71.Knives 
72.Sharpening Stones
73.Bicycle Tire Tubes
74.Bicycle Chains
75.Air Pump (don’t trade the pump trade the air)
78.Board Games 
79.Playing Cards
80.Mousetraps 
81.Baby Wipes 
82.Razors 
83.Tang 
84.Gloves
85.Underwear 
86.Glue 
89.Broad Brim Hats
90.Files 
91.Pad-Locks
92.Laundry Detergent 
93.Kerosene 
94.Tea
95.Axes 
96.Slingshots 
97.Binoculars 
98.Disposable Lighters 
99.Magnesium fire starters 
100.Plastic sheeting 
101.Over The Counter Medications

Miss anything? Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments below.

Hope this helps anyone who has felt the same as I. With a little bit of planning we can help each other as a community, town, state and country withstand the trials of what lies ahead.

The Star Prophesy: A Great Chistmas Gift......

 If you are LDS or just familiar with the stories of the Book of Mormon, Joan Sowards captures the essence of those times in a wonderfully woven story about the coming of Christ which includes a  story about a boy named Enoch called The Star Prophecy.

This story grabs your attention as you read of Enoch's attempts to take the journey of his life. Sword fighting, romance, sailing across the sea are all a part of the adventure and I could not stop reading until the end. A wonderful treat for any age, this story will be a family favorite in no time. I even read it to my family at night. 

A great Christmas gift for any family, you can order it on Amazon.com 

Link to buy book.......

Happenings.......

This past week I arranged to see both Isaac and Rebekah graduate at Brigham Young University in Idaho.  Their graduation will be December 16th which is the day before Rebekah's birthday.  They will both have their bachelor's degree and go off to an internship somewhere. They are still working on that one.  But I am arranging to fly to Salt Lake City on the 14th of December and stay with my brother.  Then the next day I will drive my father's car with him up to Rexburg, Idaho which is only about three hours.  I'm pretty excited as this is my Alma Mater back in 1979.  There has been a lot of changes since I was there and the school is now a four year university so I'm excited to see all that has been done.  I have been looking online at some of the buildings and familiarizing myself with the campus so I won't be completely unaware.

 This cute little boy is Peter Holifield.  He is one of my grandsons who is 18 months old.  Such a cutie.  He lives with his Mom and Dad in Warner Robins, Georgia. Naomi and Jon Holifield.

Today we participated in an Eagle Scout project in Robertsdale, Alabama.  Tyler Evans chose to clean out the Emergency Preparedness warehouse to reorganize and inventory all the equipment and supplies they have there.  It was really a great project and there were about 30 of us there. We were done around noon and all were able to go home.  We made 60 dollars on our yard sale items from last week and Jim started working for the Baldwin County Schools in subbing for teachers.  He got himself on all the high school lists, middle school lists and some elementary school lists. We have been told by several different people that once they get to know you, you are always busy.  It's very exciting.  The only draw back is that we are paid once a month.  So I guess we will have to get used to that and schedule our bills around my paychecks and his.
Tomorrow I fly out to see Sarah, Drew and their children.  They will be going on a trip and I will be staying with Bella and Lael.  I am excited to visit with them and see Rex.  I also get to trick or treat with them.  Very fun.

Hope for the Future.....

I found an even more colorful picture of the fall leaves of the north on Facebook and wanted to post it here. After our difficult week last week--we have more hope for the future. We are going to start again this week to find more work and get somewhere on the hotel plan.  We have to get going to see that hotel remodeled to be a museum and gift shop and also a place for parties. I'm sure we can make it work. We will rent our house and live in the back of the museum which will be very exciting.
Something that was said over the weekend really touched me:  "You can count the number of seeds in an apple but you cannot count the number of apples from each seed." Mary Fairchild  
You never know when you will help someone or touch a life with the example of  how you live you life.   So enough of me philosophizing and tomorrow is a new day to try again. 

Self Confidence

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net
images/view_photog.php?photogid=73

I've been having a rough couple of days over the last week. Actually, over the last few months. I had some great highs and some terrible lows.....  As a couple, we are going through such trials financially without a permanent job anywhere--it is so stressful.  I feel bad about myself --I'm sure Jim feels this way as well.  In between these lows, I have become more successful with my writing.  I had seven pieces published through Deseret Connect in print and online in Deseret News, MormonTimes.com and KSL.com. I was really excited about that. Then I was asked by More Good Foundation to write my own column which was unbelievably fantastic.  It is online officially as Bonds that Tie the Family.  All my children are doing well and we are pretty healthy (knock on wood) so there are many highs but the lows are so awful.  We don't have enough money for just the basic needs.  We keep scraping along trying to improve the situation.  Trying to write under those conditions is difficult too.  I guess we should be happy we are not on the street--homeless somewhere--which does happen to so many good people in this country.
  I just have to keep plugging along and break through this trial.  On top of that---my hotel plans just keep getting knocked down...... but every time I think---I can't do this-- something comes along and gives me some hope.  I dont' think it's false hope---but a hope that I can ask someone else for the financing or another person appears who wants to work on it.  If only we had the money to start--we would have that thing looking great in no time.


I suppose that is enough moaning about the difficulties of life...... I'm sure this would make a great tragedy/comedy movie somewhere down the road......  Speaking of roads: the picture shown is that road not taken.....somewhere in Pennsylvania there is this road that is traveled but I have not traveled it yet so I have to trudge through.  Or rather I should take a good look around while I am trudging through and enjoy the scenery.
One more thing......Lydia showed me this psychological test from Facebook----I don't know if it has any validity but you look at a large square of mixed up letters--as it's shown on a word find page--- and the directions say that the first three words you find in this square will describe you........ I found beautiful, love and funny......Am I beautiful? Never thought of myself that way.  I suppose Heavenly Father thinks so....  I know I love intensely and I like to be funny.  Maybe it does describes me which does help me to feel better about myself.


See For Yourself----

                                                                                           

Memorial for Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs

I remember reading about Steve Jobs back in 1980 and what he had started to accomplish along with Bill Gates.  They were fierce competitors and it seemed as if Bill Gates had taken the lead for a while.  But as time went on Steve Jobs caught up and was just as successful as Bill Gates but not so open about it.  He was a very private person and I appreciate that. He was driven to make life better for everyone through electronics.

Pancreatic Cancer is brutal --but he managed to stick around a lot longer than most people do when they fight pancreatic cancer (6 years).  My mother didn't even make a year.

This post is in honor of Steve Jobs and all that work he has done for mankind.  A writer friend of mine coined it perfectly in her poem below and I copied it here.  It is amazing to me how people  can be so successful in the face of so much adversity.  It is amazing to me what people do with their lives when the odds are against them.  Here is the essence of Steve Jobs:

"iRemember"

by Tanya Parker Mills

Given up at birth

By an educated Syrian father

And an equally learned mother

Into the arms of loving,

Less lettered parents,

He whiled his way through school,

Perhaps surprising no one

When he left its rule to

Follow his own.

Racing time,

He molded masterful manipulatives,

Each designed elegantly to bring the world

To our fingertips

In easy, intuitive ways.

iMac,

A solid friend,

Dependable, accessible, with a

Mouse that makes the Lion roar.

iTunes,

Bringing music to the masses,

A revolution in song sharing

Between artist and listener.

iPod,

Our first fisted friend,

There on errands, walks, and runs,

Fusing melody with life.

iPhone,

The iMac in our hands,

And an "app"licable library

For the future.

iPad,

The iMac and iPod combined,

Simplified and squeezed

To a minimum, yet somehow more.

i's galore,

iBook, iPhoto, iMovie, iLife, iWork,

But this "i" always,

iRemember.

Steve Jobs set a president for us all!!!  Let us all take a lesson from this genius, driven mind.......

Patrick Henry's Speech

From Google Images

In my searches for writing my weekly column,I came across this great quote from Patrick Henry's Speech!!!  His words can light a fire under us in our war to protect our citizens from our federal government.  Read on:

"No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope that it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen, if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty towards the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?

For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth — to know the worst and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House?

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation — the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motives for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject? Nothing.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope.

If we wish to be free — if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending — if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable — and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, “Peace! Peace!” — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

Patrick Henry – March 23, 1775

The Provo Tabernacle to be Made Into A New Temple

Provo Tabernacle from Wikipedia

I am so excited.  President Monson just announced the next temples to be built. What is so exciting is that the Provo Tabernacle, which was gutted by a fire recently, will be remodeled into a temple in Provo.
I had been so sad to read the news of the this fire a few months ago. It was such a beautiful building inside and I have personal experience meeting in this magnificent building.

Back in 1982 to 1985, we lived in the area of Provo which used that building for stake conference.  I loved sitting inside the Tabernacle for church.  There was so much detail in the work inside and and I would just look around as I listened to the talks.  It was almost distracting but you felt such a spirit in that building when you entered.  When I heard the fire gutted the building, I was physically ill.  What a terrible shame to lose such a wonderful place.  But now, our Priesthood leaders have decided to restore this building as it once was and use it as a Temple of God.  It makes so much sense.  The Provo Temple is the busiest temple in the world and what better way to supplement temple attendance than to have another temple right in the city of Provo. It makes my heart sing!!!!!  What a great idea!

Our Winner of the Blog Giveaway----

Today, I am pleased to announce our winner of the My Memories Suite package.  My good friend Glenna Grant was the one picked out of a small box.  Congratulations, Glenna!!!!!  I'm sure you will enjoy it.  She lives in Loxley with three of her children left at home.  There are two older daughters married and moved away.  Glenna has been staying in Miami for the past few months taking care of her father. What a gem.....

Thanks to everyone who participated!!!  Sorry I couldn't give everyone a copy of the scrap booking program.