Cover Their Eyes!

Today a friend sent me a photo that just CRACKED me up...pun intended.

If you happen to be viewing my blog with young children, or hyper-sensitive older-types, please cover their eyes. Otherwise, chuckle with the rest of us at this tray of cookies.

I think I might have seen one of these the other night at the movie when a mom bent over to tie her kid's shoe. Grayson saw it, too, and we were both grossed out. BUTT anyway...nevermind.

My Fabulous Mom



Loudene Dove - August 2009

I have often been told that I remind folks of my mom...I used to think how absurd that was, because other than the freckles and coloring, I didn't really see it!

Over time, I've realized that it's not just in looks, because I DO actually look like my mom, but it's also in mannerisms, attitudes, likes & dislikes, and the things that make us laugh. We are very different, but we are very much alike!

Similarities:

* freckles & reddish-brown coloring

* sing alto

* country music fans

* have four children

* raised in the gospel

* got married at 19

* love scrappbooky type stuff

* love crafting and making stuff

* love watching romantic comedies

* love OREOS

Differences:

* she's 5'5", I'm 5'11"

* she's quiet & shy, I'm very outgoing

* she lived in one place growing up, I moved around alot

* she's a peacemaker, I sometimes don't know when to stop with my point

* she's veeeery patient, I'm just kinda, sorta patient

* she's mostly been a homemaker, I've been a career woman

* she loves to wear rings, I barely wear my wedding ring

* her hands always look lovely, my hands are temperamental

* she decorates for EVERY season, I just do Christmas

I could go on and on...there is much to love about my mom. ALL my friends love her, in high school they used to call her "mom." Especially my friend, Dalynda. She greatly appreciated the personal, special attention my mom always gave her. Mom was like that with our friends -- many people have been recipients of her special brand of love and attention. I wonder if we sometimes took it for granted, because we always had it!

We are very blessed! I wish we lived closer to Mom & Dad now, so we could spend time with them on a regular basis. I love and miss them so much!



Mom & Me -- 4th of July, 2010

So, on this Mother's Day, I'm sending a special wish that she can FEEL my love, and big hugs to the best mom in the world!

Home Alone

I am having a very weird, unusual moment.  I am home alone.

And I'm not talking about just for a few minutes, or even an hour! I am talking about being home alone for like 36 HOURS! This just n-e-v-e-r happens.

I am n-e-v-e-r home for more than a few minutes by myself. Maybe if I'm sick or something, but that doesn't count, because well, when you're sick, you are sick! It just doesn't count. I'm talking about feeling fine and having the whole house to myself, no television on, nobody calling my name, nobody asking me for anything, nothing I HAVE to do today, no meals to cook, nobody expecting any 'deliverables' from me, no homework to do, no church assignments outstanding, oooohhh...this is really weird. I'm trying to wrap my head around this feeling.

Let me explain why this situation is upon me. Earlier today, my three guys headed out to Alabama with a huge stake convoy to assist the victims of the tornados down there. They'll be gone until tomorrow night.

And yes, tomorrow is Mother's Day. Steve initially hesitated to commit to go, because he didn't want me to be alone on Mother's Day. He usually spoils me soooo much with breakfast in bed, gifts, a fabulous dinner and no cleanup or responsibilities. I do love Mother's Day! But I love even more that he and my sons are giving of themselves in this way. So I told him, OF COURSE GO! And of course, he's going to "do" Mother's Day later.

So, in reality, I get DOUBLE enjoyment, because I get this time all to myself, and in the future, I'll get the other Mother's Day fare with my guys.  WIN-WIN for me!

I just made myself a fabulous turkey wrap with avocado, lettuce, cheese, low-carb tortillas. Delicious! And then, later, I'm going to eat a few chocolate covered almonds and watch a movie. (I had Sam write down the directions on how to work my DVD player, because I really don't know how.) I shall enjoy these few hours immensely! 

Tomorrow I will sleep in, I will get up and ONLY have myself to get ready for church, no ties to find, no white shirts to iron. WHAAA???  I will attend a very empty church block -- since many of the men and boys are in Alabama. I will come home and enjoy a simple meal. Then I may blog some more, I may watch ANOTHER movie (gasp!) or I may take a late afternoon nap. Yeah, that sounds good.

Because, you know what? I CAN IF I WANT TO!

Last...First...Date

30 Years ago today, (May 2, 1981) I had my LAST...FIRST...DATE. Alas, I went out with Mr. Harris, and was totally...well...UN-impressed.

We went to see a play in Salt Lake City called, "Don't Forget to Remember Me." I had been at work all day, and had quickly rushed home and changed. We went with some other couples (Terry Bishop & Susan Chipman, my sister Corinne & Paul Bishop - Terry's brother, and I think a couple of other couples).

At the play, I was doing the standard fare...asking questions to try to get to know Mr. Harris a little better. So I leaned over during the play and asked something like, "So...I hear you went to Peru on your mission! I'm sure that was a great experience!" He nodded his head, didn't take his eyes off the stage, and "shhhhh'd" me! I was dumbfounded! I had been shhhhh'd on a first date! Hmmph!

So, I waited a little while, and then leaned over and asked him something like, "So...I hear you're going to BYU?"  Mr. Harris actually had the gall to nod and SHHHHHH me again! Yes, 'tis true! Well, this little lady doesn't need to be hit over the head to get the point! I was tired, a bit bored, and not feeling too much like being patient with this fine young man. So I basically sat there silent, until the play was over. I don't remember much about it, but I was ready to go home afterward.

But WAIT, not so fast! We then went to dinner with the group at the old Salt City Jail...I do remember enjoying the meal, and he came out of his very quiet, backward shell a little bit at dinner. (He says he was totally talkative and cutting up -- that his friends commented how "outgoing" he was that night -- HA!) Well, he may have redeemed himself just a bit, but I was basically still unimpressed. I had no intention of ever going out with him again. In fact, I turned him down the next week when he called me.


July 24, 1981

And...we'll save the REST of the story for another time...

Easter

Easter eats, and Easter treats...

We had a quiet Easter this year (meaning just the 'big kids,' no grandkids)...  :o)

We had a beautiful church service. The ward choir, under the direction of Kim Fiske, sounded FABULOUS! I am still getting over this cotton-pickin bronchitis, so I could not sing with them, and it was painful to not be up there! I really love the music of Easter, and it was actually a treat to hear it from the audience. The closing song, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" had a congregation/choir last verse, with the descant above it, ending on a beautiful high note...gorgeous!

Sam wasn't feeling very good  :o(  so he stayed home from church, and I came home right after Sacrament Meeting to be with him. He got feeling better as the day wore on...

That night, our family enjoyed "The Testaments: Of One Fold and One Shepherd," which depicts the life of Christ from birth to crucifixion, and his appearance to the Nephites after his resurrection. A beautiful, touching story...one that drove home the true message of this day. We are so blessed to have this knowledge.