Last night Genius Golfer and The Boy were at a camp out for Scouts. About 9 PM The Girl asked if she could go over to her BFF's to watch a movie with her--they are the next cul-de-sac over. So, I was home alone.
I have days where I wish this would happen. I always imagine I will do fantastic and exciting things if I had a day or evening to myself. Or at least catch up all the scrpabooks or prep the garden and plant it or write a novel.
But by 9 PM I was tired and in my pajamas already. I ended up watching a handful of DVR'd shows--like the Life series on thd Discovery channel, which is excellent--that I hadn't gotten around to watching yet.
I am quite a dud! There was nothing exciting or fantastic about being snuggled down in bed watching fluff nature shows.
Too bad I don't have more nights like that!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
No Words
Sisters Mary Catherine, Maria Theresa, Katherine Marie, Rose Frances and Mary Kathleen left the Convent on a trip to St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and were sight-seeing on a Tuesday in July. It was hot and humid in town and their traditional garb was making them so uncomfortable, they decided to stop in at Patty McGuire’s Pub for a cold soft drink.
Patty had recently added special legs to his barstools, which were the talk of the fashionable eastside neighborhood. All 5 Nuns sat up at the bar and were enjoying their Cokes when Monsignor Riley and Father McGinty entered the bar through the front
door They, too, came for a cold drink when they were shocked and almost fainted at what they saw.
HaHaHaHaHa! Have a great weekend!
Patty had recently added special legs to his barstools, which were the talk of the fashionable eastside neighborhood. All 5 Nuns sat up at the bar and were enjoying their Cokes when Monsignor Riley and Father McGinty entered the bar through the front
door They, too, came for a cold drink when they were shocked and almost fainted at what they saw.
HaHaHaHaHa! Have a great weekend!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Open Letter
Dear Mr. Blog-Stalking Chinese Commenter--
Recently you have been leaving unwanted comments on this blog. I do not read Chinese. As you leave your comments in Chinese, I cannot read them. Your past comments with links are disgusting and I will never click on it to check it out again. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Does your mother know what these links show? I should hope not. No mother worth the title would approve of that.
As this blog is a place for me to share my personal feelings, opinions, insecurities and events that I feel I want to share with my family and friends who choose to read this, you really are not invited to be here. I do not know you and I am certain you do not know me.
Please consider that there are a bazillion other websites and blogs that you could skulk around and even comment on should you choose to do so, but this is no longer an environment where you are welcome. I respectfully ask you to cease and desist leaving your comments here.
Sincerely,
Shauna
Recently you have been leaving unwanted comments on this blog. I do not read Chinese. As you leave your comments in Chinese, I cannot read them. Your past comments with links are disgusting and I will never click on it to check it out again. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Does your mother know what these links show? I should hope not. No mother worth the title would approve of that.
As this blog is a place for me to share my personal feelings, opinions, insecurities and events that I feel I want to share with my family and friends who choose to read this, you really are not invited to be here. I do not know you and I am certain you do not know me.
Please consider that there are a bazillion other websites and blogs that you could skulk around and even comment on should you choose to do so, but this is no longer an environment where you are welcome. I respectfully ask you to cease and desist leaving your comments here.
Sincerely,
Shauna
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Oh, The Pressure
The Girl is less than two weeks away from beginning her first college concurrent enrollment class. I got a call this morning that she was lacking one more form to be completely ready to begin.
I feel so much pressure about getting her class schedule right. She will have opportunities to take college credit classes in high school as well as Advanced Placement classes that will count for college credit. I never had those chances as my high school didn't offer such things.
The Girl has her own plan in her head for what she wants to do in high school as well as what she would like to do--at least, as of right now--in college too. Her plan is unlike the other girls in our neighborhood and at church. As these girls get together for any reason I have heard derisive comments that The Girl "isn't doing it right" or is "making dumb mistakes" and making "lame choices".
I worry that this kind of peer pressure is too much for her to withstand. I am concerned that her wishes and desires regarding her class choices and collegiate ambitions and goals will crumble under the pressure of alternatives taken by her peers.
Here is where I am really hoping her stubbornness makes a stand. I know she has it in her.
As her mom, I am concerned that I get her signed up for the correct classes and lined up for the right programs that she will benefit from all she does from here on out. I feel like I know so little about what she needs that I am not much real help. I am learning as quickly as I can, but she is passing me by. Soon she will having things in her own hands and she'll be great.
I just hope I can keep up and not embarrass her.
I feel so much pressure about getting her class schedule right. She will have opportunities to take college credit classes in high school as well as Advanced Placement classes that will count for college credit. I never had those chances as my high school didn't offer such things.
The Girl has her own plan in her head for what she wants to do in high school as well as what she would like to do--at least, as of right now--in college too. Her plan is unlike the other girls in our neighborhood and at church. As these girls get together for any reason I have heard derisive comments that The Girl "isn't doing it right" or is "making dumb mistakes" and making "lame choices".
I worry that this kind of peer pressure is too much for her to withstand. I am concerned that her wishes and desires regarding her class choices and collegiate ambitions and goals will crumble under the pressure of alternatives taken by her peers.
Here is where I am really hoping her stubbornness makes a stand. I know she has it in her.
As her mom, I am concerned that I get her signed up for the correct classes and lined up for the right programs that she will benefit from all she does from here on out. I feel like I know so little about what she needs that I am not much real help. I am learning as quickly as I can, but she is passing me by. Soon she will having things in her own hands and she'll be great.
I just hope I can keep up and not embarrass her.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Dear Diary
A few weeks ago, Masterpiece Classic premiered another fantastic TV movie. Unlike those from Jane Austen and the Sisters Bronte, this was a BBC remake of a The Diary of Anne Frank. I finally caught up with it Sunday afternoon. The entire episode is available for online viewing until May 11th, or so, should you have missed it.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/annefrank/watch.html
I remembering reading the diary in school many years ago but can't recall if I ever saw the original movie(s). This BBC version was very well done. I have a dear friend who visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam a few summers ago and she said after watching it that she wondered if the BBC had permission to film in the museum as it looked so much like the real place.
Here is this young girl, writing for her own sense of understanding and escape--a lot like blogging is now. Yet, her personality and private feelings gave a whole new face and level of reality to the Holocaust that was accessible by young people and old alike. Her struggles were the same of any other 13 or 14 year old girl, and yet her entire life was a captivity for her own survival. Her family along with four strangers lived two years in this tiny annex, constantly fearful of being found out, of making too much noise, of having their helpers discovered.
Anne wrote for her own good, by but doing so she has also helped the rest of us who are privileged to read her diary and learn her story. We are all part of the human family--much more alike than different. She has provided a marvelous discussion for my little family Sunday afternoon on the way to Grandmama's for dinner about not only Jewish beliefs but also the war and the Holocaust.
I'd recommend this version very highly--and make it a family viewing opportunity if you get the chance. It was powerful. As the end comes--and you always know it must--the eight individuals are led down the stairs and off with the Nazis. For each one the frame freezes and the caption appears to tell the viewers of their final fates. They were so close, but not enough to avoid the concentration camps.
This show, though heavy on the reality and evil in the world, also offers a glimpse of a young girl's heart, her hopes, her love of family, and her optimism. And can't we all use a little more of those things even now?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/annefrank/watch.html
I remembering reading the diary in school many years ago but can't recall if I ever saw the original movie(s). This BBC version was very well done. I have a dear friend who visited the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam a few summers ago and she said after watching it that she wondered if the BBC had permission to film in the museum as it looked so much like the real place.
Here is this young girl, writing for her own sense of understanding and escape--a lot like blogging is now. Yet, her personality and private feelings gave a whole new face and level of reality to the Holocaust that was accessible by young people and old alike. Her struggles were the same of any other 13 or 14 year old girl, and yet her entire life was a captivity for her own survival. Her family along with four strangers lived two years in this tiny annex, constantly fearful of being found out, of making too much noise, of having their helpers discovered.
Anne wrote for her own good, by but doing so she has also helped the rest of us who are privileged to read her diary and learn her story. We are all part of the human family--much more alike than different. She has provided a marvelous discussion for my little family Sunday afternoon on the way to Grandmama's for dinner about not only Jewish beliefs but also the war and the Holocaust.
I'd recommend this version very highly--and make it a family viewing opportunity if you get the chance. It was powerful. As the end comes--and you always know it must--the eight individuals are led down the stairs and off with the Nazis. For each one the frame freezes and the caption appears to tell the viewers of their final fates. They were so close, but not enough to avoid the concentration camps.
This show, though heavy on the reality and evil in the world, also offers a glimpse of a young girl's heart, her hopes, her love of family, and her optimism. And can't we all use a little more of those things even now?
Monday, April 19, 2010
FYI
Please go to Sunflower Market in south Orem on Sat. April 24 from noon to 4. They are doing "Bratts for Bucks" in honor of Zac Carter, a 22 year old young man in our neighborhood, who worked there as a meat cutter. He unexpectently passed away last week, just nine months after the passing of his dad. The proceeds go to help his mom, which she really needs! Thanks Sunflower, for honoring Zac.
A Sinking Feeling
Last week I visited with a dear friend who was feeling overwhelmed with her life. We all have felt that way. Luckily we mostly seem to take turns in that despair and can help one another out of it in turns.
As I listened, my heart broke for her. There isn't really anything I could do or say that would solve the issues that were plaguing her. But I thought of some things that I tried to tell her--but probably didn't come out right. In the event that she stops by here again, I thought I'd write some of it down here and perhaps give her a little support to make it one more week.
If your plan is for one year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
--Confucius
The greatest part of our happiness depends on our disposition, not our circumstances.
--Martha Washington
Happiness is when you what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
--Mohandas K. Gandhi
A happy person is not a person in a set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
--Hugh Downs
What you do for yourself dies with you; What you do for others remains immortal.
--Leonardo DaVinci
There are variations in our trials, but no immunities.
--Neal A. Maxwell
He who has a "why" can live with any "what".
--Stephen Covey
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
--Marilyn Savant
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.
--Charles Dickens
You did not come into the world to fail. You came into the world to succeed. You have accomplished much so far. It is only the beginning. As you move forward on the trail of life, keep the banner of faith in self ever before you. You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward.
--Gordon B. Hinckley
Hang in there, my friends. Life is not given us with a promise it will be easy. But together we can help each other through the difficulties. Some days that is the only way.
As I listened, my heart broke for her. There isn't really anything I could do or say that would solve the issues that were plaguing her. But I thought of some things that I tried to tell her--but probably didn't come out right. In the event that she stops by here again, I thought I'd write some of it down here and perhaps give her a little support to make it one more week.
If your plan is for one year, plant rice.
If your plan is for 10 years, plant trees.
If your plan is for 100 years, educate children.
--Confucius
The greatest part of our happiness depends on our disposition, not our circumstances.
--Martha Washington
Happiness is when you what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.
--Mohandas K. Gandhi
A happy person is not a person in a set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
--Hugh Downs
What you do for yourself dies with you; What you do for others remains immortal.
--Leonardo DaVinci
There are variations in our trials, but no immunities.
--Neal A. Maxwell
He who has a "why" can live with any "what".
--Stephen Covey
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
--Marilyn Savant
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else.
--Charles Dickens
You did not come into the world to fail. You came into the world to succeed. You have accomplished much so far. It is only the beginning. As you move forward on the trail of life, keep the banner of faith in self ever before you. You may not be a genius. You may not be exceptionally smart. But you can be good, and you can try. And you will be amazed at what might happen when in faith you take a step forward.
--Gordon B. Hinckley
Hang in there, my friends. Life is not given us with a promise it will be easy. But together we can help each other through the difficulties. Some days that is the only way.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Video Sunday
In honor of this being our 18th anniversary today, I'd like to submit this Newlywed Game clip for your Sunday Video segment. Of course, these are generally more suited to the "Video" title, than the "Sunday" portion. But, you all get it from me. Happy Anniversary Genius Golfer! I love you!
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