Something Different

I thought it might be fun to go through my old high school yearbooks and blog some fun things that I went to. I am doing this mostly for my children, to give them a part of me when I was a lot younger.  I will be posting pictures from my yearbooks and my personal scrapbook of those years. So here goes!

Here is the cover of my freshman year: 1965-1966. I think this was the best yearbook cover of the 4 years I went to AZUSA HIGH!

This is me as a freshman. I had a good year and was glad to belong to Pep Club, Girls Glee Choir and GAA (Girls Athletic Association).





This picture and the next are from inside cover. These two pictures are showing some of the groups or clubs one could be in at Azusa High.







The first pep rally we attended as Freshman was noisy.When that big drum came out wow! We had I think the best pep rally's They got everyone excited for the games! We had great football and basketball games that year.

The first homecoming game and dance. I wore my 8th grade graduation dress. Semi-formal and a short dress, in pink with white lace over the pink satin. It was the style in those years to wear your hair up and I had lots.

After school Janet surprised me by asking me to go the homemaking room and pick up a corsage that Jim bought me. I went to the game in a new yellow and orange flower outfit.  And then back home after the game to change into the dress for the dance. After the dance, Janet and her date Robert and Jim and I went to Coffee Dans for eats. I remember that I got a BLT and Robert got a steak, whatever leftovers we had, Robert was glad to eat.  There were many great times that the four of us went out on double dates.

Ok, will stop here for today.

Thanks for looking at my backward journey through my high school years!
I have taken out the last names of friends, so that it won't be published. Besides if you know me, you will know who my friends are.

Snow is falling!

Here are a couple of pictures of the snow falling. The second picture is what I get to see out the bedroom window as I sit and hand quilt today.

Moving

It has been very hard to move after 16 1/2 years. But for now living with my oldest daughter until the end of this month. Very weird to be an empty nester. Haven't got back into the swing of things. It has been nice to be with Cynthia, while her children are visiting their dad. The hardest part is to have your things in storage and when I go to bake, I don't have the items needed to do so. I would be scrapbooking, but again everything is in storage. I bought some yarn to crochet a new tote bag and do some reading, to keep me busy. Have also been helping Cynthia re-do some of the rooms in her duplex. It has been fun to meet some of her neighbors.

Will be making some raisin bread soon, so will get that recipe up.

Am missing the grandchildren and McKenzie and Michelle.

Just haven't been in the mood to blog, hopefully soon!

Taking a Break!

Won't be writing for awhile, as getting ready for my daughter's wedding and we are moving. So packing and wedding goodies are taking up my time.

See you in a couple of weeks!!!

Anniversary Surprise!

Saturaday would have been mine and James 23rd anniversary. I think about our anniversaries, but don't do anything special.Of course when James was alive, we did do special things on our anniversary day. Today I was cleaning out my hope chest (cedar chest) so that I could give it to Michelle as part of her wedding present. My mother gave my oldest daughter her hope chest and my second daughter bought one, so I thought it approciate to give mine to daughter number three. 

As I got down to the bottom of the chest I saw little scraps of paper and thought nothing of it, except that it was for the trash. As I turned it over and saw it was a little card you can get when you buy flowers, I read it and it said, 'Happy Anniversary'! It was a card from James that I must have saved from before. At first I read it and thought nothing about the day, but then realized it was my anniversary, that day! So then, I thought wow, how nice to find this card. Who knew for my 23rd and on May 23, I would refind this card? 

A very happy day! Can't wait to see him again....                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Recycled?

Got a cute wedding announcement a few weeks ago. Forgot to get a card so I thought I would make one and send it back in the extra envelope that the announcement came. I was thinking what a good way to recycle as it was saving an extra envelope. Well, when I went to mail this cute card, it cost an extra 20 cents. It wasn't the correct size for mailing . So, here I thought I was clever by recycling something and it cost me more to do it! I really didn't mind paying the extra, just thought it was weird. The envelople was 5"x5", who would of thought extra cost for postage? 

Knitting Dish Cloths

Just wanted to let everyone know that I do knit every now and then. I like to do something while I watch TV, as then I don't feel so guilty wasting time watching.  Although I do pay more attention to the knitting as I have lost stitches, so I mostly listen to the TV. 

My daughter wanted for one of her wedding gifts these little dish cloths. So I thought four would be a good start, as I am sure she will get some shower gifts of dish towels and dish cloths. But she and I like to wash the dishes and clean up with these types of cloths. They asborb the clean-ups  better. I use an all-cotton type yarn and love the feel of them.

Most of the instructions are easy and I have learned how to do a couple of stitches that I have never done.  I like doing these as they are a small project and I can keep focused. 

When I first learned how to knit I chose a most difficult pattern of a vest for my oldest who was then 8 years old. I did finish it and was very proud I learned something new. I think she only wore it once. 

Tonight is the bridal shower and I only have three done and working on the last. So there is a picture with the four colors and three done.

The blue one is just an extra I did for myself, but different pattern. As I have been knitting on these I put on some nice music and knitting away, very soothing! Different than watching or listening to TV.

Enjoy!!!

!               (finished this one too!) 

Update on Silky Scrub

I have now used the Silky Scrub on my bathtub and on the range top. The scrub worked well on both, very impressive! Didn't need to add the borax, I guess in the kitchen sink it was needed because of the extra scraps from pots and pans.

MY SOAP BOX / MY OPINION

Still have a few of my magazine scraps here, so will try and condense down and share.

 Did you know that we are not supposed to “carry more than 15% of our weight for backpacks”?  So if a child is 100 pounds, they should not be carrying more than 15 pounds, including their backpack of books and papers goods? My college student’s bag is 30-50 pounds, depending on the books of the day, (weighting herself at 120 pounds). My son’s backpack was about 65 pounds heavy, when he was in high school. So does this mean that my children will have major back problems down the road? I hope not, as the chiropractors will love them as patients.

 

Here is one that makes sense----to help “get rid of belly fat, don’t just count calories, but walk at least 90 minutes per week to help cut down belly fat by one-fifth in five months.” (I should be able to do this, sounds simple..  So does this mean in 25 months, all the belly fat is gone? Boy, my stomach would sure love this. Plus I guess that would mean I need to walk every week to keep it off.)

On the same page of this article talks about ‘Eat Yourself Happy’:

“Complex carbs like spaghetti, cereal, rice and wholegrain bread improves anxiety, moodiness, anger, frustration. These foods help the brain make serotonin, an internal chemical that helps keep us clam.” (Yeah! I can eat more carbs!)

“Licorice sticks, Necco Wafers, marshmallows improve that “down in the dumps” feeling. These are simple sugars are digested quickly, releasing insulin, speeding up serotonin production and making you feel upbeat.” (I like marshmallows, hmm, might keep some of those handy in my purse! Make sure they are in a sealed bag as you wouldn’t want ants in your purse.)

“Salmon, cottage cheese, low-fat string cheese, fat-free yogurt improves lack of focus or concentration. The protein boots dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that increase alertness and excitement.” (Need to go to Google and look up these words?)

 

One more on this page: “Wipe your cell phone down with antibacterial cleanser regularly: A new British study reports that mobiles carry more germs than a toilet seat!” “Yucky”….

(This reminded me of a report I heard many years ago, that to make sure you close the toilet seat as the water spray, when flushed can spray the little particles up to five feet in the air. So how close is your toothbrush to the toilet?)

 

Will stop here for today and say a big Thank You to the ‘Quick and Simple’ magazine company!!! Hopefully no harm done, just my little way of writing of your interesting tid-bits. Did enjoy the magazine.

All in all these articles are very informative.

 

Magazine Time/Silky Scrub

You know how it is, too many books and magazines! So a friend and I went through some of the oldies didn't look at them and just tossed them out! But on some I just couldn't.  Next I took these mags and tore out pages I wanted to save. Now I have quite a few pages of paper. 

What to do next????

Well, I thought I would write on my blog on what was interesting to me or what I would like to share about the pages I saved. Once on the blog, paper in the trash, slowly getting rid of my dust collecting pile of papers. Yeah!!    hopefully......?

 

My little opinion about chemicals. I try hard not to buy them, but sometimes I do and am always sorry, as it does make me sick to smell the chemicals or if they are in foods, I usually have a headache for a couple of days.

Here is an article in the 'Quick and Simple'  magazine that says, "Why You Shouldn't Scrub the Toilet". The chemical 1,4-dichlorobenze is an ingredient that has been shown to partially diminish lung function. WHAT? partially diminish lung function!!!  I need to breathe, so I would like to keep my lungs as long as possible, thank you very much. (they didn't mention that it also hurts brain cells.)

Well, in another magazine I went through (Natural Home Magazine) on the same day, has a recipe to help with cleaning the bathroom. Yeah!

Here is the recipe, which is something like I have used before and now will try this one.

 

 Silky Scrub (A baking soda/soap mixture is a gentle natural cleaner.)

1 cup baking soda

1/2 cup (approximately) castile liquid soap

5 to 10 drops antibacterial essential oil, such as lavender, tea tree oil or rosemary (optional)

1. Pour baking soda into a medium size mixing bowl.

2. Add soap a little at a time, stirring continuously. Stop adding after your mixture has begun to resemble frosting.

3. Mix drops of essential oil, if using.

4. Store in an airtight jar for up to a year.

 

"To clean a sink or bathtub: scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, scrub the surface and rinse.

 

Borax is a multipurpose natural cleaner and deodorizer. (I have used this for many things around the house, not only as I clean, but it is a good bug repeller.) Keep it handy by putting it in a jar with a shaker top.  (I usually keep it in the box and the box gets too wet, so I will give this a try and it makes sense.)

 

If you need to add a little power to your Silky Scrub, shake a little borax over the area you're cleaning. Allow to stand for five minutes, then continue scrubbing."  (Also written by 'Natural Home Magazine".)

 

I like these little articles, as in the past I have tried to clean with only 4 things: borax, bleach, soda and vinegar.

Vinegar to repel ants and gets rid of mold.

Bleach to mop with, especially the bathroom floors.

Borax for deodorizing and to repel other insects.

Soda for most anything.

***Never mix the 4 items together or use at the same time! Can mix soda with borax.***

Did use 'Silky Scrub' on the kitchen sink and not too bad, but needed to add the borax. 

             before  after

 

Two papers down, more to go!

 

Coconut Pineapple Bread

Canceled the wordpress blog, too hard for me to do more than one. So here is what I wrote was from the word press blog.

For Bread Baking Day this month is ‘Quick Breads’ hosting by: http://funnfud.blogspot.com/2009/03/announcing-bbd18-quick-breads.html

Who doesn’t enjoy Quick Breads, there are so many that you can bake!  I wanted something a little different. Most of us make banana, date, orange or zucchini breads, which are all delicious!  But, I am entering something different that I haven’t made in a long time, my version of Coconut-Pineapple Bread.

I use to baked this coconut bread  for Easter time and decided it needed a new kick to it.  I loved the bread and it bakes up nice and white, but always remembered it being a little dry.  So, I decided to add pineapple and butter to the recipe to give it more moisture. As you can tell by the picture, that added the butter and pineaple and a farm fresh egg, the bread now has a bit of yellow coloring.  I think it turned out great! Just needs to bake a little longer than the orginal recipe. 

 

Coconut-Pineapple Bread (Glenda’s revised recipe)

 

1 can, 8 ounces – crushed pineapple, drain and reserved juice and add water to make 1 cup liquid, set aside.

 

Cream these two ingredients into a large mixing bowl:

¼ cup butter, cold, cut into cubes

1 cup sugar

 

Now add:

1 egg

 

Add in order and mix thoroughly:

3 cups flour

2 ½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon soda

Crushed pineapple from the 8-ounce can

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup reserved pineapple juice

1 cup shredded coconut

Pour mixture into a loaf pan and bake at 350˚ for 50-60 minutes. Test for doness with a toothpick inserted and comes out clean, not sticky. If the top starts getting too bread cover with foil and finish baking.

 

*Notes: I would think you could use 1 cup coconut milk, or  pineapple juice for the liquid.

 

 

Coconut Bread (original recipe from a Women’s Day cookbook, 1968)

 

3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted twice

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1 cup shredded coconut

1 egg, beaten

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Sift dry ingredients and add coconut. Mix thoroughly. Combine liquid ingredients and stir into the dry ingredients. Blend carefully. Let stand for 20 minutes. Pour into well-greased loaf pan (9×5x3 inches). Bake in preheated moderate oven (350˚F). for 45 to 50 minutes.

A Wedding Cake

The last few days I have been busy making a wedding cake for a daughters friend.  I always make a small cake ahead for practice to make sure I have the decorations correct on how I want the cake to look, my family and neighbors love that part.

So, on Saturday the day of the wedding all was going well according to my time spent. Then about an hour before, my neighbor comes over and lets me know that my daughter has been in an accident. They (my daughter and her youngest son) were alright but wouldn't be able to help me transport the cake. Being the mom that I am, I had to stop and go see how bad this accident was. I find them not to far from home and thank goodness everything wasn't too bad. I took my grandson and went to pick up my granddaughter, as that is what my daughter was doing, and we went home and waited for my daughter. I had to call the groom and explain the wedding cake would be a  little late. I then called my younger daughter home from work. And when my oldest daughter arrived, the three of us departed with the cake. It was a good thing all 3 of us went as we had to do some stairs and I couldn't have done it that much by myself. There was also an elevator which we used, but still had a few stairs to go up and down.

Next as we were putting on the final flowers someone noticed I had misspelled the brides name wrong. Of course, I didn't bring that tube of coloring as I didn't think I would need it. 

Luckily my youngest daughter drove home and got there just before the ceremony started. You see with everything going on I didn't have time to change into my outfit I  was going to wear and didn't want to be seen by their guests.

So having all of that happen, here is a picture of the cake!

Missing my blog

Just wanted to let everyone know, that I am doing family history and it is taking my time for now, will be writing soon.

Thanks for your patience.

My friend Anne

We met Anne in Houston, when we lived there during 1972-1975. She and her husband, Bill invited us for dinner before we went and saw the last concert that Sonny and Cher put on. There were 3 couples and Anne only had a 1 pound roast for all of us. She was newly married and forgot that others were coming. She mention that she had another roast in the freezer, so I asked if she had a pressure cooker and I would get started. She did, it was still in the box as a wedding gift. We took it out and I went to work. (No microwaves then, unless one was rich enough to have one.) She peeled extra potatoes and within an hour a dinner was served to all! We enjoyed it and were quite full before we went to the concert. It was a great night! And yes, I was a little surprised by some of the costumes. There was a mini rodeo in between breaks. I can remember Cher wearing this Indian costume with a very long feather headpiece. The concert was at the Astro Dome. Many good memories from Houston!

Carrot Cake

Did try a new carrot cake recipe that has more fruit and is less calories, less sugar.

As I thought this would be great, it was drier and not as tasty, the first day. But today it did taste more moist, maybe because I put the cake into a plastic container and that gave it some time to moisten up over night. It also tasted better. I looked at a couple of recipes and decided to add the prunes and an apple, these are put into a food processor with some boiling water and pureed. Sounded very good, but just didn't give me the flavor I wanted, so back to the old.

I haven't baked a carrot cake in a long time and thought maybe the kiddies would like to remember what it taste like.

Anyway, here is the recipe I really do like. If Anne Cerny from 1974 who lived in Houston, during that time remembers me, this is still the best recipe I have tasted. Others are close but I really like this one. Thanks!

Carrot Cake

2 cups sugar

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon (I only use 1 teaspoon)

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoon salt (I only use 1 teaspoon, sometimes I don't add the salt)

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup vegetable oil

small can crused pineapple, plus juice

1 - 10 ounce package of coconut (I only use 1 cup)

2 cups grated carrots

1 cup nuts (opt.)

Mix all ingredients well. Grease and flour 9x13 inch pan. Place mixture into pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes.

Also will put on the other recipe as you can decide which one you might prefer.

Carrot cake #2

1 cup pitted prunes

6 tablespoons hot water

1 apple, cut into quarters

2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 larges eggs

2 egg whites

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

2 cups grated carrots

8 ounce can of crush pineapple, thoroughly drained

1 cup coconut

Frosting

8 ounce package Neufchatel cheese (reduced-fat cream cheese)

1 cup marshallow cream

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

To make cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a food processor, combine prunes, apple and hot water, process until smooth. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk foul, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, sugar, oil and the reserved prune mixture. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until blended. Stir in carrots, pineapple and coconut. Put into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.

To make frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine Neufchatel cheese, marshmallow cream, and lemon juice; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Frost cake.

The Leaf Plate

Found this plate at Wal-Mart during Thanksgiving and waited and waited until it would go on clearance. It didn't so I bought it for the $5 and finally got around to using it. It has ridges and I thought I could make a nice loaf of sourdough bread with it. (I can't afford a bannton yet, so I thought this might work.)

I made the French Country Boule from the book, "Local Breads", by Danile Leader. The ingredients I changed were the whole wheat and rye flours, I used some spelt. I didn't want to take the time and grind up some more wheat and the spelt was already done. 

With a bannton, you use a linen tea cloth and dust with flour, so I did with the plate. Problem was that the ridges didn't show through, so next time I will just grease the leaf plate and put the dough on to see if I get the design I want. It is such a pretty plate. I had extra dough so just made a long slim rope and let it bake. The two doughs were too close on the baking pan, so they fused together. End results was still delicous bread! Crust was hard on the outside and soft on the inside, just the way I like it. Another thing is that I didn't put the doughs on a baking stone, as I just finished baking the cheese and date bread, so by letting them bake on a baking sheet the bottoms baked a little browner than usual.

Did love the bread and I love baking from this book, as you can tell.

Also because of so much baking, my neighbors got the rewards and said they loved the different breads. Yeah!!!

Enough baking for 2 days, but still want to try my new friend, Elizabeth's date bread and cheese crackers. Then I will decide what recipe will go on to the BBD#16. 

Bullock’s Pasadena

Last evening I was wondering what kind of cheese bread I could bake for the new bread baking day. The subject is bread with cheeses. I didn’t realize how many recipes there are for cheese type breads. As I was contemplating on it, I remembered the cheese bread we used for making a special avocado cheese sandwich at Bullock’s.  A lot of memories of Bullock’s came back to me and so I thought I would reminisce a bit on my blog.

1967 is the year that I started my very first job and it was at Bullock’s Pasadena. It was the ‘Macys’ of California back then. I had just turned 16 and they hired me, at $1.25 an hour and by the time I left in 1969, I was up to $1.35 an hour. Big money…..

Bullock’s to me was magical and I loved working there. It was a four story building, the first three stories were the department store part and the fourth, the big offices. The third floor is where the restaurant was and that is where I did work. I started out as a bus girl and then worked in the bakery, sandwich and dessert and salad departments, mostly the bakery. Back then we made most foods from scratch, stirring the blueberry muffin mixture in the huge mixers and folding in the blueberries by our arms, no gloves back then. We baked all the cakes, pies and muffins. But we didn’t bake the breads.

The one sandwich we sold a lot of was the California Avocado Cheese. It was 3 slices of cheese toast with avocado slices  between 2 of the slices and bacon,lettuce and tomato between the 3^rd slice. I didn’t care for it as I don’t care for avocados, but sure made a lot of them. The other thing that I did like was the little sandwich appetizers made with nut breads and usually spread with some sort of cream cheese filling. My favorite was date bread with cream cheese and pineapple spread. I haven’t found good date bread since. It was dark because it was made with coffee. I don’t do coffee and so have not found something close; I tried cocoa but not the same. I do make these little appetizers, without the coffee, when I entertain as they surprise people.

Back to the magic! Also on the fourth floor is where we had a huge locker area for the workers, to change into our heavy starch uniforms. Men and women each had their own sides. There was also a big room for just relaxing with cots for napping and a patio balcony you could go out and see Pasadena. I felt like I was in the movie, “Miracle on 34^th Street” (old version with Maureen O’Hara). The part where Santa is in the locker room. Bullocks was beautiful during the holidays, it was decorated to the fullest. This is where Lucille Ball would come shopping during Christmas time and eat in the restaurant, it was fun to see her, usually with friends. From Oct until Jan 1, the Rose Parade queen and court would come and parade around. We had a special room,  inside the Coral Room Restuarant  where the queen became the Rose Queen. A lot of fancy dresses. We would have fashion shows and other special occasions in that part of the restaurant.

On some Saturdays, I and my friend (Chris) would have splits. This is where we would work four hours and two off and then come back and work another four. He had a motor cycle, so we would take off and tour Pasadena and near by sites, what fun we had! We did have a few dates together and always had fun.  Every Christmas time, Bullock's would put on a big party for the employees and one year, Chris and I went.  It was at the Bullock's Wilshire building in Los Angeles. I thought I was special as most dressed as if we were movie stars.  Chris and I  went to my senior high Christmas dance, here is a picture of the two us, don’t we look young?

Here I am now in the mid-west and have met a church friend who also worked during the same time I did at Bullock’s. She worked in the candy department, right next to the restaurant and we didn’t even know each other, small world…

Oh we did pranks and got into trouble every now and then as teenagers do, but for the most part we worked hard and everyone there was like family, we loved it! The hardest thing for me was to get off for my high school graduation, as you were suppose to be 18 to work there and of course, I was not. We didn’t have to show proof of age then. But anyway they let me off and so I graduated, yeah!!!! And I did leave there with many good friends.

Thanks for remembering with me.

The picture of Bullock's above is couresty of google search. You can google, Bullock's Pasadena and see many pictures and read of stories that have been written, pretty cool.

A Tribute to my Husband – James Paul Staples (1951-2003)

James at age 3.
James just before his leaving on a mission to Mexico.
Our new family on our wedding day, 1986.
Our Christmas picture for 1992.

This has been awhile in coming, as I just couldn’t seem to write the words down.

James was one of the very intellectual people on this earth, who had a very spiritual intelligence.  He graduated from BYU and then onto chiropractic schooling. He graduated from Palmer Chiropractic School and chose that as his profession.

He could sing, play the piano, write music, did drama in high school, gardener, and had many other talents. He loved his children and was a great father and grandfather.

We got married in 1986. James married all 3 of us, me and my two daughters from a previous marriage. James and I have 2 children, giving us 3 daughters and 1 son. We also have thus far 5 grandchildren.

When we first were married I moved with my daughters from Los Angeles area to Lompoc where James had a chiropractic business. We loved Lompoc and our son was born there. James next job landed us in Salinas, California, so moved up there. I liked Salinas to see how vegetables were grown and bought to market. Our youngest was born there. Our oldest daughter got married, her husband was in the Army and they moved to Kansas. When they had our first grandchild, we thought it would be nice to live close by to have the fun of being grandparents.  Second daughter graduated from high school and lived with my sister, due to a scholarship in that area, so we moved. We have been in Kansas ever since.

In August of 2002, James had two great jobs. One was teaching at a local college and one at the local airport, as a TSA person. In October we went to our doctors to see if he had pneumonia, the doctor came back after a chest x-ray and told us James had two weeks to live. He had Adenocarsanoma, lung cancer. James never smoked, so that really shocked us. We were grateful that James made it through the holiday season to be with us. At the end of December we thought he was getting better as more x-rays, showed improvement. He also had over 15 tumors in his brain and they were dissolving during the 2 months of treatment. He never had chemo, but did have radiation treatments for his lung and brain. We decided together to try natural treatments and they seemed to help especially with the pain, but the cancer just took over his body everywhere. The many doctors we went to, were surprised at how much James knew on what was going on with his body. I think he might have taught them a thing or two on his treatments. A couple of them told me at the knowledge he had.

We looked at all the test results and x-rays. James and I both agreed that even though cancer destroys the body, it was interesting to look at the x-rays and see what’s inside.

In our wedding book there is a page that asked a question of “Will you marry me?” Since James was kind enough to answer that for me, I will write down why I married him.

James and I dated for almost 2 years.  He was at the time dating 3 women and he chose me, who knows why, but I am glad he did.  I really enjoyed talking to him. Especially about church and spiritual things, we had many great conversions about this, even to the end. I miss our Sundays of coming home from church and discussing what we had learned. And of course, I thought he was cute. He said I was cute in “a kinda sort of way.” Go figure that one, as I never did, but am glad he said I was his Miss America at our wedding. I realized that after he was gone we really did compliment each other.

We were married for just a little over 16 ½ years, things were not always “rosey”, but we knew we wanted to succeed in our marriage and be an eternal family someday.  We would have had six children, but I had 4 miscarriages, so we are grateful to have the two healthy children we do have. I am so glad James got to be a grandfather before he passed; his grandchildren loved him so much. We went to his gravesite every Sunday after church and one of our grandchildren, looked down and asked, “Grandpa, are you still down there?” Children are so innocent. We don’t go as often anymore, but do remember him everyday; he will always be in our hearts. I strive everyday to live to be worthy to be with him again.

James died 6 years ago today.

I miss you JP……

If you are wondering, what church we belong to, it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One thing that I can say that I have succeeded in is that being a member of His church for 35+ years. Go to Mormon.org to find out more information, it is a cool site.

A Happy Christmas!

I love Christmas time, and all the excitement it can bring. It also can be too commercialized. This year I was wondering what could be done different. An idea came to me to recycle, so I came up with my own way of recycling what I had. I am not boasting or bragging I just wanted to see if I could do it. What a challenge! Started by thinking of what each family member wanted or needed then went to work on what I could give them, without them saying "oh I've seen this before" or "what is this?"

As I was contemplating, I came across some electrical goodies for one of my grandsons, he love them! Another was a special necklace for a daughter, which I had received from a special country. And so on down the line.

Here are a few pictures of happy people without expensive gifts and the joy of giving. What I didn’t expect was the gifts I received in return; they were all special to me. Some recycled some were not.  We all really had a nice Christmas, as I hope all of you did.

Here are some pictures of a happy family.

Father and Son, Merry Christmas!

I have been wondering what to write this year and have not come up with the words. So I am borrowing from my son and husband. Yesterday, I realized how my son and husband write alike. James has been gone almost six years and McKenzie does so many things like his father. I just felt these two poems are what I needed and so I am sharing. Jim's Uncle Mel used Jim's poem in his Christmas letter with a beautiful sunrise picutre of where they live, it is so heart warming to see the poem with his picture. As I read McKenzie poem yesterday, I saw the similarity. You may not, but that's ok. I really love these poems and hope you enjoy reading them, it brings the real spirit of Christmas to me.

Happy Hoilday and Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Gifts 

By McKenzie E. Staples
Once a year
People around the world
Find a reason to give and receive gifts.
While filled with good intentions,
Do they remember
Some of the greatest gifts ever given?
Do they remember the Father
Who allowed His Beloved Son
To leave His Celestial Home
To enter a world
Of pain and sorrow?
Do they remember the Son
Who lived a sinless life
Who suffered for our sake
Who bled from every pore
Who painfully died
That we may live again
With His and Our Father?
As we gather with our family
Do we remember
The price that was paid
So that we may be with them
For Eternity?
As we exchange gifts this year,
Let us not forget
Some of the Greatest Gifts
Ever bestowed upon us.
And remember
Those who lovingly gave them to us.
And when we may be tempted
To mistreat another
Let us remember
That the Savior
Who loved us enough
To Atone for us
Loved them just as much.
And may the True Spirit of Christmas
Abide in our hearts forever.

 

The Light Shineth

By James P. Staples

We celebrate light in the midst of darkness:

Hope in the human heart glows strong.

Beyond the power of sense and logic - 

The Christmas Tree, the Menorah;

Even the Yule-log of the ancient tribes -

Who bowed in awe a the grandeur of Creation,

But dimly understood the Creator.

The sun ends its southward retreat,

While winter had just begun.

Yet there is hope in knowing that spring will return:

Triumphant, life-giving;

The heat and sweat of summer,

Autumn's bounteous harvest, And winter's rest - 

For even in cold and darkness, there is renewal

And a season for inward growth.

Each cycle a part of something larger:

The days, the months, and years;

The planets, stars and galaxies;

Birth, death, and eternal life: Ourselves, our families and the human family,

Hope gives us vision beyond the senses, And reason beyond mere logic.

In the season of darkness, we celebrate light, Even the eternal light of our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer.