Annette's Miscellaneous

Once A Tree...Now This

2012-01-01T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hand crafted by Mark. This Osage Orange coffee table or TV Stand and Walnut desk was handcrafted by my husband. It started with a desire to own a saw-mill. Many hours of hard labor bringing home huge tree trunks. Milling the trunks into lumber; waiting for the lumber to dry. And now the finished product.

LDS.org - Friend Article - Christmas Countdown

2011-11-11T21:54:00.000-08:00

LDS.org - Friend Article - Christmas Countdown

Why I Like Mondays

2011-10-29T21:16:00.001-07:00

Weekends go by so fast. I love spending Saturdays with Callie and the boys. I also love Sundays attending church and having a restful day at home when I am not visiting other wards for my Stake Primary Calling. Which currently we are attending each Ward's Primary Sacrament Meeting Presentations; which I love.

But lately...I look forward to Mondays. Why? Because I get an e-mail from my missionary.

What a blessing to have a son who is serving the Lord. I miss having him around the house so I try not to think about him too much. This has always been his goal and I am so proud of him for following through.

He is doing so good and has adjusted to the missionary life. This is a picture of Bryce with his first campanion, he is from Pleasant Grove.

The following are a few of his e-mails:

Another week down; I can't believe how much I have been enjoying the work. I love the people here so so much.

On Wednesday we did a mini MTC for the Yong Men, so we can start taking them out with us. It went well until we were role playing a lesson and their leader started making it hard for them to teach us.

On Friday/Saturday I was on exchanges with Elder Peterson down in the Roanoke North Area, I realized something about being in the big city (Roanoke is about the size of Provo) I love my little town of Bedford (and Moneta and Thaxton, and Montvale... Ok so maybe my area is a little on the big side) . Their is nothing quite like small town southern hospitality. I want to share the message with every person in our small little town.

Yesterday was the Branch Primary Program, me and Elder Eddington made a deal with the chlildren that if they did a good job we would let them cut off our ties (don't worry mom it was a very ugly tie that some one gave me not one of the nice one's you bought before I left) They were so exited to do it, they each got a piece of our ties, Then the primary presidency made us go threw the rest of the day with the little stubby ties on (we got asked by so many people what happened to our ties).

We are planning on once a week having a study session for all the Recent Converts (and any one else that wants to come) so they can get better confidence in themselves and their ability to learn more about the Gospel.

Remember I love all of you and I would love to hear from any of you.

October 3 E-mail from Bryce:

What a great week it has been let me tell you about the great experiences we have had:

Wednesday- we got run off my goats while tracting (did you know that goats are very very Territorial)

Friday- We taught three lessons in one day. (and we finished the shed we have been painting for a service project)

Saturday- General Conference very very awesome very very spiritual, a 2nd temple in Provo=WOW and we got to stay out an hour past curfew (OK so mayby it was just because Priesthood went an hour past curfew but still)

Sunday- General Confrense once again super awesome. (although since there was no Relief Society our meal calendar didn't get passed around so we are going to have to figure out how to cook for ourselves this coming week.)

The lessons we have been having are going great. There is something about the black Name Tag that says "tell me all your problems" We have really felt the spirit this past week.

Have a great week everyone and remember I love you.

October 10th e-mail

Today is a late e-mail; this morning me and Elder Eddington had to wait three hours in the tire shop (last night he hit a pot hole that took out both the front and rear tires on the passenger side). The Bedford county library system is closed down for the day so we get to use a members computer (Hurray for fast Internet). Although when I booted up the Internet I found out that Steve Jobs died witch makes me sad.

Just a quick note today me and Elder Eddington are celebrating our two month anniversary, and we don't want to kill each other yet.

This past week was awesome; we taught Nine Lessons (five of those were with a member present) one investigator at Church (plus we got one less active to come) and got two new investigators, one of those was a lady that moved hear from Lexington, VA and was being taught by the missionary's over there (the Elders got us her information the day she Moved here), she is a very very strong possibility for a baptism. So I am very excited for the week to come. I know that it can be a great week and I hope we can continue the good work.

Last week I said we would have to figure out how to feed ourselves, I take that back. Sister Ball found out that we weren't being fed (the Ball's normally feed us on Tuesdays so we called to see if they were planning on feeding us and we didn't want to just not show up if they were). So she fed us three times last week and found some one to feed us the one day where nobody had signed up. I've heard that every missionary has that family in their first area that they adopt as their new parents, I think that I've adopted the Ball's as my new parents (sorry mom and dad but don't worry this does not mean I am replacing you).

Let me say that I love the Recent Converts here in Bedford, even though they were never my investigators. They just love the missionary's so much, and I love them back so much. One of them came to

"bail us out" when our tires went out last night. One of them has fed us multiple times. I just love them so so much. I love to see their testimony's grow and what not.

Well it is time to go out and prepare for a great new week I love y'all I'll write again next week.

Was I Sucked In?

2010-12-27T21:05:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I was in Smiths, it was early Saturday evening. I was the only person in a particular isle. I was browsing, when I overheard a man talking on his cell phone. He seemed very emotional talking about a baby that was in Primary Children's hospital and they didn't have enough money to pay for their hotel bill etc, etc. He was talking loud enough to I could overhear him. Of course this tugged on my heart strings and I thought that how hard it must be to have a sick child in the hospital and not have enough money to have a place to stay. I gave him some money.

After the fact, I got this feeling that I had been conned. I shared the story with my co-worker not long after that.

A few weeks ago in Costco....guess what. I overheard the same guy sitting next to me in the food court telling the same story on his cell phone again.

Today, my co-worker said she was in Ross a few days ago and overheard a man talking about his baby that was in the hospital and needed some money to get him by. She told me she was ready to open her wallet to him and then remembered what I had told her.

What do you think? Just had to get it off my mind.

Mom...Can I Have an Apple Slinky?

2010-11-09T22:22:00.000-08:00

I have been doing my annual bottling of apples.

While peeling apples, Bryce asked me if he could have an apple slinky. Later while talking to Callie on the phone and telling her what I was up to, she said, "I want an apple slinky". I

They have grown up now, but I guess you are never too old for an "apple slinky."

Long-time No Hear and Happy Birthday to Me!

2010-04-03T19:30:00.000-07:00

It has been a long time since my last post. Here is a little of what has happened.

Found out I was going to be a first time Grandma...Due in May

Found out I was going to be a Grandma of Twins....Double the Fun, Yippee for me!!!

Found out I was going to be a Grandma of Twin Boys!!

Started a new job in December working for a CPA firm in Downtown Salt Lake

Was called to be Stake Primary President about a month ago (I am a bit overwhelmed)

Callie was put on bed rest about two weeks ago because of High blood pressure. She is going stir-crazy. But so far Callie and the boys are okay. We are praying that they can stay put for a while longer and that she doesn't get toxemia. We want healthy boys and mom.

Callie had her first baby shower last Saturday and got lots of cute little boy outfits.

I have been reading everyone's blogs...just have not taken the time to comment. I usually check in quickly on my I-Touch. Leslie, Lil, Deborah and Jordan.....your little boys are very handsome little guys and are lucky to have you as their mothers.

Today is my Birthday...not quite the same as when you are little. I have a nasty cold-flu, so in that way it has not been a very good day. However, what better way is there to spend your Birthday than to be spiritually fed by out Prophet, apostles and other leaders of the church.

A special thanks to Mark who has been keeping food on the table during the crazy hours of tax season. I have been coming home most nights to dinner all prepared and waiting, which has made this transition a lot easier.

Keep up your posts and I will keep reading.....thank you.

A Wonderful Day!

2009-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

As a parent, yesterday was one of those really great days that we all live for. I had the honor of being Callie's escort at the Draper Temple while Callie & her husband Cameron received their endowments. What a great day!!! After their endowment session, they were then sealed.

George Strait Concert

2009-07-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

Last night I got the chance to go to the George Strait Concert. Thanks to my brother, Frank & my Sister Catherine for speaking up for us. Frank works for George and is sometimes able to get a few tickets to his concerts. Well last night I was one of the beneficiaries of this. Catherine surprised me by asking if some might be available and said she wanted one for her and me. Yeah, wish granted!

The concert was absolutely wonderful. George keeps getting better....and really put on a great show, he has so many great songs. My brother said he released his first single in 1981, and just keeps putting them out. We had 3rd row tickets center stage. They were really awesome seats.

We also had the pleasure of hearing Blake Shelton, who is touring with George. Sadly, the traffic was so horrible that we missed Julianne Hough..

I had never been to the Usana Ampitheater before, and thought that if I left my house at 5:30 it would give us plenty of time to get there. Wrong!!!!!, it took us two hours to get from 2700 West & 5400 South to Usana. Warning! if you are going to a concert there, allow at least 4 hours to get there from Salt Lake.

Traffic and all I would do it all again in a heartbeat, it was so much fun! But why do people have to get drunk and act like such fools?

I've always loved watermelon....now I know why!

2009-06-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

I have always loved watermelon, especially on a hot summer day. It has to be cold to be good though. Sometimes it is frustrating trying to find a good one, but when you do....it is so good! Recently I got brave and tried the mini-watermelons. Oh my gosh! These are so good....especially if you can get them on sale. Of course, I can't have them all the time, because if it isn't on sale...Annette doesn't buy it.

Anyway today I got my Costco connection magazine in the mail. And me being the magazine junkie, that I am, I just couldn't wait to start reading it. On one of the first pages is a small little tidbit by Wally Amos. The little article talks about how he is also known for watermelon besides being famous for his muffins. He shared this about what watermelon is...I thought it was worth sharing.

W-Whatever you believe creates your reality. Believe that life is a positive experience and it will be.

A - Attitude is the magic word. Your greatest asset is your attitude. Be positive regardless.

T - Together everyone achieves more. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together. I am more than I am but less than we are.

E - Enthusiasm is the wellspring of life. There is no limit to what can be accomplished with enough enthusiasm.

R - Respect yourself, as well as others. When you begin to respect yourself, your whole world changes.

M - Make commitments, not excuses. There is overwhelming power in the words "Yes I will!"

E - Everyday can be a fun day. Fun is the lubricant that keeps life moving forward. Laugh a lot.

L - Love is the answer. Whatever the question, love is the answer. It's the greatest force in the Universe.

O - One day at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. All of life happens in increments of one.

N - Never give up or become a victim. You are guaranteed to lose if you give up. Winston Churchill was right "Never, never, never give up." it works if you work it.

-------Wally Amos-------

So, my thanks to Mr. Amos for giving me another reason to love watermelon. If you don't love the fruit itself. Maybe you can use some of this kind of watermelon in your life. I know I can certainly use more if it.

A Few Great Things!

2009-06-03T09:19:00.001-07:00

Here is just a few of the great things that have taken place in my life lately...

1. THE MOST IMPORTANT....My Son-In-Law Cameron was ordained an Elder on May 3...The Priesthood..is amazing. Way to go Cameron!

2. ELITE MEMBER: I received my T-Shirt at Curves for my 100th Workout. It is not so much the T-Shirt that matters so much, but the fact that I have done 100 workouts. How my body feels is a much better reward!

3. I proved my worth...When I went into work on Monday I was told that my employer wanted to do a review....he told me a could think about it for a while and we would do it later...Now do you think I could do my work with that on my mind...I told him to just get it over with. Finally at the end of the day he finally got around to it...I have never had a review before, I worked for another person for 19 years and never did this. He asked me to rate myself in different areas...Of course we are always the hardest on ourselves. Anyway, he agreed with my ratings..although some he rated a little higher..And then said he was going to give me a $1.00 hour raise...This was really surprising...when he hired me two years ago he started me out at an amount and said that he would never pay me more than a certain amount..because he could hire someone cheaper..(This is a part time job)...However, this week he told me that he was going to pay me $1.00 more per hour than the amount he said would be my cap amount..Yeah for me! In case you don't know he is an accountant, I am his assistant...You know it is really nice to hear that you are appreciated once in a while...In the economy we have today, I feel very blessed...

25 Years

2009-05-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

Monday, May 4, was our 25th Wedding Anniversary...Mark got sent to California a couple of weeks ago and is now in Oregon working. We will celebrate when he gets home. However, he did give me these beautiful flowers. (And he gives me his paycheck every payday)......

We were married on May 4, 1984 in the Jordan River Temple.

I met Mark at a young adult singles dance in Sandy, UT (June). He took my name and number and called me shortly after for a date. We went on a couple of dates. I could tell he wanted to get serious, but at that time I had just moved into a new apartment and a new singles ward and was not interested in dating anyone seriously at that time so we didn't go out anymore. The following January my roommate talked me into calling him. (At this time it was not so cool for girls to call guys). His mother answered the phone and said she would tell him that Annette had called. I did not hear from him, but my roommate convinced me to call him again. I don't know why I did, but I did. (This was way out of my comfort zone)....Come to find out he was dating another girl at that time by the name of Annette. He had returned my phone call to her. He asked me out on a date...and so our story continued. Not long after we had began dating we were out on a date, when the door bell rang at his house. His mother answered the door...there was a young lady at the door with cookies for Mark. She said her name was Annette...now his mom was confused because he had told her he was on a date with Annette...and he was, it was me. Anyway...the best girl won and 25 years later we have two great kids and much more to look forward too.

Spring Flowers at Temple Square

2009-05-04T15:34:00.001-07:00

Most people like to go to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. Spring is my favorite time at Temple square. Today I was able to go uptown with my sister in law and two nieces Robyn & Grace. We had a nice picnic and enjoyed the beautiful..magnificent flowers!!

I Love the Spring Flowers

2009-05-04T15:09:00.001-07:00

Yup she is my mom!

2009-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone this is Callie (Annette's daughter) I decided to get on my moms blog and let you all know what an incredible person she is. I am amazed at everything she has always done for me my brother and my father. She basically raised us alone due to my father always traveling supporting the family. I can imagine it was probably hard on her a lot. My mother although never failed to provide everything that we needed clothes and food. She stayed at home with us when we were kids so we would not have to go to daycare and made sure her job that she got when we got older and where in school all day allowed her to be off the same time that we were. She loved having my friends come over and my friends all love her very dearly.My mom is amazing we went and did things together. I remember how much fun we would have when we would go camping with her my brother and my grandma. We would go up to my Grandma Bohman's and help her out when my Grandma still could we would take her shopping. I remember all the times I would come home from school as a little girl crying because of how mean the other kids were to me, she would always sit me down and tell me just ignore them sweetie they have no idea what they are talking about or they are just jealous so they want to be mean to you. My mom when I was a little girl would sew me clothes and I did not know it at the time but apparently all the little girls wanted my moms clothes. I remember our matching outfits and oh did I mention the Barbie clothes she made me. When I got older and started dating my mom would wait up for me to get home and then we would talk until late thats just how we were. My mom and I fought a little as I was a teenager but its only because we are so much alike, I swear we can read each others minds sometimes. Now that I have gotten married and move out I appreciate my mommy so much more. I love you mom so much and just wanted to let you know that.
Your one and only Daughter Callie
xoxoxoxox

I love Apples

2009-04-19T10:40:00.001-07:00

I love fruit..But I think apples are one of my favorite. You can grab one and eat in on the go. It is not too messy and is very nutritious. Store apples are okay..especially organic ones. However, I prefer the apples raised by my husband. There is nothing like walking up to a tree and picking a ripe apple and eating it.

When you take a bite of an apple do you ever stop and think about how much work goes into getting that apple ready for you to eat..A lot! There is pruning the trees, putting dormant spray on them, then spraying them every two to three weeks until they are mature to keep them bug free. He hates using spray..has tried to do it organically, but in Utah there are just too many bugs that gets in them. Then there are the many hours spent picking them...,

My husband spends a great deal of his time working out of town for his employment. Most of what he does is install sound systems in L.D.S. Church buildings. This past week he was in New Mexico. He will be leaving for California tomorrow for at least a couple of weeks..He is pretty sick of the traveling and being gone from home, but he provides for our family.

This spring between the rainy snowy weather and being gone he has found it extremely difficult to find time to get the pruning done. Yesterday, he was finally able to finish the last of it...Yeah.

I write this because yesterday Bryce & I spent a few hours picking up the prunnings so Mark could put them in the chipper and get them off the lawn and it made me realize just how much work goes into getting us the great food we as Americans enjoy everyday of our lives. We are blessed that we still have people that are willing to put so much time and effort into providing us food to eat.

"Thou Shalt Not Lie" or Should you?

2009-04-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

As a mother I admit I am guilty.. I was reading in a magazine today, is it okay to tell a little lie to your children. I think sometimes we have to do this or think we have to do it. After all there is the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy..etc. (But I forgot those are not lies).

Did your ever tell your kids that a can of aerosol spray was monster spray and spray it under the bed, in the closets, etc. Or what ever it was that you needed to do..

When my kids were little, I got caught in a lie. My parents live on a small farm, down in the field where we have family picnics all the irrigation water collects around a small part of the property. As a family, we call this piece of property the "Island". Well in this water lives frogs, moss, or what ever you might find. This is the place the irrigation water collects. As I watched my nieces & nephews all take their turns getting very dirty in this water trying to catch frogs etc. I being the "City girl" now, decided to tell my kids that Alligators lived in there. It worked, my kids did not go in the water..I didn't have to clean them up after this messy adventure. However, I did get caught in my lie...One day my brother Gene said, "There are no gators in there, that is what your parents said to keep you out". I hope I didn't damage them for life. I know I have used a few others (what's a mom to do anyway?)

I was reading this article and some mothers shared their little lies or stories..This is one of my favorites by one of the write-in mothers:

"We were watching T.V., and a character said something about a porno. Maggie looked up at me with her big, green eyes and asked, "Mom, what's a porno?" I couldn't handle being straightforward, and for some reason Jiffy Pop came to my mind. I told Maggie, "It's old-fashioned popcorn" and gave a brief description of how the container gets real big and puffs up, and when it fills up the tinfoil, it's ready! She looked at me and said, "We'll have to try a porno sometime." My friends have suggested I tell her the truth before she invites a friend over for a movie and some porno. (I think this mom needs to explain what porno is...really fast in a nice way).

I remember one time while watching "7th Heaven" with my kids, one of the kids on the show said they had a condom. I remember Bryce asking me what that was, he was pretty young at the time, I didn't think he needed to know what this was right now, I pretended like they had said condo and made up some story about it. That time I felt justified to protect their innocent minds a little longer, after all this was supposed to be a family show. This time it was okay to change the topic with a little lie. But was it okay to tell them about the Gators?

Easter & Prom

2009-04-14T20:23:00.001-07:00

Easter was a nice day. We had a wonderful program in Sacrament. Thanks to all those who put in so much effort on the Choir and Talks. It was a really beautiful meeting...

After church I finished getting dinner ready. Callie and Cameron joined us for a nice Turkey dinner.

I am so thankful to be a part of this great Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints..I am so grateful to have the knowledge of the atonement and resurrection...It brings such Joy and peace to my life..We are so very fortunate...

Junior Prom

2009-04-14T19:57:00.001-07:00

Saturday was a busy day for Bryce. It started out very early. He had to be at the Church at 5:30 am so he could do baptisms at the Temple. He got home changed his clothes and headed to the South Salt Lake Easter Egg hunt. Because he is a member of the South Salt Lake City Youth Council he had to go place the eggs out on the grass before the hunt and help with crowd control. I picked him up at 10:15. (Kudos for Bryce for not shirking his other responsibilities because of prom) .He then had to be at his friends house to begin the day activity for Jr Prom at 11:00. They picked up their dates and did what ever teenagers do for fun until about 2:30. Got cleaned up and went back for the evenings activities..They picked up their dates and then Splurged on a dinner at Tuscany...I didn't know spaggetti & meatballs could cost so much. The Jr. Prom was held at the Capital (Bryce lost the parents pass, wonder if it was accidently on purpose). So I didn't go there. Anyway he called at 11:00 and asked what time he needed to get home. I told him 1:00 a.m. (he told me I was the only one that set a curfew, are parents crazy?) He said it was a great day..Sounds like it to me.

As a mom of the boy it is a whole different experience than being the mom of the girl. I didn't get to see him pick up his date etc. I made him take the camera.

My Mom - My Hero

2009-03-29T18:11:00.001-07:00

This is my Mom, she is my hero!. This picture was taken at the celebration of her 90th birthday party last fall...She has taught me many things...the gospel, how to sew, how to cook, play the piano and a great many others.

Yesterday I went to visit her for a while along with my two children Callie & Bryce...I decided to ask her a few questions so they could learn a little bit more about their Grandma...She is still around at 90, her body doesn't work so great anymore, but her mind and testimony still go on!

She was married to my dad for 66 earthly years before he passed away July 2007. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple...so they are married for eternity..The day he died she was upset at him for not taking her with him..I can't imagine how hard it must be for her to not have him around after all those years.

She has Eight living children, she suffered several miscarrages... 5 Boys 3 Girls

* Her first children were twin boys, My oldest brothers Frank & Fred. She was very sick and was in the hospital for a month with them because of toxemia. The doctor told her to not have any more children..I am glad she didn't listen, because I am number eight. She had me when she was 42 1/2.

*She had to use cloth diapers for all eight of us and didn't even have a modern washer & dryer...She used a wringer washer...and had to hang them to dry.

*When she was little she lived in a town called Metropolis Nevada, it is near Wells...She said that in the winter they would ride in a horse drawn sleigh to get to school. They would leave home at around 7:00 a.m. and sometimes be late for school starting at 9:00 a.m. School would let out at 4:00 and they would arrive home around 6:00. She would ride in a wagon when there was not snow. She said she was the only girl in her senior class and the the boys really liked to give her a hard time.

*Her family owned the first Model T Automobile in their community...They were also one of the first families to get a radio. She was told not to tell anyone that they had one..I guess that would have been bragging.

*Her only sibling who was 15 years older than her grew potatoes and sold a 100# bag for $1.25.

*She attended BYU & Graduated from Cosmotology school in Ogden, Utah.

*She said she fell in love with my dad the night she met him and had eyes for no one else after that. They met at a dance.

*She has made many beautiful quilts.. (not tied...quilted by hand)

*She loves flowers..my dad would plant the garden and she would spend many hours weeding it and preparing the delicious vegetables for us.

*One summer my dad had to go work at Bear Lake, she had to oversee the 18 acres...Make sure the cow got milked and the irrigating got done.

*She is an excellent seamstress & a wonderful cook. She taught me that if you are going to cook, use the best ingredients so it will taste good. No imitation vanilla for her, it has to be the real stuff...I agree!

For "Shore I Would Love to Go"

2009-03-14T19:45:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday night Bryce got up the courage to ask at girl to the Jr. Prom. This will be his first date. He left a lion on her porch with a package of mini candy bars, the lion had a note around his neck that said "I'm not "Lion" I would like you to go to the Jr. Prom with me"....Then the wait begins..no one answered the door, so he was hoping he got the right house...Now the next day he has to give a talk in Sacrament meeting...between the talk and wondering he is a nervous wreck..He goes to school Monday, Tuesday he has a class with the girl he has asked..he can't stand it so he asks her if she got the package, she said she did. Now a whole week later....he finally got the answer he wanted. There was a loud knock on the door, when he answered he saw a car speeding away..and on the porch was this bucket filled with sand. On the bucket were the words, "For shore I would like to go", on the shovel it said dig for Treasures.....So he dug and dug to find his treasures..Gritty candy anyone? And so the fun begins!

Addicted to Curves

2009-03-14T14:45:00.001-07:00

Exercise to me has always been a hard thing to get motivated to do..I find it really boring. About a year and a half ago I joined Curves with Callie. After going regularly for about a month, I broke my foot when I missed the bottom stair and had to have surgery...end of my exercise for a few months. I had just started back at Curves for about a month when I broke my hand and had to have surgery on it due to a car accident...end of exercise at Curves for a few months....Now I wasn't too happy about starting a regular workout at Curves again for fear of a jinx or something...I had signed up for a year so I was waiting for my year to be up so I could cancel it. I would go occaisionly....Well about the end of January I decided to give them another try....after the first couple of times I had decided to cancel my membership...but I kept going...Well guess what!! I am adicted....I am trying to go 3 times a week to Curves last week it was 4 times. This week I went 5 times. I am actually enjoying exercise..I can feel my body getting stronger...That is a nice feeling. I started their weight management program and was happy when I found out I lost 4.5 lbs this past week...I am going to try really hard to keep it up...

I Miss Him

2009-02-20T19:23:00.001-08:00

I was on Facebook tonight and noticed that my nephew, Phil had posted this picture of my dad on the tractor. It brought tears to my eyes...My father passed away July 1, 2007, just 3 days before his 90th birthday. I really miss him...He is a great man, I say " is" and not was because he is my father for all eternity. I am grateful to him for all he taught me. I could go on forever about him, but I just want to say, I really miss him.....

My New Favorite Song - The Family Is of God

2009-02-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

I was called to serve as Stake Primary Secretary a couple of months ago. As part of this calling I get the privilege of visiting the other Ward Primaries in our Stake. Last week I attended the Eldredge ward. They were learning a new song. I fell in love with it and had such a fun time learning it. It is called "The Family Is of God" the chorister who was just an amazing young Sister made learning this song so much fun. It has such a catchy tune and the words are super.

I asked her where she got it from, she told me I could go to lds.org and download a copy if I wanted to. So this morning I did just that.

I also found that it came from the October 2008 Friend. I was able to download a copy of the piano music also. So for those of you who play the piano or try to play the piano like I do, you can play it. You can also download a copy of the songs the Primary Children are learning this year for the program. The chorister in the Eldredge Ward did this and made a copy for each family that had children in primary. (I think this is a super idea). Listening to music in the car is such a great way to learn songs. It is also a great way to get away from more videos. It helped with the boredom of being in the car for my kids when they were little. It doesn't have to be church songs, it can be silly kids songs or story books on tapes too. (But you younger moms are smarter than us older moms so I am sure you already know this)...

I find that music sets the tone of my home and I am always looking for more good music to play on the Sabbath. It sure makes a difference, my kids would be fighting and I would quietly put on the Primary Cd's or other Church music and they would quiet down. It also helps me to focus on what the Sabbath is....

Why I hated Going to the Library with My Mother

2009-01-23T16:00:00.001-08:00

When I was younger, I hated going to the library with my mother. You see, I loved that she would take me there. But I hated that she would take so long to choose a book or whatever she was doing there. It was simple to me, go get the book you wanted and then leave.I now understand why it took so long and now my kids hate going to the library with me.I love the library..I can spend hours there. I can sit for hours just reading all the different magazines. If I want to learn about any subject, I can go there and get books. Inside the library there is a whole new world of learning....

Two Weeks of Ham

2009-01-20T16:32:00.000-08:00

Every year for Christmas Mark brings home a whole ham that he gets from his work. We really appreciate this ham.. Because our family is so small we can eat ham everyday for about two weeks or more. By the end of the two weeks, we have had more than enough ham. Besides almost everywhere you go at Christmas they serve ham.

Does anyone have any ideas what to do with ham?

Here are some of the ideas we have come up with:

Ham, baked potatoes, etc.
Ham fried rice
Oven omlette with ham
Ham & Eggs
Ham & Shredded potatoes
Pizza with Ham
Ham Sandwiches
Pancakes & Ham

Christmas

2009-01-20T16:20:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I posted, partly because I have been busy, partly, because I couldn't think of anything to say or maybe it is because I am just lazy. I don't like winter....I have trouble with the dirty air and lack of pure sunshine it really wears on me. I have also been working more than usual.

Our Christmas was good, but I can't believe it has been almost a month already. It was a different Christmas this year. Callie got married in June so it was our first Christmas with a married child and that means we have to share her with her in-laws. All month long I missed Callie, she gets so excited about things. It was just such a different Christmas. I didn't get to go to my Mom's until New Year day because of the weather.

It was great to have Mark around. He was home more the last month, than I think the entire year.

Parking Lots, Birthday & Car Accidents

2008-12-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Friday - I took Callie out to lunch at the Pizza Factory (ymm, ymm), I really recommend their squash noodles & I love their marinara sauce. Of course you have to have one of their bread twists. We then went to the Festival of Trees. We tried to get there early enough to avoid the evening crowd. Arrived at about 4:00, drove around trying to find a parking place. (Is it okay to stop in the middle the road to wait for people to finish walking to their car, put their strollers etc or whatever they have to do etc. and block the way for a long line of other drivers in order to get that parking place?) Just wondering, because we got stuck behind someone doing this. After driving around and around the parking lot we finally learned the correct way to park in a busy parking lot. 1. You pick out someone walking to their car, if you have to you can stalk them (just kidding). 2. Ask them if you can walk with them to where they are parked and stand in their parking place until you can direct the driver of the car you came with via cell phone to where you are standing. 3. Pray that the person that is standing in the parking place doesn't get run over by an irrate person. Lucky for us we found a nice person to follow to their parking place. She even waited until I was in sight to pull out...We had a nice time looking at the Christmas trees, gingerbread houses and of course the adorable little performers. On our way home after stopping by the mall for a short while, we stopped to see Sarah & her new beautiful baby daughter. (Congrats Sarah).

Saturday - 19 years ago our beautiful daughter Callie was born. She surprised us by coming exactly one month early. I guess she didn't want to miss all the Christmas festivities. I really miss her now that she is married and look forward to the times we spend together.

Sunday - This evening Callie & Cameron came over so we could celebrate her birthday. She wanted Chicken Cordon Blu (or however you spell it) & yummy potatoes ( you know the funeral potatoes). Her friend Lottie made her a Cold Stone Birthday Cake. (it was yummy)....at about 11:00 the telephone rang. It was Callie letting me know that she had been in a car accident. She was with her mother-in-law & sister-in-law. They were going to return some movies to Blockbuster in the Mountaineer when someone ran a red light going about 60 miles an hour and hit them pretty much head on. For some unknown reason Callie was not wearing her seat belt. She had layed down on the back seat and fell between the back seat and the front seat. She is okay except for aches & pains. Everyone elese is okay except for the aches & pains you get from a major car accident. Cameron's mom Anna got the worst of it and had to be checked out in the Emergency room. Apparently, if Anna would not have braked they would have got T-boned and it would have got Callie's head. I am very grateful to have a Daughter alive today. If you would like to see what the vehicle looked like after the accident you can click on Callie & Cameron's blog. I am also glad that Cameron's Mom and sister are okay too.

Christmas Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends

2008-11-30T20:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper -- it's prettier.

2.Real tree or Artificial? I have an artificial tree, but up until about 10 years ago my family used to get a real tree from the mountains. Growing up, the day after Thanksgiving my Dad & brothers (sometimes I would join them) would go into the mountains and get Christmas Trees. If it was snowing or you couldn't make it with the truck, then they would go on horses. Our cat really looks forward to us putting up the tree, she likes to chomp on the branches and hang out under the tree.

3.When do you put up the tree? Usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

4.When do you take the tree down? New Year's day or shortly after

5.Do you like eggnog? Yes - but only with sprite added

6.Favorite gift received as a child? I would have to say the canopy barbie bed... my dad made one for me and my sister. My mom made the bedspread and canopy cover for it. I loved the Barbie clothes my mom woud make too.

7.Hardest person to buy for? Definately my mother...She is so hard to please

8.Easiest person to buy for? Callie

9.Do you have a nativity scene? Yes -- A small ceramic one I made & a little porcelin one I received as a gift.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail homemade ones.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Can't remember.

12.Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, The Santa Claus, Prancer, Griswalds (I like Christmas movies)

13.When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I find a good bargain and think someone I know will like it - sometimes in July - but most of my shopping is between October & December.

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Nope

15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Food

16.Lights on the tree? White or milti-colored (but please........no twinkle lights, they drive me nuts).

17.Favorite Christmas song? Candelight Carol - My Grown Up Christmas Wish (Sung by Thurl Bailey) many others

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Yep, Over the freeway & up the Canyon to my Mom's house we go (45 miles away)

19.Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Yep - But only If I sing them

20.Angel on tree top or star ? Star

21.Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas Mornining (The kids would love it if we did on Christmas Eve)

22.Most annoying thing about this time of the year? How people try to kill each other for the best bargain - Scrooges - How people forget about the Savior....

23.Favorite ornament theme or color? Gingerbread Men, snowflakes, snowman

24.Favorite for Christmas dinner? Turkey or Ham with all the fixings - Desert: Cheesecake

25.What do you want for Christmas this year? For may family to be Happy and have everything they need, world peace & for the economy to pick up. (A remodeled kitchen)

26.Who is most likely to respond to this? Don't Know ( I hope everyone I would like to get to know more about you)

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone

2008-11-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and am Thankful to have you in my life. Hope everyone has a good day watching parades, playing football, watching football, eating & eating and then eating some more. Spending time with family & friends, playing games, watching movies, going to the movies. Sleeping after the Turkey takes effect. Wow, don't we have a lot to be grateful for...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving....(May you eat until you are full - but not stuffed)..

I Like Nice People

2008-11-22T21:41:00.000-08:00

Today I was at Roberts standing in line, I had just paid for my stuff when the lady behind me was talking about the Silent Setter she was buying that was only 99 cents. I had never even heard of this (I am new to this kind of stuff), but thought for 99 cents you couldn't go too wrong when it is originally $8.99, it looked like a cool tool. I said,"I guess I will be going through the line again buying one of those" and the lady said here have this one I will get another. It was just a little thing, but wouldn't it be nice if we could all be a little more like her instead of always being in such a hurry. Little things like that can change someones day around. I am going to try harder especially during the rush of the Holidays to do more little things.

Fun Free Friday Giveaways

2008-11-21T14:40:00.000-08:00

If anyone is interested, my neice has a blog spot called sweetlifeinthevalley. You can register to win a Fun Free Friday Giveaway. Check it out!

Lost & Found

2008-11-17T19:33:00.001-08:00

Friday I went and got my mail and put the mailbox key in my pocket. Big Mistake....I then got in the van and went to get Bryce from school. After I picked him up we went to Costco. I came home changed my clothes and thought nothing about my key until the next day when it was time to get the mail. Guess What! No Key...I had washed my pants, checked the closet floor, the hook where I usually hang it, the van - no key. We saw the mail man so I sent Bryce running to get the mail before it went in the box.

Today is Monday, still no mail key. It is the only key to our mail box. I keep telling myself to get some more made up, but haven't. I was looking again for the key about 6:00. The thought kept coming to my mind, oh no...I lost it at Costco and some little child found it and took it home. (It is on a bright green key chain which is like a spring with a clip on it.) I can just hear Mark telling me we will get a new one and put a chain on it long enough to reach the mailbox and attach it to the house so I can't lose it. (not the first time I have miss-placed it)

Luckily I was listening to the Holy Ghost. A very strong thought came to mind that I should call Costco and see if anyone had found my key. Wow, was I surprised when they said that my lost mail key was there. I got in the van drove to Costco and set Bryce in to get it. Yeah, I won't have to call a locksmith.....Tomorrow I am going to go and get more keys made up.

Making Applesauce

2008-11-15T23:58:00.001-08:00

I have been making applesauce. I made 18 quarts last Saturday and did 20 more quarts last night. I am going to try and do about 40 more quarts this year. I really don't like applesauce that much. Mark likes chunky applesauce, so that is the kind I make. He grows the apples and because he is my husband and I try to make the people I love happy I make applesauce. (The prophet also says that we need food storage). At least I have wheat and applesause in my food storage. I also have last years, and some of the year before that in storage. Mark needs to work in town so I can feed him some applesauce.

Today was a good day. Callie came over. She hasn't been over for a couple of weeks. It was good to see her. We went to a Bridal Shower for a cousin at 1:00 and at 5:30 we went to a Baby shower. It was good to see her. I recently bought some acrylic stamps and have discovered how much fun stamping can be. Callie and I have been making cards, so today we made some cards. I have been working on my Christmas cards. (Bryce wonders how we can spend some much time making one card). I discovered that sewing on cards is a lot of fun too and adds a lot to the card.

Mark is still in Hawaii, I hate it when he doesn't make it home for the weekends.

On Thursday I tried to go to Stake Temple Day. My plan was to hit the 4:00 session after work and I picked up Bryce from school. I headed to the Temple running a little late. I turned down South Temple instead of North Temple and ran into construction traffic. As I was crossing North Temple from the Conference center I noticed firetrucks stopping by the Temple. I walked up to the Temple and the gates were locked - they weren't letting anyone in. They said I could try the Baptismal entrance - no luck. They said they had closed the Temple and were not going to let anyone in. I asked what was the matter - they wouldn't tell me. However, when I got to my car and turned on the radio there was breaking news. I guess it was okay to tell the News what was happening, but not a Temple patron. (Go figure). As I was standing by the Temple I mentioned to someone "I wonder if this has to do with Prop 8?", they said oh, I doubt it. Anyway, I am glad that no one was hurt and hope that this nonsense will stop.

2008-11-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

Today, Mark boarded a plane to work in Hawaii. Some might ask, why didn't you go with him. In a way I wish I could have, it would be nice to get away. I went to Hawaii the year before Callie was born. It was December and freezing cold here. It was nice to go, however it is not very much fun to be there when your husband is working 10 to 12 hours a day.

Okay, so I am new to this blogging thing. I thought of naming my blog (Annette's boring place), but decided against it.

I have had this blog since May. This is so out of my comfort zone....writing about myself. However, I have really been enjoying reading everyone elses blogs. This is a great way to keep up to date with friends and family everywhere.

I was just listening to the News and heard them say that "Some L.D.S. faithful are leaving the church over the Prop 8 thing. Come on now, how can you be "L.D.S. Faithful and leave", you either have a Testimony or you don't. I know that there are some things in life that will cause us to make really tough decisions and it is hard to see the ones we love unhappy. However, our relationship with our Father in Heaven comes first, until he tells us that something is okay to do, it is not okay. It doesn't matter that the rest of the world is saying it is.