July 2006
Day Twenty. Righty-tighty. Lefty-loosey.
July 31, 2006
Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey is the extent of my fix-it-know-how. I am much better at improvising or living without than I am at fixing things. Today is a prime example. The screen in the cold water hose of the washer is plugged again. It gets clogged regularly with sand and other things I’d rather not guess. When it’s plugged it can take the washer one and a half hours to trickle full. Today I didn’t want to wait for that long and since I forgot to remind Calvin to fix it before he left this morning, I fixed it myself. Using righty-tighty, lefty-loosey as my guide, I got the hose detached and the screen washed off. But for the life of me and my wrench I can’t get it connected back on tight enough to keep it from leaking. No matter, I’m just filling the drum by using the disconnected hose. When the washer wants to spin, I turn the hose off, put it in the quart measuring cup where it slowly drips and wait for the next cycle. I’m getting plenty of computer time because I have to sit here and man the spigot.
 
The handle to the vacuum finally broke off today, too. It cracked several weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to duct tape a broom stick to it to give it a longer life, but I didn’t. No matter. It vacuums the same with a short handle as it did with a long handle—poorly—so I’ll just make do until a new one comes along.
My fix-it abilities should not be confused with Calvin’s. He makes all sorts of cool things like this cedar chest for Ande,
and this jelly cupboard for me,
and these long bows for his customers
But when he’s busy . . . well, I’m on my own and righty-tighty doesn't have the answers to everything.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com __________________________________________________________________________________________
Day Nineteen. Church Day.
July 30, 2006
Church Day. That’s how the kids have always distinguished Sunday from the other days of the week. Today was Church Day and Ty was one of the speakers in Sacrament Meeting. He talked about some of his scriptural heroes. For twenty years we’ve read scriptures as a family at the breakfast table; spooning the family food and scriptures at the same time works well for us—conversation is usually light in the morning so reading isn’t interrupted much and it encourages me to fix a good, big breakfast so the family will sit and listen longer. In his talk, Ty mentioned this family tradition and how he knew that when he was little (3-7) that my intent wasn’t probably so much to teach doctrine as it was to give the kids examples to look up to. He smiled at me and said, “I want to tell my mom it worked.”
We came home and ate a good garden dinner and then, after Calvin and Ty’s wrestling match, took a short nap.
Ande likes movies and Calvin is always willing to sit and watch one with her on Sunday evenings. Last night’s choice was “Lord of the Rings.” I read Daddy Longlegs, by Jean Webster. What a delightful young adult book—I can’t believe I missed it.
Cali and my niece, Haley, are somewhere in the Yukon Territory tonight. Haley took a teaching job in Alaska and needed someone to help her drive up to it. Cali is always ready for a road trip so Calvin armed them with pepper spray, bear spray, Mileposts and advice on how to hit a deer properly. It’s hard to get much out of them when they call because they are always laughing, but it sounds like they used the “how to hit a deer properly” advice and were relieved he jumped out of the way just in time.
Church Day is now also Missionary Mail Day for us while Abe is on his mission to the Philippines. We look forward to it and got a good e-mail. He responded to our events of the last week with
“You want some advice? It's helped me when I've struggled... "You gotta accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative ...don't mess with Mr. In-Between" That's all I have to say about that.”
It made me laugh—Calvin always sings that song to us. So not only was today Church Day it was also Parent Payday, again and again and again.
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Day Eighteen. To Market, to Market.
July 29, 2006
One day this week Ty and I went to Spokane and sold corn. It was well over 100 degrees. It was enjoyable enough though—sunning my calves, drinking ice water, visiting with the customers about whatever was ailing them, reading in-between visitors and smelling the corn. I always wanted to be a storekeeper. I always stop at kids’ lemonade stands. I felt like a mixture of a kid and an adult at our corn stand.
We have several stands up, but the one Ty and I tended is next to a mom and pop’s home furnishings store that is closing. The sweet owner came out to meet us and asked, “Are you Calvin’s wife?” I said that I was and she said, “What a good man. He was an answer to our prayers. Two days before our sell was final the buyer backed out. We didn’t know how we’d pay the mortgage for another month. We prayed for an answer and then your husband called and asked if he could put the corn stand on our lot. The payment paid our mortgage. What a sweet man.” Ahhhh. Is there a better feeling than to get to help answer a prayer?
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Day Seventeen. When One Day Turns into a Week.
July 28, 2006
Jenny Lucille Hoops Chadwick
October 16, 1930---July 23, 2006
My mother died this past Sunday morning. It was neither expected nor unexpected. All but two of us children had just enough time to get to Idaho before she passed away. Many of you have lost your mothers and the rest of you have thought about the time when you will lose your mother, so it’s not like I have anything to say that you haven’t already felt or that you already know.
The women of our church always put a wonderful dinner together for the family after a funeral. We were served a dinner of stew after my grandmother’s funeral. I remember it, because I like stew. This past week reminded me of a big pot of stew. In stew, there are the things you like best (potatoes), the things you like second best (the vegetables [potatoes are their own food group in our family]) and the flavorful things that you hardly notice like the soup juice, but without which there would be no soup.
The potato of the last week was having all ten brothers and sisters at the same place at the same time. It has been close to two decades since we had gathered. My florally-gifted sister arranged a dozen roses in each of ten different vases. The final touch of each bouquet was a ribbon that said “mom”. It was touching and comforting to see ten vases lined in a row above her casket, to look around and take a head count and know that all ten children were accounted for.
The carrot of the week was the laughing. I’d forgotten how funny we are. There are some quick-witted people in the family and thank heavens they use it. The celery of the week was seeing the cousins have such a good time with each other. The onion of the week was hearing others’ thoughts on mom. Each one had a piece of her puzzle and it was interesting to see the picture it created. The grated summer squash (the kids don’t even know I often slip this in, but my stew is better for it) was the musical number that my cousins played at mom’s funeral. There must have been eight of my Chadwick cousins playing violins, a bass violin and the piano to Ashokan Farewell. It was a beautiful and unexpected surprise.
The meat was the extended family, friends and community members who offered their love and support. I will think about and chew on those acts of service for a very long time.
The soup juice or broth would be the great comfort and peace that attended the week. There was no doubt that an Influence more powerful and mighty than humans was present. It made the stew.
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Dear Jane, I read about your Mother's passing in the Times News this morning, I wanted to send you my deepest sympathy, there is nothing like the loss of your Mother. Cherish the memories that make your heart smile. God BE With You Till You Meet Again.
Bev Glodowski
Dear Jane,
My heart goes out to you and your family at this time. What a great gift the Gospel is to us and having the knowledge that families can be together forever is priceless. I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Rachel is one of the most wonderful people I know and love and if the rest of her family is anything like her (and I'm sure you all
are....) I know that I love you, too.
May the Lord bless you and your family in all things you might need.
Love,
Annie Steele
You are indeed a gifted creative writer. My loving thoughts go out to you in the passing of your mother who was a brave lady with ten children. God is blessing you now and also your mom.
Betty Lou
Dearest Jane..
I was so sorry to hear about your mom passing away. May you find the strength within that you will need to cope with not only your emotions but your family’s. May God be by your side thru this trying time.....and so will your friends. We are here if you need to talk and you will always have someone to listen.....
Oh NO.... I feel a song coming on......
Ain't no mountain high enough.....(Darla moving her hands to the air)
Ain't no valley low enough (Deb chimes in while moving her hands toward the ground)
Ain't no river wide enough ( Darla solo)
to keep us from you ( D&D Duet)....as we both stretch our arms out to you....
Okay our singing isn't any better on the internet but hopefully it made you smile.
Hang in there & know we are all here for you J
Darla
So sorry to hear about your mother passing away. I am sure though- hearing the stories and thoughts that you share about your family-that she was ready and you can all feel peaceful about that. She must have been an amazing woman to raise such great women like you and your sisters. I am so glad you didn't do a recipe or letter this week-it doesn't seem appropriate at the time-instead it gives us all a chance to remember our mothers and think of how we can do better at honoring them. Warm thoughts your way this week to you and your family,
Cyndi Bird
Jane, So sorry to hear about the death of your mother, but glad that you have so many wonderful memories. I don't know if it's true, but I believe that the person who has left us has the privilege of being there in spirit for the funeral service. I'm sure your mother was thrilled to see the 10 vases with roses in them and her ten children there to celebrate her life.
Thanks for all your thoughts and insights. They lift my life. With love, Loye
I just read your column and it was the first I heard about your mom. I'm sorry for your loss. I don't think a person is ever ready to lose a parent or mate regardless of the situation or warning time we are given.
I am glad you posted the picture of her. It is how I remember her from when you were a little girl. I thought all women were like her, up starting children on the piano practice in what I believed to be the middle of the night, cooking breakfast, and sending a busload of kids off to school! We took the teacher's quorum to your house and the hot springs. The night before we left after we were asleep your mom took all of the kid's cloths and washed and dried them. I never drove with a nicer smelling group of boys on the way home from an outing! ( Actually, I have never ridden with a nicer smelling group of boys on the WAY to an outing).
I am glad all of the kids showed up. I have one sister who didn't come to either parent's funeral for whatever reason I don't understand. My thought is now, what an empty form of protest! Why do we punish ourselves thinking we are teaching someone else a lesson? I am sad just thinking of it now.
I'm hungry for corn so I think I will see if there is any for sale in the neighborhood. I'll see you soon. Next week I will be in for more snide remarks about your letter again, this week I am a little sad. 2M
Jane-I was so sorry to hear about your mother passing. She must have been so proud to have all ten of you with her at the end. What a legacy. Love, Michelle
Dear Jane, So sorry to hear of your loss. Our mom's are the same age. Even though it is Heavenly Father's gain, it must feel like such a loss for you. Thank goodness for eternal families. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Tammy Walker
So sorry to hear about your mother. My mother passed away about 5 years ago. It was sudden and unexpected. I appreciated your comments about the "stew", they were so true. We also had 10 in our family, 5 boys and 5 girls. But, sadly, 2 of us had preceded her in death. The other 8 of us were there and were glad that we were. It gets easier but you will always miss her, she will always be in your heart. Didn't know we had so much in common, we had just had our 24th anniversary too!
--Christine Carlson
Dear Jane,
I was so touched when I read that Jenny had passed away. Many pictures came to mind like they do, in split seconds:
how pretty I always thought she was,
how she treated me -- like a friend and sister, even though she barely knew my name that first visit -- in your home,
the stories of a gizillion hats she was making for girls camp -- single handedly,
the fruit salad I helped her stir for one of the HUGE family gatherings, and not knowing any better I stirred it with my bare hands (the bowl was big -- my hands were freshly washed) -- Grandmother Erma was standing near by and wondered at the "couth-ness" of such action... I would have spilled it all over with a spoon,
of seeing your Mom at our oldest son's (Todd and Carol) wedding at the Idaho Falls Temple (do I have the right one)--what a special treat, we didn't know that she would be there -- I think that was the last time I saw her.
Right now I think of her, wrapped in her Savior's arms, her burdens lighter and love felt.
My thoughts are with each of you right now. If it would be of any help, would you give Lila a hug from me. I love you folks.
Love, Sally
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Day Sixteen. And That Would Depend on Your Definition of Hike.
July 21, 2006
Cali, Ty, Ande and I drove 3 hours to go on a 4 hour hike today. Ten minutes into it, panting and sweating more than a lady should, I knew I was going to “hold ‘em back.” Ty called over his shoulder, “You were expecting a nature trail weren’t you?”
I asked them what they were expecting and Ty said, “Well, ‘hike’ usually means elevation change . . .” A bit later we hit one of only two twenty-five foot stretches that were level and one of the kids said, “Like this. This is what you were hoping for, wasn’t it?”
I admit it was. I was thinking my two-mile a day walk at home (along with a shot of adrenalin) would get me through a day hike. It did, but in a “wait up for mom” manner.
But, oh did we have fun. Especially once I found a hiking stick. A hiking stick gives one courage, leverage . . . and balance.
We made it to the top in a couple of hours. A lake was our goal. Ande, constantly thirsty, wanted to get to the top so we would let her have a drink out of the last water bottle. I wanted to get to the lake so I could rest on a rock, dangle my feet in the cold water and eat some fruit leather while soaking in the experience. Ty and Cali wanted to get to the top because that is what you do when you hike, get to the top.
The hike was beautiful, but the closer we got to the top the more the mosquitoes. By the time we made it to the lake, we were plastered in them. The lake was beautiful—still, quiet and mosquito-infested. But there was no feet-dangling time of repose; there was simply a quick drink to gas Ande up again, three times of telling them to hold still so I could get a picture and then the kids took off on a healthy trot for the trees for bug cover.
The kids under mosquito seige
It was a great day. The kids’ wit was sharp and their lively banter fun. They were so considerate and thoughtful for my welfare (and I don’t think it was just because they didn’t want to carry me out). It reminded me of waiting for them while we walked in earlier years, but I didn’t see the role-reversal coming so soon. It was a great day of building muscles to make our family stronger.
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Day Fifteen. Some Things Never Change.
July 20, 2006
There are many great things about having older kids. One is their ability to visit. Two is they can bathe themselves. Three is they get jokes. Four is you no longer have to pay a babysitter and stress that they will choke on something while you’re gone. Five is that they’re happy to do average, routine things when they come home to visit, like:
go to Wal-Mart
eat lunch at Inca’s
watch Andy Griffith
swim in the pond
want biscuits and gravy for breakfast
It’s easy to miss the days when the kids were little and rockable, but I’ve found some things never change and some are even better.
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Day Fourteen. A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words.
July 19, 2006
The Bosch mixer works!
A picture speaks a thousand words (or three) . . .
Perfect Wheat Bread
Only 227 more loaves and it will have paid for itself. J
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July 19, 2006
This is a versatile, quick, easy and good recipe that works for me. It makes a wonderful ice-cream topping or sauce for an apple cake. (It will rescue any dry cake, just pour over the top, let it soak in a bit, and wa-lah, you have a great dessert.)
Quick Caramel Sauce
¼ pound butter (no substitutes)
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup half and half cream
½ tsp. vanilla
In a saucepan, combine the ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil five minutes and then set aside to cool. Serve over ice cream or cake.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Good Morning Jane, Love the blog this week. I think you've got Darla hooked on blogging - at least reading them. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! Deb
Dear Jane, I just finished catching up on your blog. Oh, oh, oh. Those pictures of Ty just made me sad. I miss him. I so wished we could have come this summer. Tell him I love him, miss him, and wish we could see him. They made me cry. Love, Rachel
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Day Thirteen. Laugh if you must, I still love it.
July 18, 2006
One of my talents lays me wide open for teasing. Homemaking. I love homemaking. Always have. Always will. But zealous homemakers are fun to poke at, and I’m no exception. Both of our daughters are very domestic—but even they were laughing at me the other day when I told them that while I was in college I used to bake bread on Saturdays and canned applesauce and pickles in the summer to take to school in the fall.
I’ve been in my happy homemaking element the last two days for I got to do more than mowing the lawn and folding the laundry. Yesterday morning I sewed and mailed these little candy pouches for some of my little relatives. You can mail them just like this; they make such a fun surprise in a mailbox to a kid (who am I kidding, I would like to get one).
This sewing machine was old when I got it 25 years ago...but it works.
Next I made cinnamon rolls and then for family night we all loaded in the car and went to “Meet the Neighbors.” We delivered them to some newly-moved-in neighbors and to other neighbors who were just moving out. This recipe rivals Cinnabon’s.
This morning I picked green beans and then went to Betty's house. She's an expert quilter and has several masterpieces to her name. Betty taught four of us how to do needle turn appliqué. It was an enjoyable three hours of visiting and stitching and I've always wanted to learn this technique. I would have enjoyed the old quilting bees.
I picked some raspberries on the way home and then, under Ty’s tutelage, we improved our normal homemade pizza recipe--thanks to his trip to Italy, fresh herbs and provolone cheese.
Laugh if you must, I love my occupation!
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Day Twelve. “Bonjourno principessa!”
July 17, 2006
Riding through the Alps via a helicopter
This morning Ty greeted me with, “Bonjourno principessa!” with a most definite Italian lilt.
Most every morning during high school while I was fixing breakfast, Ty met me in the kitchen with, “Hey mom! What can I do to help you?”
When Calvin and the kids come home from school, work, or practice, I holler out (in a fairly obnoxious tone) “Welcome Home!” When Ty comes home he hollers right back, “Hey mom! How was your day?”
I’ve got to say as endearing as those two greetings are, “Bonjourno principessa” or, “Good morning, princess” (for those of you who aren’t “Life is Beautiful” fans) is most charming. He wakes Cali and Ande up with it as well. I’m going to flutter my fingers and whisper “Bonjourno principessa” in Calvin’s ear fifteen times each night after he’s asleep and hope he mutters it every now and then once Ty goes back to the academy. I love hearing it.
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Day Eleven.
July 16, 2006
By the time we had picked up Ty and got home from the airport, it was early Sunday morning. How good it is to have him home.
Ty’s first assignment this summer was in Italy.
The highway of Venice. Ty said it smelled like a backdoor kitchen dumpster. He found a honeysuckle bush and picked a flower and when the waterway stench got too great, sniffed on his honeysuckle for awhile.
We stayed up and opened the presents he’d bought us while there. He brought me a beautiful Italian leather purse. He knows me well—he asked one of his friends for a second opinion saying, “It needs to be conservative with straps about “this” long.” It is very fine and perfect. I don’t believe I’ve owned something this fancy. He also brought me a black knitted poncho.
He gave Calvin a silk tie and his jump wings pin. After Ty’s assignment in Italy, he attended parachute or jump school.
Getting ready to jump from the airplane at 4,500+ feet
He loved it. When he presented Calvin with his jump wings, he had Cali cover Calvin’s eyes and Ande hold his hands, then Ty put the pin on Calvin’s chest and pounded them in making them “blood wings.” Calvin winced, only a tiny bit J, and Ty told us the tradition of jump wings is to carry the pin in your pocket on your fifth jump and then after it is completed you give them to someone you love and if they keep them you will jump safely hereafter. It was very moving and though it was long past midnight, Calvin promptly hung them to the curtain in the bedroom where his eyes first go every morning.
Calvin receiving Ty’s jumpwings.
It’s so great to be back around his positive attitude and happy nature—he literally whistles wherever he goes (“Off We Go, Into the Wild Blue Yonder”, “The Fishing Hole” from Andy Griffith, “The Bare Necessities” from Jungle Book, and whatever else strikes his fancy). He’s still the same wonderful Ty with bigger muscles—and if I had to find a fault? I worry he’ll crack one of my ribs or vertebrates when he hugs me.
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Day Ten. Happy Birthday to Me.
July 15, 2006
Happy 44th Birthday to me! Back in my homemade-craft selling days I used to sell a sign that said:
Age is a funny thing. Santa quits. The Easter Bunny quits.
And, lo and behold, the Big-Butt Fairy finds you.
It always sold out. When I opened my presents today I laughed. I had suggested a little bigger bike seat, and thanks to Ande, this is what I got!
Because you see, this is what I’ve been perched on since Christmas
and the age fairy has made a visit in the last dozen years. As soon as Calvin mounted it, we all took a spin around the driveway and ooohed and aaaahed at the new seat’s comfort.
I also got a Bosch mixer! This is something I’ve wanted for two dozen years. And Calvin and Ebay made it possible. I mix our bread by hand and have wanted a mixer that could take over that chore. Especially, because I'd like to make more wheat bread and I can’t get good gluten going when mixing it by hand.
This afternoon we’re headed to the airport to bring Ty home. He has three weeks leave and we’re so excited to see him. We’re going to the mall where Cali is buying me a pair of jeans “that fit” and the family will act as “What Not to Wear” coaches until I get them right.
I like birthdays and I feel so very blessed. Life is good.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Happy, happy birthday, Neighbor Jane! Shannon
Happy happy birthday Jane dear. Happy days will come to you all year!!! You are sneaky, when I finish it, I have something for you. Writing this should be incentive enough to get it done! I have been coveting a Bosch for only 6 years so that means I have 18 to go before I actually get one. I think I'll stop counting until I am on the down hill slide! You DESERVE it!!!!! Love, Mel
Feliz Cumpleanos!! Maybe I will find you a good birthday present here in Chile. Love, Susan
Happy Birthday! I am so impressed that you can make bread by hand. I can't manage to even with a mixer (although it isn't a bosch). Congratulations on the new mixer and bike seat! Nettie
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Day Nine. See Jane.
July 14, 2006
My name has always brought unwanted attention. My classmates and I learned to read with the “Dick and Jane” series and during recess I heard things like, “Hey, Jane, where’s Puff?” or “See Jane run” and then the kids laughed like it was a new joke and I’d never heard it before. In junior high I heard, “Me Tarzan, you Jane” followed by countless beatings of the chests and “Aaaaa-hhhaaaa-aaaaa.” By the time I was in college, the jane jokes began to wane, but I married a Payne and had to start all over with the pain jokes my husband had heard all his life. Add to it jane payne is a rhymer and you’re open to a lot of small talk. Today's post is one day when my name works to my advantage.
Here Jane sits.
(…especially on Fridays when she sends out the weekly NJP Newsletter.)
Here Jane soaks.
(…her feet at least once a year.)
Here Jane stands.
(…to do the dishes.)
The end.
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Day Eight. The Flies are Back.
July 13, 2006
I snatched a fly out of the air today. I was simultaneously pleased and disgusted when I saw him smashed between my palms. We are semi-sandwiched between a 40,000-head-of-cattle feedlot and a large dairy and about this time of year our yard rivals Pharaoh’s court during the great Egyptian fly plague. Once the flies hit, backyard picnics are over. Once they hit, no food is safe uncovered on the counter. Once they hit, you do not take a nap with an unprotected nose. Once they hit you hear Ogden Nash’s verse over and over in your head: “Once the good Lord made the fly and then forgot to tell us why.”
The kids got Calvin a deluxe, electric flyswatter for Christmas. Other than he chased and teased the kids all Christmas day with it, it’s a perfect toy for a grown man. He swatted about 200 flies on the porch the other night. It was an unwitted contest between him and his paddle and the big fly-zapper.
The mosquito-control man also made the rounds tonight. He has to come at dusk or later and drives his pickup all around the yard fogging mosquitoes with chemical pumped from a little machine. Ahhh. The sweet sound and smell of chemical fogging is much nicer than mosquitoes buzzing and Deets.
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Day Seven. Easily Entertained.
July 12, 2006
I love to watch big storms (mind you, I’ve never sat through a tornado or hurricane . . . but I have seen a couple dust-devils). We had a freakish storm come through late this afternoon. It wouldn’t seem odd if we lived on the coast, but for a desert-y area it was abnormal. It came blowing in without the best part—thunder and lightning—and dropped a half inch of rain in ten minutes. When you get less than twelve inches of moisture in a whole year, a half inch in less than an hour is a gully washer. It pummeled the garden and laid the corn down. Not good. Not good. But the storm itself was something to see.
even the willow tree looked like a drowned rat and the worst had passed by the time I found the camera
 
the corn bowing to the wind god
There’s a new housing development by the lake with posh homes. Right next to the development is the sand dunes where people from all over the state bring atv’s and dune and sleep on tents in the sand (I’m thinking they could get paid for the same experience in Iraq). Tonight, after the storm blew in and then just as quickly out, our church youth group went forward with its scheduled activity to go sliding at the dunes. They put a huge hay tarp down a dune that drops into the lake, then pumped water to the top of the hill and ran it down the tarp to make it slick. It’s a great, cheap waterslide. As I looked at all the expensive homes overlooking our mode of fun, it reminded me of Jethro and Ellie Clampett meeting Hollywood. Jeff Foxworthy would have been merciless with us, but how I wished I’d have worn my shorts—even at the expense of being the butt of his joke.
  
dune lake sliding is the best because the admission is FREE __________________________________________________________________________________________
Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Hi Jane, I am an addicted lurker on your website. You will either relate or get a kick out of today’s experience. On Sunday (I think) someone asked if I was free on Wednesday night (tonight) and I was. The problem is I can't remember what it is I am supposed to be at or do. I checked the ward and stake calendar, called my Visiting Teachers, and I do believe it was something related with church as I made the plans on Sunday. I have racked my mind with who I talked to at church, everything, and nobody called asking where the heck I was. Ok - last month I turned 45, and I was ok with that. I passed the eye exam for my renewal of my driver’s license, and thought hey - it's ok. Now I am thinking again, I have to write everything down. Or people are just going to think I’m a flake. Donna
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July 12, 2006
Got sandal foot? My heels get so rough in the summer they eat my nylons all fall and half the winter. But, one of my newsletter subscribers sent this tip in and it’s dandy. Keep a little stack of sand paper (anywhere from 80-220 grit) on the back of your toilet tank. When you climb out of the shower, put your foot on the back of the toilet seat over the bowl, with the lid up. Sand your heels and then flush all those rough edges away. The sandpaper is much less expensive than the little foot files and if sanded over the toilet bowl there is no mess.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Thanks for sharing the tip about sandpaper. I may have to try it. My heels are so scratchy!
I've posted a WFMW tip as well. Stop by and take a peek! :) Overwhelmed
GREAT idea! I have the same feet...Awesome. Hugs Lammyann
I use a stone for mine; I also sleep with socks on and use heavy duty cream. My husband HATES my rough feet. You know some times it's caused by a virus like athletes foot. You should check with your doc. Pam Baker
(Thanks for the heads-up Pam. I didn't know that a virus could cause rough feet...I'll have to remember that. I think mine is mostly from gardening, walking and changing sprinklers in bare feet/ sandals because it goes away in the winter. When I was little I used to sleep with bag balm and socks on my hands when they were chapped...I'll have to try it for my feet. Again, thanks for your tip.)
What a lovely blog you have. Great tip too with the sandpaper. I will try this tip out for sure. Thank you for your kind comments on my blog.
Blessings
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Day Six. You Really Do Need One.
July 11, 2006
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.” Jane Howard
One of the great things about families is they fill in the gaps. You don’t have to know it all or do it all when you’re part of a family, because someone else can cover till you figure it out. I cannot bake a decent pie to save my soul. But Ande can. She made two fresh raspberry pies last night.
This morning the toilet was leaking again. It seems to be a phantom leak. I'm the only one that's heard it or seen it. By the time Calvin got there, it had stopped. He wondered aloud if he should take the chance of making the problem worse by fixing it himself or call a plumber and pay an arm and leg. Thinking aloud gives the benefit of an audience helping to solve the problem, and we decided to sit it out until Trevor comes to visit next week and can fix it.
And so it goes through the rest of our family, each one fills a gap and as a whole we are much stronger than we are individually. “Whoever you are, you need a family.”
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Day Five. Middle Age.
July 10, 2006
Ande asked yesterday when middle age is—like I should know. I thought about it and said, “Well. I guess about now for me ‘cause in theory I’m halfway through my lifespan.” Even though my mouth said it, my brain didn’t believe it (my tongue has tricked my brain more than once and said something it didn’t send).
This morning I was thinking about Ande’s question and thought of Grandpa Hoops. Grandpa did a lot of service in his later years and one day when he was in his upper eighties I asked him what he was going to do that week. He said, “I’ve got to go help the old people.” I thought he was teasing. He wasn’t. I guess age is one of those things that looks and sounds right on everyone else.
Many years ago I listened to an octogenarian give a talk on the cycle of life. She used fabric on a scroll as her visual aid. The first piece of fabric was green. She said it represented the growing years. The next fabric was a busy print calico. She said it represented the hectic years of raising a family. The next fabric was red. She said it represented the debt years of kids in college, paying a mortgage and saving for retirement. I think the next fabric was linen or velvet. She said these are the plush and fine years where you don’t push as hard as before and you relax and enjoy the fruit of your efforts. The final piece was metallic cloth. Using the oft quoted pun, she said it represented the years of “lead in your feet, silver in your hair and gold in your teeth” and the richness of seeing the future generations rising.
Today I have more time at my disposal than ever before. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. Laundry takes a few hours versus all day. I can cook all the vegetables I want for dinner and no one complains. I have a part-time job away from our home. I have hobbies that aren’t child related. I no longer see a meal eaten by myself as a luxury. I laugh alone during the day. Our mortgage isn’t paid. Most of our kids are in college. Retirement is coming faster than our account is growing. According to my octogenarian friend, I’m in the red years. My mouth spoke the truth, I am middle-aged and it’s a good thing I like red ‘cause I think I'm going to be here awhile.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
I thought of you when I read Boomama on Mon. I decided I'm like her and you--I can get giddy about a bargain and a great find! Hope you are having a great day! Melanie
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Day Four. Sundays
July 9, 2006
I love Sundays—always have. Sundays mean going to church, a big dinner, a nap, phone visits or e-mails from family and popcorn.
Church: I’ve always been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints—for that I am forever grateful.
Dinner: It usually cooks while we’re at church, so it’s ready when we get home. Today I put chicken breasts in the crock-pot, peppered them heavily with lemon pepper and salt and then added a big handful of herbs on top. I picked some sage, thyme, lemon thyme, oregano and lemon mint (I just went down the row of herbs and grabbed a little of several) then added some onions and wilted celery and turned the crock pot on low.
Surprisingly, it was very good, the chicken tasted just like dressing. I made a little gravy from the juice and Ande mashed the potatoes and fixed the squash. A big dinner leads perfectly into a . . .
Nap: Sunday is a day of rest, right . . . this is the easiest part of “keep(ing) the Sabbath day holy”!
Phone calls and e-mails: Sunday nights is a time for everyone to check in. The college kids call and we receive an e-mail from our son who is serving a mission for the Church. No matter how many miles or nations we’re apart, Sunday nights we’re all gathered in the family room together again via the computer or telephone.
Popcorn: Sunday evening is not complete without a big bowl of popcorn with a family movie, visits from friends, a good book or a game of hide-n-seek.
I’m glad there is a Sunday every week.
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Day Three. Saturday Night
July 8, 2006
me lee janet
As my sister, Marcia, reminded me recently, one of mom’s most memorable sayings was, “Save the bathwater.” Especially on Saturday nights. A family of twelve church-goers meant a lot of hot water and bodies bathing on Saturday night. After our summer baths, we little kids sat on the couch with pink sun-burned faces and watched Lawrence Welk—Bobby and Cissy dancing, Guy and Ralna making honeymoon eyes at each other, and my favorite, the trio of Sandy, Mary Lou and Gail. If my hair was long that year, I sat quietly while mom or one of the big girls rolled it in pink curlers, if not . . . hooray, it air-dried straight and fly-away like. Supper on Saturday nights was often bread, milk and honey, the bread being baked earlier in the day. Saturday was a get-the-work-done-day and a bath, especially in used water, meant the end.
Saturdays today are still spent preparing for Sunday. We often bake bread, clean the house, mow the lawn
and afterwards I compare the sandal stripes on my feet to see how much sun I got during the day. One of my favorite Saturday evening things still is to eat a bowl of bread, milk and honey and catch a rerun of Lawrence Welk. But, thank heavens for quick-turnaround water heaters, I no longer have to bathe in saved lukewarm and gritty bathwater.
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Day Two. More than I like raspberries . . . .
July 7, 2006
Our neighbor called to see if we wanted raspberries last night. Since our raspberries are the kind we have to mow flat each fall and don’t produce berries until late August, I’m always glad when my neighbor calls to share his. Ande and I picked this morning and as much as I love raspberry pie, as much as I love raspberry shortcake, as much as I love raspberries over ice cream . . . I love the old blue cardigan I’m wearing in this picture even more. It was a hand-me-down many years ago and even though I left it hanging on a post in the yard through one winter and it has many holes, it is still wearable around home and in raspberry patches. L.L. Bean knows how to knit a sweater. My cardigan reminds me of a worn blanket that a toddler might carry around—only I’m mature enough not to suck my thumb . . . I merely bite my fingernails.
Today I sent out the 100th Neighbor Jane Payne newsletter. Who knew two years ago when I started this endeavor that I could be so wordy? (I’m certain Calvin had an inkling.) To celebrate the 100th milestone I asked subscribers to send in one-line descriptions—the oldest NJP subscriber is 84 and the youngest one is 13 and come from many walks in life.
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The Thirty Day Challenge.
I’m finally taking the Stacy Jillian challenge. Stacy is a preserving memories expert—I especially appreciate her journaling advice. Stacy suggests taking a couple of photographs each day for 30 days about normal daily living, then adding your thoughts and attaching a memento or two (like a cash register receipt, ticket stub, dandelion that was picked just for you, etc.). Stacy also suggests doing this once every four or five years. I’ve decided to share parts of my 30 day challenge on The Neighbor’s Blog:
Day One. The Early Morning Routine.
July 6, 2006
When my summer, early morning routine goes perfect, it flows something like this: Get up at 5:30, make a toast/egg/ham sandwich for Calvin, go on a walk, come back and fix breakfast and have scriptures and prayers with Ande before she leaves for her job, work in the garden for a little bit, and then gather the eggs. Granted, my schedule went much more perfectly before the internet (in particular, blogging) and I get sidetracked some days.
A few weeks ago I left some eggs under one hen that wanted to set. She hatched a couple of chicks last week. Those poor chicks have a dozen mothers. My kids would not want to imagine 12 me's in their life. I can't tell who's giddier—the chicks trying to listen to a dozen hens or the hens trying to out-boss each other.
Summer mornings are so very satisfying to me, I know gardening and chickens and walking and musing aren’t for everybody, but it’s like my little soul gets a nice bath each morning before the mud flies. For me, it’s as Laura Ingalls Wilder said, “It is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
Lila Bell called to say that Kimi died yesterday. Lila and Kimi are some of my Idaho friends. Lila is twenty years older than me and Kimi is twenty years younger than me. Doctors found massive cancer throughout Kimi’s body two weeks ago. I think of sunflowers and yellow when I think of Kimi; she personified yellow. She was constantly doing kind things for others. Lila said the day before Kimi died she asked her aunt to put little bags together for all of the people who cared for her in the hospital. She specified the type of candy to put in them, which bookmark, and that she wanted the bags tied with yellow ric-rac and raffia. That act is so Kimi. I’m blessed to have been her friend.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Dear Jane,
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds a lot like you. I can
see you doing something like that. I hope you know that I will pray for
your comfort and the comfort of your friends' family. Love, Susan
Hi! I found your blog through ldswomensblogs. You have a beautiful blog and I enjoyed reading it! I am still new at this blogging thing and have a lot to learn! Amber
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July 5, 2006
Everybody knows gas prices are high, but this site tells you where they are the lowest in your area. Enter your zip code (or the zip codes for cities you're going to visit) and watch the map and prices come up. The lowest gas prices around—it especially works for Ande and her gas-guzzling Oldsmobile!
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
Just as I suspected, it's expensive everywhere. But we are shopping at the "least" expensive place already - Sam's Club. So depressing! Katherine
Thanks for that link, Jane. I'm happy the gas station I frequent is only 2nd on the list. Unfortunately--the cheapest one is far enough away that the gas I'd use to get there would make up for what I saved. And I bet the Oldsmobile doesn't guzzle as much as my Durango does. :) Clare
Ohh, thanks for the link. Adding it to my 'favorites' as soon as I'm done. I have visited your site a few times. I am enjoying perusing.
Pam
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Quotable Quotes
July 4, 2006
“The Spirit of God . . . is also the spirit of freedom.”—Alma 61:15
Many times I have felt that warm swelling inside that let’s me know that God is near. I have felt it while praying, or hearing inspired words of counsel and encouragement, or while receiving kind acts or doing kind things for others. I have felt it while standing at the edge of the ocean or high in the mountains. I’ve felt it at random times during the day while watching something so simple as children play. And, I have felt that same feeling while standing in the Lincoln Memorial, at the base of Mt. Rushmore, on the plains of West Point, in the fields of the Air Force Academy, and while singing songs of America.
I am so grateful to be an American and proud we’re helping others to receive the spirit of freedom.
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I Learned it in the Garden . . .
July 3, 2006
I love the lazy days of summer…this week-end we really took advantage of them. We went on a bike ride Saturday evening.
 
(This picture is so typical of a different-ness between Calvin and me. I make-do and adapt to things that don’t work right. He stops and tinkers with it until it does.)
I mentioned last week that a few rows of the garden got out of control with weeds (it’s still waiting for grass clippings). Cali had several days off of work in a row, so she came home and was helping me and Ande hoe the garden. We were working along when Cali said, “Ande, I promise. Someday you will love gardening. I used to hate it, too, but now it just feels so good.” Ande couldn’t be begged into believing her. Cali continued to hack and said, “Don’t you think it feels good to be out here doing something to these weeds?”
I said, “You know, I was just going to say the same thing. It feels so good to . . .”
Cali interrupted, “DESTROY something.”
I said, “Well, I was thinking…..”
Ande said, "You were going to say something about how good it feels to help these little plants grow, weren't you?"
Cali said, “But I think it’s very satisfying to attack something that needs to be destroyed.”
She paused, “I’ve got so much more of Dad in me than you.” And to think…she learned that in the garden.
Gardening tip of the week: Let the weeds take over a row or two every now and then. It’s healthy agression therapy.
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Amazingly Enough . . .
July 1, 2006
This morning Calvin and I were sitting at the table paying the bills. I turned to get something from the cupboard behind me and kink--I pinched something in my back. It’s been years since I felt that same crick. Alas, I couldn’t
pick the herbs for dinner
or
weed the garden
or
spray the weeds.
However, amazingly enough I could still
sit in the computer chair and I’m sure it will get completely better now that the
sprinklers are going and the Saturday work is finished.
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please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com
So this is what it would take for me to delegate the family duties. Paying bills and turning around...sounds easy enough. I might try this to see what I can get out of. Problem is that it leaves more time for the kids to get in trouble. Maybe this is better filed away in memory for a time when I can get GOOD HARD work out of them. For now we should probably leave the 2,4,5 year olds alone and let them play. Their time will get here soon enough, right? Great blog day, I laughed and no it wasn't at you! Have a great Sunday!--MB
MB--yes, yes...you're right. This only works once they know how to get their own drinks and can switch the laundry...but file it away where you can find it...it's a handy tip. --JP
Is your blog up and going yet?
That is a very cute tip. Maybe you should've used that for WFMW! Seriously, I hope your back feels better soon! At least you have such great help. And your lawn and garden look great! Nettie
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