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Amazing. February 27, 2008
Amazing. This is the first time I’ve traveled with a lap top and been able to post from afar—in this case, 10,000 feet in the air. Heretofore, I’ve relied on hotel lobby computers when we travel and I can’t write a post in the fifteen minute time limit, but thanks to Calvin and wireless internet, posting is an option.
As we flew into Portland I wondered about Thister Thaster, Price Cream Parlor and Delightful Distraction. The blog world has certainly changed the way I see a city now. I am relieved to record the seatbelts fit—on both of our flights. That’s always an under-toned comfort to me when I don’t have to lengthen the strap from the previous user. It’s like a scale without a bathroom.
I’ve been alternating between reading my physical science textbook, reading The Book Thief and visiting with Calvin. I’ll let you guess which of the three is my favorite thing to do. Calvin alternates between reading National Geographic Adventure magazine, explaining my physical science book to me and trying to avoid eye-contact with the chatty, little, six-year-old sitting across the aisle that literally has not stopped talking since take-off (she’s singing "A.B.C.’s right now staccato style). If he looks at her she peppers him with questions about his personal life. He just whispered to me, "Somebody needs to give that little girl a lollipop." She’s endearing to us both, but not enough for Calvin to answer her and risk exposure.
Physical Science is still not making lots of sense. When we flew to Hawaii a few years ago, the captain held a contest for everyone on board, He gave us several pieces of trivia—our altitude, the tail wind speed, departure time, total miles—b-o-r-i-n-g stuff (now if he’d have gone around the cabin and had everyone tell a little bit about themselves—why they were going to Hawaii, what they ate for breakfast, what their favorite thing to do on Saturday when time and money are not an issue is—you know, pertinent information, he’d have had my undivided attention). After he dispensed his mathematical details he said he had a gift basket for anyone that could compute the exact time we would reach the half-way point to our destination. (I don’t think I entered because he forgot to tell us our estimated arrival time and how was I going to figure out the half-way point if I couldn’t use my old tried and true, add or take-away? My idea was to find the difference between the departure time and expected arrival time then divide it by two and then [since subtraction is my strong suit] take it away from our suggested arrival time. I thought, "Really, captain, there’s no need for wind speed, altitude, etc in the way I solve story problems. I think that’s what we termed as ‘unnecessary information’ in third grade.") When the captain announced the winner a few hours into our flight, he announced the winner from OUR row. It was none other than Ty, and his scratch sheet had lots of computations with division, multiplication, using ALL the trivia the captain gave us. Ty was within a second or two thus putting mine and the other hundred or so entries to shame.
If Newton’s law is true (and my book insists it is) and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, well, any day now physics should start making sense. I’m pleased to report I had one minor breakthrough yesterday as Calvin kissed me and our lips sparked. I said, "Hey! You want to know what just happened? My lips are CHARGED with electrons and your lips are just neutral, but your protons got so EXCITED by my electrons they were stealing them!"
Calvin said, "No, what it means is you shuffle your feet when you walk."
Like I said, I’m banking on Newton and the "relative" theory of Einstein to pull me through.
Tomorrow the kids will join us and Calvin’s siblings’ families will all be gathered, too—it will be great to see them, especially since the last family reunion was sixteen years ago.
Okay, the plane is starting to descend so that must mean something is happening with velocity, force, electromagnetic fields and gravity. I have no idea what…but I do know enough to know something is going on. Oh, and friction. Something with friction is going on, too. (I missed some friction questions on the last quiz, obviously it gets its feelings hurt when it is left out.) I’ll upload when we land and I have a connection again. The sunset is gorgeous, by the way.
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Jane! What a fun entry. I love that you got to do it from the airplane! That is really fun. I send all my prayers for your family in the next few days. Love, Susan
Oh, too funny. You reduced romance to protons and neutrons. Somehow that just takes the stars right out of it. I hope Ty is very grateful for his math abilities. Enjoy the family. Hold them tight.
Lynn
Jane, First, I want to tell you how sorry I am for the loss of your fil. It sounds like he was a wonderful person, and your relationship was beautiful. I enjoy so much reading your blog-- it lifts me and brightens my day. Thank you for this gift in my life. Viki
Hi Jane My sister, Ruth Palmer, introduced me to your blog which I really enjoy. This week I was very touched to read about Bob Payne. Your remembrances of him make me appreciate the great heritage which I have. Even though he is my first cousin, I am so much younger that I was never really acquainted with him. His picture, however, reminded me of many of my uncles, and the pictures of my grandfather, Harry “M” Payne, whom I have never met. I also pulled out the Harry M Payne family history book to see who Calvin’s siblings are and I was pleasantly surprised to see Beverly’s name. Years ago when I lived in Mesa, we became acquainted because we lived in the same stake (Maricopa Stake) and had young children that were close in age. I hope you will tell her hello for me—our family moved away from Mesa and I don’t know where she and her family ended up. My love and condolences go out to you and Calvin and your extended family. Mary Payne Hartman, daughter of Harry Vearle Payne
Jane, I love the picture of Bob in the raspberries! So cute with that John Deere hat on. I'm so sorry for the loss your family is feeling. I love all the stories and and photos you shared. They are priceless. Thinking of each one of you. Love, Melanie
Jane, I too am sorry for your loss. He sounded like and I am sure he was a wonderful father n law, dad, and father figure. That is a great family photo of the kids with them. Jenny :)
It is so cool that you could blog from your plane! And keep it so tight and entertaining with distracting ABC's being staccato'd at you! Have a wonderful time reuniting with family, and see if you can convert them all to blogging :-)
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Bob helping us pick raspberries at our neighbor's this summer
Robert L. Payne
February 26, 2008
I wrote several days ago that my father-in-law, Bob, had a massive stroke. He passed away this weekend. The first time I met Bob was at the Phoenix Stock Show. I had gone down with a team of BYU students to show feeder calves and Calvin, who had gone home for a visit, brought his dad over to meet me. I was out on the wash rack in rubber hip boots and a vest, my hair was flat from the water mist, I was stepping in manure and my fingernails were black. Gentleman like, Bob shook my dirty hand anyway and told me he was glad to meet me. After I finished washing the calves, Calvin and Bob took me to my motel so I could change clothes. I put on the most stylish thing I had—a pair of grey corduroy pants with a short-waisted, long-sleeved, pin-striped shirt. Calvin and Bob parked at the bottom of the stairway and watched me descend. I could not have felt more uncomfortable if I’d been swiveling my hips and waving widely as a contestant on a stage. I willed myself not to trip and fall and make a scene. Calvin got out of the pickup and I climbed in between him and his dad. As we pulled out of the parking lot, Calvin leaned over and quietly whispered “Your pants are unzipped.”
I shushed, “No sir.” Surely they weren’t, my shirt was too short to cover my zipper. Calvin raised his eyebrows and nodded that yes indeed, they were. I carefully felt the front of my pants and yes, indeed they were. Bob pretended not to notice and changed the subject. He loved me in spite of my inability to make a good first impression.
Bob was a happy man. He hummed or whistled all day, every day as he worked and he made us laugh with his stories. One time when “Grandpa” and “Grandma” were driving to church with us Cali asked Grandpa to tell us about their courtship. Grandpa began the story, but Grandma kept interrupting to tell it her way. Cali asked, “How did you ask her out on a date, Grandpa?”
Bob said, “Weeeellll, I don’t really remember. . . ” he paused while he looked upward and tightened his lips, “I guessed I called her up on the phone.”
Grandma interrupted, “No Bob. You didn’t. You didn’t have a phone. We were the only ones that had a phone in town, remember?”
Grandpa slowly shrugged and said, “Well, I guess I sent her smoke signals then and told her when I’d pick her up” and quietly resumed his story.
Bob was a sharer. One time when he flew up to help Calvin build a workroom in the shop he brought two suitcases—one for his clothes and one filled with Anaheim chili peppers from his garden (what do you think security thought of that new secret weapon?). He often mailed seeds he’d saved from his garden for us to plant in ours. Bob served for many years as a postal carrier and everything he didn’t hand deliver he sent through the United States Postal Service.
Bob, Audrey, Abe, Cali, Ande and Ty in the summer of 2007
Bob made a difference in my life and in the lives of people he loved, served and with whom he mingled. And though he has gone on, there is a part of him that still remains in me. His example and kindness and love will always fill me with warmth, no matter how far away he is. And, I will still hear Bob every time Ty whistles and every time Cali teases. (See that notch in Bob’s right ear? There are fifteen stories of how it got there. My favorite version is that he was roaming and fighting the drug lords in Australia with Crocodile-Dundee-Wally [Bob and Audrey served an LDS mission there] and when Mick shot, the bullet missed Wally but nicked Bob’s ear. Sacrificing a piece of his ear was the least he could do to bring order to the outback.) I will still see Bob in Ande’s jovial smile and gentle personality and in the concerned way Trent watches over his little daughter. I will still feel Bob in Abe’s loyalty and in Trevor’s desire to keep family close. I will still see Bob often in Calvin—both his little habits as well as in principle—and in every garden he plants and new batch of chicks he starts (Bob began married life as a chicken farmer and he often asked about our hens).
As Hugh B. Brown said, “Death is not the end. It is putting out the candle because the dawn has come.” As predictable and even sappy as this sounds, I am so grateful to have been influenced by Bob’s flame.
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I am so sorry to hear about your beloved Bob. ((HUG)) Dana
Jane, I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts will be with you this week. kristi cutler
Oh, if only you could have video of him, because I'm sure he was hilarious. I'm so sorry to hear of Bob, I hope you have a good trip there. Give Calvin a hug from us. Susan
Condolences and love from this neck of the woods. Bob sounds like he would have been a great friend to anyone and a great dad, dad-in-law and grandpa. Annie
I happened upon your site via Lelly's...I hope you don't mind. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your father-in-law. My FIL is almost 85 and I too so enjoy him (most of the time anyway...HA) and have learned so much from both he and my mother-in-law. I count this as such a blessing because so many "in laws" just don't get along. It's a shame because it's a loss for everyone. It sounds like your relationship with him was beautiful. Take care. Linda
Hi Jane, I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. But thank you for sharing some touching stories and thoughts about such a dear man (and our wonderful prophet, President Hinckley). The kind of lives those two men lived I'm sure inspired countless people to be better in many ways. And your newsletter today inspired me to work a little harder and try and little more to be good today. :) Leslie
Hi Jane, It was sad to hear about Bob though I have been expecting to hear from you. When I saw a letter from Jane Payne I knew what it was probably about. Knowing the plan it is probably a great day for him but I know about that "hole" you are talking about--especially for Audrey. Please remember me to Bob's family and express my condolances. Tell Carol Hi for me if you see her. Sending love......................Ruth
Jane, I was sorry to hear about your Father-in-law. It sounds like he was a great example. Thanks for sharing your memories, I enjoyed reading them. Mindy
When you wrote about Bob's stroke, I thought how nice it was that Bob and Audrey made a visit to see you back in the summer when all your kids were home. That is a great photo that will be cherished for generations to come. Love, Barb
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bingo prizes
Life in My World
February 25, 2008
Oh my goodness. I’m steadily going downhill on my physical science class assignments. The first grade was an A- and then it was a B+ and then a B- and Saturday’s was a C. See what I mean about going s-t—e-a-d-i-l-y downhill? If I only had to have 8 grades total I wouldn’t panic….I would be happy to begin with an A and end with an F and come out with a C. But since there are 30 grades….well, we can all see I’m headed for trouble (it warns you at the beginning of the course that each chapter builds on the previous one. My building obviously isn’t stable.) However, Calvin said he’d start reading the chapters with me and help and I’m thinking he’s as much a part of an open book test as me because we are ONE aren’t we? At least that was what they told me when we got married.
Every Monday night all over the world members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hold what we call family home evening—an evening at home with the family. Since we have been assigned to go to a ward (LDS congregation) with only single members between the ages of 18-30 for the next few years, we have family home evening with them each Monday. Tonight we played bingo and I had to make treats for three of the prizes. Feeling a little hurried I made all no bake items: rice krispie treats, s’mores bars and white chocolate/pretzel drops. Calvin hoped to win the homemade rolls and I hoped to win the pizza certificate, but we’re roll-less and pizza-less, albeit Mitch (the caller) gave us every chance to win!
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52 Blessings
February 24, 2008
Early morning hours have such a sweet taste to them. These are the hours few people want and so the time is undemanding, smooth and still. Few things are as peaceful to me as praying in the light of an early morning moon and then reading the scriptures after. My mind is most creative and fresh during these hours and so planning and preparing for the events of the day is energizing rather than draining. For me, swapping late night hours and an occasionally afternoon hour (for a nap) for the early morning hours is a worthy trade; and though each morning I hate to see these hours slip away, I can be contented that there will be a new set early tomorrow morning.
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I so wish I was an early morning person. Seems like people who are morning people get so much more accomplished in the day. I am not really a night owl either though. My mom tells me that I used to sleep 12 hours a night when I was a baby up until I went to school. Sleep is good and I don't seem to get enough these days! :) Tina
The romantic way you say it almost makes me want to get up in the morning! Wow. Lucy
I'm with Lucy! I have never been a morning person but the way you write it lets me know I am missing something. I'm pretty sure I would fall asleep by the time 10 am rolled around. But if anyone needs a go to girl at 1 or 2 in the morning, I'm you're girl. I thought I would 'out grow' that bad habit but so far it hasn't happened. A girl can dream right? Love, Melanie
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Friday Links
February 22, 2008
Thanks to Amy’s food blog, I have discovered tortellini. Oh my goodness. How could I have missed this glorified macaroni all these years? I bought tortellini to make a salad recipe from Amy’s blog and although I haven’t made the salad yet, I did make tortellini soup and tortellini/fettuccini Alfredo with chicken. Amy’s Food Blog is an inspiration and the recipes tried-and-true. I can’t wait to try the raspberry cupcake recipe featured on it now, it's just in time for the spring strawberries/summer raspberries around the corner.
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Jane, how did you miss tortellini? That is quite amazing. It's SOOOO good. We've made it from scratch several times and it's SOOOO yummy! Costco has a good tortellini in the deli/fresh section. Winco has a tri-color mix in the dry bulk section that I have yet to try, but I will let you know if it's good! Great discovery for you, I am glad you are no longer deprived! Tina
Jane, Tomorrow I am teaching the Sunbeams. Right now as I'm preparing their lesson I thought I'd peruse your site for good tips. And of course, you don't disappoint! I never thought of keeping "hands constructively engaged while learning" before. That makes so much sense! So, instead of making the little ones wait until after their lesson, I'll let them color while I'm teaching. Very smart. Ethan's teacher brings Koosh balls to class. I'm not exactly sure what she does with them, but I know the kids are eager to use them. In regards to tortellini, I discovered it about three years ago when I got my Dinner is Ready book for OAMC. She has a recipe in there for Chicken Tortellini Soup. Oh. my. yumminess!! I love to think of all the tortellini possibilities. Our former Relief Society president once made a salad with three different kinds of tortellini and cubed ham and dressing once. I think there may have been grated parmesan. It was mouth-watering. Back to my lesson! Nikki
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Cali illustrating Jacob’s Ladder
Teaching Idea—Jacob’s Ladder
February 21, 2008
One of my favorite teaching methods is to keep my student’s hands constructively busy while teaching a concept, thus employing muscle memory. Things like brushing our teeth, riding a bike or folding clothes are all skills that are done without a conscious effort once they are learned and repeated several times. (We may not ride a bike for twenty years, but it comes right back once we put up the kickstand, our hands on the handlebars and sit on the seat.) Incorporating a principle or concept at the same time as repeatedly doing an activity can help retention. (Think of Akeelah in Akeelah and the Bee jumping rope while she spelled her words.)
Jacob’s ladder is a fun string formation that is hidden back in the recesses of many of our muscle memories from grade school days (if it’s not stuck in yours, consider buying this Klutz book) and taught the world over in childhood circles. It has several applications, but two obvious ones are
· to teach about Jacob’s vision in Genesis where he sees a ladder that stretches to heaven
· to teach that things are learned “line upon line, precept upon precept” just as you climb a ladder one step at a time to reach the top
Do you have any activities like string art, coloring, etc to keep hands constructively engaged while learning? I’d love to hear them.
**updated to add: Calvin came in and saw the string and said, "Hey, Cali, come here and I'll teach you how to do the teacup. This is something you NEVER forget." Bingo! without knowing, he proved the point I was trying to make.
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Oh Jane! What you have started at our house with Jacob's Ladder! We have "ladder wars" now to see who can go the fastest. And Megan is practicing none stop so she can beat another one of your students, "without even looking". To be honest, I'm a little sick of Jacob's Ladder already! Please, make it stop! Give them something else to do! Teach the teacup! I'm begging you! Susan
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wheat pocket sandwiches filled with beef, potatoes and onions
Homemaking Tip—Pocket Sandwiches
February 20, 2008
Pocket sandwiches are great in to-go lunches or fresh from the oven. Everything is contained in a pocket sandwich so the mess is minimal and they store well, too. Calvin likes to take the steak and potatoes sandwiches hunting. I like the bbq ones and Abe likes the pizza ones. (By saving a bit of leftover bbq or cooked steaks in the freezer, you can please everyone on the same day by making several kinds.) To make pocket sandwiches
- Roll out your favorite roll dough (in the linked recipe, I use the dough before freezing it)
- Cut out a circle with biscuit or cookie cutter (or glass or can)
- Fill the center with a tablespoon or two of filling. Our favorite fillings include:
Sloppy Joe’s or BBQ’s
Ham cubes and cheddar cheese
Steak, potatoes, onions (cook before using)
Pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni
Chicken and mozzarella cheese
- Put another circle of dough on top of circle with filling.
- Seal edges tight (I usually pinch them, press them with a fork or use a Pampered Chef sealer/cutter) and then poke the top with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Bake (do not let them rise first or the seals will pop open) at 350 until browned nicely—18-20 minutes.
- Brush the tops of the sandwiches with butter.
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Jane!! A new lunch idea!! I'm so excited about this I can hardly stand it! I'm trying it tomorrow! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Susan
Okay, I thought the caramel was it, but this is the best tip you have ever, ever, EVER had!! I have the Pampered Chef cutter/sealer, and henceforth, it has only been used for fancy PB&H. Oh, oh the possibilities. We will begin with BBQ ones from the roast I cooked last night, and probably throw in some pizza ones, too. Chance’s lunch will never be the same . . . . Thank you!! -Heather
Dear Blog Buddies, as you’ve noticed, commenting on my blog takes a bit of effort to e-mail me versus clicking onto an immediate comment block. I’ve had my website for nearly four years, but the blog for only two so when I started it I chose to keep the blog a part of the whole website rather than switch everything to a blog template (I think blogger/typepad/wordpress/etc thank me). So…when I receive your comments, I cut, paste and then upload them. Occasionally, if your comments are of a personal nature (which I really do appreciate) I don’t post them at all. And sometimes, well, sometimes . . .
Jane – you edited me!!! I can’t believe it. Oh, the anguish. You should know, after the scrapbook pages of the bees, that all we eat at our house is Peanut Butter & Honey! The Jelly can go on toast or waffles, but rarely gets the privilege of pairing with the Peanut Butter! You silly goose ;-)
PS – thanks for trying to take care of me, though. Lord knows I make enough little (& big) mistakes ;-)
Oh Heather, HOW FUNNY! I saw it and thought, "Peanut butter and ham? Surely they don't eat peanut butter and ham." Then I looked at the keyboard and thought, "Oh, I get it, 'j' is right next to 'h'. I'll bet she hit the wrong one." Then I thought, "Should I fix it or let it go? Hmmm. It'll BUG her to see she's hit a wrong key if she looks at it again. I think I better fix it for her, so I turned your ‘H’ into a ‘J’. YOU NAILED ME. How very, very funny. It's the perfectionistic you that ALWAYS gets things right that I so admire...and I tried to correct it :) Joke is on me! Love, Jane
Oh ho, sometimes I get it all mixed up! Thanks for your comments, I really do appreciate them . . . and honey. I appreciate it, too, Heather!
Wish you were a blogspot blogger . . . but you are not, and that's okay too. I can certainly take the time to send my comments in email format from now on. I just wanted you to know, I'm committing to making the effort.:) Also, I'm making those sandwiches tonight for my little brother and sister! I'll let you know how it goes! CD
That's what I did wrong! I let them rise the one time I tried this idea. Thanks for the tip, I'll give it another try one of these days. Barb
Instead of making them can I just pop in for lunch. Those look delicious and hey tomorrow is creative Friday. Hmmm Angie and I will be right over :) Jenny
We love these in our home. We call them Cowboy Sandwiches. I never thought to poke the top with a fork. That would make a lot more sense. We have done pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni as well. But Danny's favorite is from his mom: ground beef and onion with chopped cabbage cooked until beef is no longer pink. Add a little ketchup and grated cheddar. I used to make a lot of little ones called Kid-friendly Chicken Bites, but they take way too much work for how fast they're inhaled! So I prefer the cowboy sandwiches because I can do bigger ones and not as many. They freeze well too. Hmm... the kids would love it if I made these for Fun Friday dinner tomorrow. Thanks Jane! Great pictures as well. :) Nikki
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SPT—Pick Me Up
February 19, 2008
When I need a little pick-me-up, music does the trick.
When I need a big pick-me-up, then a trip to the temple does the trick.
(Sorry, I didn’t mean to make the temple look like my hat!)
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oh now music is a great spt!! i, of course, had to do my standby but music is right up there. music can change the entire mood, can't it? isn't it wonderful how you can be transported in time or memory by a song? great choice!! carlo
Music always affects my mood, so I use it wisely! --Jill
Music is definitely a mood-changer for me as well. I love my boys getting older because now we rock out together in the car and have a list of "our songs". Something I didn't think of on this SPT though. And thank you for the reminder that it's past time for me to have a Big pick-me up. The temple definitely does that & more. --Amy
Two great choices. I should put some music on right now and get back to cleaning! ~Elizabeth
music always keeps me tapping my fingers too. You definitely nailed the temple right on, even if it does look like a hat :) Jenny
Great choices both! I absolutely love the second picture. Michelle
Hi Jane, I read Lelly's challenge with no ideas of my own but I am finding a few future 'pick-me-ups' to try. Music is a great idea! And the temple doesn't really look like a hat, more like you are experiencing a special 'light bulb moment' which is probably pretty accurate for temple attendance.
Your trip to big town made me think of Little House in the Big Woods when the Ingalls family goes to the town of Pepin. I also like to stock up, and feel prepared for an emergency with well stocked cupboards, but that system always worries me at the end of the cycle with the empty cupboards. Sometimes I get home from Costco and think to myself that this would really be the right time for an icestorm in my life :-)
I am now going to encourage my most affectionate daughter, Carmen, to go into nursing to improve my future geriatric life. I'm willing to supply the trail mix in the meantime! It is fun to read about your full life.
Love, Barb
Jane, I love your pick-me-ups, they always help me too! Mindy Mounts
My two favorite pick-me-ups: Dinner with my husband; a DJ’s Scrappin’ Retreat!! -Heather
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Life in My World
February 18, 2008
I like grocery shopping because I love full kitchen cupboards. Self-sufficiency is its own reward. My favorite way to grocery shop is to do the whole month’s shopping in one big trip. I hadn’t been big grocery shopping in a long time—we were completely out of tuna fish if that is an indicator of how long. So Saturday I went to Big Town. My first stop was
to get scrapbook paper/supplies for the next book I’m working on—if I don’t go to the fabric and craft stores when I’m fresh, then all of the stimuli and consequent ideas DO ME IN, but when I’m fresh? Inspiring. I found great hues of browns, blues and greens in ribbon, paper and embellishments for either Abe’s scrapbook or Ty’s mission scrapbook. Though Craft Warehouse doesn’t really constitute as grocery shopping, when you go to Big Town you make every store count.
The next stop was
at the mall to exchange some levis I got for Christmas. Bless my family’s heart, they thought I needed slims, when what I really need is jiggle room for my thighs. Though Eddie Bauer’s could hardly be considered groceries either, when you’re in Big Town . . .
The next stop was Costco. The place where you can spend $140.11 for a little box like this,
but can still eat for $2.98
I found a better deal on scrapbooks at Costco than what I’d just paid at Craft Warehouse, so I backtracked and returned the book and then went to
for the rest of our groceries. I’m glad for the dairy farmers that milk prices are up, but I’m sad for the big price jump in cheese this month (uh-hum, could be why slims don’t fit).
Five hours after I started shopping, I finished and drove to Cali’s work
to say hello and give her a little baggie of trail mix and an orange and apple. Watching her from afar care for her patients was the sweetest thing, she’s amazing. My future geriatric condition is in good hands.
The last stop was at this fun shop out in the middle of some fields between our house and Big Town—
The aisles look like this
with dozens and dozens of three gallon glass jars with metal lids full of candy--mostly chocolates. I found a great deal on specialty salsa and hot pepper jelly for only 95 cents a jar which made me smile big and load my arms full.
The produce is all local so, though it’s not always pretty and waxed like chain grocers', it is fresh.
Calvin helped me unload everything when I got home and while I put things away we warmed up fresh tamales from the Mercantile.
And that is life in my world and cupboards. Do you like to grocery shop and (ideally or realistically) how often do you do it?
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That mercantile looks so fun. It was great to see your big errand day. Even though the town I live in is pretty big I still have a big errand day where I drive over to Honolulu. For Costco and everything. I like to grocery shop if I have a list planned out and some good meals on the horizon. Mostly I just grab the staples and realize when I get home there is still nothing to eat for dinner. Not so satisfying. ~Elizabeth
Oh, I love big shopping day too! And I think I went to the same big shopping places you do, except Eddie Bauer (substitute some store for the kids such as Aeropostale, or Children's place) and add in Target (I can not get away from that store). I went big grocery shopping last week on Meg's birthday, so as to do birthday shopping also. Tess and I were there for 7 hours!! 7 Hours! I tell you, I could barely make it, and Tess was absolutely dragging by the time we got home. I was glad that next day was early release so I didn't have to do lunch. I never seem to make it to the Country Mercantile, always in a hurry to get down there, too tired on the way home. It looks so yummy inside though. I must make the stop one of these days! Susan
Big Town shopping, sigh. It wont be the same for a long, long time. I used to stop at all my favorite stores, Costco, eat at a real restaurant, the LDS bookstore. You name it, I fit it all in! BUT, we went on Friday and let me tell you I made it to my hair stores (a run in, run out stop) and then only TWO (yes, 2!) stores to find clothes that fit this post baby body. I found out my sweet 2 month old doesn't love to ride in a car seat for hours upon hours. I'm not sure why, ha! Anyway, let's just say it's hard to get to Big Town and not get all the shopping done you want. I passed all my old favorites and thought, some day! And I stop at Country Mercantile almost every time we head down there. Well not this time, he was asleep and could not be woken up. I love that place. Pepper jelly for only .95? Jealous! Great post Jane, I pretended I got all that shopping done along side you just reading about it. It was nice to feel productive! Oh and I'm not a fan of grocery shopping. I always, always forget something on my list and then I have to go back! =), Melanie
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“The cure for anything is salt water—sweat, tears, or the sea” ~Isak Dinesen
52 Blessings
February 17, 2008
As I was salting the roast this morning before I put it in the oven, I thought, "Salt is a BIG blessing." Besides the ability to keep Calvin from complaining that the meat has no flavor, salt also has these other fascinating facts
- The human body contains about a half cup of salt.
- Salt is only a penny or two an ounce.
- Without salt, muscles wouldn’t contract, blood wouldn’t circulate, food wouldn’t digest, and the heart wouldn’t beat.
- 15 tons of salt are used every year in the USA to deice roads.
- The exchange of salt for slaves in ancient Greece gave us the phrase “not worth his salt.”
- Salt rations given to early Roman soldiers were known as “salarium”—today we call it “salary.”
- The salt tax was a significant cause of the French Revolution.
- Thousands of Napoleon’s troops died because of wounds that would not heal as a result of a lack of salt.
- British Lord Howe went after General Washington’s salt supply and succeeded, making one sad Washington and one happy Howe.
- Salt has more than 14,000 uses.
- Each American uses more than 16 tons of salt in their lifetime (from making paper, glass, chemicals, and antifreeze to making your fries taste a whole lot better).
- Salt is one of the most common preservatives—preserving pickles to people (Egyptian mummies).
- Until fairly recently, salt bars were the standard currency of Ethiopia.
- Salt was sprinkled on the stage before each performance in old Japanese theatres to keep evil spirits from casting spells on the actors.
- A custom in Arab countries was if you ate another man’s salt you could not harm him in any way while you were in his home and he could not harm you.
- Today we say “take it with a grain of salt” if we are unsure or suspicious of something’s origins. Because salt has healing properties, anciently, many took salt as an antidote for poisonous or suspicious food. So, to take “something with a grain of salt” is to practice preventive medicine.
- And finally, one of my favorite facts about salt—we refer to good people as “the salt of the earth” referencing Christ’s words found in Matthew 5:13 “Ye are the salt of the earth.” If we’re considered the salt of the earth it basically says
we’re essential to the well-being of others,
we are preservers—keepers of families, homes, skills, and moral values,
we have the ability to heal those who hurt,
we make life more flavorful and full;
and
we do it for nearly nothing.
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I think I'm ready for color
Friday Links
February 15, 2008
I feel like I have been in slow motion the last couple of weeks. Things are going good; it just seems like they take forever to happen and it takes a little more effort to work up my enthusiasm for the day. I think it’s time for spring. I think my stay-inside-mode has finally reached its saturation point. The last few mornings I’ve heard the blackbirds and starlings and it has been a welcome screech. Yes, yes, that’s it, a few more birds (like ones with red breasts) and some daffodils and a patch or two of green would definitely be beautiful.
Here are a couple of links from two moms’ Valentine’s Day celebrations that I really enjoyed. Marie is an idea magnet for anything holiday related and creates a lot of fun, and Darla’s post made me laugh . . . whoever has had to wear a macaroni, fruit loop or paper necklace will appreciate her story.
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Oh Jane, I 'm flattered! Such high praise is likely to go to my head! Love, Marie
Happy Valentines Day Jane. And I don't see a crooked seem, you are much to hard on yourself. Have a great night. Jenny :)
Darla wearing that necklace was just the funniest. Rachel
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Valentine pillow case made for Ande with what appears to be a very crooked seam
Happy Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2008
This short article has a couple of my favorite stories in it, if you’ve got time you can read it here:
Love Is Where You Find It
Ever since we made Valentine boxes out of shoe boxes in grade school, I’ve loved this holiday. But remember I didn’t have to go to school when Valentine’s Day was a popularity contest—who got the most kisses from the kissing bandit, who had the most deliveries from the office, who got the most cards—either. That most definitely would have changed my take on the holiday. But since all was fair in love and grade school and since neither Calvin’s nor my primary love language is gift giving, I am never disappointed with this holiday. It’s just a fun little saint's day with chocolate.
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Oh, Matt and I are into the “at home” gourmet meal as well – if I add the babysitter in, I’m at less than ½ price! We did the same thing for Valentine ’s Day, and it was just wonderful. I knew you and I were two peas in a pod ;-) -Heather
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one of my favorite ways to do twice-baked potatoes
half sweet/half white
Homemaking Tip
February 13, 2008
This isn’t a new idea, but it is still tastes good.
Calvin fixed us a Valentine’s dinner tonight—complete with steak, crab, shrimp and a wonderful salad. Although we enjoy eating out occasionally, we enjoy the home-cooked fancy meals even better. When the kids were little I fixed them an early-fun supper and put them to bed and then we fixed and ate our extra-nice dinner alone (lucky for us, their taste for crab hadn’t yet developed so there was no guilt, just peace and quiet). It was a win-win, we didn’t have to find a babysitter and worry about the kids and they thought they’d had a party. As they got older, we picked up a pizza and movie for them to watch in the family room (their taste for shrimp was still underdeveloped) which bought us a couple of hours for a peaceful dinner. As they became older teenagers and adults with a liking for seafood, we invited them to join us. We figure the fancy-cook-at-home meals cost two-thirds of what a restaurant meal costs which is a pretty hefty tip for our efforts and a simple way to celebrate.
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I was tempted to do this tonight....make pizza for my kids and then have salmon and fancy salad and potatoes for ourselves. But, you must be a saint, because the thought of cooking dinner...twice...has me cringing. So, I believe we'll all eat pizza, on our special thin and crunchy crust...and I think I'll cut it into the shape of a heart and enjoy a family sweetheart dinner. I must still be young. Shrimp and crab don't interest me:) Lucy
Those half-and-half twice baked potatoes are a dynamite idea! We love to cook around here, especially Ken. Surf and turf is a great Valentines meal, was there a reason you did it a day early? Just a non-conformist like Ken? Happy Valentines Day! Love, Barb
I've never seen potatoes like that...very clever! We, too, love cooking good food at fun (especially if we're in the kitchen together). And it truly seems like if you spend the money on a good piece of meat what comes off your own grill inevitably tastes far better than anything a restaurant can give you! Happy Valentine's day to you & your loves. Amy
Those potatoes are a pregnant carb craving girls dream come true. Yum! ~Elizabeth
Neat, Jane! We're having our first "family" Valentine's dinner (my husband & I normally go out as a couple), so I went all out with festive decorations. We've got a pink tablecloth, red fake rose petals, "heart" plates and napkins, red candles, a little "favor" at each place setting, etc. The kids are so excited and I don't have the guilt leaving them at home! Happy Valentine's Day! Susan Walker
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Happy Birthday, President Lincoln
February 12, 2008
If my heart were a tree, Abe Lincoln’s initials would be carved in it somewhere—he has left a deep impression on me. In honor of his 199th birthday, here are five things I admire about him.
- Lincoln didn’t take himself too seriously. Once, during a political debate, his rival accused him of being “two-faced.” Lincoln replied, “I leave it to my audience. If I had another face, do you think I’d wear this one?” Humor was his therapy. Once during the dark days of the Civil War, he said, “I laugh because I must not cry; that’s all—that’s all.”
- Lincoln never lost heart. His first business venture failed and then he was badly “swamped” in his run for the state legislature. His second business partner died leaving him with a $1,100 debt. He failed to get an appointment to the U.S. land office, and he was beat twice vying for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Once he was elected President, the South seceded from the union rather than submit “to such humiliation and degradation” as having him as their President. His own political party even asked him to step down rather than run for re-election for the United States Presidency. And yet, with all of that opposition against him, he fought with determination to leave the world better. Or as he said, “I want it said of me by those who know me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”
- Lincoln was “pigeon-hearted”—at least that is how he referred to himself. Pigeon-hearted supposedly means timid or chicken-hearted, hardly a word we’d describe him with, but the generals fighting the war “always wanted an execution carried out before it could possibly be brought before the President” because, though President Lincoln wanted justice to be served, he looked for excuses to pardon soldiers. He once told a visitor to his office, “I put it to you, and I leave it to you to decide for yourself: if Almighty God gives a man a cowardly pair of legs, how can he help their running away with him?” Only a President with pigeon-hearted empathy like he had could pull together a nation so badly torn and scarred.
- Lincoln was stout-hearted. Though he was tall and lean, Abraham Lincoln’s heart could handle the most ferocious attacks. He neither cowered nor held grudges. He appointed Edwin Stanton as his War Secretary though Stanton had publicly humiliated and shunned him in earlier meetings. Lincoln recognized Stanton’s strengths were needed by the country and refused to punish the country for his own pride. Lincoln once issued an order to be carried out by the War Department and War Secretary Stanton refused to honor the order. Not only did Stanton countermand the order, he called the President a damn fool for issuing it. When the messenger carried the news to Lincoln, Lincoln said, “Did Stanton say I was a damn fool?” The messenger said, “He did, sir, and repeated it.” President Lincoln replied, “If Stanton said I was a damn fool, then I must be one, for he is nearly always right and generally says what he means. I will step over and see him.” Fittingly, it was Edwin Stanton that correctly uttered the famous “Now he belongs to the ages” as he stood by President Lincoln’s bed after he died.
- Lincoln was loyal. As jovial and friendly as he was, not everyone liked Lincoln—including his future father-in-law. Mary Todd (Lincoln’s wife) was born into the aristocracy of Lexington, Kentucky. She was described by her friends as vivacious, impulsive—“the very creature of excitement.” Boasting a fashionably plump figure, long lashes and clear blue eyes, Lincoln was mesmerized by her. However, Mary’s father thought she could do better and thought Abe was nothing but a gangly, deeply in debt, country bumpkin. Abe was hurt by the Todd family rejection, telling a friend, “One d is enough for God, but the Todd’s need two.” However, Lincoln prevailed and on November 4, 1842 Mary Todd became Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. A week after their marriage, Abe wrote a letter to his friend, Samuel Marshall, closing it with, “Nothing new here, except my marrying, which to me, is a matter of profound wonder.” And many years later, while watching Mary put their guests at ease at a White House reception, he said, “My wife is as handsome as when she was a girl, and I . . . fell in love with her; and what is more, I have never fallen out.”
Happy Birthday, President Lincoln. Happy Birthday.
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This is a great post Jane. I too love President Lincoln. After all, I named my baby after him. He is a wonderful example to us all. Thank you for writing this. It's nice to be reminded of such a good man. My prayers are with your family in these last days with your father-in-law. A Happy Birthday to him as well. I think it is absolutely awesome that you are finishing your degree. I don't have one either. But I know that day will come. The last class I took was in 2002 when my oldest was 9 months old. He regularly came with me to class, and he was so good. The thought of returning to school intimidates me. I'm still a Freshman. I know that you'll do great Jane! Nikki
Oh Jane! So much to say, such a limited vocabulary! I really enjoyed reading your Abraham Lincoln post. We didn't study him much in school, since I'm Canadian, but I really respect him for what he accomplished. And your post on your father-in-law was very touching. I hope it isn't too sad a time in your family. Finally, Congratulations on going back to school! That is so great. Amazing, amazing, woman. -Marie
just stopping by to say hello - spent a few moments back-reading your blog this morning. i LOVED the rodeo photo. my husband (matty) grew up in elgin, OR, and still has family there. we have wonderful photos of his relatives in similar pursuits! Happy valentine's day! love, lelly
Oh, I love feeling pride for an American President. I hope those days return. Thank you for reminding us all of our great history and of this great man. Lucy
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Calvin and his dad, Bob
Life in My World
February 11, 2008
For years I have planned to finish my college education. When I married Calvin he was 30 years old and had already been married and divorced with two children. Though I still had two years to finish my degree, Calvin offered to stay in college-town doing odd jobs until I could graduate. With child-support payments, a baby on the way, school loans and Calvin getting older, I felt like “my degree” was a selfish quest at that point and felt that we should focus on our family and Calvin’s career to provide for our family. We both determined I would finish my formal education “someday” and moved far away from a university.
Twenty five years later and the time for me to finish college has come. I’m finishing it through home study courses (hooray for the internet which makes a unversity in any home). It will still take several months/years. Hmmmm. Even though I’ve continued to take a few classes at community colleges through the years, I’ve only signed up for topics that interested me. But, like it or not, Physical Science 100 is the only science left on my list and it came in the mail today. Cali promised she’d tutor me in it and I’ve got to take her up on it before she no longer lives close. I hope that remembering what a proton, neutron and electron is will count for something.
Today is Calvin’s dad’s 83rd birthday. I have never known a finer man than Bob. Never. He is dying from a massive stroke as I type. It’s been a long, quiet two weeks since his stroke and I will miss him and his influence terribly. Happy Birthday, Bob.
I just feel so blessed in my world tonight that this life gives us a place to love and learn.
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Mom, I just wanted you and Dad to know how amazing you are. I'm also really proud of you for going back and getting your education finished. It takes a lot of determination and self-motivation. I love you. My favorite memory of Grandpa is the stories he'd tell and how happy he always was. He could make up better stories faster than anyone else. I still remember when he told Grandma that he must have sent her smoke signals to ask her out. Abe
I love it! Physical Science is a beast, because they make it so on purpose to torment freshman who think they are smart. It's not the material as much as the volume that suddenly seems to overwhelm. I have "faith" that you will be a master of the sciences! What an inspiration you are to so many who sacrificed their education when it was necessary to do so. Lucy
Jane, good job on going back to finish your degree. I've wanted to do that too - well I have my Bachelor's which is sufficient for many purposes, but I want to get a Master's degree also. I started one semester, then had a baby and had other financial obligations, so that's on hold for now. I guess for me, now is the time for family and since I have to work to support the family, there's less time for family. Good for you - how fun. Sorry to hear about your father in law. That's got to be tough. A friend of mine lost her dad in October and he was only 64, it's hard to know what to say to her. A girl that works for me lost her 81 year old father last week. I talked to my father-in-law yesterday and said something about when he's not around 20 years from now (he's like 73 now) . . . but maybe it won't be that long and that will be a hard day. I have always thought that I have dealt with death pretty well, but I think that will be a tough one with the in-laws, my grandparents or parents. I know that your faith and knowledge will guide and help you though this difficult time. ~ Tina
Good for you for going back. I think that takes major self discipling. Happy Birthday to Bob! Jenny
Yeah Jane! Good for you going back and being a student again. What an inspiration you are to those around you! Thanks Cynthia
I love the last line of this post "life gives us a place to love and learn". I think that sums up your blog perfectly. I have been enjoying it (but not commenting!) for a while, and have come to admire you greatly. Best of luck to you on your new path of learning. And prayers to you & your husband as you celebrate the love you have for his dad. Amy S.
Jane, I really enjoy your website and get great ideas from you. I, like you, am greatful for faith and it's role in my life. Having children and teaching these little ones, keeps me clinging to my faith (and my sanity some days) and relaying on and trusting in the Lord more and more. I too am thankful for things not seen but felt. I was also very sad to read about Calvin's father. Strokes can be so devastating and challenging. I know he will be missed greatly. Your family will be in my prayers. Christi Harris
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Faith: (fāth)
(n.) the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
52 Blessings
February 10, 2008
Faith is as difficult to write about as love is—I can tell you how incredible it feels, I can tell you how discouraging it is if it is lacking, I can tell you how peaceful it is when it is present, I can tell you that obedience to God’s commandments builds it, I can tell you it gives courage when you don't feel brave and I can tell you that children seem to comprehend it rather easily. Cali had a turtle, Senora, and one day they were out playing on the grass when Senora crawled away. Cali couldn’t find her anywhere and was incredibly sad. Everyone joined her in the search (and sadly enough turtles don’t respond to their name being called) and when we couldn’t find Senora on our own, we prayed to find her. Cali never doubted she would be found and, her faith in the assurance she had received during the prayer that Senora would be found, encouraged us all to keep looking (even though I wasn't so sure because experience had taught me the fate of runaway pets). Hours later (turtles crawl much faster when they’re lost), Calvin found Senora in the pasture, far away from the grassy spot where she’d last been seen. Faith is something much easier felt than described. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, has the power to lift, encourage, give hope and save from destruction and is a great blessing in my life.
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Such an interesting thing to be grateful for, but you're right, it's most definitely a blessing to have. I'm grateful for my faith in what I cannot see, but for what I know is true. Lucy
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Awards
February 8, 2008
A long time ago, in a far away place, I won my first belt buckle at a rodeo. Tradition held that the buckles were handed out after the rodeo and that the reigning rodeo queen handed the winners of the boys’ events their buckles and the rodeo president handed the girls theirs. The queen always kissed the boys and the president always kissed the girls. (The embarrassment was almost enough incentive not to win.) It was getting closer and closer to the passing out of my event’s awards and the tradition was holding firm—everyone was getting kissed. Oh die. I did not know what else to do. When my name was called I slowly walked to the center of the arena and stood about five feet away from the president, smiled big and held my hand out. I had a reputation for being friendly, but stiff. He had a reputation for being friendly, but not stiff. I thought he was a great guy, even infatuated with him, and he was liked by all the contestants. I didn’t want to embarrass him by refusing him. I didn’t want to embarrass me by not refusing him. And so I did the thing that any sensible, stiff, friendly girl would do—when he walked towards me, I backed up with my hand still out. He pulled the buckle in closer to him and kept walking towards me and the spectators laughed as I continued to back out of the arena with my hand still out. Finally, finally, finally he put the buckle in my hand, without a kiss. I was grateful for the prize, I was grateful he didn’t start backing up when I walked to the center of the arena, but still I was very embarrassed at the attention.
Sometimes in the blog world people mention The Neighbor’s Blog for an award and I am very humbled when they do. Anyone who blogs knows there is a lot of uncertainty as you expose your thoughts and ideas for others to pick through and an award says, “Thanks, your risk is worth it to me.”
Part of the tradition of being given mention in blogland is to nominate other people for the same award. The only problem is that belt buckle incident scarred me for life; I made that rodeo president feel so stupid in front of our peers that I still feel badly about it (and yet, even today I don't know what I would do differently other than ask someone else to get the buckle for me) and I don’t want to do that in blog land. I really do appreciate the kind words and also the fact that you all come to read my blog every day. But since there are so many great blogs, I could never pass the award on to just one or two or twenty-seven. Instead, on Fridays I’ll start mentioning a couple of blog posts from blog land that I think you might enjoy (along with other articles), because I appreciate when people that give blog awards help me discover great new blog voices and interesting things to read.
Thank you, thank you to Nikki, Barb and Lucy, I really appreciate your kind words. In light of the Mark Twain quote below, you’ve extended my life and I thank you.
Friday links:
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I felt the same discomfort with the blogging award as I imagine most people do. But I can't refuse the compliment, I appreciate it. You said it perfectly wtih, "Thanks, your risk is worth it to me." I also liked how you handled passing it on, very fair. I will enjoy your recommendations. Barb
Hilarious! And I thought most bloggers leaned towards the exhibitionist side of things. Just another example, dear Jane, of how you stand out in the crowd. I do think you roar and look forward to your offerings. Lucy
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“I can live for a year on one good compliment.” ~Mark Twain
Gift Giving Idea—Compliment
February 7, 2008
When you give someone a sincere compliment you give the gift of perception—seeing his good traits through your eyes. Heartfelt compliments are gifts of kindness, but a compliment is also a gift to yourself because looking outward instead of inward is a much grander view. As a double-rewards gift, try giving three sincere compliments a day—one to a stranger, one to a friend/co-worker and one to a family member—and receive a gift for yourself in return.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane – you are fabulous with this trait. You notice the neatest things about people, and you are never slow to make them aware. Thank you for that – it’s lifted my day on many occasions! Love, Heather
Compliments are a great idea. I never thought of them as being a gift before. Maybe I'll make compliments my Valentine gift. Thanks for the idea. Lynn
Jane I just wanted to tell you that I love your blog and your welcoming smile!!! Have a great day :) Jessica
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Ty's smiling happy pillow
Homekeeping Tip—Clean Sheets
February 6, 2008
Uncle Miley was a quiet bachelor his entire life and when he’d come to visit he’d bring lemon drops and pencils for us kids. He wore stiff Levi’s rolled at the cuff, thick white socks and long sleeve shirts. He was a dairy farmer so he could only come visit every month or two and when he did he slept in my bed. He was kind, he was good, he was honest, but unless I could wash the sheets right after he left, I slept between the blankets and bedspread until I could.
One night, after Uncle Miley had gone home from his visit, mom walked by my bedroom and saw me sleeping in between the blankets and the bedspread. She looked at me, clucked her tongue and said, “You and your Uncle Miley. He won’t sleep between the sheets either.”
Here are a few clean sheet tips:
· Store extra sheet/pillowcase set within one of the pillowcases
· Store extra sheets /pillowcases in a storage container under the bed they go on
· Consider foregoing the top sheet on bunk beds/children’s beds and just using washable comforters. (When the boys were little they couldn’t make a decent bed to save them so I took off the top sheets and they could make a respectable bed with just a comforter to control. It’s funny to me that they can make military beds now. Ty recently sent the picture above saying he likes how his pillow smiles at him every morning.)
· (Darla this Uncle Miley Tip is just for you) Remember you may not be the only hotel guest sleeping on top of those covers.
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Jane the other place we store things for the bed is in the pillow shams. We put extra blankets and sheet sets inside there. It plumps up the sham so it looks pretty and is great storage! ~Cynthia
Once Ken challenged me on why do I have the kids make their beds - he didn't think it was worth the effort/supervision/nagging or whatever. My answer was, "They seem to think it's pretty important in the army." That was all I needed to say. It was so good to come up with a reason a man could value.
Now that I've seen Ty's smiling pillow I am going to have to investigate 'army standards' for bed making.
Barb
(*I was going to mention in the post but then it got confusing, but this smiling pillow is Ty's while he is serving a mission...I'm not sure if smiling pillows are allowed in the Army/Air Force...I'll wait for Abe's comment after he reads the blog...and then we'll all know! Ty sent home a list of 50 things that made him happy and this smiling pillow was one of them. Thanks for giving me the chance to clarify, Barb.)
I broke my foot recently and have been unable to do little things like make the bed but it's one of the things I insist upon and my husband (who thinks making beds is ridiculous) has been so sweet to make sure he makes the bed every day for me just because that's the way I like it. When I was growing up my bedroom was in the basement and I quickly found that if I didn't make my bed then stinkbugs and spiders got pretty cozy in my warm sheets. And really.....who needs that? But with all my years of practice, I have never made a bed as "perfectly" as the military requires, which is a good thing because I'd hate to be strung quite that tight. What I remember about Uncle Miley is that he once drove me and my sisters to a rodeo in his 50's car/truck. I swear he didn't break 25 mph. Lynn
Jane – I love today’s post! If you had seen the look on Darla’s face when she finished reading it, you would know that your efforts weren’t for naught – it was priceless!!! Thanks for the tips -Heather
That is a fabulous idea. I swear everyday making my boys bunk beds. Two words. DIS LIKE. Ty's happy pillow definitely is giving me a smile :) Jenny
Mom, FYI: the pillows do smile but you won't ever see it. It faces away from the inspector. However, our socks do smile to the inspector. If they frown, it's wrong. I love you. Abe
Jane, thanks for the tips on the sheets. I loved the story and the smiling pillow. You are so smart! I miss you. Mindy
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SPT—“Fill in the Blank”
February 5, 2008
The other day, I was standing in my underwear, looking in the closet for clothes and wondering how I was going to fill in the blank of Lelly’s SPT, when I noticed these boots. My only thought was, “Why do I still have these hanging around my house?!?”
I lie. I know why I still have them. The soles of my old boots had holes so Calvin bought me this new pair the first summer we were married. When we lived at the ranch I wore them all the time and if you do an archeological scrape of the dust you'll see they’ve accumulated dirt from three states. I keep them because Calvin keeps hoping I’ll wear them again (to him they represent dancing and ranching), but even if we went riding soon I’d try to sneak on something else because boots don’t hold a candle to the comfort of crocs. I cannot believe the things I will show and tell on SPT.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Finding romance in a pair of dusty boots. That is great you still have them. ~Elizabeth
Three different locations of dirt--how cool. I was so thankful my grandmother kept my old boots. She kept them safely in her closet and I just received them back and they now fit Taylor. Definitely a lot of good memories hanging out with my grandpa in them. Jenny
Jane, you are too funny! Love the boots story. It is funny the things you share on SPT - the seemingly modest NJP standing in her underwear! You do not seem the type to admit such things! Tina
Three states of dirt on the bottom, and a little closet dust on top! I have boots that accumulate closet dust, but I do take them out once a year for the Stampede. Barb
oh jane, love the thoughts of you dancing and ranching. your spt was certainly clever! (as always!) carlo
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Life in My World—The balAnce Report
February 4, 2008
I chose balAnce as my word of focus for 2008. Here’s my recent report:
- I attended a class on Isaiah then watched a movie on Queen Victoria.
- I exercised faithfully then ate a whopping amount of chocolate chip cookies.
- I had lots of quiet time last week as Calvin went to Arizona to spend time with his dad, but I also went to a friend’s dinner party and a basketball game where I had a wonderful time visiting with a friend.
- I laughed and hollered as we went sledding then cried when I talked on the phone with Calvin’s dad.
My first semester of college was at BYU-Hawaii where Sister Swapp taught Personal Health. I loved her. She repaired her broken eye glasses with a band-aid, wore bright colored clothing and was pragmatic but cheerful. Using the scripture from Luke 2:52 “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” she drilled us on finding balance intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially in our lives. Over and over she reminded us that if we only focused on one, or two, or even three of the realms we would be out of balance and consequently out of tune.
This year I want to be better balanced and carry the balance more gracefully. So often I find myself cramming one more thing in, or feeling guilty that I’m not pushing harder and taking full advantage of all the opportunities, or (as in the case of excercising followed by too many cookies) negating my actions. I want to feel more balance by getting lots done, but still remembering to enjoy the process as I'm doing it. I’m printing the picture above and using one as a bookmark and poking another one in my dresser mirror. I think I'll tack a band-aid on them to remind me of the basics Sister Swapp taught, because . . . I'm still not balanced.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Jane, Balance would have been a perfect word for my 2008. I'm sure it will be a year long battle with a newborn in the house. So much to balance! Love this photo of you, you look great! Melanie
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preparing handmade marshmallows for chocolate at the Legacy Chocolate shop
52 Blessings—Sugar
February 3, 2008
I do love sugar—brown, white, powdered, pretend . . . I’m not picky. I especially love sugar combined with coconut . . . as in coconut cream pie, or in chocolate . . . as in brownies, or in cream cheese . . . as in cheesecake, or in peanut butter . . . as in peanut butter cookies, or in oatmeal . . . as in mush with brown sugar and maple syrup, or in flour . . . as in cake, or in water . . . as in root beer, or in milk. . . as in ice cream, or in cow hooves . . . as in jello. You see, I’m really not choosy, sugar just makes me (as well as my friends, Bethany, Becca, Jenica, Beka, Remina and Marie) happy.
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Please send your comments to jp@neighborjanepayne.com Thanks! They’re always appreciated.
Ha! I am so clueless! I read all the people who you said also love sugar, and the last one was Marie. I immediately thought you meant me, and started wondering when I have blogged my complete and undying love of sugar. It sounds like something I would write about, but I just couldn't remember writing it. Then slowly the wheels in my head began to turn and I realized you were captioning the people in the photo. I felt so silly! Hahahahahaha! -Marie
I love the simplicity of this blessing and it's definitely oh, so delightful! Jenny :)
I love the picture! Looks like fun! I do like my chocolate as well, however I think I am more of a salty and fried addict! Mindy Mounts
Hiya! I just saw on your blog that you posted a picture of the girls at the chocolate shop. Wow, what an attractive group. I should sent you the one of Jenica and I licking our spoons….It was a great night, just like all the other activities that Nesha and Brenda are in charge of. Where did you get that picture? Thanks for your comments on my blog, also. It’s always nice to see that people are actually reading my blog! Beka
Sorry, I had an afterthought. As I was going through your blog, I thought “I’d love to be able to comment on some of this stuff”, but I can’t. So I’ll just have to fire off an email every once in a while, when the fancy hits, to let you know I’m looking. Thanks for your thoughts and ideas! Beka
