Zany G's World

Todays Quotes...

2012-01-22T12:34:00.000-08:00

Today in Sacrament Meeting one of the talks was given by a recent returned missionary. He told us the CPR of our souls. I was especially interested because lately I've felt like my soul has been aching. I felt like I needed to go to Church today but couldn't stay for all the meetings because of previously mentioned daughter with a broken knee that I'm being care-giver for. But I felt like I needed to go to Sacrament Meeting at least. So when the speaker started talking about CPR I sat up and took notice. (Maybe partly because our oldest son was a Paramedic.)

The CPR of our soul is simply: Church going; Prayer; and Reading the scriptures. If we do those things it will put us in a better frame of mind and help us in our daily lives. Breathe new life into us, save us, etc.

Now I think that was very interesting because yesterday I got a letter from an old friend that we met when we lived in Spain. She gave me this timely quote:

When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is:

Remember the teacher is always quiet during the test!

I hope these quotes will touch your soul as they have mine.

Have a great day/week ~Joyce

Cookie - I Want a cookie...

2012-01-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

Okay- my oldest daughter broke her leg & I'm "babysitting" her - or maybe its "ladysitting" since she's a grown woman. Anyway we've been craving some chocolate chip cookies with pecans in them. But alas, no-one gave us any - and I couldn't just go off and leave her unattended while I went of in search of some. So we've been sitting around bemoaning our plight of no cookies. I even sat down and sent a text to another of my daughters that we needed some chocolate chip cookies with peacans... but she was busy at the moment and wouldn't drop everything, make us cookies, then drive across town to deliver them. What's up with that?

So anyway, I sat down to check my e-mail and discovered a friend in Oregon had sent me this video clip - totally not knowing the cookie plight we were in here! :O)

(Also said daughter did make us the craved for cookies... they are so yummy!) Hope you enjoy the video as much as we did. I'll send you the cookie recipe tomorrow...

~ Joyce

You Know You're Getting Old When...

2012-01-15T14:32:00.000-08:00

My oldest daughter and I were sitting here laughing the other day about some of the happenings in my life and I came up with this list...
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The #10 reason You know you're getting old is when...
Someone gives you a compliment and it embarrasses you!
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#9 - You know you're getting old when...
You try to play a trick on your family, it backfires and the trick is on you!
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#8 - You know you're getting old when...
You bite your own tongue so hard that it takes 4 & 1/2 days to heal and be able to eat again without pain! Ouch...
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#7 - You know you're getting old when...
You can remember the days when if you said you were hot, it meant the temperature and if you said you were gay, it meant you were happy. (A closet was a place you hung your clothes.)
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#6 - You know you're getting old when...
You can no longer play "Chubby" with the kids... because you are!
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#5 - You know you're getting old when...
You get scared at night and the howling you hear is the sound of the wind, NOT a coyote ready to pounce on you!
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#4 - You know you're getting old when...
You get your toe stuck in your vacuum cleaner & don't know how you did it.
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#3 - You know you're getting old when...
You go to town and notice people pointing at you and giggling - only to look down and see that you have on two completely different shoes!
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#2 - You know you're getting old when...
You can't find your glasses - then when you stand up they fall off your fanny!
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AND the #1 reason you know you're getting old is when...
You wake up in the morning and your Breathe-Right-Nose-Strip is stuck across your eyebrow! Whaaa???
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:O) Have a great day ~ Joyce
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Thoughts...

2012-01-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

I've been reading some pretty thought provoking e-mail & blogs. This is a new year with new goals and thoughts of things we want to accomplish this new year... what am I going to be when I grow up? Will anyone notice that I've been here or left a mark in this life? I hope so... I think we all want to think that we may be of worth in this experience we call life.
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My parents, my grandparents, greats all the way down the line (or up the line however you look at it) have been stalwart strong people of God, they have left the mark, they have paved the way for many who followed even beyond family members.
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My father's mother was a poet, a writer of stories. My sister and I have inherited that ability from her; a son, daughters, & granddaughters are writers of poetry also... is this what my mark is supposed to be or is there something more, something that I haven't fully thought out or researched?
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Personally I think there is more. Here I am in my 60's and I'm still trying to figure it all out. In essence, trying to figure out who and what I am. Oh I do know... but, you know what I mean? Really?
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Our Savior is a light unto the world, He certainly can help us with these questions. He loves us and WILL help shape our lives, I'm so thankful for this knowledge passed down from generations. Yes, He loves you and I - He truly CARES for us and about us... we can become the best that we can be.
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May each New Day be a blessing unto each of us - may we follow the promptings given us, even in our daily lives as we struggle through, trying to find our mark or strengthen it unto the world.
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Just a few thoughts ~ Joyce

So What's Up With That?

2012-01-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

Okay so the other day I was complaining that it was taking way longer to take down Christmas than it was to put it up. I'm learning that you should NEVER complain about something... anything for that matter! :O)

So while I was taking down and putting away, I had to vacuum too... in doing that I ended up moving furniture around... What's this - Spring Cleaning in January?

Then my husband wasn't doing anything so he decided to paint the kitchen. I told him I wasn't ready to tackle that yet, even though I had already bought the paint, I wanted to finish putting my home back in order first.

Well said he - I won't have to help him paint. That's all good and well and actually super fantastic if that were really the only aspect to consider here. Not so, all the antiques/trinkets I have hung on the area above the cupboards and the plants I have sitting up above one, have to be removed and cleaned before they can be replaced up there after the paint goes on. So needless to say my living room, dining room, and family room have all gone on hold while I help take care of kitchen stuff... But true to his word I haven't picked up a paint brush... :O)

I'm realizing that they have such a thing called Spring Cleaning in Spring for a reason. Also I'm learning that its way better to actually DO the spring cleaning more than a couple times a year - so when you have an impromptu cleaning spree like this one, it just might be a wee bit easier!

I mean really, Deep Spring Cleaning in January? - What's Up With That??? ~ Joyce

My Mind Went Blank...

2012-01-01T14:40:00.000-08:00

I forgot to add... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all have a great 2012.

January 1st 2012- Quote:

"To Everything there is a Season and a time

to every Pourpose under the Heaven."

Ahh Ha...

2012-01-01T14:28:00.000-08:00

Okay computer problem solved...

Best way to solve computer problem...

Ask Santa for a new lap-top. :OD

~ Joyce

Icky Internet...

2011-12-13T17:04:00.000-08:00

So the reason I haven't been on here since my last post about the pumpkins is because my Internet decided to take a vacation from ME! I've had my son come on over several times to try and fix the nefarious offending thing... but alas I'm still having problems with it allowing me to view my stuff! Sorry for the inconvenience it may have caused... I'll get back to you when the silly thing gets well. :O(

Hope you all have a Happy Holidays! ~ Joyce

Recipe - This Might Be A Little Late, But...

2011-12-03T12:39:00.000-08:00

My brother brought me two of his home-grown pumpkins. Very nice ones...
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So pumpkin pies are great! This is the season for them and when they're made out of home-made pumpkin that makes them all the greater! So if this is too late for this year's pumpkins... store away for next year's use.

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Recipe for Homemade Pumpkin:

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Clean Pumpkin of seeds & gooey strings.

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Cut into Large chunks (cut into 1/8's vertically then cut each in half horizontally).
Put 1 chunk into 9X9 glass Micro dish with abt 2 Cups of water.
Cook in Microwave for 20-30 minutes.

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Scoop out the cooked Pumpkin (without water). Put into a blender and whir on high until smooth. (May need to add a little water to start)
Pour into large bowl and cool.

Put cooled measured 3 cups of Pumky into single portion Freezer zip-lock bags and freeze.
Thaw to make Pumpkin Pies with favorite recipe.

OR...
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Cook in 350 oven for about an hour depending on oven and size of pumpkin...
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Follow above directions after done.

I hope you enjoy this recipe...

Christmas Projects...

2011-12-01T09:47:00.001-08:00

As I sit here crocheting potholders for my daughter's Christmas present - I realized that this is a nice Christmas activity for anyone that can crochet even a little bit. So I decided to share with all of you. Here are the instructions:

Crochet Pot Holders
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I like to use a solid wool color yarn and a variegated color of mixed fibers that are less likely to melt with excess heat like cotton or acrylic with wool mix, etc. It works best if yarns are close to the same weight so one isn’t way thinner than the other. I’ve made them over the years with all cotton and I’ve made them with all synthetic and I’ve made them all one color, but now prefer the two color with wool and mixed fiber ones. The Yarn I mostly like to use now is: Patons Classic Wool- black; and Red Heart- Fleck, for instance, in varied colors; one skein each.
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I use a size G/6 hook. Chain with first color: 47 for approx. 8½ inch square potholder (depending on how tight you crochet). Chain 41 for a smaller potholder and 51 for a bigger one. You get the idea – odd number for smaller or larger ones; start by using first color.

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Continue First color: Single crochet (skip the first chain stitch) around both sides of the chain making a circle: o - Crochet three complete rows around of the first color – making a total of a six row strip.
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Second color: Tie off with a square knot in yarn to first color, just past the curve in the six rows leaving approx. 1½ inch thread. Single crochet the second color around to starting point, plus a couple stitches to form a triangle at ends. Double crochet same color around once, then single crochet around ending at edge where the triangle is forming. Tie off with first color again in a square knot leaving a 1½ inch thread.
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First color: Again single crochet around six rows; tie off with second color as above.
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Middle Second color: Double crochet around once, ending just past the triangle that’s forming at the ends.
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Tie off with first color then single crochet around six rows.
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Top second color: Single crochet around once; double crochet around once, then single crochet around once again ending each row just past the triangle making it a full triangle; tie off with first color as above.
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First color: Single crochet around three times making a total of 31 rows counting double crochet rows: Chain 12 to make hanging loop. Measure yarn loosely three times length of finished rectangle for sewing shut… cut off.
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Turn rectangle right side out now – leaving all tied off ends inside of rectangle. Now pull sides of rectangle together forming a square instead of the rectangle, with 12 chain loop at top. Tie off loop and continue to close the hole with crochet hook and “sewing” the long measured yarn through each side. Tuck/pull remaining ends inside the potholder with crochet hook.
~Done~

Oops...

2011-11-29T14:29:00.000-08:00

oops... the award didn't show up. Here - I'll try it again.

2011-11-29T12:59:00.000-08:00

Author Tina Scott of totallytina awarded me the lovely blog award. Thanks for thinking of me Tina! It's taken me a while to get it posted but I appreciate your thoughtfulness in selecting me.

In order to accept this award, I have to share seven random facts about me. Here they are in no particular order:

(1.) I've been married to my sweetheart for forty-seven years.

(2.) From that union we have seven children and twenty-three grandchildren.

(3.) I paint oil paintings, sew & crochet and have written and directed a play.

(4.) I started writing poetry years ago, then children's books, but am now working on writing a two-part suspense/romance novel.

(5.) I'm a licenced beautician (retired).

(6.) Besides Arizona, where I was born, I have lived in Anchorage, Alaska; Spokane, WA; Torrejon, Spain; Umatilla, OR; Hermiston, OR; Willamina, OR; El Centro, Calif; and now Maricopa, AZ.

(7.) I have two dogs, Daisy & Spidie; a cat named George; and five fish - Plat, Plat JR, Greaystokes, Frankie & Gordo. (Two fish, Bugs & Cali died and became plant food.)

Below is a list of seventeen other lovely blogs. I hope you'll take the time to visit each of them.

1. www.cottoncandy4thesoul.blogspot.com (Jennifer Griffith)
2. www.karendupaixwrites.blogspot.com (Karen Dupaix)
3. frespafan (Anna Arnett)
4. blogs and blurbs (Cindy R. Williams)
5. www.myliteraryescape (Andrea Smith)
6. 365babystepstovibranthealth (Heather Horrocks)
7. anwa (ANWA's Founder & Friends)
8. chilly'sworld (Chilly)
9. DonnaHatch
10. SarahM.Eden
11. hauntshaven (Joan Sowards)
12. aviewfromtheothersideofthehill (Laurie LC Lewis)
13. mydeartrash (Laura Lofgreen)
14. www.RachelRager
15. www.theblessingsoffamilylife (Valerie J. Steimle)
16. www.whenIgetup (Tamara)
17. www.writerinthepines (Marsha Ward)

Now in order for all of you seventeen lovely blogs to accept this award please do the following:
copy, cut, & paste the above award and put in your pictures folder. Then paste in preferred design format of your blog. Answer the seven random facts about yourself and post 15-17 new blogs that you think are deserving of the award on your next blog... wallah, you're now a lovely blog recipient! Congratulations!!!

2011-11-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

Book Review of: Wrong Number...

2011-11-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

This summer while I was in the mountains camping I got to spend a lot of my time reading. One novel I read was: Wrong Number by Rachelle J. Christensen.
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With this book, Wrong Number, Rachelle J. Christensen had the ability to grab my interest at the beginning of the book and keep me captivated until I turned the last page. In fact I liked it so well that I read it a second time.
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Wrong Number is a story about a pregnant young woman named Aubree. Running late for work Aubree finds that she had forgotten to charge her cell phone during the night. When she rushes off to the office with her husband‘s phone, and answers a call that inadvertently was sent to her husbands phone by accident - little does she know of the tragic and life changing events that such a simple act will bring.
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Rachelle J. Christensen’s book, Wrong Number is a book with suspense, romance and twists and turns in the plot that keep you riveted to your seat.
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In Wrong Number, before Aubree Stewart knows what’s happening, she is whisked off by the FBI to the witness protection program. Sequestered and kept from family and friends, her name and identity are changed. She gives birth to her 1st baby all alone and in a hospital where she doesn’t know what to expect or even if she’s safe.
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During her time in witness protection, Jason a young FBI agent, works hard to teach her how to protect herself and now that of her daughter. When all leads into her case seem to go nowhere, she wonders how hard they’re trying to solve her case. How is it that the bad guys always seem to know where she is? Then one fateful day she hears a voice on TV that sends chills down her spine. She soon realizes there must be a leak in the FBI and she doesn’t know who to trust. She decides her only path to safety is to take her life into her own hands. She then flees the safe-house on an adventure and race for time and life.
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Rachelle J. Christensen has done a great job with this book and made me want to keep on reading. I kept wondering if Aubree would fall for Jason, the young agent, or someone else she meets along the way. Will the bad guys find her and kill her and her baby or will the FBI finally figure out who’s behind her death threat and save her from the bad guys and herself?
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I highly recommend Wrong Number to anyone that likes a good mystery. Congratulations Rachelle J. Christensen for a well written book.
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A Joke For The Day...

2011-11-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hey sorry it's been awhile since I posted last... my eldest brother had throat surgery again and he's been here at my house convalescing. He was released from the hospital with a feeding tube still through his nose into his stomach. So I've been helping care for him... consequently - no computer time. :O{
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My sister told me a joke the other day that I thought I would share with you...
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How do you tell the difference between a male Chocolate Bunny and a female Chocolate Bunny?
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When you bite into it, if its head is hollow its a male. :OD
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Have a great day! ~Joyce

Yup!

2011-10-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

So, see what I mean? I read that last post today and wish I hadn't posted it!!! It makes me sound like I'm a total gossip, which I am NOT!
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It's just that SOMETIMES I say things that I wish I hadn't... Including the last post!!!
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Did-ja-Ever???

2011-10-24T14:15:00.000-07:00

So I was sitting here a-wondering... did-ja-ever find yourself talkity-talking about stuff you wished afterward that you had kept your ridiculous mouth shut about?
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The question now is: To label or not to label... "Private"; "Secret"; "Not for anyone else's ears"; "Can you be trusted not to repeat this?"
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It seems like the older I get, the more of a jabberer I get! I mean unless someone tells me specifically to keep it a secret (which, by the way, I'm able to do quite well) I find myself sometimes divulging things I wish afterward that I had kept to myself!
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I've decided that I need a little-me-people on my shoulder to tell me, "Self, are you sure you wanna say that?" or "Self - this is really interesting stuff, but is it necessary to repeat?"
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But then, maybe its our neighbors fault... I mean he comes over here regularly and sez, "You got any neighborhood gossip?" Of course we never do, but just the idea is then ingrained into my little pea brain. Like who cares - right?!?!?!???
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Or maybe its because I'm a writer and I pay attention to things people are saying and I practice using them to see how they sound??? "Maybe I can use that in my novel." Humm now that's food for thought, maybe that's it by jove!
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Yup... Did-ja-Ever???...
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Oh My Gosh!

2011-10-11T12:22:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh I can't believe it's been so long since I posted on here! I am alive - although some day's I wonder about that...

Here are two pictures I took of the sunset with the neighbors flag in the foreground. Something about the flag standing stalwart in that setting does something to my allegiance! AND the grandeur of an Arizona sunset... well what can I say - here is proof of that, even though a meer snapshot doesn't do it justice.
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A funny thing happened yesterday...
I was at the clinic getting therepy on my feet - yes I'm still having problems with them (its been a year). One of the girls there was talking about doing target practice during the week-end and how when the shell ejected it came back at her and burned her chest, she was hopping around trying to get the hot shell off of her with the pistol still in her hands. I started laughing and asked her if her last name was Smith. :O)
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It reminded me of one time when our family were all at our house in Willamina, Oregon celebrating the 4th of July. The kids were all setting off their fireworks in our driveway - only problem is that we had our chairs set up there watching the town fireworks that were a short distance away.
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What's the problem you might ask? Well the problem was that one of the fireworks came flying at ME! I jumped up and started hopping around trying to get the burning thing off of me. My whole family LAUGHED at me! When I went in the house to take my clothes off because something was still burning my skin... I took off my jacket - it had a hole in it. I took off my shirt - it had a hole in it. I took off my undershirt - it had a hole in it. I got to my bra - it had a red ember on it burning a hole in my NEW bra and burning my skin too!!! So this is just one of zillions of things like this that happen to our family... Smith curse or blessing - Which?

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Fighting???

2011-06-22T13:13:00.000-07:00

So I don't know if I've told you that I've been fighting with my feet. No silly, not literally fighting as in boxing! But in the way that I don't like them hurting all the time, so I try to figure out how not to hurt. Tuesday last week the doctor gave me some totally ugly - totally not cool black braces to wear when I'm doing a lot of walking... I look like a dork with them on - like an old grandma lady who can't walk!!! Oh wait, I AM AN OLD GRANDMA LADY WHO CAN'T WALK!!! Sheesh :O0 Plus they are not so comfortable to wear.

My husband got a handicap sticker for our car and I even happily had to use it when I went shopping the other day because my feet were hurting so bad. Even though I was totally justified in using the handicap parking space... I felt like a fraud! "People are going to see me getting out of the car and wonder why I'm using that space." So when I got out of the car I hammed it up pretending to be worse than I was... but then how can you be worse than not being able to take a step without pain shooting through both of your feet? So justified indeed... even though I don't feel like I should be old - I guess I am. Getting old is for sure not for sissy's!

So to keep off of my feet as much as possible hoping that lack of use will help them heal, I've been doing crochet potholders with my feet propped up. No silly, I wasn't crocheting them with my propped up feet, but with my hands while my feet were propped up... crocheting with my feet would be very difficult indeed but with them propped up at the same time??? No I'm flexible, but - I'm not quite that flexible!!! :O)

Well - back to my crocheting potholders... Have a great day ~ Joyce

Oops Here's the pictures:

2011-06-10T16:57:00.001-07:00

Here are pictures it wouldn't let me post before. Willow Springs Lake Campground, AZ:

Yum, yum!

My friend Charlie:At the Phoenix Zoo:
Me & 2 Grandsons & our Monkies:

oops! 2 for 1

Hope you enjoyed the show. :O)

~Joyce

Wahoo.. I'm here again, jiggity jig!

2011-06-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

So this is the scoop: This gal (namely me) got sick and while sitting around trying to recuperate I read and read and read. Yep six or seven books got read during that time and little else. Then one thing after the other and I haven't gotten to do the book reviews of those books... but never fear I will eventually get to it.

Then our daughter Lisa graduated from College with honors... that was quite the awesome event (they even had soft chair with back in the stadium for us to sit on - wow, nice!) Pictures:

Over Memorial Day week-end we usually go camping (My sister, myself & family). This year we decided that I needed to go up early in order to save the good spots for us to have room for the family members to put up their tents. I left home on May 23rd picked up my daughter and off we went up to Willow Springs Lake, AZ. We got our tents all set up and the winds started and Tonya and I just about froze to death that night. My sister lent blankies to Tonya and we got though Tuesday night not quite as frozen... but still not comfy. We came back down to the valley for my granddaughter's graduation from High School and grabbed some more bedding and off we went back up to our adventure. After that the nights weren't quite as cold but we were not allowed to have campfires as usual up there due to all the dry conditions and the wind. We finally gave up and came home on Monday 30th. Lesson learned... May is still kinda chilly for tent camping in the Arizona mountains! If yer gonna go - go better prepared to keep warm & for no campfires!

Now don't think this experience has soured me from camping... I LOVE CAMPING! So it takes a lot to get me to not want to be up there. My nephew was totally impressed with me last year (he's off on his mission this year) because he had never seen anyone actually cook on the campfire grills. (Yes, I'm a very impressive gal. LOL)

Here are a few camping pictures for your enjoyment:

Funny Stuff...

2011-05-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

This week-end my sister and I went to Salt Lake City for the LDS storymakers Conference and Whitney Awards dinner. This award dinner is to authors, like the Oscars are to actors.

Now the funny thing is that when packing for the Whitney Awards dinner (a fancy affair) I searched my closet for something dressy enough to not make me feel like an ol' farm girl (which I am) and something that I haven't out-grown (which is almost EVERYTHING). I found a glitzy gold blouse that I wore to a fancy affair once before, but I couldn't find the skirt I wore with it so I went and got a fancy pair of slacks and modeled for my husband and he said he liked them really well. Long story short - I went to press said slacks and forgot to check the setting and put iron marks all over the slacks! Grrr!!! Going back to the closet I found and tried on a fancy dress I've kinda grown out of - but decided it wasn't TOO tight and stuck it in my travel bag, grabbed a slip and pantyhose to go with it. The shoes I thought I still had that I bought with the dress were missing so I grabbed a different pair that sorta matched but weren't quite as fancy. Oh well, you can only do what you can do.

Getting dressed the night of the Whitney's the slip I had brought hung below the skirt! So fancy dress with no slip. Then the pantyhose couldn't be worn with the shoes, because they had a toe divider. So fancy dress with no slip AND no hose. I put on my make-up perfectly. I fixed my hair as good as you can when you have the natural curls like I do. I put on my gold necklace and got two pair of earrings - putting one of each in my ears I asked my sister which pair looked best. When we got to the Hotel where the Whitney's were being held I realized I had on only one earring, I had forgotten to put the other one back on! So here I am at a fancy dinner in a fancy dress with no slip, no pantyhose, and only one earring on! I had no pockets so I couldn't take the earring off for fear I would loose it and it is very sentimental to me - so...

I took my camera with me to take cool and amazing photo's of the fancy affair and when I sat down I decided to start my photo session with a picture of the salad and dessert that were set out so beautifully on the table. I took out the camera and took a lovely pic of the salad. I then zeroed in on the yummy dessert sitting there begging me to take a bite, click I took a picture and beep my camera battery went dead, I had left the case in my hotel room because it wasn't matching anything. So, end of photo op!

Some days everything goes perfectly and some days they don't!

~Joyce

Thoughts and Quotes...

2011-03-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

Going to Church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

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I like this quote because I can apply it to almost all walks of my life. I can change the words a little and wallah I have a complete new thought. For instance:

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Having a painting on your wall doesn't make you a painter any more than having a half finished one on your easel for over a year.

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I mean like does it really - right, huh. I like to tell people I paint but if I'm really honest with myself I should ask myself "when?" even though I have quite a few on my walls as do each of my seven children - its been since 2008 that I actually finished one. What's the definition of a painter or artist anyway? - Right?

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Or the one I'm working on now: Having a story half written on your computer doesn't make you an author any more than having a bookshelf.

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- Right? I can say I'm writing a book and I'm a writer but until I get one published - I'm really not an author... DANG!

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So with that thought I leave you to go work on my writing... my goal is to one day FINISH this! :O}

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~Joyce S of Tumbleweed Lane

Wow, What a Week-end...

2011-02-28T12:49:00.000-08:00

This week-end I attended the fantastic ANWA Writing Conference held in Phoenix at the Crowne Plaza hotel. We were greeted then handed a great tote to carry all of our writings, notes, and supplies in. We then settled back to learn, learn, and learn. It was an incredible week-end.
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It started off Friday with a workshop given by the lively Elana Johnson, a skilled query authority. She gave us great tips and hands on help with queries and pitches. I even sat down and wrote one for my novel. Whoop, whoop, hooray! Elana was an energetic presenter and there was no snoring found anywhere in class. Great class that went on into the next hour after dinner. My pitch? You want to hear my pitch? Wow! Okay, okay but I'm warning you this is just a rough draft, it still needs to be tweaked. Okay this is what I wrote: "Suzanna Delrio has witnessed the burning and subsequent death of her husband. Now she fears her children will be left orphans, when she begins being terrorized by a stalker." So what do you think... would you read it?
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Chris Stewart gave the keynote address on Saturday morning. He filled us with story after story about how he got into the writing business - from Air Force pilot to author. He is a talented man. I truly enjoyed his comments.
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This year the organizers of the event invited two national agents and one LDS editor. Any writers could have signed up before hand for a nine minute pitch of their work to any of the three. In addition, after classes on Friday we went to a meet and greet where the presenters/attendees hung around and ate chocolate with the said agents and editor. I met and greeted people mingling around but didn't approach the editor or agents that were in animated conversations with others. I now kick myself for the lack of courage to join in those conversations. I'm too timid for my own good! I need to learn how to get some back-bone. In fact that's one of the things one of the agents said, "why didn't more people approach her? Why weren't we mingling and getting to know them?"
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One thing to help us with our courage or to keep us awake, (I'm not sure which - although I had no trouble keeping awake) during the classes on Saturday - they had bowls of chocolate sitting there for us to partake of. Yes, CHOCOLATE! :O) "Oh my goodness do you have no command over your own arms and mouth?" I wondered... didn't stop me though. :O}
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The other classes I attended were all great as well. I loved the class by Kirk Shaw, senior editor at Covenant Communications. His class was about finding the right publisher/agent and convincing them that you are right for them. He talked about how an author narrows down the best option for their manuscript and proving they're a good fit for the publisher/agent. Do we shine in personality and the way we present ourselves? If your publisher/agent is called by the media and asked if you can appear on Good Morning America or Jay Leno, etc - would we be able to do that or would he have to tell them no. If we did appear would we not only embarrass ourselves but our agents too? I teach - I've taught classes at Church most of my adult life, including Seminary and haven't embarrassed myself yet, but going on a national TV show? I can honestly say I'm not sure - something I certainly need to work on if I want to get published for sure. If I can't go up and talk to people that I don't know at Church, how would I measure up nationally?
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Probably the most anticipated, dreaded and valuable aspect of the conference were the Pitch Sessions. I sat in great anticipation and nerves along with my sister as she pitched her book to Kirk Shaw and ended up getting a request from him for her full manuscript. Fantastic stuff! When all is said and done, I wish that I had gotten my pitch prepared and signed up to pitch my book to Mr Shaw also. Shame on me, but I didn't know before this conference that you could actually pitch a book that wasn't finished yet. Yes, that's right - it didn't have to be a complete manuscript for them to ask for the full manuscript. They didn't want you to send it out to them the very next day anyway. I could have had even up to a year to send it to them and they would have happily taken it for consideration. WOW! Shoulda, coulda, woulda!!!
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Last but not least, I will end with this: I ate Waaaaaaay too much chocolate this week-end. Here I am trying to lose some flubber and I'm popping chocolate morsels into my mouth at every opportunity. Sheesh!!! Do you have NO control woman?
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... Joyce

Did You Know...

2011-02-24T12:01:00.000-08:00

Did you know that one hour of vigorous house cleaning will burn 145 calories? YES 1 hour! Did you know that ten minutes of doing Jumping Jax will burn 108 calories? Yep, amazing isn't it? So if I could, I would do thirty minutes of Jumping Jax at a grand total of 324 or better yet do sixty minutes at a grand total of 648 burned calories... that's right - I said "If I could". I can barely get ten minutes in and that ONLY if my bladder is EMPTY! Sheesh!!! - old lady syndrome :O{
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So beyond doing the exercising and house cleaning I have set up on my computer a spreadsheet- it gives a place for my meals, snacks, etc and how much and what I eat and the calories for each and then it adds them up for me daily. The spreadsheet is for a month at a time. It also has a column for the exercising I do each day and how many calories were burned at days end. No not normal day's calories but the ones burned with planned exercise. I've found that when I know exactly what I'm putting in my mouth and how many calories it has- its easier for me to watch what I eat... so here's to loosing some of this flubber and feeling good on top of that! Yippeee...
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Yes, I realize its going to take a long time for me to do this - its not an overnight remedy (darn) and that I'm going to have to make myself work out, even when I don't want to, in order to be successful - but I have a goal and a time-line for that goal- so I'm hoping I don't get derailed.
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Ok - drum roll... stay tuned for the earlier mentioned contest, it will appear next week AFTER the ANWA Writing Conference I'm leaving for tomorrow...
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L8er - Joyce

Didn't die and go to Heaven...

2011-02-23T13:06:00.000-08:00

Wow all you marvelous people out there that have been sitting on pins and needles waiting anxiously for me to come alive - be restored from the lost- or that thought I had died and gone to Heaven... I'm Once Again Here! Yippee...
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So many things kept me from posting... sick, computer didn't want to work, gone, computer crashed once again!, went to Texas and so many number of things that I can't name them all, so please, please don't ask me to - but I'm here now.
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So first thing is that I want to report - I DID GET BRAVE and submitted the first Chapter of the novel I'm writing to the First Chapter contest at the Storymakers Conference which I'll be going to in May! Wow, I'm so brave it gags me! :O}
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Another wowie for me is that I finally decided to figure out what's made me look the way I look! Well I already knew - yum, yum - but I'm now trying to do something about it! Dang do I still get Chocolate? Isn't that the staple of life??? While I was in Texas I asked my daughter-in-law to help me loose some of this flubber... she took me down to YMCA gym and off we went on the treadmill and she taught me how to use it. All these years I always thought you got on set a walking speed and walked, and walked - never breaking a sweat mind you! With Donelle's help I've learned that I actually know how to sweat... never thought I could unless I was in 115 degree weather. Now I know better! WOW can I sweat!!! Yep I know it's not lady-like, but when you're at the gym - who cares?!?!?! Well, with two weeks of a lot of hard work and sweat at the YMCA I've lost... drum roll here... 2 whole pounds, yes two pounds, two weeks - two pounds! WHOOP, Whoop!!! LOL I'm not giving up yet though! I'm home now and have a treadmill of my own, a bike, a boxing bag, and all manner of equipment... wish me luck. :O)
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So stay tuned tomorrow and I'll tell you more of my plan AND a contest I'm going to hold! Yes that's right a contest... everyone likes contests -right?!?!? L8er....
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Wacky Wednesdays...

2010-10-06T16:39:00.000-07:00

Okay so today is wacky wednesday and I'll tell you what,

That new title has put me in a bothersome little rut!

I search the house over for things that have gone awry,

To the point of frustration and my desire to wanna cry!

I've got a pile of things all over the place with a bunch to do,

But I tell you, I can't do much with a two foot Grue!

Now what's a Grue you may ask with wonder?

I'll tell you - yes, I will shout it with a voice of thunder!

A Grue is my own made up word I'll tell you straight,

Yes, the results of a Grue, I'm starting to hate!

I went to the doctor and he put tape on both my feet,

It's hard to walk and get anything done - but bleat!

Okay, okay so two sore feet is what I call a Grue,

For there aren't a whole lot of things that I can do!

Its real name is called Plantar Fasciitis I tell you true,

Walking to loose some weight is now not a thing I can do!

So no walking, no rowdiness or jumping on the bed,

And all of these restrictions because the doctor said!

So now do I need a wacky wednesday to help me along?

Nope, I just need to laze around and sing a song!

Now don't you wish you had a two foot Grue too?

~Joyce

Monday's Marvelous Quotes...

2010-10-04T15:57:00.000-07:00

If you listened to Oct General Conference this week-end you may remember this quote..."Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

I had been talking to one of my daughters Friday night and we were discussing a very similar topic. I sometimes overwhelm myself with all of the things I put on my agenda; all of the things I want to accomplish - to the point of not accomplishing any of them. In President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk he told us that the astronauts and cosmonauts used a pencil when their pen wouldn't work in space. I'm now thinking that simplicity is sometimes the best policy. My daughter is right... for she has an apostle of God to back her up!

I think a lot of us are very much like that - we get so caught up in trying to succeed and various ways to do so, that we neglect the simple solutions right before us! So last night I devised a plan: I would get up this morning and go for my hour walk; come home eat breakfast; then write in my novel until noon; when I would eat lunch; then go in and finish sewing my trek dress.

You may say, "good plan" - yes, it was a very good plan! PLAN BREAKER: waking up with a MIGRAINE!!! So I've spent a quiet day lazing around, just barely able to get up and write this blog...

Here's to great uninterrupted plans for tomorrow...

~Joyce

Monday's Marvelous Quotes...

2010-10-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

If you listened to Oct General Conference this week-end you may remember this quote...

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

I had been talking to one of my daughters Friday night and we were discussing a very similar topic. I sometimes overwhelm myself with all of the things I put on my agenda; all of the things I want to accomplish - to the point of not accomplishing any of them. In President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk he told us that the astronauts and cosmonauts used a pencil when their pen wouldn't work in space. I'm now thinking that simplicity is sometimes the best policy. My daughter is right... for she has an apostle of God to back her up!

I think a lot of us are very much like that - we get so caught up in trying to succeed and various ways to do so, that we neglect the simple solutions right before us! So last night I devised a plan: I would get up this morning and go for my hour walk; come home eat breakfast; then write in my novel until noon; when I would eat lunch; then go in and finish sewing my trek dress. You may say, "good plan" - yes, it was a very good plan! PLAN BREAKER: waking up with a MIGRAINE!!! So I've spent a quiet day lazing around, just barely able to get up and write this blog...

Here's to great uninterrupted plans for tomorrow...

~Joyce

Friday's Frills and Thrills...

2010-09-24T15:22:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor and the doctor said, "Now you must stop jumping on that bed!"

LOL - not really, what she said was that I do have strep... so this made for a fun thing for me to try and get enough doses of meds into my system so I could take my hubby to the hospital for his scheduled hernia surgery this morning and not cause an epidemic outbreak of strep throughout the city!

All went well with the surgery - he's home again and happily tucked down on the sofa for a long winter's nap ('cept its not winter... far from it at 103!)

Me? No more sore throat - just sneezing and sniveling... "Joyce stop that sniveling!" going through a box of Kleenex and wishing for well days! I HATE BEING SICK!!!

Thanx for listening to my whining... Joyce

Wacky Wednesdays...

2010-09-22T14:42:00.000-07:00

Today I Choose Me!

By Joyce Smith

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Today has been a wacky Wednesday and I’ll tell you why -
I awoke with a sore throat that made me wanna cry.
Now sore throats are bad – no, badder than bad;
But luckily this one isn’t the worst I’ve ever had!

Shining a light down the farthest recesses of my throat
I tell you, I can see to the deepest parts of that moat.
I see my tonsils and little bumps of white and red
Then wonder what’re you doing here? You should be in bed!

So, I’ve lazed around the whole day through;
Doing nothing but plopping here and there with nary a shoe.
Now I’ve decided this is my motto - don’t you see,
“I can only please one person per day & TODAY I CHOOSE ME!”

Fridays Frills and Thrills...

2010-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Hey, today is a special day... today is the 42nd anniversary of the birth of my identical twin daughters in Anchorage, Alaska! Wow it's been 42 years already- woe is me, I'M OLD!

Here are a few pic's of them - then and more recent...

The funny thing is that we their family don't think they look all that much alike anymore - but they are constantly being mistaken for the other when one visits the other at Church... this happened just this past Sunday! They thought they were talking to Cristie when actually they were talking to Cindie and she didn't have a clue as to what they were talking about. She finally said that they needed to talk to Cristie about that... funny.

As babies we had to keep name tags on them so that even we would know which was which... We even got them special gold anklets to wear with an "A" and "B" on them since that's what they were known as in the hospital until we came up with names for two girls we weren't expecting at all! Cristie weighed in at 4 pounds and Cindie weighed 3 pounds 6 & 3/4 ounces.

They are very much alike even though they aren't so identical in looks. One year when we lived in Oregon we were having a family reunion... Cristie lived in Arizona and Cindie lived in Michigan. When we picked them up at the airport we got Cristie then ran to the other terminal to get Cindie and when she stepped through the gates she had on the exact same shoes and similar purse and her twin!

Well, I've got to go get ready... I'm going shopping & movie with them and their other two sisters for their birthday... fun times!

~Joyce

Friday's Frills and Thrills..

2010-09-10T17:40:00.000-07:00

OR REVISIONS, REVISIONS, REVISIONS...

Now you may be wondering what happened to my blogging fun... well we got a call that sent us off to Oregon for the funeral of our brother-in-law (my husband's sister's husband). We extended our stay after the funeral and stayed with our eldest son and his family; were gone a whole month and boy is it a thrill to be back home again, giggety gigg!

As I review my life - I realize that asking myself to dedicate three days a week to blogging is pretty adventurous of me - since I couldn't keep up with blogging once a week before. If I take three days to blog - that won't leave me much time for finishing the novel I'm writing. So I've decided that some revisions could and ought to be made. My idea is this: I will still have Monday's marvelous Quotes - but not necessarily EVERY Monday. I will still have Wacky Wednesdays - but again not automatically EVERY Wednesday... And that leaves us Friday's Frills and Thrills which likewise will not routinely be written on EVERY Friday; But I will do my darndest to have at least ONE of the posts each and every week if not two or three. Yup that's the plan! I've gotta finish that darn novel!!!!! And painting? When was the last time I picked up one of my paint brushes??? Hummm...

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So - Oregon in August and September is quite a fine place to visit. Along the roadsides almost everywhere you go there are Blackberry bushes growing wildly. During this time of year they are overloaded with berries the size of your thumb! Each morning I went for a walk which consisted of one and a half hours and netted me five to six miles on my ped-o-meter. As I was nearing my son's home at the end of my walk there were Blackberry bushes hanging over close to the sidewalk and I would reach up and grab a few to pop into my mouth. Most of them were melt in your mouth and sweet... but I did have to spit out a couple because they weren't quite ripe and biiiitttter... talk about pucker mouth! Sadly I didn't think to take any pictures of said berry bushes. :O{

I did take some pictures of a Doe and her twin Fawn's that came into my son's yard to feed on the grass and rosebushes. The babies were still in spots so that was very fun watching them. And some of the coast. Here they are:

Fawn:

Lincoln City, Oregon:

Our Son & Family:

Oooofffff!

Hope you enjoyed the pics. L8er... Joyce

Wacky Wednesday's...

2010-08-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Oh the wackiest thing has happened today,
Wackier than a two-tooth-grin from a pile of hay!
Now you may ask how hay can give a grin,
Okay you got me there – yep you win!

I sat on the floor making beaded bookmarks by the ton
Picking this bead and that until I found the right one,
Putting them on the thread was sometimes a trick,
But with my little wire I whipped them on real quick.

When working - I lost my wire more than once
I crawled all over looking for it and felt like a dunce!
Then I needed to make a business card, oh so neat,
It got deleted time after time; whew t'was a real feat!

I tell you sitting on the floor at my age was not so fun
For I got a kink in my back, and a BIG-SORE-BUN!
Yes, it’s a wacky day through and through
And even on two blouses I dropped some goo!

~Joyce

Monday's Marvelous Quotes, etc...

2010-08-09T16:32:00.000-07:00

"Reality Check; Who am I and where am I going? Let the MASTER be your teacher."

This is a quote I wrote for our grandson on his 21st birthday. We decided that we would do everything 21 so I gave him 21 quotes along with 21 Gold dollars, 21 drawing things (he loves to draw and is amazing at it) and a passel of other stuff; everyone at the party gave him things in 21's. Fun party!

In the writing world that I belong to, I think asking myself "who am I and where am I going" is a good question, one that I should ask myself more often. Actually it also applies to my painting and other walks of life too. Sometimes I forget to stop and think what I want in life and what I want to be known for. Do I really want to be known as a procrastinator? I DON'T THINK SO!

So with renewed enthusiasm (partly gleaned from the ANWA retreat I've mentioned before) I will go forth and try to listen harder to the Master and what HE wants me to become when I grow up; what HE wants me to do with my talents (I don't think He wants them hidden under a bushel). CLEAN MY DANG DESK OFF AND GET TO WORK!

What do you think the Master wants you to do with your talents? I would love to hear your comments on the subject.

~Joyce

Friday Frills and Thrills...

2010-08-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

This has been a thrilly day!

My husband's back from the National Boy Scout Jamboree that was held in Virginia; he had an awesome time while he was there... that's a real thrill! I love him and missed him bunches and bunches so having him home again after two weeks is a thrill for sure! We've known each other for 48 years and been married 46 of them, yup we dated for two years before we grew up. It's been an awesome life (to use the word now made famous by the Bachelorette, "awesome" one more time). Dang I like that word... guess I'll have to come up with another! How about amazing? Fantastic? What do you think???

Tonight I'm making the now famous Easy Tortilla Soup made by Krista Darrach that we had at the ANWA retreat! My mouth's a-waterin' - can't wait till it's done! Now that's a frill and a thrill! Only I think the name should be changed to Easy Chicken Bean Soup or Easy Bean Chicken Soup or Krista's Delight...? Whatever - I'm making it the harder way though... I cooked my own beans - now I'm cooking the chicken and will put them all together in a few minutes to make a mouthwatering splendid yummy meal! Thank you very much Krista! You're awesome! Oh yeah - you're tremendous!

Let's see what's another thrill for today?... Yes that's it... I (yes I love those little... too!) the thrill is that I've gotten most of my laundry done so I won't have my whole day tomorrow taken up with laundry - now that's definitely a thrill for both today and tomorrow!

Another thrill is that my toe is nicely healing from my disaster of being not only the first participant at the Retreat but also the first injury when the HEAVY bunk bed we were moving got put down too soon - yes you got it - ON MY BIG TOE! Owe, owie, OUCH! {Yip, I like those cute little awesome {humm - awe-inspiring} exclamation points also! :O)

Okay, I smell my chicken in the crock pot cooking to wonderfulness so I better go finish it before I have black chicken jerky!

See you on Monday's Marvelous Quotes!

~Joyce

Wacky Wednesdays...

2010-08-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

While at our ANWA writers retreat this past week-end we ate; we wrote; we wandered about getting acquainted; and we learned from each other. We even had one wacky adventure after another when the rain fell and filled the basement bedroom with water. While there one suggestion was to try and improve our blogs, to this endeavor I am writing today.

First I guess I should explain what ANWA is to those of you who may not know. ANWA stands for American Night Writers Association. Formed in Arizona in October 1986, the purpose of the organization is to encourage, assist, and motivate members to write, and if they desire, to publish their work. It is comprised of LDS Women who are mothers or may have other professions that keep them from meeting their goal of being a writer - So they write at night (Not a requirement) also sometimes the words to write come from the Spirit in the middle of the night. This is a national organization and if you would like to know more just check us out on line at: www.anwa-lds.com

Now back to me - Wacky Wednesdays will be a regular post of mine (unless gone or otherwise unavailable). My topics will vary - so if you keep track of me, you may very well be surprised at what ever the heck I may talk about or say. I will not be held accountable for anything! :O) That's right, no account Joyce! (Isn't that what being zany is? Yep, crazy!)

This past couple of weeks I've been wandering about camping. I went with my sister Shirley and of course I took along Albert & Snuffy. They're my camping pals. Here's a picture of them sunning on a rock at the lake - Albert left, Snuffy right:

They always go with me camping. Albert loves to climb in the trees and they both like to keep me warm.

This past week camping and at the ANWA writing retreat (I went camping, then to the retreat, then back camping again) when I went to take pictures of Albert & Snuffy on my bed - alas I had my camera case but no camera inside! When I got home it was on my desk, so luckily it wasn't lost or anything, whew what a relief. Just my luck! My husband is off to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Virginia and he has had the misfortune of loosing his camera with all those priceless pictures on it! So I was lucky that my camera wasn't lost, but unlucky to have not had it with me.

While I was at the ANWA writers retreat I had my first chapter of the novel I'm writing critiqued. I'm anxious to make the changes that Cecily suggested. She made a lot of marks on my manuscript, but I am so glad for her help and for the suggestions! I have many more chapters written but I've revised and gone through many twists and turns in my plot and wanted it critiqued again. Glad I did!!!

So that's been my wacky week thus far... I hope you join me again.

Look for Friday Frills & Thrills... Signing off for now, Joyce

A Book Review of Lemon Tart

2010-06-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

This past week I went on a campout with my two sisters for a “sister’s week”. We had a great time and all three of us were able to get in some good reading time; amazingly all three of us love to read. The book I chose was: Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack. One of the reasons I bought this book is because I love yellow, I love Lemon’s and I love a good mystery – it looked good, it sounded good, so I bought!

Let me tell you, I was not disappointed one iota with Lemon Tart. Josi Kilpack has done a fantastic job of making her character, Sadie, a very real and likable person. Sadie is a kick in the pants and I loved her antics and her tenacity to go for what she believed was right, even to the point of putting her own life at peril.

In this volume, a middle aged widow named Sadie sets out in her amateur way to figure out who is responsible for the death of her beautiful neighbor. In so doing she both intrigues and ignites the tempers of the two Police detectives assigned to the case. In her awkward and meddling way Sadie finds that the people she thought she knew and loved were not the people she had believed them to be. She is flabbergasted at all of the neighborhood comings and goings that had been happening right under her nose, without her even noticing; which incensed her because she thought herself to be the watchdog of their cul-de-sac.

When two detectives come to her door to ask questions, Sadie somehow manages to get Detective Cunningham to help her make the apple sauce she was in the middle of canning. While at the same time Detective Madsen rubs her the wrong way. His determination to prove her guilty of the murder causes not only a clash with her but with his partner as well.

Sadie sets out taking baked goodies to certain neighbors to try and wheedle information from them while trying to prove herself innocent, solve the case and find the missing child at the same time. She ends up having to eat her own preverbal mud pie in the process. Nope, no recipe for mud pie included!

Josi Kilpack has done a great job with this mystery in keeping me guessing as to who the actual murderer is. The added bonuses of the recipes in Lemon Tart are a plus as far as I’m concerned and I will be making the Lemon Tart and the other recipes included. How can you go wrong with a book that gives you a good read, a good mystery, and a mouth watering recipe to boot?

This debut novel in a culinary mystery series is a must read for anyone who likes a good mystery with humor interlaced throughout. Rest assured I will be buying book two, English Trifle as soon as I can!

~Joyce

Review of "Agent in Old Lace"

2010-05-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

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Coming home from the LDStorymakers Writers Conference in Provo, Utah in April, I was pretty tired so I spent most of my time the next few days reading. The novel I read was: Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston. No, it hasn’t taken me this long to read it – I just got a Trojan spy on my computer and couldn’t send anything in before now.

This is Tristi’s forth novel. Agent in Old Lace is the first of her novels that I’ve read. I found myself engrossed in the story and wondering from page to page if I was right in my deduction of who the “bad guy” was going to be. I’m one of those people that can be watching a TV show and tell my husband right away “who done it”. That knack has him sometimes frustrated with me – but I say to him, "don’t ask me if you don’t want me to tell you".

So with that in mind you can see why it’s important for me to read good mysteries that can keep me guessing as to “who done it”. With Agent in Old Lace I found that I was correct in the early conclusion as to who the “bad guy” was, but even though I guessed right, it kept me reading and wondering if my reasoning was accurate or not.

This fictional story of intrigue is set in Salt Lake City and southern Utah. Agent in Old Lace is about Shannon Tanner and her fight for life when she accidentally stumbles on some files her fiancee should not have, containing financial information about herself and her father. She struggles to stay alive after she’s kidnapped and taken into the mountains. With daring nerve, she escapes her captor. The aroma of cooking bacon and a campfire draw her. Going forward she finds an unlikely old man in the woods and thinks she’s found her prince in shining armor.

Shannon is shocked to find the old man isn’t who she thought he was and once again narrowly escapes her captors. Her attempts to flee are frustrated by hunger and as darkness and cold set in; the rain begins to fall. Her main goal in life is to stay alive and return to her dear father who is lying in a hospital bed dying. Her father's doctor is totally baffled by the cause of his illness.

Through twists and turns in the story and the help of an undercover agent who dresses as a woman to help protect Shannon, the story keeps the reader intrigued. Falling for the agent in lace isn’t in the plan. But as Agent Rick Holden goes about staying close to Shannon and trying to protect her from the life threats against her - planning doesn’t seem to fit in the equation.

Tristi Pinkston is adept in painting a picture of human bonds and struggles in this family’s life. Shannon, whose beloved father is dying and the trials of trying to keep her integrity, loyalty, and yet apply forgiveness are great challenges that take courage to face. The decisions she makes are all a fundamental part of this story. Tristi takes us into the characters hearts and homes which are well described in this story. If you’re interested in a good mystery to read, I recommend Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston.

Go get it and enjoy...
And have a good weekend - Joyce

Bugs, Lugs, & Hugs!

2010-05-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

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Now I swore I wouldn't take so long to post a blog again, but little did I know that I would have to eat my words due to bugs! No, I didn't eat any bugs - my computer came down with a plethora of bugs and I was daily battling Trojans trying to keep them from overtaking my whole PC! I won the battle after many wars! Yippee...

Next came the task of lugging my luggage up and down and all around. I went on a trip to Provo, Utah to the annual LDStorymakers Conference. We drove from Arizona with my sister Tina driving. Along on the ride and trip were three other amazing women, making a total of five of us in the truck. I also got to lug my heavy book-bag from class to class once we enrolled. Whew, I think I got arm muscles on this trip! But I had a blast-well worth the trip! I will post pictures of this trip on a forth-coming post.

Okay, then my back and shoulder went out and I spent many a day hugging my pillow trying to get comfy. Now that was not fun! My chiropractor took care of my problem and I'm once again able to give my hubby hugs without pain attached! Yippee, hooray, zip-pity-do-dah!!!

Okay talk to ya later. I've got a book review coming up later today or in the next few days, so check back soon...

~Joyce

TORTILLAS AND QUESADILLA...

2010-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

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Hi, sorry its again been a while... been sick etc, etc, etc...

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Every year my high school girlfriends and I all get together for a "girlfriends week end" -Sometimes not just a weekend though.
Anyway on these fun get together and one of the highlights of our time together is having Erma make us homemade tortillas and each year she tries to teach us how... somehow they're never quite like hers but with practice we finally get them to looking and tasting quite yummy.

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This was too good to wait for a picture...

Here are the recipes:

Tortilla

5 or 6 Cups flour

1 & 1/2 tsp Salt

3 tsp Baking Powder

MIX WELL

Add 1/2 Cup Shortening and cut up or mix with pastry blender or hands until it is all mixed well.

Add very warm water 1 cup at a time until dough is soft, not sticky (approx 2 cups, but you may need more). If dough is too dry add a little water at at time. If dough is too sticky add a little flour. Kneed about 5-7 minutes. Then cover and let rest for 5-8 minutes.

Roll out a small ball at a time using a little flour on the table. Turn the tortilla around counter-clockwise every time you roll it out bigger. Cook on moderate heated grille or heavy frying pan. Turn almost right away then cook until bubbles appear or is evenly brown; then turn over to other side and finish cooking. Reserve in covered pan to keep warm while cooking filling.

Chipolte Steak Quesadilla Filling:

Loin tip steak - cut in thin strips (Or Chicken strips)

Light Olive Oil

{Salt; Garlic with Parsley; Pepper; Montreal steak seasoning; Tabasco-Chipotle Sauce.

Onion - sliced in thin circles

Yellow or red sweet peppers - sliced in thin strips (I can't eat Green Peppers because they give me heartburn but the yellow and red ones don't do that and still give you nice flavor.)

{For even more flavor you may also use 1 small can diced Green Chilies & abt 1 TBS Pace Picante Sauce.}

Sour Cream

Tomato - diced

Cheddar/Jack Cheese - grated

Flour Tortillas

Cook meat in frying pan with light Olive Oil. Add {listed seasonings - to taste. When almost done add sliced onion & peppers; saute' until soft and meat is done.

Serve on your homemade tortilla with sour cream; cheese; tomato and more Tabasco or Pace if desired. I like to serve with corn. If corn is out of season then I use canned corn on top of the Quesadilla; more cheese & eat it with a fork. YUMMY!

I hope you try these and enjoy!

~Joyce

TEXAS TRIP

2010-02-19T08:01:00.000-08:00

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As some of you know I've been gone for two weeks to Texas and just got home on Wednesday afternoon. I thought I would share with you some of the highlights of said trip.

This is Kevin & Logan just before Logan's baptism. Notice the halo around Logan's head... pretty cool.

The Family: Donelle, Kevin, Logan, Tessa, Kinsey

All dressed in whites ready to go.

Me fixing computer for slide show of Logan.

Day trip we took...

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Kinsey & Logan -

"Oh come & try to get us - I have my stick!"

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The Alligators won't get us here!

Maybe here though...

Look, here's a place we can get away from the Alligator's...

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Won't get Logan here...

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Or Tess either...
Not Kinsey...

And they won't even get Mommy...

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Oh look, a Turtle, but NO Alligator...

Yikes! There's an Alligator!!!

"Stay back Grandma, I'll protect you!"

Aren't Grandkids great!?!?!?!!!!

I Shoulda Named this Smith's Life & Trials...

2010-02-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

As you can see I've given myself a new face lift (well I have enough wrinkles I could actually use a physical face lift) but I'm talking about this blog. I felt like it was time to turn over a new leaf, so to speak, and the first order of business was working on this blog and hopefully posting more often too.
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For three & a half years when we lived in Torrejon Spain, I wrote family newsletters back home titled: "The Life and Trials of the Smith's in Spain" detailing the many amazing things that happened to myself, my husband and our seven children while living there and the awesome life the Spaniards lived; how we adjusted to living in "their world" etc. But when I got home all such writings ceased. Now I'm thinking its about time to start recording events in my life a little more regularly. What better place to record it than here! :O)
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I thought I shoulda named this blog something like "The Smith's Life & Trials" or "Joyce's Life and Trials" but I just like the sound of Zany G's World much better, so there you have it...
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REORGANIZING...

2009-08-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy time for me - going here, going there, back home again, and off once more! Gee I'm starting to forget what home looks and feels like. But I think I'm home again for a while this time... can't swear to it though.
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Early this morning I started doing some much needed vacuuming, and as I vacuumed nooks and crannies I moved this and I moved that - the result being that all of a sudden I was reorganizing too. I reorganized the living room and dining room. I kind of like the change... hope hubby does too when he notices what I've done. It made me think how our routines are constantly being up-heaved and reorganized do to circumstances in our daily lives.
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Yesterday my husband and I were set apart as the Maricopa Stake 2010 Trek Boss and Mom... this means we are the ones that are doing all the planning, putting together, and seeing that the 2010 Youth Pioneer trek for Maricopa Stake is a success... wow tall order! We're in the process of deciding when and where it will be held, we'll have to go to some sights to check them out for feasibility. We gave out some assignments yesterday at the Stake meeting.
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You may ask what does this have to do with vacuuming? Well indirectly a lot I suppose, I'm having to vacuum out my life and get things reorganized in order to put the time needed into the trek. So far I've created a letterhead for our correspondence and I've created an e-mail addy for all trek e-mails. This also means getting up early enough to do my household things so I can still put time into my writing and painting ventures. It likewise means getting enough sleep so I can continue working at the Temple two days a week. It means that I need to spend less time dinking around and actually accomplish something. It means setting aside the proper amount of time for exercise - do you think I can walk the pioneer trek in the condition I'm in right now... I think not! I would be like one of those pioneers that died right in the first few days of the trek due to physical health... now I'm thinking that would NOT do for the Trek Mom... so more committed exercising and healthy eating. You get the picture... vacuuming out my life... ho hum
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INVISIBLENESS...

2009-07-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

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Okay, is it just me or what? There have been many times in my life that I've felt like I must be invisible...
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When I'm sitting at church all by myself and people come in and sit by other people all around me and leave the chairs next to me empty. I must stink or be invisible, I'm not sure which... Nope, I know I took a bath and used deodorant, so I don't stink!
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Then there have been times when I'm sitting at church and everyone around me are welcomed, EXCEPT ME... what am I invisible?
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When I've written and made a comment to a group of people, and don't get a response... am I invisible?
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When I've been talking to family members and no one hears me... now I'm really starting to feel invisible. I pinch myself to see if I am there, all I get is a bruise. So, I go to the mirror and look in to see if I can see myself... yes I can see a reflection... humm? I wonder, can invisible people see themselves in a mirror?
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Well this week it has been confirmed - I AM INVISIBLE! Not invincible, but surely invisible. This is what happened...
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Remember I live about eight miles west of town out in the country. I take my dogs out and put them in their penned dog house each night so they won't run the neighborhood and cause trouble. The dogs pen is around the corner and behind the barn, so it gets very pitch black out there. I told my husband that I would like a motion light out there so I can see where I'm going. He complied and put a motion light on the front porch, he put a motion light on the back porch, he put a motion light above the shop on the front of the barn, he put a motion light at the end on the back of the barn.
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So with all those lights I've been able to go out there and have lights going on every step of the way keeping me from stumbling on a pebble or ant hole and falling or breaking my leg on a tumbleweed, you know I'm accident prone in the funniest ways... anyway that's another story...
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Well, when I got home from my camping trip and went out there to put the dogs up and NONE of the lights came on I thought my hubby had turned them off while I was gone and hadn't turned them back on. Three nights in a row I had no lights coming on. I finally remembered to mention this to said hubby. He said they worked for him. I said they don't come on even when I walk around in circles trying to trip them.
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So the other night when we came home from swimming at our daughter's house, he drove the car all around out there and every light came on. See they work. I said thank you for fixing them, he said he didn't do anything. I said yeah right. Later when I went to put the dogs up not one light came on. I went in and told him. He shook his head. Okay see, now its official - I AM INVISIBLE even my motion lights can't detect me!
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Last night... still not a light came on for me even when I walked around trying to get it to trip... yup I'M INVISIBLE.... Grrrr - this explains a lot - here I thought it was because I'm shy, nope its cause NO ONE SEES ME!!! I'm INVISIBLE... hey maybe I could use this to my advantage...
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Home again, jiggity jig...

2009-07-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Wow it seems like 4EVER since I've been on here.

Well, I guess it has been.

I've been a busy gal ya know,

I was busy with family reunions...

Motorcycle riding, Golfing, & homemade Ice Cream...

and Swimming...

Were just a few of our activities.

Then family pictures & the baptism of our grandson were also among our activities.

I then went to my ANWA writers Retreat...

This is the group of us:

Then off Camping...

Yes, I set up this tent and hammock and campsite by myself... Ha, I'm so efficient!

This little Chipmunk my sister, Shirley, and I named Tubby, because he was so fat and chased all the other Chipmunks away when he was there filling his cheeks with our peanuts. He was sure fun to watch.

This is just a few of my last two months activities... So rounds out my fun. Next it will be back to work on my novel, Today, Tomorrow, and Forever. Actually I've been working on it all day until now. So there you have it - a few things in the life of me, Zany G....

Habits...

2009-06-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

The other day I was driving up to the mountains for a fun camp out, when my glance set upon my hands on the steering wheel. More directly I noticed my fingernails... nope those aren't Mommas fingernails, they're mine! (Momma loved to care for her nails and did it faithfully, keeping them filed into beautiful shape and polished - always stylishly long.) But this day, as I gazed upon my own nails which were filed and shaped much like my mother's with polish on them too - I had to smile.
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You see for as long as I can remember I've been a nail biter. Chew, chew, chew... never being able to attain nails like my mother's, no matter how hard I tried - I would eventually start biting them again. I just couldn't seem to stop biting them, even when I didn't know I was doing it. I smile now because after all these years it's taken me until I'm officially a "senior citizen" to overcome that nasty habit! How funny is that!?!?!
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It goes to show you can teach an old dog new tricks - you can overcome lifelong nasty habits if you persevere. Even now that I'm home from camping and I've broken a couple of my fingernails - I went and got a file and fixed them shorter and didn't bite... yippee!
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Mother's Day

2009-05-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

Today is the day we celebrate our mother's. What I can do for mine is look up into the sky and say "Thank you mom for being such an awesome woman, mother, friend, and example." My mother was one of those elect women who everyone loved. She was loved by each of her 11 siblings who held her in high esteem all of their lives. She was loved by each of her neighbors, which extended beyond her neighborhood. She was loved and revered by each of us, her six children. She was especially loved by our dad, she was his sweetheart and he loved her and cherished her beyond her passing from this life. He loved to sing her love songs in Danish and in fact was singing her one the minute of her passing and he sobbed as she left him. My mom was an exemplary, elite woman! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOMMA!

By Momma’s Side

written by Joyce Smith

I love to go walking by my Momma’s side
And the way she steps out in a great big stride;
This can bring me joy & make me happy as can be,
For in this she has taught me to beauty of every tree.

I love to sit and read at my Momma’s side,
For the knowledge this has brought, gives me great pride;
As a child I recall we would sit on the sofa to read,
And from this I learned, for my own children, to do the same deed.

I love to sit at my Momma’s side and hear her sing,
For great joy and contentment this does bring;
Now I go about my own house with a melody in my heart,
And this has taught me, with a smile, to try & do my part.

I love to stand at my Momma’s side to do dishes in the sink,
To remove all the spots from them & from the house every stink;
While we were busy working together & making the house shine,
She taught me that more than money, a great wealth is mine.

I loved to sit at my Momma’s side to watch her sew me a new dress,
She would do this without thought of self, I must confess;
And she would spend hours making my dolls cute little clothes,
Is it any wonder that sewing is also a talent that I chose!?!

I love to have Momma at my side to go out and look at the stars
And to see all the wonders that are ours;
For learning to appreciate all the wonders in the universe,
Has taught me to sit down & put my thoughts in verse.

I love to go to Church with Momma at my side,
To hear all the stories & of the whale with Jonah inside;
For going to Church with Momma, don’t you see -
Instilled a strong testimony of Christ in me!

So I want you to know that having my Momma by my side,
Has filled me with a deep love for her and great pride;
For she has taught me all she knows and the B attitudes,
And for all of this & more, I owe her a deep debt of gratitude!

I love you Momma!

My Book review

2009-05-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

Due to being sick this past week-end, I spent most of my time reading. The novel I read was: Counting the Cost by Liz Adair.
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This is Liz’s fifth novel and I’ve enjoyed them all. I find her to be one of those novelists that can grab your attention at the beginning of the book and keep you spellbound to the last surprising chapter and page. Liz has a knack of transporting the reader into the story where they experience the action, loves, and heartaches of the lively characters within.
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This fictional account is a love story set in the middle 1930’s New Mexico and Arizona. Counting the Cost is about Heck Benham and his struggles as a cowboy out on the range, whose life is changed drastically by a forbidden love. Heck is faced with decisions that will take him from the cowboy life, which not only he’s good at but that he loves, to the love of another kind. I found myself frustrated with him at times and excited and happy for him as well. Having grown up on what I lovingly call “a poor dirt farm” in Arizona, I could relate somewhat with some of his homes, activities, his love of cowboy life and some of the crude ways he was forced to live.
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Life in the East for Mrs. Ruth Reynolds has been one of a total contrast from the life she’s asked to live when her husband moves her to a ranch in the west. One thing that I found both funny and poignant was when Ruth, in her fancy dresses & shoes, is required to learn to function doing manual labor with her delicately manicured hands. Ruth finds life with her husband to be one of great challenge. The decisions Ruth makes seem to have little regard for the cost to herself, her loved ones or those around her. I found that I admired her tenacity and persistence in being able and willing to do some of the things required of her, but also irritated by some of her thoughtless decisions.
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Lucy, Heck’s little sister, becomes a true friend to not only her brother but to the proud Ruth Reynolds. When Ruth discovers Lucy has a talent for sewing, she asks Lucy to teach her how. This new found talent brings Ruth excitement, challenge and life changes that she would never have thought likely. Lucy goes through her own trials but is still able and willing to help others and to teach Heck and Ruth both valuable lessons.
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Liz Adair paints a picture of human struggles in epic proportions. Trials of integrity, loyalty, forgiveness and the courage to face the cost of the decisions we make are all an intrinsic part of this story, where Liz takes us into the characters hearts and homes. If you’re interested in a good book to read, I recommend Counting the Cost by Liz Adair.
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Such is life - Swine Flu, etc

2009-05-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Wow I haven't posted for a while... not that I haven't missed you and wanted to be here - just didn't have time at first...

Our friends Chris & Jeanie from Oregon, came to visit and spend the week with us celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary... great friends, great times! We shopped and hung out talking and goofing off - then on Thursday, our actual anniversary day, we took Chris & Jeanie to the Temple in Mesa and did Sealings. Our daughter Tonya met us there too and we had a great time doing that. After we took Tonya home and changed we went to eat dinner at a quaint little restaurant we had never been to before but decided it was good enough that we would go back again. Good food and service. We left there and found a parking place for our car and hopped the Light-Rail to Phoenix. We walked the rest of the way to Dodge Theater from the train stop, where we had a first time experience seeing the Celtic Women perform... what a show they put on! We had great seats too. Fantastic!!! But they didn't allow camera's so we didn't get any pictures. Bummer! We got home late but our spirits were satiated by an awesome day.

Friday we went to Tucson, AZ where we went to the Air Museum and explored the aircraft stored there from the war and other advents. Don was in the Air Force for 20+ years so this was a highlight of his day and he even got to take me on a plane ride. (see picture) We explored the Air Force 1 in storage there from past Presidents of the U.S. back when. The opulence wasn't near the quality that I'm sure is in the current Air Force 1, but it was fun touring it and all the other airplanes there and to hear about them. After our tour we went over to the Air Force Base and vouched Chris and Jeanie on with our ID's and shopped around in the BX before heading back home.

Saturday we had to take Chris and Jeanie to the airport so they could fly back to Oregon it was sad to see them go but our friendships were renewed and we were better for having had the week with them.
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Now here I sit weeks later just putting another post. This Thursday my sister Shirley came to visit and we had a blast going all over town together. We first stopped and had lunch at Arby's in honor of our father. Daddy loved walking down to Arby's and getting a "sandwich" for his lunch then walking across the parking lot over to Dairy Queen where he would purchase a Dilly Bar then walk home eating it. This was a daily routine for the last couple years of his life, so Shirley and I decided that since it was the day of Daddy's birth that we would celebrate for him by going to his favorite place to eat. We later went to Dairy Queen and got a box of Dilly Bar's with my daughter Tonya then left her with the other three when we took her home. We shopped more and when the day was done and we had wished our daddy a happy birthday several times we came back to Maricopa and to Dairy Queen here and bought another box of Dilly Bar's to take home (which by the way cost a lot more here in Maricopa - go figure.) so we could have a week celebration for dad.

Well, we just about walked our legs off on Thursday so we decided to take it easy on Friday which ended up being a good thing because when I woke up Friday I was sick. This is not fun. I hate being sick. But I guess if you have to be sick this was a good time because I was able to take the time to do something I haven't done in a long time... read. Shirley and I sat across the room from each other reading our books, then putting them down and visiting, then picking them up reading again. I sat carefully because I kept getting dizzy, I had a huge headache and the whole nine yards of sickness with a cold. BUT I found a wonderful thing. My friend Linda told me in November to buy some Zicam and that if I started feeling like I was coming down with a cold to take the Zicam and it would keep me from getting sick or at least not so bad. I forgot I had it. But when I remembered I had Zicam I decided to try it and it helped greatly. Thanks Linda!

I didn't go to Church yesterday though because I still had a little cough once in a while and was afraid that IF I went into a coughing spell that people would think I had swine flu and would mass-move to the other side of the room, causing the building to tilt off its foundation. I had visions of people fleeing the church from all exits yelling, "Swine, swine; seu-ie, seu-ie" in their best pig calling fashion, running for their cars and leaving me sitting on the pew all alone with a Kleenex dangling from my nose. Yep, that thought kept me home. Such is life.

Glasses or air headedness...

2009-04-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

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I know, I know, I've posted already today - but I was thinking of this funny experience that I had one time when trying to re-new my drivers license...
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First you need to know that I've worn glasses that I don't take off, except for showering, swimming, and bed, for a good many years. Well I went into the motor vehicle department one day to get my drivers license re-newed and was told I had to go do the eye test.
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After waiting in line for my turn the woman behind the counter said for me to take my glasses off so I could take the eye test. I told her I couldn't see clearly without them. She said, "Well if you don't take them off, I will have to put it on your license that you have to wear glasses." I told her, "That's fine because I wear them all the time and when driving anyway." She insisted that I take them off to take the eye exam... I did and she said, "Tell me what line you can see clearly." I said, "None" The woman got all flustered and said in a sharp voice that she's going to have to put it on my license that I have to wear glasses!
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Now is it me or was she having an extremely air headed day I wonder? LOL... I'm wondering what's the big deal of having it on your license that you HAVE to wear glasses when you wear them anyway? I wonder if its a ding against the worker to have to put it there - does it cost her something - does it cost her more time and effort? I don't think so... too funny!
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Judging others...

2009-04-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, if you haven't seen the clip of Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent... you've missed something awe inspiring. Here's a link: http://twurl. nl/v0twq8

This is a fantastic example of not judging someone by their looks. It's amazing how even Simon is shocked to speechlessness with this stunning performance. I love the smile on Pierce's face but the smile Simon has is quite a sight. Way to go Susan!!!

I dreamed a dream... certainly we all have dreams and this shows that dreams can come true if we put ourselves out there and reach for the golden ring - the sky's the limit - and all of those clichet's. Dream on and go for it...

When I grow up wouldn't it be awesome to go from complete obscurity like Susan to a name renowned around the world? One of my favorite sayings is: "When I grow up I want to be an OUTRAGEOUS old woman who never gets called old lady. I want to get leaner and meaner, sharp-edged and earth-colored till I fade away from pure joy!" Yes, that's who I am but it would be nice to be all of that and more! Yep...
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1st Signs of Spring...

2009-04-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

1st signs of Spring

Oops I neglected to add these pictures before I posted - so here they are.

The Palo Verde tree with all the yellow blooms I like to call my "humming tree" because when you walk by it there's such a humming sound from all the bees that love it... fun! The pic on the right is our Olive tree that I spoke of.

Springtime musings

2009-04-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Going outside even here in the desert-lands is quite a sight. I live on what we lovingly call "Tumbleweed Ranch" where we have tumbleweeds galore and not much more other than dirt. When we moved here we decided that we wanted a little green so we have planted some trees, flowers and grass (which isn't doing well due to the salt content of our well water). Here are a couple pictures that I've taken showing some of the first signs of Spring at our house. I hope you enjoy them.
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The one of my Olive tree is kind of symbolic - this picture was taken on Easter Sunday. Symbolizing in a very very small whit - our Gethsemane's. Life is full of trials and heartaches but if we endure them well we will be the better for it... NOTHING we go through in this life will compare in the least to what our Savior went through for us! How can we possibly repay Him? By living life the best that we can and remembering His sacrifices for us, that's how.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

2009-04-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Nothing ventured, nothing gained is a life-style I’ve often thought about. Joseph Smith exemplified it when he read in the Bible to ask of God for knowledge. He thought about it and then went to a quiet grove of trees to see for himself if prayers really worked. Nothing ventured, nothing gained indeed.
Added to my list of many I’ve thought about is Gideon when he was asked to fight the Midianites who were numbered as the sands of the sea. He took his small army of 300 to fight for the right. He knew he didn’t have enough bodies in his army to fight a fair fight but God had told him what to do and he ventured to the task. (Judges 6-8)
Mary and Martha were great women who lived this in their lives. David was another when he went to fight Goliath – now obviously David knew he didn’t have the physical strength to fight the mighty giant Goliath. He also knew he had God on his side. So off he went, a mere boy, with his rock and sling to slay the mightiest man in the kingdom.

Now I don’t pretend to stand anywhere near these men and women of the Scriptures – yet over the years I’ve realized the life-style of nothing ventured, nothing gained is one of great importance to me.
To illustrate this principle in my own life: There was a time when I was feeling misplaced. Oh I was happy enough, I had a wonderful husband and seven great children, still something seemed to be lacking. I needed more than these “four” walls. Although college came to mind I was anxious about that idea because of my shyness. However, I ventured forth and it was one of the single most important things I’ve ever done for myself. I would never have fully understood myself or my own worth had I not gone to college.
While seated in my kitchen one day, I had a scene pop into my mind that I thought could be the opening scene of a novel. I mulled it around for a week or so and when it kept coming to me I ventured forth and started the process of writing a novel. I’ve worked on it for years, nevertheless it’s been a growing process and venture I would never have thought possible of myself.
Another venture was when I took up oil painting. It started from a TV painting show and thinking I would like to try it. I borrowed the tools to do my first painting and I eventually took classes on painting.
One day my son, whom had gone to Mexico City on a mission for our church, asked me to do a painting of the Mexico pyramids. I wailed that I didn’t know how to paint pyramids! Then one day it came to me – “nothing ventured, nothing gained” I realized that IF I never tried to paint a pyramid, then certainly I couldn’t paint one. I decided that I would try it but not tell my son what I was doing – if it didn’t turn out, I could destroy it and he would never know. I prayed and studied pictures of the pyramids in Mexico again and again until I finally took a paint brush and slathered it with paint. Although it didn’t come easy or without frustrations – I persevered with everything I had. When finished I liked it reasonably well and gave it to my son for Christmas that year. He was surprised and overjoyed.
One more example was when I was asked to write a play for the commemoration of the Relief Society organization of our church. I said I had never written a play and didn’t know the first thing about writing one. However I agreed - then read books about the R.S. so I could write a plausible play. Again I prayed unceasingly. I not only wrote the play but directed it as my ward members put it on in honor of the Relief Society Centennial birthday.
I’m now a member of American Night Writers Association which helps me gain a better understanding of writing. I’ve started another novel and written several children’s stories, which I hope one day to have published. Yes, if you never venture forth to try new challenges in life, you may never gain the potential of your God given talents and purpose in this life. Okay lesson learned – now to just remember and apply it more frequently.

“When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.” ~Helen Keller
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Doing the best that we can...

2009-03-20T15:06:00.001-07:00

Well, the poem I shared yesterday I've revised a little, but it's still the same basic poem. I hope you enjoyed it.

Today's thought is this: "When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another." --Helen Keller

I'm continually amazed at the impact that we have on each others lives as friends and family. I belong to a writing group called ANWA (American Night Writers Association) and the women in that group are regularly impacting my life and helping me reach to new heights. This blog is one of them; Not being so afraid to share myself with others is another.

Over the years I have met many marvelous people that have wrought miracles in my life, even though sadly some of them I've lost track of. Betty Kille is one I've lost track of but she's one woman that I will forever cherish in my thoughts for the miracles she brought to me when we lived in Alaska 40 years ago and I had my twins. She unwaveringly and unselfishly came to my aide on a daily basis. You see I had a two year old son, and a thirteen month old daughter when I was surprised with the pre-mature birth of twins that I had no idea I was carrying. Betty came over and helped me fold diapers (before the world of Pampers) and take care of my little family. She was my friend in the true sense of the word, not only did she help me physically but she gave me mental support through her loving kindness... She's an awesome woman that I will never forget even though I've lost track of her!!!

The Death of a Dog Toy

2009-03-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

Oops - Somehow I zapped that post so I'll try again...

Have any of you ever owned a dog? If you have you will know what I'm talking about here or at least be able to relate. This is a poem I wrote in honor of a dog tog that's gone and never to return:

The Death of a Dog Toy
By Joyce Smith

One day I looked out the window and what did I see?
Well it was the death of a dog toy that could not flee.

That fine toys white fluff was scattered all over the ground
And the poor thing was laying there not making a sound.

As though scared half to death, its yellow fur stood straight out
Lying on the grass with no mouth - its face seemed to pout.

I tell you its big black eyes seemed to stare straight at me
But that couldn’t be possible for that toy could not see.

Now there were no feet left on the forlorn little thing
And it looked like its black hair had been given a fling.

I gathered it all up and threw it in the trash-can
And I thought, what a way to end its poor life - oh man!

My dog had played with it so hard that it came apart
Now that’s the story of a dog toys death from the start.

~All rights reserved~

Dogs give their owners many things. Here are my 5 C's to what dogs give you: Caring, Comfort, Curiousity, Comic relief, and a desire to Curse!

Who's Zany G?

2009-03-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

At a writing conference that I went to on Saturday March 7th, we were advised by Doug Johnston (who gave a session on Publication and marketing), to create a blog. So here goes:

You may ask why did I name my blog "Zany G's World"? Zany G stands for Zany Grandma. A couple of my teenage granddaughters told me a while back that I don't drive like a grandma; Grandma's drive slow and jerky. I laughed... my husband has been known to give me nicknames derived from famous race car drivers such as: Nelly Parnelly; Netty Andriette, etc. Lately he's taken to calling me "Tigerette" because I've started hitting golf balls across the land. He's such a funny guy!

I'm not a fuddy duddy grandma but a zany grandma who likes to drive fast; go camping in the woods; and wish I could do cartwheels across town; swim the English Channel and roller blade around my kitchen while baking cookies! Yep that's me!