Starving

Many of you know the state my Mom is in. Last night when I called to talk to my Grandma (I haven't talked to my Mom in days because she has been so drugged up), she said I could talk to her. Well my Mom was so drugged up and suffering from the effects of starvation I have never heard her so out of it. It truly made me sad and I prayed for the Lord to take her asap.

I talked to her very briefly because she really didn't understand anything I was saying. When we finished talking I talked to my cousin who has been there helping. Apparently when the nurses said she couldn't not eat anymore a couple of days ago that made my Mom mad. She has been getting angry at my Grandma if she doesn't get food. How would you feel hopped up on extreme pain meds and starving to death?

That really got me thinking last night. What am I starving from? I already miss my Mom for one thing. I am starving from loneliness, but I know a lot of single people do. When I don't read my scriptures or pray I am very much spiritually starving. Today as I fast I may only be starving for a short period of time, but it sure does affect me. What are you starving from in your life? What do we both need to nourish ourselves with? We thrive off of nourishment...physical, mental, love, spiritual. Let me know how I can help nourish you, in turn that will nourish me.My Mom is on the left, her sister in the middle, and their Mom on the right:)

Ward Campout

This years ward camp out was a lot better then last years. Last year I was brand new and had hardly anyone to talk to. Camping I have found is not my forte or cup or tea, at least when there is noise to keep me up. If I have an air mattress, it's the right temp, and your tent is on a flat spot then it is a lot better. I did have fun talking with a lot of new people. Pictured Below...1-Group Shot, yes that's a banana in his mouth 2-Sue and I, a new friend I love! 3-Lyndall and Mindy, also such fun new friends 4-The Bishop hugging Cliff with his wife laughing in the background. Maybe next year I will just stay late, but running down the mountain in the morning was worth it!!!

Fabulous Friends

In the last little while I have needed a lot of support. I am glad to say I am at peace, feeling normal, and enduring well now. Some great friends have sure been sweet to me. One friend brought me a loaf of bread from Kneaders and who doesn't love Kneaders. Another friend gave me a cd I listen to everyday! I have received many touching notes too. One friend came down to visit and we went to a dinner(where we saw Jimmer) and to an Owlz game. Most recently I went to lunch with another friend and then got ice cream that night with two other friends, one of which gave me roses. I like to make friends for life so I am stinkin blessed with the kind of friends I have right now:)

She Who Loves A Garden

When I was younger my Grandma Zobell gave me a book by Mary Engelbright, whom I love, called "She who loves to Garden." I always thought she was psychic and wondered how she knew I loved to garden. I think I got my love of flowers from my grandma. In fact when I was driving to go garden the other day I saw the most beautiful gigantic Dahlia's and thought of her.

So anyways, as I promised here are more pictures of our garden. Check out the progress from my last post "A bit of Earth" in June. Two fun things we transplanted were my Christmas Tree from months ago and Raspberry bushes from my parents yard. This last time we spent a few hours shoveling bark, which in makes me shout when I twist and turn, LOL:)

What's in Common?

Each of these images has something in common. Let's see if you can figure it out before I tell you. This foot is one of those stress squeezy things I got at an OWLZ game this last week. One of my good friends came to town and we had soooo much fun. First we went to Barnes and Noble and just looked at cook books for as long as we could. Then we were going to try "The Honey Baked Ham" since we had never been there, but unbeknown to the common person they close at 6 pm????? OTAY! So we went to Spaghetti Factory were we were graced with Jimmer's presence:) Then we finished off the evening talking through the OWLZ game.

Next I got to take some time out from life and drove around the Alpine Loop. While I was out and about I didn't see any animals like I normally like to, except dumb birds, but I was able to read and study by this river. It is one of my favorite things to be out in nature, especially at twilight or dusk.


This is my parents ode to Eleanor. I love that they develop every picture they have of her and hang it up somewhere. I have been enjoying them as I have been house sitting for them while they are away at Eleanor's Blessing.



Lastly I enjoyed a yummy dinner made by my brother and his girlfriend. My favorite part were the cheesy balls...you know the kind you get at Tucano's? My other brother Glen and Kandace were also sweet and gave me Harry Potter tickets, which was a pretty good movie.

Some other things I had fun doing in the last week were: Hiking to Stewart Falls, swimming at FHE, hiking to Timp cave again, running 5 miles with my friend's dog (who worked out my arms more:), going on another date, having a girls party, getting to see my Grandpa Zobell, and reading the third book in a series I love. People and anything fun are keeping my mind off of the hard things right now.

So did you guess it? The commonality is all the things I did in the last week, well besides work.

Worth of Souls #2

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" D&C 18:10

I have a newer friend that is so sweet. She has been struggling though so much so she up and drove through 2 states recently just to think. I recently read this quote from President Hinckley and thought of her..."I would hope, I would pray, that each of us...would resolve to seek those who need help, who are in desperate and difficult circumstances, and lift them in the spirit of love into the embrace of the church, where strong hands and loving hearts will warm them, comfort them, sustain them, and put them, on the way of happy and productive lives."

She exemplifies this statement to a "T." She is always seeking to serve others. I really think it is important in a friendship that it be a two way thing and she is so good at that! She is also great at many different hairstyles, I am amazed almost every time I see her she has done something different. She is a smiler too:) Best of all we have such similar personalities we are straightforward, hard to offend, and love to talk.

Timp Hike

Last year I made the goal to hike the Timpanogos Cave trail as many times as I could, just to get in better shape. I honestly cannot remember how many times I did it, but I can remember I could hike up and back in less then an hour.

So this year I made the goal again and have hiked it quite a few times already. I will give you the total at the end of the season. I have added hand weights to the challenge, which has been challenging, ha!


Oh, and then a ranger tells me they are going to shut down the trail weekdays starting next week, so BAAAHHHH! Oh well! In the meantime I actually went in the cave once and I want to do the spelunking tour again this year, it's my favorite. Any takers?

Senses

Smell is one of the strongest of my 5 senses along with touch. I know this may sound sappy, but while I was with my Mom I just enjoyed feeling her skin, and giving her hugs. I also told her the smell I would remember her by is muscle relaxant rub.

I think my brothers have never liked the amount of hugs I have given them. I can't help it, I love touch and smells. I will always remember the smell of my grandmas perfume. I love, love, love coconut, lime, cinnamon, and pretty much anything citrus smelling. Ohh, and and anything clean spelling.

Each person I know I have a smell or memory associated with them. I love hugs from everyone, except really weird people. Popcorn, rainstorms, Spring flowers, the smell of your house growing up.....these are all things we will always remember. I wish I had someone to hug me all the time. I just cannot get enough love. I think we are a little bit to closed off towards each other. What is it that makes us want to hold back or not be venerable? We should have national hug a stranger day. In the meantime I will hug my pillow to sleep;-)

Mom's Advice

"Always stay close to the gospel and always be temple worthy..
pray-always make yourself available to serve. You will be surprised at the blessings you receive.

Worth of Souls

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God" D&C 18:10

For at least a month or two I have been thinking about the influence of people in my life. So I thought every so often I would feature someone without using their name on this blog. I thought about putting it on my other blog, but it may not spiritual as much as it is details about a specific person.

This friend always seems to call, text, or bring me a treat right when I need it. The great thing about her is I know she follows the spirit because she doesn't read my blogs or follow facebook. Actually one of my favorite things about her is her unfaltering standards! She is one of my strongest friends in the gospel and trials don't deter her.

She is also a social butterfly and talks as much as I do. When we got together last we lost track of time and talked for 3 hours! It was so much fun!!! She is a great listener too. She is beautiful and I believe Heavenly Father is saving the best husband out there for her. I don't think I have ever seen her in a bad mood, but I know she is human because we both have the same kind of attitude. She can tell people off and be straight forward. Best of all, she likes to do a variety of things like eating out, plays, movies, hiking, etc... I don't have very many friends that like to do a variety. She is my "adventuresome food tester" because we both like to go to new places and try new things. I always see her fulfilling her calling, serving others, and being the best Aunt. I'm so grateful to have this friend in my life and hope I can be a better friend to her.

I miss...

For some reason I have been thinking about things I haven't had, cannot have, or just miss lately. Some are stupid, others I think other people out there think about too. Without further adieu.....

-I miss childhood and not really having responsibilities or having someone take care of me.
-NUTS! My allergies are getting worse. All the nuts out there keep taunting me too!!! At least I can still handle Peanut Butter:)
-College learning. I don't miss the tests or deadlines, but I miss the hardcore learning and making it the focus of my life.
-Actually enjoying TV. For some reason I absolutely cannot handle more then 30 minutes of TV now. I get so bored! That be said I do miss Biggest Loser and Amazing Race.
-Having my Mom, Brett, and Steph living close by.
-Gas being less then $3, nuff said!
-Alaska
-Sugary drinks. I have been trying to stay away from them just because they are added calories and I want to eat those calories somewhere else. My mouth is watering right now thinking about Brazilian Lemonade, Pina Coladas, Steamers, etc...
-Having a best friend.
-Rocking on the porch or deck at dusk.

My Mother

My Mom is not doing well, but I can't help being grateful that I just went out to visit her. I was originally going to visit around the 24th holiday, but I felt prompted to go as soon as I could.

While I was there I was driving to church by myself because my Grandma and Mom were both sick. As I was listening to music the children's primary song "The Dearest Names" played and of course I cried. Here are the words that touched me..."I know a name, a glorious name, dearer then any other. Listen I'll whisper the name to you, it is the name of mother. Mother so tender and kind and true, I love you, I love you..."

I am going to miss my Mom and I am not at peace with her dying like she is. Maybe I will be at peace with it one day. You see, I get easily hurt when people abandon, desert, or leave me...even if it is not on purpose. I kind of go into a coma and it takes me awhile to recover. My Mom already left me (not on purpose) because of judges orders when I was young, friends haven't exactly been there for me, and now I will once again have to deal with her being gone. Let's just call 2011 the year the Lord has trusted me with more trials then I think I can handle.

Do I sound mad? Well it's because I am. However, I will try to keep on "Carrying On" as President Hinckley would say. I will also show you some pictures of my wonderful Mom from my recent trip.

Arf, arf!

In the last while or so I have decided I am really not a huge fan of dogs! It all started with me moving in with roommates who had two dogs. When I look back on my move there I know I made a rash decision to do it. I thought the dogs would grow on me, LOL!

There are always benefits to having dogs, to name a few...they provided a safe running partner since I have no friends that consistently run. At times when I have been crying my heart out they have actually licked away my tears, then I realized what was happening and was grossed out!!! They have also loved me when others have not been there.

Overall I think there is just more work when it comes to having one! There is disgusting hair all over the place I live, with the only clean place being my room. A few weeks ago my roommates got another dog, that's right now I have 3 roommates and 3 dogs. I have never lived with so many emotional girls!!! Needless to say I have been looking to move. The newest dog is small, therefore yippee. I am going nuts. Then my roommate sends me a rude text in regards to the dogs, REALLY? Grow up!

Then last week on my way to the airport a Chihuahua literally jumped out in front of my car. I swerved to avoid it, but heard a thump. I thought "You damn, stupid dog. You are going to make me late to the airport. Most dogs are smarter then you rat!" Luckily it ran away like the dickens so I didn't have to stop. Oh and then on the plane a woman brought a dog aboard for "emotional support." I am the one who needs emotional support from being surrounded by all these dogs!!!

Today while staying at my relatives their Yorkie kept following me around. I actually like this specific dog, but he peed all over the floor and I had to clean that nastiness up! Yuck!

So with dogs I have very strong opinions:
1-Big dogs belong outside
2-If you have a small indoor dog you have to train it to not bark a lot
3-Must be trained to go to the bathroom outside
4-Must be a breed that sheds as little as possible
5-If you have a dog you should not be at work all day leaving your dog to the care or annoyance of others
6-Do not let your dog beg for food or puts its noise were it shouldn't be
7-Some people do not like dogs, don't assume that everyone does and let your dog jump on, slobber on, or bug them at all!

Do not even get me started Cats!