Leaving Autumn

"How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days." -John Burroughs

I took this picture yesterday of one of the apple trees and autumn's last apple.  I'm so not ready for winter but this has been a wonderful month.  One of the highlights has been working on "not so random acts of kindness" for Brandi's birthday.  It's made the month so meaningful.  I'll share more acts that others have shared another time.  David and I just got home from the temple and my heart is  full and bursting.  I love the Lord.  I love his confidence in me...especially when I'm not feeling at the top of my game.  I love the smells in the air.  I love the rain we are getting.  I love my friends.  Talking on the phone to one today and feeling so filled.  I love that my friends make me desire to be a better person.  I love that David and I have tickets to fly to see my parents next week.  I love that I can call a niece in Idaho to come and take care of Grandma.  And she's happy to do so.  I love to laugh. I love pumpkin.  And seeing pumpkins in so many fields.  And seeing how happy all the kiddos are for Halloween.  I'm glad I have such wonderful memories of Halloween.  I love fall.  I love October.  I'm so sorry for it to end

but have I mentioned I love November...... 


"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

-Elizabeth Lawrence

Out of Control

This Week

This week was GNO at Elaine's home.  Look how cute her table is set for the season.  Love her soup tureen and pumpkin bowls.  And she served us a wonderful Autumn chowder and all the fixin's of a fall dinner.  Conversation never ends. (I'll have the recipe for the chowder on the cooking blog in a few days.)

Wanted to share some cute little cups and plates I got up at Midway with the Charm girls.  You know me and bees.  Little Sadie spent the night last night and she wasn't sure she wanted to drink from a "bee" cup.  We decided that we like to look at pictures of bees but don't like being stung AT ALL!

And speaking of the Charm girls- here are the charms so far on our necklaces.  I'm missing my rock charm from Oregon but I know I've seen it and just didn't realize what it was.

 

This year's charm was our initials with a little camp charm....for all the years we went to girl's camp together. (and might I add, we were very VERY naughty.)  Next to that is our charmed charm.  With a bee since they all came here to the "Beehive State."  That year we also got glitzy pop bottle charms since we used to do pop bottle drives to earn money (our Mia Maid class went to Cardston, Alberta Canada to the temple, then on to Waterton Lakes- one of my greatest memories!).  Next is our flip flops from our week at Myrtle Beach, a sand dollar from California, a witch and pumpkin from Witchie days and lastly, I know it doesn't match, but a squashed penny from the Olympic village.  Such fun memories and places we've been together.

Today is my baby girl's birthday.  Actually, she's my only "birthed" girl (as opposed to my daughters'-in-law- I adore them too!) and truly I count her as one of the greatest blessings of my life.  I'll share more about her birthday tomorrow but as for today, "Let us eat cake!"

 

Today is bittersweet.  I took my last Sunday/Monday meal to Kay, as she'll be moving tomorrow to a senior's center.  It's been 3 1/2 years. I love this woman.  I took her a milkshake Friday night and we sat and visited.  She had written on her calendar that tomorrow would be "the last day of her life."  Actually, she knows that isn't true and I reminded her that it is just the beginning of a new chapter.  But change is always hard. 

 

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.  ~Anatole France

 

 

 

 

Twinkle

More Acts

Here are some more services coming in from people all over for my daughter's birthday.

-My kids and I went to St George for fun. My daughter wanted me to sew her a blanket. After I showed her the sewing machine she said "Let's make blankets for babies in the hospital that are in need!"  We ended up sewing for three days straight and made several blankets to donate. We even pulled three late nights doing this. My daughter woke up every morning wanting to sew. She was smiling the entire time and lived at her sewing machine. The ladies at Jo Ann fabric store thought we were crazy buying so many fabrics. We could have done so many other things while on our vacation but she would have rather been at her sewing machine. Hope the babies enjoy her heartfelt efforts of making blankets.

-My Lizzy, who is always reaching out to everyone, helped out a neighbor of hers who just lost her husband and had back surgery. She then got her kids and husband involved and they mowed this lady's lawn......without complaint!! They are amazing kids!

-Another friend shared that she recently sent a client, with a past due bill of several hundred dollars, an email forgiving the debt in honor of a friend's birthday! Such a gift!

Happy Birthday Brandi!!
-I have been putting together Halloween treats for my trick or treaters this year (a free Wendy's frosty coupon in a cute little Halloween sleeve) and decided that in honor of your birthday I would send these out to my family. I have a nephew that is going through a rough time (breaking up with his girl friend who... he has two little girls with) and I was trying to think of something I could do to help. I remembered talking to you about what was the most helpful right after your divorce and you mentioned people enabling you to spend more time/fun with your kids. So for my nephew I sent him the frosty coupons and added a little money so that he could take his little girls out for a daddy- daughter date.

-Love your "acts of kindness" idea! I did a complimentary photo shoot for a dear friend and recent breast cancer survivor....then donated one of the photos to a local cancer recovery center. Happy Birthday!!!!

-Isn't it incredible how when you do something kind for someone, that kindness comes right back to you? My cute daughters and I spent the afternoon yesterday with someone whom we love very much. She survived being with us and we LOVED our time with her. We made something with her that she can keep at her house for a bit to bring a smile to her face. That brings a smile to our faces. Thanks dear Brandi. You always make us smile!! Love you dearly! Happy Birthday!

- I saw some boys playing street hockey and stopped and gave them a "Brandi" gift to go out for burgers and drinks

- I called a widow in our neighborhood who is going through some difficult times and asked what her favorite shake was.  I picked it up and then when delivered, I sat and talked to her for a long time, hearing about her life.  She cried when I left.

Birthday Acts of Service

I just wanted to share and leave a challenge.  I posted last week how my daughter sent out an invitation to everyone to share thought-out and random acts of kindness for her birthday.  The response has been amazing and has affected people who don't even know her.  I would challenge anyone reading this to prayerfully consider the good you could do for someone else, maybe out of your comfort zone, to be an answer to someone else's prayer.  And share if you will.  Here are a few: 

 

-Just wanted to share what we did for your birthday! My husband and I were flying back from Salt Lake City to Denver last week-end. We had decided to leave our car in a long-term parking lot for the days we were in SLC. When we arrived in Denver on Monday night we took a shuttle over to Pike's Peak parking lot--20 minutes or so away! We noticed a young lady on our shuttle and saw her get off at ...one of the first shelters in the lot. We continued on our way and the shuttle driver let us off at our shelter and we found our car. As we were leaving we noticed this poor young lady still walking around this massive parking lot looking for her car. We asked her if she would like us to help her locate her car. She said she would be so grateful. We drove up and down each isle as she tried to remember where she had parked over a week ago. It took sometime and we were literally going up and down each isle looking for her car, but we did find it. I know I was praying really hard that we might find it soon because we still had a 350 mile drive back home and it was getting late. I was grateful to have been able to help her and am so glad you wanted some random acts of kindness for your birthday! It has been a wonderful time to reflect and reach out to others! 

 

-  The other day as I was going through my closet, (we are moving and I have been frantically packing boxes) I found myself looking at a closet full of beads and jewelry that i never wear! After thinking for a minute, I remembered your birthday wishes. So I called a lady named Marge (whom is in charge of our high schools junior Miss/ ...

 

Distinguished Young Women's program) I asked her if she knew of any girls in need of some jewelry and other things that would help them participate. The conversation was so touching, she began to tell me about a few girls she had just spoke with that said they wanted to participate but their parents were unable to financially help them, and Marge told them she would start looking for sponsors ( mind you this took place just two days prior to our talk) she was in tears and me too. I contacted my mother in law whom has a dress shop and she is willing to donate two dresses for the girls and I am so blessed to be able to help the girls this coming year back stage with their hair and make up!   Also last week I was able to help a friend of mine from college, her daughter is terminally ill with a terrible liver disease. We had a fundraiser and I was blessed to have enough time to spend 22 hours setting up and helping raise over $8,000 to go toward sending their family on a needed vacation to spend some time enjoying their daughter while she is still able to be outside of the hospital.

 

-Claire and I decided to pick up trash along the side of our walking trail today! Happy birthday!

 

-Another friend shared how for his act of kindness they have arranged for his company to provide a meal for the Road Home Shelter! So awesome!

-I also contacted the shelter for one of my acts of kindness and they are in desperate need of infant items (formula, diapers, wipes, etc.) so if anyone would like to donate let me know and I will pick up your donations. We will be delivering this Saturday as part of our day of kindness!

 

-A friend of mine shared the following: "I spent the weekend at the hospital with a teenager who isn't mine. Funny, but I thought about your kindness thing and it just helped it feel more uplifting to be there. Thank you.....

 Also, money is tight right now. One of my sweet sons had been sick and asked... me to PLEASE get him Wendy's food for dinner. I told him I couldn't afford it. Then I felt like, "Just go." So I did. I ordered him food, but not a drink. He loves their raspberry lemonade, but it was just too much money. It was late at night, one car in front of me - kind of a rough looking guy. When I got to the window they told me he had paid for my food - and raspberry lemonade. Good things come around. Thanks for doing this. I actually started to cry that this rough-looking guy felt inspired to pay for my sweet, slightly disillusioned and rebellious 19-year-old, to have a simple little thing that he wanted. I went home and told him and said, "Heavenly Father loves you enough to send you raspberry lemonade, just so you know." 

 

"In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone who couldn't care more." ~Author Unknown

 

"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are." ~Author Unknown


 -  There's a family in our ward that has recently given us a difficult time about my wife's health and physical needs. They've said and done many things that have hurt our family and caused many a tear to be shed in our home. Recently, he lost his job. So we decided as a family to purchase some groceries and take them to their home. They were very shocked and very grateful.I don't know if it will mend the relationship between their family and mine, but I do know that we did what the Savior would have done and that is what is the most important.Thanks again for everything you've done for our family, including challenging us to be more Christlike and give service in every way we can."

What an amazing example. It is often easy to be kind to those who are good to us, but harder to be kind to those who have wronged us but just as necessary. 

 

-A dear friend that I haven't seen for at least 20 years contacted me this week to share her act of kindness. She has a friend that she has enjoyed knitting with for the past 11 years. Last year this friend was diagnosed with bone cancer after her arm snapped without injury. She has consequently lost the use of that arm and the ability to do many things including her love for knitting. This woman recently had her first grandchild. My friend knitted a baby pumpkin hat for this baby to give to her friend for the baby (since she could no longer knit it herself but would have loved to)! So very thoughtful to do for others things they would like to do but for whatever reason are unable to do! LOVE IT!!

-Another wonderful friend baked homemade bread for someone( I should have offered to sample it for her first ;)) and also delivered Popsicles to a child that had their tonsils out. I love her and love it when others serve and reach out to my children. I truly believe it takes a village to raise our children and am always so grateful when others acknowledge and share love with any of my children!

 

-My wonderful friend in Massachusetts has been consistently performing acts of kindness but last week I received this message from her:
"I'm all choked up and filled with emotions. You have inspired... me to continue acts of kindness...well today was so rewarding. I waited at the gas station to pay for some random person's gas, I saw an elderly couple pull up so I went over and pumped the gas and paid for them. The cute 92 year old man had a stroke 2 months ago and could barely walk. He is doing better and is recovering rather well for his age. He was just coming back from the doctors. His sister was with him and said that he was a WWII vet. The man was crying and filled with such gratitude..... this cute man kept saying "Why me, why did you choose me?" He said that "I made his day" with a huge smile. His sister in the car said "I'll pay it forward". So the random acts of service will continue that we will not even know the trickle effect of what you have inspired so many to do. Happy 40th birthday. I too am filled with emotion. What an awesome feeling. "

 "In a world full of people who couldn't care less, be someone who couldn't care more." ~Author Unknown

-One friend baked a child's favorite homemade cake for his birthday (intended to buy one) and then made an extra to work and delivered pieces to people including the doorman at her hospital! She also gave a neck massage to a co-worker who was hurting. The best thing was that she shared that he... reaching out gave her more energy and joy so that by the time she arrived home she still had enough energy to serve her cute family!

-Another awesome friend used his Sky Miles to send a neighbor to see her husband who has been working in another state for several months - seriously so awesome!!

-A coworker stopped to pick up pizza for the family since his wife had been involved with a funeral all day for someone in her church. He thought about the 40 acts and grabbed pizza for the kids and then drove to another restaurant (not on his way home) to pick up his wife her favorite meal! He said it probably didn't count because it was for a family member....of course it counts! Whom better to serve intentionally than our family members!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHARMED

This past week has been so awesome as the Charm Girls came to town.  These are 4 friends that are from my childhood in Washington and we call ourselves The Charm Girls- since each year we get together, we add a charm to our necklace.

 

First, Debbie (Mapleton, Utah) and I picked up Fay (Temecula, Calif.) and we had a while until Pam (Prinville, Oregon) flew in.  There were about 7 missionaries coming home at that terminal, with all the families and girlfriends and signs.  We cried with all the families that were crying.  One family was really on top of it with their printed signs...so after their missionary came home, Fay (truly one of the funniest people I know)- went up to the dad and asked if they were through with their signs, if we could have 3.  He looked puzzled and answered, "Yes, but they say Welcome Home Colton on them?"  Really????  We think we are so funny- we crossed out Colton and added Pam and then crossed out Pam and added Dawn (North Carolina.) 

 

 

 

 

 

I took the girls to some of my favorite places- they loved Bruges for European waffles and pommes frites.  Then to Les Madelines for more dessert.  We then headed up to Park City where I had rented a darling blue house....and we played and laughed and crafted (we made Halloween garlands and also Halloween blocks) and shopped and ate and ate and ate and played games- Hand and Foot and also LCR- left, center, right - my new favorite game.  Each time we played a game, we would put money in our random acts of kindness pot.  (My daughter for her birthday coming up this weekend encouraged everyone we know to seek out opportunities to serve.  Her response has been amazing. )  One day we were shopping at the outlets and saw a darling Hispanic boy/man (late 20's) polishing away on all the hand rails....just working with a big smile on his face.  Fay complimented him on his great work ethic...but the next day we tracked him down (startling him)...and gave him a "reward."  Fay said, "We just want you to know people appreciate the great job you do."  He said, "Why me?"  and Fay said,  "Just because you're you."  Our last day together we were able to do another person....a woman cleaning tables at Zupas with a smile.  She didn't know what to say.  I hope they will always remember their special surprises and play it forward.

 

One day we drove to Midway and shopped at some of my favorite funky shops.  We also hit the Farmer's Market in Salt Lake and pedicures and a day at Gardner Village for the witchy festival.    We laugh so hard we get in trouble.  We are loud and raucous and eat WAY too much.  We've known each other since kindergarten so we have a lot of blackmail material.

 

And speaking of real friendship.  Our last 2 1/2 days, BFF Cathy let us come to her house (my old house) to stay while she was out of town!  We just kicked her out!  How awesome is that?  Old friends.  Best friends.  Lucky duckies!

 

One of a Kind Woman

Last night we got to attend a wonderful birthday party for friend Gail.  Funny Kathy and I looked at each other across the table in the middle of it and just laughed.  She said, "I love our lives!"

Truly.  This was a party.

Imagine a huge tent set up in the middle of Spring Mobile Ball Park (home of the Salt Lake Bees.)  Beautiful florals and balloon arrangements.  Gorgeous tables.  I left my phone camera out in the car....

Bummer.

Besides a million servers with fabulous appetizers, the live musician (as opposed to any dead ones) sounded just like Michael Buble.  Which sounds like Frank Sinatra.  Or Harry Connick Jr.  Or....

You get the idea.  Wonderful. 

Then there was an amazing magician.  He was funny and delightful.  Gail's grands were there and I loved that  the magician celebrated them.

Then the grands made wishes...and as the wishes were read, these little smoke fire things drifted up in the sky.  David thought maybe the tent would catch on fire.  Silly.

A couple people paid tribute.  This woman is truly amazing.  A good part of philanthropy in our State  comes from her.

THEN Elvis appeared.  David said he KNEW he wasn't dead.  He came all the way from Las Vegas.  (I forgot we were served a fabulous meal first.  How could I forget that?)  And he sang and sang and gyrated and sang.

THEN....the Bear from the Utah Jazz came and the Bee from the SL Bees came....and everyone sang happy birthday to Gail and the Bear made BFF Cathy do the boogie woogie with him!

THEN....we followed Elvis and the Bear and the Bee and the magician outside and Pow!  Pow!  Pow!  Major fireworks went off.  Huge fireworks.  Pow!  Pow!  Pow!  Truly, like 4th of July fireworks.

Love this woman.  Love our friends.  Love my fabulous date named David.  Love our life.

Witchies Through the Years

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

2009 above and 2010 below

 

 

 

 

 2012 above

2013 below

Witchie Days!!!

Yesterday was our annual Witchie Days that I do with my girls and kiddo girls at Gardner Village.  It is one of our favorite traditions.  I'm glad to have the tutus done and glitter out of my nose!  We did have so much fun (sometimes exhausting fun)- doing photo shoots and having lunch.  The kiddos have a ball- knowing this day is all about them!  Niece Mallorie and her mommy, Angie, came from Idaho as well.  (Here are the Halloween gumball necklaces a friend made.)