From here to there...

So when did this happen?  I got from there to here?  I still feel like that. But look like this. I enjoy where I am but it just seems I was there.  I was a child with parents that took care of me, now I am a child taking care of a parents.  I was a parent taking care of children but now I enjoy my children and the adults they have become.  I used to ask my dad for $20 on Friday and it would fill the car with gas and get me to the movie with Rhonda.  Now $20 wont get you out of Taco Bell.  I went to church. I made the clothes my kids wore, drove a van and spent the days at the delta or in our back yard baking in the sun. I haven't been to church in 10 years and drive a yellow corvette.  I ride sleds on the lake in my back yard and and  I sleep in a bed with my best friend and my favorite animal.  I work at a job that I enjoy most of the time and have two beautiful grandchildren that melt my heart.  My children make me smile and I am proud of each of them for who they are and what they are working toward.  There was good.  Here is better.  That was a memory but I choose to live in today and for tomorrow. What will be, not what was.  No one cares what you did, just what you are doing!

Don't talk to Meme like that!

So I was at Amanda's on Saturday helping her shovel out the basement full of toys, DVD's, fire engines, candy wrappers, broken crayons.......... (by the way, how many fire engines are enough?)  any way, I come across some photos of Garth doing his fire stuff and we decide to make a FDLFD wall with all his clippings and photos.  It's cool.  I told Amanda to pick up a dust rag about 13 times, she still tries to boss me around...I am the Mommy Amanda! (how old are you now?)  So she starts cussing at me (see "OH MY HECK" Mama Schuey ) and my sweet Lucy says, "Don't talk to Meme like that!"

You don't want to mess me Meme in the first place, but specially when Lucy is watching.  So clean up your mouth Amanda.  And grab a dust rag.

It's a deal breaker. Free agency is a must.

I am not good at deciphering the political rhetoric.  I rely on Morning Joe and my husband to clarify subject matter.  I do know that I have a few deal breakers.  I am pro choice and I think that the right to prevent pregnancy is very important. I am not going to go into what is going on in countries where women are abused and the children of this abuse aren't cared for.  I will try and keep this light. So I will refer you to the Seinfeld episode "what is his stand "  Elaine is darling and looses her mind when she finds out that her love might not see eye to eye with her.  It's a deal breaker.  You might think that situations like this can be over looked, but they always rear their ugly heads.  So currently we are in a political discussion in our nation on birth control. I am quoting this from the Planned Parenthood site.

"The rule guarantees coverage for contraception, not abortion services. When you say differently, you're not telling the truth about women's health, and you should stop. Nearly all sexually active women rely on birth control. Large majorities of Americans support the new birth control coverage requirement. That's because we know the truth: Birth control is basic health care. It shouldn't be attacked. It shouldn't be politicized. And it shouldn't be lied about."

I don't think I need Tim's help on this one.  I believe that birth control is a basic health need and should be discuss between a woman and her care provider and if needed options should be available to every woman.  It helps when her partner and she see eye to eye.  Like I said...it's a deal breaker for me.  Choice to Choose.  Glad Tim and I are on the same team.

Remember Lots Wife....

So I listened to an amazing morning devotional as I soaked in the steaming tub ~ It was from Jeffrey Holland who was the President of BYU when I was a student there in the early 80's.  A recommendation I found on another blog...videosbyjillian.wordpress.com.....visit her blog.  Its an easy read.

Tim and I have many songs but  "I'm movin' on"  by Rascal Flatts typifies our movemnt back in 2001.  In the song it clearly says, I cant believe home would end up where I don't belong... I'm movin on.....this departure from Fremont was good and bad, hard and difficult, an adventure and the opening and closing of many wounds.  As Jeffrey Holland mentions in his devotional, the past is to be learned from, but we should live in the now, the tomorrow, the today and the future.  This message gave me such a good feeling today, since there is so much of the past I would like to forget.  I feel that I have "repented"  but there are many around be who want resolution and explainations to things that may remain broken forever.  We can only change ourselves and the way we react to what has happened and how we have been treated. Clearly forgiveness is the answer.  Hate doesn't work.  Digging up the past, or looking back ~ as Lots wife did isn't what we should be spending our energy on.  When the Lord has given us a new day, we honor him by living it the fullest of our ability.  We should embrace that, learn from yesterday and do better....Here is the quote from the talk.  I hope you enjoy it and make today a great day!


"When something is over and done with, when it has been repented of as fully as it can be repented of, when life has moved on as it should and a lot of other wonderfully good things have happened since then, it is not right to go back and open up some ancient wound which the Son of God Himself died trying to heal. Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change, and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is it hope? Yes! Is it charity? Yes! Above all it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don't keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone saying, "Hey! Do you remember this?"

My bar family

In some ways the people we hang out with in our neighborhood are like family.  We welcome each other, talk about the day, the weather, where the fish are biting.  Its nice and I like it.  They don't expect anything or ask for much, but if you need any thing, a wager on a game or a pier to be built, plumbing, an ice hole cut or a jump, someone at the Mart will have it or know who will.  We are a resourceful bunch.  I so don't fit into the group that I fit it.  My diamonds and pearls and business clothes straight from work (see photo)....slowing walking in with my high heels on, trying not to slip in the shots on the floor...sharing a beverage with Annie or Jay-Bar & Jenny, drinking Miller High Life and NA,  Psyco & Cudahay, with her battery pack Christmas sweater so the lights on the tree blink, Heather and Dougie, planning their wedding in May and our friendly bar staff, Allison barely 21, Alex with his warm beer, B who loves her dogs and Beth, well you cant see Beth cause she's wearing camouflage!
Any season, sturgeon spearing, or the fishery, walleye weekend or EAA, where else can you find pizza, beer, a bar, minnows, fishing license, deer tags, lottery ticket, greeting cards, milk, tampons, helgermights and out-door gear?  Don't forget your pull tabs on the way out.  Some people might not think the "gas hole" is a classy place to hang out, but I love my bar!  When I am there I am with family and that's good.

Howard

Those who knew Howard loved him.  If you didn't like my dad, there was something wrong with you.  He was as kind as they come and was an example of Christ's love.  Always. I don't remember a bad thing about him.  That is a blessing.

I was at BYU and dad was helping me move in and there was a lady out of gas.  Howard gave her a $10 bill and said don't worry about paying me back.  Just pass it on if you get the chance. We were driving down Mission Blvd and there was a guy with a baby and he had a sign that said, "will work for formula."  Howard and I drove to Lucky's bought a case of similac, went and picked the guy up, and the baby (no car seat) and took them to their apartment.   As a bishop, I know of countless times that families would approach the church for assistance through his calling and Howard would often just help himself.  He loved to help.  He was hopeful that people would learn from their mistakes and make better decisions moving forward.  He never walked passed a Salvation Army kettle with out dropping in all his change....I know that Cody still does this, drops in change ~ and he is broke.  It is Cody's way of remembering Howard and honoring his memory.  What a lesson of love.  Howard has a birthday on March 2. He would have been 82.  He left us 4 years ago and I miss him everyday.  I miss that he isn't here to see Lucy and Hudson.  He would adore them.  I miss him cause he would be so proud of Amanda, working on her graduate degree.  He would be proud of Garth and the father and husband he is to Amanda.  I miss that he isn't there to give Cody guidance.  Howard was Cody's father.  I know Cody has a void that is large....He would be proud that Cody is working everyday.  He would be happy that Jillian was enjoying BYU and Provo and has a return missionary boyfriend who plays for the Cougars!  Howard would have loved Wisconsin. Big deer and good fish.  Fishing off our doc on the lake and taking naps in a cozy chair by the window with the sun shining in.  "Be nice.  It matters and doesn't cost a thing."  "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar." "swearing is ugly on a lady. Don't say that."  "Krissy, Don't slam the door."  I love you Howard.