Life's Black Holes

A few years ago when Jon “retired” from DPS, we had no idea where we should turn or go.  Pretty scary time for us.  Just before the big day, he was offered to come and work for the state forestry (or something like that) and he spent the next few years working with a wonderful friend, who he sure misses since working with.

Stepping out and into the black hole last summer was so unnerving.  We were sure it was the right thing to do, but we also felt like our lives would take longer to settle in and we would know what to expect.  We were right, about all of it.  As time passed, things got harder and seemingly less hopeful.  When they asked me to do the Friday $1 lunches, I was so excited but not sure at all how we would manage just the gas to drive back and forth once or twice a week.  Out into the black hole we stepped once again, it got harder and harder until “things” finally started to fall together, slowly but not steadily.

It was a relief to discover just how creative we can still be.  To think back to our honeymoon years to remember how we stretched a buck until it squealed (yes, they were pretty fun memories . . . . looking back showed just how weird we must have (and may still) seem to others.

As we look back we realized how full of black holes our lives have been.  Each has been a different growing experience.  Some, of course, have been harder than others.  Each has had its own lessons to be learned and often involved closing doors while windows opened.  Since windows are off the floor, we have had to “rise” to the occasion.

Fortunately, we have commitment to the gospel, to each other, to follow the Savior’s teachings.  Though some have been an individual struggle, we have been blessed to have each other or been able to find others who could give us the support, love and guidance we needed to help us find the strength needed.

I am so thankful for the blessings in my life.

THE GOLDEN YEARS

Jon just asked me an interesting question.


Why are the "golden" years so tarnished?


I'm glad he did. When I worked at for company that made all kinds of valves and machined parts for submarines, aircraft, etc., I learned a lot about the finishes that are put on these parts that were unbelievably hard. It was amazing. These finishes might be very shiny or very dull, looking like some kind of oxidation or tarnish. Their hardness was achieved by different processes but achieved a hardness that would protect the part so that it could safely function and hold up under terrific punishment without giving out. It would provide safety and reliability for those depending on it.

And so is life. The experiences we have here may give us wrinkles, gray . . oops, I mean white hair (I refuse to be a gray hair), saggy bodies and faces. The muscle tone may go, the memory may turn into a bunch of disorganized files to be thumbed through often, and sentimentality becomes a chronic condition. Oxidation may hurt, but it can also serve many good purposes. It can be the catalyst that strengthens important bonds, builds a testimony of the gospel and of God's love as He allows us to make decisions and deal with the consequences.  He gives us the free agency to choose our paths.  He doesn't pull strings to handle us like puppets and control our lives.  He does promise us to always be there, no matter what; though he does often wait for us to go to Him so that we will listen with a more open heart and mind.   These times in our lives can show us who really is a true friend, who we can really trust. It can test us and show us what we have learned in life and what lessons still need to be learned.

Guess I will take the tarnish, the white hair, the wrinkles, sags and bags and all of those other signs of someone who has lived, really lived.   They are blessings.

Spring Has Sprung and . . .

1.  Billie Bird is back carrying on with the ladies.
2. The sprayed weeds are sitting, waiting  patiently for us to rake them up and send off to the happy
     mouldering ground (dump).
3.  The annual plant assassination is in full swing.
4.  ten minutes outside make a different person of this grumpy ole' lady.
5.  My arms are getting brown enough hat my PCP will scold me next time I see her.
6.  Even though Jon is home, the time just seems to evaporate before we can get to our projects . . .  what
     gives?

So with all that said, I will mop the tile before more dust and sand gets tracked in again . .  just so I can say I did.  This is an experiment . . . I want to see how many sticky places appear in the next two days when we have no kids and juicy sippy cups running around.  Just because I think it will prove my theory that my tile came with sticky spots built in.  Really, I'm not kidding.

MEDICAL INFO WOMEN SHOULD KNOW

MEDICAL INFO WOMEN SHOULD KNOW

Q:  Should I have a baby after 35.

A:  No, 35 children is enough.

Q:  I’m 2 months pregnant now.  When will my baby move?

A:  With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q:  What is the most reliable method to determine a baby’s sex?

A:  Childbirth.

Q:  My childbirth instructor says it’s not pain I’ll feel during labor, but pressure.  Is she right?

A:  Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q:  When is the best time to get an epidural?

A:  Right after you find out you’re pregnant.

Q:  Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?

A:  Not unless the word “alimony” means anything to you.

Q:  Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?

A:  Yes, pregnancy.

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE “ESTROGEN ISSUES”

1.       Everyone around you has an attitude problem.

2.      You’re adding chocolate to your cheese omelet.

3.      The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.

4.      Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.

5.      You’re using your cell phone to dial every bumper sticker that says, “how is my driving?”

6.      Everyone seems to have just landed here from “outer space”.

7.      You’re sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.

8.      The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you just bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

     10.  Cats’ expressions.

9.  The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.

8.  Why bean sprouts aren’t just weeds.

7.  Fat clothes.

6.  Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.

5.  The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.

4.  Cutting your hair to make it grow.  Cutting your hair to make it grow.

3.  Eyelash curlers.

2.   The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

1.           1.     Other women.

 THANKS FOR THE GIGGLES MARSHA!!!

Live For Him and the Gospel

"PULL ONE MORE MILE"  by Ross Taylor

Recently, I said that I wanted to "die in the harness" but didn't want to be pulling so hard. How else should we be pulling? Can you imagine looking back and recognizing what could have been accomplished if only we had put a little more  effort into it? Eternity is a long time to think about something like that.


I have grown to be thankful for the strengths I was blessed with, genetically and through my upbringing.  No it wasn't perfect, but I was raised by two parents who were tenacious when they believed in something or needed to do something.  Though it was often misguided in their relationship, they meant well and we always knew that they loved us kids.


As life goes along, I have realized that I learned such good eternal principles.  Add the gospel, prayers and a sure knowledge of God's love for me and there is always hope.  I once heard a story of someone who told the prophet that they were willing to die for the gospel.  He told them that it was a wonderful thought but would they be willing to live for it.  Can not count the times that statement has played itself in my mind when I have felt discouraged.  Am I willing to live for His Gospel? Dedicate myself to making this world a better place? Continue how ever hard I need to?  Will I be there for the Savior as He was for us?  To be His hands?


I hope I can be there for Him and for my loved ones.  It would make me feel that my life has been worthwhile . . .  but there I go thinking about myself again. . .  Drat!

FINDING JOYS

Such a looooong wonderful day yesterday.  Got to hang out with the “youngsters” at the institute, then help the sweetest man from the stake high council.  If any of you kids have any doubts, Bro. Rorden loves you dearly!  I have had the opportunity to watch him prepare this Zoo Activity.  Fantastic job Randy!!!

There were some fun activities before dinner, then we fed them  (there’s a shocker, I was hanging around the food part,  giggles).  As they headed back into the zoo, we were visiting with the neatest couple from a small town south of here.  When Pam heard that our last name was Huish, she got all excited because she has an aunt whose maiden name is Huish.  We figured it was from one of the lines down near the Mexican border.  When she heard that Jon actually came from the Utah lines, she really got excited.  Ends up she was living in Thatcher with her Aunt Diana (from N. Utah) and Uncle Ken when we were living there as well.  We actually went to their wedding.  When I told her we were the ones who gave her that goofy milk can.  We had the best laugh.  What wonderful lpeople they are and what a joy to see that she has grown into such a great woman.  I look forward to getting to know Pam and Randy now that we know they are so nearby!

Jon & I were pretty disappointed  when we knew that a full time mission was not something that we would ever be able to pull off.  When I mentioned this to my oldest brother, he got a little irritated with me and said, Tthere are local missions that need to be done, you can do that!”   Thanks Bob.

 The last few years and especially this school year has shown us that maybe God has a better plan for us.  We get to serve, have a ball (is that allowed?) and still be here with and for our children and grandkids.  What more could a girl ask for?  Jon & I get to serve, work toward common goals, a little something that is so important in any good relationship.  Sometimes I am glad that we are not doing this 24/7.  Should I admit this?  But we are so different in how we do things.  I jump in, scurry around and get done.  He is thinks it through, very methodically start, using a thorough plan and just kind of plod along until it is done . . .  as he fixes some of my little blunders and bails me out, along the way. 

Balance in your life.  If you can’t find it by yourself, gotta find a good partner who will combine with you to achieve it.  I have to admit, we had no idea what we were putting together when we married, PHEW!  Lucked out there, didn’t we?

MIXED FEELINGS

There is a lot going on in our lives these days.  It has taught me that once a woman is a mother, she will always be one.      I have wondered if it must always hurt to rediscover that you have a mother's heart.  It is far better than feeling numb though, so I suppose I will take it.