The Life and Doings of SuzQuez

Giving Thanks

2011-11-28T00:58:00.000-07:00

Since my daughter blogged about Thanksgiving I thought I should, too.

Our tribe (minus Stephanie and Morgan) met up with most Andersens in Riverton (SW Salt Lake City) at a church. The problem was that another family reserved it online and we reserved it in person and the two didn't sync. But we pulled the plastic curtain to divide the big gyms and all was well.

We had 45 there. We took 4 dozen rolls, butter, and raspberry and strawberry jam.

I wanted to play basketball, volleyball, cards with the girls, Primary with the middles, and coloring and balloons with the littles. I also had all our Christmas music, but didn't get to that.

Oh, how nice and relaxing it all was. I actually got to feed new baby Raylee her bottle, too. HUGE BONUS, as she's still in the only-mom-or-dad-hold-her stage. Kallie got to hold her, too, the luck out!

EVERYTHING tasted heavenly--potatoes, gravy, turkey, cranberries, two pecan yams, hot rolls (white and brown--ours), good water. Then later all kinds of pies, cobblers and ice cream. YUM!!!!

I'll see if pics will upload.

Then we visited Keilee & Romone Vaughn and there were also Logan's tribe and Aubrey's tribe there. Aubrey's due with a girl April 4th, 2012.

We overnighted at Kristen's while Sheen & Lauralee slept over with the other teen girls at Whitney's.

My youngest and I visited KMart the next morning, only to stand in lines for more than an hour for the two times we bought. They said my receipt would be on email. IT'S NOT AND I'M MAD. I don't even know how much each thing cost. hmmmmmmm.....

We met up with Dave's (Hilton) tribe later Friday night, then ate out at Carls, Jr., with Dave, Seth and Levi. Levi's taller than Seth now. Seth's a freshman ambassador at Utah State. He loves his medical sociology (alternative med) class right now. Levi is STILL healing from his crushed elbow from Flaming Gorge. He just had his 4th surgery, I believe. They are still trying to kill the infection in it. He has a pick line under his right upper arm and has to school from home for the many times a day he has to get antibiotics in his line. Wow! He needs some heavy duty fasting from us all next week.

Markelle Andersen needs our fasting, too. She has a bone tumor by the knee in her right leg. It's pretty big, about 2" x 1 1/2". The doc said to leave it alone right now. Kind of scarey.

Our amazing home teachers, Nancy and Jay Jensen, challenged us to give only prayers of thanks before and during Thanksgiving. That has been a great blessing to me. I've felt so much more grateful than ever before. On the drive south on Thanksgiving day I read many scriptures about Thanksgiving, thanks, and gratitude. That helped. Did you know David (pre-sin) gave a great prayer of thanks when the altar was brought to the temple? Read it in 1 Chronicles 16:7-26, pp 569-571.

I started a new medicine, Abilify, 3 weeks ago. I only take 1 mg, but it's helped me incredibly to actually accomplish and finish things, and remember better. It almost makes me a tiche manic, but I'm working on that.

That's it. Love you. There's SOOO much for which to be thankful.

Love,

Suz

Laughadaisy: 31 Days of Card Making {31} - A Giveaway

2011-10-31T15:21:00.000-06:00

http://laughadaisy.blogspot.com/2011/10/31-days-of-card-making-31-giveaway.html?spref=bl">Laughadaisy: 31 Days of Card Making {31}

From my very talented sister-in-law:

A Giveaway: So, I've had a fun and interesting month of card making. And now I can rest. Haha! Just kidding. ;-) I won't be resting much this week, ...

9/11/2001

2011-09-12T09:00:00.001-06:00

ABOUT 9/11:

Last night at a program in Logan a man said that 9/11 was like Pearl Harbor to our parents and Kennedy's assassination to us (though I was only 6).

We talked about 9/11 with our girls in the morning before the Tabernacle Choir broadcast about it. I think there were other programs on Discovery and History channels.

I had lived in New York City and had been on the top of the buildings. It was my city, too.

BUT! A few years ago a man named Lance Richardson gave a fireside here in Preston. He had written a book called The Message. He had died, then came back, and wrote about his experience. I asked him what he thought about 9/11. His answer astounded me. He said he was so incredibly excited for all those people and the amazing experiences they had after they died. I'm sure they would have incredible peace and love from then on. It's just that their families miss them like crazy. Plus, it was a horrible act. But I feel that his answer is a true about the event.

A YEAR?!?!?

2011-08-21T21:48:00.000-06:00

I cannot believe I haven't written for a year. That's pathetic. I did write lots in January and February and March when my niece's girl, Charis, was badly injured in a car accident and was recovering (see http://charisisgettingbetter.blogspot.com).

SOOO, in the meantime our oldest girl Stephanie married Morgan Graf Zollinger on March 12, 2011.

Our second, Kristen and her husband, Eric and two little cuties are living in Spanish Fork, Utah. We are so thankful for Eric's good job at Temkin International in Payson, Utah (http://www.temkininternational.com).

Our third, Lauralee, graduated Cum Laud from BYU's Business School in Business Management. She had a job before graduating in Salt Lake at Whipple Superior Service (http://www.whippleplumbing.com). She's one of the main accountants now, working many, many hours every week.

The other two have done well in school and church and home. One was in the play of Willy Wonka, and got her license. The other loves reading.

Our old van's transmission died and after three unsuccessful attempts at repair, we got another van. This one is silver.

Man and I are working well.

He is still at Valley Implement and Irrigation (http://www.valleyimplement.org/default.htm). He takes care of the computer warranty submissions, and is the substitute service manager, the substitute equipment manager, plus a service technician. He takes care of the company's tools and books, and installs new service software on to the computers. He's been there 23 years. He's soft-spoken and a great helper.

I have had a crisis or two this year, but things are getting better, I think. We live in a world of imperfect people, including myself, don't we. ; )

This summer we had wonderful vacations at South Lake Tahoe, California, with the Andersens and Flaming Gorge, Utah, with the Hiltons. Also in the Fairview, Utah, mountains with my Green cousins. It cost a lot, but they were all worth it.

Now we're facing winter again. In June and July we had SO much rain, that all garden things and farmers fields are WAY behind the usual harvest dates. We had a great raspberry crop at the Homestead (Lawrence's parents). We sold them for $30 a case this year. I talked my man into a "Sabbatical" for our garden. That means every seven years the land (and you) rest. So we planted nothing. It's been heavenly and a little crucial for us. Every marriage needs that every seven years.

I love the Church, it's teachings, it's Priesthood, and it's Book of Mormon. I love to read some every day.

That's it for now.

Love,

Suz

Bloomington Lake, Idaho, on Labor Day

2010-09-06T21:45:00.003-06:00

Today Man and I went to Bloomington Lake. The girls didn't want to go and we did, so we went. I drove up--past Riverdale, through Mink Creek canyon, over to Ovid and south, through Paris and to Bloomington (the village). We headed up the canyon road toward the lake in our van. After three portable speed bumps the pavement ended and we drove on a gravel road for quite a while. We passed some 4 wheelers and vehicles on the one lane wide road. When we got to the trailhead there were 38 cars, besides 4-wheelers and motorcycles. We had lunch in the quite cold air. I found a walking stick by our picnic table. We walked the .6 miles to the lake. The Pond came first. Bloomington Lake butted up to very sheer cliffs. The rope swing looked really fun to do. Many swung out and fell in to the water. Some just swung out and back for fun. I took a little thermometer. A few inches down into the water it read 56 degrees. PRITTY COLD! We waded a bit. Man went up higher onto some cliffs to look down into the water. He saw some fish in the very clear water. He showed me where he had been snowmobiling there on the lake and pond and up the hills. The drive each way took about 1 1/2 hours, but it was worth it. I'm so glad we went.

About Violence We See

2010-08-23T10:47:00.002-06:00

From this blog http://screamandhug.blogspot.com/ the post of August 23, 2010 comes:

Question for you:

This is a general observation I have made among my friends and family:

Why is violence less offensive than s*x? (preventing strange google searches. . .)

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people condemning this show or that movie for it's illicit content but praise another despite a torrid amount of blood and guts.

I guess what I don't understand is the double standard. Should death be at least equally offensive?

What are your thoughts?

SENT OUT INTO THE VOID BY RACHEL SUE

This was my comment:

Well, since wise holy writ says sexual immorality is next to murder, I would think that murder is the very worst thing any person on earth could do.

That said, who but the enemy of all of us wants us to accept seeing murder, have no feelings about it, when reality is so drastically different. If you actually saw a loved one shot in front of you how would it be? If you killed someone's beloved mother how would it be?

We can't be coarse. We can't be emotionless about precious life, or the taking of it. How many of us would like to see our children beating up each other as on the screen? But isn't that exactly what they are learning to do?

An inspired booklet called "For the Strength of Youth" has a section on entertainment and the media. It wisely says, "Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you. Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices. It will allow you to enjoy yourself...

"While much entertainment is good, some of it can lead you away from [joyful] living. Offensive material is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music, videocassettes, DVDs, books, magazines, pictures, [phones], and other media.... Such entertainment [is used] to deceive you by making what is wrong and [bad] look normal and exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone is doing things that are wrong.

[And this next sentence is posted largely on our TV:]

"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality [illicit sex] as acceptable.

[Then comes the section about the poison of pornography. Jumping on:]

"Depictions of violence often glamorize vicious behavior. They offend [you] and make you less able to respond to others in a sensitive, caring way. They contradict the...message of love for one another.

"Have the courage to walk out of a movie or video party, turn off a computer or TV, change a radio station, or put down a magazine, [or quickly delete off your phone] if what is being presented does not meet [good] standards. Do these things even if others do not. Let your friends and family know that you are committed to keeping...[high] standards. You [can have] strength...to make good choices."

So, we all, even or especially men should be tender, kind, and loving. The newer movie, "Red" has a sweet grandmother being terribly violent. It makes me sick.

'Nough said. ; )

Purse Tag

2010-04-23T23:18:00.000-06:00

My purse is a black DI one (the best).

It has clear black Bic pens, one pencil, one red pencil. My wallet with bandaids, my temple recommend, safety pins, emergency numbers, my Red Cross blood donor card, my organ donor card, family lists, credit cards, my driver's license, several store cards, cute pictures of my kids and grandkids, addresses of friends, and a picture of Eric's dad who died when Eric was 14. My keys with a boondoggle courtesy of Allyson (sis-in-law) posing as Napoleon's girlfriend, also with a flashing "#1 Grandma" solar sign. My cell phone. Chap stick and several shades of lipstick. A brush, comb, pick, hair twistie, 2 long bobbie pins, quarters, store coupons, Church pass along cards, blank note papers, folded kleenexes, and my heavy duty Eucerin handcreme.

Yah, too much. ; )

FOUR TAG

2010-04-23T23:09:00.000-06:00

FOUR Tag

My daughter, Kristen, did this - so enjoy reading about me:

4 shows I watch:
1. American Idol

2. BYU Devotional

3. Sponge Bob Square Pants

4. General Conference

4 things I'm passionate about:
1. People

2. The Church

3. Music

4. Technology

4 phrases I say:
1. Wassup?

2. Hey Peeps...els

3. Kallina!

4. Sheen!

4 things I've learned from the past:
1. Doing right is worth it.

2. Don't run in cemeteries.

3. Make doctors answer all your questions.

4. Do overdo.

4 places I would like to go:
1. Italy

2. Spain

3. Wales

4. Hawaii

4 things I did yesterday:
1. Ran errands

2. Got groceries

3. Took Kallie to piano lessons

4. Went home teaching with Dad

4 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Dad's new calling Sunday

2. Warm weather someday

3. Going skiing someday

4. Kristen's coming!

4 things I love about winter:
1. The tall snow

2. Our ultra furry kitty

3. Flipping deuters in the van--skidding

4. Sledding

4 things on my wish list:
1. A complete knowledge of my Mac's capabilities

2. Teaching certifications for Utah and Idaho

3. A more complete food storage with Man's cooperation

4. A new wardrobe

4 people to tag if they wanna:
1. Lauralee

2. Stephanie

3. Melissa

4. Danette

READING, MOVIES, TV, MUSIC

2009-10-20T10:27:00.000-06:00

I found this quote from President Ezra Taft Benson when he was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

"Today, with the abundance of books available, it is the mark of a truly educated man to know what not to read...

"Feed only on the best...

"As John Wesley's mother counseled him: 'Avoid whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, increases the authority of the body over the mind.'"

In other words, ask yourself, "Do I feel like reading my scriptures and praying right after this book, movie, TV show, song....?" Not that we always need to be spiritually minded (or do we?), but these things should make us feel like doing good things afterwards.

Love,

Mom

Momming

2009-10-13T11:59:00.001-06:00

This is one of the best articles I've read about mothering, relaxing, and (for me) turning away from that electronic thing to my family! http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_voices/tiffany_gee_lewis/?id=11174

I Know

2009-10-13T06:21:00.000-06:00

Hey,

Last night I gave the family home evening lesson on President Monson's talk to the Young Women of last conference. (May 2009 Ensign, pp. 123-127 or http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsphideNav=1&locale=59&sourceId=914c230bac7f0210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD )

It was so strong in its wording for the future that I woke at 4 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. So here I am sharing some of the prophet's words with you.

President Monson said, "As I contemplate all that you face...you...will need...courage....courage to: 1. Refrain from judging others; 2. Be chaste and virtuous, and 3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness."

A couple of very strong quotes are:

1. Refrain from judging others

"Cease to find fault one with another." D & C 188:24

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them." --Mother Teresa

2. Be chaste and virtuous

"Many voices are telling you that you are far too provincial or that there is something wrong with you if you still believe there is such a thing as immoral behavior. Isaiah declared, 'Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.' Isaiah 5:20." --President Monson

"Great courage will be required as you remain chaste and virtuous amid the accepted thinking of the times." --President Monson [I was a virgin at marriage, and you need to be, too. It's one of the greatest gifts to give your future husband. --Susan]

Ted Koppel (Of ABC's Nightline): Should I do drugs; have sex with anyone? "No. The answer is no. Not no because you might end up in jail or dying in an AIDS ward--but no, because it's wrong... What Moses brought down from Mt. Sinai were not the Ten Suggestions, they are Commandments. Are, not were."

President Monson said, "Help in maintaining the proper perspective in these permissive times can come to you from many sources. One valuable resource is your patriarchal blessing. Read it frequently. Study it carefully. Be guided by its cautions. Live to merit its promises." [This is one thing that helped me a lot before marriage. Mine said, "...keep your life clean and pure...." --Susan]

The First Presidency, 1942; quoted by President Monson: "To the youth..., we plead with you to live clean [lives], for the unclean life leads only to suffering, misery, and woe physically,--and spiritually it is the path to destruction. How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter. Sexual purity is youth's most precious possession; it is the foundation of all righteousness."

3. Stand firm for truth and righteousness

"...You will almost certainly be called upon to defend that which you believe. Unless the roots of your testimony are firmly planted, it will be difficult for you to withstand the ridicule of those who challenge your faith." --President Monson

"The adversary would like nothing better than for you to allow derisive comments and criticism of the Church to cause you to question and doubt. Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe." --President Monson

[Then I was the rod of iron in Lehi's dream and Dad was the adversary. Kallie held on to me and Dad tried to pull and intice her away. What she spontaneously said applies to all of us, "No, it's safe and warm here." IT IS. HOLD ON. --Susan]

"And then Mordecai added this searching question [to Queen Esther]: "Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?' Esther 4:14 ...You will probably not be called upon to put your life on the line, as did Esther, for that which you believe. You will, however, most likely find yourself in situations where great courage will be required as you stand firm for truth and righteousness." --President Monson

"You are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children, and He has saved you to come to the earth 'for such a time as this.' With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way." --President Monson

I know what the prophet says is true. YOU are the strong ones; the ones to defend all. I pray you will have to the strength and courage to always do it.

Love,

Mom (Susan)

New Car

2009-10-10T22:23:00.000-06:00

We got a new old car for Lauralee to drive in Provo (I miss it already). It's an 01 Chevy Lumina with 125,000 miles. $1600. Can't beat that!

Kassidy

2009-10-10T22:15:00.000-06:00

Here she is!

Baptism and Swine Flu

2009-10-10T21:58:00.000-06:00

Well Kallie survived swine flu. She fevered last Monday, Tues, & Wed. Her fever would get high in the mornings, well, all day, I guess. She coughed, head hurt, ached all over, not so fun. BUT she loved being home with Mom and reading a lot and being forced to watch then enjoy "Anne of Green Gables".

Today Kassidy got baptized. She's such a cutie. 'Twas great to see Kit (Kris' sister) and some of her kids and some of Camie's (Kris' other sister). Devin and Morgan were there, too. YEA! It was so noisy after the baptism at their house with all those little Andersens everywhere. I couldn't hear my phone ring and I was by it peeling pears! We missed Heather and new baby Kevin, but will catch up with them sometime. Lauralee was in a self-imposed isolation with a cold, so she didn't come. We served pears and apples from our trees. The pears were a bit hit.

I'm glad to be home. YEA, BED!

My Cousins

2009-10-08T23:41:00.000-06:00

I just started a new blog for my Hilton cousins: hiltoncousins.blogspot.com

I posted some photos on my facebook of the graveside service for Doran Whitaker, my cousin Joye's husband. He was on his bike and was hit and thrown 45 feet in June. His body recovered in these three and a half months, but not his brain. So they let him go. I know he'll watch over his family.

Gardens

2009-09-17T14:24:00.002-06:00

Oh, how I love the garden eating time of year! We've had much corn on the cob, potatoes, tomatoes (from others so far, just a couple from ours), raspberries, beans, carrots, blackberries. I don't think I'd ever get tired of eating this fresh stuff. I'm not yet, and it may freeze soon. We have many quarts of beans, lots of raspberry and strawberry jam. Yesterday Kallie and I picked 3 full 5 gallon buckets of big beautiful pears. We've had some peaches and nectarines. UUUUUUMMMMM!!!!!!

The girls and I weeded the garden every day for 1/2 hour for a while and haven't had to for about a month now. That worked well. Dad's watering system worked well, too.

Love ya,

Suz

10 HONEST THINGS ABOUT ME

2009-09-10T21:33:00.002-06:00

My daughter did this and I thought I would, too:

1. I stash chocolate in the cupboard just for when I need it!
2. I like to treat myself out to eat when I go places.
3. Deseret Industries is a money trap for me--it's my favorite store.
4. I will take naps EVERY time I can get one.
5. I like to read on the pot for a long time.
6. I really like to sing at the piano all alone in the house to Heavenly Father and Jesus.
7. My poor house plants have been resurrected so many times--they're incredible.
8. Sometimes I don't brush my teeth at night.
9. I yell with joy the first day of school when everyone's gone.
10. I wish I could live in the temple.

Green Cousin Campout

2009-07-26T10:17:00.002-06:00

It was SO fun. Kinzi, Ken and TreVonn (10) were there; Lance, Tracy, and their 5 littles (Arian goes into 8th grade!); Gill & Kath; Grandma & Grandpa; Dave, Mo, Seth & Levi, and US! We drove 3 hours to Grandpa's Thursday night; met up with Lauralee before we headed off. It took a little extra time to get there, because we passed DeAnne's driveway (I wasn't watching) by about 5 slow miles and had to come back. We 'bout ran out of gas--'twas exciting.

The funnest thing of all turned out to be HAMMOCKS. Grandma and Grandpa gave me one back that I supposedly had given them. We hung it up and it was an instant hit. It bucks kids off very easily. So the kids created a game that two would get in facing each other and try to kick and turn the other person out first. Aysha was a little stronghold. Then Seth and Levi got their hammock out. It didn't have a wooden stick in each end to hold it open, so the kids would cocoon it around themselves and get swung in all kinds of positions. Some times they'd even go all the way around, upside down.

The only other people there were some of DeAnne's kids, Mary and Harley Gillman, and my cousin, Bonny Thornton and her husband, Gordon, from Las Vegas.

Dave and Grandpa were so good to let us use their 4 wheelers and motorcycle. The prettiest spot was when both sides of the trail had blue flowers about 5 feet high.

I mostly liked gabbing to everyone. We had our trailers in a circle (like circling up the wagons at night) and it was really fun. Saturday morning Aubrey, Rich and his three, Jaxon, Hunter and Makin came. Gladene and Keith showed up right as we were leaving. We made it home in 5 hours; Dad drove the whole way. It's so fun and time efficient to walk, watch movies lying down, use the bathroom, or make food while we're traveling.

It's funny that the driver can't even hear our new stereo system for the noise of the traveling motor home. Maybe we can put in some speakers right by the driver.

On the way down my right foot COOKED by the engine. I smelled my rubber shoes melting. So when Dad drove he figured out that he'd better take the hood off, so more air could enter. He put it in the motor home, and then his foot didn't cook.

On the way driving into the cabin on the dusty road, one of the back windows was open a little. The air inside the motor home filled with dust, and we had a nice layer everywhere (including my head) when it settled. It was so nice to just get it clean here at home.

So very fun and nice with a motor home.

Oh, and Lance and Kree rode on a horse with Zaya and Kiya alone on a horse behind him. We all immediately stressed out when we saw them. Well, some other person's loose horses spooked the one with the little girls. It trotted a tiche and they slid off. Kiya fell on Zaya (who probably weighs more though she's a year younger). Zaya may have hurt her arm (so I told her the Lauralee 2 arm story) and I put a sling on her--she thought she was the coolest thing, and I think Kree was disgusted she didn't get one (she's the more dominant of the two).

Pinewood Derby for Gents

2009-07-11T19:55:00.002-06:00

We just got back from an Elders/High Priests Pinewood Derby. There were no rules. One guy had a 3 foot dowel sticking out the front so it would win every time. John Kezele (in the bishopric) had a remote control propeller on the back of his--boy could that thing zoom! One guy is handicapped and he got so excited when he'd win. I took my 4 cub scout derbies plus got 1/3 way through making a snowmobile one for my man. It was fun. Very weirdly, it was the first church dinner I've been to without a dessert. I really felt the lack, so I'm ready to get one right now!

Love,

Suz

ON OUR WAY

2009-05-05T09:47:00.003-06:00

We are preparing for our intimate family reunion in DC! Stephanie and Hopkins are there. We'll meet Alan. Kallie and Sheena will fly for the first time. A mean cold/flu has been trying to get Kallie and me, but we'll rest up and be ready! I hope I can walk mega miles!

Spring is here with lots of rain to make things green. I so love not moving the hoses around. Starting this month we will pay for extra water. Doesn't sound good.

I continue with the eye laser saga. Last August I had my right eye lasered for close vision and my left eye for distance. Both were a mess and wrong. I made it through 3 months with different reading glasses and the girls' old glasses until the doc could surgery them again. After the November surgery I could finally read with my right eye, even quite small print. But my distance eye still couldn't see well far. It's now been almost 7 months and the far eye is still pathetic. I can't read road signs till I'm up to them. Luckily, driving glasses help the right eye see fine. Hopefully in the next month or two I'll have my left eye done again. And to think I paid for mapping of the left eye that should have made it perfect! My home eye doc said I'm the rare wrong one. Am I stupid to go again or wise?

EVEN SO, every night when I get into bed and don't have to take off glasses and I can still read the clock I'm so grateful for what great vision I do have now. I can get along quite well about 98% of the time without any extra glasses. I just got some real driving glasses now and will see well on the trip.

A COOL CARD TO STEPHANIE, LAURALEE, SHEENA, DAD, KALLIE, ERIC, KRISTEN, CAMIE, LUKE, WITTS, ETC.

2009-03-22T22:21:00.001-06:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

Luke Jeffrey Hopkins

2009-03-20T23:02:00.002-06:00

THE EASIEST SITE OF ALL

2009-03-20T11:42:00.000-06:00

http://homefront.bonneville.com/carousel/catalog.cfm Watch 'em like apple tv ; )

You'll want to watch them all.

REAL SHOWS

2009-03-20T11:12:00.000-06:00

http://homefront.bonneville.com/current.htm This is where you click right on it.

Mom

GOOD ADS BY LDS CHURCH

2009-03-20T11:06:00.000-06:00

Check on this http://boncom.com . They are great church ads.

Love,

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE by Sheena's Band

2009-03-20T10:51:00.003-06:00

SHEEN SHINES

2009-03-20T10:15:00.006-06:00

2009-03-20T09:52:00.002-06:00

Hey People,

It's past time I wrote. We have a new grandbaby, a BOY even. He is the sweetest little sweetheart in the world. Camie loves him, but loves her mama, too, and drives her crazy at times--very normal for a barely one-year-old.

I SO loved to go to Texas to be with them, to tend, to chase Camie, to let Lukey have an afternoon nap lying on me, to go to Goodwill, and to almost see the Dallas temple (but I wanted to hold babies more).

Sheena had a band concert last night. I'll try to upload stuff.

Love,

2009-01-06T08:15:00.002-07:00

Here's our end-of-December family picture. It was so fun to have everyone home for Christmas. It's been especially fun to have Eric, Kristen and Camie here since Thanksgiving. They will leave this week for Ft. Worth, Texas. The end of next month I'll fly down to help with the new baby. Wish we all could fly in, stay at a motel, and PAR-TEE!!! We all could take care of Camie & I could help with new baby Luke.

Expecting great things (and people)

2008-11-21T21:36:00.003-07:00

We are getting ready to have Kristen, Eric, and Camie come for a month! Yahooey! We've cleaned the carpets, made a bedroom downstairs, and are trying to de-junk some (isn't it amazing).

I'm glad we'll all be together for Christmas. We'll get family pictures. Kristen, you choose the colors because your wardrobe is probably the most limited.

We just went to Sheena's band concert. She has a couple of other good friends who are flutists. We all met at the Arctic Circle afterwards for a treat. She and her buddies were having a good ole' time. I'll see if I can upload some of the concert on here or facebook sometime.

By the way, Big J's had a fire in the back of it one early Sunday morning. It's been closed for months, and will be for months. WE MISS IT! I guess we could go to Richmond if we had to.

Tomorrow is the Utah/BYU football game. The 'Steaders are coming over at four to watch the game with us. Ya'all want to come?!? They're bringing hamburger buns and TRIFLE, we'll supply hamburgers and homemade oven fries (from our garden potatoes). My mouth is watering, and I'm full!

Its been a privilege to go visiting teaching this month. I've gotten to choose the message from the conference report. I taped the talks and have listened to them several times. The Brethren want us to learn to share, be happy no matter what happens, and be ready for change. Its very sobering. I'm glad to be simplifying life, like they suggested. I gave Elder Perry's talk on simplifying life.

Well, that's it for now. Oh, yea, Dad and I got a new select air comfort bed. We each can choose the number for firmness or softness. This is our second night in it. I really liked it our first.

Love ya all,

Mom (Susan)

A Bit More

2008-11-07T14:34:00.003-07:00

That list was just a fourth of it. Let's see--clorox our sonicare toothbrushes, mop the kitchen floor, wash and hem up the living room curtains; wash the windows in and out; wash the window screens, paint the house (does your paint ever go white-ish chalky?); paint the swing set that I took apart to do so; go to the temple with my friends in the day; paint the playhouse (that one's been in the works for 15 years); copy off all the family videos from the vhs-c's our videocam uses; sit and read a book; figure out computer family history, ETC.

Yea for a full and busy life. This morning I was going to get 40 pounds of fresh boneless, skinless chicken breast to bottle, but (luckily?) they were sold out--they sold 100 forty pound boxes in a matter of seconds. I was feeling very tired, so I took a 5 hour nap. Now on to budget and bills!

Love,

2008-11-06T00:23:00.002-07:00

Oh, yes! I DO have a blog, don't I.

I have lots to catch up on: bibs for Camie, sewing for Kallie and Sheena, finding out what to update in all my cubbies Cub Scout books, doing something with 3 boxes of apples, doing something with 6 big buckets of plums, cleaning up my papers, cleaning up the basement, getting some more levis from storage that fit Kallie, finding snow pants and a thin coat for Sheen at the DI, downloading photos from my camera and cell phone, finding rechargeable lithiums for my new Nikon camera, mopping the kitchen, cleaning out the fridge, cleaning out the upstairs freezer, cleaning out the downstairs freezer, counting and organizing the food storage room, weeding my flower beds (it's been 3 years since I did!), being a better neighbor, vacuuming the van, teaching Spanish to the girls, teaching Kallie how to crochet, hanging out with my girls, hanging out with my man, figuring out how to modulate between 3 primary songs for the choir, finding the folder with the college girls' addresses to turn into the RS because I'm not getting letters written to them monthly (Feb was the last), weekly cub scout meetings, practicing the organ for church, wanting to paint or draw pictures, wanting to write personal history stories, wanting to write Ensign/New Era articles, wanting to make poetry and games for the Friend, wanting to SING (think Monty Python), wanting to clean out the sewing room so I can get my MAC computer and do all my photos--especially a Grandma Myrt CD, getting ready for the 3rd batch of kitties this summer (now that snow's on the ground), and lots more.

IT'S A GOOD THING THAT WE JUST FOLLOW THE SPIRIT AND WE ACCOMPLISH WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO GET DONE, HUH. : )

Love,

2008-08-11T10:34:00.002-06:00

A, B, C's of ME!!

A- Attached or Single? Wonderfully married to an amazing match

B-Best Friend? My Man
C-Cake or pie? Cake--spice with penuche frosting or Score cake.
D-Day of choice? Monday--FHE!
E-Essential Item? frige
F-Favorite color? baby blue
G-Gummy bears or worms? bears--cinnamon
H-Home town? Pleasant Grove, UT
I-Favorite indulgence? Soaking in the tub with a book and a banana split.
J-January or July? July--summer, warm
K-Kids? 6+a little
L-Life isn't complete without? The Church
M-Marriage date? 1983
N-Number of brothers and sisters? 4 brothers, 1 sister
O-Oranges or Apples? Oranges
P-Phobias? Someone will throw away my things
Q-Quote? All the scriptures
R-Reasons to smile? I remember enough to survive each day
S-Season of choice? Spring, although it's one day long here
T-Tag 3 people: Lauralee, Sista, Stephanie
U-Unknown fact about me? I lost 40 pounds in 6 months at age 23
V-Vegetable? Homegrown tomatoes (I know, it's a fruit)

W-Worst habit? Need to finish what I start
X-Xray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y-Your favorite food? Pizza (and cold for breakfast)
Z-Zodiac sign: Sag

NYC

2008-07-20T00:20:00.002-06:00

I've just come back from NEW YORK CITY.

I'll tell you more later. It's past my bedtime.

Suz

Saturday

2008-05-31T23:26:00.002-06:00

Dad worked 1/2 day. We cleaned inside & laundried, then finished planting corn, carrots, and pumpkins in the garden. 20 potatoes are coming up, and the faithful zucchini is up already. I think the tomatoes want a little less water than they've been getting.

What was funnest was playing badminton baseball with Kallie and Sheena, then badminton with Dad, Kallie & Sheena in our gorgeous green backyard. The rain makes everyone's yards look great. We're all getting better and better at badminton.

Then we lied down on the lawn, and then came in for "Dumb and Dumber." (Well, actually I went to the meetinghouse to practice the organ.)

I told Dad today that we needed to go to the temple. He looked at me with a pained expression. That was because we've already gone twice in 4 days. Linda Hollingsworth was sealed to her deceased husband Tuesday, then last night Barbara Weyerman was sealed to her husband. It's too bad we couldn't go to Bethany's endowment last Saturday, but the Andersen reunion was on.

Ben comes home from his mission Monday morning. Sheena, Kallie & I may go down tomorrow pm and sleep overnight at Gladene's. Ben comes in on the plane early. We'll probably sleep over again Friday night, because Bethany's sealing is at 8:20am, and we're supposed to be there at 7:50am!

Shadow's kitties are getting bigger. Whitey was given away last week. Blackie and Tiger need to go SOON.

The Mary Kay lady was having 40% off everything, so Lauralee, Stephanie, and I made orders. If you want to check out the site, Sista, it's http://www.marykay.com/lindseymsmith .

Guess that's it. The house is clean, the laundry is all put away, we're fasting, and I need to hit the sack (or the Man).

Love,

Mom

2008-05-29T21:37:00.002-06:00

Hello People,

How's it going? Today it rained cats and dogs (at least 3 cats in our yard). I think we live in a rain forest now--it's been raining off and on--mostly on--for weeks.

I hope the seeds in our garden grow instead of mold.

Tonight Kallie and I went to help a friend with a crocheting project. She has 7 sons. The boys were asking me if I went to school with her. Actually I was married with a baby when I met her. She was 7. I taught her 4-H crocheting when she was 9, and I had two babies.

School has been out for 5 days now and my friend is going stir crazy. She asked me if I wanted to take some boys home. I told the second oldest he could come home with us, but he didn't get the kitchen cleaned up in time. Kallie wanted to bring the baby home, but his mommy would miss him too much. I offered to take another one and his mom said, "No, he's the best one--you can't take him!"

They have 2 cute little puppies. I love feel their fat little ears.

We saw Camie Cutie and Kristen on AIM today. Camie was smiling like wacko at her mommy. Kallie and Sheena kept saying how cute! Stephanie and Lauralee--download AIM and see them! http://www.aim.com/get_aim/win/latest_win.adp and click "Install Now."

The 'Steaders left on their mission to Cody, Wyoming, today. We went up last night and helped load their car, get tubing for Duane, and bring home a couple of fridge things that won't last 4 months in their fridge. I hope we can go to Yellowstone and then visit them in Cody sometime before the end of September. Do you want to go there, Kristen and Eric? Lauralee works, too bad! Stephanie, do you want to go, depending on work of course?

We're making 14 more 2-cups things of strawberries into jam. Sheena was watching "The Sound of Music" while she was doing it; Kallie and her friend were downstairs watching "High School Musical II" while they were supposed to be doing it. Dad went home teaching tonight.

That's it.

Love,

Mom

The Beginning

2008-05-26T21:50:00.000-06:00

Hey, it's my first!

We just finished up four crazy days with 32 people in the same house (at the Homestead). A couple of times the noise drove me crazy. We had fun times, too. "Singles Ward II" was good. Shopping with the women was good. The devotional meeting with Mom and Dad getting a blessing from their sons and sons-in-law was very sweet and full of love.

It was fun to see what each family fixed for their meal. Good stuff.

But it's so nicely quiet now at home. Back to the grind. Now what to do with the girls for summertime, and figuring out the next cub scouts.

Linda Hollingsworth gets sealed to her deceased husband tomorrow, and Barbra Weyerman and her husband go through and get sealed on Friday. We're invited to both.

Love,

Me