Cute For Christmas!

How cute is this idea? Can I schedule this into my busy life? Anyone else want to try it and let me know how easy it is?

http://classyandsophisticated.blogspot.com/2008/11/christmas-matchbox-advent.html

Help! Recipes Needed!

I'm ready to start my all-inclusive wellness plan. That means that I need to put together a menu of healthy, really easy to prepare meals. Here's where I'm stuck! I've been throwing together frozen and prepared meals for so long, I don't have any good dinner recipes! Does anyone have any family favorites that are easy to prepare and good for you? I'm looking for chicken and fish and beans and lots of vegetables. I love to experiment, so unusual dishes are welcome.

Now, I know some of you are currently or have been dieting -- South Beach, The Zone, Weight Watchers. If you've found some favorite recipes, please share!

Either post them here as a comment, or submit them on my website "Chronic Fatigue Community." Then, I'll post them all on my recipe blog, "The Flagging Chef." Thanks for helping!!!

This Is Why They Are Called Prophets

This comment was made 30 years ago. Definitely prophetic, wasn't it? Take comfort!

"Make no mistake about it, brothers and sisters, in the months and years ahead, events are likely to require each member to decide whether or not he will follow the First Presidency. Members will find it more difficult to halt longer between two opinions. President Marion G. Romney said, many years ago, that he had 'never hesitated to follow the counsel of the Authorities of the Church even though it crossed my social, professional or political life..'

"This is hard doctrine, but it is particularly vital doctrine in a society which is becoming more wicked. In short, brothers and sisters, not being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ includes not being ashamed of the prophets of Jesus Christ. . . . Your discipleship may see the time when such religious convictions are discounted. . . . This new irreligious imperialism seeks to disallow certain opinions simply because those opinions grow out of religious convictions.

"Resistance to abortion will be seen as primitive. Concern over the institution of the family will be viewed as untrendy and unenlightened....

"Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.

"There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.

"Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, 'summer is nigh.' Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat."

From "A More Determined Discipleship" by Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy. An address delivered at Brigham Young University, 10 October 1978.

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Sick Little Ones

Have you ever noticed how young a sick child looks while sleeping? It's like all those years of growing up washed away, and they are back to being your little one again. It's hard work, but taking care of them is one of the precious joys of motherhood.

Take a Moment to Celebrate History in the Making

I voted for McCain. I know it was a symbolic vote, but I had to vote my conscience. I am very worried about where Barack Obama will take this country. I'm worried about taxes on my fledgling business. I'm worried about the next Supreme Court justices. I'm worried about big government and wimpy foreign policy and higher taxes and an abortion free for all. What an interesting four years this will be.

BUT -- I am taking the next 77 days until Barack Obama actually takes office to celebrate this amazing moment in history! From slavery, to the civil rights movement, to this moment -- it is really breathtaking. Martin Luther King's dream -- that some day, every child in America could grow up to be whatever he or she wanted to be -- has finally come true.

I love this country!

Thank You, California!

Although officially, Prop. 8 is too close to call (they are waiting until all the mail in and provisional ballots have been counted), it looks like the amendment has passed! I can tolerate same-sex couples, but I am not being forced to condone their behavior. I don't have to worry about what kids are being taught in school. I don't have to worry about lawsuits against our church. My freedom of speech and religion will remain intact -- and it didn't cost same-sex couples one single actual right.

Congratulations to all who put in hours of work in one of the biggest grass-roots efforts ever! It has been worth it. It's amazing to be a part of history.

Gavin's Lost Tooth

Well, the last of my bunch has lost his first tooth! Hooray, Gavin! He didn't even know it was loose. He was just sitting there, watching TV, and it came out in his hand. No fuss, no drama. Just wrapped it up and put it under his pillow. And here is my latest toothless wonder!

Gabe is starting to wonder about the tooth fairy. He's curious, he says, because some of his friends are getting $1-$2 a tooth, and we're only getting 50 cents. Hmmm. Should I tell him it's because he doesn't brush his teeth enough, so that's all they are worth?

I'm Finally Swayed to McCain

OK, I'll vote for McCain -- for this young man, and all the men and women who serve in the military.

Halloweenies

We had a fun, busy Halloween week! Tuesday evening, we had a chili cook-off and trunk-or-treat at church. Thursday, we went to the Family Fall Festival at the boys' school. Last night, we went to Shari's annual Halloween get-together. Then, Rom took the kids out trick-or-treating while I handed out candy at the door.

Our neighborhood is "THE" spot to trick-or-treat! People arrive by the carload. I ran out of candy by 7:30 pm. I enjoyed the kids and the costumes -- although, I'm a little disturbed that so many moms let their girls out looking like that! I mean, it appeared they were looking more for tricks than for treats, if you know what I mean!

Poor Kyara, she had to work, so she missed out on all the festivities. Rom disappeared with friends until after 10:00 pm -- NOT GOOD, MISTER! But, he came home safe and happy, so I guess all's well that ends well. Johnette had her friend, Dana, come trick-or-treating with her, and then they watched Howls' Moving Castle afterwards. (An interesting Halloween choice. I would have chosen Nightmare Before Christmas, but Howls' is wierd, too.)

An overall good night, if I do say so, myself. I am now going to raid various treat bags.

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