Sushi Sisters

I am addicted to sushi.  My friend Mandy has taken me to this really fun, sushi bar.  Yes, it is a bar and you do need I.D. to get in, or you have to be with your mom if you are under age.  The name of the place is Ahh Sushi (it is so much fun to say)!  The great news is they have a Happy Hour, where everything is 50% off.  I know, I know, it sounds too good to be true.  So, if there are any sushi sisters out there, let me know.  I think that it would be way fun to get a group of girls and go have sushi in the tatami room.  This is a room for eating sushi, and it looks like it is right out of the movies.  Let me know if you are interested in becoming a sushi sister!

Just a Mom?

JUST A MOM? 

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.   "What I mean is, " explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a ...?" "Of

course I have a job," snapped the woman. 

"I'm a Mom." 

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," Said the recorder emphatically. 
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.  The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."  "What is your occupation?" she probed.  What made me say it?  I do not know.   The words simply popped out.   "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."  The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.   I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.  "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"  Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).  I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,(any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money." 

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. 

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,  (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, 
testing out a new vocal pattern.   I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more 
distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."   
  Motherhood!   
What a glorious career!   
Especially when there's a title on the door. 


Does this make grandmothers 
"Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" 

And great grandmothers 
"Executive Senior Research Associates?"   
I think so!!!   
I also think it makes Aunts 
"Associate Research Assistants." 

Harsh Words

I ran into a stranger as he passed by.  "Oh excuse me please was my reply.  He said, "Please excuse  me too;  I wasn't watching for you."  We were very polite, this stranger and I.  We went on our way and we said good-bye.  But at home a different story is told, how we treat our loved ones, young and old.  Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still.  When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.  "Move out of the way," I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken.  I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. 

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the children you love, you seem to abuse.  Go look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door."  "Those are the flowers he brought for you.  He picked them himself; pink yellow and blue.  He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, and you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."  

By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall.  I quietly went and knelt by his bed;  "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.  "Are these the flowers you picked for me?"  He smiled, "I found 'em out by the tree."  "I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.  I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."  I said, "Son, I am very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.  "He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.  I love you anyway.  I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Author Unknown

I Did It!

So today I did it I ran my first 5K.  I loved it.  It was really inspiring.  I can't wait for my next race. Would anyone like to join me?   I found this excerpt from a talk given by President Thomas S. Monson.  I hope you enjoy it.

A favorite poem of mine gives to each of us the challenge:

Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you; 
Beginners are many, but enders are few. 
Honor, power, place and praise 
Will come, in time, to the one who stays. 
Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you; 
Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too; 
For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile 
Will come life’s victories, after awhile.

Let us remember the advice from Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,” but to they who “endure to the end.” The Apostle Paul further counseled: “They which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize. … So run, that ye may obtain.”

In the private sanctuary of one’s own conscience lies that spirit, that determination, to cast off the old person and to measure up to the stature of true potential. But the way is rugged and the course is strenuous. So discovered John Helander from Göteborg, Sweden. John is twenty-six years of age and is handicapped, in that it is difficult for him to coordinate his motions.

At a youth conference in Kungsbacka, Sweden, John took part in an 800-meter running race. He had no chance to win. Rather, his was the opportunity to be humiliated, mocked, derided, scorned. Perhaps John remembered another who lived long ago and far away. Wasn’t He mocked? Wasn’t He derided? Wasn’t He scorned? But He prevailed. He won His race. Maybe John could win his.

What a race it was! Struggling, surging, pressing, the runners bolted far beyond John. There was wonderment among the spectators. Who is this runner who lags so far behind? The participants on their second lap of this two-lap race passed John while he was but halfway through the first lap. Tension mounted as the runners pressed toward the tape. Who would win? Who would place second? Then came the final burst of speed; the tape was broken. The crowd cheered; the winner was proclaimed.

The race was over—or was it? Who is this contestant who continues to run when the race is ended? He crosses the finish line on but his first lap. Doesn’t the foolish lad know he has lost? Ever onward he struggles, the only participant now on the track. This is his race. This must be his victory. No one among the vast throng of spectators leaves. Every eye is on this valiant runner. He makes the final turn and moves toward the finish line. There is awe; there is admiration. Every spectator sees himself running his own race of life. As John approaches the finish line, the audience, as one, rises to its feet. There is a loud applause of acclaim. Stumbling, falling, exhausted but victorious, John Helander breaks the newly tightened tape. Officials are human beings, too. The cheering echoes for miles. And just maybe, if the ear is carefully attuned, that Great Scorekeeper—even the Lord—can be heard to say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Each of us is a runner in the race of life. Comforting is the fact that there are many runners. Reassuring is the knowledge that our Eternal Scorekeeper is understanding. Challenging is the truth that each must run. But you and I do not run alone. That vast audience of family, friends, and leaders will cheer our courage, will applaud our determination as we rise from our stumblings and pursue our goal. The race of life is not for sprinters running on a level track. The course is marked by pitfalls and checkered with obstacles. We take confidence from the hymn:

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, 
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. 
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, … 
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. … 
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose 
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; 
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, … 
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Let us shed any thought of failure. Let us discard any habit that may hinder. Let us seek; let us obtain the prize prepared for all, even exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God.

Running with Angels

     I am so excited, tomorrow I will be running in my first 5K (this is a 3.2 mile run).  The 5K is at Thanksgiving Point.  It is called running with Angels. Pamela H. Hansen wrote a book about how running changed her life.  I just started reading this book.  I will let you know how I like it. 

     I started doing some running just this last January.  It is so much fun, it gives you such an awesome sense of accomplishment.  Each time I run I try to push myself just a little bit further than the last time.  I am really excited about this being my first run, because it is not about racing against others, it is about changing yourself.  

A man must love a thing very much if he not only practices it without any hope of fame and money, but even practices it without any hope of doing it well."

- G. K. Chesterton

To Blog or not to Blog...

To blog or to clean...

That is the question!

While blogging is a lot of fun... I am sitting here thinking of how much stuff I should be doing right now other than blogging! Lately I have been trying to tackle one project every few days... Like cleaning the closet, weeding the garden, organizing the fridge... Yet I look around and I still have so much to do... So today instead of blogging I will be finding a project. I will be sure to take a before and after picture. Wish me luck as soon as I am finished I will be back to blogging...

A Mother

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts. 

 ~Washington Irving

Blonde...

I found this quote and thought it was appropriate to go with the little car incident...

"I'm NOT offended by all the dumb blonde jokes

because I know I'm NOT dumb

and I'm also NOT blonde."

-Dolly Parton

Opps!

Yesterday my sister and I went to lunch with my mom.  After lunch we were going to look at some flowers that were next door.  I wanted Karen to open the car so I could put some things in the front seat.  I am standing there telling her to unlock the door, she keeps pushing the button and telling me that it is unlocked.  I am trying to open the door, and telling her that it is still locked.  All of the sudden Karen starts laughing, as she tells me that is not her car.  I look down and not only is it a totally different kind of car it is green (hers is black).  Opps!!!

"The Last Lecture"

"Friends are Gods way 

of taking care of us."

On Thursday I got a package in the mail from my sister-in-law Kathy, she sent me the book "The Last Lecture".  I had never heard of this book, but it looked like excellent reading material and I am always excited to get a new book.  The next day my friend Kristy gave me the same book, (I think I am supposed to read this book).  When I went on-line to find a picture, I found that "The Last Lecture" is the #1 best seller!  I am so thankful for my friends and family who strive to keep me connected to the rest of the world.  So I am going to start reading, and then I will do my first blogging book review!

Thanks Kathy and Kristy, 

I can't wait to lose myself 

between the pages!