Monday, January 26, 2009

Papa Prognosis


My Dad
1937
Just wanted to take a minute to say thanx for all the prayers and good wishes you have sent--it is just lovely. My Dad will be going home tomorrow barring any unforeseen happenings. He wasn't doing so well yesterday but has picked up dramatically today and is unhooked from all of the IV's so we are hopeful.
He will really have to watch his diet now--pretty much very low SODIUM--yuck. I cook a lot of freezer meals for them so if you have any good recipes with low sodium--please share! Mine are a little on the high side--now that I have been looking. It will probably be a blessing to me and my family to lower ours right along with them.
Other than that he just needs to take it easy its just not going to get any better. I think that is what he struggles with most. He has run marathons, hiked mountains, skied most every resort available, passionate gardener--just very healthy. In spite of this he has had to have 2 open heart surgeries and a pace maker put in.But he has still remained pretty active with his grand kids. It is hard for him and hard for me to have to watch. My Mom--never mind--another day--anyways--that's the scoop--thanx again! I am busy counting my blessings!
PS--I tried SOOO hard to make paragraphs etc--it was a no go---mmmmmm--cranky.....

Friday, January 23, 2009

My Dad

My Dad--1953
I just was over at da Burgs blog reading about her Dad and thought--before I leave today I should really blog about mine. I forget how many prayers are out there--just for the asking! They put my Dad in the hospital 2 days ago with POD--his lungs keep filling with fluid and now he has pneumonia. His legs are swelling up and the right side of his heart is not functioning properly. They have him on antibiotics and are doing a gazillion tests--so he is in the best place possible--it is just scary. My Mom is--well--my Mom and so I am on my way to the hospital to be with him---I have no idea what the next few days will bring--I just have to be the parent to my parents--it is so weird--and hard--
.........would you add my Dad to your prayers? His name is Bob B--I think Heavenly Father will know who you mean--thanx--more later---

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Stardate 123108

In honor of the fact that I am using this blog as a journal incentive----I give you New Years Eve 2008--only 21 days late.........

Phil was back in Alaska, Nat in Utah and Kelly at a friends--so we weren't a very big crowd. Tae was festive and bought us hats and noise makers---we watched the ball drop---blew the horns and I went to bed---I know--I know--I AM EXCITEMENT PERSONIFIED!!!






Milan--after I told him I thought he looked a lot like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz---










Taelor (looking at Milan) after I told her that the Tin Man was rusted because he had bladder control issues





Is this picture blurry or did I just have too much fizzy juice??!!

Thats it--woo-hoo---we are now officially in 2009 on this blog!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Merry Christmas!!

You know that whole "keep Christmas in your heart" thing? Yah--well--I'm still keeping it in my photoshop. I finally edited these and thought I'd share the joy---



Every year since 1990 the Jammie Elves leave jammies on Christmas Eve--etc.....etc..well this was our highly successful photo shoot of everyone in their new attire. It went from this............





TO THIS::::::::::::::::::



(The boy on the right is Tae's significant whatever---not one of mine.)



TO THIS:::::::::::::::::


I wish I could blame it on something else except my genes that they inherited----I guess thats just how we roll here in the middle of nowhere Montana........

Stay tuned for New Years Eve!!!!!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Actual, factual stuff...

I've had a lot (there I go again--exaggerating my importance) okay--a couple of questions about my background so I thought I would take a minute and fill you in.

First, I went to onecuteblog (actually I went to quite a few places, I just liked this one best) and on the right side bar--a little ways down there is a section labeled--Labels & Categories--(very handy) and then I clicked on LDS and it takes you to that section which has 2 backgrounds (handy dandy) That's where it is but to install it you need to click on the blue button in the upper right corner of her blog that says installation and it will take you to a page that says this:

How to add these templates to your blog:

The first thing you MUST do if you haven't already, is change your template to "Minima". From your dashboard, click on "layout", or from your blog, click on "customize". Then click on "pick new template". The minima template is the first template offered. Any one of those will work.

Next, go into your "Page elements". Again, this can be found by clicking on "layout" from the dashboard or "customize" from your blog. It will say "add and arrange page elements" at the top.

Click on "add a gadget" anywhere on the page.

This will bring up a screen of various gadgets you can add to your blog. About 2/3 of the way down you will find one that says "html/java script". Click on the picture next to it, or the plus sign. This will bring up another screen.

Enter this code:

(I cut this out so it wouldn't cause problems)--you really do need to go click on this page!)

Where it says DIRECTLINK, in the above code, leave the parenthesis and quotations in place, and copy/paste the direct link/URL included with each template to that place. The direct link is located UNDER each template picture and will say "direct link". Click on that link and it will pull up another full size version of the template you are selecting. This is the photobucket site I have set up to host the templates. You need to copy and paste that link/URL which will begin with http://i250.photobucket.com/albums etc. into the spot that says "direct link" in the above code.

IF YOUR TEMPLATE CHOICE HAS A TEXT BOX UNDER IT, JUST COPY AND PASTE THE TEXT AS AN HTML GADGET!!!

Then save this and view your blog. I make my templates at the highest quality... 300 dpi rather than the standard 72 dpi, which does mean that they may take a bit longer to load onto your screen so be patient. You will want to also make sure to go in and change your fonts and colors to match your blog, which can also be found from the "elements" page. If you cannot see your blog posts or certain widgets (items on your sidebar), be sure to check your colors first! By adding these templates, you should not lose any of your widgets (pictures and links on your sidebar), though this is not a 100% guarantee... only 99%.

Good luck. If you need any other assistance in figuring this out, let me know at onecuteblog at gmail dot com.

To add the blinkies to your sidebar... go into your "add and arrange page elements" and click on "add a gadget". Find the gadget that says "html/java script" and copy/paste the html img code from the text box under the blinkie. Save it. You can rearrange the gadgets on the sidebar in the elements page so your blinkies and other information will be in whatever order you select.

Soooo--I followed the instructions and wha--la (I just realized that is probably not a real word ...hmmm...) there was my beautiful background. And it was free!! I just had to put her button on my sidebar. I really love it--good luck and go check her out!





Thursday, January 8, 2009

Anxiety is a cruel mistress.....

Just wanted to say that---

I may have been exaggerating just a titch the other day when I was crying conspiracy and mass exodus.

I may be just a tad insecure and anxious.

There may have been only 2 people on my bloglist that left.

They may not have locked all the buckles on my straight jacket and under medicated me that day.


But your responses have been most gratifying and the nice people here at the home may be a hint of happy that I have stopped bouncing off these lovely rubber walls.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Did I miss something??!! Is it just me or does it seem like everyone is leaving blogland??!! As of here and now--NO ONE else on my blog list is allowed to do so!! Otherwise my VERY large paranoid self will start to think that there is a mass exodus occurring and no one wants to tell me. Really people--I'm serious! Take a vacation, don't post for awhile--whatever--BUT DON'T LEAVE ME!!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Talented artist--David Bowman

I discovered this artist through a giveaway. The giveaway is over but am going to leave these pictures on because they are so beautiful.

.David Bowman: has had a passion for art ever since he could pick up a pencil. He loves creating images of the Savior that inspire and uplift. Along with his Christian fine art, David has also written and illustrated a series of scripture storybooks for children titled "Who's Your Hero". Check out his website at http://bowman-art.com/indexFineart.htm to see more of his precious art.



"Innocence"

The Savior tells us we need to become as little children to inherit the kingdom of God. I've often wondered what it is about little children Jesus loves most, and I think its their innocence. They are clean slates, seeing the world and others through untarnished eyes. Their hearts are pure, without the baggage of cynicism and self-doubt. In this piece, I've tried to imagine how a child would act upon meeting the Master for the first time. Without reservation or inhibition, I think he would simply want to play with Him. He would be at complete ease, allowing his pure little heart to soak in the love and laughter of His pure, infinite heart. Its no wonder Christ delights in these little ones and sets them up to be our examples.














"Security"

One of the greatest human needs is a sense of security. In all aspects of life, we naturally gravitate towards anything that makes us feel safe. In this piece, I wanted to convey a sense of complete peace and calm like only the Savior can provide. It's a security that allows us to rest assured, without fear or worry, when we put ourselves trustingly in His arms. Little children have that inherent kind of trust in their parents, so it's fitting that the man and girl who modeled for "Security" are actually father and daughter. They generatedthe exact feel I was looking for.














"My Child"

This piece conveys an intimate, up-close-and-personal feeling of the Savior's love. Notice how all the lines draw your attention and point towards Jesus' face in the center. I chose the name "My Child" because the only thing that could compare (even remotely) to Christ's compassion for us is the love of a parent for his/her child. This image is also intended to put things in perspective. Above all, we are God's children first. He allows us the privilege of experiencing parenthood for ourselves and we are entrusted to be the mothers and fathers of His children here on earth.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

You Tube Intervention

I think I may need an intervention. I'm not sure--do you need an intervention if you still have enough sense to realize you need an intervention?! Or--am I just pretending that I know that I know I need an intervention so that you all will still respect me and visit my blog?! Or--just kidding.

I think I can almost promise that this will be close to being the last You Tube I put on my blog for awhile. It's just that when I went to look for this vulture clip I remembered another Disney moment that plays over and over and over again in my head. Just when you think you are all alone in your thought processes---You Tube jumps in and shows you that THOUSANDS of people are as mental as you are! Its just amazing!

Soooo....ever since my oldest girls were my youngest girls and watched Cinderella like a million times---this clip plays over and over again every time I have to do more than a couple things at a time--(so, like really, ALL the time) I do my best imitation of this cat and my children and friends go--whoa! what the hec was that??!! And I try to explain that it is from this scene in Cinderella with the cat and the cups--and their eyes just glaze right over. For all of you have seen and those who have yet to see my imitation of Lucifer and Gus in the Cups------(well technically I just do Lucifer...but I digress)--I give you this--





I dare you to ever be able to watch it again without thinking of me...go on.. I dare ya!!