Halloween Memories

Halloween Memories

As I took Sevrine to preschool this morning and saw all the kids in their costumes I reminded me of Halloweens past and the things I remember most. I remember when my brother Paul and I were in the Kimberly Halloween parade and won $5 for our rendition of the school mascot. Thanks to Sharon, we used the Bulldog suit (Paul) and I as the clown leading him along.
On a less funnier note I remember when we sponsored the family from Vietnam. Pae Ling came home from school to see the paper plate skeleton that I had made on the front door. Not accustomed to our holidays, she freaked out. Later we learned that coming from this war torn country, skeletons were everywhere and it wasn’t a pleasant site. After that I have not liked this aspect of Halloween decorations.
The trick-or-treating reminds me of when we could see if we could hit the whole town of Kimberly before our curfew. Remembering which houses gave the best stuff. In Somerset the kids made a beeline to the “Oberto” house to get the beef jerky, or the house where our neighbors in the Crest gave out samples from “Johnson and Johnson”.
Now living in Arizona, Halloween brings new traditions of sitting out on the driveway handing out candy. Not letting our pumpkins rot in the heat and resorting to painting them instead of carving. Getting full size candy bars is still a treat to be envied. At temps in the 80’s this makes for a pleasant evening. Families have turned to “Trunk r Treats” to get away from on the crazies and the treats that aren’t as appetizing. The Smurfs costumes I made have yet to be recycled. One of these years they might just make a comeback.

Tagged!

This is from Marissa. I won't tag anyone sense she tagged everyone that I would have.

TAG - You're IT!
1. Where is your cell phone? In my pocket
2. Where is your significant other? In the basement, working
3. Your hair color? brown
4. Your mother? A nurse, died November 30, 1998
5. Your father? A Veteran, died September 23, 1983
6. Your favorite thing? Doing needlework, reading and watching sports on TV.
7. Your dream last night? Can’t remember
8. Your dream/goal? Survive this crisis
9. The room you're in? spare bedroom
10. Your hobby? Needlework and reading
11. Your fear? Losing my house
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Living comfortably and serving in the Temple.
13. Where were you last night? at home
14. What you're not? Confident!
15. One of you're wish-list items? Enough!
16. Where you grew up? Kimberly, Idaho
17. Last thing you did? Stitch group.
18. What are you wearing? Cords and shirt.
19. Your TV? Baseball game
20. Your pet? Rusty (Marissa’s)
21. Your computer? PC
22. Your mood? Worried, tired and stressed.
23. Missing someone? Yes. Marissa
24. Your car? Mazda Tribute
25. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
26. Favorite store? Any craft store.
27. Your summer? Hot.
28. Love someone? Love my family and a few close friends
29. Your favorite color? - Blue
30. Last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? When haven’t I cried?

Endure to the End

The Atonement Gives Us the Strength to Endure
"The Atonement of Jesus Christ and the healing it offers do much more than provide the opportunity for repentance from sins. The Atonement also gives us the strength to endure 'pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind,' because our Savior also took upon Him 'the pains and the sicknesses of his people' (Alma 7:11). Brothers and sisters, if your faith and prayers and the power of the priesthood do not heal you from an affliction, the power of the Atonement will surely give you the strength to bear the burden."
Dallin H. Oaks, "He Heals the Heavy Laden," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 9

I am searching for comfort and peace while facing the challenges of the present.

Random thoughts!

I Am... A child of God.
I Think... Too much sometimes to the point of worrying myself sick.
I Know... My Redeemer Lives
I Have...To let go of the past because it affects the future and doesn't let me enjoy today.
I Wish... I didn’t worry so much!
I Miss … having a free schedule during the day.
I Fear... loosing my home.
I Feel... betrayed
I Hear... Stereo…neighbors are moving.
I Smell... ?
I Crave... no demands for my time.
I Search... For answers to prayers
I Wonder... Where I will be in a year!
I Regret... Lots but would have it made a difference!
I Love... Peace of mind and heart
I Ache... For DH who has more worries than I
I Am Not... Desperate yet!
I Believe... We will get through this trial.
I Dance... With grandkids who don’t care if I know how…
I Sing... Not much, sense Colleen does all the singing
I Cry... More than I like, I’m just emotional.
I Don't Always... Exercise enough Faith.
I Fight... Trying to please everyone.
I Write... To vent my feelings!
I Win... If I can endure to the end.
I Never... Say never! It can get you in trouble!
I Always... Need my Savior!
I Confuse... Need and Want sometimes
I Listen... When all is quite and no distractions.
I Can Usually Be Found... At home, when I have time on the computer or knitting; I usually have Sevrine underfoot.
I Am Scared... That we will have to move again.
I Need... A tender mercy!
I Am Happy About... Marissa getting the job in Boston.
I Imagine... This is just a beginning to more questions!

It seems that we needed to find new tenants for the Peoria house. I dreaded the process but knew that Heavenly Father would help us find someone to rent the house. Timing becomes an issue so we won't have to miss a month's rent. Tender mercy describes the events of the last few days. I saw an add on Craig's List and replied that we have a house available. Our former tenant ended up paying July's rent sense he did not give us a month's notice. We showed the house to the new family and they liked it and put down a deposit. Now we need to clean and paint in order for them to move in on August 1st. We did find out tonight that the downstairs aircondioning unit isn't working so I will need to get a repairman in to take care of that. As I thought about the timing, I realized that the window of opportunity is short with school starting next month and the house could very well have been vacant for several months. This is another example of it always being enough. The theme for my life right now.

Marissa is heading East.

Yesterday Marissa found out she got the job and is moving to Boston. This has taken over a month but we knew this is where she is suppose to be. Now she is packing and tying up lose ends before she leaves in the morning. We are amazed at how everything has fallen into place and doors have been open at the right time. It is a testimony to how Heavenly Father answers prayers and directs his children. With Marissa living on the east coast, I am now trying to figure out how to go visit and see that part of the country.

The Sweetness of Victory

I still get excited for the coverage of the College world series. I surprised myself when I got emotional when these girls won the championship. They had a lot of heart and it was a team effort. I guess I am a true devil fan now.