TWINSHIP

People are very funny sometimes. This week I spent a few days with my sister working with her on Christmas projects. When we went to Church, a lady said, "You don't even have to look in the mirror to put on your makeup, you can just look at your sister!" So many people ask us what it's like to have a twin--we don't know what it's like not to have a twin. Our husbands proved this time once again what good sports they are. They know that we need to visit with each other from time to time so they provide that time for us. Tom worked on his yard which is just beautiful. Garth equiped our upstairs bedroom closet with new shelves. The doors are next. Life is good and so is everyone.

Birthdays and Blowhards and Bravery

I didn't realize until this moment what my title implied for this picture of Brandt blowing out his candles! We have some November birthdays--Brandt, Dawniella, Greg, and Kat. Did I forget anyone? On Saturday we celebrated the big 50 for Brandt and the first birthday for Dawniella. Julirae's family has a tradition of giving the children a cake of their own on their first birthday. They take off their clothing and then let them eat the cake any way they want. Dawniella was very conservative about hers. Dawniella just starting taking a few steps about three days before, but wouldn't perform for us while we were there. It was a loud, but fun party.

On to the real blowhards! I hated this election! I hated listening to lies, inuendos, mud-slinging and putdowns. Obama was not my personal choice for President because he's inexperienced and a non-Christian and, to me, un-American. However and to avoid any nasty replies, he is the President and I will support him in that. Perhaps he will prove himself to me and I won't have to avoid listening to him by muting the TV when he's on. I hated that billions of dollars which could have been used to alleviate suffering worldwide was used on this campaign-- $150, 000 for a wardrobe? Excuse me?

I couldn't help but think about my first experience at voting for President. My dad was a dyed-in-the-wool Nixon fan. He hated JFK's youth and inexperience. He coached me carefully about Nixon. That year I went to BYU and my roommate was from Massachusetts. She'd spent her summer working on JFK's campaign. Together we went to political rallies on campus and helped make signs for the campus locations. JFK was going to represent the young. Other than that, I knew nothing about his politics. I always figured I cancelled out my dad's vote. The point is that there was no way JFK would not be elected just as there was no way Obama would not be elected. People voted with their hearts in both instances. I will have to pray fervently that the man has what it takes to lead this country and will remember the American values.



Today is Veteran's Day. I'm proud of those in my family who have served our country. Our ancestors have fought in many wars on both sides. Some have made the supreme sacrifice like my brother Joe. Besides teaching me about Nixon (and many other things, of course), my Dad made me a loyal American. I believe in America and her values. I get teary-eyed about our flag, our Pledge of Allegiance, our armed forces, patriotic displays. I'm grateful for my nephews Steve, Ben and Jacob who are presently in the military. Thanks to you all. God bless America and may He keep her safe.

QUIRKS

My niece Shannon, whom I love dearly, has tagged me to write six quirks about myself. It’s interesting to determine what your quirks are and what, exactly, is a quirk? Is it something you dislike? A prejudice? A bad habit? Anyway—here goes. These are my quirks especially ala my eternal companion who is quick to point them out.

1. I have to sleep on “my” side of the bed. Normally, I sleep on my left side and if it’s the wrong side of the bed, I just can’t get my shoulder in the right place. I’m really trying to learn to sleep on my back, but it’s not happening. Since I’m an insomniac what sleep I do get is important.


2. I am a patsy, an easy mark, an old softie. It doesn’t matter what it is, someone can easily convince me to support a cause, buy a product, or do it “their” way. When I resist, I feel terrible. I buy things that I don’t need just because someone else thinks I should or my conscience nags me. Case in point: the Paralyzed Veterans’ of America! In 2002, my Uncle Willis sent them my address and they’ve sent me address labels all these years with the wrong address! Do I send them back? No. Have I asked them to correct the address? Many times, but it’s never quite right. Do I send the money for them? Every single time! Do I use them? I can’t. They have the wrong address.


3. I am obsessed with buying “gadgets” for my hobbies most notably quilting. Here’s a picture all of the things that I have just for marking fabric. I’m like the Little Mermaid. “You need a freeesfkj? I have ten!” Need I say more? Thank goodness I have an indulgent husband. The dumb thing is that I get offended when he makes comments like “The kids are going to have a ball when they clean out the sewing closet after you die!” He’s right, of course.

4. Since I am a bibliomaniac, I read several books at a time. I always have a book at the table (Garth and I both read when we eat). I have a book on tape in the sewing room. I have an audiobook on my MP3 player and one on my iPod. And I have some kind of reading material in the upstairs bathroom. We always have a book on tape in the car. The weird thing is that I can still keep track of all these plots.

5. I like raw potatoes with lots of salt and I also like boiled potatoes (like the ones you prepare for potato salads). In the past couple of years, I haven’t done this as much lately because potatoes don’t have as good a flavor as they used to.

6. I am totally addicted to caffeine. My addiction started when I was in college and my newly baptized roommate bought us Cokes and peanuts to put in them. She called them Word of Wisdom parties. I’ve tried off and on for years to “kick” the habit, unsuccessfully. Honestly, I keep trying. Unfortunately, I don’t like anything diet. Anyone with any good suggestions to help, I would be grateful.

There, I’ve bared my soul. Now I tag Julia, Joe, Jeff, Julirae, Darla, and Jennie.

An important week

This is an important week for our nation. I hope everyone will vote according to your conscience, but the important thing is to vote. I saw a blurb on MSN about churches all over the country praying and fasting about the election. I'm doing the same. We're having our own hotly contested race for Grant County Commissioner as well as governor. Personally, I'm really tired of the mudslinging in both races. I'm rooting for the underdog in these two races--or, as in the commissioner race, the poorest. Actually, I've already voted because rural Grant County votes by absentee ballot.

Now the answers to last blog's pictures. Julirae had most of it right, of course, she lives here. And Steve got one right, too.

1. What you're not seeing in this picture is important--the old Farm Labor Housing is missing. Those buildings were torn down in a day practically. Some charitable group is building more low cost housing on that location.
2. Is indeed that closet in the dining room. Years ago Uncle Jay gave this to us and since it spent most of its years in the utility room as a broom closet, it had no shelves in it. I'd put a portable plastic shelf in there for its contents. One day when Dad was bored stiff, I suggested he make some permanent shelves and, by darn, he did.
3. Again, what you're not seeing is important. This is the huge, old Skone & Connors orchard on Hwy 262 just above the turn-off to Frenchman Hills Road. It, too, disappeared in an instant. We're assuming they're going to put in another one.
4. The old Dave's Rec Hall building had a recent facelift. This is Casa Miguel's (Dave's) and there's a matching Barra next door. Is Barra a Spanish word?
5. This is, indeed, Spud's. It is literally cut off because of construction of Royal Road. You can't get to Spud's in town, you have to go out to the highway. A lot of beautification is going in Royal City.

Tomorrow we go to the cardiologist again. We were very optimistic, but Dad's been having some breathing problems again. We'll see what happens. We love you all. Take care of yourselves in this impending "hard" winter.