My favorite version of Gone with the Wind-a must see!

Now I'm a fan of the classic with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable of Gone with the Wind...but this little webisode version was too hilarious to pass up!  It's a little on the edgy side for me, but I laughed so hard when I saw it that I had to share it with all of you.  What a clever way to advertise, it's exactly the way that ads are going (webisodes) because at the end, although the"commercial" is cheesy, I wanted that ice cream; it was effective!  Bravo Breyers! 

A trial endured

I was reading one of my newly found favorite blogs (thanks Jenn) and I was so surprised to read that she talked about chronic pain being one of the worst trials (I think she called it the worst) to endure. Of course all things are relative to our experience but I was so struck by that comment.  I have had some say in the past (who don't deal with chronic pain) that it's something they could handle. In my opinion this is a statement I would be careful not to make until you've walked a mile so-to-speak.  I don't deal with what Stephanie from nienie dialogues does by any stretch of the imagination but it really made me think and made me grateful that someone else understands what it's like to hurt a lot. I had another friend a couple of weeks ago say how she just takes for granted that she can get up in the morning feeling great and ready for the day, it's true, I know I used to...not anymore. Now when I have a day when I feel well, I'm so happy, pleasantly surprised, and then I jam pack it full of things so that I can make the most of it (probably not the best idea, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?)    

Fibromyalgia just doesn't "cut it" for a diagnosis where I'm concerned as my Drs agree, my situation is just too complex, but having a name gives me hope that one day I'll find an answer; we need that as human beings...answers.  

I am grateful, that's what gets me through.  I'm grateful for my loving and patient husband who still looks at me as though I was the most amazing person on the earth (which clearly I am NOT) and constantly tells me why he loves me (don't deserve him...I won the eternal lotto), I am grateful for children who pray every day that mommy will feel better and are loving and caring and healthy.  I am grateful for a Savior who knows what I go through, because clearly, some people do not, and I pray that their lack of understanding will be replaced with compassion and kindness toward others.  I am grateful for my trial of pain and health problems, because without them, I wouldn't understand what others go through, and now I am blessed with that compassion, instead of an attitude of "get over it".  I am grateful for the people who come into my home every week, several times a week, etc whom I pay to help me, because without them, I'd be lost.  I am grateful for my Mom and the family who does support me, as well as caring and kind friends who are truly there, not threatened, not flaky, just there, and happy and confident with who they are.  

I guess that's the answer to that sadness that I feel when I'm throwing up from a kidney infection or ischemic colitis, or a migraine.....gratitude...I have so much to be grateful for. 

Happy (belated) Mother's day

This was my tribute to my Mother that I wrote for Vintage Hem.  I have been inspired by my mom throughout my life but especially as a woman.  She is my best friend, I love you mom!

Carmel-by-the-sea

Probably my most favorite vacation spot in the whole world!  I have many font memories of Carmel and I do consider it a second home.  We recently returned from a little trip there and we had a wonderful time.  I went into stores that I had never gone into before.  I also was sad to see some institutions go...Thom Gregg Jewelers...my parents personal jeweler for years, how many mom?  has closed his doors, but is still doing pieces from his home he told my parents.  Howard Portnoy, a close friend who owned a successful art gallery, passed away suddenly from lung cancer but had never smoked a day in his life, he will be missed and is responsible for many of the masterpieces hanging in my parent's home.  It was sad to see those things, among others, gone...but things change.  I've never been a huge fan of the "chain" stores in Carmel.  I like the Carmel Pharmacy that's been there for 35+ years (a gallery next to the pharmacy had this picture...it's the spitting image of my Madelyn!!)

Neilsens market, etc, Carmel institutions, but I decided that I'd visit some different stores.  I walked into a Coach store on Ocean, which turned out to be an outlet, which surprised me.  I was pleasantly surprised however (thanks Megan) because instead of paying retail for bags, they were way discounted!  That was fun!   We visited our friend Roger Budney's gallery...where I fell in love with a little piece called "The Visitor" that will be on my wall soon...it evoked such emotion as to bring tears to my eyes, which, for anyone who knows me, knows that's not too difficult a task.  We dined at the French Poodle, a Carmel institution, finishing with Floating Island dessert, I nearly licked the plate clean!  My favorite NEW experience though was The Carmel Hat Company.  I met Mary San Marçon, who I adore!  She makes the most incredible hats....I had to have five!

 She talked of learning to pray as she made the hats because she realized that the people who were purchasing the hats often were sick with cancer and needed her prayers....what a sweet spirit she is!  

Carmel-by-the-sea is truly magical and though I always hesitate talking about my little secret because I like keeping it a secret, it's like the Gospel, how can you keep something so wonderful a secret when it brings such joy and happiness?

Lunch with my peeps

It doesn't get much better than going to lunch with my sistas!  I love you!  It was Rachel and Lizzie's birthday (respectively since they're minutes apart)...and so we celebrated at the new Zupas in American Fork that just opened.  We even shared a few Million Dollar Bars...yummy!  Although, they should rename them Million calorie bars! 

Time

Time is priceless, yet it costs us nothing.

You can do anything you want with it, but you can't own it.

You can spend it, but you can't keep it....

and once you've lost it, there's no getting it back...it's just gone.

All growed up

So yesterday as Cayden was ready for church, he whisked into our bedroom and the faint but distinct smell of cologne (or body spray from B & B works really) followed him.  It hit me at that moment that my little boy has left.  A series of events including adventures with his friends to the market, late nights playing night games, and "boy/girl parties" have led me to understand that my little Cayden who was just a moment ago my "angel baby boy" (what I used to call him) is now growing up every second and every day before my eyes.  I realized that he'll be on his mission in 7 1/2 years.  He'll be entering college in less than 6 (if he doesn't do something crazy like graduate early and I wouldn't put that past him).  I'm so proud of the man he's becoming and the integrity that he has.  He's intelligent, honest to a fault, sincere, friendly, knowledgeable about the Gospel, and loving.  I love you Cayden and I know that not only am I proud of you, but so is your Dad, and so is your Father in Heaven.