Sunday and What A Day!

We ate the Fish! For those of you who read Saturday's post, my decision was Fish, save the money and just eat in. It would be so easy to not grocery shop and just eat out every night. But in all truth I would rather cook dinner. I am getting pickier and picker of where we eat out and my taste is not the fast food cheap menu.
This morning I woke at 6am to get the day started, this is not normal for me at all. But I had a few things I wanted to get done before I went to Church and I did not want to be running out the door for Church. Today was a rather heavy day at our meetings. Being the 5th Sunday we had a combined Relief Society and Priesthood where the old Steak President spoke on Self Reliance. Now when he announced this my mind immediately went to not again. But here is where the spirit enters and make you listen and learn. He spoke with the kindness and peacefulness of our Heavenly Father. He gave us 7 things to help us as families to become those Saints that are happy and in the living of our means to be humble and see all the blessings that can and will be poured out from heaven.
He proposed 7 areas to help us with our Self Reliance
1. Prioritize: D&C 11:7
"Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich."
What is important?
2. Needs vs. Wants
The age old battle of Wants Wants Wants.
I find my self in this battle daily. I have challenged my self with putting the wants into a jar and in 6 months if it is still a wants I reevaluate and either put it back in for 6 months or throw it away. I can say that right now my jar is only 4 items. Guilt plays a huge part in this, because I see the needs for our home and put that first.
3. Work from a budget: I have not always followed a budget, nor thought of one. I like money and I like to spend money. When it was just me I did not care about having to give to a relationship. Now I am happy to say Rainier and I have a budget, weather he knows it or not I do follow it and I am happy to say we saved over $200 in grocery and gas this past month.
4. Avoid DEBT: This ugly 4-letter word. Now we all know there is necessary Debt our homes and cars being the two most obvious. We were counseled that do we really need the $400,000 home do we need the newest car on the lot, or will the $200,000 dollar home be enough for our family and will that 2 yr old car work. Credit cards, now I have mixed emotions on this. Having a background in Travel I know you need this item now days, so one is just fine and I know that I can pay ahead on it for travel, but I do not need it for a trip to the mall. This goes back to the needs vs wants. I have found that I really like money in our savings account and really do not like paying on our visa.
5. Join the 10/10/80 Club, never hear of this before. You give 10% to Lord, 10% to you and you live on 80% or less. This makes total sense to me. He did clarify that the 10% to you is for you savings and retirement not for free spending.
6. Self Discipline: We are adults, yes we are adults be adults.
7. Be generous with your time, talents: The Lord has told us to be generous and to use those talents we have and more will we added upon or he will take them away should you not use it.
Now this was not enough for one day our Sunday School was heavy and quite an education for me.
Sunday School: Fathers do you know how important you are in your family and to your children.
We have a teacher who is a therapist for children, and this lesson really could not have be taught by anyone else in our ward. There was much discussed with all the levels of abuse caused in families from physical, emotional, and verbal. After a whole lesson the last thing we discussed was the lack of Fathers taking a positive roll in their family and more important their children's lives. She stated that those children she works with that have had no fathers or fathers who have had unrighteous Dominion in the home do not want to pray to a Heavenly Father for help, why when all they know is this earthly father and all the horrid they have done why would this child want to pray to a Heavenly Father. Fathers please realize how important you are in your child's lives. I am grateful to have a father who was and is good a father who I have a good relationship with who I can turn to and talk to.
Heavy day at Church and many things way on my mind, I know my prayers tonight will be lengthy so I had better get going.

The Good the Bad and the Ugly....

Finally we are out and looking at the inside of homes. Little did I know what my Saturday afternoon would bring to my eyes. House number one we went into I really like, there are hardwood floors throughout the bottom floor and this dark burgundy throughout the upstairs. I LOVE the kitchen!!!!! There are three bedrooms and and a loft upstairs, family and formal rooms downstairs. There are 2 1/2 bathrooms and a laundry room. One of the best features of the house is there is no one behind us. Our backyard opens up to a small park. House number 2, the people took the toilets and broke the handles off of the sliding glass door. But is has 2 bedrooms, den, family room and kitchen. I was not so impressed with the layout but it could work. House number 3, let me just say dogs and I don't think they ever cleaned at all, to much work required so it is off the list. House hunting is equal to buying a car, it just takes 10x longer and a bit more frustrating. Rainier and I are home and our feet up and a bit frustrated, but not beat down yet.
The best news of the week is Jacob, Katie, and Kennedy are coming down the second weekend in April. Both Rainier and I are so excited to have visitors. The boys will go golfing and Katie, Kennedy and I can go over to the park. I am marking bit X's on my calendar until they all get here.
Well is Saturday night at 6pm better talk Rainier into taking me to dinner, or fix the fish in the fridge. I vote out to dinner, but my common sense will go and cook the fish.

Come on already....

You all know the book Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day. Well I had the Kari Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Morning. For those who know me, know that mooring's and I have a very difficult relationship. Mornings love me, I do not love mornings. I have attempted to get a better relationship with mooring's in my life but it always comes back to my great dislike for them. Well this morning my alarm went off and I smashed the snooze button with one fell swoop of my finger. I lay in bed just getting ready to enjoy the next 7 minutes of wake up time before the radio tells me once again get out of bed and get going. Well today my next 7 minutes foretold my morning. I had some wonderful apartment dweller decide to play with the alarm on his car, then start the car and the walls shook to the "boom, boom of the music" not only the walls but my friendly cricket that lives with us fell from the window ledge down to my bed. Ok, I am up and out of bed. Our cricket, well he met his maker. I don't believe in trapping and letting go of bugs, they are only going to get back in. I figure you intrude in my space, you meet your fate. Well I'm up and not happy about it, muttering all the way to the bathroom of missing my 7 minutes of time to just wake up and get read to start the day. On my way to shower I am muttering under my breath all the evil things I could do to this apartment dwellers car. In my muttering I stub my toe on Rainier's dresser, oh this only brings on more muttering and it is getting louder. In the shower I get soap in my eye, pump the conditioner first. Have you ever tried to wash your hair with conditioner wondering why there is no lather. As I get ready I realize I have nothing ironed to wear to work and I refuse to wear wrinkly clothing. So I set up the ironing board and think I turn on the iron. I fed Chuck the fish and told him all about my terrible horrible no good very bad morning. I started breakfast and making lunch for my self, and set the crock pot with dinner. I went back to iron my clothing Yeah, it works much better if you turn it on. So on the iron goes and I head to dry my hair. Well all in all I finished my hair, ironed my clothing and finished cooking got out the door and off to work. As I am driving down Grand Canyon I think I am going to make it, things are not that bad. Well I get with-in 1 mile to work and there is a wreck, so I am 10 minutes late. Ugh.......

Sending out a late happy Easter greeting to all abound. Rainier and I spent a very relaxing day at home a very welcome day. I did end up making lamb chops, green beans and rolls for dinner, that was the work of the day. I think I am a bit rebellious of having Easter so early in the year. I am siding with April who is now jipped of having a holiday. But not much I can do about that.
I looked out my living room window this morning and exclaimed to Chuck(our fish) there is pink popcorn popping on the tree. I sang the old primary song all the way to work, it is going to be a good Monday. Spring is here and I am going to enjoy it for the few weeks we have in Vegas. I am looking forward the the warmer days filled with bright blue sky's.
Yesterday, our ward had a unique Sacrament Meeting. Our Bishop challenged all to read the Ensign for March 2008 and then bear Testimony. We had a wonderful Sacrament Meeting.
I did not finish the whole Issue, my failure or maybe my blessing. However one thing did stand out to me.
" The Focus of Our Faith
We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us."

I did weep a bit at this part. How true this statement is, that no matter what the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God is there to strengthen and comfort us. To give us the courage to take that next step and become closer to the day of our salvation.

If you have not read the entire Ensign I do challenge you and your family to do so. The comfort and peace within those pages keep me going one more day to do better and strive to be more or what my Father in Heaven wants of me.

Ok, now for those of you who know my Husband, you know he has about 20 different names.

His family calls him Randy, I call him Rain, work calls him Rainier, weserve friends call him Joe, one friends calls him Joey, one fried calls him JR and my father calls him Joseph...Ugh I say.. one person one name, that is the way it should be. Well to let you all know he would like to be called Rainier. How am I going to explain this to his mother???? Oh, well I told him this was fine but I was still going to call him Rain.

I spent the whole work week just waiting for the weekend. We have had some beautiful weather and I just wanted to be out in the sunshine for a day or so. We went house hunting on Saturday in the wind and cooler sky's. To let you all know there was nothing that said move here,live here.

Rainier said no wow factor that he wants me to walk into the house and go wow we have to live here. Little does he know no home here in Vegas will truly do that, only a home in Salt Lake will make me go WOW!!!!! Let's see how long it takes him to read this and tell me again the reasons we can't move to Salt Lake. I keep telling him there is plenty to do in Salt Lake, we just have to find a job for each of us. So if you know any place that needs an accountant let me know.

Oh, I just finished the book "The girl with the Pearl Earring", it was a quick read, good but not great.

OK, so this week I have had the giggle bone. Have you every had that. The bone that comes to life and makes you giggle at almost everything that is not expected. For some reason, I am finding even the not so funny, FUNNY. I don't know what is going on. Here is a short Joke, Saying, Thought for the day, I got this early this morning and every time I think about it I just have to giggle.

A youngster asked his Sunday school teacher, "Do you think Noah did alot of fishing when he was on the Ark?"
I imagine he did she said.
With only two worms? the child wondered.

The things that come out of a child's mouth. Giggles they are fun!

Crow, does it taste that bad...

Ok, so Joe and I went to the dedication of "Dusty Dickens Elementary School" last night.
Now as I have stated I have to giggle each time I say "Dusty Dickens" .
I have wondered and wondered why would they name a school "Dusty Dickens" now come on really who wants to say I went to "Dusty Dickens". Well let me tell you what I learned about this woman last night.
Dusty Dickens has worked for the Clark County School District (CCSD) for the past 30 years in the land and zoning department of the school. Now, I was not sure what all this entailed, but I learned. She sat on the board in city council meeting fighting for land to build our schools, and pulled and pushed hard for the Northwest and Northeast part of the Valley when everyone told her to back down she fought harder. She has sat in the meeting on zoning and fought for the rights of the children to go to school in their own neighborhoods and not have to be bussed further away. She has first hand experience in the design and layout of the schools. The design firms could not say enough of the good vision this woman possesses. Last but not least Dust has been in the schools each week reading to the children.
I have to give my hat off to this woman who cares about the future of the children of Nevada.
I would have been honored to have graduated from "Dusty Dickens Elementary School".

What am I thankful for.........

You would think with all that I have in my life I could find something that I am truly thankful for this week. I feel awful that one thing does not pop out and shout in front of me "you are thankful for me". There is a list a mile (so I like to think) long that goes around and around in my head. Sunday I was really grateful for the fun weekend in San Diego and excited to hunker down and get ready for Brothers and Sisters, and what to my wondering eyes should appear on the Guide. NO Brothers and sisters. So not so grateful for Sunday at 10:00 pm.

Monday morning I was so thankful for my Fanta Grape lip gloss. I could never wear at home because my mom can not stand the scent of artificial grape smell. Then I got to wishing I could give my mom a hug and tears no not just one or two but the water works went down my face AT WORK, explain that to a coworker. People just don't understand how much a girl can lover her grape lip gloss and yet would give it up to give her mom a hug. Not so grateful for the lip gloss. Tuesday I was really grateful for the chance to go to the UNLV vs. New Mexico girls basket ball game. Not really for the game, but more for the Popcorn, licorice, and the nachos with the truly most wonderful fake melted cheese and jalapenos that burn so well. Then as we were leaving not so grateful for the Popcorn, licorice and nachos rumbling around in my tummie. Now we are at today Wednesday, so far I like Wednesday middle of the week. Wednesdays let me know I have accomplished 1/2 of my work week and gives me the goal of only two more days until my Saturday. And this Wednesday is extra special I get to go with Joe to an elementary school dedication. Now you have to say the name of the school with a southern drawl and it makes the name even more fun. We are going to the "Dusty Dickens" dedication. Yep, I am grateful for this school name each time I say it I have to giggle. It is impossible for me not to use my drawl. Ya'll know what I mean.

Well after all that I am thankful for Wednesdays.