wisdom comes with age....really?

There is a saying that goes something like this:
with age comes wisdom, but that is completely amiss.
For the older I get in this aging body of mine;
the more my mind seems to go into a decline!

Can you be wise and not remember? I wonder some days;
for at times I wander around in a bit of a haze.
Why did I come in this room after all?
Is there a reason a child’s name I can’t recall?

The calendar once was my helper and salvation,
important reminders all at one location!
But lately even things written in black and white,
can vacate my memory without even a fight.

This past week proved one good example after another;
forgotten carpools, church meetings and who knows what other.
In the past, my brain would take small vacations at times;
but it’s now taking long leave of absences , am I past my prime?

So, here I am back at my original question-
Can you be wise while your brain is in a recession?
I can only hope that if some small insight I express;

stays in the mind of a child, then I might be a success.

the self check out line....

Now that is the most ironic name known to man. All the self check out line means, is when you get stuck on something while checking out, you are on your own, all by your "self" to solve it. Last night I had to run to Walmart for a couple quick things to help with a school project for one of my kids. I hurried and grabbed the items and made it to the checkout lines in record time. All two regular lines were backed up (I think all the cashiers take their breaks at the same time) and so I decided to brave the "are you smarter than a talking computer" line. I am totally not a risk taker, but decided to chance it. You can probably foresee that this story does not have a happy ending, all I can say is, where were you to tell me the self check out gamble is never worth it. (I am going to write a book entitled "self check out lines for dummies!" I could make a bundle and buy my own check out line in the future.)

Needless to say, as soon as it was my turn to try my luck with the ever unpredictable machine, I took a deep breath and went for it. I pressed the start button and nothing happened; it wasn't allowing me to scan my items. I tried pressing the button again and I must have hit something else by mistake because the darn machine started speaking to me in Spanish. I had no idea how to get it back to my native language and so eyeing the long line of mom's in the same rushed situation behind me, I decided to take the gamble (stupid stupid stupid...shoot we aren't supposed to say that "s" word at our house). I should have cut my losses right there.

While scanning my three items, the computer obviously didn't like what I was doing so it started to speak to me again. Not having a translator handy, I had no idea what it was saying. Do I rescan? Take the item out of the bag? It's hard enough to figure out what you did wrong when it actually speaks something you recognize. Great! Now I had to wait for the teenage kid to get me out of my mess. Trouble is, when he finally got there, he didn't speak Spanish either so he had to go recruit someone. I didn't dare look at the line behind me to see the faces of the exasperated moms. I finally got someone to figure out my problem, trouble is, they didn't stay by my side long enough to help with other translation issues. Fifteen minutes and two more rescue sessions later, I was out of the store.

I am determined to either take Spanish classes or never EVER try my luck at the "speedy" line again. (To any mom who might have been behind me last night and is reading this, I AM SO SORRY!)

fuzzy pink socks....

It's always surprising what triggers memories. Today it was a pair of bright pink fuzzy socks. My toes were cold and I went digging in my sock drawer and came upon these bright fuzzy socks. A year ago today I was recovering from my thyroid surgery. A gift bag was dropped off from some of Kelly's work associates and it had these hot pink soft socks in them. I am typically not a sock person, but I remember as I was secluded during my radiation treatment how cold my feet got and how I wore these socks often. They have been tucked at the back of my drawer for the better part of a year, but today I saw them and so many memories of a year ago returned.

I glanced at my dining room table and saw the orchid that was given to me last October and is miraculously still alive (Plants are an endangered species at my house). It was somehow important that this plant didn't meet the typical demise of most and although there have been touch and go moments, it is still there delicate, fragile yet strong. A plush bathrobe hangs in my closet, a book on my bedside table, a note tucked away in a desk. All reminders of my blessings and the thoughtfulness of others.

Some things trigger unhappy memories, but these few reminders I have don't bring back the fear and anxiety of last year; but feelings of love and appreciation of the many hands that served and offered support during a challenging time. One of the greatest blessings my Heavenly Father has given me is a loving family and friends who, without fireworks and fanfare, reach out and give service in simple, quiet ways. I am so grateful that the peace and comfort I felt a year ago was brought to my remembrance today through a simple pair of fuzzy pink socks.

Homecoming 2010

Look at this good looking couple! Looks like they had a fun group. Kelly did a good job taking pictures of the group before the dance. I love seeing modest, beautiful young women with these great guys.

search and rescue...

We tackled the basement last Saturday. This is a big feat considering it has become the family black hole. Things that go down there rarely are seen again. Our basement isn't finished, so it's used mostly for storage. But we do have some remnant carpet thrown down with a couch, tv and some toys so it does get some use from the kids when it's not too cold.

Saturday we decided a major purge session was in order, so off we went. One big pile for Deseret Industries, and one for garbage. Three hours later, we were finally seeing progress. Ryan took the DI stuff out to the back of the truck. Cassie, who was playing with a cousin, came down to discover operation declutter. Since she has a strong emotional attachment to everything, she began secret search and rescue missions to and from the truck. We finally apprehended her red handed and put a stop to it. However, how many things she was able to save and hide is still a mystery. I think we made a mistake in taking her to Toy Story 3 this summer!