Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Giving Blood...
I am squeamish about needles. You'd think after having 2 children, all my immunizations including flu shots every fall and allergy shots every week as a teen that I would be over it. I'm not, I'm a wimp.
My husband is not. He thinks it's pretty dumb not to be a blood donor. "It's so simple and you can save a life." He has faithfully donated blood about 4 times a year, but sometimes he's done it more often. He has kind of a rare blood type and so ARUP will call him personally and ask. He always runs in to the donation center in SLC. Once they called him and said that they had twins who were going in for surgery and could he come. We were on vacation. Had they not been able to find another donor, he was prepared to leave our vacation and drive a 12 hour round trip in order to help those twins. I know I'm blessed. This is just one of the million ways that C is a quiet hero.
Last night I decided it was time to stop being a wimp. There was no excuse. I had a good friend who was in a terrible accident at Christmas. It was time to step up. I hated it. They ask you all these questions that are icky to think about. For example, "Have you traded sex for drugs recently." No. I'm more of a pharmacy patron. I hated the needle. My kids were with me and when the little one saw a whole room of white coats.. she freaked out. There was screaming. It was embarrassing and little c had to take her out. It feels weird to be sitting there while your blood drains from your arm. When I got up, I felt woozy and nauseous basically until I went to sleep.
Who cares!!!
When I woke up this morning I felt wonderful!
Am I going to do it again. Yes. Am I going to hate every minute of it. Yes.
C said, "Just concentrate on the color blue.. It's very calming." He was wearing a blue shirt. I love you C.
Benefits of donating blood:
It reduces your risk of cancer.
Male blood donors are 17 times less likely to suffer a heart attack.
Donating blood helps you look and feel younger. (HERE)
Your body burns about 600-650 calories in its efforts to replace the blood you gave.
... and ....
YOU CAN SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE!!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Ken Burns Lewis & Clark...
We missed part of this when it originally aired on PBS. It's beautifully done. (Craig told me that he would love to follow the Lewis and Clark trail to the ocean someday. I told him that he and his new wife would surely have a great time. Has he not noticed that I'm "indoorsy"...) anyway... It's beautiful. I loved Stephen Ambrose's book Lewis & Clark: Voyage of Discovery. I read it some time back, but it was amazing to see some of the sights they enjoyed in their travels. Ken Burns has sure made a fantastic career for himself. Fun!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Great Food Storage Tips...
My friend Denise recommended this powdered milk for our food storage when I asked for her advice. It is available at Bowman's and has quite a long shelf life. My dad found THIS blog post where a taste comparison was done. There are a few cheaper alternatives and the recommendation is to have a few of those on hand for bread making etc... but for drinking/price per gallon and nutrition... This is the winner. If you are interested in the price break down. Let me know and I will email you a list.
Then, if you are working on your storage. THIS food storage calculator is so helpful. I still have quite a few things to do.
Also learned this week: Bugs won't touch your sugar according to two sources. My parents have had sugar stored in just the paper store bags they come in and nothing has touched it. I bought 10 pound bags (best sale ever at Bowman's this week.. cheaper than the case lot sale) and tied them in grocery sacks just to prevent spillage and put them in a large plastic bin, but apparently that is more than you need to do.
Despicable Me...
Very, very cute. Worth it just for the part where Gru reads the kitten story. Laugh out loud in a few parts and fun in the rest. Great show.
Megamind... no mind at all.
They hired Will Ferrell. They hired Brad Pitt. They hired Tina Fey. They forgot to hire a writer. All the best bits are in the 20 second commercial. Pure torture. .. not as bad as Wall-E, but close.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Tale of Two Cities International Studio Cast Recording...
I can't get over this music. It has completely taken over my heart. My favorite book in music that I love... a gift from heaven!
Available HERE...
War & Peace...
The sad thing is that I've never read this very famous book. I should have, but... Anyway, there were so many holes in this three-and-a-half-hour-long-epic that I had a difficult time following the story. Still Audrey is worth it. She is so beautiful and the costumes and sets are stunning. But, it took me three days to watch it. Henry Fonda is very good in it.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thursday, April 07, 2011
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir...
It's worth it to see this film for Rex Harrison's performance... and I truly love the ending and the cottage is so beautiful. I understand there was a later re-make of this film. I will have to check that out. Gene Tierney is so graceful and elegant, she's fun to watch.
I love how the proper Mrs. Muir publishes a book called "Blood and Swash" the memoirs of the ghost. Cute.
Morning Glory...
I thought this was darling. It's too bad that Hollywood had to besmirch it with foul language and other stuff. But, the story is really sweet. Harrison Ford's character was brilliant. I loved the added touch of the crazy socks.
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Wonder of Wonders Miracle of Miracles...
I loved Elder Bednar's message about personal revelation in General Conference this past Sunday, “As you appropriately seek for and apply unto the spirit of revelation, I promise you will ‘walk in the light of the Lord.’ Sometimes the spirit of revelation will operate immediately and intensely, other times subtly and gradually, and often so delicately you may not even consciously recognize it. But regardless of the pattern whereby this blessing is received, the light it provides will illuminate and enlarge your soul, enlighten your understanding, and direct and protect you and your family.”
I find some of that delicate personal revelation in the beauty of the natural world. I love this forsythia bush. It fills my heart with joy every spring. Its great beauty whispers to my heart how much our Heavenly Father loves his children and of the bounty He has provided and will provide for us. The majesty of the mountains in every season, the painterly vision of the sunsets, the miracles of a single blade of grass testify that He is here. He tends his garden with great care. His heart is truly aware of everyone and everything in it... a miracle and a wonder indeed.
It was when I was happiest that I longed most...The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing...to find the place where all the beauty came from. ~C.S. Lewis
Monday, April 04, 2011
Get Low...
Felix Bush is a man who has done something so horrible, so unthinkable, and so unforgivable that he builds himself a prison and stays there for 40 years. ... "The first 38 are the hardest."
In an effort to find some kind of peace, he comes out of his recluse to host his own "funeral party".
Even though the script is spare and quiet, there is humor and great heart delivered with care by some of the finest actors of our time.
The Tea Rose...
Jennifer Donnelly knows how to write a page turner. That's for sure. You'll keep turning the pages just to find out what happened. But, in the end I was disappointed. It was a little gimmicky... too many teasers and too romance novelly. Even though I think Donnelly has a lot of talent, she's a little dark for me and while her books are entertaining, they lack light and truth... without which there cannot be greatness. In addition, the sex and language is gratuitous and she can't pull her ending together in this one. Despite the recommendations from Simon Winchester and Frank McCourt, Donnelly's books are more entertainment than literature, think John Grisham/Stephenie Meyer. This is a trilogy, but I'm going to leave it here.
I would recommend Donnelly's Revolution, but while it's written for young adults... I think 16 and up.
Friday, April 01, 2011
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle...
This picture is dear to my heart. It's not just that it's a photo of two of my very dear friends. (They happened to be related by marriage.) The photo shows them with their calendars. They are planning and coordinating to see that each of their children (there are 10 between them) gets to music lessons, doctor appointments, school, plays, and all of their other activities. They make sure there is time for the most important things. They ensure that family needs are met. They take care of extended family and friends and neighbors and church responsibilites. These two do about as much good as people can do and not collapse. They make it work some pens and calendars and organization and big, big hearts. And, what they accomplish is amazing. When I think of the legacy they are creating at the kitchen counter.. It moves me to tears. I have many friends who do this every week. Here's to you my friends. You rule!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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