10 on Tuesday- HA- you thought I would forget!!!

Well I didn't forget- I am just in a funk because there was no hockey tonight- So I guess I'll just ramble on for bit on my blog/journal/complaine/vent/rant and rage page.

1. I Got Oscar to walk today- his first steps! He kind of does this sideways shuffle thing, but he was definitely walking. This little man will do absolutely ANYTHING for a wii remote! Huzzah!!!

This is Oscar- and this is a picture taken by Rhonda Steed- one of my favorite photographers- look her up!!! And yes, Oscar's hair is that red- HE'S A WEE GINGER LAD! He kind of looks like a gigantic argyle sock! xoxoxo!

2. I am usually an industrious, accomplishment driven person, but at times I can scale the heights, breadths, depths and circumferences of laziness. Case in point- I had a bunch of stitches in my leg and was supposed to go up to the clinic to have them removed- Meh- to lazy, so I got some little scissors and some tweezers and vooowalla- I pulled those little suckers out myself. Whitney informed me I am not supposed to do that- too late. Nurses are so touchy!! AND when the cut opened up a little bit, I just got out the crazy glue and glued it shut.... plastic surgery at it's finest, says I!!!

3. I am now regretting lasts weeks red velvet cake binge! 4 pounds later and I am going to have to starve myself silly to get into my dress. Really though, how many nuns do you need at a fancy pretend ball to say good night to the Von Trapp children! Like anyone is going to be fooled into thinking I am not that nun that was just perched on the front of the stage for 10 minutes babbling away in Latin. Not enough taffita in the world to pull that one off.

4. I went curling last night and I did a fairly fantabulous job, if I may say so myself!! It was really fun- You yanks should try it- oh wait- I guess you don't have curling rinks in the lower 48! Too bad for you. Curling is kind of a strange sport and I have to wonder how incredibly bored you'd have to be to invent such an activity- but when you live in cold and ice most of the year, you do what ya gotta do to keep yourself amused. I say when in Rome! And I AM amused!

5. I am fairly sick of the wind. It gives me a head ache.

6. But then again, it could be the 3 little bears(boys) with runny noses who gave me a head cold yet again. Ah ya gotta love grand kids. I'll take the germs any day to have them so close all the time. I do feel a twinge for those of you who's grand kids are all spread out and tossed assunder around the world! LUCKY ME!!!!

7. I am going to attempt to make a fabric flower to jazz up my costume.(because nothing says- I am not a nun now like a big flower on your dress) Those of you who know me know I am not good at fabric, scissors and sewing. This could be a bit of a disaster- and that last statement was a bit of an understatement, Govna!

8. I have photo shopped my fingers to the bone! When all this stuff gets published, I will put a little show on here for you to see what I do all the live long day.

9. I was thinking today how darn blessed my life is!! I have a fantastic heritage and great parents, 3 pretty great brothers and their families, a supportive husband who really can take most of the credit for me being so very spoiled, 3 truly exceptional children, 2 great son in laws, 3 fun loving little boy grand children, the most amazing friends, a great company to work for, doing what I always dreamed I wanted to do- I have the guidance of Gods gospel to keep me on the right track, and I get to play hockey every Tuesday night- and when the ice melts, I get to water ski- IT JUST DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!!! I sometimes look over my shoulder to see if anyone is there, waiting to take it all away, because surly anyone who is as big a spoiled brat as me doesn't deserve this.

10. Here is a sneak peek at one of my hot off the computer, photo shop images that will be published soon- shhhhhh- don't tell! There is a set of 4 of these- a retro phone, fan and gramophone. The typewriter is my favorite- but the old fan is "cool" too.

There you have it- 4 weeks of 10 on Tuesdays- and I'm spent!

ooops- 10 on Wednesday yet again-

Note: I am currently in a pre-diabetic coma- so fogive all spelling errors...See #'s 3, 4, 6, and 9.


Sorry- forgot what day it was yesterday because it was Valentines Day and I was all a twitter....BWAHAHAHAH! If you know me you know what a huge laugh that is. AAHH I kill myself...on with the 10 on Tuesday a day late and a dollar (or 2) short.

1. I am not a Valentines kind -a- girl... for the big love fest evening, I played hockey with the girls in Magrath. That would be me- not a romantic bone in the entire body. But Stew just smiles and loves me anyway!!

2. Today is Oscars Birthday. He is now a year old. He is my 3rd grandchild and 3rd grandson. We don't do girls- might be a good thing because I've always said I should have been a boy, and I like boy things way more than girl things. Happy Cake Day, Mr. O!!!!! LOVE YOU!!! Funny little man loves to play wii- he holds the remote and wiggles it and stares at the TV with a huge grin on his mug, literally for hours. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE ATTEMPT TO TAKE SAID REMOTE AWAY FROM THE CHILD!!!!

3. Stewart always makes me a red velvet cake for Valentines Day, and I could literally eat the entire thing by myself. How the schmell am I going to fit into my costume, I want to know!? Oh well- I'll worry about that later- as Marie Antoinette said...let them eat cake, or in my case let ME eat cake!!! hhhhmmmmmmm cake!

4. I am so very tired of the republican presidential race. It's ugly and scary and I gotta say- I doubt any of them will be able to beat the DOLE that Obama has going. Are people really that stupid to think the nation can continue to sustain this kind of spending and debt level??? Farewell, my beloved country- you are hooped!!!!!!

5. Number 4 makes me want to go get another piece of number 3!!! And so I shall.....back in a few!

6. ....sugar high is now starting in earnest...must not missssspell everything.......must concentrate on the keyboard.....must unbutton pants...drool...gaaaahhhhh.

7. I went to play practice without my music last night thinking I was all that and a can of pringles and that I had it all memorized upstairs in the old bean..... Ohhhhh silly, silly me.

8. Did I ever tell you that I hate being the shortest person in the room (except when Paige is around, thank you my dear Paige for making me feel so very tall) It means I am ALWAYS and forever on the front row for everything...pictures, plays, programs, choreography and the like. There I am- going to be smack dab on the front in every nun scene, dang it all. And the like...pppppffff... I do NOT "LIKE"...not one tiny bit! My friend Jackie takes me kayaking and is so good to lend me one of her kayaks...problem is we had to tape blocks of wood on the foot pegs because I am so flippen short. Yup- everyone makes fun of me, but what can ya do??? I had to hem my nun habit up 4 1/2 inches. On a more positive note- I do not, contrary to popular belief, have a big head. The nun hat had to be made smaller by quite a bit. So I guess that is some consolation. Hmmm maybe I could wear some lady of the evening nun shoes with 6 inch heels. Dang, now why didn't I think of that BEFORE they blocked those scenes. I am a bit slow on the uptake says I!

9. I am on my 3rd piece of cake...jealous??

10. I am going to mention here that I have gotten into a few religious discussions as of late. There's a lot of mis-information oooot and aboooot! I am also going to say without being obnoxious or preachy or pushy, I hope, that the more I study, the more I can not figure out why so many Christians believe that God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are one person. Have ya READ John chapter 8??? or Luke 10:22 or any number of scriptures that clearly and unmistakeably quote the Savior teaching that he was sent by the FATHER to do the FATHER'S will. This is my beloved son, hear him.. Is he supposed to be talking to himself about himself?...PEOPLE!!! God is not a God of confusion!!! I believe in God the Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ and in The Holy Ghost...3 distinct beings with ONE unified purpose. So grateful for that knowledge!!!

10 on Wednesday

I wasn't home on Tuesday so here's my 10 today- deal with it.

1. I love Waterton in the winter. The colder the better! There are few things grander than curling up with a good book, hot chocolate, a can of Pringles and letting the wind howl and the snow fly outside. HEAVEN!

2.That's what I was doing Tuesday. Are you jealous? You should be.

3. I had to remake and hem my nun habit, and wash it!!!(nothing makes my skin crawl like the costume room at the theater: all those stinky, sweaty costumes, and you have no way of knowing who wore it last- gggggaghhhh!) Any whoooo- I also had to wash some of my temple clothes- so I just chucked them all in the washing machine together. (I know, I have a warped sense of humor.) They had a religious war in there! Good heavens, I might have burned the house down.
ARMAGEDDON!!! They came out clean but all snarled up and tied together in knots. I am trying to think of a fabulous analogy here- something that is akin to ...isn't that just like life...good triumphs over evil... black/white ...ah... I got nuthin. It was just really funny.

4. Speaking of Christians- might I just politely suggest to the evangelical community of the United States of America...-GET THE FREAK OVER YOURSELVES!!! Stop the hate, people. Mormons are people too!!! We do not have horns or 4 wives, we do not want to force everyone to think the way we do. We are Christians. Jesus Christ is our Savior and the center of our faith. We are for the most part honest, hard working family folk. We put our pants on one leg at a time! Is that really so hard to grasp? Please tell me what part of having a president who worked hard and succeeded but pays 10% of his increase to his church, may pray or feel the need to be honest in his dealings and expects that from others or teaches self reliance while still taking care of the truly needy is so scary. Deal with it!!! There I feel better now. sheeeeeesh!!!! Man that is getting old!!!!! (my blog, my rant, my rules.)

5. I am making a tiny bit of headway with my Latin. Still need a cheat sheet for the mono chant- but maybe by the time the play starts I might be able to convincingly fake it.

6. I watched Phantom of the Opera the other day. Might I just interject here that Gerard Butler is a mighty fine specimen. I have a hard time fathoming why Christine would chose Raul over him, even with a few scars to the right side of his face- shoot- shut one eye and he's MAGNIFICENT!!!!!

7. I am going to have to stop watching election results. It makes me absolutely bat kah kah crazy!!! Love how the folks down south think with any part of the body BUT the brain.

8. I am hearing from the art publishing community that this year is going to pick up...hhhmmm I shall believeth it whenst I seeth it!! But I hope they are right. We've got nowhere to go but up!!

9. My beloved hockey is almost over. SIGH. I shall miss you. Best way to stay in shape ever!!!

10. Does anyone else have a horrible problem with eating too much in the winter? What's with that??? Is it bordom? NO- I am plenty busy, thank you! Is it because we have to lay in some winter fat to stay warm? ppffff- Maybe it's because we don't have fresh fruit and vegetables so we eat bread and junk. ( Nice try) What ever it is, I do NOT like it.

10 on Tuesday

so how long do we do 10 on Tuesday? I see my daughter stopped after 1 or 2. PFFF. We shall see how long I last. You may be wondering about this posts Illustration- I tried to encompass as many random thoughts in one picture as I could.- Read on, McDuff, and see how I did.

1. Went to nun practice last week. It was really fun. The sound we make is AEWSOME!! The notes of music are pretty easy but the Latin ties your tongue in knots. I am not sure how I am going to memorize it. I tried to make words out of the syllables but it's still just gibberish. I figure if I just throw vowels out there- I should hit on the right ones once in awhile. I tried translating it but I couldn't find a place on line that did that. sigh.

2. Kurt is doing better with the shingles but Bells Palsy boy doesn't seem to be much better. Dang- I hope this clears up- nobody wants half their face sliding off their bones.

3. K- love the warm temps but not loving this wind. Oh boo hoo- you live in Southern Alberta- get over it already, says I to myself. ( yeah- I talk to myself, it's the first sign of senility- I've pretty much been senile all my life. I bet everyone talks to themselves, they just don't admit it, right self? You betcha) I do love watching my grand kids play- they get so engrossed in what they are doing -they have no shame talking to themselves and taking the parts of numerous people. Thus I am in constant conversation with self...so sue me.

4. Got a call from my art director yesterday. She was actually at the Las Vegas art show, I could hear the hubbub behind her on the phone. She said Pier 1 wanted 2 images for an exclusive-(that means nobody else can buy them) and my publisher didn't want to give them exclusivity so she said can you whip up 2 more like these and get them to us by tonight? Sure, no problem. kkkkkkuskskch- Did I mention I LOVE photo shop!!!!!

5. After I sent the new images, she emailed me back and they liked them, so now can you do a series of another image for another customer? hmmm I can see this could get to be a problem. Gives new meaning to ART ON DEMAND.

6. Bless me for I have sinned- I humbly admit that I have a new indulgent obsession and it's pretty bad. I am totally enamored with The Big Bang Theory. I belly laugh through the entire show and I can't stop watching it. It's like a hilarious train wreck. I know I shouldn't watch it but I just can't help it. Do they have Big Bang Theory anonymous meetings somewhere? I wish I could be like Sheldon Cooper and say what everyone else is thinking-oh wait- I already do that- Maybe I should be less like him...AAAAAGHHH!

7. This is funny- My art directer suggested I teach Stewart to paint. She was serious- There is a fellow artist with my publisher who taught her husband to paint abstracts and now he makes more money than she does. BUT he probably had some artistic tendencies BWAHAHAHAH!!! tears running down my face!! I just told her thanks, but not a good idea. Ooooo WHooooo I am still chuckling!

8. OH. MY. GOOD. GIDDY. AUNT!! I was raised on Postum- a hot beverage made from roasted grains- Loved it. Drink it all winter. 3 or 4 years ago, The good folks at Postum decided they weren't going to make postum any more-AHHG! - so I bought about 8 bottle of it and I have is stashed away. I looked on line to see if there were places that still might have some and, hold on to your tooche, because they were selling it on e bay for ....WAIT FOR IT...$100.00 a bottle. What the ????? I have $700.00 worth of liquid gold in my basemen?! SERIOUSLY?

9. I am now thinking I could hit a pretty nice all inclusive to Mexico for the price of my dear postum. hhhmmmm what to do, what to do. I feel like a commodities trader... SELL SELL SELL!!!

10. On a lighter note- GO MITT!!!!!

10 on Tuesday...AGAIN??

Dang, Tuesdays come fast!! here is another 10 randsom thoughts for a Tuesday afternoon.

1.Today I am a little down in the dumps and in a work funk- NOT good! Could it be because on Sunday I drug Kurt kicking and screaming to the hospital because I KNEW he had shingles, NOT spider bites! As if there are unfrozen spiders in this country right now--pfff! He told the Dr. that I made him come and that he didn't think it was shingles. Regan(Son of Dr Clayne, Whitney's brother in law and Rhonda's husband and my new favorite Dr.) took one look at it, laughed and said to Kurt, "well what do YOU think it is?" HAHAHAH! yup I was right and I won the bet. Mothers are smart that way.

2. Also on Sunday Stewart had a horrible stiff neck. I didn't think much of it until he came home from a border run and was talking to me. Half of his face wasn't moving- very strange. I told him to get his hind quarters up to the Dr. (I have to admit I was thinking stroke and I even made him do the tongue exercises) He called me from the Dr.s office with a diagnosis of Bell's Palsy. I wasn't right on the stroke thing but I did pick up that something was wrong so I am 2 for 2!!! Wives are smart that way. I find it very strange that Shingles and Bells Palsy are both caused by the herpes virus. Both of these walking wounded are on the same exact medication. (I am nervous to see what ailment I'll come down with) and wondering how they could be related even though the Dr's say they aren't.

3. So ya, I am in a funk today- Worried about my boys- There isn't bupkis I can do about either situation but that doesn't stop me from wanting to kick something. I can't seem to get into creating. I just finished 2 months of work for the big Las Vegas show and I am simply out of ideas. After 22 years of this- I think I hit the wall. Not to worry- eventually I just find my way around the wall, but after 2 days of coming up short in the artistic department, I am a tad viclempt. Well that word just came up on my spell checker and the only solution was receptacle. You know- that just about describes my feelings today. Empty receptacle. BWAHAAH- just tried another spelling- This time I got clavicle. Collarbone? Well that's a bone...so that's kind of the same as boneheads...see random thought #4.


4. I am officially going to quit looking at the facebook pages of Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. My head officially exploded. The gullible stupidity of the electorate astounds me. Can I just say (my blog my rules) that America better get this one right this time because if we have to have 4 more years of Barack Obama, there will not be a "WE" and "WE" will be a bankrupt, socialistic freaking mess! Might I just add that if the GOP candidate can't bring in the independent vote- The GOP is toast. SO you might not want to put all your eggs in the guys basket who can get some cheers from the choir- if you get my drift. America, you are too easily swayed. Think this one through, K! sheeeeeesh!

5. On a happier NOTE (Pun Intended)- I am beginning to learn my Latin music for Sound of Music. Problem is I know when I get to practice it's all going to be useless gibberish and I will have to re- learn it but what ya gonna do?

6.HMMM our water heater busted and got water all over the basement. No hot water for 2 days and Bells Palsy boy is down there in all his pain and glory trying to fix it. Aint life grand.

7. wow- this is kind of a downer day- well shoot- some days are just like that. On top of this glorious weekend, I attended not 1 but 2 funerals. I am on such a roll, I amaze myself!

8. ok kid- get a grip and say something pithy and positive. I get to play hockey tonight. Highlight of the week, says I! After the last few days, folks better watch out because I may take my frustrations out on one and all tonight!

9. I think I deserve pancakes for dinner- but they aren't nearly as good without Whitney's coconut syrup- so maybe butternut squash and pear soup. yum. After no hot water, that might be the ticket.

10. After the Book of Mormon bashing on the political web sites, I was indeed happy to read that inspired book this morning and know that it is true scripture and that it supports the bible. I have the feeling things are going to get a bit messy from here on out. No fence sitting. Just hope I am up to what may come. I speak softly ( ahem, sputter, cough) but I carry a big hockey stick.......and today I feel very much like using it.

10 on Tuesday

Just random thoughts on a Tuesday morning...10 of them...(this doesn't mean there are only 10 random thoughts in my noggin on any given Tuesday. There are hundreds of random thoughts, ALWAYS coursing about in my brain..unfortunately at 2 in the morning as well...But there is a fun thing on many a persons blog called 10 on Tuesday. It simply means you get to hear my random thoughts.- lucky you!!)

1. Today I learned of a dear friends father passing away last night- quietly and unexpectedly - but thankfully he is gone on to better things, places, and people. I can't help but think how grateful I am to know that there is life after this.

2. I hate painting landscapes...HATE IT -LOATH IT- DESPISE IT! How many ways can you paint trees and ground? After 22 years of painting for a publisher, I wish I had the intestinal fortitude to tell them -meh- not gonna paint landscapes, beyond and beneath me, pound sand! But no- I keep hacking away at it with brush and paint, hoping one will magically look decent! SIGH!

3. I am feeling quite lucky to have most of my family close. My daughter and son in law and 3 little boys are just 2 minutes away. Paige and Eric want to move back to Alberta so I am holding my breath thinking how great that would be. please oh please oh please oh.......

4. I just did a crazy thing. After committing to hockey on Tuesday nights (love of my life) I took on curling on Monday nights and then if that's not enough, I said I would be a nun in the community playhouse production of Sound of Music. x country and or snow shoeing with the mountain mommas on Thursdays and Temple assignment on Fridays. hhhmmm. Well at least I won't have time to be board with winter blues, eh! I actually just finished all the set designs for the play and I think they are going to be really great. The play is March 14-23. Wish me luck- the nuns songs are all in Latin. Gaudeamus Domino!

5. Well I got my wish- it snowed-all of maybe 2 inches- but it also got really cold...bogger sticken tongue frozen to metal cold. 36 below zero cold last night. LOVE IT!

6.Did I mention I love studying with the Book of Mormon made Easy. Yeah I did, but I really do love it. You gotta get these books!!!

7. My mother in law had us take her 14 year old cat to the vet to be sent to heaven because she just couldn't do it. She was very upset. The thought occurred to me that most people would like to be the one who actually sends a cat, or all cats for that matter, to heaven-shame on you all! I happen to love animals, but yeah, that separation from one you've grown attached to is rough. I felt her pain. A little too much as it turns out. Stewart feels like the grim reaper. Can't say as I blame him, poor guy, but I just can't do it.

8. I decided the other day that I need more music in my life. Music is a great thing. Love music. Wish I could play an instrument, but I don't think that is on the agenda. Not much talent in that area. I can sing though- not like a solo, but I can read music at least. I know we aren't supposed to envy other people but I do. Those people who can play the piano- I would trade my left arm to be able to do that. (Obviously I would like to keep my right arm so I can make a living, but I could do without my left arm if I could play the piano!) Yeah I know a one armed piano player is probably not in demand...oh you get my point!!!

9.I had a thought the other night while helping Whitney get ready for a HUGE dinner party. The thought was I am so happy and thankful that my daughter has such great friends and that they actually seem to think of me as sort of a friend as well. What a great bunch of people!!

10. I am going to live by the adage that a body in motion stays in motion. If I make it through this winter that is. I do so hate the thought of getting old and decrepit! Gotta love winter activities!

New Years Resolutions....GHAAAHH!

I am NOT going to apologize for not blogging- my blog, my rules- including ignoring it for a month. I ignored the blogging world because it was Christmas and it was busy! Lot's of cooking, eating, playing of games and eating, curling and eating and x country skiing and eating and lets not forget the eating. We spent lots of time with Whitney and Brad and the 3 little boys which is the joy of my life. I am so grateful and glad they are living close by!!! Paige and Eric came for three weeks and they brought their cat, who was amazing and just sat in her little crate like a seasoned traveler, well behaved feline, unlike our cats who literally SCREAM bloody murder the entire 20 minutes to the vets. This cat spent 9 hours traveling from the Fizzell abode in Vancouver to the Robinson abode in Alberta in a small carry on- She endured a walk to and a ride on the sky train, a 2 hour wait at the airport, an hour and 1/4 airplane flight, then a 2 1/2 hour drive in a car.... with no tranquilizers! I tell you all this because when we moved to Raymond from Denver, I gave our cat not one but two tranquilizers and put her in a huge crate so we could drive to Raytown. It was a 16 hour drive. She didn't even make it out of the driveway. I realized that there was no way in heaven or hell that I could listen to the sounds of that demon harpie in the back of the van for 16 minutes let alone 16 hours. Sounds like I had never heard before, coming from a pretty decent cat, but now amplified to ear shattering decibels. I drove her to a dear friends house and asked her to take the cat to the pound for me. I threw in the nifty cat kennel to spice up the deal. This dear friend must have seen the desperation on my face because she just said ok, we'll take care of it. They actually kept said cat and gave her a good home, for which I am eternally grateful, but seriously- it was like listening to someone being tortured to death in a slow painful way. Paige's cat let out a few soft squeaky meows then went to sleep. Who does that? This cat did and I was grateful. She was most exemplary (except for a first bout with being in heat, where upon she turned into a strumpet for a few days...which was interesting, eye opening, educational in a wild kingdom kind of way, strange and funny all at the same time.) Speaking of heat- where the shmell is winter? No snow!- long sleeve or sweater weather most of the time. I need my cold, people!!!! I need a reason to wear sweats all day! I need to go outside and feel my nose hairs stick together and hear the crunch of snow when you walk on it. I need a place to go sledding and x country skiing and snow shoeing and possibly ice skating! Open water in Waterton? What's with that?? pfff- at this rate the global warming freaks will use this as fodder! Also not going to apologize for calling the global warming freaks freaks. I see this "movement" as a way for politicians, environmentalists and fat cats to regulate and choke the economy and get rich themselves....cough ...sputter...Al Gore...cough.. ahem... Yes we need to conserve and respect the earth but people, come on- the earth has always cycled in and out of ice ages and warming trends. Get a grip! I wax political...my blog, my rules. Whoah, I covered a few topics there- rein it back in, Louise!!! That, my friends, is how a menopausal mind works. From cats in heat to global warming in one fell swooping breath- Amazing and incredible, no?

The new year always seems to brings on reflections of ones life and maybe makes one decide on things that need to change or be worked on. I hesitate to actually write these things down because there will be written proof of the failures, dang it. But here goes, my 2012 New Years Resolutions, in no particular order.

1. As always I have to work on losing the 5 pounds I throw on like a warm blanket at Christmas, (see above list of Christmas activities...ie the eating parts) which takes approximately 3 weeks to add on but takes 6 months to get off. I usually get the Christmas 5 gone for good just in time to sit on the beach at the lake for 3 months and then it comes back. Except last year I trained for a mini triathlon so it didn't come back so that was an improvement...which I plan to repeat in 2012. Dang koolaid popcorn. Last night I tried desperately to just throw an entire bucket of it in the garbage can.. I couldn't do it. It is the love of my life. Mothers milk! Maybe tonight I will have success at throwing it down the drain instead of throwing it down my throat.

2. After events in my life which smacked me upside the head with an ear shattering splat, I determined that I need to work on how I think, write or talk to and or about others. Sometimes the Lord lets you step in it up to your eyeballs to teach you a much needed lesson. I now make a conscious effort to think before I speak. I don't write anything anywhere that I would not want another person to read. It is a daily process and even though I am not perfect and still slip up in the thought department, there has been a much needed change. It will continue in 2012. I reserve the right to complain ...loudly, and vehemently about politicians, especially American ones. They don't count. My head would explode. But I will try to keep it somewhat respectful and to a dull roar.

3. I am going to actually STUDY the scripture instead of just reading them, more precisely the Book of Mormon. I have the best way to do this and thought it would be good to share it with you- Get yourself the books written by David J Ridges. They are called The Book of Mormon Made Easier- ( or old testament, new testament etc) He writes the scriptures with emphasis, cross references and commentary inserted all through it that help you understand it better and he also brings out things that I had never thought of. I LOVE it! I have found myself reading and marking and noting things for 2 hours sometimes and I actually look forward to the morning. I can't wait to do the next chapter. I do a chapter a day...except when I can't wait to see whats next like this morning- 4:30 am to 6:30 am- one of those times you can't sleep. But those sleepless times will not be wasted again- they will be filled with great study time! WHOOOAH!!! I think it may take a few years to get through the 2 volumes for the Book of Mormon but it will be so worth it!!

4. I want to make 2012 a year of saving money instead of just living paycheck to pay check with a bit put aside. I realized I am getting old and Stewart is getting even older. It's time to start getting serious about retirement and what we will live on. It's a scary thought, because we are basically self employed, and although we have put some aside for retirement, it is not enough. It would help if the American economy would straighten out...2012 and hopefully a new direction in the American Government!! Fingers crossed!

I am a believer in not making to many resolutions because then they are all too daunting and you just give up. Make a few that you can and will actually accomplish and you've got a winner, not a wiener, says I !! I wish you all a happy and productive New Year !!! SNOW, DANG IT!!!