Appreciation

“For a long time, I’ve wondered why I felt like bowing when people showed their appreciation for the work that I’ve been privileged to do. It’s been a kind of natural response to a feeling of great gratitude. What I’ve come to understand is that we who bow are probably -- whether we know it or not --acknowledging the presence of the sacred. We’re bowing to the sacred in our neighbor.

You see, I believe that appreciation is a holy thing -- that when we look for what’s best in a person we happen to be with at the moment...in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something sacred. As I bow, I always feel like saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’”

—Mr. Rogers

Happy Homaker Tip

I know I am a huge dork, but I like to share ideas that might help someone with some thing. So hear we go.

To keep your dish cloth smelling fresh, mix a bleach solution of 1/4 c bleach and the rest water in a spray bottle.
Lay your dish cloth in the sink and saturate with the bleach solution. Let sit for several minutes and rinse. I do this to my green scrubby too. You can do this with the sponge kind too. Air Dry.
This is a great way to remove most stains from your dish cloth as well.
Be aware, if you use a dish cloth that is colored you will bleach out the color. I have gone to white so this is not an issue. They last longer too.
I use the bleach solution to sterilize my counter tops as well. Especially after I have been working with raw meat or before I use the counter top for cut out cookies or any thing like that. Rinse counter top with clean cloth after sterilizing.
It has come in handy through out the years.
There I shared. Feels good!!!!!!


Bleach strength can be adjusted. Keep in mind, if you make it too strong it will break down the fabric and create holes. Can cause damage to clothing. Do not use on anything that the bleach could ruin. Always check before you try it. Also keep out of reach of children. Do not get this in your eyes. If you do rinse thoroughly with cold water and contact your doctor. Do not ingest. If you do, call 911. Rinse with cold water and soap if solution comes in contact with skin.
I think I covered all of the cautions. Kind of sad that I feel I have to do this. Comes from working with the public. Oh well I gotta cover the tail.

More Bee Hive fun

We had a good time tonight at activity. We decorated giant cookies, made scripture ribbon book marks and completed a Personal progress faith value. It was a very busy night. I took some pictures to share. The cookie recipe will follow if any one would like it. It is very yummy. This is the only recipe we use to make cut out cookies. I have had it for over 10 years. It is a good one......








NO CHILL COOKIE CUT OUTS
(Dawn Tieman)

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 lrg. Egg
1 tsp. Vanilla
2tsp. Baking powder
3 c. flour

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar.
Beat in egg and vanilla. Add baking
powder and flour one cup at a time
mixing after each addition. The dough
will be very stiff. Blend last cup of flour
in by hand. Do not chill dough. Divide
dough into two ball. On a floured surface
roll each ball in a circle, approximately
12 inches in diameter and 1/8 in thick.
Dip cookie cutter in flour before each use.
If dough becomes dry and crumbly, add
a little water to the dough until soft and
moist. Bake on un-greased cookie sheet
for 6 - 10 min. in preheated oven at 400
degrees or until cookies are lightly brown.
Cool 2 -3 min. on cookie sheet. Transfer to
cooling rack to cool completely.
Frost and decorate as desired.

It's All Good

It was a good day today. I had to take my car to the MVD and it passed and The "Tax Man" gave us good news. I was kinda sweating that one out. Any way all is well. Raini called with good news too. Her Husband David was basically given a job working with the Dean of CSU doing research. I am not sure what it all entails but it is great news for them. Colter is having his 17th birthday on Saturday. MyKelle is finally feeling better form all of her recent treatments. She is with us untill she goes back to Colorado. Just a good day today.

Cool websites

I came across this website while I was watching a show. It is feedthepig.org I have not figured out how to get my links to show up on my blog post yet. Sorry. Anyway it is a site that helps with financial strategies. Saving money, paying off credit cards. Stuff like that. It has good links to all kinds of help. I will put it and some others in my "Pretty cool stuff" side bar. Just scroll down and they will be their.

Question

Do I lack in faith if I worry? Even though I know, without a shadow of any doubt, that heavenly father makes everything work out, I still have worries. So am I not being faithful if I worry?

Renewed

I went to the Temple yesterday and I have to tell you I am so thankful I listened. I have been having the hardest time lately. I think I might be Hormonal or something. Any way I was laying in bed praying away and When I was done I was prompted to go to the Temple. I have had this fog in my head for the longest time and I was asking, in my prayer, to have a clear head so I could think straight again. I just wanted to feel better. I listened and went. It was a great experience as always. I just took my time. I decided to walk around the Temple grounds after and enjoy the weather too. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good on the way home. Soon as I get home the world creeps back in. Got yelled at twice in a phone conversation. You never know what you are going to get from the person I was talking too. This is where the blessing really come into play because I was able to pray the distraction away and continue to feel good. I feel even better today. I am thankful for prayer and the Temple. I needed the reminder of the blessings that come from living the gospel. I rely on prayer heavily. Every day and all day sometimes. These are the things that will get us through life's challenges.

Cardinals Win

I am not a big watcher of sports, but that was a really good game. Good job Cardinals.

Wash your washing machine

Have you ever thought of cleaning your washing machine. We have tried and not been very successful. All of the soap build up is the hardest part. I found the remedy online. I cant remember the website but I will share what I learned.

Fill your machine with hot water on the largest load setting. Add two electrasol dishwasher tablets (the one with the red ball in the middle) and 1 cup of baking soda. While the machine is filling take a scrub pad and sprinkle baking soda on it and scrub the ring at the top of the tub. Scrub all of the places that need attention inside and out, with the baking soda. Rinse all areas that need rinsing. Let the Machine run its cycle and you have a clean machine.

It really worked. I will do this every 6 months.

Play Dough

For activity night this last Wednesday we had a "P" party ( Personal progress party). One of the things we did was make Play Dough. I thought some of you might enjoy making some. It was fun.
Hope you have fun making it.


Easy Play Dough


¼ cup salt
1 ¼ cup flour
½ cup water
3 Tbs. cooking oil
20 - 25 drops food coloring (make one color per recipe)

Combine salt and flour in large mixing bowl. In separate dish combine water, oil and food coloring, mix well. Add to flour and salt. Stir until the moisture is mixed in with the flour. Will be crumbly at this point. Knead the mixture inside the bowl for 3 minutes. Be sure to pick up any remaining flour and pieces of dough while kneading. You are done when you have a soft ball of dough. Store in an air tight container. Makes 1 color of play dough. If more colors are desired, just make another batch of dough.
Have fun!!!!

Just thinking......

So I have been thinking a lot lately about all the different types of people in this world. Actually I have done quit a bit of thinking about people in my life because I have had so many different experiences with so many different people. 16 years working with the public gives you a very different view of the human race. In an average work day I encountered about a few hundred people. I just find it very interesting. All the personalities, insecurities, likes, dislikes...... Their are some who find it very important to show how well off they are. Or at least give the appearance of wealth. Some could care less. So many angry people in this world. Some are very transparent and you can tell what kind of abuse they have taken in their life. Then others hold it in and put on a good face, but push the right button and they will make you sorry you ever crossed their path. Then their are the ones who are so into them selves that they just think every one loves them and don't even realize when they are insensitive to someone else because it is all about them. Or it is the complete opposite. They think everyone is out to get them and hurt them or make them look bad. Some people really have a desire to be genuinely good, friendly people. Some could care less who they hurt. Some have such control issues they manipulate every thing and every one to serve their own agendas. I really could go on and on. So many stories. When I think about all of this it really brings me to this conclusion. I learn something from all of these people. I learn that I want to be a good, loving, humble, genuine human being. I want to do the right things in my life. I make mistakes. I know I am not perfect. I would never intentionally hurt some one because I have been in that position and it hurts like hell. It is hell!!! I hope others like me, but I know I am not going to mesh with every person I cross paths with. That is Ok too. I just need to make sure I do right by those people too.

We are who we are because of the things that have happened in our lives. We are a product of our environments. The thing we need to remember is we have the choice to be happy or miserable. I choose Happy!!!!!

Jack is Back baby

The new season of 24 is tonight!!!!!!! I am so excited. Two nights of the season premier. We love 24.. Quality family time. Ha!

I like stuff.......

I was looking at my 2008 Sunday school study guide today. I had written down a quote that I liked. It just stuck me..... Thought I might share it.

Its a drab life when you only think of yourself.