The Mower

I mowed the lawn this week for the first time since last fall. I actually love mowing. It gives me lots of time to think. I love the look of the newly mowed grass. I love the smell. And the hum of the motor drowns out life and I'm left alone in my thoughts.

As I mowed, I remembered reading my brother's college entrance exam. He talked about how he learned to work hard from the example Dad set. He talked about all the hard work he'd had to do -- and how Dad made him mow the lawn every week with a mower that was older than he was.

It was a funny comment. But it is entirely true. Dad's mower at home IS older than my brother. The fabric bag that collects the clippings wore out, so Dad stitched it together with a shoe lace. When that wore out, I think he did eventually have to replace the bag. The machine is old, and the handle is rusty. But Dad is still using the same mower.

Dad believes in having the right tools to do the job, but he also believes in teaching us the value of economy, hard work and independence. And he worked hard right next to us. While people around us were contracting with landscape companies to mow, or even investing in a fancy riding mower, Dad had the boys mowing with a very standard mower. I remember countless days that Dad mowed, too. As a young girl, it was comforting to see him out there, pushing the mower. I knew Dad had everything under control. I knew he would take care of us.

As technology advanced and time passed, Dad never saw a need to "upgrade" his own mower. The one he had worked just fine. Which is why my brother ended up mowing the lawn with a machine much older than he ever was.

When we moved in to this house, Dad personally wanted to make sure I had a "good" mower to do the job right. So my mower is self-propelled, starts up in 2 strokes guaranteed, and cuts through grass like butter. It's a great machine and it makes my life a whole lot easier.

... funny how he didn't ever see a need for such technology for himself...

I don't think he anticipated that I would be using the mower. But every time I do, I think of my Dad. His goal in life is to make life easier for my mom, my siblings and for me. He will go without if that means putting his family ahead. He learned it from his dad because that is what Grandpa did for him.

That's true greatness.

That's what I want to do for my children. Dad, I can't ever repay you. But I promise to continue that legacy of sacrificing, hard work and love for others.

Look Up!

Last night I had the opportunity to go to the temple. Attending the temple provides a welcomed respite ... a peaceful haven. Normally when I go, I drive in, find the closest parking space I can, and rush inside. My eyes are focused on the doors of the temple as I hurry in. Last night, for some reason, I happened to glance up at the top of the temple. I was rewarded with the view of a gleaming Angel Moroni, and the sun, shining through the clouds acted like a spotlight. It took my breath away. I want to remember that lesson. Look up!! Look up to Heaven. Look up to God. I'll try to shift my focus from the mundane, and look up to the higher goal, use a higher perspective. Lift my eyes, lift my sights, lift my soul.

Chicken Salad

This weekend, I helped with a luncheon for the stake Relief Society. I was in charge of the food. We decided to do chicken salad on croissants, a green salad, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

So, this is what I did on Friday:
-- Deboned 23 rotisserie chickens
-- chopped up 108 cups of chicken
-- Diced 32 cups of celery
-- Chopped up 32 cups of grapes
-- Opened 32 cans of water chestnuts using a really crummy can opener. (I'm grateful my mom taught me that you have to have good tools in the kitchen)
-- Opened 25 cans of pineapple using the same crummy can opener.
-- Slept for 3 hours

I need to acknowledge that I did have a wonderful neighbor that helped me debone all those chickens, and some friends that helped me chop the grapes -- but I really think my knife is permanently attached to my hand.

This is what I learned:
-- It feels really good to be doing something for other people.
-- Wal-mart has the best price on water chestnuts.
-- Wal-mart sells out of pineapple tidbits, so if that's what you want, shop ahead of time, otherwise you'll be chopping up pineapple rings at 1am.
-- Dole pineapple tastes much better than the store brand. It's worth the extra $0.14 per can to get the Dole brand
-- Crummy can openers should be outlawed
-- No matter how good of a knife you are using, if you chop up that much stuff, your hand is going to hurt at the end
-- It's really fun to hear lots of people compliment the food, especially when they don't know you are the one that made it.
-- I don't want to go into catering

The food turned out delicious, but I don't want to eat chicken salad for a really, really long time...

You are not Anonymous

I went to Stake Conference tonight. I really wasn't going to go. There were so many reasons not to. Let's just say I was strongly encouraged ... from both sides of the veil.

As I walked in, I noticed a friend was sitting on the stand. She was obviously one of the speakers. I chatted with the friend next to me that we were both grateful that we didn't have to speak because it would be too terrifying. Noting that the speaker had a stake calling, I made the statement: That's why it is great to be in Primary ... I am anonymous, and I am totally safe. I don't have to worry about that."

45 minutes into the meeting, the first counselor conducting the meeting stood up and said, "We would like the following people to stand and bear their testimony. I knew that instant my name was on the list. Someone behind me gasped when he read my name. I wanted to crawl out the door, hoping no one would see me.

The other two people had great credentials. One had just finished his mission yesterday. He had served with valiance and honor. He loved the people, and he had a strong desire to serve the Lord. The next woman was recently called as a relief society president in her ward. She was experienced and strong and wise. And then there was me.

I don't remember a lot of what I said. But as I walked off the stand, I heard, "Never forget, you are not anonymous, and you are of value."


.... And you are too.

Biggest Loser

I confess. My favorite tv show is Biggest Loser. For a lot of reasons.

Today, Princess J told me that I should go on Biggest Loser so I could lose all my weight.

I realize that children live in a different paradigm, and I realize that I'm not the trim, fit person I want to be right now, but ... does she really think that I look similar to the people on that show? Mind you, I wasn't watching the season finale, where the contestants have been transformed into amazing body-building machines -- we're still on week 6 or 7.

Thanks Princess J. I'll remember that the next time I crave m&m's.

Ward Temple Day

Tomorrow is Ward Temple Day. And I'm going. I'm committing now.

2011 is a great year for firsts!!

Happiness Is ...

Happiness is ...

Eating lunch in the school lunchroom with my kidlets...bringing their favorite treat (in bite size portions) and watching them share the treat with their friends.

And Happiness is ...

Seeing the smile on their faces... and knowing the dishes are all worth it...