Dorothy Hammel lives

Years ago there was an olympic ice skater named Dorothy Hammel.  When she twirled her hair would follow perfectly and it was a wonderful look.  Everyone wanted the Dorothy Hammel haircut - well at least I did.  It was in my 30's that I had her haircut and I wore it for about 5 years.

Today, Dorothy walked into the shop.  I said I loved her haircut and knew it was a Dorothy Hammel.  She said she had that haircut for about 30 years - right.  She is about my age and I was jealous that she could still have that haircut and look so cute.  Jim came in and I told him to look at Kathy Hampton's hair.  He also knew that it was Dorothy's hair.  I had him take some pictures so that I can show them to Amy and perhaps she can cut mine like that again.

We had a nice visit with Kathy who is from San Diego county and has lived her for several years.  Her husband is a carpenter and might make some furniture or refinish some for us.  She used to have a shop like ours in California.  She gave us some good ideas about having late-night Fridays with an outdoor market... might try that in the summer.  She also said she had seen Jim and the Ash Creek guys last night at the HP Social and she works in the University Stake (for the married couples).  It was so odd to meet someone that we had so many things in common with.  I really liked her and hope to see her again.

I might also mention that we went to Hayli's shower tonight and had a fun time.  I have so enjoyed my time with the NH ladies again.  Even Doneva and I were laughing it up and Kay and Kacie Benson were there and it was fun to see them.  I realized that as I was there, I had such a good time just like I did at Laurie's shower and the reason was that I was around friends that I love and trust.  I am too old to try and meet people all over again and get comfortable with them.  Dianna, Lynn, Pam, Luanna, Carolyn, and other NH people have won my trust long ago.  I love them and I am so glad I got to spend time with them tonight.  Perhaps that is something to consider as I plan for where we will be in the future.

Three things:
1.  It was great to see another Dorothy Hammel and to know I like her right away.
2.  It was so fun to laugh and enjoy with old friends in NH
3.  when I got up this morning my blood pressure was good even without pills yesterday!

Well done...

Last night went so well.  Sister cox was amazing in her portrayal of Esther.  We couldn't have asked for anything better.  It was a wonderful presentation - very inspirational and spiritual.  The story of Esther is a great story but the way she tied it in to "For Such a Time as This" was amazing.

Everything that could have gone wrong with last night went wrong... the pictures were cut too small, had to put most of them together myself, we didn't have enough food, it rained and was windy... those might sound trivial but when we put them all together it makes me a nervous wreck... so most people didn't have a clue there were any problems - but I knew and I am grateful for the Lord's help in getting everything put together.

Three things:
1.  I am glad last night is over
2.  enjoyed Ash Creek's performance tonight at the HP Dinner
3.  grateful for Psych... I enjoy the humor and the mystery ... I hear it is a called a comedrama... gotta love it!

Almost ready...

Tomorrow is our Relief Society meeting for the Stake.  I am glad that it is almost all together.  We have had some complications and somethings go a little crazy but for the most part it has come together fairly well.  last week a lady came in to the shop and got a basket from us for a multi-faith tea.  She mentioned how they would have over 100 women at this tea and it was quite an undertaking.  they do it once or twice a year and it is "so much work."  I laughed a little to myself since we as a RS board do things like this much more often than that and we do it for a lot more women with a full meal and different activities each time.  I am not bragging, I am just saying that it is interesting how we learn so many things in the church including how to organize and how to put together spiritual and other activities with confidence and ability.

I am grateful for the blessings of the gospel that have taught me so many things in my life.  I have been in "authority" positions for most of my life.  I have learned how to delegate and I know how to organize.  I am not sure about what all of my talents are but I do know that I have many abilities and talents when it comes to leading organizations and helping people to also complete assignments.

I read John's blog about serving in the Elder's Quorum presidency.  He mentioned how he was learning so much about service and was growing as he served this time in this Presidency.  He was not happy about this calling in the beginning but now he knows that he has grown and is progressing in his current situation because of his service to the Lord.  The Lord knew this is what he needs now... I feel the same way about the callings I have had.  I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to serve as well as my faith in knowing that the Lord's hand is in my life.

Handbook of Instructions

Yesterday John and I went to the WW Broadcast which was a second instruction on the Handbook.  It was enlightening as they taught that the Handbook is spiritual as well as instructional.  That we can turn to the Handbook for guidance in our families as well as in our church callings.  It is readily available and each member is encouraged to read it - immerse themselves in it.  That is of course the 2nd Book - the first book is only for Bishops and Stake Presidents and up etc.

So I see I need to be more diligent in reading it.  I wish there was a handbook of instructions for being a mom and a wife.  I wish someone could just write down what I am to say at any given circumstance or problem.  I want to tell John who he should date, I want to tell Dave what he should do about his finances, I want to tell Jim and Clorinda where they should move, I want to tell Jim how we should take another chance on building our business... and on and on.  I don't know that I have the right answers and I know that the answers have got to come to them.  Dave was just telling me about President Rau and how he told them in Ward Conference that they needed to develop their relationship with the Lord so that they could confidently receive revelation for their families.  I know that many times I have received revelation and it has been good.  I think the secret is that I do need to ponder and pray and have faith that He will answer my prayers.  I also need to have patience and long suffering so that I can wait long enough to see things come to pass...

It makes me tired just to think about it.  I wonder if Heaven will end up being a place with no problems... a place of peace.  I doubt it - we'll just continue to grow and that means we'll have to make decisions etc.  Perhaps there will be a good handbook there too.

Psych!

Have I mentioned that I love Psych and it happens to be on Networks.  I am watching Season One every night.  It is so funny!  I am watching it right now and enjoying it.

Had a good day at the store and sold some interesting things... two sweet stories:
1.  One fellow came in and bought a basket for his sister for us to deliver on Monday.  I thought it was so sweet.
2.  Another fellow bought two baskets and then 2 large peanut butter cups.
3.  Went to dinner and movie with Richard and Susan - always a pleasure.

Moving Up

So the place across the street is for sale.  The building is very large and the price is pretty low.  We think we can put in a cafe, have a place to make fudge, cookies, sandwiches and then have a lot of room for consignment furniture as well as other items.  Also want to use the space to make baskets and hopefully the ebook idea where we can sell things including baskets, fudge and items.  don't know if it will come together but worth working on.
Three things:
1.  I love watching Psych- got season one on Netflix... hilarious!
2.  Going to make a mantel decoration for Julie Leigh and it excites me.  I hope I can do what she likes!
3.  Glad Amy has a date tonight with Brad... she's been wanting to meet him - hope it goes well.
4.  John was teasing on his Blog about my taking colloidal silver and facing north.  All these guys think its crazy and I'm crazy but I know that it got me through a lot of hard years...

Bad hair day

A cute lady came into the shop today wearing bright yellow pants and a bright yellow babushka.  I remember the first day I met her she was a little gruff and I didn't really like her much although she gave us some good business.  Over the last few months I have gotten to know her better.  She has been suffering from cancer and a husband with alzheimers.  One day I noticed that she was doing better - she told me she was doing so much better since she had "gotten rid of her husband."  I must have looked a bit taken back and she explained that she had put her husband in a home.  It had relieved a lot of her anxiety and she was feeling much better not having to take care of him and be sick too.

When she came in today she was only there for a few minutes to check things out.  I thought she looked so cute and she said she felt well but was having a bad hair day.  I loved the bright colors on her and felt like it made her look more alive.  It is funny what we might think is a bad thing (her bad hair day) can actually come across to someone else as something a positive thing (her yellow babushka which brightened her face and put a bit of pep in her step.

I felt like crap most of today.  I feel like coming off of my pills is very sensitive.  I am either laughing, loud and out of control or I am on the verge of tears and can't think very well.  Today I was angry with anyone who got in my way.  I feel like my mind isn't working and then someone (Jim) tells me that my mind isn't working... I don't like that.  Then Amy tells me that I am being ornery when I already know that I am being ornery...  I try to use the computer and the telephone and neither one works for me - I just get more and more emotional...  I truly hope that I get over these pills soon.

One thing that I do find while in this "state" is that I am a lot more sympathetic to what Clorinda and others go through.  Not wanting to take the pills, taking the pills and not feeling like you are in control, trying to stop the pills and being emotional and /or depressed.  It becomes such a cycle and when you know you are not meaning to be rude or unkind or stupid and yet realizing it can come across that way just makes you want to curl up and escape.  Well such was my crappy day... I hop it doesn't go on much longer.

I want to be like Diane with her cute little hat who feels happier even though her problems have not totally gone away... she has learned how to deal with them and even smile once in a while.