The Bare Necessities

The Visiting Teaching Conference went well.

My props.  I also wore big glasses on my head.



Our song was fun and got the point across.  We made a few goofs, but it was a 'fun' number and added to the charm.  It seemed so much faster from how we practiced it.  I think the pianist was a bit nervous and forgot to slow it down just a bit.  We had actions and props and dance steps and the three of us gave the "pips" a run for their money!  We shuffled, snapped, and pointed our way throught the song.
The RS President gave a good talk on managing our time.  It is very easy to get distracted with things that are not essential.  We all have those 'things' that compete for our time and those 'things' that we choose to worm their way into our daily habits that just might not be the best use of those finite minutes.  I know I do.

The Bare Necessities

More than the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about percentages, let's love.

More than the bare necessities

Our Heavenly Father's recipe

To bring our sister back to Him above.

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam

I'll share His message, inside her home.

I'll share some scriptures, two or three

I'll share a little part of me.

When you look for guidance in your call

You'll find you give your all.

Then maybe do some more!

The extra mile will get you right inside her door.

Inside her door.

More than the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

More than the bare necessities

Our Heavenly Father's recipe

To help his daughter's have a happy life.

Please call to schedule

Make sure to smile.

Keep your appointment

Stay for a while.

Don't talk of neighbors down the street

But keep you lesson sort and sweet

Always have a prayer

Keep the spirit there

Then you know you'll be aware

Can you see her needs?

The inspiration that you seek

Will come to lead.  Will come to lead.

More than the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Let's help our sisters feel their Savior's love.

More than the bare necessities

Let's serve our Father willingly

And help us all get back to Him above.

Singing and Bridal Shower

I had a singing practice bright and early for a Saturday and for singing.  Who sings well that early in the morning?  People like Crystal who is heading up our number for tomorrow.  She has the most crystal clear, strong and beautiful voice.  If you close your eyes you would think she was Glinda from Wicked.  Her major was musical theater and when she opens her mouth you know why.

We are singing a changed word version of The Bare Necessities complete with dance moves for the VTeaching conference tomorrow.  It promises to be very funny and hopefully gets the point across. 

Right after that I attended a bridal brunch shower for Amber Ezell.  When we moved here, she was in Kindergarten and I loved watching her run out of the house when I did morning car pool.  Her red hair flying as she tried to negotiate that big backpack.  Now she is all grown up and getting married.  Sharon and the bridesmaids did a great job on the brunch.  Sharon out-did herself.  It was over the top delicious.  Madeline is having her oral surgery in two weeks.  It is very similar to what Christine had.  We are going over in a few days to talk with them about it and what to expect and what worked for us that no one told us.  Hopefully those little things will make it easier for them.

Daily Q

Question:  Who has the best smile?

Answer:  Easy.  My children and grandchildren.  Those smiles light me up and elevate me.

Arm Sleeves

Geez Louise.

Tonight the team traveled to Mira Costa high school in Manhattan Beach for their game.  I love this game because it takes me back to Manhattan Beach.  That holds really good childhood memories for me, because my dad's parents lived there.  I slept over there, had holidays there, had Sunday dinners there--my Mamo Myrna made the best ever fried chicken, mashed potatoes with creamed gravy, corn on the cob, and succotash--cried when one of our dogs died there, went to the beach there.

It had been in the high 80's at our house today.  By the time we got to Mira Costa it was over 40degrees difference in temperature.  The fog was so thick you could see it coming in waves and covered the lights and players on the field.  Christine was freezing.  JV played first, so Duff and I ran back toward the freeway to the South Bay Galleria (a mall I had shopped frequently at when I was a teenager) and tried to find some long sleeved under armour for her to wear.  None to be found.  It is spring we were told.  And a freezing one at that!

We ended up getting her these Nike arm compression/arm sleeve thingies that basketball players wear.  They worked wonderfully for her bare arms, and were much less expensive than an under amour shirt would have been.  JV lost by 2 and Varsity won by 2.  Yay--you go Chrissy!

Daily Q

Question: Sing a song that makes you happy.

Answer: Everyday this changes, but today it would be Adore You by Nikki Hassman, because it's how I'm feeling about my hubby. I've also had Little Purple Pansies running through my head also. A good old classic from Primary days.

Where Did The Season Go?

Tonight was the last home game against San Clemente.  I finally feel like I have a game routine/schedule down and now it's coming to an end.  Where did it go?

They won and Christine played well.  It was a very evenly matched competition and back and forth until the last seconds of the game.  I knitted away.  I've discovered doing some kind of handwork during the games helps me manage my game stress.  It's hard being a goalie mother! Haha. I'm getting better at shrugging off loses and enjoying wins.

I picked up Meredith and Ainsley after their work day.  We went and got Gidget so they could all come back to our house.  Mere was helping Adrianne with her hair.  Gidg was so excited she ran to the car and jumped in and over to me in the driver's seat and that pup was just kissing away as fast as she could.  It was so funny.

Full Board

I finally have a full Stake Primary Board.  It took a while to get Candace and Margie, but after tonight's meeting I came away knowing they were worth the wait.  We had a lot to talk about.  Brother Lenon, our high councilor, is so wise and patient with us.  He adds good counsel.  We appreciate him.

I see a transition.  We have completed almost all of the activity portion 'firsts' and now are focusing more on training and leadership.  It's the natural course of things.  We've been evaluating our strengths and weaknesses and making a plan of action.  Primary is never far from my heart or thoughts.

I found this cartoon about cub scouting.  I laugh and laugh whenever I look at it.  There is something so endearing to me about cub scout boys.  You see them start to come together as a boy.  Learn how to channel all that energy into things that help them grow and prepare to receive the Priesthood.  Cub leaders need to be strong, not take things personally, have lots of patience, and enjoy their role.  It is such an important one.

Daily Q

Question:  If you were an animal, what would you want to be, and why?

Answer:  I would want to be a little dog, because I love them.  I would want to go to a good home and give and receive lots of love.  I often ponder about just how did Father in Heaven know we would benefit so much from pets?  How did He know that?  They teach us so much and give us so much.
(Gidget running around the back yard through the sprinkler.  Just look at that face with her tongue hanging out licking up the water drips!)

Beehive Garden

Adrianne is the Beehive Class Activity Leader.

She does an amazing job.

Tonight she had the girls over to the house to work on vegetable gardening.  This falls under many of the value experiences.

They worked the soil in the boxes and smoothed it out and lightly stamped it down.  I gave a talk about the earth, planting, growing, harvesting.  I showed them how to plant seeds and small plants.

 They worked hard and seemed to enjoy themselves.

Some had worked on gardens with their families and some had never done a garden before.

 When the boxes were done, Adrianne showed them how to each plant their own basil box to take home and grow.  They loved that!

Two of the girls have volunteered to come each week and weed and cultivate the garden boxes.  We will show them how to do that and fertilize.  They need 8 more hours to complete their Faith value project.

Great activity, Adrianne! 



Daily Q

Question:  What do you like to do on stormy days?

Answer:  I LOVE stormy days.  My mom loved stormy days and she passed it on to us children.  We all love them.  I like to hunker down, be cozy, have soup on the stove and rolls in the oven.  Candles lit and a fire going in the fireplace.  A good book or movie and sometimes just looking out the window and watching the weather happen.  I like the color of everything outside when it is wet and windy.  I like the sound of car tires going by on the wet street.  I like the music of the wind chimes hanging on the patio.  I like to work on some crafty things or do hand work.

Unpacked

Woohoo!  I unpacked my suitcase after living out of it for 3 weeks!  It was nice to put it away.
I got the house tidied and did laundry aaaall day.

Mike and Duff worked in the garden and got it ready to plant.  We are a little behind this year.

Some Sweet AZ Moments

A few sweet moments in Arizona Meredith captured with her camera.

 Napping with Oma.

Talking with Opa.

And boy did she talk.

She smiled and cooed and he was beyond thrilled.