This is the pits!

Okay, so there are products out there that I really don't understand.

This is one of those things. I mean... come on! Do my armpits really need to be satin-y smooth. I shave everytime I shower, can't stand stubble...so aren't they smooth enough already? Who is going near my armpits anyway? Sure, Curt and the kids might, but they don't TOUCH my armpits. Because I have such an sweat problem in the first place (yes, I'm getting Botox for the pits) do I have to worry now about them not being silky smooth?????

The best product are Lil Swimmers. LOVE THEM. I remember when we used to go swimming with Aaron and Alyssa and their big, ugly friend the swollen diaper. Then we would have them wear rubber swimsuits only to have to change them with the unfortunate luck of "#2" in the pool but contained in the diaper. YUCK! Still seems unsanitary either way you venture, but Hayden has yet to grace us with this experience. What a good little boy.

So, now you tell me. What are the products out there that no one really should have wasted their time and money on? What is the best use of time and money to you????

Why I hate...

"Cliques" "Groups" or "Circle of Tightly woven friendships" what ever
you call them, our ward has one or two and it's very noticable.

(Let me start this by saying, that I have a nice social life outside the ward, and I do have some wonderful friends in the ward, but there are many ward members that don't have anyone to be around when there's a holiday/special occasion. My own family doesn't get together often and I feel as though my ward should be a "family" of a sort. There aren't supposed to be "favorites" and we need to be able to feel equal, we are in our Heavenly Father's eyes. )
My goal in life is to have as many people at my funeral as possible. How are we to know everyone if we stick to the favored few?

How many times have you been in the presence of these groups and were left out of the conversation because they just spent the weekend swimming, camping or BBQ-ing together.

How many times have you tried to plan a get together and everyone told you that they were too busy, so you spent it alone?

How many times have you sat next to someone you don't know and sat quiet and still until you saw someone you spend a lot of time with and ushered them over to chat about your own lives?

How many times have you met someone new, decided they weren't like you and never spoke to them again? (Differences build strenghths. Where your weakness lies, many others carry strength.)

People say that we have a "close" ward, but I disagree. Our ward has a tendency to be very self involved and individualistic. We don't think of people outside of our "group". There are very few that feel welcome and a lot that feel neglected. (They have more than made the effort, but not the right "connections"...)

I know that most of you hate these groups, but some of you don't mind because you are in one.

Every time that someone stands up and bears their testimony about what a great, friendly ward this is, I think... They were probably invited to join this little group a few times or had someone who cared if they came. I also know that for as many people who say they love the ward, there are those to say that they can't wait to leave it. These are people who were never in callings with the Relief Society Presidencies and/or counselors. They weren't in the Elders Quorum Presidency or the Bishopric. They aren't in the Ward Counsel Meetings... They aren't the popular or outgoing, but their testimonies are stronger than most.

I had a friend who once bravely stood up in our ward and pretty much told us that we don't need to form "little groups" and that our ward is made up of a whole bunch of "little groups". I agree! I have been watching and waiting for people to notice what is happening. When the subject is brought up, most people agree that there is a problem. Mostly, people feel ignored because there is no support. I feel ignored most of the time. When people need something from me, that's when I exist to them.

I counted on Sunday how many conversations someone started up with me. There were two people. AND it's not that I sit in the corner either, this is while walking in the halls!! I don't feel included but I do feel like I am interferring. I thought I was friends with some of them but am constantly reminded that I am NOT in their GROUP, just an observer.

Our ward has such a huge lack of attendance, and understand why so many people are so offended, that they have quit coming! I have known people who visit, but are completely ignored because they aren't the cute little blond and her strapping husband, but they have strong, solid testimonies.

For years, Visiting teachers have taught their best buddies. I haven't had an "IN" so I get the most obscure, hard to reach people and it is very frustrating to watch this "group" VT each other. Honestly, I don't have a testimony of VT anymore. I don't even know who myVTs are.

My testmony comes from the actual fact that this is Christ's Church upon the earth and from the scriptures. President Monson is a righteous leader and so are his counselors. I love and trust them. I know that there is a ward out there that will accept me for who I am, for my talents, my willingness to serve others and will acknowledge that I am a Child of God, an actual daughter that will inherit all that is offered to me. I do not come to church to socialize, but I feel that
being a member of the ward is something that should be done all the time, not just on Sunday or at ward activities. We have been here for 10 years, and have not felt like we belong for the last 3. We can't move, but we want to. And what's really sad, I don't think I could honestly say
"I would miss the ward". A very few people ~ yes. But not the ward.

My Father...

I have known in my time many fathers, and am lucky that mine is so exceptional.

My own father is such an excellent example of how a father should be. Sure, he has his faults, but I know that he loves me. For those of you who don't know, I worked for my father for about 10 years as his right hand woman at work. We shared many laughs, and many, many, many cries (I was/am moody). I was his receptionist and got to know the "real man". I knew who he liked and who he was just being nice to. There weren't many people who my dad didn't like... Adults liked him, they think he is funny, not often did they see the serious side. He was intimidating to my friends, which was a good thing at times.

He can be hard to read... I think he is like a psychologist in the way that he would let you talk on and on until you knew what to do. He would give his advice and if you didn't take it, that was harder on him than it was for us. We always knew when there was a serious conversation starting because it started with, "Come in, shut the door and have a seat." (Most Stake Presidents say this.) As a Stake President, he was a great speaker and I still remember when he was released and put in as the Priest Teacher. (I think he actually asked for this calling to dig up dirt on me, as well as find me a suitable husband who could keep me in line.)

He was always ready to offer a Father's Blessing when asked. It was always followed by a hug.

He was the one that told me that my friend, Steve, had fallen asleep at the wheel and died. I was very upset, and my first thought was "how would they live without their father?". It never occurred to me that mine could die too.

When I was growing up, he was always gone. Mom did the discipline... she was the "bad guy" in my mind (now, she's my friend). Dad was just there to look pretty. Mom would hand out the punishments, Dad was at a meeting. Mom told us no, Dad told us nothing, he was gone to a Stake Council Meeting. He is a great example of how the Priesthood should be used. He taught my brothers to used their priesthood authority and we have all gained from their teachings and examples. My brothers are wonderful men that I am proud of, and their wives are fortunate to have them.

We loved holidays! He would be home and I think those were the best days! He would always plan something. We went on so many vacations while we were growing up. Disneyland was a repeated favorite. Sea World, Disney World/Epcot, World's Fair in 1986 (three weeks with 5 kids in a motorhome up through Utah and Down by way of the coast, they're crazy), Hawaii, Utah, Durango/Silverton Railroad, and Reunions.

Every Valentine's Day, we would recieve a letter from my dad with a heart inside that told us how much he loved us.

We always had toys because my dad wanted to make sure that we had fun. There was a boat (or two), Four wheelers, the cabin in Pine, and a motorhome. Needs were met, but wants were sometimes too.

He came to Girl's camp in overalls...

He volunteered to do the fourth year's hike and we got lost. What a blast, even though we were hiking for 6 hours, he made sure that we still had fun. He played pranks on most of us, always trying to scare us.

My parents put their kids first. They made sure that we were disciplined, taught to do chores, and they knew our friends. They knew them very well. They knew the ones that we would get in trouble with and those we could be trusted with. Some of my best buddies were in both categories, but he asks me about them still.

Since the stroke, he is not the same person. The basic person is the same, but he is more still now. I know that he will be that person again, if not here, then he will be someday... I still keep in my voicemail a message that he sent to me when they were leaving on their mission to Nauvoo. It goes something like this, "Hey Shell-babe. We are on our way, we'll call you when we get to Dave's. Love you. Bye."