My unofficial endorsements!

Just thought I would tell you about a few products I love!!! :)

dyson ball

My Dyson vacuum! I can't say enough good about it. It's perfect! It's worth the $$. Best vac I've ever owned. I can't think of anything I don't like about it. It turns on a dime, gets in all the nooks and crannies, is light weight and easy to use on stairs and the tools are a dream. There you go! (Mine's the purple one.)

swiffer wet-jet

My Swiffer Mop! I received it as a Christmas present this year and I'm sold. I haven't used a mop for years because I couldn't find one I liked. This one comes the closest to my all time favorite mopping tool - an old terry cloth towel cut in half. Don't let your kids use it however as they use it as an attacking squirt gun on any unsuspecting sibling who meanders by.

It is battery operated (woo, woo) and dispenses the cleaning solution directly onto the floor. When done you throw away the disposable pad. Probably not great for the environment and it costs more than an old towel, but very convenient and easy to use.

The State of the Union

Yes, I did watch the State of the Union address. (I insisted those children at home watch with me.) All the nuances were interesting such as one of the chief justices shaking his head at Obama's assessment of a recent supreme court decision. I have to say I like Mr. President though. I think he is a nice guy. That is as much intelligent commentary I can muster at this moment.

I should post something....

I am sleeping at my sister's house last night and tonight to father-sit. Sandra is in Colorado helping her son move. It's almost midnight and my Dad descended the stairs about a half hour ago dressed and spit polished, ready for the day. He had his hat on and everything was buttoned, buckled and tied just as it should be. (We get a mixed variety in that department!) He was cheerful and perky and ready for breakfast. So I sat him down and he ate the last bowl of cereal in the house. (I called Christian to drive over some more cereal and milk as I will need it bright and early tomorrow morning.) We then went back upstairs, I helped him undress and tucked him back in bed. I hope that means he will sleep the rest of the night. Last night we were up twice. My guess is probably not.

I believe in prayer...

Prayer by J.E. Knauf

...and I believe that God responds to our prayers though sometimes we don't recognize those responses.

...as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit." (Doctrine & Covenants 6:14)

I think the disconnect can come in our spiritually immature (in the young sense rather than the spoiled sense though both may apply) approach to prayer and spiritual things. We often look upon prayer as a divine request list and/or a way to ask God to make our decisions for us. We forget one of the main reasons we are here is to learn to operate by faith and to exercise our own wills in righteous ways. It is a delicate balance to learn to subject or subdue our will to God's while also schooling and training our own desires and acquiring power through faith by acting upon our ability to choose.

I believe we receive more divine guidance and revelation than we realize. I think it is meant to be that way out of respect for our own agency. I believe that prayer is absolutely essential and serves us in so many ways. We receive strength through prayer. We receive enlightenment through prayer. We receive direction through prayer. We can bless others through prayer and smooth their paths in life. Through this we gain charity and true love for our fellow men. (Here Lincoln would argue with me that we can't just pray, we must also do - I agree!) I believe if we are truly sincere in our desires to make good choices in keeping with Heavenly Father's greater vision for our lives that He will provide guidance and our decisions made in good faith will be a part of our instruction, learning and growth.


10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:10)

24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 90:24)

Pretty!

Last night I went shopping with Caitlin to buy shoes, jewelry and do-dads for the Preference Dance next weekend. This will be her first date. We had fun shopping together - we always do. We were leaving one of the many adolescent oriented shops in the mall and I stepped aside and waited for a young mother, somewhat awkward, maneuver her stroller past me. I smiled at her and offered some sort of greeting. She apologized for being in my way and then as she passed she looked at me and said "You look really pretty." Quite surprised I thanked her wondering what it was she thought was pretty about me. I certainly didn't feel like the Queen of Sheba at 8:25 on a Sat. night. Caitlin said, "That was weird!" "Actually," I replied, "That was nice of her. It made me feel good." The next mirror we passed (which wasn't longer than a few seconds) I checked to see what she perhaps saw? Was is my lipstick (ha, ha) or what? Instead of the usually slightly dumpy feeling I have when I go to the mall I felt poised and happy. Somewhere in the mall I had a new unnamed friend .

Just as the mall was closing we were buying a pair of shoes. The clerk was especially pleasant and helpful. I remembered her from shopping in that store last Christmas. She had been very helpful on some difficult returns. "You've worked here for a while." I said to her. "Yes, two years she replied. "You are very pleasant to work with." I told her. "It's enjoyable to shop here because of that." I continued. "I appreciate your helpfulness." I really meant it. She looked surprised and pleased and thanked me several times. There was a bond between us. She was no longer a stranger. I knew the feeling. It was good. I'm sure she will pass it on.

I am rather bereft of blog posts lately. I'm too tired or preoccupied (that means the moment has been occupied by someone or some task before it ever arrives on the scene) to think of something to say that might be worth reading. This will be a bit of a ramble.

I'm sitting here at 11:15 somewhat alone - everyone at home is in bed - Randy is in Mexico. I'm listening to Lyle Hadlock (piano player of hymns) and enjoying not having a living soul to interrupt me whiling away my time. I'm thinking, as I have said before, we seem to always have too much or too little of many things in life.

Tomorrow is Christian's 18th birthday. He will sort of officially be a partial adult - at least as good as it's going to get until he turns 21. It's also Lorien's birthday. It's been a special treat to have two born on the same day. They are quite different in some ways and uncannily similar in others. I think they are sort of unofficial twins. Their common birthday has always given them a special bond of their own.

When life presents you with difficult circumstances be grateful Heavenly Father hasn't left you to drown in your own selfishness.

I had just finished writing this post when it disappeared off the page! I guess you'll just have to guess what it was about about.