Dear Diary

It's obviously been quite a while since I've done anything on this page. And I'm basically just testing to see if I even know how to still navigate this site. Mark wants us to use our blog as our journal and said he would be more likely to hone his photography skills, a hobby he had in college, ignored for a few decades and decided to begin again, if his efforts were contributing to the family journal. So... it seems that this particular blog is no longer viewed or read since in the beginning when I began blogging it was with family and friends who also began but have since moved on to fancier blogs and/or technology apps. That actually makes this perfect for a journal. Maybe what I really need to do is find an app with colors and features that make it easy to add photos. Hmmmmm. The dilemma! Maybe I'll throw it on Facebook and ask for opinions! So much for this little musing on a Tuesday afternoon!

Learning New Things

I've spent the last few days watching and listening to uplifting messages. One of those messages was a webinar, a "how-to" for something I've been wanting to learn... Better Blogging! Funny how I've always used this blog more as a journal and even declared that several times. I could have had years of experience under my belt if I'd been a little more diligent and seen the potential for influence. I suppose there is a time. and a season for all things. A while back, in our earliest Facebook days, the simple profile had a question about goals or life philosophy or something along those lines. For several years it read, "We want to change the world and we are just crazy enough to believe we can!" I took that down for a while... it's still not on the page but the flame of belief and an idea are now reignited in my soul! That's the surprise! More to come...

Closing One Door and Getting My Feet Wet ... Again

I've basically been out of the "blogging" scene for nearly four years and maybe even longer if you count the infrequent posts prior to stopping altogether. A lot has happened in that time. We moved a couple of times. Mark's employment changed and he is commuting further to work now but he enjoys his opportunity to make a big difference in a growing company and the people he works with. It is rewarding for him and pleasing to me. I LOVE it when my husband is happy. He's always in a good mood, I just love to know he's enjoying the work he does all day long that provides for our family! Perhaps most notably, for health reasons, I retired from the public school system. There are other reasons I'm glad I'm no longer teaching but none of them were as important to us as my health. 
No, I'm not sick with anything. I'm just a little worn for the wear.

Closing the "Teacher" Door

Every school year I got nearly everything that came along, (working on eliminating those limiting beliefs). Twice I fell and injured first one knee and then the other which caused an obvious  increase in my weight and size (that's putting it nicely) which didn't help the knee pain...at all. I lost a little energy every year and even though I worked hard over the summer to gain it back, for some reason I didn't ever quite get back as much as I gave to my work during the year. Many would call it "aging" but I've got a plan. A youthful plan. You'll see!

After living through influenza the prior Christmas holiday break (the doctor told me it was actually the h1n1 version) and suffering neck and back problems from the resulting cough, (threw my neck out and suffered with the most debilitating migraines until the chiropractor got it all lined up again) my sweet husband told me he really thought my life expectancy was being threatened one year at a time. After examining our finances, and praying of course, on June 4, 2014 I walked out of my classroom and school and the only thing I've missed is that "a-ha" light going on in kids' heads accompanied by that "from-ear-to-ear" victory grin!

Old Farm Road - I Love Where I Live!

Today, I'm writing a short post just to get my feet wet again and to experiment with some of the new features that now exist to make my "blog-life" easier... once I understand them, that is! Obviously, I'm not a technology "quick-study" and definitely not a technology native. I do intend to be a real guru before long though!

My husband has missed the blogging most! My intent was really more of a journal where I could add some beautiful pictures and my musings. I would copy and paste it all into a document and wallah... a journal! He LOVED that and felt like it was an important record of our family! Here's for you honey!

Well then, I suppose my feet are damp enough today, figuratively here in this post and literally from this little winter beauty that blew in suddenly this morning! I'll check out a few more things each day for a while and then I have a surprise...!

Rain, Rain, Rain... Love it!

It has rained quite a bit the past week. Nearly every night we've had some kind of storm from the short 15 minute cloudbursts (WOW it's amazing how much rain can come down in 15 minutes) to the night-long thunder and lightening storms. Combine that with the 4th of July and it's a little hard to tell the thunder from the cannons. I do have to say though that God's fireworks (the lightening) are without question the grandest of them all... even the colors... and the way the lightening can light the entire sky... manmade is impressive and fun and even inspiring but pales in comparison! Yup! God wins... as always! And I'm so grateful He's been watering the garden, both flower and vegetable! So kind of Him to help out with that!

Oh My!

WOW!!! I think I'd better laugh about the title and topic of my last post! Everything I wrote was true! Mark loves the Blog/Journal thing! And quite honestly, I think it is a lot more fun than the straight journal! So I just filled out the "I'm a Mormon" profile on Mormon.org and included a link to this blog! I'd better keep it more up to date! That should be motivation to attempt a more frequent if not regular post! That's all for tonight though! Love and Light ....

Blogging Again... Finally!

After a year and a half, I am finally blogging again. Mark has missed the blog posts turned journal entries and asked me to begin again. It's not that I ever meant to stop... so much has happened in the last while... Oh my has it happened! A long, long, loooooong story for sure. AND it's not that I expect anyone to read these.. with so much social media it is way too challenging to keep up with blogs when you can just "tweet" and facebook instantly. This is really all about us and if it is amusing or uplifting to anyone else we are blessed!

So, of the many things, a simple pleasure that brought a lot of joy and blessings for obedience... the annual "obedience garden".

Early spring our stake decided to sponsor a community garden on a plot of land in our stake boundaries that used to be one of the chapels in our stake. It was very old and not up to seismic standards and would cost too much to bring it to that so they tore it down, plowed up the parking lot, planted grass and built a small pavilion. Mostly the dog-walkers enjoyed it because it was only accessible through a small gate.

It is now the host of nearly one hundred 4' x 8' plots that have been tended carefully since early spring. Mark kept encouraging this journal entry this weekend by taking photos of the harvest and repeatedly, though gently, saying, "These are for our family blog/journal." How could I not begin again.

So... here's to a new chapter... a new blogging/journal chapter in the life the The Family Raymond!!!

We hope all are well and happy! We love you so!

The gourds from our garden turned centerpiece for a few days...

Everything else... we've been harvesting and sharing beans and cherry tomatoes for weeks now but just harvested the carrots and onions this weekend. Made tomatillo salsa today... a first and yummy for a couple of novice tomatillo sauce makers!!!

Success...One "Tasteless" Day at a Time!

The outcome of our doctor visit is that Mark and I both have allergies to dairy and gluten with a few other things thrown in there... the irony of the whole thing and the bee in my husband's cap is that his labs were more serious than mine... he was not amused to say the least! He was so sure that he was the pillar of health with a few "tiny" things to work on. Needless to say, I have been amused and not really gloating about it but definitely smiling.

Mark is amazing! He has been following doctor's orders perfectly. He's running again, and avoiding all the no-no foods. What a great example. I, on the other hand, have improved my eating but not to the degree he has...and exercise?...UGH... I think it is the longest 4-letter word in the dictionary! I'm working on it though! Sigh! So.... the reason for the title of this post? Have you ever tried gluten-free food? It is basically tasteless! Bless Mark's heart... we were grocery shopping the other day and after we got the fresh produce he said, "We just need to make one more stop in the taste-free aisle." I had to laugh! It really is pretty tasteless.... and EXPENSIVE!!! Oh my is it expensive! A loaf of gluten free bread is half the size of a regular loaf and costs $5.99! Definitely more than it's worth! I'm trying to figure out how to learn to cook gluten/dairy-free meals that actually taste good! An interesting change in our lives... lots of salads, lots of fruit smoothies, lots of pining for the good old days... but worth the effort to be feeling better!

Mission Impossible...Almost!!!

Getting my husband to the doctor has been quite the fete. I can't think of a photo that would do justice to the amusement it's been trying to convince him he needs a little medical attention! Nothing serious... just a thorough check-up. He thinks he's invincible and while he does have a very strong constitution and brags about it, it's been more than 5 years. He's really trying avoid the colonoscopy thing... Anyway...we found a doctor that may be able to help! Yea Sara... and Ronda... for encouraging and finding the right person. We both had blood drawn last week for several tests... this doctor comes highly recommended and even has several celebrity patients... sorry Dr. Porter that Mark and I are the country bumpkins of your practice... but just you wait and see what we look like when we feel better.... to be continued!!!

It's Been a While...

Since moving I check email a couple of times a week if I'm lucky and rarely have time to read all the blogs I love. I miss you all just so you know. .... In addition to Mark being the ward mission leader and I as his ward missionary companion, we were also asked to be the committee chairs over activities and music for Trek this summer and I teach Relief Society... oh... and Mark is a Temple worker on Friday mornings. He gets up before 4, is there by 5, works until 11:30, has time to come home and eat and occasionally a quick nap before he's at work at 1. Sometimes I want to cry at how hard he works and yet the blessings of his Temple service are palpabale... what a gift, and true to the Lord's way, it ends up being no sacrifice at all.

Merry-Merry, Happy-Happy and I LOVE Spring!

We had a lovely Christmas and we are planning on a Happy New Year! The children were here on Christmas Eve and we had a wonderful time. We had fondue, (thanks to Terri Davis and all the necessary pots and forks,) and it was a big hit with the children. They asked if we'd be willing to do something early in the day as they wanted to go to a movie in the early evening. Of course we did. I wasn't really excited about it but it turned out very nice. Jill sent a text that read, "Best Christmas ever with you two." Maybe they are finally getting used to their dad's wife. Christmas Day was interesting...to say the least. All our guests, except one, cancelled on us. Mark's mother is the only one who came to dinner... Turns out it was a blessing as we learned some interesting details about what's been happening for her... sad details but details a son needs to know in order to take care of his mother. As this year draws to a close we are looking forward to a new one and fresh starts... I suppose if the truth be known, which is testimony to some of us, because of the atonement which is symbolized by the sacred emblems of the Sacrament at the Supper of the Lord each Sunday, every week is a fresh start! Whew! I love to feel clean! I suppose that's also why I love Spring so much too... a fresh, beautiful, new beginning! Not that it's even close. In fact, the first official day of winter was only a week ago. I guess that just means it's always Spring in my heart! Our love to all! We are so grateful for the light and love you shine into our lives!

Almost Christmas Break....Ahhhhhh!

The students have actually been quite well behaved as the days before Christmas count down. I often wonder what I was really like at their age... I'm sure my memory remembers me more perfect than I actually was... oh my! The two photos are little crafts one of the other 5th grade teachers helped them do... I do the music, she does the art....which really works for me. Because I'm in a portable, I have to find creative ways of displaying their creations... Here's to the construction paper Pointsettias and the colored lamps made with Karo Syrup and food coloring! Luckily the teacher had learned over the years how to minimize the sticky mess and the kids loved licking their fingers. It was not recommended but after one person did the rest followed! Oh those days adventurous days of childhood!

Mark's Big Proud Italian Family

If the title of this post seems a little like the movie title, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it's supposed to. The middle of November, Mark and I flew to Sacramento to celebrate his aunt's 90th birthday. Our weekend can be summed up by saying that it was a lot like the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding but they are Italian and it was a birthday celebration instead of a wedding. It was obvious they are proud of their heritage and they love each other! Mark got to see relatives he hasn't seen in 20, and some, 30 years.

Most people are surprised to learn that Mark's paternal grandfather is from Italy... must be that strawberry blonde hair and fair skin disguise he wears... That would be from the Irish part of the family. So... there you have it... my Irish Italian husband. Mark's father and brother both have the darker Italian coloring with olive skin tones and dark hair. Mark's mom is also a brunette so you can imagine that Mark thought for the longest time that he was adopted. When he was 8 years old he finally met an uncle, his father's brother, and finally felt like he actually belonged. I wish I had a then-and-now photo of Mark and his Uncle Harvey but the nearly 50 years later version will have to do. Mark also looks like his father's sister, Aunt Jean. She has the most beautiful red hair. She is also the one who helped make it possbile for us to join the festivities. I have this little connection with her... not sure if it goes both ways but I really love being around her and love when she comes to visit. I just used the camera on my phone and set the flash on auto... sadly, there is still a blue cast to lots of the pictures...and blury... I've got to learn to hold my breath...sigh!

The other, queenly lady in the picture with Mark is his Aunt Nadine. On the way there I was wondering what 90 would look like. She is amazing. Very active. Walks upright with no assistance of any kind. She swears by shuffleboard twice a week. Says you've just got to keep moving. She's lovely. The two smiling ladies are Harvey's daughters, Stormy and Julie. Nadine has 3 daughters, Pam, Debbie (the original Debbie Raymond) and Michelle. I didn't get pictures of them for some reason. We're hoping others share...so many people there to celebrate!

The rest of the photos are of Pam's home. She is Nadine's oldest daughter and hosted the dinner celebration in her beautiful home. We had a wonderful time!

My Journal

The past couple of years I got really good at my journal because I loved copying and pasting my blog into it. I wrote in it as well. Lately, things have been so hectic and yet the counsel to keep a journal has not been rescinded. I've worried that no one especially cares what I have to say or that maybe they care but don't really have time....and then I realized that's not really what matters. I have no idea if anyone will find, read, or care about this blog but I know I enjoy it once in a while and that it definitely motivates me to keep a journal... So! Here's my committment to journaling just because I've been counseled to. If you happened here and care to stay a while, I hope it's uplifting.

The Holidays are always tender times for me. It will be 20 years this December since my Mom graduated to Heaven. I always have spices, (cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sometimes orange rinds) simmering on the stove. It's like comfort food...only comfort smells. It reminds me of her! At this time of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for her example and her testimony. There was no question for any of her posterity that she loved the Lord. Thank you, Mother, for you amazing example.

I Haven't Posted Since May! Oh My!

I just saw that my last post was late in May... Wow! Time has flown since it will be 4 months to the day tomorrow.... that's not such a great thing since I was using my blog as part of my journal... a huge part! Ooops! There's the confession... I haven't written in my journal either! Oh dear! Here's to turning over a new leaf! Or would that be a fall leaf? I'll work on it either way!

Our Home

This post is purely selfish. I've shared a few times that I copy and paste my blog into my journal. This post is to document the first place Mark and I called home together. It is beautiful and we've loved it here. We would stay if we could. Mark's mom actually owns this beautiful condo in Old Farm and she and her husband (not Mark's dad - Mark's dad passed away many years ago from skin cancer that matastized sp?)...anyway, Betty and Norm want to move back in. The timing is a little challenging for us...everything happened so quickly. Life is full of surprises! I guess our job is to smile through them. The real point of this post is to document our lovely veiws...for posterity...hmmmmmm, now that could prove to be interesting...

Our Front Patio and Window

Our Front Door (didn't notice the reflection until now - funny!)

View from outside the fence

This leads along the front of where we live

Another view... from the bridge

The Bridge (west bridge)

The stream complete with ducks...

Looking down from the road across from our little place

The outdoor pool view as we drive out of our driveway every morning!

The path we take Sofee on that leads to the East Bridge

Another section of the complex along the path...complete with American flag!YES!

Sofee usually bypasses the steps but they are quaint...

Blossoms this spring! They were everywhere!

The stream as it meanders aroung the complex...

More ducks enjoying the world

The East Bridge

Beautiful flowers everywhere!

More spring splendor!

Our Living Room...the picture of the Savior is the first thing Mark and I purchased together!

Thanks for humoring me if you made this far... my regrets to any who will be disappointed that there will be a "round 2"... there is another section of the complex I didn't get to yet...

Love to all!

Every Day is Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Yesterday my niece got married. I remember when her mother, my youngest sister, was the glowing bride and now she is mother of the bride. Oh my, how time flies! And what a beautiful bride righteous living makes! The bride and groom both were darling and glowing! How exciting for them. And of course, how wonderful that another generation has entered into the sacred covenants of salvation! Way to go little sister! You are a great mom!

Goodbye FaceBook, Helloooo FamilySearch

I've had this growing feeling pressing in my heart lately...I have my quick-links (that always show on the righthand side of my online computer screen) in alphabetical order...Aesop, BYU Broadcasting, Canyons School District, Church News, Dictionary, Facebook, Family Search ... THERE! That's the one! I've noticed I click on Facebook every day to see how you are all doing. I click on FamilySearch now and then. I feel my ancestors prompting my spirit to spend more time on their behalf.

As much as I love knowing what everyone is up to and seeing pictures... I really need to honor this feeling! There are some facebook entries I will really miss... I love the Church's short messages of love and inspiration and there are others but I'm going to spend the summer working on FamilySearch and in the Temple. Maybe later I'll reevaluate.

I also realized that I enjoy the blogs the most so I'm going to continue blogging (I use my blog for some of my journal entries) and continue keeping up with the blogs I love... Please keep in touch via your own amazing blog or via email! Goodbye facebook.... HELLO FAMILYSEARCH! My love to all....