Books and a movie

I just finished this book, "These is my Words". I loved the book. It's a fictional book of journal entries of a woman who lived in the 1800's. Great writing; fun and romantic and amazing reading about what life in the American West might have been like for a woman.
We watched this movie the other night, "Temple Grandin". It is a must see~really! I was moved and inspired by this movie that was based on the life of an autistic girl. I was told by several people to watch it and I'm so glad I did.


I was talking with my manager/boss the other day pondering why people do the stuff they do. I've always had that searing question in my mind and that is why I wanted to be a psychologist. Until I learned that to really do anything with that degree, you have to have a doctorate~
In particular, I was talking to bossman about criminal/abusive/violent behavior and he went and got this book off his bookshelf ("Why They Kill") and said I might want to read it. Lovely. Looks like an uplifting read. I started it last night. I really don't need to put any more crap in my mind, but it's where my interest/work is. Daily, I work with people who are struggling with so many problems. Just this week I have been working with two suicidal students~one who thinks the Neo Natzi's are after him, been to two sleazy motels, worked with a student who said his mom had died and she hadn't, worked with a student who said she was pregnant and has miscarried at school and she hadn't, worked with parents who don't give a crap about their children or who are abusive and neglectful of their children. No one really likes to see me at their doorstep. I also got calls on a teacher who's daughter committed suicide and another several cases where the parent wants help because they can't control their daughter's who are running with/sleeping with older men. Get the picture. Some weeks, it just gets to me and I wonder how long I can do the job. Whew, I've just been feeling like I need to unload some of this emotion off my chest... I sometimes joke that my next job will be a flower delivery person. Firstly, people would LOVE to see me at their door, I would make them happy and they would smile and laugh and say "come back anytime!"

Shopping and Social Work

Shopping Spree...

It's what I consider a shopping spree anyway. $40.00 dollars of fun. That is what is fun to me~buying two or three things for a cheap price. I got 3 pair of earings from Forever 21 for $1.50 a piece. Then I got a few more things from Icing, the store (cute blue and copper nail polish). Do you see the ring in the middle? It's the princess Diana ring which is now a new hot item because of Prince William and Kate Middleton. My ring was a touch less expensive than the royal version; $12.00.

My LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)This sweet little puppy is the culmination of about 15 years of work. I always just wanted to be a stay at home mom, but an unexpected turn came around for me in my life and I knew I had to get a career. I decided I wanted to have my masters in Social Work and I knew it would take about 3 years to get my bachelors degree and about 2 years for my masters degree and then 2-3 more years to get my LCSW license. It has been a 15 year journey for me (since I worked for a few years in-between my bachelors and masters). I'm so happy I'm at the end of obtaining this piece of paper, that represents all my hard work, and this goal for myself.

Final Oregon Coast Trip.

Oregon's beauty
Vegging on the beach

I don't know if I can describe the beauty of Crater Lake. It is about 3 hours inland from the Oregon coast, but well worth the side trip. It is an ancient volcano that has collapsed. It's about 6 miles across and about 2000 ft deep! The deepest lake in the United States and one of the deepest in the world. There are no rivers or streams going in or out. It has filled over the centuries with rain and melting snow. It is pristine and there is not boating or fishing, except one tour boat that takes you around the edges.

I had to hold up the tree so other tourists could continue on the Redwood trail.
Had a blast in San Francisco walking all over the city. Ate at the funnest little Italian Deli. I tried and tried to buy a bunch of crap in China town but it was all Chinese Food (most of it very scary) Chinese dishes and crappy stuff. I wanted purses and perfume and jewerly! China town is not the place for those things. We were brave and drove into the city and parked right downtown. I wouldn't have wanted to do it without the GPS.
At the Marina at Monterey Bay.
Ned in front of the clubhouse at Pebble Beach Golf Course. Talk about ritzy! This place reeked of money and snootyness. They tried to sell us a $6,000.00 ostrich hand bag. Right.

Oregon Trip part 2

Oregon Beauty! One of the many lighthouses we saw.

Astoria is also the home of the filming of Goonies and this is the Goonies house (this was a Ned request to see this house...)

For you Kindergarten Cop fans, this is the school in Astoria that was in the move.

These pictures are so beautiful. Ned and I are standing on the Astoria tower, in Astoria. This is where the Columbia River flows into the Pacific Ocean.

After Astoria we drove up to Washington State and went to Long Beach. We took a little drive and drove to the very tip of a peninsula. This is what our GPS looked like. All the blue is the Ocean and I thought it was funny that it showed our car driving on this scary patch of land surrounded by ocean.

This picture is showing you the temp. gauge on our car. We had left HOT Utah and almost the whole time we were in Oregon the temp. was about 60-65 degrees. It was refreshingly cool. But I missed a little sun. (Hey, even though my picture was facing the right way on my computer, when I copied it here it is facing the wrong way~anybody know why??)

Classic Oregon Coast Icons; Blueberries and Hydrangeas everywhere. I was going nuts over these beautiful plants. I love them and people had them growing in their yards. They probably wouldn't do so well in hot, dry or freezing temps of Utah.

Oregon Coast Trip

Hi, I'm somewhat dense (it could be argued that I'm mostly dense though) as this picture was supposed to be down the page a bit and it's facing the wrong way. I do not know how to move it or turn it the right way...seriously, how hard can blogging be? Apparently too hard for me. I'm finally in the mood to blog. This is not a good way to start out.

Ned and I went on a 17!!! day trip to Oregon~down the coast this past Summer. It was so wonderful for many reasons. We had fun just the two of us together. It was low key, we saw and experienced a lot of beautiful nature, mountains, ocean, hiking trails, beaches, wonderful little towns. It was relaxing, no crowds, some days we would only drive 30 or 50 miles. We sat on the beach and ate lunch, watched the ocean, read our books. It seemed we stopped at every little viewpoint or scenic drive. We started in Portland then went to Astoria where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. Then about 3/4 of the way down the Oregon coast we took a side day trip to Crater Lake (wow) then back to the Oregon coast for more fising villages and towns then went through the Redwoods and on to San Fransisco, then Carmel, Pebble Peach and then to Ned's home town, Ione, for his 30th year class reunion. After being with Ned 24/7 for 17 days, I loved him even more. I took about 400 pics! I know you want to see them ALL. But I will give you a sampling of our trip.

This is Multnomah Falls in Oregon. It is along the Columbia River and it is amazingly beautiful. Ned and I hiked to the top of these very tall falls (well, Ned almost made it but he has quite a fear of heights and he had to turn around). It was a pretty tough hike but at the top is a beautiful view. We did quite a few hikes while on this trip. The outdoors is incredible in Oregon. There are ferns and foilage and moss growing on trees~it's hard to describe how beautiful the outdoors is. I hope some of my pics will do the beauty justice.

This is the famous Voodoo Donuts in Portland. The line went around the block. When we got home and I saw this place featured on the food network, I wished we would have waited line and had a donut or two.

Ned and I having dinner in Portland at an outdoor resturuant. We loved Portland. It was a very walkable, clean, fun to explore, beautiful city.

Ned reading a map of the city. He is forever reading maps of where ever we are. I'm so glad because I don't like to read maps...

Portland

More to come.

Elder Holland and the Book of Mormon

THIS is the most powerful, profound talk I have ever heard. If you have time--listen to the entire talk--If you just have a few minutes, please listen to this fourish minute excerpt.

I can only hope to one day have the vision and testimony of Elder Holland.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKblIMfmjI

Russian Cream

Remember sisters and mom, every time we go to the Trolley, we keep asking for the "Russian Cream"? I found a recipe for it whilst blog stalking today. We probably need to try this! Wouldn't it be great with fresh raspberries on it?

RUSSIAN CREAM

Heat 3 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup brown sugar till dissolved

Empty 1 package 1 oz. gelatine in 1 cup boiling water.

Cool until warm

When warm mix with cream mixture

Cool until warm

Fold in 1/3 cup Sour Cream

3 tsp. vanilla

Blend well

Refrigerate up to 6 hours or over night.

Serve with raspberries or chocolate sauce or whatever fruit your heart desires.

Makes about ten 9 oz. cups

My Cute Babies---I love them so much....

My favorite things about them; Hudson--the slobber on his chin, the two front teeth he always shows when he smiles, the way he thinks he is in charge, his beautiful brown eyes and great hair. Roman--his chubby cheeks and tummy and chin and legs and..., the way he is starting to coo and yell out when he is excited, the way he always gets mixed up and thinks whatever touches his face could possibly be a food source.

Infinite-Power-of-Hope

I'm feeling so much gratitude today for the Gospel and the Hope it gives me in my life. I know there is power in having Hope and I know the Lord loves each one of us and if we go to him in prayer and hope, he listens and answers our prayers.
Take the time, if you can, to listen to this beautiful message below;
Infinite-Power-of-Hope

It doesn't appear that family members or others are getting on Brooke's blog. She went "Private" and apparently when you are private, your status does not update on others blogs. So make sure and look her up when you are blogging.

I want to go private, but am wondering if my blog will be looked at since my status won't update--Hey Blogger people, can't you fix that?????

Sweet Little Roman Michael Housley

First family photo--Kaila worked so hard and long during her labor. Kaila and Michael are so happy Roman has arrived...Alot of others are too.

Reflections

With the sudden, unexpected death of Ned's younger brother, I have had so many reflections this past few days. Life can change and be taken in the blink of an eye. Jeff will be missed--he was so funny and had a big heart. He also had a lot of pain and had a hard life with his mental illness.

I have thought so much about all the relationships in my life and felt so grateful for them.

I don't know how I would cope if Ned or my children were taken from me--but I guess when it happens you just have to deal. I'm so grateful that I know that our relationships and life continue beyond the veil.

Today, in planning a funeral, I've seen how important it is that we prepare ourselves for this thing called death--spiritually, AND financially. If someone dies without any savings or life insurance--it leaves a big burden on the rest of the family. We know we are going to die and we know, if we don't pay and prepare, those we leave behind, are going to have to cover for us. Ned and I decided that next week, we are going to go buy plots and pay for a funeral plan. We just don't think it is going to happen to us--but it will.

Love you all.

I love, love, love books

I really like stories, especially true ones, of strong, righteous women--this looks like a good read and I'm hoping to secure this book.

Ellie is my favorite chef. She has easy, delicious, healthy, whole foods in her cookbooks. I already have "Food You Crave" and am wanting this one too!

I've been looking for a good book on women and weight lifting, especially for post menopausal women...this is a possibility...need to do some more checking though.

Zac's Visit and Halloween

At lunch with Zac the first day he come to the land of cold and snow. He kept his facial hair to help him do better whilst deer hunting. It was shaved later but the long locks stayed.
Pumpkin Carving ensues--a little competition going on with Mike's BYU and Andy's U.



Hudson looks so cute in his little skeleton Halloween outfit



I think Zac won the pumpkin carving contest with the Palm tree, surfer, sun scene. Although we didn't get a pic of Brooke, she was with us.

Me Too!

I think I'm not blogging much because I have felt weird putting personal things on my blog... Brooke gave me the push I needed to make by blog private. So, if you want to see my blog, please give me your email address. I can get all the family emails off of Brooke's "private request" list. So no need to put them on mine, if you have given it to Brooke.
Is there anyone who looks at my blog that is not family???
Thanks!

Hudon on his blessing day....can he get any cuter?

Summer Update...

Just a little update on the summer goings on. I started out the summer with incredible fatigue and vertigo. I let it go for about a month--hoping they would both go away, but they didn't. I went to the doctor to get some help. I had gone off my HRT's for about 2 months previous to the doc visit just to see how I would feel and I also wanted to try "bio-identical hormones". The doctor talked me out of the bio hormones because they have not been FDA approved and so I started back on my regular HRT's. She also ordered multiple tests. Some tests are because of my age; Colonoscopy (Fun-Ya gotta get your first one at age 50 or earlier if you are at high ristk), Dexascan, Mammogram. And other tests because of the way I was feeling; Blood Work, UA and an MRI. Every test came out great--no problems except my blood work came out with low Vitiman D. She put me on extra Vitiman D. I still had alot of Vertigo so I went to the ENT and was diagnosed with Benign paroxysmal position vertigo-if I understand this correctly it's when the crystals in your ears come loose and get into the semicircular canals and that makes you dizzy. I just had to do some weird "chiropractic like" moves in his office and I need one more session and it should be taken care of. I'm still somewhat fatigued and am hoping that being back on my hormones and on multiple supplements and vitimans that I get my energy back. I'm really, really trying to eat more healthy and more natural foods too--knowing that will make me feel better.

I'm having so much fun playing with and holding Huson and spending time with my girls. I actually made myself wash all my windows and blinds yesterday (I will admit that I've lived here for 2 1/2 years and just did it the windows for the first time--they were dirty!) I have a great window washing recipe for the outside of your windows--no wiping and they come out beautifully--let me know if you want it.

My new project, that was supposed to be started at the first of the summer--but was not because of the way I was feeling, is learning Spanish. I ordered Rosetta Stone to help me out. Wish me luck--this will be a challange--and the brain doesn't work like it use to! I have decided for job security, I have to learn this language. If I stay with the school district--they may just keep me if I can speak Spanish and if I have to look for a new job next year becuase of more posssible budget cuts, I need an edge if I have to interview with 30 other social workers.

Things I'm looking forward to;
Seeing Zac--some time in the future
Watching Kaila's tummy grow
Going back to work (well, that is a big lie)
More Summer time fun
Harry Potter this Saturday
Reading all your blogs and FB comments
Feeling energetic
Speakingo Spanisho

My Two Cents...

Ned and I taped and then watched the Michael Jackson memorial today. Between watching that and watching all the specials this past week I have to say that Michael Jackson was an incredible musician and performer! He has had so very many great songs such as, Gone Too Soon, I'll Be There, Human Nature, Say, Say, Say, Man In The Mirror, Black or White, Heal The World, etc... Many of his songs have important messages--many about uniting. He was a humanitarian, he supported many charities, a civil rights activist and tried to break down barriers in racism. I don't know about his personal struggles--he had many. I don't think we have any proof of the allegations made against him regarding children--God will judge that one. I think I'm going to download some fantastic Michael Jackson music on my Ipod and ENJOY.