He's been with her since birth but he still doesn't understand her.

What gets me every time about this, is her brother's reaction. 

And yes, it is sideways, but the sound is clear.

How did they know?

Okay, I have to start at the beginning….


So I admit the latest book I'm reading is this:






Not to alarm anyone, but I think just about every single friend of 
ours who is about our age, talks about their memory. 
Our brains age just like everything else does.

All 100 chapters of this book are very short….2-3 pages.

So yesterday morning I was particularly interested 
in chapter 8, titled, "Drink Apple Juice." 
It talks about how apples contain acetylcholine. And get this, 
an Alzheimer's brain is typically low on acetylcholine. 
So this chapter suggests we eat 2-3 apples per day. 

Den and I were out last night visiting a friend at a memory care 
center. (Not that where this friend is has anything to do with this 
post, but that is coincidentally where we were last night.)

So as Den is outside emptying the garbage (again, this has nothing 
to do with this post either, but it is what he was doing) I decided to 
bake an apple.





We'd been thinking about apples all day 
since reading chapter 8 out loud that morning.

So Den came in from taking care of the garbage,
 and look what he brought with him!





"Those are beautiful! Where in the world did you get them?"

Turns out he was just coming in from putting our garbage totes out 
by the curb, and a friend and his wife drove by, and gave them to 
us! He said they were picked just this morning. 

Of all days for them to bring the apples by!


Less than 2 minutes later Den was trying one out.


He said it was completely and totally DELICIOUS. 
(Even more so I think because he is picturing his brain getting healthier!)

Life is so interesting.
And so sweet, with friends who bless it with Pink Lady apples .


Our lesson today...


We were having a discussion about the following quote in 
Relief Society today (our women's meeting at church)…...
“I think if all men knew and understood who they are, 
and were aware of the divine source from whence they 
came, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship 
for each other that would change their whole way of 
living, and bring peace on earth.” JFS
This made one of the sisters recite yet another quote 
because she loves it so much that she had it memorized! :
“In the kingdom of God we are all each others clinical 
material. The Lord allows us to practice on each other 
even in our imperfections.” Neal A Maxwell
She went on to explain that we all have faults and we are 
surrounded by people who also are flawed….and it is others' 
faults that give us PRACTICE to learn forgiveness, tolerance, 
and patience….otherwise how would we ever learn these 
things?
As simple as that is, I had never thought of it this way 
before.
Another sister pointed out that the older she gets the more 
mellow she becomes about letting things upset her. She 
thinks it may be because she is “running out of time” and  
"better be good.” I think it's because as we get older we 
become more aware of what really matters in this life, and 
what doesn't. 
Another one made the comment that in the scriptures we 
are told we need to pray for charity “with all the energy of 
heart.” Our Father in heaven knew charity would not always 
come easy, thus telling us to pray for it with all the energy of 
heart. It's that important we have it.
Still another sister, said she has no trouble at all loving every 
one at church and all around her, except….she asked why 
is it so much harder to be patient and kind to our family 
and extended family? "Why is it even harder to like them 
sometimes?" she asked. 
The teacher said she thought it's because the love for 
family runs so deep that it hurts A LOT more when THEY 
are unkind or uncaring to us. I think it hurts more because 
we know they love us and if they, who love us, can hurt us 
like that, then we can begin to doubt our own worth.
The teacher ended the lesson by pointing out to us that we 
should not pigeon hole people. Sometimes, she said, we 
make judgements of people who offend us instead of trying 
to understand them and LOVE THEM ANYWAY.

A unexpected happy ending!

So each year, the week before Halloween, I go here:

For 2 days there's a little craft fair in their back yard.


This time, Violet came with me.




As fascinating as some of the things were though, 
I didn't find anything that I couldn't live without…

 These were actually carved from the inside of golf balls.

Violet on the other hand decided right away what she needed…



But when I saw the price, it was time to distract her.
 (It wasn't even new. But as Violet said to me, 
"It's from Frozen, Grandma Honey!")

 Moving on, walking across the yard …
I had no idea Violet could read PRINCESS on that step stool! 

Then she said pleadingly, 
"Grandma Honey I really need this step stool 
for my baffroom." 


"Please Grandma, I need it for my baffroom." 
she said at least twice more.


I kept thinking, Violet is so tiny, and she doesn't have a step stool? I better get it for her. 

 She patiently waited her turn in line.

As we were walking out to the car,  I heard Violet say to herself, 
"Now I have TWO step stools for my baffroom!" 

Why did I not even think to ask her if she had one already?

But the best part happened as we were getting in the car. 
Where as Dennis always lifts the girls into their car seats, 
I have them get in by themselves.



Which was a blessing because Violet got distracted for a moment 
as she found Dennis' missing wedding ring on the floor of the 
car! He had been looking for it for 3 weeks!



 As I pulled the car up to Violet's house, 
she said to me from the back seat, 
"I need my ring back now."

Sorry little girl. This one is ours. 
I put it on Grandpa's finger 15 years ago last week. 

Is eating with your family radical?

Did you know, according to this week's TIME magazine….


16% of men, and 13% of women eat pizza every single day!
Pizza's not a bad thing, but every single day?

Something tells me they aren't sitting around the table 
every night, eating that pizza with their family. 
….because if they were, they would have more variety.

And TIME also says, the TOP source of calories for the rest of us
(the ones who aren't eating pizza every single day) are baked goods, chicken, soda,
alcohol, and yes, pizza. The lovely standard American diet.

Did you know that while many people don't make dinner, cooking 
shows are at an all time high right now? It's like we want to
watch what we don't have. Like a nice daydream? 

Did you know there are 4 times as many farmer's markets as
there were 20 years ago?……but unlike 20 years ago, now only
1/3 of families eat at home at least 5 days a week?

And did you know not cooking is costing us money, good times, 
control, serenity, and vastly better health?



In last week's vegetable newsletter…..




…there was this quote in the upper left hand corner that I so wish 
every family believed: 



Not sure who the Radical Homemakers are, or what could be 
radical about eating around the table each night with your family. 
Or is being a homemaker considered radical now? Maybe so. 


 I checked Radical Homemakers out on Pinterest 
and I did find this little gem:

I like the concept of just going around in a circle…..
and then looking at where you left off each day.


CS Lewis was a very smart man.


As radical as this may seem.

Den was not sure I should post this. He thought it may offend people. 
I'm putting this on more for myself than anyone else. 
I need motivation because sometimes it's just easier to go out looking for food than making it at home. 
When in reality it takes less time just to eat here in our own little kitchen.

The change in our church

We saw history being made in our church in our little area last Sunday. Our church is growing so 
much that there was a need for more wards. A ward is similar to what other churches call a parish.
It is set with specific street boundaries.

So essentially they took 4 of the wards in our area and made 6 wards. In doing so, we were either put
into a different ward, or if we stayed in our regular ward, we have new people joining us. 

I see this as very exciting, although it also requires some adjustment as we miss some of our 
previous ward members.

Our Primary President, Judy Ryan, sent a letter out to all of the former 20 plus workers of Clovis 
3rd Primary. She has the ability to put words together like a beautiful piece of music. (By the way, a
Primary president is over ages 3 to 11….organizing teachers, music, and sharing and story time)

I've read it several times, and I feel it each time.



(And just so you'll know, Jefferson was one of the teachers, not a child in Primary.)



"Clovis III Ward Primary...
As many of you know, with the major changes to ward boundaries over the weekend, we have all been 
"let go."   I have a Powerpoint transition on my computer called "Confetti" where one screen explodes 
into ticker-tape particles, revealing a brand new screen.  This is my image of what is happening to us 
now.  I write this before the particles have settled.

My only regret is that I have not had the opportunity to loudly, publicly express my joy for having 
worked with you and express my love for each of you, for our long-suffering and magical secretary, for 
our quirky, creative, funny, amazing counselors, for all those who have transported the room with 
music, and for you ...for the various ways you have magnified your callings, putting your personal 
strengths to the task.  I would do so with trumpets.  Accept instead this inadequate email.  Please 
forgive and forget the snarky things I've said under my breath or the time I threw your cell phone, 
Jefferson, beyond the chalkboard.  I'm actually tearing up as I write this, something I would not do face 
to face. This is because I know I am better for having studied and tried to keep up with you.

I have three boxes of birthday candy left.  I intend to eat all of them myself some night when I'm alone 
missing you.  It's what I do.  But know, besides making me happy and fat, you have been a strength to 
our young people, and that legacy will grow in the next great adventure of their lives.  I've been hearing 
stories about children crying because they are losing their friends and their teachers.  Okay, fine.  But 
children bounce.  And none of us are going away.  We will glimpse our children many times, no matter 
where they are, now and in the life to come.  And I guarantee the feeling they get when they glimpse 
you back will be sweet and eternal.  I couldn't be more certain of that.
Much love, and I'll see you around...


Judy Ryan"


I found this picture today, taken several years ago of Judy with her husband, Tim.

I look like I'm totally bored. Can't be. 
Boring would not be an adjective I could ever use to describe the Ryans.

The double baby shower

Just inside the door of the double shower for my nieces, 
at my sister's home….



My Dad greeted the guests as they came through….
which I thought was a very nice touch
….even for his great granddaughter, Sarah.

 My SIL Suzanne!

My sister, Heidi!

 And as usual, I have no consistency with my pictures. I didn't come close to capturing everyone who
was there. Just whoever I was near at the time, and in between conversations.
For that reason, and many more, I could never get a job as a photographer.


My nieces who are due with little girls, 2 weeks apart! 
Natalie is due Jan 2nd, and Lindsay, Dec 17th. 
They both definitely have that beautiful pregnancy glow.



Erin arriving with gifts covered by Brock's art.




Oh, you want to see it up close?




Susan looking like a model!



So onto the food…
How can my sister Peggy still be that cute 
AND be a Grandma of seven?
(my niece Lindsay's husband, Gard, in the background)

 Fruit Kabobs and Yogurt Cups



Sandwiches and salad

And donuts for those, who….like donuts.



Jay with his Daddy, Bret. 
Just think, Jay was the unborn star at  the last baby shower.

The happy helpers, 2nd cousins: Elora and Hailey



Lots of mothers and daughters came.
Like, Kylie and Amy


Lindsay with Jenny Parker



My brother Richard with grandson Jay. 
He only had to wait over 6 decades for his boy. 



The soon to be Mamas opened gift after gift. 
Elora and Hailey were the happy helpers.

The joy!


Lots and lots of friends and family I didn't photo, too.


I have to include THIS LINK.
Lindsay sent it to me, and it's crazy

As I watched it I kept thinking….is this really for real? And she says it is.


I bet you don't have relatives like mine.


Last Friday night, after my brother Richard and Wendy took us out to dinner…..



….I went into our bedroom to start getting ready for bed. Den came in and said,
"You need to come here and see what's in the hall bathroom."

I was tired and said, "Just tell me okay?"

"No, you need to come look. There's this big pig on the bathroom counter"

A pig? Why did that not surprise me?
"Well then go take a picture of it and bring it to me, okay?"

So he did. And here is is:



Den just stood there looking like he didn't know what else to say.
But I knew what he was thinking.
I assured him, "Don't worry, honey. I'm sure it's not for us." 

I knew Richard and Wendy wouldn't be giving us a pig, 
but Den hasn't been in my family as long as I have, so he wasn't so sure.

Turns out it had something to do with the double baby shower the next day,
for 2 of their daughters, expecting babies two weeks apart!!

Wendy was sitting right there on the floor, until 2am
wrapping gifts and making prizes for the shower…..
She was tired, and her head hurt, but she kept at it all those hours.


This post is already long enough, so next I will show the Mamas-to-be, and the food.

And the pig? I never did figure out how he was used in the baby shower.
It's a mystery. All I know is he's gone.


The Spark


If I leave a book out that I am reading, Dennis will invariably pick it up and want to read it too. 



I love this about him for some reason. But no, I don't understand it. 
I don't seek out the books he's reading. 

We were both gripped by this book.  
(Den and I had 2 book marks going at the same time until we were both finished.) 

First of all this author is brilliant. Not only for her thinking out of the box, but for the way she tells 
about it. This is a page turner story. A very real story, and one of much struggling, 
but so FULL of hope. Seriously FULL of hope.

I almost wish the cover didn't say autism on it….instead, I wish this review would be put on the cover:

"THE SPARK is about the transformative power of unconditional love. It you have a child who's 
'different'----and who doesn't? ---you won't be able to put it down." Sylvia Nasar, author of A 
Beautiful Mind.

Every child is 'different.' Every child has his or her quirky way about them. No child just goes through 
life like a little robot doing everything we teach him or her to do. 

This author teaches how to find the passion in your child. Instead of looking at what he or she is 
weak in, or struggling with, her theory is if we focus instead on the strengths of a child, then this child 
will be likely comply with learning the other stuff.

Come to think of it, isn't this just human nature?

My sister in law Wendy has been with us for the past few days, and she read this book too while here. 
She could barely put it down, and kept saying things like, "This is amazing!!"

I'm now reading this one:
 This time I'm keeping it hidden until I finish it. 
Just makes my reading time a little easier. 
And then Dennis can read it all he wants in a few days.


A way to find out what's going on with your kids

So a few weeks back I had a link on my blog to some questions that claim
to get your kids to talk about school. Way beyond, "How's school?"… "Fine."

So I thought I'd try it on the twins. This is just a tiny clip of that session.
Watch how Jonas handles all Téa's chatter about her new friend Isa.



I don't mean to encourage my grandchildren to think of negative things about people by
bringing up the space ship question. I see it as a gentle indirect way to ask if there is anyone at school
they are not feeling comfortable around, or who is bothering them in some way.

Go HERE if you would like to read all 25 Ways to ask your kids, "So how was school today?" without asking them, "So how was school today?" 

These questions really work. They opened up about all kinds of things.

If you have teenagers, try this list instead.
You may be surprised what you'll find out.

More of my mystery grandmother

Of all the pictures my cousin gave to me, the two below 
mean the most, and I will tell you why.

In the first picture, sitting on the left, is of my 
Grandma Leonie LaBarthe Rozier, my Dad's mother! 
She died at the age of 42 when my Dad was only 6 years old.

So I never met her, and she remained a mystery to me all my life.

This was 1920 and she was only 25. That was ten years 
before she had my Dad. She looks so pretty to me. 
And oh, those eyes of hers, those eyes….they look familiar.
(I'm not sure who the woman standing next to her is, maybe her sister? )



And then this one…..



The above picture was taken in 1941, just 3 years after my Dad's 
mother died. See those two women on both sides of that older 
woman in the picture (who looks like a man)? THAT would be my 
Dad's Grandma LaBarthe, or my Great Grandma. 
I had never seen her before! 

The two women on both sides of my Great Grandma LaBarthe are 
my Dad's aunts….sisters of his deceased mother. 

The two women in front are my Aunt Leonie and Aunt June. 
Not sure who the boys are in the back. I'm thinking they must be 
sons of one of the 2 sisters surrounding Great Grandma LaBarthe.

They all look so French.


My cousin also gave me this picture of my 
Grandpa Romeo Rozier, my Dad's Dad. 



This last one is a picture of my Dad's oldest siblings:
 Irving, June, and Leonie,  "on the last day of school." 

Who takes pictures of their kids on the last day of school? 
I never did. I never even thought of that.

My apologies to my Great Grandma LaBarthe for saying she 
looks like a man. She looks like she's missing her teeth, such a 
hard life. She died at age 70, just 2 years after that picture was 
taken. I wish I could have known her. Someday I will.


Look what happened last night

  Just a little pre-graduating gathering for our DIL Amy.... Not everyday a Mom of 7 and a Grandma of 7, graduates from college. It was not ...