Going the distance to keep Santa alive

Sydney is 8 years old and she believes Santa is so real. It has taken much reinforcement over the years and it is still working.

Let me share two experiences over the years.

In 2006, I purchased some items that were missing some pieces from Wal-mart. Gees what should I do? We had to get that fixed. I told Sydney that when Santa came by he told me that if they were missing any pieces, we could take to Wal-mart because they had similar toys. She went for it. So we went to Wal-mart together because it was her toy. As we get to the Customer Service, I wondered what I was going to do because I was going to have to show the receipt. Well, I put the toy on the counter and quickly placed the receipt in front of the clerk and proceed to tell her the following, "When Santa came, he told me if we had any problems with the toys we could bring them to Wal-mart and they would take care of it and let us get new ones." She went along and we were able to exchange the toy and get ones that worked. Sydney still believed and had no reason to think otherwise.

In 2008, we went to a Christmas party. We had a visitor, Santa Claus. The adults were doing the adult things about talking up Santa.... Sydney was not impressed. She is too analytical. During this visit two things happened:
1) Santa's boots were not real, they were Dock Martins with black plastic wrapped around his calf's to make it look like he was wearing books. She was like, that is not Santa because his boots are not real.
2) Then the adults were asking her if she was excited that Santa was going to come and visit. Sydney responded that it was not Santa because he is too busy and would not be leaving the North Pole. She did give the list of what she wanted.... A washboard and tub to the Santa but it was obvious she knew it was not the real Santa. But she played along. Too busy, what child thinks about that? Too busy? It all works out with the Santa helpers and all.

Afterwards, she is still believing. We have gone the distance to keep Santa alive! She won't be told otherwise. :D) Today, when I spoke to her I also mentioned that some of the items she requested would most likely be split between her dad's house and mine. She responded that she understood and then said that Santa doesn't always get everything that we want because we have to share with others.

I just love my little girl and her bright mind! She is so faithful and believing.

Carmella....

BTW, she is eight and today she called to complain about her dad. Eight going on thirteen. I told her that we all have hard days and that her dad was having a hard day. It meant a bunch to me to have her call and share her feelings with me. She had become a big talker on the telephone.

Christmas Card 2008

So, I am doing a Christmas card. Need to go and pick them up at the store. I am so excited to be doing a picture card. It is the first one that I have ever done. Thank you Carrie for taking the pictures!

If you would like a hard copy email me or send me a comment with your address. Love you all!!!

Do Re Me Fa So La Te Do

For some one that took singing lessons in High School because my best friend told me not to sing in the YW program now is in charge of the music in Primary. From using Sign Language when the YW sang in church instead of using my voice because it was sooooo terrible, I am now teaching children to sing and direct the music during Sacrament.

So, of the callings I have had in the past, this is one that scared me out of my comfort zone. However, it was a great experience to feel the tested feeling and still is. Before I walked in the door, I thought I was going to crash and burn. But, that did not happen and everyone had fun including me!

Looking for more ideas to do with the kids, so if you have any cool ideas let me know. Thank goodness for the websites.... www.sugardoodle.net is a great resource plus Christy's Clipart.

How long did it take Rome to be built?

That is what I have felt like today. I want it all today, but I have to climb the brick wall or knock it down (reference to All pumped up!!! an earlier post). It is a learning process. Today, I got some business but lost some business. Loosing business is not fun because you had money in your pocket but it got pulled back out.

Learn from mistakes. I knew this already but I messed up. I had someone give me the wrong account number and forgot to verify the bank. So, when I called back to get the information her mind was changed. Dang it! She was a great sell! Next time, I will double check my work and make a note for what I need to check off and need to slow down.

As a good note: they say I am doing great! It is a learning experience. Justin heard me on the phone today and gave me pointers that I need to slow down and make that friend. Put emotion into the program. Which, I have felt like I am missing the emotion. So, focusing on this improvement.

So I remind myself... be patience because in the end it will pay off. Yeah! I am going to be able to spend time with Sydney... ;D) VERY VERY SOON!!! None of this, "I miss you mommy" coming from Sydney. Have rectified that problem.

Santa List

Sydney we need to write a letter or do a video. Sydney said, "but, mom why?" Carmella said, "Sydney santa needs to know what you want for Christmas." Sydney said, "Mom, but why, because he always gets me the best stuff without needing a list."

Carmella... Oh no! What have we got going on now.

....Carrie, if you want to grammer correct... just email me the corrections. LOL....

All Pumped Up!!! All Pumped Up!!

I am so excited about the direction of my career. It is amazing the way in which the lord prepares us. Today was a great day for me because I was in Atlanta, GA for some training and motivation. It worked.

So, I am going to explain what I got out of the session. (Below are some of my huge personal goals. Ones that I really want to see but could seem a bit crazy, but I want it!!!)

• $500,000 a year in 2018 (10 years)
• $100,000 saved in the bank in 2012 (4 years)

Here is what I heard that motivated me....

• Seeing is Believing
• Can't win if you can't control your emotions
• It is all mental
• Justin issued $75,000 in business 3 months which is the first 3 months that the telesales started.
• Never Quit and Believe in self, you have to believe in yourself. To Be Successful
• Choose to be somebody
• Believe in self
• Make your story!
• Flush the Junk!!!
• It is all DREAMING and BELIEVING
• Keep business on the books
• Inspect what expect
• Build my pocket
• Need Owners not stockholders
• Got something to prove, prove it!
• It is your business. Treat it like your business
• If you hire someone and let them flounder is not good, need to be the cheerleader
• If it is to be..... it is up to me!
• Raising the Bar (this is familiar to us LDS members)
• Brick walls are there to prove how much we want it! love this!!! :D)
• From a video.... "Let us express your creativity", "Love people verses things", "Decide early on whether you are a TIGGER and Eore"....I wish that I could get this across to Sydney. It is interesting that this all came up because I was even thinking that Sydney needed to watch more Winni the Pooh the other day. This could have been a sign for me to look at focusing a bit more on that show because of the positivity it has with the characters.
• How do you achieve your childhood dreams is by living properly with them in focus and your dreams will come true. Sounds like a Disney line. Love it!

Oh beside the extremely long post... There is a Push Month for cash after Christmas. I set a personal goal for $25,000 in policies written for December and if I reach this goal... Then I will get between a $1,300 to $1625 bucks of bonus cash in addition to the money I will make on the business.

Thanksgiving Photo Shoot

Had a great time this Thanksgiving at "The Farm". Carrie moved back and we did a photo shoot. So, I finally have my own pictures from CarrieStroudPhotography.com.

Mother and Daugther (Me)

Mother (me) and Daughter (Sydney)

Me in front of my Honey Bee story from Morgan, GA.

Skip the car

As we drive to school every morning, we travel behind people that drive too slow for me. However we are on a road that is very curvy and cars can't be passed every time that I want to pass.

This is one of the cutest things that Sydney says, "mom are you going to skip them?" She is watching the paint on the road and will tell me that I can skip the car when it is okay. I think it is really cute, "let's skip them'!


BTW... Carrie, I blogged! :D) Welcome to Florida! You have a beautiful home and great neighbors it seems!

Visualize Success Activity

Had to add another post just minutes apart but different subjects.

Last night in Family Home Evening we did a neat lesson. We wrote out and each person decorated their passage and put up in there room to repeat and implement. I got the idea from Mariwilla (My Aunt) and have 12 others that work on positive thinking and personal improvement.

An Attitude of Faith
Repeat the following passage 3 X's
- before arising in the morning - before school/work
- after lunch - after get back in bed

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" Philippians 14:3
"Heavenly Father is with me, helping me and guiding me."
Visualize Success

Not that I thought this would make an improvement but it made a difference today with me. When I felt frustrated, I repeated this passage and it helped! I visualized the success and Heavenly Father did help me today!

Hurricane Ike

After receiving an email with a few pictures, I felt that I needed to document it. This had a special spot in my mom's heart because her High School girlfriend lived in a town called Port Orange, TX. She was in contact with them constantly through the storm and was listening to every advisory that she could. It happened that she did not have flood insurance and Ike was heading straight to her house. It is amazing how God watches out for us. Her house was saved and had no flooding and minor wind damage where basically it has been explained to me like the picture below. The community is gone, the new school, neighbors houses, daughters house but her house stands. Heavenly Father will protect us when we give all power up to him. He is in control.A single home is left standing among debris from Hurricane Ike September 14, 2008 in Gilchrist, Texas. Floodwater's from Hurricane Ike were reportedly as high as eight feet in some areas causing widespread damage across the coast of Texas. (David J. Phillip-Pool/Getty Images)

Tudy's Mac and Cheese Recipe....

This needed to be documented somewhere, so here seemed to be the best place!!!

ENJOY!

There is no recipe but here the best idea of what we can come up with for Tudy's Mac and Cheese:
- box of regular spaghetti boiled
- 3-4 8 oz bags of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- six eggs beaten and mixed with a small can of evaporated milk

Take a 13 X 9 baking dish
- dot butter on the bottom
- about 6 spaced tablespoons
- pour a thin layer of hot spaghetti over the butter
- sprinkle a layer of cheese over the spaghetti
- put another layer of spaghetti and then a layer of cheese until the pan is full
- pour the egg and milk mixture over the spaghetti and the cheese
- if it does not almost cover the mixture
- add more evaporated milk
- sprinkle a little bit of salt and pepper
- bake at 350 until it looks familiar.

(For those that have not had this, it is AWESOME!!!)

GPS Garmin

I bought a Garmin, a nüvi® 360 to be exact! Yeah! I am excited. It should arrive just in time for my Birthday next week! Maybe Aaron will wrap it up so that I can open on my b-day, Thursday. Been researching them for a while now. Finally decided that could not work with the laptop any longer in the car. It responds a little too slow for my driving and it is not too safe.

The 360 has all the specs that I should need for a while. Even bluetooth for my phone, so I can talk and not hold the phone or have that little bug in my ear. It has everything in it. I wonder if i have an option to have an Australian voice give me directions?

Navigator. Translator. Entertainer. Tour guide. Garmin's nüvi 360 is your pocket-sized personal travel assistant. This versatile GPS comes with hands-free Bluetooth® wireless technology in addition to the popular features offered in the nüvi 350 — making it the go-anywhere travel companion. Like the rest of the nüvi 300-series, you’re just a few screen taps away from anywhere.

Any Suggestion for a name???????????????

NOTE: Not sleeping well the last few days!!!! Miss my little girl and miss the time that I use to spend with Mauricio.

Men and Action Figures!!!

This reminded me of my three brothers. Especially my brother David. He was our G.I. Joe boy with the camo shirt, shorts, hard hat and black plastic gun. If you know him, I bet you could totally see him like this. Enjoy the laugh!!!!

Time is a blessing

I have thought much about how to post this experience and here it goes. You don't know what you are given until it could be gone in a second. Thursday night my life changed. There is a larger respect and understanding of what is meant when someone says, "be safe" or "drive safely". It is not just something to say, it is something to mean and not take lightly.

ON a trip back from Perry, FL I came upon a two car accident in which there were critical injuries. I wasn't the only one on the scene, there were three other people, but I was the only one that had First Responder training. Much of what could be done was to assure them that help was on the way because they were both trapped in their cars and would need the "jaws of life" to release them. It took too long for official medical help to arrive, we were at least 10 mile from Perry. I don't know if anything could have been done to save either of their lives but I witnessed one passing into the next life a minute prior to help arriving. The other was breathing but unconscious and the medical team was accessing his injuries as I left the scene of the accident.

In my mind, I had always wondered what would happen if I did have to use my training. Just earlier in the week, I had gone to sleep reviewing my CPR. Well, I did stay calm and did everything that could be done. I was most proud of myself when the police arrived and that I could inform that we needed the "Jaws of Life" and report the status of both men. In a conversation with an Officer, I was asked what type of training I had. This would make Barbara Law (Prior boss/trainer/friend) proud of my performance.

It has really opened my eyes to not only the safety part but how important what I do for a living is for people. I knew how important it was because of my dad's death in an accident and how it helped my mom but to witness first hand an accident. It is even more realistic. Going to work the next day was excruciating but I survived and helped a few people too.

Here is the write up from the television news station below.
"A two car accident Thursday night leaves two people dead.The Florida Highway Patrol says the accident happened a little after 11 o'clock Thursday night near Highway 19 and state road 14 in Taylor County in the Eridu community northwest of Perry.They say 66-year-old Charles Back of Monticello was driving south in the northbound lanes of Highway 19 when he collided with a car headed north. He was killed and so was the other motorist, 30-year-old Scott Mcleod of Perry.There's no word yet on whether alcohol was a factor."

Ironing your body

Okay... I just had to share this funny event. I iron every day because I just love ironing, well, I really just enjoy wearing pressed clothes and looking awesome. Yesterday was no different. Turned the iron on and started ironing clothes. Finished ironing and put on my pants and top. When I looked in the mirror my linen top was not as pressed as I would like to start the day looking like. So, instead of taking the time to remove the top I grabbed the iron and smoothed out the wrinkles around the buttons. Hit the steam button to be more effective. There was the usual heat that I have felt many times before from doing this same activity over the years. But this time it seemed to last a little bit longer but paid no attention to the pain and went on with my daily events.

Today, I get up and start getting ready. Which starts with taking a shower. I am stepping into the shower and I notice my breast. There is a brown mark on it. As I look closer, there is a blister over half of this silver dollar burn mark. I had burned myself yesterday and caused a blister on my boob. LOL Good thing that it does not really hurt. All these layers of clothing I wear you can't even tell.

Ugh... Busy

Boy, this new job really keeps me busy and is a bunch to learn. It is fun when closing deals but when not it is stressful. It takes some thick skin to do this job and to be single. I think the being single it the hardest part of life. This past week was a few anniversaries for me. I really try not to focus on them but they pop up every so often when I am alone. The first date of August 10th where I would have been married for 12 years last week. The other dates was August 8th where I have been single for 7 years. It really hurts because I grew up in an ideal world where I would be married in the temple and married for all eternity but that ended a 5 years of marriage.

Honestly, as I compare to different problems that people face in their life on earth it is comparable to the pain someone has who wants to have a child and can't.

That enduring can be so hard. Harder than one would really think. Someone can only pray so long to have angels to give you a hug verses a human hug.

In The Field

Thursday was my last day working as a Public Relations Director and the first day as an Insurance Agent. I went out in the field all by myself and made a deal on my first night. During training they kept saying that when you are in the field and explain the program you will begin to say to one's self, "they really need this." That is exactly what happened. The person really needed it and they got it! It is a really fulfilling career that I have just started.

It is going to take sometime to get my presentation and interpersonal relationships tuned it. I need to tune into the person in the first 5 minutes which is something sometimes hard for me. But, I am listening to books to improve my skills. As Zig Ziglar says, I am taking an investment in "Automobile University."

Beautiful Country and H.F.

I was driving back from Birmingham, Alabama today and felt love for this state. It is a state that many people make fun of because of the country-ness of it and the people that come out of this state. However, my experience was beautiful!

There were the most beautiful trees and hills in Birmingham, AL. It was a feeling that brought me peace to my soul each day that I got out of my room and saw the hills filled with green trees that were so think that you could not tell that people lived on the hills. It also gave me another example of the love that my Heavenly Father has for me and his spectacular mind that created such a magnificent place.

Yesterday, I received an email with this quote and felt it really expressed a simple but complex thought which today, is what I am discussing in my blog.

“All that I have seen teaches me to believe in the creator I have not seen.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Takes some time today to see what we have been so blessed to have!

I'm doing it!

So the job changed last year in June (2007) which made my life change with a different career focus. This past year, I did Public Relations and created leads for insurance agents to go and work. Now, I have the confidence to go in the fields. Currently, I am in training this week! It is the most energetic and self-fulfilling experience and I see success coming soon.

Most importantly all the prior experiences over the past 14 months have been the a preparation for me to be here by my Heavenly Father. He is the person in charge of things. No matter how much I will try to fight him, he will always win. This is his world and he knows what is best for me. I am here to learn to be the best person that I can be. We are all here for this experience and to grow from the trials of life. It gives me strength knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and knows what is best for me.

When trails are hard I recall what President Faust said years ago, "Ask what can I learn from this trial and not why is this happening to me". This has been my focus ever since I heard that advice in General Conference. It changed my focus as I go through life.

I sit in my classes and see the potential I have at this point in time. I sit with confidence knowing that I was not prepared for this experience until RIGHT NOW. If it had been any earlier then I would have been a shrinking Violet as the saying goes, but I am a strong Daisey ready to shine. To go forth and sell!

"You and I" by Michael Buble

I was on a friends blog today and she had one of those song players and heard this song. It was just a fabulous song that touched my heart. In my planner mine, I am recording this song because it is a song that I want played at any wedding that I plan.
Either my wedding (one day but not anytime soon... no one start jumping for joy. LOL) or for Sydney's.

"You and I"

by Michael Buble

Here we are

On earth together

It's you and I

God has made us fall in love

It's true

I've really found

Someone like you

Will it stay

The love you feel for me

Will you say

That you will be by my side

To see me through

Until my life is through

Well in my mind

We can conquer the world

In love you and I

You and I, you and I...I'm glad

At least in my life

I've found someone

That may not be here forever

To see me through

But I found strength in you

Cause in my mind

You will stay here always

In love you and I

You and I, you and I

You and I, you and I

You and I

In my mind

We can conquer the world

In love you and I

You and I, you and I

You and I...

Freedom

On this 4th of July, I reflect of my gratitude for this country that I have been blessed to be born in and at this time. We have wars and rumors of wars and they are not on my countries soil! How blessed I feel that I can walk outside anytime that I want and drive where ever I want. I am proud to be an American and continue to hope for a safe country for my family and other countrymen.

It also makes me proud to know that we have a country that you can be whoever you want. From a business owner to a bum we have the freedom to choose and the support in this country. May we all be grateful for this country and continue to believe in the American Dream. Make your dreams come true because this is a country that it can happen! Have a glorious and tremendous day of freedom! Remember those who have past before us for this freedom.

Best Friends in Action

Wild Adventures with best friends was a real adventure! Here are some of the pictures! I have a rollercoaster girl and she has a friend that is also! It also rained us out so we took cover in a pinic looking area and they girls did hand jive.

No Pause response

Those that know Sydney have seen her with that index finger in her mouth at one time or another. Now she is eight (8) years old and should have beat this habit. But for some reason or another it has not happened. Her dad and I have tried many things like: socks on hand strings of reminders, money, candy, hot peppers (yes, hot peppers but then she put her finger in her eye... ouch :( oh no), dentist talking to her, letting her know about braces and breaking the roof of her mouth to fix the damage she is doing to her mouth. Nothing worked. I even had a boyfriend just tell her to stop one time and she does not like him at all. Not one bit not even after we are not dating any longer.

So... Sunday morning as she was going to get in the shower, I said, "I have to do something about that finger sucking and maybe it is not getting you a car when you want to drive." Without a pause she turned around and with finger still in mouth responded, "Well, if you don't buy me a car then you will have to drive me everywhere." Then she walked into the bathroom to get into the shower.

She is correct, that is a bad way to punish her for sucking her finger. But, the more important issue is that she is eight (8) years old with that quick of a response. LOL

Should I be worried about her letting people run over her? Not one bit and even though she was quick to respond to me she didn't say it rudely but just in a comment voice. Boy, what spunk! She will be that great Environmentalist Lawyer she wants to be and will put up some great responses!

If you knew what I knew....

"If you knew what I know, you would pile your [food storage] in the middle of the floor, throw a cloth over it, and walk around it." President Harold B. Lee

This quote hangs on the wall in the Bishops Warehouse in Jacksonville, FL. This is where I visited yesterday to work on my food storage. What an amazing program! I was able to get some great experience, load up on some much needed food storage (rice & onions). I found at great website that helps track food storage at www.trackmyfoodstorage.com and sends reminders for 72 hour kits and expiration of foods. It got me organized and I love to be organized. It is my hope that the needed food and household items will all be purchased for two people by the end of this 2008 year. Currently, there is enough food to get us through for some months except we need some items like more sugar, fruit and veggies.

See the video of me working hard at the cannery!

Family, it's about time!

Sounds like a commercial that I hear every so often. You might have heard it also. Well, "Family it's about time" is true. I have the blessing of a family hertitage of getting together once a year with other members of my family around my Great Grandfathers birthday (Lovick Pierce Shippey Sr. 6/26/1871-9/29/1949). This is done because he and my Great Grandmother had thirteen (13) children and they all like to be around each other. So, we met and ate and got caught up with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th cousins. Amazing! Some are getting up in age as we are all doing each day. Here are some pictures that were take of this great group of family members held on 6/21/08 in Dawson GA.

My Girls!

(Heather, me, Jennifer, at YC -6/19-6/21)

Two great girls went to Youth Conference. They are smiling and got to dance with some really cute guys! It was my first youth conference that I have ever gone to and had a great time in the end. We stayed at Troy University in the dorms called Trojan Village (I know this place as Troy State because that is where my Aunt Connie went to college and that is what it is called).

(500 Youth attended from four stakes)
There were 500 youth that attended. One exciting conclusion was that the girls need me in their lives. They are willing to let me take pictures of them dancing with cute guys and be a part of their lives. They are important girls and need to feel the embrace of love from me and it is my responsibility to draw them toward the right direction for their future.

(The old girls: Crissy & Nikki)
At the dances some of my old girls that were 14 when I had them were now 17 and boy crazy. They are always around to give hugs and love me. Girls need love from males and females. It has been my great opportunity to work with the Young Women of a few wards and help develop these girls.

Homeopathic "It works"

Cure yourself! There is a time for real medicine but there is time for research to avoid relying always on the doctors. Recently my sinuses were bothering me which means it will go to my ear very soon. It jumped to my ear in seven hours on a Saturday night. So, going to the internet saved me! I was able to find out a homeopathic way to fix my ear. It is a solution of Chamomilla. By the time I got to see the doctor the following week, it was gone. He could not tell I had an infection. Hoorah!

Next I had gotten a nail fungus, yes gross! How to get rid of was my first thought. Going to get your nails done I recall seeing that they put a polish on it. Did a little bit of research and found that Listerine kills nail fungus! I had that on hand and it worked! Who would have thought.

So, I turn to the internet and homeopathic solutions prior to expensive Dr. Bills! You know the ones I am referring to if you read yesterday's blog about Rx's.

Nascar Driver... Random Thoughts

I should drive for Nascar! I did a 360 on the road Friday! Did not hit anything except I ran off the road. Almost flipped and thought I would have know what it felt like to flip the brown truck (like my rowdy stroudy brother did).

Did not want to get out of bed this morning. So, I slept. Sydney was late for her Dance camp. She does not want to be late tomorrow is what she told me. Oh to EFFEXOR XR... I need this medicine.

Rx.... Ok my goodness. Who would have thought medicine costs so much! Oh I wish for a generic drugs.... A 30 day supply cost $112 plus tax and that is after it is covered by insurance. Dang! Oh yeah... then I had to buy another Rx that was $83 that was a one time use. But, I feel much better! My stomach is much better!

Father's Day Gift for a friend.... I did a service for a great guy friend! Yesterday was Father's Day. Here is what I did.... Bought two cards one for each of his children to give him (plus bought one for Sydney to give her dad and made sure she had something to give her dad for Father's Day). Then, at 7:45am in the morning I went to his house and got the children up to make their dad breakfast.... They made eggs, bacon and hashbrowns for him. They did great! They had a fun time doing it. It was a neat for them to spend time with their dad and do something for him because he does so much for them. So, I share this plus the fact that I made ribs, cherry clobber and had vanilla ice cream. I do this because I love him so much and hope that he will be able to find a great girl to marry someday. Someone that will care for him and honor his love! He was undescribably grateful. I share because I am excited to have someone that is so special to me that I would spend my time, money and effort on.

Duck Duck BEG

Lake Ella (a lake named after me!) is filled with ducks! Usually they are in the water swimming and begging for food. Saturday they were seeking shelter at the picnic areas. This is where they found us: Sydney, Melinda, Tatiana and I eating our Publix subs. It was an exciting experience to me. These animals that are always out of reach were right at our feet. Sometimes too close for Sydney. We had bread and they knew it! When we started feeding them they were nice. I even had a few that ate from my hand directly. Being pecked by a duck's beak was a blunt feeling against my fingers similar to an eraser hitting my fingers. However, there was a time or two that I felt more than a blunt peck. Have you ever felt the side of an Aloe Vera plant? Its side is prickly but not sharp. The inside of the ducks months felt the same way. We finished the bread and they knew it. The begging was done, the rain had stopped and they went back to the water.

A Voice

I have a voice! My voice counts! Last Wednesday, I was signed into the NE Central Labor Council which is part of the American Union Movement through AFL-CIO. (The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) is a voluntary federation of 56 national and international labor unions.) When I started working for American Income Life it was the beginning of my union involvement because AIL is a 100% union company. In July 2007, I joined the Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) local 277.

The most exciting part about all of this to me is that I can speak my voice! All my life I have been worried about what people will think of me. Will I say the right or wrong thing, but when I am part of the union it is expected that you speak your voice. You have to be involved to get issues to move forward. My voices has been freed.

Boll Weevil a pest or blessing

My work takes me all over the North FL and South Alabama. It is today that it took me to Enterprise, Alabama which is West of Dothan, AL. In a meeting with a Credit Union President, he discovered that this was my first time coming to this town. So, I needed to drive down North Main Street to see the only monument erected that celebrates an agriculture pest, the Boll Weevil. I had heard of the animal but had forgotten the reason for the celebration of this bug. So, Mr. Paul told me the background. The boll weevil was from Mexico but made its way to Alabama in the early 1900's. It was destroying complete cotton crops and someone took the opportunity to convert the area to peanut farming. This taught the farmers diversify their crops, a practice which brought new money to Coffee County, Alabama. It made people take the negative and turn it into a positive situation. Just like you hear when you have lemons turn it into lemonade. These farmers did and it has paid off. They paid off debts in the first year of the peanut crops and this has made them more successful farmers.

So, my work brought be to this little town and a prayer in my heart to get business today. It is going to happen. I have a group that I am meeting with tonight.

Just as each day goes by you have to take the good with the bad but take time to find the positive direction. During my dinner, I was reading a book that Mauricio gave me and it say.... this about emotions which can be put in with life events. "Remember, emotions themselves are neither good nor bad. They are simply our psychological response to the events of life." The Five Love Languages

So the message for today is to express your feelings of the events in life and make the choice to find the positive reason for daily experiences. Take the pest and make it a blessing!!!! :D)

Where do we start? Enos....

Where do we start?

What does the spirit want me to share?
Been told that I should read scriptures and pray with him.

He is confused.
Where should he turn?
I am feeling that I have failed.

What to do?

He is on the phone telling me that he does not know about the LDS Church. He is not sure because his faimily goes to another church. What about his children. Will they feel comfortable at church? They do sometimes but not all the times. These are concerns I feel and ones he shares with me.

What is to be done?

I was in the bed going to sleep while he tells me these concerns. I get sad because the spirit told me to share the church with him. Have I not been a good enough example. Is it the wrong time or the right time for him. Well, he lives closer than any other person I have shared the gospeil with. I get in the car and take my scriptures and drive to his house while he is talking to me. I am mad. There is not dought about it.

What I start doing?

I walk inside his house and start cleaning his kitchen. I start putting dishes away and all the time he is wondering what is going on. Me, I keep cleaning. He starts to help. The kitchen gets clean.

What I did do?

We have a great conversation. He expresses his concerns and I listen. I express my concerns and he listens. We hold hands to help support each other in this difficult time.

What I did.

We read scriptures. During the day Mosiah had been a thought to read from and start from there but he had a scripture he needed to read D&C 112:10 "Be thou humble and the lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answers to thy prayers." Whao! What an awesome prayer, but how do you do this?

I turned the pages

And it is Enos that fell open. Started reading it aloud and then I started getting choaked up and tears started flowing down my face. Emotionally I am sharing how important the scriptures are to me. We discuss how some of the scriptures are similar to the Holy Bible but important to me was that I shared my spirit with him.

Enos 1:27 And I soon go to the place of my rest, which is with my Redeemer; for I know that in him I shall rest. And I rejoice in the day when my mortal shall put on immortality, and shall stand before him; then shall I see his face with pleasure, and he will say unto me: Come unto me, ye blessed, there is a place prepared for you in the mansions of my Father. Amen.

We will continue to read together and grow. We ended the scriptures with a prayer that I gave and we knelt.

What will happen next?

A blog as a documentation of my life

That is what I had thought this blog would be about. However, I started out with too many pictures and thought I had to be extremely creative. That is not the case. So going to adjust my thoughts and writings. This past weekend, I was up in Columbus, GA celebrating my sister-in-law's (Jacie) birthday. We went to dinner at CiCi's pizza. Yeah! I got to have Mac'n Cheese Pizza, which made me feel like a kid again. Could not believe what the conversations turned into or for what reason it went in this direction but it was all too interesting. Mormon's talkin about getting drunk in CiCi's pizza was the topic. It was agreed that if Jacie or I or both were to get drunk we would be dancing on the tables. LOL!! One of the people with us said, he would not be worried about who saw him drinking but worried about what the man upstairs would think. That really makes a lot of sense. People here (on earth) worry too much about what other people will say and not about what the man in heaven will do. This was a great statement that shoud be taken to heart by everyone.

School is Done! I have a 3rd Grader

The school year is over and Sydney is so smart... She made Honor Roll and on her SAT 10 got 50% in reading and 91% in math measuring with her other students. But this is just the beginning of the story. She is already an activist and thinking about her future. While visiting with her Gam-Mommy, she was analyzing the flow of traffic. When she gets older if the on and off ramps were not fixed where peole could wreck, she would fix it. Plus, the trip up to Columbus, GA is where her activist heart and mind are centered. We drove by a lumbermill in Havana, FL where she saw all the trees waiting to be processed. It was then that she stated firmly, "people should not cut down trees unless they plant them". That people are destroying the animal homes, she said, "you know the animals are not really bother us". She thinks it should already be a law that you can only cut the trees that you plant. Sydney is going to do something about this if it comes down to it. She is going to be the lawyer that will FIX IT. My opinionated almost honest to a fault girl will make a difference. My dad said to my mom when I was young and strong spirited, that they just needed to direct me down the correct path and all would be good. If not then we are in trouble, he said. I feel the same way about this beautiful angel of mine!! Sydney Roberta Smith.... AKA Environmentalist Lawyer in the making! She will do it... It's in her blood! Go Sydney!

She is Baptized!

Sydney is baptized on March 9, 2008 in Quincy, FL at the Quincy Ward Building located off Hwy 267 near the Post Office.

It was a good day and a bad day for me. She was great! It was all nicely planned. It was only a few people allowed to be there that day. Those on the program were the only people allowed to attend, as this was per Sydney's request. She was scared of everyone's eye's watching her.

THE PROGRAM

Presiding Bishop Decembrino
Conducting (Dad) Thomas Smith
Opening Song: “I am a child of God”
Opening Prayer: George Smith
Baptism Talk: (Mom) Carmella Stroud
Baptism of Sydney: David Stroud
Witnesses: George Smith & Brother Zabriskie
Changing Time: Gam-Mommy play people’s favorite songs.
Holy Ghost Talk:: Jacie Stroud
Confirming of Holy Ghost: David Stroud & other priesthood holders
Welcome into the Church: Bishop Decembrino
Welcome to Primary: Sister Hackney
Closing Song: “Scripture Power”
Closing Prayer: Sister Zabriskie
Photography provided by Beth Smith
Music provided by Liz Smith and Annette Stroud

I had a hard time with this because my thoughts had rested on this day for many years. In 2001, when the divorce was final I thought.... I will find someone by 2008 to be married to and they will be able to baptize my baby girl. That was not the case and it was not God's plan for this day.

But, God knows what is best for everyone and it is his time plan we are living on not our own.