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.