Tribute for Shawna

Shawna Barker Rollins
1959-2010

It is said that Shawna never met a stranger. It is true! She was an instant success in the art of "friendly". Shawna was full of mischief, and silliness. We have lots of zany memories of her. A favorite one is when we were spray paining the wrought iron stairs railing in our house black, all of us had black mustaches after it was done. Shawna immediately began imitating Hitler in an almost "Lucille Ball"-esqe fashion. We died laughing. I have pictures of it around here somewhere.

Summertime is going to be hard to get through without her. We loved seeing her in her shorts being pulled by Brody her dog who easily out weighed her by 20 pounds. Well, Shawna is with Brody now' cause he went home 2 months ago.

We are going to miss you dear friend. You are really home now, and I know you are happy there.

Just a Note

My dear friends, I am in mourning for my darling neighbor who passed away this morning. It has been a terrible last few days for my dear friend and neighbor who is left without his beloved wife. God will is done and she is back at His feet playing with all her little pets she has cared for over the years.

I know my grammar is bad, but my brain is a bit mushy. It is late, and I am heartbroken.
I do have to say that the Lord has been by my side literally holding me up by the elbows. More to follow.But, I will post soon.

Advise Taken

Today I was given good advise on how to handle some of my OCD thoughts. There is a difference between anxiety, and Obsessive thoughts. Anxiety can be productive, and help you function, or figure out a problem in a healthy manner. Obsession is a great big argument with yourself. Thinking about a problem you have no control over, and then turning it into bigger issues, and then running the record over and over in your brain, and getting no results but more and more obsessive thoughts.

And then there is the dangerous Anxiety that can be debilitating; a total loss of the ability to function in a healthy manner because of limitations/ or expectations you have burdened yourself with through the years. This type of anxiety can lead to many problems. I won't list all of my problems here. But I would like to write down, (with advise from my doc) some of the obsessive thoughts and then put them away for the night.

Today my dear friend, and next door neighbor has had a massive coronary, and has fallen into a coma. Obviously my thoughts are turned to her. My heart is in my throat, and I feel totally helpless. I cannot do a thing to change her health. I cannot fix her heart, or bring her out of her coma. I cannot bring down her blood pressure, or explain to her grandbabies why Grandma is near death. I can pray for Shawna and her dear husband Brad, and I can show them my love, by visiting, and being there for her.

I can only do what I can do; keep a prayer in my heart and turn it over to God. Lord be with my dear friends. Keep Shawna in the hollow of thy hand. Help me to be a good neighbor and to turn my attention toward the care of my family. Lord help me keep my anxiety at a minimum, and my thoughts turned to thee for thy help in dealing with my troubled heart/mind tonight.

Bowl of Blessings

For many months now I have kept a bowl on the kitchen counter like that pictured above. In fact this is my picture. Sometimes it has cherry tomatoes, sometimes it has grapes, sometimes it has granola bars, or nuts. I have found that my family really uses this bowl. Instead of going for junk food, (which I rarely buy), they are used to these kinds of choices. If they want junk they have to go out of the house to get it.

Now, I still make goodies, and Saturday is free day, I am still addicted to bread and butter, and Oh my gosh, chocolate covered Riesen's candy, that Brandon's mother gave to Jordan for her birthday! I like to pretend that a Michelin star chef is going to ring my doorbell and offer to cook dinner from the ingredients I have on hand. Right now he/she will find the best cheeses, pastas, and veggies. Prime cuts of venison, beef, chicken and pork. Shell fish, nuts and every spice you could possibly want. Oh, and homemade Lemon Curd, and Sage Honey from AdreAnn. Yes!!!

Not to toot my own horn....but TOOT...TOOT.

Thank you dear Lord, for our bounty, and the blessings of plenty, shelter, clean water, medicine, family, health, and LOVE. Heavenly Father please be with those of my brothers and sisters who need thee. In Jesus' name Amen.

Forever Home

Last weekend Jordan and I snuck away for an awesome weekend to Best Friends. We have come out of mourning for our darling Sugar, and we all felt it was time to adopt 2 new kitties. I feel 2 cats for our family is best, because they can play with each other when we are gone, and if something happens to one of them, one of them is still left to love.

The reason I chose Best Friends to adopt from is because they are a no kill shelter, and I am a member. Unless an animal comes in, in unsurvivable condition, they will rehabilitate and keep the cat in a cattery, like the one shown below. All these cats have free access to indoor and outdoor rooms.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

It is located in Kanab, and between them and the BLM they own 43,000 acres that look like this!

The cats are cared for by wonderful cat lovers like the ones in this photo. Our cat Keegan is being loved and bid adieu by these nice people who came in especially just to see him off. The caregivers are angels on earth caring for and loving God's creatures. Some of the conditions some of these cats were found in were deplorable. Some have been beaten, starved, crammed in cages, or abandoned. So when one of their cats is adopted into a Forever Home, it is bittersweet for them. They truly love the cats, and are sad to see them leave, but soooo happy they are going home.
Keegan the gray cat was found in a deserted barn by the US Forest Service along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. They brought him to Best Friends. The Forest Service thinks he was in that barn for a few days without food or water. Best Friends takes the cat, isolates him for 2 weeks, is given medical care then neutered. He is then put in with the other cats and watched to see how well he integrates. Keegan was thought to be about 8-9 months old. He was a favorite of the caregivers and a loving and sweet boy.
Dean, the orange tabby, was abandoned when he was about 10 days old. He had lots of problems, but was lovingly cared for and socialized and has the most adorable face. It has been fun to welcome these two new boys into our family. We are they type of family who needs pets. The girls and I especially love cats. So thanks goes out to our BEST FRIENDS who rescued these cats so we could bring them home to live with us for many, many years.

This is not a Happy Ending...this is just the Beginning of Happily Ever After.

Eyelids are so Sad

My mother commented on my sad eyes in some of the last photos I posted. Thanks Mom! It is settled, my 2010 surgery is going to be eyelid surgery!!!!

Eyelid surgery

My father has such saggy eyelids that his vision is impeded by 70% and insurance is going to cover the cost.

I will be tucking money away, and investigating surgeons here in my area. I would like to know what your opinions about cosmetic surgery are. Vote at my poll or leave a comment here.

Aloha and Mahalo Hawaii

I will let the photo's speak for themselves!

"Comfort" Food and "Joy"-ful Gatherings

Will you just look at this plate of fabulous-ness that my neighbor sent over!!!!

(piping, steaming hot!)

She is Vietnamese, so I promise, these are the real McCoy of authenticity.
I alone ate 1/2 of this plate. Complete with fish sauce. They were simply awesome and a work of art; folded and crafted with such care and love. No professional chef, could have improved upon these darling pockets of perfection. I mean, look at the presentation alone! Wow!

I never noticed how much my two daughters, on the left, look alike. Other than hair color...they could be .....sisters! Here they are at the church Christmas dinner with Mia.

Here are Jordan and Mia being silly.
Jordan has been helping Stacy everyday after she gets off work.
I don't know who appreciates it more; Jordan for getting to play with the kids, or Stacy for
Having Jordan there to play with the kids.

Malaina and a fellow single's ward member, Matt, did a dry run of a beautiful arrangement of "O Come O Come Emmanuel", for part of the entertainment. I loved it. My daughter is so talented, and pretty, she is minoring in music @ BYU.

I agonized for weeks over my assignment to decorate the church cultural hall. All together this cost $10.00 to do several dozen tables. With the money we saved, we bought poinsettias for a contest give-a-way. I was amazing how many people would not let me cut berries from their bushes or trees. I finally have Leah J. and Foot- Printer's Park (where I poached twigs) for supplying the red berries. Thanks also to my neighbor Brad for not caring that we trimmed his Ponderosa Pines. I also poached pear twigs from guys who were pruning trees at a local Doctor's office complex

I promise that this is the last photo. I really am glad I was involved in the Ward Christmas Party, but, I am glad it is OVER!!!

Give away winner posted here.

As for the Giveaway. I have chosen anonymous number one. You're right. I am the sucker too. email me with your information...
cgaddisgo@gmail.com

Outrageous Orange

What is my favorite color??? Duh?

I have been a regular at Pillsbury.com as of late for the recipes. But did you know they carry lots of orange cooking gear? Really cool stuff that is exclusive to them. I don't care for Rachel Ray's show, but her recipes are great, and we both LOVE orange!!!! I know I will cook great food with these lovelies. Everything will taste sooo much better.

Infamy Remembered Here

Infamy is big word I need to use more often in my vocabulary. ~ DEFINITION HERE ~ The events surrounding one of Japan's most infamous acts and our thrust into World War II will not be forgotten by my family.



Four of my Great Uncles and two of my Great Aunts husbands, and my Grandfather all served in World War II. One of my uncles earned 3 Bronze Stars and flew several missions over Europe, several earned Purple Hearts, one Uncle guarded Nazi prisoners, one Uncle helped liberate France, and my Grandfather Was in Hawaii, and Italy both.

My amazing Great Grandmother stayed home and raised her grandson while his mother my grandmother went to work. My Dad says during the war he remembers running into the kitchen and in a single moment of angst saw his grandmother with her head on the kitchen table. He says that is the only time she showed weakness. Can you imagine.... 4 sons and 2 sons in law in the war at once?!!

So here is to the Greatest Generation. The men and the women who lived through this amazing time in our Nation's history, and for the incredible integrity and patriotism of their example.

Give-away on the Glad's Decorations Dilema

Yes, the Glad's will be off to the sunny isle of Oahu in just a few short days, does this mean I won't have to put up my tree? Or take the cute as a button Autumn pumpkins off my porch? By a show of hands, you faithful few who still visit here at this blog, comment: Decorate or not to Decorate.
Leave a good comment and you will win a free subscription to Entertainment Weekly.

Everything...AND...the Kitchen Sink!

The most exciting thing to happen to me this week was that my husband gave me carte blanche at the plumbing department of Home Depot. You can see I chose the most expensive faucet in the store, well almost the most expensive. It is really high up so I can wash all my big fancy kitchen equipment. Ultimately the Glad man knows "happy wife-happy life". He benefits because now I like cooking and cleaning, and this means lots of ummm-good meals for him.


Jordan had lots of fun playing Molly Mormon Homemaker for her nursery kids. She made these darling turkey cookies. She said that all the children, even the very tiny ones understood the concept of "turkey day" with these darlings as rewards. She would not let any child take a cookie until their parent's picked them up, and the minute their parent set foot in the room, they turned and came running back for their turkey cookie.
None were as proud of Brandon as Tiny was for his most excellent performances in William Shakespeare's Henry V. He had lots of lines and is a very good actor. Brava Brandon!
Ouch-a-palooza! Yes, it is as bad as it looks. Tiny has suffered from chronic ingrown toenails for many, many years. She elected to have the procedure done to remove *permanently* the side portions of her nail beds, thus hopefully eliminating the inevitable pus, pain and amount of home surgery's we perform at home.


Whew, there is never a dull moment. I cannot let this day pass without some mention of that blasted Adam Lambert. Fool! What were you thinking???? Did you not think about the young girls and "decent" people who backed you before you imitated sex acts on the AMA?!!! We voted for you, stuck up for you when others hated you!!! To quote P.T Barnum.."There's a sucker born every minute." And this time it was us....and according to your performance you too.

Bon Jovi's single 'We Weren't Born To Follow'

This is an open invitation to my husband to take me to their concert. The tour begins Feb. 18, 2010. I prefer New York City.
THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

Corny Craft Idea

Do you need a cute little craft idea for your Thanksgiving table? Consider this darling Indian Corn favor.

You need:

• Reese's Pieces (large bags are at Sam's Club)
  
• Food service disposable gloves (see if Subway will give you half a dozen)
  
• 1 package corn husks (In the Mexican foods section of your grocery store)

Soak the corn husks for about 2 hours in cool water and drain or pat dry before use. Cut the fingers off the food service gloves. Fill the fingers with candy, leaving a bit of space to twist them closed and tie them off with a piece of corn husk. Add corn husk as a wrap around or just tear strips off and tie them to the top.

• Thin husks work best
• The thinner your strips are the cuter they will curl.
• The ties will get very tight once they dry.

Please leave remarks if you like this. Our little Activity Day girls who are all 8-9 loved this and made dozens in under an hour.

What a Shock...we avoided.

This is how Tiny looked earlier today, only her eyes were swollen shut. The ER doc, suspects we avoided anaphylactic shock this time, by the skin of our teeth. We have had a wake up call and it is time to get serious about what we eat.

We have recorded every single thing she ate. I am suspect of nuts. However, Christina is a vegetarian, and has eaten nuts nearly everyday for the past 3 years. Especially this particular version of nuts.I have made an appointment with an immunologist as the future Dr. Malaina recommended. Go type your 3000 word paper on pluthera cells Malaina and leave the doctoring to mom. Of all my children, Tiny has been the most prone to allergies. As a youngster, it was dairy. As a pre-teen, hay-fever began, then a reaction to medicine. Now what?

She is carrying the EPIpen to school tomorrow.

These Little Piggies.....

......Went to Royal Nails 8

Between us 4 girls we have had HUNDREDS of mani/pedi's. Royal Nails 8 in Pleasant Grove is the best in the valley. Ask for Deedee, Kim or Kimberly. (801) 796-0907
This is a luxury no woman will do without once you have gone.... ever. Our first Pedi's were in Malaysia years ago, and we used to go almost weekly because they were so affordable. Now during the Summer, we go every two/three weeks, and in the Winter maybe once a month. Okay, maybe I go twice a month.

Quick but NEVER Tired

I never ever get tired of a good quick bread. Here are a few tips for quick bread success.

1. Follow the recipe exactly. Baking is a science, that being said I don't understand the following rule, but just trust me it works...
   
2. If you live in high altitude 4,000 feet or higher, like I do add 3 Tablespoons of flour and 1/2 teaspoon less baking soda or powder to your dry ingredients.
3. Dust your berries/chips in flour or they will sink to the bottom of the loaf.
4. Quick breads almost always taste better the next day.
5. Quick breads slice better when room temperature.
6. Hand mix, unless the recipe directs, or your bread will be tough.
   

To get your recipe for the best pumpkin bread in town, follow the links below. Comment and tell Nancy, Cynthia's Blog sent you!

KitchenLane
Autumn Pumpkin Cranberry Quick Bread
by
Nancy Baggett

Radical Red

Is there really any doubt on who will win Celebrity Apprentice 2010? This woman at left, does not intimidate, speaks with a voice that can crack a bell, has the vocabulary of a diplomat and a sailor, has business acumen of any Harvard Business School professor, and she has the greatest hair I have ever seen on a mature woman!

Dave read a rock and roll book that a major band wrote, where they reminisce about Sharon and how her iron clad claws had a death grip on the Motley Crue boys. They were scared to death of her, and had to beg, literally on hands and knees for "groupie company", because she would not allow them any privileges. Not that I approve of such behavior, but the life she choose was Hard Rock, and she can head bang with ANY old person.

Bret Michaels is also cast as well, she eats boys like him for lunch and spits them out later. Cyndi Lauper, sorry, your true colors will bleed together. Ron Blagojevich, you lie like a dog, and Sharon will pet you like she does her own little band of pups. Curtis Stone? Whaaa? You may be really pretty, but Sharon hates the smell of cooking food, and you will be the first "chaa-eff" ousted. (that is how he pronounces the word "chef".) You can go to Dlisted to see the other Celebrities The Donald has lined up for us this season. I for one will not miss a single episode~