Advice from dad

This is going to be my longest post so far, but well worth the read when you have the time. My Dad has always loved reading and writing, he always has something good to say and he always spends a LONG time listening before commenting. The summer between my freshman and junior year of college (the only summer I came home after high school, he wrote this. I can't help but think the list was born out of frustrations he might have experienced at some habits I picked up while away! Whatever sparked the writing of it, it is a list I treasure. (I love lists, don't you?) Siblings, if you haven't read this in awhile, enjoy. Others--hope you have something like this from your dad. If not, ask him for one. I love you, Dad!

FATHER’S DAY ADVICE TO ALL MY CHILDREN, 1994

These are things I believe in, even though I don’t practice them as well as I need to. I am not sure that I did a decent job of teaching these things to you, and I want to make sure that you at least get a good chance to try them out in your daily living. These are not the most important things in life, nor do they explicitly include the fundamentals of the gospel, which are much more important. This advice is not aimed at anyone individually, but at everyone generally. Thanks for listening.

1. Make your bed. Psychologically this establishes that you are ready to begin a productive day.

2. Keep the dishes washed. Not only does this keep the kitchen, the focal point of your home orderly, but it also guarantees that all your dishes are available at all times.

3. Keep up with your laundry and ironing. These chores can soon mount up to an overwhelming task if you don’t keep up, and it is nice to know that all of your clothes are always available.

4. Have a plan and be prepared. This eliminates almost all panic situations. Once you have the security of a plan and preparation, you can truly be flexible without much uncertainty.

5. If you save and invest early, the benefits of compound interest (earnings) will assure your financial well-being, and you won’t have to rely on being exceptionally smart or lucky. This works for both retirement savings and for college, but it is critical to start early.

6. Know how to both cook and wash dishes, and if you need more practice before you leave home, get it now.

7. Have an abundance mentality, not a scarcity mentality. There really is an abundance of both resources and opportunity. A scarcity mentality diminishes your life.

8. If you give first class service, you will always be in demand. This doesn’t mean that you may not experience some painful short unfairness and disappointment, but a track record of first class service will allow you to bounce right back. There is always a real shortage of people who give first class service.

9. If you procrastinate and worry, and then ultimately do the work you have been putting off, you have unnecessarily wasted all the “worry” energy, and you have still done the same amount of work. If something undone is troubling you, get it done and stop wasting energy.

10. Put things away.

11. Take time for people. Don’t let your schedule rob you of opportunities to enrich your life by stopping along the way to interact with people. The inspiration of when to take time for this will come if you respond to it.

12. Get some vigorous exercise often, not only for the physical benefit, but also to clear your mind and refresh your spirit.

13. God is really patient with us, and we should be likewise with all other people. Anger and impatience are really destructive, and should be avoided like the plague.

14. There is great security and peace of mind in correct principles, no matter what situation may arise. The best handling of any problem or crisis is always based on the consistent application of correct and time-tested principles.

15. Learn to ask questions that cannot be answered with a “yes” or a “no.” You will learn how to converse with people, and you will benefit a lot more from your conversations.

16. Learn to be a good listener, and to draw people out. This is an invaluable skill.

17. All feelings are legitimate and real, whether or not you think someone else’s feelings are rational. It is totally futile to tell someone that he should not feel how he is feeling.

18. Learn to meet new people. It is almost always true that people really appreciate the attention. This skill is very valuable.

19. It is okay to take some time for yourself occasionally, for rest, recuperation, recreation, or relaxation. Just don’t let it be excessive.

20. In general, use what you have, and replace things only when they are worn out or used up. Replacing or duplicating things that are still functional is truly a luxury, and should be indulged in only when you can afford to live luxuriously.

21. Don’t let food go to waste. Plan your eating accordingly, and use up what you buy.

22. Be persistent when it comes to washing stains out of fabric. Many stains will yield to five or six washings, even though the first attempt fails.

23. Write down important things. Memory fails.

24. Be nice to animals, pet the cats.

Here is a link with a photo of Dad.

Saving some for later

When I was growing up, we had a hamster for a while. I can still remember what a hamster smells like, but I don't remember much about him, maybe my siblings or parents can fill in some of the details . . . please? I loved watching how he'd stuff his cheeks with food, "saving some for later." We have used this phrase over the years when watching a child stuff his cheeks with food and still want more.

Last night before falling asleep, Nathan asked me if anything funny happened during the day. I was too worn out to remember anything funny, but thought of something shortly after he fell asleep.

At lunch we ate chips. Diana took a bite of one (Lays) and it broke into two pieces. One stayed in her mouth, and one fell into the small pocket on the front of her shirt. I reached in to get it out, and found something else she'd been "saving for later."

One of the greatest snack foods on earth is an almond. I offer them in response to the 9 am "I hungry" from Little D. I'd given her two, and I saw her drop one. But from where I was sitting, (She was on my lap) I couldn't figure out where it went. I never heard it hit the ground. We stood up and looked all over to see where it went, but it literally disappeared. Next time check the pocket on the front of the shirt--she might be saving some for later!

Thanks, Diana for both laughs!

The end of "Water, Wooter, Water, Wooter"

Tonight for the dessert part of Family Home Evening, we had a pretzel party to celebrate the end of "Help turning on the Water, Wooter, Water, Wooter."

This is the phrase that Caitlin's been yelling at the top of her lungs from the bathroom 4-5 times a day since we moved in July. 3 weeks ago she asked if we could buy pretzels. I agreed, but told her she couldn't have any until she was able to turn on the water 5 times by herself.

We thought our pretzel party was last week, but we discovered she figured out how to clean her hands without water. She knew how to squeeze out the foamy soap by herself, scrub, and wipe it all off on the towel. But last night for the first time, she turned on the water wooter alone. And today with more opportunities to practice, she worked her way to up to 5 successes with the faucet.

Congratulations, Cait! Now she will be turning on the Water, Wooter for Diana . . . who, as you can see in the photo, is anxious to learn.
(photo courtesy of Bryn)

There was a little girl who had a little curl

About a year ago, Diana's hair started to curl. Or you might say, as do the kids, "Daddy curled Diana's hair." The first photo is about a year ago when her curls first started showing up, the latter is now. Thanks, Nathan for the curls!

NARNIA

One page left. That's all. Bryn read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe in December, and has one more page of Prince Caspian. A family in Chicago had a rule that if you wanted to watch the movie you had to read the book first, so that has become our rule. She is looking forward to it.

For her birthday, the Hunt grandparents gave her a camera. She earned enough $ to buy batteries again, so she's back in business shooting photos. This is the one she wanted to post to the world. ROAR.

Little drummer girls

Each photo that turns out well is a reason to celebrate! Before dinner as I was washing dishes, I was serenaded by these two little ladies, sitting on the table playing drums for me. (Isn't that where you sit when you play the drums, too?) Diana got up and handed me the camera, which I think was a cue she wanted me to use it. This is the action shot Cait requested, and their photo debut on the blog.

How can a face be more precious than these? Yes, that is a giant road rash on D's nose. She took a nosedive into the driveway a couple of days ago.

That table is in the living room, and the counter to the left is the kitchen counter Diana is so famous for climbing on. It is our dining table from the Oldroyds, we move it out from the wall when company is over. When it is just us, we fit at the kitchen table. The hallway to the right leads to the kids bedrooms, ours is through the living room on the other end of the house. What to do with that empty wall behind them . . . . .

"My Country 'Tis of Thee" memories

In 4th grade I tried out for the Casper Children's Chorale, a youth choir (4th-7th grades) in my hometown. "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was the audition song. I remember being very nervous. It was my first "Try out" experience, and happily, it went well.

I loved being in the choir, meeting children from all over the city and became close friends with some of them. We learned a lot from our very talented director and she broadened our horizons. We did the Church Tour, singing in 4 or 5 different churches each year, a unique learning opportunity. In addition to an annual WY tour, in 5th grade she took us to the Big Apple and we sang in Lincoln Center. An unforgettable experience for a small town kid. All 3 girls in my family were in this choir, and the director moved up to my high school when I was a senior, so I sang for her again.

While Aretha Franklin sang this song at the Inauguration, all I could think about was the song and my memories of it. My favorite is the most recent, on Sunday. Andrew and Trent sang "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in front of about 20 women at church. (Trent is one of the boys in Cub Scouts). A few weeks ago I was asked to prepare some music. I couldn't decide what to do, but wanted the boys to have that experience, so they sang and I played the piano. We did the first and last verses. Great fun. At the end everyone clapped for them--a rare occurrence at church. This is their 2nd performance, the first was a few weeks ago, 3 boys singing "Choose the Right" to the other children. Their next requirement is "The Star-Spangled Banner." I think I need to hire out for the pianist on this one. Takers? My dad plays it, perhaps a good excuse for him to visit.

Thanks mom, for all the rides to Chorale, and thanks Dad for paying the dues! I love America.

"Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light
Protect us by thy might,
Great God our King!"

Best Christmas Gifts 2008: #3 One less step to dinner

Andrew committed to set the dinner table for the entire year, 2009!
Dinner prep is the most stressful time of the day for me--so many things to remember, steps to coordinate. It is like a giant puzzle with many pieces (think silverware for 6 people and some of us use smaller forks, and some use plastic) and a deadline fast approaching.
My kids have been setting the table for awhile, but he decided to do it all, all year. This is the kind of gift you just can't buy. I love it.

Go Andrew!

This is #3 of 3. If you didn't make this year's top three, you better give me vacation for a month or set my table daily in 2010.

Best Christmas Gifts 2008: #2 Vacation for a month!

Bryn made me a card and on the inside promised to make my bed for a month! January 2009 is vacation for me.
Thanks, Bryn!

Best Christmas Gifts 2008: #1 Surprise Shoes

I resist change. Moving a thousand miles across the country is one way to realize this. There are, however, easier ways to figure this out if you're not sure if you like change or not. When Target stopped selling my favorite socks, I thought I would never have happy feet again. I finally found some that would work . . . my feet made the transition to a new kind of ankle sock.

The shoes on the left have been on my feet every day since July 2006. I remember shopping for them because it was my birthday and Nathan and I were on a date. Who goes shoe shopping on a date? People like us who love shoes. It is also a special day in history, because that is the day we told our other children that I was pregnant with Diana. More notable because of Diana than the shoes.

In our family, you might say we are a little bit particular about the shoes we buy. This Christmas, it was time for an update, but I was unwilling to make the change. Nathan's work has a shoe store, and they are the New Balance dealer in town. He and I looked at the options online and I was going to go in and order them to get the employee discount.

I never did. It was on my Post-Christmas list of things to do, but he got them without my finding out until Christmas morning. Quite a feat when you realize the great lengths he had to go to in order to hide the transaction from me. I usually know what he's spent before he even has time to hand me a receipt. My feet and resisted a change, but now I once again have happy feet with the pair on the right.

We both are happy. I got to choose my shoes, and he got to surprise me. Thanks for the surprise, Nathan!

ps. Part of the photo is for my mom. Do you see what I see mom?

Christmas PJ's

Each Christmas Eve my kids open one present. It is from Grandma Hunt & Grandpa Hunt and it is always the new PJ's. Here's what they're wearing this year. They love them!
Thanks Steve & Nancy.

working out my bugs and granola

I still have a lot to learn about how to blog . . . those whose blogs I read made it look very easy! Be patient while I figure this out . . . I think I worked out the comment issue and our family photo is a little smaller today!! Yeah! Daily progress is all I want!

Yesterday I made granola for the first time. We love it! The recipe is from a link on the lds.org website in the provident living section. It is easier than I thought it would be, but this recipe makes a TON, so if you want to cut it down, do.

Basic Granola
2 1/2 C sugar
1 1/2 C water
6 TBSP. oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
10 C rolled oats (uncooked)

In a pan combine the sugar, water, oil, and salt. Heat until sugar is dissolved, but do not boil. Pour syrup over the oats and stir until well coated. Add a little more rolled oats if the texture seems too moist. Place in pans or sheets about 1/2 inches deep. Bake at 425 F, 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Bake 15 minutes longer if you want it crunchier. Makes 11 C. Store in an airtight container.


What I learned: granola can burn . . . . It burned in the spots where it was spread most thinly, so I only threw out part of it. I used 2 large cookie sheets for this recipe, and greasing them is not necessary.

What's on your bathroom wall?

So, I've been in lots of bathrooms in my life. Some fancy, some primitive. Some I'd like to visit again, others I'd rather not. I've seen simply decorated, no decorations at all, and truck stop. One friend has wonderful pictures of her kids at the beach. Another friend tells me she writes in lipstick on the back side of the mirror, but I've never dared to look. What's on yours?

Anyway, I learned something when I went to visit Nathan's family (before becoming a part of it). Throughout his growing up years, (no idea when this began or ended), his mom typed a quote and hung it on the bathroom wall. This was the most accessible bathroom in the home, the main--upstairs, gets all the traffic, close to the kitchen kind of bathroom. When I asked about it, I was told that the quotes were so you would have something to look at while brushing your teeth. Perhaps my memory isn't so great, correct me if I need to get the story right. I love this idea, thank you Nancy!

I've always loved a good quote, and what better thing to look at while brushing? It is a tradition worth carrying on, so here's what's on our kids' bathroom wall.

What people think

and believe

and plan

are all very important,

but what they do

is the thing that counts most.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

My own bathroom walls are bare, maybe you will give me a great idea of what I should put up there.

ps. I love Joseph B. Wirthlin. If you want some good reading, search his conference talks. That's where I found this one.

To blog or not to blog, that is the question

So, I am officially joining the blogging world. It is kind of a quiet entry, isn't it?
I've been thinking about taking this step for a long time, but was waiting for the perfect title to come to me. It came just the other day when I was ironing.
Ironing? I know, I don't do it very often, I think it was in the middle of quilting, so, not really ironing, but quilting standing at the ironing board pressing fabric. When the name came to me, then I was ready.

Now what?????? More to come, soon.