2011 America Remembers 911

Aunt Sue and Scott and I went each year to a field near our old home to what was called the healing fields. This was our first visit back without Aunt Sue:( It really hit me how long my dad has been dead- he never about Sept 11. He died in 2000 a year before the attack and murders on the country he loved. It is the ten year anniversary and we had a very special day blessing George. It fell on Sunday so it was neat to be at church worshipping God enjoying freedom on this day of remembering. Mom and I watched some TV programs which I did not want to watch as I get so emotional but I am trying to be patient and kind and do what she likes more. It was our first time being at the fields with my mom. She really loved it. They had people reading the names of lives lost on 911 and since in the war on terror. They also had a new statue modeled after the men raising the flag on ground zero. I think of the people still dying because of exposures to hazards during the recovery efforts. I try to thank service men and women when I see them and the families who back them up. It is a day I won't forget and it helps me to be active in civics and service in my own community and to fight for truth and freedom.

2011 10 Year 911

In Sandy where we lived for over 10 years they started a healing field to remember 911. Each year they place a flag for each life lost. It is a moving tribute. They read each name and ring a bell. There are speeches and talks and many people of all ages walk along the flags ad read about what was lost that day. The wind rushes by and the flags dance in the sun. This year a statue was added. It seems unreal that is was so long ago that forever America was changed. I hope for the better. We drove to it on our way home from georges baby blessing.

Poly means many; tics = blood sucking leaches

This is Scott favorite new phrase. Aunt Sue told me that we do not like Glenn Beck anymore. She used to think he was cute but now that he likes Sarah we should not like him. I said I still like him and I really like Sarah too. She said I should pull my head out. If pulling it out means I would see why voting her way makes sense I hope to never pull it out. I really enjoyed reading this message by Glenn Beck that explains what happened to take us to where we are in part. It is not pro Republican nor Democrat, it just gives a brief recap since 1990's. It was interesting and you might enjoy learning more of the history if you are like me and have been avoiding news sources. I think we should vote in non seasoned politicians. I am frustrated that a few are saying what the majority wants and it is not even close. Another thing that is close to my heart right now is the fact that over 40 million soldiers died between WW1 and WW2. It blows my mind to think of that huge number yet ... there were approximately 26 million legal and 20 million illegal abortions were performed worldwide in 1995, resulting in a worldwide abortion rate of 35 per 1,000 women aged 15–44. No one ever talks about that. We reel that 40 million died in war but think of all the babies who do not have a voice. This thought came from a discussion I had with a friend. She believes in freedom to choose and that men should not have the right to tell her if she can abort a baby if she feels like it. I asked her then why can't I kill a neighbor I don't like because I feel like it? I agree that we do not need more government but murder should be a universal law. That is how I feel many feel differently and that is why I am worried about our freedom being taken away on Nov. 4th. I am tired of all the blame- I think it is important to learn and study the past but can we just work on some solutions as well instead of finger pointing? Scott thinks that what ever happens we will survive. But thrive and survive are far different in comfort levels and I think he is right but I sure would like to do it without another civil war.

Pearl Harbor Hawaii

My dad always would tell me about Pearl Harbor. He was there twice. Once with my mom and once alone. He felt very impressed by the significance of the sacred grounds where so many lost lives while serving our country. I was so sad the whole time. I just felt unhappy that mankind can do these things to each other. It did not make me feel better that we got them back-- I just felt more sad. Scott felt better that we got them back, that we fought Hitler, I guess I wish we had got involved sooner. I thought about all the wives, sweethearts, moms, dads, sisters, brothers, children back home that never had the change to finish life with the one they loved. War is yucky. I am very glad that I live in a country that fights for freedom and against evil but it is still very sad. You could see oil leaking from the Arizona. I thought it was interesting that the park service and the Navy work together there. It is a beautiful monument. I did not know that men have chosen to be buried there after they died, years later to be placed at sea with the friends that fell so long ago. I had my picture taken in the same spot my mom and dad stood in the 80s by the big anchor that was blasted far away. I think if I ever go there again I would like to rent the head set and learn a little more about it all and have some time alone to reflect. It was nice to have Taylor and Sami there to keep me hopeful for the future and not so sad about what happened so long ago. I think it is important that we remember the past and the sacrifice that people have made for us. I'm glad we went.

Stars and Stripes Forever

We sure love hanging out with Marlene's extended family. Her 3rd child has a 4th of July baby so it is fun to celebrate the birth of our Nation and of the firecracker aka Kenna. We had a BBQ at their house and then went to see the local town fireworks display. Scott and Paul had the kids doing sparklers which makes me crazy nervous. Scott was sad all his snaps were duds so he could not sneak up on Marlene and throw them at her feet while shouting "DANCE". I know he seems all sweet and kind but really he has his dad in him and that equals tease and naughty. I was sad to forget some earrings I had made for Marlene and my camera as I have been cheated out of the last couple 4ths as Scott was a sick boy. So maybe one of the kind camera holders will share a few shots with me? I cried during the fireworks. I usually do on the 4th. I imagine all the tremendous sacrifice made for my freedom. I think of how much I miss my family that is either far away or dead. I have GREAT memories of 4th and 24th of July with loved ones. I used to march in the parade with my drill team Razz-ma-taz. We always had BBQ and watched the fireworks with family and neighbors. I lived on a circle so we would all gather and do our own little displays. My dad had a great love of our country, my mom loved uniforms and Anthony loved music- it was happy times for us all as I adore the fireworks and being together. What a win win holiday it was for us. Michele gave me some glow sticks which I made into a crown for Scott and I and we just had a wonderful day. Karson would not do the interpretive dance called freedom with me this year but Marlene was all over taking both our places and had the kids not been there-- boy what a show. I played pet shop with Kelsie watched Kaden be his cute monkey self, got big hug from Lily, visit with April and Ranae, teased, laughed, and reflected. God bless America- I hope we are forever the land of the free and the home of the brave!

A city remembers...

Can you believe that 9-11 was so long ago? It was really not that long ago at all except that it seems people forget very fast. In our city they do a memorial each year on September 11th. Aunt Sue had a doctor appointment right near the field they hold it in. It sits in front of our city hall. The night before we went to dinner with Kinikini's and visited the field. Kelsie and Kaden ran through the flags, there is one for each person who died during the attack on Sept. 11. The red and blue part on some of the flags holds the names of all who died that September. Kaden has so many questions. "So terrorist think God wants them to kill people?" He is in Kindergarten. He has always been smart. It is sad that a question like that one even exists. How do you explain something to a child when it does not make any sense to an adult? There was a group of school aged children while we watched the ceremony. I thought about the children left behind by all the people who died on September 11th or any day the world has known war. It is chilling to think of hate and how it ravages lives. Yet it can be hard to get along with family members at times. I wish I had all the answers and I knew the way to keep peace on earth. I do believe it starts in our own homes. Next we do what we can in our little communities. I have been working on the PTA board. It is weird to be in the PTA without having kids but when they asked me I felt like it was one way I could give back and support my local schools. I think that if everyone would do just a little bit-- big things could happen. Just smiling at a child can make a difference. Aunt Sue got a clean bill of health to celebrate she sat in the car while we watched soldiers retire a flag. They fired off canons, it was so loud but Aunt Sue could not hear a thing. There were family members there who have lost a loved one in Iraq. They had a whole section of flags for fallen Utah heroes. They cried as they held on to each other. I can't imagine what it would be like to have war all around me. It doesn't even effect our daily lives like it did in previous wars. Imagine sugar rations and all the hardships everyone endured while the world fought. Now it is simply hard to remember that we are even at war. I'm glad to have reminders that Freedom is not Free.

So Thankful

I was a little sad to hear that the 4th of July is the biggest day of beer purchases. Fire at the end of a stick mixed with alcohol- not smart. It has surpassed Superbowl Sunday for beer sales in America. I wonder if our forefathers imagined a time when to celebrate the great price paid we would drink, eat hot dogs and start fires? The up side is usually families gather together and often stories are told of how great our lives and country are. When I think of the 4th of July I get very humble and my heart swells with gratitude for the sacrifice of so many so that I can enjoy Freedom. I think of how hot I get even with air conditioning-- imagine being in Iraq. I also think of the families that won't have a loved one return home. If you study history, you see how war tends to kill people. Now days it is much less in number but each of them was still a real person who now has someone who misses them. Won't a day in the future be great when there is no more war? I can't wait. In the mean time I think I will do something nice for a service family I know, who is not with their loved one this holiday. I think I will also express my thankful heart to all who work for my freedom. Here is to making their effort not in vane.

Birthday Boom Thank You

While we were thanking all the people who have made sacrifices for our freedoms, we remembered it was our sisters birthday. She was celebrating with family in another state at the Cheesecake Factory. My youngest brother had just called my oldest sister to wish her a Happy Birthday, when as we ate our BBQ we felt a huge shutter. It felt and sounded like someone had slammed into our house going 60 miles an hour. It lifted us up like a wave and then settled us back down. We went out side to see what had happened and met other neighbors looking for answers. A call into the local news stations confirmed we were not crazy that something had just happened. I called my friends parents who live a few miles east of us and they had not felt anything. I was happy to see the report in the morning news that it was a 2.3 earthquake. It is nothing to get all worked up over because we have these almost daily in Utah it is just that they generally don't happen under heavily populated areas. My whole life I have been waiting for the big earthquake that we are due for from the Wasatch Fault. I grew up having earthquake drills and getting under my desk in school. I used to wonder what would happen if the earth opened up under my desk. I also believe there is an increase of all kinds of earthly activities that are assuring me that Jesus Christ will once again return to earth. It may not be for 200 years- I hope it is sooner than later. I love life but I would love to see an end to suffering and be with all the wonderful dead people again. Most people I talk to about the increase in earthquakes, floods, and pestilence's write it off to better equipment for tracking such things. One of the things I love about America is "to each his own". Thank you for any sacrifice you may have made or are now making for my freedom. Think of someone you know serving our country and do something nice for their family left back home:) http://www.seis.utah.edu/req2webdir/recenteqs/Quakes/uu05290305.html

Roger at Lupitas

One of the reasons we flew to IL. was to help Mary do an Arbonne booth at a trade show. Due to the weather being very bad there were some very slow times. I went to the food demo at the trade show presented by a local restaurant owner named Roger from Lupita of Kenosha. He was fantastic. I learned to make fresh salsa, guac, rice and some type of pork Scott loved. What I enjoyed the very most was his spirit and his story of coming to America and turning his life over to Christ.

I wish I had a photo of him... (I do have one of my with Sponge Bob which I at first thought was a big Chunk of cheese.) Roger was a warm and friendly man with a great love of family, freedom, and food. He came across the border illegally at age 17. He got in to drinking and lead a very unhappy life. Some one gave him a chance to change and make something of himself. He thought of his parents in Mexico and all they had done for him and he took this chance. He quit drinking and he went to church where he met and fell in love with his wife (of many years now) He was not making much money so he moved up north where he was given another chance as an insurance sales man. He barley knew English. He became a citizen and worked very very hard to pass the tests and exams in insurance. After years and much money he did it. He worked for years in the business and did well. Then one day a memory came to his mind of his mother in Mexico and how she used to sell food on the roadside. Roger would help her. He took a huge risk and opened a restaurant. It is named Lupita after his mom. She came to America to visit and they took her for a walk. As she looked around she saw the sign and said hey-- there is my name. They told her yes there is your restaurant. I wish I could record his story I am not doing it justice... if you are ever in Kenosha, IL you must go eat at Lupita and meet Roger and hear his story. It made me cry.
Yummy Mexican Rice

2 tbsp. Goya Olive Oil

1 tomato, diced small (or boiled and put in blender with water)

1 packet Goya Cubitos En Polvo - Powdered Chicken Bouillon

1 Packet Goya Sazón with Coriander and Annatto

1 cup Goya Extra Long Grain Rice

2 cups hot water

garlic powder (a little)
onion powder (a little)
I think also some salt

1. Heat oil on medium in a saucepan with a cover. Stir in rice and cook for one minute. Stir in tomato, Cubitos En Polvo and Sazón and cook for one minute.
2. Add water and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat. Simmer for 25 minutes. Fluff and let sit covered for 5 minutes before serving.

Yummy fresh salsa on the spot

In the blender in this order…

½ yellow onion, cleaned and cut

1 to 3 whole jalapeños, boiled (Optional to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 to 3 garlic clove peeled

squeeze ½ a lime

1/4 cup fresh Cilantro, chopped (he grabbed a huge chunk of it chopped off the ends and threw it in the blender)

6 large, red ripe tomatoes, boiled (for a few minutes) peeled

add a little of the water from the peeled tomatoes

You can help push down the ingredients. Blend in blender… leave it still a little chunky.

Chips he makes using corn tortilla fried in veg. oil

Loves of my life... FREEDOM

Last night I listened to the Pres. talk. I admire that he took action and made a decision and that he has not given up. Many blame him. I wonder if we let go of blame and worked on unity what sort of things we could accomplish as a nation. It made me think of another of my loves...

Freedom: (My Earthly Home) America has many faces: her mountains, forests, and fertile valleys; her cities, towns, and homes; her majesty; her solitude; and her people. America is the land of promise, “America the Beautiful,” I long to travel her seacoasts, mountains, cities, her beautiful and quiet places, in a special thanks for the blessings that are America. We have not celebrated often or deeply enough the birth of this promised land, this choice and beautiful and still-young land, which we possess as the Lord’s gift in freedom and joy—just as long as we serve him. It makes me sad to see us as a Nation turn away from God. I was raised with a respect for the men and women who at great peril sacrificed for my freedom. July in Utah is great because we celebrate twice; once on the 4th and again the 24th. Fireworks, graveyard visits, picnics, hymns of praise, and the fabulous Parade. I marched in it as a young girl; I passed out from the heat. Anthony got to be on a float one year. Scott and I sat in front of Aunt Sue’s apartment and President and Sister Hinckley waved and smiled right at us. For several years Scott worked the parade route with broken floats. We are living in the best of all times of the entire earth because the Gospel in its fullness has been restored and we are in a land of liberty. I come from freedom loving family. My Scharrier ancestors were with the Waldenses a religious group like the Huguenots, who were offered religious freedom in Germany escaping torture in France. My Grandpa and Grandma Scharrier came to America to be with the Latter Day Saints. Now days Americas seem to twist the very principals we were founded on. We pray for leaders who follow God and protect family values to lead us. I love America, I love to be free. These are a few photos of my Scharrier family. Two of my dads cousins Al in New York and Ilse in AZ. We love to visit with them. My dad loved his family and his freedom.

VOTE

I remember the first time I got to vote. I was so very excited to exercise my right to vote. It is a right that came with a huge price paid by many others who came before me. I love that I live in a free country where I can make a difference and have a voice. It is a humbling blessing to stand inside a warm library, with no fear for my life and cast a ballot. We did wait almost two hours. I pray we get a wonderful turn out this year; by people who have taken time to study the issues and the long term effects of the votes. I was thrilled to run into three friends at the polls. We were the youngest by 25 years minimum. It makes me wonder why my peers are not more interested in the future. Of course that is a stereotype, saying my generation is less interested. But it feels real. Liberty, justice and equality have become banners for calling good evil and evil good. It makes me sad to see how our nation is slipping.

The Glass globe ballot jar (to the right) was like the slot-top wooden ballot box, this 1884 box with a glass chamber is typical of the devices used to secure single party tickets. The image of the glass ballot box became a symbol of democratic self-government. Imagine my wait today if we didn't have technology. Of course I wouldn't have had the right to vote back then. In the Utah territory it was around 1870 when Women could vote. Utah was one of the first states in the union to allow it. It wasn't until 1920 when the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. I'm not big on the women's movement. I feel women are amazing and gifted daughter of God and don't understand why any woman would feel inferior to a man. We are different. One isn't better than another to me. My vote is: I love men- I married the best one and I love being a woman.