PTA lunch

Mom's are amazing. Last year when I said yes to PTA I had a far different life than I do now. I had a hubby with me 24/7. I had a car and phone all the time. Then life happened and it made PTA take a back burner as I could not get up to the school as easy. I started to feel like I was not much of a help. I sure did love getting to know more of the awesome people who make our little school tick. I just think the world of the board and especially the ones willing to stand up and do the hard things. We had a lunch and they gave us nice gifts I got to sit by cute Sue who also does hard things as a church leader. I also talked with Kari and got to know her better. Next year's President is darling and she will do awesome. Her little boy finally after a year will smile at me. I have one newsletter left and a day of making cotton candy for the carnival. I had a few people tell me it was weird to be a part of PTA with no kids there but I think it was neat:) I got to really see all the time my own mom put into serving me as a child. I loved having her at the school, I loved how everyone knew her. I love that my dad made it possible for her to be home with us. I guess some lesson are understood best with adult eyes- just think if I ever grow up all I can learn:)

Mother's Day dinner 2008

This is the first Mother's Day I did not feel sad about not being a mom myself. I was focused on serving others and it is way better then feeling sorry for yourself. We celebrated Mother's Day in St. George. We all enjoyed a 2 hour break from the stress and laughed lots. Scott's aunt Cheree was having open heart surgery and we wanted to lend support. Scott's mom and dad drove over from Phoenix with Carli the dog. Carli has not been the same dog since Cami passed away and can not be left alone. We took turns waiting outside the ICU with Carli. My mom is also down there so we stayed with her. She looked beautiful but I can tell she does not feel good. Then my moms brother Uncle Denny who had the recent heart attack and his sweet wife Aunt Susan who is fighting rectal cancer let us use their home on Mother's Day to make a special meal for all the family in town. I have never done a big holiday meal by myself and usually bring store bought food to family events so this was a big deal for me. I wanted everything to be extra nice as everyone was suffering so much. My mom invited her dear friend Shirley to join us who is one of the neatest people I know and her friend Jen. Scott's uncle Ash, Cheree hubby and their daughter Michele came too. How blessed we felt to have both moms in the same place with us for Mother's Day and that Aunt Susan, Michele, Shirley were with us too. Having CHeree out of ICU would have made things perfect. Aunt Susan's paper chain from Tom and Liz is getting shorter marking the treatments being over with faster-- yipee. I forgot to get photos of the people! I did get some of the meal:) I took notes and made a list of the order to prepare each item. It worked great. Scott had to come to my rescue as I left the sour cream and cheese at my moms house across town. He is a gem and never complains at my mishaps which can be frequent. I love him. Here are my notes to remember for next time...

Honey glazed ham, funeral potatoes (my own made up recipe), fresh steamed asparagus (with butter), green salad (romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, candied pecans, white balsamic vinaigrette and feta cheese), pear delight jello salad (with real whipped cream), rolls, apricot and raspberry jam, fresh strawberries with pound cake and a chocolate cake (from Shirley).

We had 11 people - 8.5 pound ham was too much, the jello was all gone, one Parisian salad was enough, the potatoes: I used 2 cans of cream of chicken healthy choice for Aunt Susan with a square of butter in pan cooked it till warm then added in a huge sour cream poured a little heavy whipped cream. Then I used 2 bags of 2 different types of potatoes square and the shredded kind then 1 pound of shredded sharp cheddar a little onion powder and a little all purpose seasoning salt free, and a little of Aunt Susan's garlic powder. I used big throw away pans and throw away plates, cups, utensils.

Oh MOM

I will start with saying if you are offended easily do not read this. My mom has a heart of gold but sometimes mixes up her words. My mom is one of the funniest people on the earth. She is funny because she is not trying to be funny.. Also if you don't laugh you cry so here are a few of her more recent more embarrassing comments. By the way I got her permission to post these...

To a fireman- "I am sad to hear they have that rule now about your pole. I never got to slide down your pole and it would have been fun!" *** this was meant to be about the fireman poles in the fire stations, which I guess someone got hurt so they don't use them anymore.

To a man from my Stake during the play- "Is this table saved?" said the elderly man. "it is saved for loose women" replied me mom. The man just smiled. I think she meant, "saved for single women or not attached to anyone else women" At least I hope that is what she meant.

To my hubbys 1st coun. who did not hear her "Hey you mustache man, what a hottie you are! If you are looking for a new partner, call me." She meant dance partner- the hottie part she basically meant. She likes hairy men.

To a police officer "There is nothing I like more than dogs in uniform!" with a big smile. She meant to say "I really like police offers in their uniforms and the police dogs with them."

To a friend I was in the play with "I know what the problem is-- your not getting enough" We're not sure enough of what, but it didn't sound right.

You can see why Scott calls her our wild card.

Marianne my Mom-- thoughts on Mothers Day

My mom has never been what I thought of as a "mom". She was and is a really fun friend/mom. I always thought of moms as being serious, scheduled, organized, curfew, concerned, and not very approachable. My mom was more like a wonderful friend. She was amazing at taking care of us and made many sacrifices. She never missed any event, and cared for us to the extreme. At times it seemed like she was a single mother. My dad was always working or watching T.V. so she had to do most of the parenting. She would try to guilt him in to coming to see us perform but it didn't always work. I remember her trying to do things like family home evenings-- dad didn't support those much. (He got better with age.) My mom made things fun. Our house was always very clean and she made yummy meals. She really loved to be a mom. I remember thinking that she took being a mom serious but was not serious. We stayed up late laughing. You could talk to her about anything. She never judged anyone. She loved to help others and has many friends. No one can do laundry like my mom. She is great at expressing herself and making us feel guilty. All my friends loved to be around her and talk to her about anything. I loved how special she made all the holidays, her love of music and family. I hope if she were to read this she would not think I don't love her as a mom-- I do. I just think that there are many ways to be a mom and she took a different path. She is much like a teenager now. I feel like I am the mom. I hear this can happen as parents age. We start worrying about them. I think she wishes I would be a mom like her and be more relaxed. Aren't we supposed to end up like our parents? I look like my mom and sound like her but we are very different. I am more about the rules than my mom ever has been. I don't like to flirt like my mom does. I can't spell like she can. She has the best nose and I can't smell a thing. I'm really glad that she was able to be an at home mom and was always there for us. She loves life and loves to be her-- that we do have in common.

Its that time of year again

I guess my first memory of those delicious cookies is as a small girl hunting to find the hidden box my Mom bought to savor in her closet in moments of solitude. She had no intention of sharing that little green or purple box. She was not the best example of sharing and I have proudly followed in those footsteps. I was a Girl Scout for a brief time. We would meet at the church; I even earned a few badges. I know I also had a brief stint with 4-H. But is there anyone who can deny the yum of a Girl Scout cookie? Normally I prefer homemade cookies, even to the point of cookie snob; yet I can’t deny the love I have for these tasty treats. Do you think if they were sold at a store year round they would demand such adoration? I think part of the fun is longing for them over the entire year. Once I remember having missed my chance. I made Scott drive me to the headquarters and still no luck. Boy the next year I went over board spending about $60.00 on cookies. I rationalized that it was for a worthy cause. Those cute girls!!! Who can resist a sweet face full of hope wanting to meet the goals set loftily by the competitive mother? Not I. They get so excited to get the order. Over the years my loyalty to Thin Mints has remained strong, I love eating a bunch out of the freezer with a cold glass of milk. I really love Tagalongs and Do-Si-Dos; peanut buttery heaven. I also relish biting into a box of Samoas. Café Cookies are the new ones this year and I find them disappointing. But my 4 favs have been around for over thirty years! I think if they did away with them it could possibly bring down the free world as we know it. Long live the Girl Scout Cookie!!!

Break In... and my heart

Today when I went downstairs to the garage my passenger window was broken. "THEY" had tried to break out the glass, then slide their hand through the glass to open the door. The glass was still intact but completely shattered. I guess the thick glass is held together with a thick laminate. At first I thought it was frost. It looked beautiful. Then I had the yucky pit of your stomach dread. It feels yucky. I feel unsafe. I wish I had a house with full time security. I wish I lived in a world where "THEY" had enough love in their lives and knew God enough to not break into others cars. The police woman who came was very nice. She had a sense of humor. I wanted to get pictures of the car window. I wanted to check inside the car and see if anything was missing. I opened the back door and everything looked like it was in place. Then I made the mistake of shutting the back door. Gravity had been taking its effect and the glass started to make these noises. It was eerie. The officer said "THEY" are usually going for one of two items... stereo or personal info like insurance and registration. She recommended I start up a neighborhood watch program. I think I will. I think it is time to take a stand and take back our community. We have 4 or 5 break in every month in my neighborhood. We were not the only ones today to wake up to "THEY" being awful. We were just one of the misfortunate. I had really let my guard down. Every other car in my building has been broken into over the last 6 months. I guess I thought with Mercedes AWESOME security system no one would be stupid enough to try. Had they moved their hand into my car the alarm would have sounded and it calls me upstairs and then the police. Scott thinks they noticed the security system after they attempted to break the glass out. Our insurance will pay for a new window but it foils my day. I had business appointments I was headed to. "THEY" are sleeping in this morning after a busy night of intruding. I have been praying for "THEY". I have been praying to be more open to the guidance of the spirit when I may be acting like "THEY". There are times am sure when I could be a better person. My car was a gift from Arbonne when I became a VP. It makes me even more sad that it was a hard earned gift that someone hurt.

I want to be more aware of how I am listening. Am I using my heart or my ego. Am I placing myself in others shoes so to speak or am I just thinking of myself. We could all be a little kinder, where have I heard that before...? (Pres. Hinckley, Jesus, my mom, Scott, the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Sheri Dew... you get the picture.) Just think had someone really listened to "THEY" they would have felt heard and had their needs addressed. Everyone has needs in this life. Then perhaps "THEY" would become someone who also cares. What if we each tried to be the shelter for just one person. You know the safe place where you want to run to and hear that everything will be alright. Imagine if we could be nice to someone so they don't grow up and break our windows...

Colds

I am now sick for the second time in 6 weeks. I think it may be time to do something about my immune system. I love the commerical where the mans goes to an island for 6 months of winter all by himself to avoid illness. Yet I read Robinson Crusoe and he got deathly ill all by himself on an island. I finally gave into the NyQuil last night and got some much needed sleep. It is times like this when I am very grateful for Arbonne. I didn't have to call in sick or feel bad for leaving work to others. It is also a times like this when I miss my mom. She is the best nurse. She always took such great care of me. There is nothing like moms. They know just the right thing to say and how to say it. Here is to a cure for the common cold!
Begin treatment at the earliest sign of a cold
Take a sustained-release first generation antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine, brompheniramine, or clemastine.
Also, at the same time, take a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Continue with the antihistamine and NSAID treatment every 12 hours until cold symptoms clear (3-7 days).
Add an oral decongestant such as pseudoephedrine and a cough suppressant such as dextromethorphan if the antihistamine-NSAIDs treatment does not control nasal obstruction and cough.
If nasal symptoms, facial pressure, and cough are no better or worse after 7-10 days, consider contacting your physician to treat bacterial complications if necessary.

Loves of my life... CHRISTMAS & All Holidays

Christmas & All Holidays: It is hard to express what I love most about them. The special feelings, being with my favorite people, how they bring out the best in others, the decorations, the setting differences aside, the service to others, the fact there different from everyday. The only thing that makes me sad is when they end, I guess I just start counting down till the next one and the anticipation is great too. Celebrating the Savior is foremost in my mind. I really place effort in celebrating I usually milk them for all they are worth, stretching the holidays out to last longer. I adore Christmas music. I used to dance around to Johnny Mathis; my first crush. Then dad told me Johnny was not interested in a 6 year old because; he was old, black and played for the opposite team. He looked young and tan on the album cover skiing. I like all the old songs from my childhood. Like the Forester Sisters, The Carpenters, Amy Grant, Vince Gill, Burl Ives, Barry Manalow, Mannheim Steamroller. I can remember recording songs in elementary school and then they would play them over the pa system at parent night. I thought that was sooo cool. Christmas music starts playing early at my house around September. The tree follows shortly after. My nativity is my favorite or is it the ornaments or the candle holders… well you get the picture. For Halloween I try to watch cute theme movies and do autumn activities to get me in the mood. I would love to have or attend more holiday parties. Just being present at or visiting memories of past holidays make me smile. There really is this cool feeling I get that is addictive when it comes to holidays. I feel light headed, giddy, excited. I want them to last. I can see how if it were Christmas everyday it would get old and worn out, but couldn’t it at least be several weeks long instead on 24 hours? It is funny I try to escape the ending of them by traveling around so I have more control. For instance if I stay at Moms or Lynda’s- they start taking down all the decorations right after it is over. I crave the glow of lights. From candles, a sting of lights, fireplaces, or old T.V. specials. My childhood holidays were magic. My mom was the queen of holidays. She has gorgeous decorations, delicious treats, wonderful stories, and always surprises awaiting us each and every holiday. We would go to grandma Dixon’s and all my cousins were there and even grandpa Scharrier and Aunt Sue were invited. Grandpa Dixon would jingle bells and we would search the skies for Santa. Anthony and I would stay up late dreaming of what wonders awaited the next day. We would always open up one gift on Christmas Eve. It was usually a beautiful new set of pajamas. This was in honor of the German tradition of opening gift the eve before. I think holidays are one time I wish I could smell. The spices of Christmas, the evergreen trees, fresh baked goodness, Valentines cookies, Easter candy eggs, Halloween treats; the list is endless. I love Fall and Thanksgiving and Halloween oh and my birthday. I like to invite people who I think may be all alone. I love watching holiday T.V. specials. The clay-mation ones are dear to my heart. I love the Halloween ones on Disney channel like Halloweentown. Classics like Charlie Brown, or It’s a Wonderful Life. I like glitter and sparkly stuff and holidays seem to be the time they truly shine. I also love making crafts for the different holidays, things like greeting cards, family recipes or wall hangings. I am kind of like a holiday myself, something special and out of the ordinary. I know love each and every second I spend at Lyndas for the holidays.

Oops

I have been loving the whole digital world. Then yesterday we got the news "they were unable to save" our camera card. So I lost...
1. really good Mungo shots which are impossible to get (he is not photogenic like him mommy)
2. Anna's baby book and my recent gift albums
3. Thanksgiving
4. My birthday
5. My mom and Marj at the grave (they were adorable)
6. About 100 heritage photos I took at my Uncles and Mom s of historic family items.
7. My flowers from Arbonne
8. My old childhood haunts (house, school, church, neighbors, friends-- from the funeral)
9. Photos from St. George
I guess it could have happened with a regular camera. I was going to download them as soon as we were home. When we tried the camera card would not work and the night before I showed them to Anthony just fine. OH WELL!!!

The End of an Era

My whole childhood was spent in Towne. Towne Drive and Towne Circle. My grandfather Glen Dixon owned the land and developed it. He choose the names for the streets that are so much of my memories. When I first came home form the hospital it was to Towne Drive. A duplex my parents had built. I remember the awful carpet, eating Popsicles in the backyard, my swing set from grandpa Scharrier. Making snowmen with Dad. Playing Charlie’s Angels with Karin. Then when I was 5 we built a English Tudor on Towne Circle. I LOVE that house. My parents also bulit this house and it was custom from top to bottom. Nice hard wood and custom bulit cabinets like the spice rack, sewing machine nook and hidden ironing board. My dad kept the yard imaculate my mom kept the house perfect. Always clean and in order (except her closet). I remember coming down the grand steps on my first day of kindergarten. Dad kissing me goodbye in the early mornings. Mom decorating for the holidays. Playing with Anthony in the basement before it was finished. Picking strawberries and raspberries in the backyard. Sleepovers on the trampoline under the stars. We would have parties on the circle and close it down to cars. I had so many wonderful neighbors. Loved sledding with Camille. I got to choose my carpet and wall paper. It was a blue shag and pink checker board then wains coatingnd little dolls and toy print up top. I had a white canape bed with matching drapes. I loved my room. Now no Scharrier lives on Towne Circle. The house is in a sad state of disrepair. It suffered a recent flood, leaky roofs and neglect for the last 9 years. My Dad would be so sad to see that beauty almost look haunted. I think it must miss us. Playing in the hot tub, the beautiful hard woods, Anthony tickling the ivories, my bed room with the blue carpet and pink walls I pick out myself when I was only 4. It was there Scott decided to make me his wife. I took some photos today but our camera card broke. So many memories…

Time heals

I was talking last night to one of my favorite people... Melissa. She was trying to help me feel better about a difficult challenge I am facing. She had me laughing so hard it hurt. How blessed I am to be surrounded by loving friends. Marlene just called to check on me:) She gives the best advice. My cute mom also offers great support and my mom in law is a great example of faith-- everything will be alright. It is so nice to have friends.

Melissa mentioned that tomorrow will come and the sun will rise. It reminded me of the saying TIME HEALS ALL WOUNDS. I use to really not like that saying. I use to hope it wasn't true. But I have found it is true- for me. Last conference Elder Wirthlin gave an excellent talk titled Sunday Will Come.

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-646-11,00.html

There is something very powerful about time. It heals and soothes and sweetens memories. After my dad died I wanted time to stop. I wanted everything to stop. It didn't. Life went on. Now that time has passed I can make it a whole week without crying. I can talk about him and not have it hurt. I don't love him any less but time coupled with the awesome promise of the Resurrection has somehow made it bearable. So even with each new challenge I face I know that "tomorrow is another day" and Scott is way cuter than Rhett Butler-- because he gives a darn.

Where are you Christmas?

I never thought I would wonder "where are you Christmas?". I am the girl who has a sign hanging up in my family room that reads "Is it Christmas yet?". So this is strange for me to not feel that familiar feeling I get this time of year. I usually by now have a 12 foot tree up and have been

listening to the holiday tunes for two or three months. I am seriously debating on whether to put up the decorations at all. I will be traveling

often over the next two months and the thought of taking them down is always a sobering thought. I talked to my mom on the phone tonight. She was reading me out of her journal about when I was little. How I loved the lights, how I loved seeing Santa, how I was not excited about the idea of a new brother coming soon. It was my third Christmas. It was surreal hearing her talk because the memory echos in me yet I can't recall all the details. I think it is so cool that she and my grandfather kept journals. It is wonderful to look up a date or event from my past and read my grandpa thoughts on it. My mom reminded me how often my grandpa would be with me while I was sick in the hospital while I was young. I never remember my mom complaining about caring for me and it must have been a struggle to have a sick child. I think she really loved being a mom. It makes me feel better about my self to realize how much she loved me. I have been looking at old photos from my childhood and I can see the love in the peoples eyes that are holding me. My sisters, parents and grandparents. I am going to think of some ways to find that feeling I have had my whole life- that huge love for Christmas.

Blonde Mom-- masks off

My best friend has the cutest little girl. Since I am in between we have a great time together. In between means to kids I am half kid and kind of adult. That equals lots of fun. A few years ago she patted my face and said "I wish you were my Mom". This is many a times spoken by little girls to a grandmother type after we allow them to stay up too late, eat fried eggs at midnight, and trash the place with glitter and dolls. We talked about how awesome her real mom is, all the wonderful things about her and all she does for her and how much she would miss her. She agreed and then while bouncing up and down exclaimed.. "then how about if you are my blonde mom?" Perfect. Everyone needs a "blonde" mom. I was lucky growing up to have my real mom be a blonde mom. She skipped classes with me, ate food late at night and was creative with glitter, valentines boxes and costumes. So growing up my "blonde" mom was a dark haired Aunt Sue. "Blonde" doesn't really have to do with color. It really has to do with the grass being greener. We all need a little escape from the norm. If you grow up in Neverland than a trip to London to see Wendy is just the ticket. However if you grow up under the shadow of Big Ben, Neverland looks very appealing. I love having Marlene and Kelsie- Mom and Aunt Sue in my life for contrast and meaning. Each of these women has had a big impact on my life even if one of them is in the first grade. I love how Kelsie calls me and wants to talk all day- hiding in rooms hoping her brown haired mom will forget she is on the phone with me. I love how she giggles and schemes of ways we can see each other. I love her faith she has learned from her mom. I miss Aunt Sue- she is still alive but I miss talking with her like we used to. I miss the comfort I use to feel when I was around her. She is still alive living with me but it is not the same. I love her. I wish I lived closer to my mom. It is not the same to talk over the phone. She is so fun to be with. One day I hope she moves closer. Marlene and I have so much fun together. We are different but share many of the same interests and I love being with her. I love how all these women love me when my masks are off.

Shout Out to Nellie Nurse

Oh my cute mom is having an operation and is in the hospital:( I'm so sad I can't be there with her because she is a riot to be around. She is funny and is a magnet for people. She is the most popular girl at the dance. I laugh becuase I think that I must have been so envied growing up with mom Marianne. All our friends thought she was the coolest... they were right. She turned 60 this year. We threw her a surprise party. It was really neat to see her interact with so many of the people who love and respect her. She really makes a difference in this world. I'm proud to call her mom and I hope she mends quickly:) We call her Nelly because she plays a nurse on T.V.:) MOM - you are the mom.