Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Brooke gets married!
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Happy birthday Vonnie
Happy Birthday, Vonnie!!
Since Vonnie would not want to toot her own horn, I get to toot it. I want all you to know that it is her birthday today, March 5, 2015. I don't think she would mind my telling you that she is three score years old. Please drop her a note on the blog, wishing her a happy birthday.
This blog has been a source of inspiration, information, humor, pathos, and interest for so many for so long. Vonnie is a great thinker, and a wonderful writer. She enjoys learning, and enjoys a good discussion, and many of her blog posts have been for you a source of conversation and interest. I hope she continues to blog and keep us posted for a long time.
It is the joy of my life to be married to Von. She is good through and through. Her motivations are pure. She loves service, and has provided service to thousands through her work, church work, and, most importantly, through her family relationships. She would rather watch plays than television, and she would rather read than watch television. When she watches movies on television, she will watch several at a time. She doesn't necessarily like exercise, but she does it. She didn't used to like food, but now she does. She loves black licorice and Thai food. She is devoted to her family, and has spent her best efforts raising her kids. She dotes on the grandkids, and they all love "Grandma Vonnie." She is spiritual, but doesn't wear her religion on her sleeve. She is practical, has great common sense, and knows what to do in every situation. She is seldom, if ever, at a loss for how to do things.
In short, she is just about perfect, in this writer's opinion. Happy birthday, Vonnie, and many, many more!
Rick
Since Vonnie would not want to toot her own horn, I get to toot it. I want all you to know that it is her birthday today, March 5, 2015. I don't think she would mind my telling you that she is three score years old. Please drop her a note on the blog, wishing her a happy birthday.
This blog has been a source of inspiration, information, humor, pathos, and interest for so many for so long. Vonnie is a great thinker, and a wonderful writer. She enjoys learning, and enjoys a good discussion, and many of her blog posts have been for you a source of conversation and interest. I hope she continues to blog and keep us posted for a long time.
It is the joy of my life to be married to Von. She is good through and through. Her motivations are pure. She loves service, and has provided service to thousands through her work, church work, and, most importantly, through her family relationships. She would rather watch plays than television, and she would rather read than watch television. When she watches movies on television, she will watch several at a time. She doesn't necessarily like exercise, but she does it. She didn't used to like food, but now she does. She loves black licorice and Thai food. She is devoted to her family, and has spent her best efforts raising her kids. She dotes on the grandkids, and they all love "Grandma Vonnie." She is spiritual, but doesn't wear her religion on her sleeve. She is practical, has great common sense, and knows what to do in every situation. She is seldom, if ever, at a loss for how to do things.
In short, she is just about perfect, in this writer's opinion. Happy birthday, Vonnie, and many, many more!
Rick
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
February goal report
1. Attend all 15 temples in Utah, attend the temple twice a month January - Salt Lake City with Stephanie as she received her endowment, Phoenix temple
February - Monticello temple, Provo temple
2. read the Ensign every month
January - check
February - check
3. dejunk, clean and organize my home
4. update all my photo albums, label and date them
5. start writing my personal history
6. sew something for each grandchild
made Lizzie an apron
made Will a Superman cape
7. sew my Christmas presents
8. spend more time in my yard gardening, etc.
9. walk 10,000 steps 5 days a week (thanks to my new FitBit this will be measurable!)
I'm averaging about 6,000 steps over five days a week, thanks to my FitBit for keeping track. I need to kick that up once I can get outside more. Not doing as well as I would like to.
10. Lose 15 pounds
Lost the two I put on plus one more. Moving in the right direction now. Slowly.
11. Read 15 books
Orphan Train
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
12. support and love my mother more in her advancing years
Visited Mom at her home and took her to the Hardware Ranch, a place she use to visit as a child, call her several time a week
13. strengthen the relationships with people I care about
Went to breakfast with a Kathleen, attended a concert with Shelley, Kevin, Marie and Cydnee, went to dinner at the Dixon's home, babysat for Adam and Syd so they could have a break, invited Cydnee over for a sleepover, visited Jordan and Jake and family, attended Kate's welcome home, went to the airport, went to lunch with LaRita, attended a benefit dinner with the Lindleys, visited Claire and R and family, visited Sarah F., had the Densley's over for dinner, attended a bridal shower for Brooke, threw a birthday luncheon for Kathleen, attended and helped at Brooke's wedding reception
14. serve at UVU in the Women's Success Center board
Met for two board meetings and contributed. Signed up to mentor three college students, got training and met with them individually (one widowed mother of five, one 18 year old, one 20 year old from a troubled family) to help them work towards receiving a college degree, attended more meetings and met with my mentees and provided breakfast
15. finish visiting the rest of the 50 states I haven't been to including: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma
February - Monticello temple, Provo temple
2. read the Ensign every month
January - check
February - check
3. dejunk, clean and organize my home
4. update all my photo albums, label and date them
5. start writing my personal history
6. sew something for each grandchild
made Lizzie an apron
made Will a Superman cape
7. sew my Christmas presents
8. spend more time in my yard gardening, etc.
9. walk 10,000 steps 5 days a week (thanks to my new FitBit this will be measurable!)
I'm averaging about 6,000 steps over five days a week, thanks to my FitBit for keeping track. I need to kick that up once I can get outside more. Not doing as well as I would like to.
10. Lose 15 pounds
Lost the two I put on plus one more. Moving in the right direction now. Slowly.
11. Read 15 books
Orphan Train
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
12. support and love my mother more in her advancing years
Visited Mom at her home and took her to the Hardware Ranch, a place she use to visit as a child, call her several time a week
13. strengthen the relationships with people I care about
Went to breakfast with a Kathleen, attended a concert with Shelley, Kevin, Marie and Cydnee, went to dinner at the Dixon's home, babysat for Adam and Syd so they could have a break, invited Cydnee over for a sleepover, visited Jordan and Jake and family, attended Kate's welcome home, went to the airport, went to lunch with LaRita, attended a benefit dinner with the Lindleys, visited Claire and R and family, visited Sarah F., had the Densley's over for dinner, attended a bridal shower for Brooke, threw a birthday luncheon for Kathleen, attended and helped at Brooke's wedding reception
14. serve at UVU in the Women's Success Center board
Met for two board meetings and contributed. Signed up to mentor three college students, got training and met with them individually (one widowed mother of five, one 18 year old, one 20 year old from a troubled family) to help them work towards receiving a college degree, attended more meetings and met with my mentees and provided breakfast
15. finish visiting the rest of the 50 states I haven't been to including: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Kathleen
I want to give a special shout out to my friend Kathleen. She is one of those people who is just so easy to be around. She is a person of character and substance. She gets things. She understands how things work and she is positive, funny and realistic. Kathleen doesn't complain about her marital status and dwell on what she doesn't have. She is positive and delightful. She is a great athlete and can play many sports. She is a true believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ and she demonstrates by the way that she lives, that she is a follower of Christ. She has the best heart and is kind, compassionate and giving to so many people in different ways. She quietly goes about doing good. We've been friends for 30 years and it was been a great blessing in my life to call her friend.
She built a home in our neighborhood 30 years ago. She wasn't married and decided to just get on with her life by building her own home, moving into a family LDS ward and moving forward in life. I had the privilege of serving with her in many callings with young women in the ward and stake where we live. She has impeccable judgement and can be depended on to do what she says she will do. Those are qualities I greatly admire.
She has served youth all of her life as a high school teacher, a coach, a mentor and an example of a righteous woman. Besides being a high school teacher, she has worked in different businesses and has excelled in whatever she has tried to do. I admire her keen mind and understanding of investing and saving money (among other skills she has.)
I'm privileged to be her friend and look forward to continued involvement in the years ahead. She is truly one of a kind and I love her like a sister. Happy 60th birthday my friend! We are 13 days apart in age and figure we must have known each other in heaven when we waited our turn to come to earth. She agreed to let me organize a little birthday party for her and it was so fun to sit around the table with some of her family and friends and hear them say great things about her. I cherish her friendship.
She built a home in our neighborhood 30 years ago. She wasn't married and decided to just get on with her life by building her own home, moving into a family LDS ward and moving forward in life. I had the privilege of serving with her in many callings with young women in the ward and stake where we live. She has impeccable judgement and can be depended on to do what she says she will do. Those are qualities I greatly admire.
She has served youth all of her life as a high school teacher, a coach, a mentor and an example of a righteous woman. Besides being a high school teacher, she has worked in different businesses and has excelled in whatever she has tried to do. I admire her keen mind and understanding of investing and saving money (among other skills she has.)
I'm privileged to be her friend and look forward to continued involvement in the years ahead. She is truly one of a kind and I love her like a sister. Happy 60th birthday my friend! We are 13 days apart in age and figure we must have known each other in heaven when we waited our turn to come to earth. She agreed to let me organize a little birthday party for her and it was so fun to sit around the table with some of her family and friends and hear them say great things about her. I cherish her friendship.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Education. I'm a fan.
I couldn't tell you when it became a priority to me, but I do know this; I'm a huge fan of education for everyone, but especially for girls and women. Education changes lives. Education gives opportunities. Education brings more confidence and security. Education opens the world of ideas. Education gives a woman choices. Every sacrifice to obtain an education is worth the effort. I would encourage every woman I know to go as far as she can in obtaining an education.
Recently BYU began a serious of videos about the back stories of some of the women who teach at BYU. How did they get to where they are now? These stories of women at BYU are aimed to inspire education for young women. Check it out HERE.
The main message is that "You Can Move Forward."
The BYU Faculty Women’s Association, an organization for female faculty dedicated to promoting a sense of community and supporting women to be successful in their work, wanted to create a way to encourage female students at BYU to finish their schooling.
“There are several types of challenges such as health, family roles, academic difficulties, resources, and personal needs. Sometimes circumstances imply, ‘you can’t move forward,’ and I wanted to be the voice that said, ‘you can move forward and there are wonderful women here at BYU who can inspire you."
The stories By Study, By Faith are very interesting. I personally know two of the women fairly well, Dr. Jenny Pulsipher and Dr. Renata Forste. I love hearing what they have to say about women and education as they share their own experiences.
As I near my 60th birthday, I think that if I have any regrets, it is that I didn't obtain more education after finishing my bachelor's degree at BYU. I did start to take classes towards a master's degree, but I couldn't see how to continue since I was working full-time, had a baby and a husband in law school. I've tried to continue life-long learning as opportunities have presented themselves. I have been able to attend wonderful seminars and conferences and I have been exposed to so many great ideas and to so many different areas of study. I don't always agree with everything I hear or read, but just knowing other points of view has broadened my horizons and my way of thinking about things. I've also been very fortunate to work around very smart people for these last 20 years. It is one of the things I will miss when I quit working...listening to or participating in the sharing of ideas and the defense of those ideas.
I have worked hard to help my children gain an education. I'm so proud of my sons and daughters and sons-in-law and daughters-in-law who have all valued education and who have worked hard to obtain their own education. Jordan got a master's degree (MPA) from the U of U, Claire got her degree in accounting from BYU and is now a CPA, Courtney got her master's degree from the U of U in speech pathology and Chelsea graduates this spring from BYU and is then headed to UCLA this fall to pursue her PhD in health Psychology. Although they may not be currently working outside of their homes, they are working hard inside of their homes to educate their own children and instill in them a love of learning. If the need or desire ever arises for them to work outside of their homes, they will be ready, capable, and prepared to contribute to society and to earn a comfortable living. They can have peace of mind knowing that they can do what needs to be done because they are prepared. Their education and training is a benefit to them, their families, their church congregations and the community around them. I"m so proud of them and of all women young and old who pursue higher education or training to make their lives better.
Recently BYU began a serious of videos about the back stories of some of the women who teach at BYU. How did they get to where they are now? These stories of women at BYU are aimed to inspire education for young women. Check it out HERE.
The main message is that "You Can Move Forward."
The BYU Faculty Women’s Association, an organization for female faculty dedicated to promoting a sense of community and supporting women to be successful in their work, wanted to create a way to encourage female students at BYU to finish their schooling.
“There are several types of challenges such as health, family roles, academic difficulties, resources, and personal needs. Sometimes circumstances imply, ‘you can’t move forward,’ and I wanted to be the voice that said, ‘you can move forward and there are wonderful women here at BYU who can inspire you."
The stories By Study, By Faith are very interesting. I personally know two of the women fairly well, Dr. Jenny Pulsipher and Dr. Renata Forste. I love hearing what they have to say about women and education as they share their own experiences.
As I near my 60th birthday, I think that if I have any regrets, it is that I didn't obtain more education after finishing my bachelor's degree at BYU. I did start to take classes towards a master's degree, but I couldn't see how to continue since I was working full-time, had a baby and a husband in law school. I've tried to continue life-long learning as opportunities have presented themselves. I have been able to attend wonderful seminars and conferences and I have been exposed to so many great ideas and to so many different areas of study. I don't always agree with everything I hear or read, but just knowing other points of view has broadened my horizons and my way of thinking about things. I've also been very fortunate to work around very smart people for these last 20 years. It is one of the things I will miss when I quit working...listening to or participating in the sharing of ideas and the defense of those ideas.
I have worked hard to help my children gain an education. I'm so proud of my sons and daughters and sons-in-law and daughters-in-law who have all valued education and who have worked hard to obtain their own education. Jordan got a master's degree (MPA) from the U of U, Claire got her degree in accounting from BYU and is now a CPA, Courtney got her master's degree from the U of U in speech pathology and Chelsea graduates this spring from BYU and is then headed to UCLA this fall to pursue her PhD in health Psychology. Although they may not be currently working outside of their homes, they are working hard inside of their homes to educate their own children and instill in them a love of learning. If the need or desire ever arises for them to work outside of their homes, they will be ready, capable, and prepared to contribute to society and to earn a comfortable living. They can have peace of mind knowing that they can do what needs to be done because they are prepared. Their education and training is a benefit to them, their families, their church congregations and the community around them. I"m so proud of them and of all women young and old who pursue higher education or training to make their lives better.
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