classylady

Backroads, is your city already on water restrictions? Is your secondary water monitored? Our secondary water isn't monitored, so the city has no idea how much we use. We do have watering restrictions in place where we should water only every other day with no one watering on Sunday. If we accidentally kept our water on past a certain time, besides us and perhaps some neighbors, I don't think anyone would even notice. We don't have a sprinkler system, so we have to water by hauling a hose and sprinkler around. There are times when we have accidentally left our water on too long. No big deal out here in Northern Utah County. I do try to be careful about our water usage, and we probably under water rather than over water. My lawn isn't doing so well this year.

I want to repeat what Eowyn said. Please take care of yourself. Prayers for you and your Ward family.

It depends on how quickly the paper work can be completed. She needs to talk to her bishop who will assist in this. She will need to write a letter stating the circumstances, the Bishop will send that over to the Stake President and then the Stake President will need to send the information in to the First Presidency. It can take about two to three weeks for the First Presidency to process the request. It took my husband's request about two weeks after the Stake President sent the request in to Headquarters. Her Bishop might be able to give her a time frame. In the past, it was difficult for a widowed woman to received a cancellation of sealing. But, from what I hear, it has become easier. My best friend's mother-in-law requested a sealing cancellation after she was widowed. It was granted, and she was able to be sealed to her second husband. I'm not sure how long it took, but I don't believe it was a lengthy process.

I had always wanted to go on a mission. Then the desire left when I was around 17 years of age. I went through a slightly inactive stage during my teens where I wasn't attending my meetings, but I still read my scriptures and said my prayers. At the age of 19, I received my Patriarchal Blessing. In it, I was told that if I would strengthen my testimony and would live as the Lord would have me live, that I could preach the gospel, that I would do much good, and many would join the church because of my teaching and example. At that time I was hoping that maybe it meant I would serve a mission with my husband (and it could still mean that). About two years later, right before I turned 21 my Bishop called me into his office and asked how I felt about serving a mission. As soon as he asked me that question, I just knew I was supposed to serve. We turned in my papers, and I had my call within two months. I left for the mission field one month after my 21st birthday. It was the best decision of my life! I still cherish my mission experiences and the people I met and grew to love. I'm still in contact with many of my mission companions and some of the Elders. I love the country I served in--Germany. I try to go back whenever I can. I love the German people! My testimony and love for my Savior was strengthened by my service. I'm so grateful I accepted the call to serve.

My husband and I have a situation that is going on right now, and we are not sure if we are helping or enabling. Let me give you a synapsis of what is happening. As many of you know I have a grandson who is now 13 years old. His mother (my daughter) died in a car accident when he was two months old. She never married the father of her baby and was living at our home with my grandson at the time of the accident. After the accident, the baby's father moved in with us for about 18 months, and then felt like he could manage on his own with the baby. My husband and I always picked up our grandson every weekend to stay with us, and our grandson has lived with us most summers and every time the father could no longer pay rent (which seemed to happen on a regular basis). The father would often go live with friends when he couldn't pay rent, and so grandson would come and live with us. Sometimes the father would also move in with us. Our grandson has almost been raised like one of our own children rather than just a grandchild since he has lived a great deal of his life with us. Three years ago grandson's father started dating a woman with four children. She has lupus, fibromyalgia, sjogrens disease, and is bi-polar. Because of her illnesses she is no longer able to work (she was a nurse), and is currently trying to get disability payments. Her only sources of income was child-support and Government assistance. My grandson's father (I don't know what to call him since he was never truly a son-in-law), lived with her about 2 years, and my grandson lived with us for about a year before moving in with them too. In October grandson's father came and asked if they could all move in with us since they were being evicted from their apartment. My heart sank when I heard this. Yes, we have the room since it's only my husband and youngest son that live home now. But, I knew it was going to be hard to have them all in my home. That's an additional 7 people and I am not related to this woman, and her children (ages 14, 12, 11, 5) at all. I barely knew them at the time. He told me they would pay rent, buy food (since they receive food stamps), and would help clean the house. At that time he was thinking it would be until the end of May before the Disability income would finally come through and then they would move out. But, now it looks like it will be the end of Summer before they can leave, if then. We did receive the first month's rent. But, then in November, her child-support was cut in half. So, since that time they have been unable to pay rent. They have given us some money here and there, but it is sparse, and nothing what they promised. Also, the promise of buying food has been sporadic. I don't know what they spend their food-stamps on, but they take it down to their room, and we see very little of it. So, my husband and I have still been buying food for us and all their kids. Also, our utilities almost went double with 7 extra people in the house. My husband and I are on a very limited source of income. We receive some Social Security and a small pension from my husband's retirement. If it wasn't for my youngest son helping out, we would not have been able to pay our utilities and other bills. And, as for the housework, I am the one that seems to do all the dishes. My husband and I have really had a hard time trying to stay positive and to not feel resentful. I know it was the right thing to let them move in. This is my grandson's family. He loves them. And, the missionaries have been coming over and teaching her kids since they have never been baptized. I tell myself and repeat the song "Because I have been Given Much I too must Give", plus, I believe in this scripture and try to follow it Mosiah 4:16-19 16 And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? But, when does helping turn into enabling? My grandson's father does not have a full-time job. He does have a business that he runs from the house, (web site design) but he has very few clients, so again, he has very little income. Are we enabling him by allowing him to live with us? I don't see that he has much incentive to find work since he has a place to live. And, he thinks they'll have it made once the Disability income begins. Also, she should be getting a hefty lump sum in back Disability payments once it goes through. Should we insist they reimburse in full for the rent they haven't been able to pay us? Neither my husband or I are very assertive. It takes a lot to get us riled. But, I'm reaching my breaking point. I try to think Christ-like thoughts, but resentment is starting to get the best of me. Thanks for reading. Maybe, I just needed a venue to vent.

Eowyn, you handled yourself with class! Even though you were upset, you didn't let it show. I would rather be thought of as a class-act. I often run this mantra through my head: class or crass? I choose class.

I, for one, am glad it was satire. While reading the article I was thinking "how can they claim to be a Christian church"? But, at the same time, with political correctness abounding, I could see some people actually liking this type of church.

I just reread Psalms 22 also. And, I agree with you. For me it makes that passage of scripture more profound and meaningful.

I have loved my Kenmore sewing machines too. Last year I was able to find a Kenmore machine at a yard sale- $20. I'm not giving that one away. It stays with me, and yes, it works great.

My husband and I are looking to replace our 15' trampoline. We have been pricing the cost for replacing the jumping mat and springs or just buying a complete new trampoline. So far, in pricing things out it looks like buying an entire trampoline set is less expensive than buying the parts to replace our old one. Anyone have experience with this? What was your conclusion?

I'm not much of a seamstress, but, I probably have four or five sewing machines. And, that doesn't count the two I gave to my daughter last year. I shop yard sales, and for some reason, if I see a sewing machine for sale, at a great price, I can't seem to help myself. I negotiate the price and have been able to get sewing machines for $10 to $20 dollars. Every one of them has worked great. I've been able to buy some brand new models and some older ones. Now, that the new season for yard sales is coming up, I'm hoping I can resist buying any more machines, but, I'm afraid if I see one I won't be able to help myself. lol.

"Who lives in a pineapple, under the sea"...

So true, LeSellers. That's why I was trying for a little humor about my "twitter pated" reaction to decorating a table for Relief Society. Sorry, for using the twitter pated term again, but I think I love the sound of it, even if it's not used properly. I know some would see it as silly to be so stressed about such a little thing. But, I really, really, really, had a hard time with this assignment. I know for some, this would be such an easy task. For me, it was stress, stress, stress! I even did a little murmuring about it that I needed to do some repenting.

Twitter pated was probably not the best term to use. But, I definitely felt I had lost my mind with the stress of this assignment. Maybe, it is hormones?lol At my stage of life, it definitely could be hormones. Do you really feel I regularly rant on this site? If so, I apologize. I try to be uplifting with my posts, and, maybe, such as this post, I try for a little humor. Perhaps, my humor did not come across. Also, I do try to correct some misconceptions that others may have. But, I didn't think I came across as someone with an axe to grind and needing to rant.

I am on our Ward's Relief Society Committee. We had our Relief Society birthday dinner yesterday and I was given the assignment of decorating one table for the dinner. Do you know how much stress this put me under? Haha. Decorating/crafts is not something that I naturally do well or enjoy. Assign me a talk in Sacrament Meeting! Have me teach Relief Society or Gospel Doctrine, but, please, don't have me do crafts or decorate!! Luckily, my husband assisted in my search for decorations at Hobby Lobby. (I don't have much in the way of decorations or crafts at home to use.) I was definitely twitter pated with this assignment. Is this how others feel when asked to give a talk, teach Gospel Doctrine, or given other assignments that they feel is out of their comfort zone? Please, note, this is all said in jest. Yes, I was stressed, but I just wanted to point out that we all have our strengths and weaknesses. We can all edify one another by using our talents/gifts to help build up the Kingdom here on earth. Now that it's over, I am grateful for the task. I rose to the assignment, and did what I was asked, and it didn't turn out so bad.

I have Hansen, Rasmussen, and Thorup blood lines out of Denmark. Probably others, but that's what I remember without looking up my family history.

A sealing cancellation is not the same thing as a sealing clearance. I was not talking about a sealing clearance. Sealing clearances are still needed for a divorced man to be sealed again. And, even if the sealing was cancelled, he still needs a sealing clearance to be sealed again. I was specifically talking about a sealing cancellation. It is much easier to obtain a sealing cancellation on the part of both men and women. My husband was granted a sealing cancellation from his ex-wife. He was the one who requested it, and it was granted. His ex-wife has not been sealed to another man. And, this had nothing to do with my husband and I getting sealed in the temple. That had already happened years ago.

Just an FYI, men may request a sealing cancellation from their ex, even if their ex hasn't gotten sealed to another man. My husband requested a sealing cancellation from his ex-wife, who has not been sealed to another husband, and it was granted by the First Presidency. In the past, it was much more difficult to get sealings cancelled, but the policy has changed to allow sealing cancellation requests from both men and women prior to the woman being sealed to another man.

Growing up I remember bread in milk. We would add honey to ours. If we used white store-bought bread, the heel was the best to use. We'd break it up into a glass, pour milk over it and add a spoonful of honey. My family background is LDS on both sides. We're mainly Danish with some English and Irish thrown in. The family came to Utah from the Eastern part of the US or straight over from Denmark.

One of my guilty pleasures is Rammstein - Du Hast. I know it's past it's prime, but I can listen to this song over and over. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobx8cZFn00

DH and I babysat our 13-month and 3-year-old grandsons from Wednesday to Saturday. I love being a grandma! The baby is easier to watch than the older child. The 3-year-old is on the Autism spectrum, and can be really hard to manage. He will throw objects and hit and scratch when thwarted. But, he is still a joy to be around, especially since my daughter moved out to Alabama from Utah so her husband can attend helicopter flight school. Son-in-law is in the military and he just completed his S.E.R.E. training. We got to watch the kids while daughter and SIL took a much needed break for a few days. We've been in Alabama now for two weeks. I'm ready to go home, and in fact were scheduled to fly home today, but our flights have been cancelled due to weather. Ugh.

The school year is almost over. Is it going to change things much if they pull her out of school now versus waiting until the school year is over? I don't happen to think a 3.7 gpa is that bad. But, I don't put a lot of emphasis on going to college now days. That's just me. I do have a degree from the university, but I got it later in life. And, I'm glad I have it, but I didn't need it for my career. Does the girl know what she wants to major in? Is it a field that is difficult to get in to? Would she be happy in a Junior College where perhaps a lower gpa might still get her a scholarship? Is the family eligible for any pell grants for college tuition? I would think about all her options before making a decision.

On a lighter note, I rode a bike on my mission. Can you imagine this young sister missionary crashing on her bike with her skirt almost up around her hips? Embarrassing!! Especially since the Elders were riding right behind me.

I think for most young missionaries a mission can be a time where our naiveté is put to rest. While on my mission in Germany, I will never forget a second visit we had to the home of a young single mother we were teaching. She was living with her alcoholic mother and her approximately 14-month-old baby. On the second visit the Grandma answered the door, and gleefully told us her daughter had ran off with the pimp, and left her baby behind. The floor was littered with empty beer cans/bottles. And, the baby was looking for her bottle in the filth on the floor. My heart broke for this child. What chance did she have in life? I remember going home that night and getting on my knees and begging Heavenly Father to bless this baby girl. I still cry when I think of it to this day. I can only hope and have faith that Heavenly Father heard my prayers for this child. (I don't remember for sure, but it seems like the Grandmother was waiting for Social Services to come get the baby). I'm sure most missionaries can share heart-breaking stories such as this. Our missions can be eye-openers. We learn to be thankful for the blessing of our own families. Not all of us come from ideal circumstances, but it is usually far better than many of the homes we visited. What the Gospel does is elevate those who accept the Gospel. It helps good people become better. It helps those in despair to have hope. What the world needs is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I didn't mind kissing on the first date. But, I was selective. Not every guy I dated got a goodnight kiss. I know I kissed my husband-to-be on our first date, and I remember him saying "I'm in heaven!" How's that to boost a girls ego? Of course, I wasn't a teenager by then, but nearly 25. From a girl's perspective I would think a simple "That was fun!" and a simple pat on the arm would suffice.