classylady

Whenever I hear a swear word, I cringe.  Thankfully, my family and friends do not use swear words.  My environment now is such that unless I am watching TV or a movie, I rarely hear a swear word.  (When I was working that was a different matter).  And I try to stay away from movies,  tv shows, or books that have bad language.   I won't say that family/friends never use bad language, but it's rare.  I've gotten after my kids for saying freakin'.  I've told them that every time they use that word, I know what they are exchanging it for, and my mind automatically goes to the harsher word.  I don't want to hear that word, I don't want to think that word.  And especially in my home, I don't want that word.
 
When I go out shopping or I'm out and about, and I hear kids and adults swear or take the Lord's name in vain, my attitude is one of sorrow.  Not one of shock, because I've heard it all, and not much shocks me.  But, my Spirit is definitely bruised when confronted with such language.  And when I hear women speak with a foul mouth, I am especially saddened.  I will take class over crass any day.

“Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path, the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship."

Jeffrey R. Holland

My journal writing is for my children and grandchildren.  I hope my testimony shines through the pages.  I want them strengthened in the gospel.

Roseslipper, I love you!  Hugs.
 
In some ways I understand how you feel.  I am happy with the Gospel.  My testimony gives me such strength.  But, some of the circumstances I live under can be so depressing.  Many days, I feel like I am barely making it through.  And I often don't know how I'm going to get through the next little while.  Prayers help me, hymns help me, and the scriptures help me.  I feel like I put up a happy facade for others to see.  I always try to be positive and hide the pain of what's underneath.  My husband knows a little of what's going on, but not the whole.

In regards to older members....Pam is here.....unless you didn't mean by age. Lol

One of the favorites that I received and was kid friendly was a package of fritos, with chili to go over it, grated cheese, diced fresh tomatoes, and shredded lettuce.  That was a hit with my kids.  A loaf of french bread would go great with it.

Good Afternoon LiterateParakeet. I hope you've been well! =)
 

There is a scripture that I have found meaningful and helpful to me as a survivor of physical and sexual abuse. It is found in the Jacob 5 from the Book of Mormon.
While working in the vineyard (the world) the servant thought to counsel the Master of the Vineyard (Jesus Christ).
 

While those who struggle with mental illness and emotional health might feel at times that their lot in life has been unfair, God knew the ground in which he planted all of His children. But, look how God said that He has continually nourished the plant that was planted in the poor and even the poorest spot. God has not and will not leave us alone in our struggles.
I guess my point in all of this is that despite our individual "little hells" we can be fruitful and grow. In many cases it is precisely the fact that we were planted in the poorest spot that has allowed us to blossom and grow so that we bring forth much fruit. We can have joy in our suffering. God has been and is there. He has always been there and He is not ignorant of the suffering that we suffer. Yet, He asks us to live like the Son lived who did all that was asked of Him even in the midst of the worse suffering of all. The Son has descended all things so that we can overcome all things.
EDIT: I just wanted to add that further in to the chapter of Jacob 5 there is this observation...
 

Being planted in the good spot of ground doesn't guarantee that we will bring forth much fruit, even though God nourishes all the same as He does others.
-Finrock

I was born in 1952 - in a Quonset Hut *hospital*. Until I was a junior in High School, we only took a bath once a week. Saturday evening right after dinner was the start of the baths. We washed our hair once a week - in the kitchen sink before we went to take our baths. When I was a junior, I started washing my hair every third day, and I took a bath every other day. I didn't fill the tub up all the way either. The water was to only be deep enough to come to my wrist when I put my hand in, fingers touching the bottom of the tub.
 
We washed our hair with Breck Shampoo, and did a second rinse with Rinse Away or I preferred vinegar in water. My hair was thick and to my waist. Getting all of the shampoo out was important. We didn't have a hair dryer, so I sat on the floor in front of the natural gas furnace so that I could brush my hair while it was running. Then I put my hair up in curlers I made from small frozen juice cans. Dad helped me poke holes in them, so there would be air circulation. Every morning after I ate breakfast and before I walked to school, I sat cross legged on the dining room table so I was up high enough for Dad to braid my hair. Yep, I slept in those huge *curlers* all night, then he braided my hair. Did a braid off to one side, then wound it in a figure 8 at the back of my head. Held it in place with a huge leather 'saddle' over a chignon. When I had headaches I didn't bother with the curlers, Mom would then braid my hair and weave and wrap it around my head like a proper Norwegian peasant girl. Then cover the lower portion with a chignon. 
 
We also wore our skirts to just below the knee cap. The fashion trend during the last two years of high school was for shorter hems. By the time I graduated, the hems were halfway between the tops of our knees and 'Possible'. Not at all comfortable for me. Too much skin exposed to the wind and rain. 
 
In my 20's I took to wearing pantyhose. Thought I would like them because there was no garter strap getting caught on chairs and snapping me when I stood up. Wore them for years before I finally grew to detest them. Went back to *Real Nylons* held up with garters. Learned that if I wore Pettipants (http://morningsprinklesandeveninggunfire.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/ms-slips/ ) instead of slips that ending the 'snapping'.

My only commitment for scripture reading is to read at least something every day, even if it's just one verse.  To some of you this may seem so insignificant.  But, it is a commitment, and I can say I have read something every day in the scriptures without fail for I don't know how many years now.  For me, a commitment is more than just a goal.  It is an absolute of what I will do.  I can do a minimum of one verse a day.  Now, it is rare that I only read one verse.  But, there are times when I've been sick, or family crises that have happened.  I can still do my one verse.  And, because I haven't broken that commitment, I don't feel negative about myself, for I do feel awful if I ever break a commitment.  And once broken, the next day comes, and it's too easy to say, well another won't hurt, I'll read later.  Eventually, that can turn into weeks, months, or even years.  I will stick with my minimum commitment, because I know it is one I will and can keep.

My favorite response to an invitation is from Phoebe on Friends, "I wish I could, but I don't want to."  

(1) Baked potato bar.  Bake several potatoes, and then wrap them in foil as soon as you pull them out of the oven (or microwave, if you're a procrastinator).  Pull together some toppings -- homemade or canned chili, cooked broccoli, diced ham, black beans, diced red peppers, sour cream, cheese, chopped green onions, etc.  Something for everyone.

(2) Spaghetti Pie, bagged salad, garlic bread, a bag of frozen veggies, simple dessert.
 
(3) Mac and Cheese, or Mac and Cheese.  (The second one I usually make with sharp Cheddar and smoked Gruyere.)  These are sure-fire crowd-pleasers for kids.  Throw together a salad or some veggies, and you're good.
 
(4) Baked Mexican Penne.  Somewhat fusion-inspired, goes together easily, is hearty, filling, and a good one-dish meal, though some people might like a salad to lighten it up a bit.  If kids are sensitive to heat, just use mild salsa.  This dinner also converts well to baking in a Dutch oven, for camping.
 
 
The last time I took dinner to a friend was after her baby.  I did the baked potato bar with some cookies (I think), a jar of homemade canned applesauce, a bag of apples (maybe oranges?) for her kids' lunches, and a small bag of my homemade granola for her for breakfast (I happen to know that she loves the granola, so that was just a special treat).
 
I also always use disposable dishes.  It costs me a little extra to keep a stock of foil casserole dishes, but it's worth it so that the person I'm taking a meal to doesn't have to worry about returning dishes, and I don't forget to get them, either.

I'm feeling a bit ill at the moment.  *cough* *cough*  :)

I would abstain from even tasting.  If I was booted off a show because I refused to taste, so-be-it.  If I worked as a chef in a renowned restaurant, I would probably learn about wines and such from others, and then just trust their judgment..

We had a problem getting our oldest daughter to sleep in her bed.  We were exhausted and out of options.  We had tried everything.  One night she came into our room (she was almost 3) and I just felt like groaning.  Then I had a burst of inspiration.  I told her that Daddy was going to fart really loud and it was going to smell.  I also told her that after Daddy farted we would start picking each other's noses.  She looked at me like we were crazy, turned around and went back to her own bed.  She never slept with us again.  It was a gross thing to say, but it worked.

That's crazy talk!  It's my ringtone and I'm thinking about asking people to just randomly call me just so I can hear the song more.  I love it--it makes me smile each time I hear it.  I'm so glad to hear an upbeat song with good lyrics be popular on the radio today.  And it's just peppy!

I suffer from depression.  In the last two years or so, it's been clinically classified as "major depressive disorder."  I actually found that reading that diagnosis came as a relief, because I had initially (12 years ago?) been diagnosed with "mild depression," but I had been struggling a lot more than "mildly."  I've been taking an anti-depressant that has helped temper my stress and mood swings, but hasn't done much more than that.  In the last two months, I've added a stimulant to help with my ADHD, and in the last month I've noticed a change.  I've shared with more than one person on this board already, but I feel like I've come up for air from being underwater for so long.  At first I was gasping for breath because I needed it to stay alive.  But soon I found myself gulping down breaths just because it felt so good to breath again!  I feel happy!  I can't pinpoint when the change happened, or what specifically may have been a turning point for me, but I feel happy!  It's no longer putting on a good face so people don't know.  It's no longer suffering in silence.  It's no longer commiserating with other friends who are also struggling (though I still do that, but more empathizing than commiserating).  It's no more fooling myself into thinking I'm happy.  It's no more one or two good days a week.
 
I FEEL HAPPY!!!
 
I feel it inside, and it's the best thing I have felt in a very, very long time.  I had forgotten what it felt like to be happy.  It feels so good!  I'm happy that I'm able to feel happy again.
 
And I'm so excited to share it with people!  I feel like I'm in a good position lately to help others who are still under their own waters, because I've seen the surface, and I know it's there.
 
A small part of me is scared though, worried that this won't last long.  I pray that it will.

Same here.  I stay on the IP board.

I don't even see the main page anymore now that I changed the theme.  But the site works better on the IP board so this is where I stay.

Wonderful talk.  I felt the Spirit.  As Elder Oaks spoke I realized how grateful I am for my role as a woman, for the authority I held as I served as a missionary for the Lord's church, for the authority I had/have as I fulfill my duties and callings within the church.  I'm grateful to assist in the Lord's work, in whatever way He would have me serve.  I want to be a "tool" in His hand to build up His kingdom here upon the earth.  Some day I would like to hear my Savior say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".  For, aren't we, both men and women, His servants in doing the Lord's work here upon the earth?  And we both have roles and different responsibilities to fulfill, neither gender above the other.

I love that her talk focused so much on the things we do have instead of the things we don't. We need to be reminded of that.

Elder Holland fortifying the youth against those who call the Church \"patriarchal\" and \"bigoted\"; Sister Reeves reinforcing that, yes, pornography really is a big deal; Elder Anderson encouraging Church members to hold the line on gay marriage; President Eyring confirming that the Church leadership understands its problems even better than do those who \"sound the alarm\" . . .
This is shaping up to be a rough conference for the ark-steadying crowd.

I also was initially thinking of the "typical blues."  But the last two years or so have been really rough ones for me.  I've been battling depression and living in a fog.  In the last three weeks or so, I've experienced such a change that I suddenly realize how deep I had fallen, and how bad I actually was.  I've been so happy in the last few weeks, to the point that I am happy about being happy.  It's like I've been underwater, and I'm gulping the air in, because I need it so much.  And then I keep gulping because it feels good to gulp.  I had forgotten what it felt like to truly be happy.  I had good days here and there, maybe even a week or two, but I kept being dragged back down.  So within the context of having recently emerged from the fog, I realized that just blasting my music isn't something that helps when I'm truly "struggling."
 
Anyway...more response than anyone was probably looking for.  :)

Another way to put it: Are not we all called to stand as witnesses of Christ, to take His name upon us, and to represent him in everything we do?

Wonderful talk.  I felt the Spirit.  As Elder Oaks spoke I realized how grateful I am for my role as a woman, for the authority I held as I served as a missionary for the Lord's church, for the authority I had/have as I fulfill my duties and callings within the church.  I'm grateful to assist in the Lord's work, in whatever way He would have me serve.  I want to be a "tool" in His hand to build up His kingdom here upon the earth.  Some day I would like to hear my Savior say "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".  For, aren't we, both men and women, His servants in doing the Lord's work here upon the earth?  And we both have roles and different responsibilities to fulfill, neither gender above the other.

I'm an awful person. I don't like any of that 'share if you love your sister' or 'like if you want a cure for cancer' stuff. I'm kinda sniffing around for a new position, so I don't like any political stuff, as much as I'd like to, because no matter how you have your privacy settings set, you don't know what might happen and who can see what. Too much conservative stuff can take you out of the competition when liberals are invovled - witness the recent issue with the Mozilla CEO.
 
I do share a lot of animal rights stuff (shoot me). Films of animals being abused, cute pics of baby pigs, don't wear fur, etc. I also share stuff from Pure Michigan during the tourist season, because that is where my heart is, and library/librarian stuff. I think my favorite page to share now is A Mighty Girl, which has women in history who've done things; book lists for girls of all races, abilities, interests, backgrounds, etc.,;  and how not to be a princess - or if you're going to be one, how to be the most b.a. princess who can save herself. I post to inform friends who have girls and to honor the unsung female inventors, heros, artists, athletes, etc.