Note to self...Has my heart changed?

I read this book about 4 or 5 years ago. I bought it when it first came out. I absolutely LOVE this book! It should be a handbook for every single woman on the earth! It needs to be read and reread and reread every year!



A friend of mine gave me the picture below as it expressed what she felt when she participated in reading this book. I absolutely love the picture and quote she included below the picture. I pasted it inside the cover of my book as a reminder of her and of this book and what changes it helps me adjust.


I don't make New Years Resolutions, rather I choose on a few areas that I can work toward self improvement throughout the year. I knew from the get go in January I needed to 'reread' this book again to help me work toward 2 self improvement goals I set up for myself for this year 2011. I just finished this book. It's a simple read, only 106 pages. If anyone chooses to read this book may offer a plea to 'don't race through it!' Read, ponder, digest, enjoy every single page. When you finish the book wait a few days or even a week and pick it right back up and reread it and enjoy it again, and again, and again. I read this book about 8 times a few years back. We even had a class on it in RS that I lead. It's one of my favorite books! I love it! The steps you follow are so easy and simple and you don't have to make projects!

What's it all about? It's about 'opening your heart a crack wider to feel God's love.'

The author is Virginia Hinckley Pearce, Pres. Hinckley's daughter. She is so open and honest and opens her heart to us. Do we take a chance and allow people into our hearts or do we slam the door shut, let our heart shrink to the back wall of our chest and forbid entrance, or, do we open our heart to feel God's love and in turn have others feel God's love through our love?

I also have another quote I pasted in my book (it's not part of this book, I just loved it so much I pasted it in there as it seemed to flow with the theme of the book).
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This poem was written by Audrey Hepburn when asked to share her 'beauty tips' and it was read at her funeral years later. (She was such a gracious and lovely person.)

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed,
revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.

Remember, if you even need a helping hand,
you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have
'two hands'; one for helping yourself,
and the other for helping others.

If you share this with another woman, something good will happen...
You will boost another woman's self esteem, and she will know
that you care about her.
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There is divinity and goodness in every person we just need to open our hearts and look for it in ourselves and in everyone. Each of us is a child of God and He loves us. He doesn't give up on us or throw us out!

From Ezekiel 36:26
'A new heart also will I give you,
and a new spirit will I put within you:
and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh,
and I will give you an heart of flesh.'

Legal jargon...

Neil serves on the High Council in our stake and the stake president happens to be an attorney. He suggested (did not require) this book back in October at one of the high council meetings and found it to be quite interesting. 'The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon' by John W. Welch was not available at Deseret Book at the time Neil ordered it, however, now you can get it at Deseret Book.

Neil has not read it yet. I decided to take on the challenge of reading it. It was definitely enlightening and an education. It compared Nephite law to Biblical law at the time Lehi left Jerusalem. It certainly gives you a different perception of the law and how people were judged or punished. It also greatly expanded my vocabulary. It isn't a book you can just whip right through. It took me a month to read it but I enjoyed studying and learning. You definitely had to pay attention! If you're looking for a challenge, it won't disappoint!

An apple a day...plus a family crest!

This is Diana's paternal family crest. My father was doing his genealogy years ago and found this family crest (French). I was going through old family pictures and putting them into albums and ran across this family crest and had forgotten about it. It's now up on the wall. It really is a handsome crest!

I love making place mat purses! I was at Walmart yesterday and found this place mat and had to make it up into a purse. I use them for scripture totes, reading books, miscellaneous items when I have to go to Dr. appts. for Kirsten.

I used a pretty green organza ribbon as a background for the fat red buttons so that the buttons wouldn't be red on red. This picture doesn't do justice for the ribbon. It really is a pretty green.

A close up look at the button. I love this bag!

Kirsten's musical octopus

Kirsten got this toy for Christmas and 'loves it'!

It's by V-tech-musical bubbles octopus.

You can put it on your bathtub wall and put bubble juice in it and it will blow bubbles while it plays. We do not use it for that purpose. It's strictly a floor toy.

A month before Christmas I was looking around for a toy for her. It's difficult finding anything for her. I usually go through the toddler toys and see what's new. This octopus caught my eye and it was at chair level so Kirsten could see it. I pressed the buttons on the octopus and I thought it was a neat toy. So I picked it up off the shelf and showed it to Kirsten and 'she grabbed it' out of my hands! I thought this was promising since she doesn't like most toys. When I tried to take it back she firmly grasped and did not want to let it go! Hmm. This is a keeper! Score one for mom! It came home with us. I thought she might have forgotten about it by Christmas. When we helped her open the gift she immediately grabbed it and started playing with it and has loved it ever since! This is one success story I am happy about! :o)

Changing things up a bit!

I have space above my kitchen cupboards.
We've been in this house for 2 years, 3 months. I have had cute little Halloween and Thanksgiving figurines up there this whole time. I also had them in my kitchen in the house we moved from where we had lived for 8 years. I had ivy, fall flowers, Christmas poinsettias.

The other day I cleaned the whole house top to bottom. I usually dust the cupboard tops once a month and it helps to keep them clean. I decided I needed a change and packed all the cute figurines away. I'll use those in the fall here and there but they are officially 'retired' from my kitchen cupboard tops!

I decided I wanted a 'new look' for my cupboards. So I bought the ivy and flowers and we'll see how long it stays.

I 'like' the new look! :o)

Roller Coaster!

Jordan and Lisa and their girls are here visiting. Before they got here grandma (me) had to 'prep' for little 'Miss Busy' aka Adelaide! She leaves no stone unturned! I bought a 1/4 inch piece of plywood and had it cut to fit. I also purchased bungy (sp) cords. Has it been a success? 'Oh, Yes!' :o) Lisa was clever and brought her door knob covers, something I'll have to invest in. Miss Busy's next stage is around the corner, 'climbing!' It's been a joy having them visit us! :o)

Dad bought this roller coaster Kinex after Christmas. Has worked on it a few evenings and it's so cool!

The kids have enjoyed watching it.

A visit from Lisa would not be complete without 'puzzling'!

She picked these up at the Goodwill for a few dollars. These were such a pleasure compared to the Thomas Kinkade puzzle! Wow! Lisa reminded me that when the kids were all at home we put together a 'Magic Eye' puzzle. I had forgotten about that one. The more I thought about it I remembered what it looked like. So I guess we are officially masters after having put that one together!

Thomas Kinkade Puzzle - Aarrggghh!

Tsk! Tsk! I sure wish I took better pictures! :o/

This is a puzzle that Lisa gave to me for Christmas. I love Thomas Kinkade's artwork! However, I have to tell you that his puzzles are H-A-R-D! ! ! This was a 'beast' to put together! The colors are muted, slightly out of focus (his style) and some not exactly like on the box. It took me a week to work on this! I feel victorious in that I did it all by myself! I don't think I will put another one of his together again for quite a while! I'll just enjoy the picture on the box! :o) (It was missing '1' piece. Imagine it as a funny snowman!)