Fri: Facts on the Full Wolf Moon

The Full Wolf Moon is here. Step outside anytime tonight & see it rising in the East. The planet Mars will be close by, larger than usual & reddish. Don't miss it. Below are some facts from space.com & details about all the lunar info you could want to know.

'Jan. 30, 1:18 a.m. EST -- Full Wolf Moon. Amid the zero cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. It was also known as the Old Moon or the Moon after Yule. In some tribes this was the Full Snow Moon; most applied that name to the next moon.' (see space.com)

'Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. Those tribes of a few hundred years ago kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full moon. Their names were applied to the entire month in which each occurred.' (see space.com, Joe Rao)

Enjoy an evening or early morning walk. You'll feel like talking to it, sharing your troubles and see why the wolf howls at the moon.

Wed: Winning With Generosity

What do we do when tragedy hits? Do we help, give, serve, love or ignore, blame, & forget? It can happen to any of us, in our own backyard or far away. The suffering & loss is felt by many. Praying for help, donating money and supplies makes a difference. Even though times are tough, we can give a little or alot to help those in need. Put yourself in their place & just 'Do it!'.

"In as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Jesus said, 'Love thy brother as thyself.'

Jeremy Wardle a regular guy, my husband's former employer's son, made a difference by finding his way to Haiti, teaming up with others wanting to help & bringing home a plane load of orphans. One of which was Gabrielle, a child he had worked to adopt for several years. Read about the great experiences of many in your local news or deseretnews.com 1/24/10.

Through our generosity we can help these people and all be winners.
www.utahhaitirelief.org; Red Cross & more. At this time 100% of all donations made to the following link https://secure3.convio.net/ldsp/site/Donation2?df_id=1861&1861.donation=form1&s_src=14703 are going directly to Haiti through the LDS Church. Important note **** your employer may match your contribution**** We are all winners when we give generously.

Mon: Makeover On Meadow Ridge

Here's the laundry room & office with their new coat of paint. We tossed some of the junk (yeah!), grouped like pieces together and moved the desk into the corner. The room is like a theatre for online tv & movies, now! Almost feels like a new house, as we get a few steps closer to the day we'll sell it.

The faucet was returned & thank you all for the generous Christmas gift that it was. Sorry we bought one without your permission. The money from it landed in the 'update the bathroom kitty', where come March or April Dad will begin on a new shower & more. In a year or so when the housing market's better, the old stomping ground with its makeover will be ready, too.

Thur: Thumbs Up!

We were at an impasse last week, when I asked my husband to finish what he'd started a year ago. The laundry room was still torn apart & not painted as it awaited a trans- (took forever)formation. It was also full of stuff. You know the laundry, storage, cleaning supplies, etc. If you want something done, then clear out the obstacles so it will happen.

Wa la!! Laundry room now awaits a spit shine. A few new baskets & pictures won't hurt either. Thumbs up!

Next it was the office wallowing in its own dust balls, magazines & more. A new coat of paint is being applied as I type. All it took was me hauling all my scrapbook supplies & such off to another corner of the house. Perhaps I should toss (or give away) much of it. Success again!! Double thumbs up!!

'If you build it (clean it in this case), they (him) will come (and do the long awaited job).' By the way, the color of paint is called 'Mortality'.
His life as positively been extended because of his actions. It's guaranteed. Triple thumbs up!

Fri: Feeling Sorry For Yourself? See this

The winter blahs are in full force with dreary gray, smog filled days. It's delightful when the sun breaks through, like a knight in shining armour conquering the hopelessness we allow to rein over our lives.

Here's a great story about overcoming disabilities & some real heroes:
www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg

Wed-Why Read the Book of Mormon?

Why not? President Ezra Taft Benson promised that our lives & families would be blessed if we read the Book of Mormon. Therefore, years ago I took it at face value & have been a believer ever since. Once isn't enough. We must do it over & over.

The Mexican Saints have been challenged by their Area Presidency to read The Book of Mormon before April Conference, with the promise that 'the blessings we search for will be ours.'

There are about 240 chapters in the 531 pages. 1.5 pages or 2/3 chapter read per day to complete in a year. If one page was read per day & five on Sunday it could also be done easily. 7 pages daily is required reading to complete by April 4th.

Although we are studying the Old Testament this year, don't stop reading the Book of Mormon. It is the one scripture with the promise that delivers over & over. Try it!!

There's no time. How do I do it, you say? Gather all of your Books of Mormon. Set them in places you'll be often, such as toilet, table, bedside, car, purse. Whenever you have a moment, grab it & read one verse, column, page or chapter. Take note each day to see if life was 'better or worse'. At first Satan will try you & make it harder. Don't give up, persist & when he sees you're determined watch out for the blessings you earn by doing it. Keep it up, forever!! You won't regret it.

Why don't you put it to the test? What a wonderful time to begin. I'll treat all those that do to lunch.

Mon: Made Me Mad

Pres Thomas S. Monson said in Oct General Conference: "Anger doesn't solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything.

Anger happens when we 'have to wait', 'react to something said', 'when people don't behave or see things from our perspective'. There are countless reasons for anger.

To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan. No one can make us angry. It's our choice. May we make a conscious decision, when it must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh & hurtful things we may be tempted to say."

Oh that we could muster up the energy to do the things that anger drives us to do. So with it, much was removed to open the way for progress.

May this be a lesson to heed the Prophet's advice. Enough said.

Thur: Throat Sore?

Do you wake up with a sore throat or acquire one during the day? How about a stiff neck? You may think your getting a cold, but often you're just dehydrated. Most of us get that way & don't even know it. Drinking water will help solve the problem.

Greet each new day with the glass of water or several. While you were sleeping, your body has been deprived of the influx of fluid for several hours.

Dr Gene James says: Most of us dont drink enough water. Often we are dyhydrated before we become thirsty. The body is 75% water. There’s nothing like pure clean drinking water. Hydrate your body all day everyday, so it functions best.

How much should you drink? Eight or more glasses. You lose water as you talk, perspire, breathe, exercise & excrete, etc. When it’s hot or your physically active increase your intake. Filtered water, bottled or plain old tap water. Drinking will hydrate your cells continuously.

A body’s ph should be around 7 to be healthy. Water is good for dieters, because it gives a feeling of fullness. Children should be given water over juice or soda. Keep water bottles easily assessible to use often.

Water helps control a fever by hydrating the body. Room temperature water is best to drink. The body doesn’t have to warm it.

'But I have to go potty more', you say. As your body gets used to drinking more water it will use it up & adjust. Enjoy being hydrated, it will keep you healthy.

For more good info paste this link into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qas9LzxFgxU&feature=player_embedded

2010-Twenty Ten

Sounds like a program or deal doesn't it? For $20 you can get ten boxes of this item or brand 'you really need'! In twenty weeks lose ten pounds, when you buy our weight loss plan. Twenty places to see in only ten months of the year with our travel deals. Get 20/10 twenty for the price of $10. It's almost guaranteed we'll get sick of hearing those words. Don't forget the 2010 census is going on.

Remember a few years ago when the phone wars started & one company's ad promoted 10-10? Let's make our own 2010 by seeing what creative ideas we can conjure up. How about twenty great ideas in ten(nonconsecutive)days? There's a Healthy People 2010 website plus hundreds of others touting their wares.

1. Out of work or need money? Think of creative ways you can make some, such as shoveling snow, running errands, ask friends/neighbors if they have odd jobs to do or know who's hiring. Today my hubby had a job interview. Yes!!!

2. Sick of snow? Make a snowman. Try ice fishing or take a snowshoe hike. If you're stuck close to home, have hot chocolate & read a book. Get a birdfeeder & see what varieties come to feed.

Tell us some ideas to make 2010 a year to remember.

Fri- First Fired-up Day of 2010

I slept in, until 7:30 today, which is a miracle. Staying up for the New Year helped my sleep instincts run late. We were supposed to be at the Rose Parade sitting in the $75 bleacher seats. It was one of my goals last year. The New Jersey trip bumped it, but heh, there's always next year.

We watched the Parade on TV, while taking all the Christmas decorations down & ironing every item that's been waiting since Nov 1st. After vacuuming up all the tinsel, I also did the closets & drawers.

I didn't stop there, because my cleaning bug caught on. We pulled out the fridge sucking up every speck of dust above, below & inside of it. The microwave came next, as well as the bathroom cabinet, molding & toilet.

Allan kept up with my demands for him to move it, roll it up or take it down stairs. Next came a honey do list for the whole month. We don't want him watching Oprah or scanning the 'For Sale' items on KSL, too much.

A quiet late night walk on the parkway to stretch & get some fresh air came next. We even watched the Penn/LSU & BYU/Oregon (rerun) football games, which completed our first day of 2010. Aren't liberty & the freedom we have wonderful things?