Because She Does... from Shelby Osmond

I'd like to direct your attention to a blog that I find to be UPLIFTING, FORTIFYING and INSPIRATIONAL.

This blog is written by a young, vibrant woman who I have come to admire from her posts. I do not "know" her in the true sense of the word; I have never met her, but I am frequently touched by what she shares.

Shelby Osmond is wise beyond her years. We can all relate to her posts. She posts about everyday life. There is no pretentiousness. She is a real person who speaks from her heart. And, her heart is very evident in EVERY post.

Some days her posts are about items she has crafted; some are about cool ways that she and her husband have found to give each other meaningful gifts. Some posts are light-hearted, but through ALL of her post shines her love of life, Our Savior and her appreciation for those she is surrounded by.

Today's post is about her sister Shae. If this post does not touch your heart and remind you to always, always, always relate to other people with love and an open mind and heart .... then, I hope it inspires you in another way.

I hope that you hear the voice of our Heavenly Father in those quiet moments of your life and that you know how YOU are loved unconditionally as a perfect creation of our maker.

May God bless you. May His light shine like a radiant beacon through you that others may know the joy of Him through you.

Thank you Shelby for giving me inspiration when you didn't know I needed it, and for allowing me to share your blog with others.

It is dance recital weekend!!

I am so very excited! Amanda dances for a wonderful dance studio: Precision Dance Center. PDC is located right here in Roseville, CA and is under the direction of Lisa Clement who I must say is a fabulous (I do mean, FABULOUS!) tap dancer in her own right, and who shares that passion with her students.

When Lisa choreographs a dance, you can hear the story unfold from the dancers feet. It is AMAZING! Amanda has danced for Lisa for nearly 11 years, and never wants to stop tapping.

This year's dances include the multi-award winning "Money (Makes the World Go 'Round)," "Whatcha Say'" and the fun filled "New York, New York" production number. Last week I watched a rehearsal for the new "Glee" production number, and I was in awe of each beat of the tapper's feet. Stellar!

Of course, no dance recital, competition or other performance would be complete without features from the other dance styles of lyrical, jazz, ballet, and hip-hop so you can be sure that Precision Dance Center's annual dance recital at 2:30 on Saturday at the Del Oro Performing Arts Center will have plenty of rhythm and style for every one's preference.

I personally am a purist, and just love, love, LOVE tap. Maybe that is because tap is my daughter's passion, and all she dances in. Or, maybe it is because Manda is passionate about dancing for Lisa Clement who choreographs the most amazing tap dances.

We are totally blessed to have members of our family joining us for Saturday's dance recital.

My mom and brother are here from Nevada and at least one of my other brother's will be joining us along with my sister-in-law (from Russ' side of the family!) and my neice and her fiance.

Thank you everyone for supporting my daughter's passion for dance and her love of performing!

Happy recital weekend!

MISSING!!!! LORI McELYEA

Please help us find: LORI McELYEA

She was last seen on:

Saturday, December 5, 2009

in Roseville, California.

LORI McElyea needs daily medication and is considered at risk.

Her family and friends appreciate any help you can give us.

Even if that help is just to post this to your own blog or facebook.

If you have seen Lori McElyea

or her blue Ford Edge,

please contact the

Roseville Police Department at

(916) 774-5000

Dream Makeovers - A Wish Fulfilled

I am so excited, I can barely contain myself!!!

Once in awhile something happens that is so exciting, so wonderful it makes you smile. Especially when the people it happens to are awesome people who deserve to have nice "things" happen to them.

A few months ago a family that Amanda and I are friends with had the opportunity to participate in a "Make A Wish." Nicole and Amanda have danced together for years.

Nicole is an amazing young lady. She is a gifted dancer with a talent and appreciation for the art of dance that entrances me when I see her on stage. She is a great student, a wonderful sister, and a caring person. Nicole is hard not to like. On top of all that .... Nicole has cystic fibrosis.

But that does not stop Nicole. Nicole enjoys life, laughter and facing challenges head on.

I could go on for hours about Nicole and her family - our family loves and admires them. They are a wonderful family. BUT ~ the entire point of my post is ......

Check out Oprah's O magazine (the May issue) on sale now .....

Starting on page 69 is an article titled: A Wish Fulfilled

on page 70 is .............................................

Cathy Austin and Nicole Taipale

I went to the O Magazine website and the link for their article features a great picture of Cathy and Nicole:

Mind you this photo was taken at their photo shoot in New York, but I have to say - even in every day "real life" and not "all made up" both Nicole and Cathy are beautiful --- both inside and out. Love ya girls!

Busy, Busy day...

It's Friday the 13th and shaping up to be a busy, busy day.

I want to share a few stories about:

* what happend this morning (iron!)
* a story about Colusa and some friends I have re-connected with
* a story about my 7th grade boyfriend and a long over due "Thank YOU!" note (with photos to be included!)

But, I don't have time to do it now, so --- basically --- this morning's blog is my ribbon tied around my finger to help me remember what I want to share.

Have a totally terrific Friday the 13th!

It was a wonderful weekend!

Friday night Manda and I ran to the used bookstore; and then to Safeway. We came home and made a yummy (very simple!) dinner and just relaxed and enjoyed the evening with Russell.

Saturday was family breakfast morning. Russell and Manda made scrumptious bacon (I always burn it) while I did scrambled eggs with bell peppers, tomato, corn and onions. After breakfast, Manda to Russell to pick up the truck - the 77 Ford needed its very first clutch replacement after more than 110 thousand miles. Then Manda ran a few errands before coming home.

Saturday evening we joined Susie Immanschuch, and Alena Trimble at Strikes in Rocklin for dinner. Susie, Alena and I went to high school together. We have not seen each other in years and years, but we had a wonderful time catching up and getting to know each other all over again. Both of them are just as sweet and fun as I remember.

Sunday afternoon Manda and I headed over to hang out with Paula and Danielle. We spent a relaxing afternoon sharing great conversation and just enjoying the afternoon. Then it was off to Bible study for Paula (I am going to go with her one night,) and off to help Marla Ellis celebrate her birthday.

Marla is turning 40 this week. Her family really wanted to do something for her birthday, and as luck would have it - it is going to be a crazy week, so they decided to celebrate her birthday at John's Incredible Pizza. At 5:00 pm on a Sunday evening, the lines were actually not too bad, and the noise level was bearable.

Marla was joined by her mom, Marla's daughters Brittani (14) Madolyn (9) Brittani's best friend, my daughter Manda (16) Madolyn's best friend, Karissa (9) Marla's brother Fred and sister in law Dawn and their son Colin who is also 9, Marla's nephew Austin (16) Marla's boyfriend - Dave (who is really nice!) and myself.

It was a joyful bunch that crowded around the table sharing in the celebration. There was lots of good food, loud conversation and laughter. The kids enjoyed being able to use some of their energy in the game room, and the adults appreciated being able to share conversation.

It was a really busy weekend. Of course the things like laundry and cleaning house did not get done, but - oh well ----- I think we can get that caught right back up this week.

Happy Monday - hope your weekend was fun and that you are enjoying the bright sunshine outside today.

It's SU Stamp NIght Thursday!

It's Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I am very excited that it is Thursday - it means I get to see my friends and go play with inky fingers, stamps, paper, scissors and adhesive.

Our group is so much fun! We have been stamping together for several years, and each of the women in the group are so wonderful. We lost Jenn to Elk Grove several years ago, and Samantha to Texas, but recently we've picked up a few new friends along the way. It is so much fun to share and enjoy wonderful company. I love our Thursday night stamping sessions.

We had been stamping with one demo for about 3 years, but then we decided that we needed an even bigger challenge and more room for individual creativity -- so Carmen became our Stampin' Up! demonstrator last year. That took our group up to an even higher level of wonderfulness!

It's Thursday and I can not wait to see my friends this evening.

Awful ...

A really good friend of our family was arrested on horrible, awful, totally life changing charges this week. I feel sick to my stomach; and just want to cry for him.

Mike - please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this horrible ordeal.

I don't believe that the charges are true. I believe that what he was accused of did happen; but I do not believe that it was done by Mike.

May God be with the family, may the full truth be revealed to those who need to know, and may mercy and comfort be will all the parties involved.

37 ODD Things about you!

Learn 37 things about your friends, and let them learn 37 things about you!

Send back to me and forward to friends!!

" Do You Think These Are Really Odd?"

1. Do you like blue cheese?

I love it, but it gives me fierce migraines, so I can't eat it.

2. Have you ever smoked?

Nope - can't stand it!!

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?

It's a 3 way tie: Orange, Grape or Cherry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

Yes. I hate going to the doctors.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

I love 'em! (Parker's Hot Dogs are the BEST!)

7. Favorite Christmas movie?

National Lampoon's Christmas with Chevy Chase

(it was one of the first dates Russ and I went on 19 years ago!)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?

Honestly, Icy cold Coca-Cola from Mc Donald's

9. Can you do pushups?

I can, but I don't

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

My wedding rings

11. Favorite hobby/s:

spending time with my family and friends,

stamping,

scrapping,

blogging,

facebook,

walking in the rain

12. Do you have A.D.D.?

Some days I certainly think I do

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts?

Glasses since I was 9.

Tried contacts in high school - didn't work out so well for me.

(However, I've got a great story about contacts, my Rainbow installation, and my dad.)

14. Middle name?

Lynn

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment:

I hope Manda is safe as she drives through the construction at Cirby and Riverside;

It's a beautiful day;

Lunch with Jill and Pegg was fun.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?

Coca-Cola,

water,

cran-apple juice

17. Current worry?

The economy and it's far reaching ripple effect

18. What you hate right now?

The economy

19. Favorite place to be?

LOTS of favorites --- depends on my mood.

I love anywhere I can just enjoy life at the moment that I am in.

20. Where would you like to go?

Texas

21. What is your favorite candy?

Heath Bar

22. Name three people who will complete this?

Paula,

Jenn,

Kim

23. Do you own slippers?

Yes they are bright pink and do a soothing massage

24. What shirt are you wearing?

Red, black, white, pink and silver stripe - with 3/4 length sleeves and a little collar

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

Nope! I am a flannel girl

26. Can you whistle?

Not nearly as good as Michelle can

27. Favorite color?

Purple, red, blue, celery green (sorry, I can't decide.)

28. Would you like to be a pirate?

Nope. I have no desire to be at sea

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?

None.

The neighborhood dogs passed a law that prevents me from singing ever. Hurts their ears.

30. Favorite girls names?

Amanda,

Andrea,

Ariana,

Christine,

Elizabeth,

Leighann

31. Favorite boys names?

Alex,

Ryan,

Robert,

Carson,

Logan,

Taylor

32. What's in your pocket right now?

Lint

33. Last thing that made you laugh?

Reading Samantha's responses

34. What vehicles do you drive?

Ford Freestyle

Ford Focus

(by the way Samantha - as much as I love you - I can not be your Robin in the Batmobile.)

35. Worst injury you've ever had?

Whip-lash from a car accident 16 years ago

36. Do you love where you live?

As a matter of fact, I do!

37. How many TVs do you have in your house?

Let's see: I in the living room,

one in Manda's,

one in our bedroom,

and I think Russ has 3 in the garage.

So 6.

That is 5 too many.

Dear Family and friends, and fellow bloggers ...

May this Christmas be your best Christmas ever. May you be surrounded by happiness and laughter, warmth and love, good health and good cheer. May you be blesses with good health and good fortune. May the spirit of Christmas fill your heart with a gladness that lasts the whole year long.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

Thankgiving Traditions

Every household has it's own traditions for the Holiday season. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I love the warmth of the time the family shares enjoying each other's company. I love the laughter and the happiness. I love the traditions of recipes which have been handed down and shared from one family member to the next.

Our family gathers around the table to share a delicious meal which includes a turkey stuffed with my mother in law's stuffing which she learned how to make from her Mother's recipe. It is fragrant and delightful. I am not sure what we enjoy more, the turkey or the stuffing .... hmm!

Irene taught me the recipe about 12 years ago, and I have to say, I love it. I love eating it, and I love to prepare it. We hand grind the onions, celery and old fashioned white bread together and then blend in sage sausage, eggs, chicken broth and a combination of spices including ground sage, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper.

Last year, Manda prepared the entire turkey dinner; from refrigeration to cleaning and preparing the fresh Zacky Farms turkey, to making the stuffing and placing the bird in the oven to proudly serving us a meal which had been roasted to perfection. Every bite of the meal she prepared for us was a delight to our taste buds.

The 18 pound turkey came out juicy and tender, stuffing bursting with flavor, moist and dense, each layer of flavor full and vibrant. Her mashed potatoes were thick and creamy, fragrant with fresh ground garlic and topped with real butter and a dash of pepper. Manda created a gravy using the turkey drippings and the meat from the neck and innards, which she had carefully ground into small pieces. It was delicious! The yams were baked with just a touch of brown sugar and butter, their sweetness a refreshing partner to the vibrancy of the stuffing.

Yum! My stomach is already growling.... and it is not even lunch time!

One of the other things we always take the time to do during the holiday season is to reflect on all the reasons we have to be thankful:

I am thankful for the love of my family and friends, our health and happiness, and the joy we share. I am thankful that in these tough and uncertain times, there are family and friends to seek comfort and understanding in. I am thankful for the sound of laughter and the sight of a smile. I am thankful that I am getting to know new friends and fellow bloggers and appreciate that you each share your wisdom and sense of humor with me. I am honored.

I hope you and your families have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Twilight

.............. was simply AMAZING!

That is all I have to say ...........

AMAZING!

Well, okay, I do have more to say, but for those two or three people who have yet to see (or read) this amazing story ~ I'll keep my mouth shut and let them discover what they are missing.

Special "Thanks!" to the wonderful group of teens I had the pleasure of sharing my movie viewing pleasure with. Each one of you is an awesome person, and I really enjoyed our excursion to the theater!

Amanda, Brittani, Tori, Brandon, Morgan, and Madison --- these teens know how to make every moment a hilarious one. Thanks, guys!



Check out this great site for more Twilight fun: http://twilightersanonymous.com/
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Crafty Creations 2008 ... an encore presentation!

If you like a good craft fair that is stocked with a great blend of hand-made items, then you need to check out
Crafty Creations 2008 Eighth Annual Fall Craft Fair.

Crafty Creations has handmade crafts created by local crafters - these are not your "retail" crafters who mass produce items, but rather crafters who create with a passion, and love to share their talent and artisty. You'll find many one of a kind items.

Crafty Creations features Fall, Harvest & Christmas Decorations, Gifts, Home Decor, Jewelry, Clothings, Food items & Much Much More!

This year they are featuring many new and exciting items ~~ so bring your shopping list, and let Crafty Creations help you avoid the holiday boredom of retail shopping.

Crafty Creations main even craft fair was last weekend, but by popular demand they are back this weekend for special as requested encore presentation of their annual craft fair.

Come check out Crafty Creations this Saturday, November 15, 2008

They will be open for your shopping pleasure from 10-5

Crafty Creations is located at:

3209 Pepperidge Drive, Antelope, CA 95843

9

That is the number:

It's 9:09 am as I start this blog;
It's 9 hours until dinner --- butternut squash soup, with a spinach salad!
We had a total of 9 (yes, we counted them) trick or treaters on Friday .....
9 /11 was when Halloween trick or treating started to become much less popular ....

I miss the days when we used to have over a 100 trick or treaters! It was crazy answering the door for that many people, but it sure was fun to see all the costumes and hear all the laughter.

Our house used to be the gathering place. My mom and step dad would come down from Yerington, and mom would make a big pot of taco soup. Jill, Drew, Dorothy, Gil and Lil, Brandon, and Tori would bring a yummy side dish or dessert and a great bottle of wine. Barney (and then later Moose and Gracie) would come along and walk with us as we took the kids door to door. Michelle would bring Autume and Elliot, Karen would bring Kristen and Ryan and Randy and Jessica would be with us too. Sometimes, Logan and Jacki would bring Courtney and Darrien, too.

The grandparents (My mom and step dad, Lil and Gill and Dorothy) would stay at the house and hand out candy to the trick or treaters. The rest of us would head out en mass and trick or treat through the entire neighborhood of about 110 houses. Throughout the neighborhood there would be several large groups of kids with their parents, all out enjoying the evening. There were kids and families everywhere!

It was frequently cold, and when our warm thermoses of hot chocolate and bailey's would run dry, the fathers would give up and take the youngest of the kids back to the house for hot apple cider and more taco soup. The oldest kids would hang on until they could not carry their load of candy, their fingers were cold, and they were exhausted.

We'd all stumble back into the house. The kids bounty of candy would be dumped on the floor so the moms could inspect it, and the kids would share their treasure with the parents and grandparents. Jill loved the "dots" and 'mike and ikes" and I always loved the "tootsie rolls" and "milk duds."

Exhausted and with a supply of candy large enough to feed a third world nation, the children would one by one, close their eyes and drift into a Halloween sleep, their bags of candy tucked firmly at their sides.

I miss those days!

Thriller

I was at Carmen's house for a Stampin' UP! Christmas themed stamp a stack card making event this evening (the cards are BEAUTIFUL, Thank YOU! Carmen!!) and Carmen's mother - in - law, Gail was there, too.

She had participated in an event at her school. It was a staff memeber dance / tribute to Michael Jackson's Thriller. When I found out the dance had been video taped and was on youtube, I knew I had to post it!

So ---- here it is!!! Enjoy! The staff did a great job, I would have loved to have seen this performance in person:

Totally Terrifically Thursday!

Happy Thursday!

I am like a little kid today ... totally excited!

Why? Because I get to go stamp with my friends tonight.

Friends....

I have this REALLY wonderful, REALLY AWESOME, completely, totally TALENTED warm hearted friend who I have to THANK from the BOTTOM of my HEART for making Russell's and my anniversary so SWEET!

CARMEN and COLIN ~ You are amazing!!!!! Thank you from the very bottom of Russ' and my heart.

Carmen, the box you gave Russ to share with me is EXTREMELY adorable! I will get pictures of it and post them here and on SU4Me. I have not stopped looking at it, opening it, looking at each piece of paper, placing the top back on it, and starting the whole process over again since Russ gave it to me at midnight last night.

The box is deliciously beautiful!

Colin, Thank YOU for being the delivery person and helping Russ.

I so appreciate BOTH of you!

Thank you!

It's ....... Friday!

Celebrate!!!

This weekend is all about family and friends and enjoying life!

Samantha is arriving from Texas for her high school reunion and birthday celebration weekend!

I am sooooooooooooooooooooo very, very, very excited (did I tell you that I am very excited??) to see her!

Not only is Samantha going to be in town, but as normal we have a busy weekend ahead:

1) Manda will be meeting with her defendant for Placer County Juvenile Teen Peer Court after school today. She has drafted a list of questions she needs answered so she can put together her defense. I stipulated that she must:

1. meet the teen in a public place
2. require that the teen's mother remain present during the meeting
3. allow me to arrive at the meeting spot and sit a discreet distance from them

I know this is me just being overly protective, but the only thing I am allowed to know about the teen is that he has been in trouble with the juvenile courts; he has recently moved away from Placer County; he is approximately Amanda's age; and that Manda is his Defense Attorney for Teen Peer Court. Not alot to build trust with, but ~ okay.....

2) Did I mention that Samantha is going to be here from Texas??? Oh yeah!!!!!

3) Manda has a TON of homework this weekend, and a book to finish annotating.

4) I have two cards swaps to complete for SU4Me.

5) Samantha will be here!

6) Manda is babysitting on Saturday.

7) I am going to try to surprise my hubby and take him out to celebrate our 18th anniversary
which is on Monday. I love you Russ!

8) I have to clean house and get the laundry done. (YUCK!)

9) Samantha's birthday bash is on Sunday!

10) I need to make an anniversary card for my hubby.

11) Manda has to finally decide on what she is wearing for court on Tuesday. I have bought her a total of 3 new outfits, she just has to decide.... Not easy. She wants to look professional, but not stuffy and she wants to look like a teen with her act together ~ not a teen pretending to be an adult.

Congratulations to Tyler Lopez!

While reading the Roseville Press-Tribune last night, I came upon an article that filled me with immense pride:

School News & Notes

Woodcreek grad enters doctorate program

Roseville resident Tyler Steven Lopez has been accepted to attend the University of San Diego to pursue a jurisdoctor.

Lopez graduated from Woodcreek High School in 2002. In 2006, he graduated from UC San Diego with a major in management science and a minor in political science. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Tyler is the son of Debbie and Fabian Lopez and brother to Ashlee, Kelsie and Larra.

I know Tyler's parents, we all went to high school together. Deb is an incredibly kind, warm-hearted, and fun loving person. She embraces life fully and is not afraid of a challenge.

I have always admired Deb and Fabian's parenting skills and their focus on allowing their children to grow into strong minded, highly productive, mature, responsible adults.

My hat is off to Deb and Fabian for raising GREAT children.

Congratulations to TYLER!
Along with feeling very proud of you, I have to admit, this article made me feel "OLD." I remember this child as a baby and dragging him with us to high school football games. I remember him in elementary school with our niece, Jessica. I remember him in junior high and graduating from high school. He has always been a special kid.

Four!

Four, Four, Four, Four.....AND MORE...

A. Four places that I go to over and over:
Work, online, dance, home (in no particular order)

B. Four people who email me (regularly):
Samantha, Deb, Jenn, Beautiful Redhead

C. Four of my favorite places to eat:
Lenny's Sub Shop, Olive Garden, Taco Bell, In & Out

D. Four places I would rather be right now.
on a date with my husband, walking in the rain,
swinging on a swing, Watching Manda tap

E. Four people I think will respond:
Samantha, my mom, Sharla, Jenn

F. Four TV shows you watch over and over...
Hell's Kitchen, NCIS, Flip this House, news

Here's what you are supposed to do...and please don't spoil the
fun. Copy and paste this into your email, delete my answers,
type in your answers and send it to a bunch of people, including me!