"Snaggle Tooth"

Nanny McPhee, a caricature of the Bella Ella.


Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpbC0nrkUmw


This photo reminded me of the days when I watched a program, kind of like Sesame Street as a five or six year old. It was Kukla, Fran and Ollie. The Alligator was Ollie, the lady, Fran Allyson, and Ollie the alligator.

Ella, my six year old granddaughter has a tooth hanging in front. She is about to lose her first upper central incisors. I called her, "Snaggle Tooth." Her mommy thought that was funny and laughed. I told her about this trio who talked to the children, kind of like Mr. Rogers' did in his day. Anyway it was a fond memory and a fun thing to recall.

Youtube.com had a video of the three. See the link above here.

Just A Mom??

Being a mother has been one of the most rewarding to me in my own life. I saw this and decided to share it. It pays a great tribute to so many women, mothers. A great story.

:
JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,
'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.

'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,


'housewife' covers it,'
Said the recorder emphatically.


I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself


In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
'I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
Looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words..
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,
'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
'I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
And already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers


And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
Testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more


Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'


Motherhood!

What a glorious career!
Especially when there's a title on the door.



Does this make grandmothers
'Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and
Human Relations'
And great grandmothers
Executive Senior Research Associates?'
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts


Associate Research Assistants.

Thoughts by Heber J Grant

QUOTE OF THE DAY by Heber J. Grant:


"I am converted to the thought that the way to peace and happiness in life is by giving service. Service is the true key, I believe, to happiness, because when we perform labors like missionary work, all the rest of our lives we can look back upon our accomplishments in the mission field. When we preform any acts of kindness, they bring a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure into our hearts, while ordinary amusements pass away" (Gospel Standards, p. 187).

Pondering The Blessings

This past ten days I was able to work out of town with follow up on the U.S. Census, 2010. My team crew co-workers were a delight to be with. The time spent with them was one of unity and camaraderie.

Honestly, it was a delight to be comfortable to have some time in finishing up our questionnaires while having a morning prayer and blessing on our food in one of the rooms we happened to be finishing up our work. It was very natural to ask if we could have a blessing on the food and on our work with one another. Our day went great and I realized how much it made a difference in the things that were accomplished in our effort to follow through with the questionnaires. People just seemed to show up at the right place and the right time.

I noticed this as my work took me to the downtown but residential area. I was so intent in driving up and down the streets looking for specific houses that I was not aware that I was block away from the Saint George Temple! I all of a sudden looked up and there was the temple so close. My assignment happened to include the apartments directly across the street from it.

There was a place I went to find the resident while it was still late evening, although it was still day light and the sun had not yet set. I was there talking to a sweet sister who had quite a nice story to tell me.

She was a widow (of ten years) and had come from California to work on her beloved husband's family history/genealogy. She, Sister Richards, was so kind and caring toward me, that it was most gratifying. She talked about her mission in which she had served with Elder Richard G Scott as a young missionary in Uruguay. She even spoke in Spanish and it surprised her afterward to have me respond to her back in Spanish. She was just s little bit of a thing and very frail looking. I got her life story voluntarily too. She gave me a bag of all kinds of goodies to take with me. She had a small container of cabbage Cole slaw. She also had a miniature cucumber, and cookies. She did manage to give some to me to take home. I was very touched by her attitude.

It was a special experience to enjoy their company. I met some of the very most incredible women and all. They was an air of unity and after spending time witb some of the nicest way. I feel honored to be with them.

I recall how beautiful the St. George Temple looked night; and as women felt free to attend the temple. Unfortunately that was the last day to work in St. George, and no time to go to the temple, but I was glad to have been able to work there. The weather was quite warm, and I saw that the lady from Southern California.

Cedar Breaks National Park

Cedar Breaks Natioanal monument, is just up the mountain from Cedar City, Utah. It is about an hour drive from downtown and up a winding canyon almost like Provo Canyon. The rocks are red, and part of Iron County.



It is not very often that I get to take time out and actually go somewhere fun, and exciting by myself! This photo above and below are of a short drive taken after my work was completed in Cedar City this last week. It felt like I was on a paid vacation, which it was in that after work was done, I could go to the pool, a play or go to dinner with the others who became good friends.


Brian Head, the ski resort was on the way out of Cedar Breaks. My friend, Terri, who is also from Lindon, invited be to drive along and take in the beautiful scenery. It was a great blessing as we traveled earlier last week to St. George from Fillmore. Then back from Cedar City to Lindon.

My engine light went on just after we stopped to look around at Cove Fort. Terri drove to Meadow a few miles away, picked up a few quarts of oil, and I was not stranded there since the car seemed to be chugging along when the engine light went on. I sat along the side of the road and let the engine rest, then put in half a quart of oil when she came back. She was a lifesaver and I was so glad I took the extra time to see the sights and had a friend to make sure I made it home. I could not thank her enough for inviting me, otherwise I would have been on my own for who knows how long about 100 miles from home.

I felt the hand of God watching over me and all the prayers in my behalf to be safe and arrive home safely, and so grateful for a good friend in a time of need.

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle

The other day when I saw my oldest son, Hank he told me what a lady said to him in his ward. He said, she thanked him for being so patriotic. Yes, he serves his country in his profession. It must have been something that he always knew and had a desire to do in his life.

He said to her, "Thank my mother." His reference to me was for the love I have of my country and the United States flag. He said I taught him songs like, "America, the Beautiful, and "The Star-Spangled Banner." I did indeed, and it was also before our membership in the Church. I came by it naturally, somehow. It was ingrained in my heart when each morning my elementary class (in Chicago) was led in the Pledge of Allegiance every day in my class room experience. We also sang, "My Country Tis' of Thee."

I taught Hank and Tanise, and Tara the songs as they would have story time and at bedtime, we sang those songs. There was a story book collection I read them that had these patriotic songs and so we sang them often. We sang them in a round in the chorus of "America, the Beautiful." It reads . . .and crown thy good with brotherhood. . .I used to call Hank, brother, so brotherhood referred to him, and "sister" hood referred to Tanise, "Mommy"-hood to me, and Daddy hood to their dad."

A few years later the two attended Sunday School singing time together at the Garden Grove Sixth Ward. Even though Tanise was only two, she attended with Hank in his Sunbeam's class. Their teacher, Bunny Werner told me that during singing time, the chorister would ask for requests from the children. Hank would raise his hand and request, "The Star-Spangled Banner," or "America, the Beautiful." "Unfortunately," she said, "not everyone knew that song so they could not all sing it together."

A candid shot I took of Hank saluting the flag at Memorial Day tribute at Orem City Cemetery, May 2010, we both attended. Thanks Hank, for serving our country.


[This was perhaps the reason that Hank says he became so patriotic was because of me, his mother. I am humbled and grateful for the influence of the Spirit that touched my heart to teach and instill these songs into my children's hearts as well.]

Celebrating Freedom and Opportunity~

Today is always such a great holiday for me. It has the excitement that Christmas or New Year's brings. The main reason is the gifts of freedoms and the blessings I ponder each year for the sacrifices made by my beloved ancestors.

They were all pioneers in their own right. Some came from foreign lands to start lives anew that their own home land did not offer them at the time of their emigration. About ninety-five years ago, my grandfather, Ricardo came into the United States with his young wife and almost one year old daughter. The all three arrived here on American soil sometime in February, 1916.

The war of the Mexican Revolution made my grandfather leave Mexico and was not involved in the civil battle engaged by the factions of the government versus Pancho Villa. It was not my grandfather's destiny to remain in the country and struggle through until it became settled among the two groups.

I am forever grateful for Ricardo's tenacity to seek a new home for his small family and find work anew in a strange country that he did not even speak the language. He quickly learned and developed his trade and became a leader with the company he chose to work for in San Antonio, Texas.

My grandmother, Maria had a miscarriage and was unable to travel upon their arrival to the train station in San Antonio, Texas. Ricardo saw a tall smoke stack of the Permanente Cement Company and decided to try his hand in seeking work until he could earn the money to go to Arizona to work in the silver mines. He tentatively had a job there, and had a companion, George Howatt, a former widower and who married, Ricardo's cousin, Delores, aka Lola Ulloa. Ricardo ended up working for the cement plan and remained there in San Antonio. He made his life's work there and was a great contribution to that industry.

George was also traveling to Miami, Arizona to work in the mines there. He went on and settled there with his small family. Lola was a school teacher, very beautiful and educated, from Guanajuato, Mexico. However, his career was cut short with his death about ten years later. His family stayed in Arizona, and his daughters became educated and taken care of by the men at the mines. His daughters were, Guadalupe, Gloria, and another one who I cannot recall her name. I will have to think and look for her name.

Nevertheless, Ricardo and Maria faced many challenges in their lives and had many more children, after Consuelo, i.e. Ricardo, Jr., Carlos, Celia, Emma, Elena and Alicia Rodriguez. My grandmother had another son, whom she named, Carlos, but he died as a new born the year before my father was born. He is part of this story in the family constellation. They lost little Emma from pneumonia at almost three years old. I was able to find her birth and death certificate and her in my research.

I am so thankful to live in America and being raised by goodly parents, who loved me and always wanted the very best for me. I have been able to get a great education as well as my children They are productive citizens in their own lives. My ancestors would be pleased.

I know it is because of them and their sacrifices that I have the blessings in my life at this time. I am most grateful for them and all they experienced.

Just me and Da Chickens

I hope you like this entry about the chickens, down home.
This week I am solo while Aaron, Candice and the chillin's are on vacation. I have learned quite a lot about taking care of their newly acquired five hens and a "midget" rooster. The next door neighbors had the chickens and moved away.

White Chickens, produce white eggs

Rock chick produce brown eggs


That left them for new ownership as they moved and Aaron bought a newly constructed hen house. Then, the new next door neighbors have chickens of their own, about six times what we had, besides a couple more roosters. They also have a gaggle of geese. The geese like to honk and quack whenever someone come close to their fence. The geese are so funny and like to make a lot of noise, that is for sure.

I don't have any photos of the geese. My camera is temporarily missing, so have no way to take a few candid shots of the geese, roosters and chickens.

It is so much nicer to have fresh laid eggs,and eat them right from the nest, practically. The chickens are fairly descent and that makes it so much easier too.

There is something about having fresh omlettes for breakfast from fresh eggs.

It is so much nicer to have fresh laid eggs,and eat them right from the nest, practically. The chickens are fairly descent and that makes it so much easier too.

I recall that one of my aunts (Chelo's people) had chickens in San Antonio. I would go with Bessie to the hen house and I think we helped gather eggs. That is my earliest recollection with chickens.