7044 and counting

I've always been fascinated by trees. I love to look at them as they change from no leaves, to leaves, to colored leaves, to no leaves. But what I think is interesting is that we connect trees with our family or "your family tree". I'm a family historian. I think of myself as the family record keeper. I keep all the names of my family together, the histories that I can find and photo's. Just like tree's my family branches out everywhere. It is a giant puzzle that I love to work on.
Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I find that families are so important. In what little spare time I have I try


to connect as much of my family as possible. Right now with my family and my husbands I have over 7044 names in my data base. What is very interesting to me is that I can keep all of this straight and know who belongs where. The reason I've not written the past several days is that I've been working on a family line, and each day I've found about 10 more names to add. I think if I worked every day I'd add about 10 names a day, 70 names a week, oh and do the math how many is that a month... It overwhelms me, and yet I'm constantly continuing to look for more. So if you don't hear from me I'm either working, or searching.
I've read a few books lately too. I've been on a garden theme.
The Stone Flower Garden By Deborah Smith, this one is about family secrets.
The Perfect Poison by Amanda Quick, how we use plants to heal and kill is very interesting. This was a historical romance/murder mystery. It did have some parts that were a bit explicit that I skipped over but over all it was a fun book to read.
My husband travels to Utah next week. That will be interesting. I've gotten him more cell phone points, and batteries for the camera. I think he even is getting to go to the Salt Lake Temple. Oh Lucky him.
Moment's of Joy:) A day off after a busy busy week. Cuddling with my daughter. Listening to my son play the violin. Seeing my husband be less stressed about life. This doesn't happen too often these days.
Thankful for: My trial as it has been making me see just how strong I am.
A song for you: You Raise me up. Think I needed that one. Also many of my ancestors were Irish so love to listen to the Celtic music.

CAT SHOW WINNERS!

This past weekend my daughter was in her fist 4-H cat show. She entered the Junior animal class, Junior showmanship class, and the costume class. Our cat did not place in the animal class, but the competition was quite steep with about 9 cats for the judge to choose from. Most of them young cute kittens.
In showmanship my daughter placed 2nd out of 9. I thought that was just wonderful! Of course I was watching and holding my breath and forgot to take any photo's. In the costume class they got most original costume. The poor cat was so glad when we packed up and went home. When ever she was not in the show ring she was in the back of her pet tent trying hard to hide.
I think 4-H is a great organization, where children can learn about something they like and can also learn good public speaking skills. It was very brave of my daughter to stand in front of a lot of people and tell them about

our cat. She had practiced for a long time and I was so glad for her when she got a ribbon.
My son had a great time helping us. He with his artistic abilities made some nice signs to put around the gym where the show took place.

Well my husband finally had a good day at his work after six months of really hard struggles. He came home in a good mood, and actually was even complimented by some other technician that he talked to on the phone. I've been trying to tell my husband that he is an extremely smart and good mechanic, but he has a tendency to not listen to me. He got the compliment from someone else and it made his day.



The sun is coming out and I will now watch for that first spring flower. Crocus. Little purple and white flowers they are just wonderful to see.
Moment of Joy:) Coming home to a happy family. Having time to read two books this month. Both had some garden theme. I'll share that tomorrow.
Looking forward to counting birds tomorrow for the great back yard bird count. Love to hear the birds singing outside.

Living on a budget can help you not use credit cards.

As I get ready to sit down and write out my budget I realize this will help me to save, and not use credit cards. Why because I will know where everything is going. I have always lived on and had a monthly budget. I am now keeping all receipts and even looking at how much we spend on gas each month. I'm am determined to find more ways to cut spending. It's is hard when you are pretty much living on a thread, but there should be a bit more that could be cut, I think. Here is an article about living on a budget hope it helps you.

My husband will fly to Utah in a few weeks. I'm amazed that we are taking these steps and look forward to what he will have to say when he gets back. I'm kind of jealous that he gets to go out and see Utah. I've always wondered what it is like out there. You get so many different opinions, If I don't get to go out I'll be a little sad. Perhaps that is what I'll try to save money for a trip to Utah. If we continue on this path what an adventure for our family. What a huge undertaking too. I think I need to start really purging my house of all the stuff we have been collecting over the years. Perhaps I'll make a few dollars in the process.

No love song to day as Valentines is over. Here is a good song if you are in a trial.

Stronger by Mandisa.

Courage is by the strange familiar. I hear this one at work everyday, and think I need that. I need to just keep on going, moving forward with faith. Don't we all.

So here's a thought if we do move,then I'll have to do a blog of "Road trip with Meowing Cat." My husband said he would drive with the cat and our stuff, and I said "No way, you would kill my cat before you got to your destination."

Any comments on this possible move? Got to figure out how to do it all without credit cards! I think they said they would pay for the travel expense to move.

Living without credit cards can help you save more.

As I read about living without credit cards, one thing keeps coming up. That you will actually end up saving more by not using credit cards. Another thing that is important to the no credit card life is to have an emergency fund. One article I read said to start with having $1000.00 put away. I feel good as I've always had more than that, but now I really feel compelled to work harder at saving. Why because saving will help me not use credit cards, and not using credit cards will help me save even more.

One hard thing for me is that I work at a retail store. I see all the new clothes come in, and all the new stuff and my brain says "YOU NEED THAT." My goal for the month of March is to not buy anything at the store I work at. I'm thinking of taking a photo of my closet to remind me that I have enough clothes! Here is a link to a living without credit cards article that I recently read. I hope it helps to motivate you. Another thing I read was to make a budget every month. I have to say since our financial crisis of no jobs, I've been a bit scared to really write down the budget. But I am going to start again in March. I guess the fact that more was going out than coming in was hard to see. I have faith that this will turn around. Some how God is going to make this work as a blessing to us. I think in many ways I've learned a lot. I asked my husband on Sunday "Are you humble enough to listen to what God wants you to do?" It was something that came up in our Sunday lesson. That God sends trials to make us humble and ready to do what he wants us to do. I feel I've been brought to that point. Soon after I asked that question my husband was offered a job in Utah. This is the third time he has been offered the job. The first time I instantly said "No." I won't go there, I have what I want here. The second time my husband was the one who said no. Now we are both looking and saying maybe, maybe this is where we are supposed to be going. He may actually fly out in a few weeks and check out the situation. This is not an offer that has to be answered today. It is interesting to see how each time we become more open to the idea.

Love Song: If love was a river by Alan Jackson.

Moments of Joy:) Reading a good book, having time alone with my husband, sitting in the sun.

It's not impossible to live without credit cards.

I'm almost through with month two of no credit cards, and I can say, "It is not Impossible to live without credit cards."

I actually feel better each day as the mail arrives because I know there is no huge bill looming. My next goal is to slowly rebuild our depleted savings account. On that note I'd ask you to pray for my husband to make at least 20 hours a week at work. It would help us greatly if he could make enough hours so that we could cover all our bills. I have 23 hours this week and then 30 the next week. I have to say that God is still blessing us. It may not be in income, but we have had just the best health this winter. I feel it is a direct blessing from God for staying faithful despite our situation. My husband is half way through the Toyota online training. Once he is done that I think he may look for a new job. If you know anybody thinking of going into the automotive field, if they are young, and think this is the job for them, strongly advise them against it. It is just not my husband who is struggling, many many mechanics right now are struggling. There are many who are not making even 40 hours a week due to FLAT RATE pay. Many who get to be top mechanics get laid off because the companies do not want to pay them. They bring in young guys to take their place sacrificing good work with cheap work. As I go about and talk with people that I have met, it amazes me how many women are out working because their Mechanic husband just isn't making enough money anymore. Many of the auto shops that don't pay flat rate also are suffering in this economy. Plus the work is hard, and sometimes with the computer systems you can think you have solved a problem and have it not be solved. I have to say my husband most nights comes home after being at work for 9 to 10 hours feeling exhausted and beat up and only billing about 2-3 hours. So if you are looking to be a mechanic think: are you ready to work all day and be paid for less than half? You will certainly know what it is like to be a housewife if you are. So anyone thinking of this as a possible career think twice, you may find it's not the career you thought it was.

On another note my husband has been offered a job in Utah. He may fly out and see just what this all is about. I'm both excited and scared. I've felt since this fall that we were going to be moving, I just didn't know when or where. Could this possibly be what that feeling was about? It will be interesting to see how this all turns out. Pray for us.

LOVE SONG: The impossible probably not the song for Valentines day, but hits on many of my feelings of life lately. Things that seemed impossible to happen could just happen.

Another song that I need to revisit Dancing in the minefields. Love it.

Moments of Joy:) sleeping in the sun with my cat. My daughters 4-H cat show. She won 2nd place for showmanship against 9 others. Fries and milkshakes with my kids. Listening to my son play the violin. Having Valentines day off.

Thankful for:) EVERYTHING.

Have a "BE STILL DAY"

Have you ever noticed that cats find a warm sunny spot curl up and sleep the day away. Well yesterday I found a warm sunny spot next to my cat, curled up and slept most of the day away. I also spent time meditating and praying. I called it my "BE STILL DAY." I have this very beautiful painting in my kitchen of a tree in a field in the winter on the bottom it says "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I'M GOD." I decided to just do that. It was just wonderful. So I now have a new thing to do each week. Have a BE STILL time. I find I learn so much from my little cat as she lives in my house. She is a little furry angel.




I have been very busy this week with work, and then my passion of doing family history research. I've been working on my great, great, great grandparents line. The problem with me and family history is that every time I look for one person I find ten. So what was supposed to be a short project has become days of work. I find, then piece together and then put the people of my family puzzle together. I thought today I was almost done, only to find more pieces. Oh well it is a never ending project.

My son is being bullied on the bus again. Ugh. But I had to bring something to his school, so I mentioned it to the school secretaries. They had



him fill out a complaint form. I'm hoping since we jumped on this quickly it will end quickly. We at least had a few bully free years.

LOVE SONG: Come on over tonight (Sorry not the greatest you tube production.)by Brad Paisley.

Moments of Joy:) Being told I'm considered one of the best credit sellers at work. Having time to chat with customers and co-workers. Having three days off. Napping in the sun.

Thankful for:) Everything.

I'm so looking forward to the spring. I can't wait for the first flowers to peek out of the snow. Hope to get that caught on the camera.

Being the Sunshine in the Family Garden

One thing flowers need to grow is sunshine. If you think of your family as a growing garden they too need the sunshine. I feel lately that I've been the sunshine in the house. I'm constantly trying to make sure there is warmth, and peace, and the feeling that things will be better for my family. I don't know why but so far it has not been a tiring thing to be the sun. I think some of it has to do with being able to leave the house and do other things. Then when I come back I can share my funny retail stories and say it will be OK. I have noticed that my husband is beginning to believe this, he is sleeping better, and working harder to do better at home and work. I hope each day we can have more sunshine in our day and less storm.


I found this interesting article on living on a small income. It was good to read and I felt good that I'm on track. It also led me to find a great and funny rap song about tithing. I think my family



should learn it and do it at our next church talent show. What a laugh. The tithing rap.


The Love song of the day: I believe in love by the Dixie chicks.


Moments of Joy:) Being on the office board for achieving the monthly goals. Chatting with customers. Time spent sitting in the sun. Which is where I'm going right now.

An Attitude of Gratitude

What are you thankful for? I have so many things that I'm thankful for. This past Saturday morning I was thankful that it didn't snow again. I am thankful each time I make a goal at my new job. I'm thankful for my home and children. I'm thankful for the good health we have been having. I'm thankful that both my husband and I have jobs. I'm thankful that I prepared for the storm and that so far we have been weathering it. I'm thankful for the help of our church and friends as we move along a very new road. I'm thankful for the beauty of the world around me, the innocence of my children and their pure faith.

I'm thankful for my cat who keeps me company. I'm thankful for this life I have. I'm thankful for the good friends I have and for the good people I know. I'm filled with thankfulness.

This Sunday at church we learned about having an Attitude of Gratitude. I felt so great during this lesson, because I know that I have always been a very thankful person. I am always sending out thank you cards, I'm always expressing my thanks. In fact some of what has been keeping me strong is the ability to be thankful for what I have. I list it out each day to the Lord. I thank people for helping me all the time. In the lesson we learned the more we express and are thankful for what we have the more it positively effects our mind, spirit and body. So if you are feeling down, think of all you have to be thankful for.

Dwell on that more than on those things you don't have or haven't mastered yet. See how it may change you. Then report back.

Here is an article about "An Attitude of Gratitude."

One way to keep from credit card use could be just being grateful for what you have and realizing you don't need to have so much more. Here is an article related being grateful for what you have.
My favorite song of the week has to be "This is the stuff that drives me crazy." But it is more for the message of stop thinking about those things, focus on the blessings. I also just love the beat. I've had fun dancing about the house with it.

love song's: Two people fell in love by Brad Paisely. "We Danced" This was the song that made me start listening to country music.

Moment of Joy:) Going to cat club with my daughter. Making my goals every day I worked. Thank you Heavenly Father. Playing with my cat. Visiting with a dear and good friend. Visiting a home bound friend and bringing some laughter to her life. Teaching the teens even though I had the wrong lesson. Being with my family.

Refuse to do the plastic swipe!

Ah summer, flowers and butterflies how I miss them among the frozen snow.

My thought today is that I must refuse to do the plastic swipe. Which is use credit cards. Here is a link to an article about keeping debt free. I have gotten all our credit card debt paid off, and now I hope to keep from using those cards. I want now to pay down my home equity line. I have also decided to try to start putting just a little bit away each month in our savings and try to get our savings built back up to pre-job loss days. This month will be hard as work is slow for both my husband and I but that is my goal. Perhaps I'll start small say $10.00 this month.

Here are two Alan Jackson Songs that are favorite "LOVE" Songs for me:

Remember when ( I made a video for my in laws with this song and their wedding photo's for their 50th. They loved it.)

I love you all over again (made a video with this song and photo's of me and my husband for our 10 year anniversary.)

I have to admit I had to sit and watch a bunch of Alan video's. I just think he's one of the best singers. My parents actually sent me and my husband to one of his concerts years ago. It was the best.

Moments of Joy:) Watching Alan Jackson videos. Spending time with my son waiting for the bus in the early morning. Chatting with my daughter as I drive her to school. Time with my children has only become more precious as I work. Time to sit and read a book and do Sudoku puzzles.

ICE AND SNOW MAKE THE WORLD SLOW DOWN!

Here are some photo's I took out in the ice storm yesterday. I have to say that I was glad that I got home from work before the storm started and had to be to work after the storm ended and everything was safe. Thank You for that. I feel though that sometimes these storms make us have to slow down. Which is nice. You get to sleep in, and you get to take sometime to just stay inside and relax. I don't think many people like this though as many people were shopping last night and they all said the same thing "I just came out shopping because I needed to get out of the house." Snow storms are good for the stores.





Can you see the ice layers on the wires and trees in these two photos? I always love to see the birds sitting on the wires. I have always wanted to write a counting book called "Birds on the wire" and have one bird at a time land on the wire. Then have a really fat bird try to get on while the other birds say "no!" and have the wire break. Then you are back to zero. I'm just not artistically talented. I need to get my son to draw the pictures for me.

I continue to do well with keeping from the credit cards. I'm hoping to make it through another month.



This year is also the year to purge the house of all the stuff that we have not used. I will be either throwing things away or donating, and possibly trying to sell some of the stuff that is cluttering our house up. I've been working all January in the kitchen. I'm almost done. Although I know that in March and April I may not get much done. So if the next weeks of February are slow I'll have to keep motivated. Many people I talk to are doing the same thing. If you have any tips on cleaning and donating please let me know.

So this month for songs I've decided to do my favorite "LOVE" Songs.

Here are the first two, my wedding song: Grow old with me. Sung by Mary Chapin Carpenter, written by John Lennon. I really like the you-tube video for this it has lots of flower garden photos.

Would you Go with me. By Josh Turner. He has the most awesome deep voice. I just love to listen to his music. I also love the video for this. I'm very much a country music fan.

Moments of Joy:) Sleeping in on the snow days. Having a nice place to work. Cuddling with the kitty. Spending time with my family.
Do you have a favorite love song? Please share it with me.