WORDS THAT MATTER

“The six most important words: I admit I made a mistake.

The five most important words: You did a good job.

The four most important words: What is YOUR opinion?

The three most important words: If you please.

The two most important words: Thank You.

The one most important word: WE”

“Author Unknown”

 

I have seen and heard this quote many times before and I agree with it 100%.  I think if we spend just a little time thinking before we speak we may be able to to say the right thing at the right time almost all the time.

 

GREAT QUOTE!

Every day at work there is a "Quote of the Day" shared in the News of the Day.  I especially liked today's quote:

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He or she doesn’t set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his or her actions and the integrity of his or her intent. In the end, leaders are much like eagles… They do not flock; you find them one at a time.” ~ Author Unknown

SIMPLE MATH

I have to share...

On Facebook there is an equation that is floating around that is a bit tricky if you aren't paying attention to the parentheses.

Those of you who read my blog give it a try and then I will tell you what the correct answer is:

6 / 2 (1 + 2) = ?

Answer It

CHRISTMAS DAY 2012

Nothing spectacular happened this Christmas, yet, there were moments that were pure joy.  There are a few pictures that I wanted to share with my family and friends that represent some of those special moments:

The Christmas Garland is one of my favorite decorations.  I have four throughout the living room and the dining room.

 

Handmade by Allisa

Dining Room Tree

The littlest Tree

 We set this scene up every year.  This is the first year that we had light shining down on it.  It looked very nice.

 This is Katana.  Vincent and Stevie's daughter.  She is wearing the dress that Victor and I bought her for Christmas.  The rocking horse behind her is one of two that Victor and Evan made for the granddaughters.

I set this little scene up every year in a different spot.  This year the two female cats tried to sleep with the baby Jesus, knocking Joseph over...

Since I am allergic to pine trees, we get a pine tree that has been flocked every year.  The Angel tree topper was a gift from my husband a few years ago and is my favorite out of all the tree toppers I have.

The is Kadance, Devlyn and Dru's daughter.  She is riding her new rocking horse that Victor and Evan built.  She was very happy rocking back and forth.  She would say "Oh no!" and "Wow" while Evan pushed the horse.  She played with the rocking horse for about an hour.  I was told that she still can't get enough of her horse.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, as we did.

WINDING DOWN AND GEARING UP

One of the things I like most about this time of year besides the holidays is the time I get to spend reflecting on the past year.  All the successes and failings.  All the celebrations of joy and all the moments of sorrow.

This past year was filled with endings.  I left Harbor Freight Tools; ending to a less than ideal working relationship.  Toxic relationships were severed.  These endings were a blessing.  Burdens lifted with these endings.

Then there were endings that brought some sorrow.  The passing of my grandmother; my aunt and Victor's uncle.  We experiences sadness with their passing and at the same time we had peace and comfort knowing that the plan of salvation makes it possible for us to see one another again.

This year was also filled with new beginnings.  My employment with The Cheesecake Factory Inc. has brought many new beginnings.  Because of the values this company promotes I find that I am happy and excited to go to work each morning.  I have made new friends since my employment with the Cheesecake Factory.  I became a member of Toastmasters and participate regularly.

I started reading The Book of Mormon at the beginning of the year and completed and started it again.

I was called as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher at the beginning of the year and have enjoyed every moment.

The most memorable ending to this year is the baptism of my daughter, Aislyn's friend, Katie yesterday morning.

I also enjoy the time I get to spending anticipating the events of the coming year.  All it's possibilities.

This new year has many beginnings and ending to look forward to.  Both Evan and Allisa will be graduating from their schools this June.  An ending to a period in their lives.  They each will begin new adventures.  Evan will be preparing for a mission and could possibly leave in September when he turns 18.  Allisa will begin High School and Seminary in the fall of 2013.

Allisa and I will travel to Washington DC in March.  I have never been to Washington DC and this will be a first for me.  Allisa and I will tour many historic sites.  I am looking forward to this experience and spending time with my youngest.

We are looking forward to possibilities for future success.  Victor has yet to find regular employment.  Just today we were given information that may be fruitful for the coming year.

I hope 2012 has been good to you and that 2013 is promising.

 

BEST IN DIVISION

Today was the best day ever!  Actually, it started last night...

I was up until about 2:00 a.m. prepping my flowers and containers.  I woke up at 6:00 a.m. and proceeded to cut more flowers and greenery from the front yard and the back yard.  The creative juices flowing all over the kitchen and the dining room. 

At 9:00 a.m. I jumped in the shower.  At 9:10 I was ready to jump in the car and take off to Seaside Park for the annual Ventura County Fair.

At 9:30 I was finalizing my entries for the Floriculture Department.  At 10:00 I left the fair grounds and headed off to run errands.  Went home and relaxed for several hours and then returned to the fair grounds to discover how I placed.  Below are pictures of the flower arrangments that I created this morning.  Enjoy!

This arrangement is made from flowers; shrubs and trees grown in the front yard and back yard:  Potato Tree (purple flowers), Star Jazmine branches, Yellow medallion roses, and valencia oranges.

Picture on the left is from 10:00 a.m.  Picture on the right is from 7:00 p.m.  Received 1st Place in "Home Grown" category and Best in Division.

This arrangement was made using a recycled wall sconce with candle holders.  Received a 3rd place in this category.

This arrangement includes roses and green foliage from the yard.  I used a party-lite candle tree and holders to group the three individual arrangements.  The category was called "Nature's Art" and the guideline stated that there need to be a minimum of three containers...  I received a 1st place award.

Love this one!  Flowers included in this arrangement:  Roses, snap dragons and tuberose.

I have had this particular vase for quite a while and every arrangement has done well... I received a second place in the category of "All other arrangements."

I really enjoyed creating this arrangement.  I received a second place in the category of "monocromatic" desgn.  President and Sister Figueroa really like this arrangement.  It is my favorite as well.

Each year that I have participated in the flower arrangement categories I have learned new ways for presentation and have learned how to select the best quality flowers nd foliage.  I really love flowers and plants!

My friend, Mimi Grout, stated that I should do arrangements for weddings after she had seen my designs.  What do you think?

EXODUS 20:3-17 AWARD

This is was the last week of Seminary for Aislyn and Evan.  Seminary Graduation is on Sunday.

Both Seminary classes had their end-of-the-year dinner/parties.

Throughout the year I would receive e-mails from both Seminary Teachers letting me know how Evan and Aislyn were doing.  Some of the e-mails and notes were very precious to me because of the kind loving words that were written about my children.

During Evan's end of the year dinner at the Blickenstaff's awards were handed out to each of the students.  Evan received the Exodus 20:3-17 Award:

FOR BEING THE FIRST IN THE CLASS TO

MEMORIZE ALL 15 VERSES

AND THE FIRST IN THE CLASS TO

MEMORIZE ALL 25 SCRIPTURE MASTERY

SCRIPTURES!

The award also stated:

"Evan set the bar for excellence very high this year.  He is the first of my students to memorize all 25 scripture mastery scriptures.  They have become part of who he is now.  I have seen him relate these scriptures to lessons throughout the Old Testament.  Evan now has 25 new friends he can count on to bring him comfort, strength, and peace throughout his life!"