Thankful it's not my calling anymore!

This morning I went with a group of ladies to clean the church. This reminded me of my old calling. It use to be my calling to coordinate the cleaning assignments for RS and then I would care for their children while they cleaned. Our ward would be in charge for one month once a quarter. Not a big deal, right?

Oh, today reminded me of why I am thankful I don't have to do that anymore. First, we get there and tried to decide who would clean what. There was no list of jobs anymore. I tried to remember the jobs plus we were informed that there were new ones too. Everyone thought I should watch the kids like I used to. So, I took the group of ten kids under the age of 5. It really was okay, but there was this one little guy that bawled the whole time (about 1 hr 45 min). Plus, entertaining, keeping them from looking for their mom, etc... that many kids for that long just takes it out of you. I am so glad I don't have to do that every Monday this month. Next week I do have to go again, but I am cleaning not watching kiddos!

Speaking of memories, while I was cleaning coordinator I was also RS pianist. I am glad I don't have that calling anymore as well. I know, you are thinking you are Primary pianist now it's not that different. Of course, there is the obvious Primary songs are easier then hymns. Well, there are other differences too. Let's face reality, I am not a good pianist! So, this is how people handle it in RS. "Oh, I know you are uncomfortable and this hymn is hard. Would you like me to play?" or "Don't worry it gets easier." Then there is Primary's reaction. I had just tried to play "Baptism". I could only play the right hand with people singing. A young girl came up to me, "Oh Sister Z, you play so beautifully!"I thought I should open this girl's eyes to the truth "You know I am not very good and made a lot of mistakes." "Well, I just wish I could play as well as you. You were so lucky to have lessons when you were little." Yes, I am lucky that I had lessons and even if I play horribly I can share the talent I do have with someone who appreciates it. (Even if every time the Bishop hears me play he ask if I have a piano at home. ) I am thankful to be the Primary Pianist right now!

Mom's Retirement (Grandma Maggie)

On Thursday,my mom retired!
She has been a banker for almost 20 years. It was a day to celebrate.
Here we are together at an Open House at the bank.
(No mom, I decided the wine bottle picture is just for us. She received 2 from customers. We teased her for not talking about her church life enough.)

We flew in our sister and surprised Mom.

We had a family party while my sister was here. R helped me with the cake. She said it should be a tire since Grandma was reTIREing.

The original members of the J. Crew

Grandma Maggie with her four Chickadees

Mom, I finally got it posted. Enjoy!

PS One of my friends pointed out that my Mom is too young to retire. I thought that was nice of Mindi to give me a gentle suggestion to be a good daughter and set the record straight. My mom is not 65! (if you want to know her age I wrote it back in March for her birthday post)

I'm okay, but...

I am feeling better, but this is what my couch looks like.

Poor girls!

Sick of being sick

Okay, I haven't been off the couch since Monday night and the first thing I do; blog. Okay, not the first. I convinced the girls to take a bath and I heard a conversation like this. "You can't pee in here. It's a bath!" "You'll get it on all of us if you pee. This isn't a shower." (that comment didn't make me too happy either) The conversation went on long enough for me to realize I was going to have to step in.

SO, I am off the couch. I cleaned up dinner. (Thank you, thank you to Stephanie for feed my two youngest lunch, keeping H until dinner, getting us dinner, and picking me up decongestant). I am blogging and then I am heading to a new location...my bed.

I hope no one else gets this flu thing that is going around. It knocked out my hubby for 3 1/2 days. Now, he is on a business trip. Of course. I think I am over the worst of it. I haven't had any chills for a few hours. If this doesn't make sense, forgive me. My brain is not functioning at it highest level. But I wanted contact with the outside world.
NO MORE SICKNESS HERE, PLEASE!

Rising with Rip City

I just got back from the Blazer's first playoff game of the season. They lost; big time! But I still love my boys. It was fun being there with my honey. Plus, there were a few of the former Blazer greats there.
The Happy Couple

Rudy Fernandez, part of the Spanish Connection

Rick Adelman, he coached here when the Blazers were amazing . He coaches Houston now.

Brandon Roy...JR's fvoite player

The NBA commissioner, David Stern. The other picture is of Clyde the Glide Dexler, who is an announcer for Houston now :(

Weight Loss Thursday

Okay, tonight I was at PTA (Yes, I am a PTA mom :o). I hadn't eaten dinner and was eating the sweet treats. My friend, Tiffany, looked at me and said "I read your blog. Are you sure you want to do that?" Thank you, Tiffany. That is why I blog about my struggle.

On a more positive note, I went jogging. I have not run since at least last July. On Monday, I ran a mile and then walked another one. My ankle was killing! Wednesday I ran again. I decided to try out my ward's walking group. I took H and headed to the church gym. We got there, and discovered it was just us. So, H sat on the stage and I ran. It was so much fun! Every lap H met me with a smile, or ran the length of the stage with me. I did great for 15 minutes, but after that it was a struggle. I make myself run for 20 minutes. Then I walked for another 10. H and I did a bunch of my physical exercises and stretched. That was our work out.

I need to get in shape! I want to run in the Starlight. Plus, I have Trek the end of June.

R- Lost her 1st Tooth

Yesterday, R came home from school with her first loose tooth. She was so excited, until she tried to eat lunch. She found it difficult to chew. I tried to pull out the tooth but it hurt her too much. R finally went upstairs to brush her teeth to get ready for the next school. Look what she brought with her when she came down! R decided to take matters in to her own hands, literally. She is proud as punch, and so am I.