Rusty

Write a blog post inspired by the word: rusty.

I loved playing the piano when I was a young girl. I remember sitting up straight and proud on the bench and placing my crooked little fingers in correct position on the keys. Piano lessons were something I looked forward to. I practiced and practiced all week long so I could get a gold star on my page for passing the song off. As I got better at playing and could use both my left and right hand to play a song, I imagined myself as a concert pianist. I could feel the music moving my hands as they went up and down the ivory key board. Playing the piano transferred me to another place. I never felt like lessons were a chore. I was at the point when I started to play hymns when I became interested in a boy that would eventually take me away from the desire for lessons all together. It became much more fun to hang out with him instead of practice the piano. I abandoned my piano lessons and never looked back. My skills became rusty. That is until I became a mother of small children. I yearned for a piano again. 

While living in Colorado, we found a baby grand piano and had it restored. It was beautiful! I started making plans to pick up lessons again. But we were moving around quite a bit. Things were unsettled and it was difficult to move an extremely heavy piece of furniture like that around. We were in fear of damaging it with frequent moves. Eventually we sold it in Denver to a piano store. My skills would remain rusty. 

Only a couple of years later, I would be divorced. I found myself in a very uncomfortable financial situation and was unable to see a future in music of any kind, neither for myself nor my children. Going back to school shifted my priorities. I was in survival mode. Providing for my young family's needs and getting a degree became my top focus. Everything else had to be put on hold. 

It wasn't until I was re-married and finances started to improve that I started thinking about piano again. I started thinking about the piano I grew up on. It was just sitting in the basement of my parents home. When I found the room for the piano, I asked mom if I could take it. I would love it! She gave me the ok to take it and I arranged for a local piano store to transport it from Price to Brigham City, where I was living. I was so thrilled to see the piano I had grown up on make its way to my home... finally! 

I brought all my childhood books with me and had high hopes of picking up the piano skills that had become so rusty. One problem, and it was big! The piano was out of tune. And not just out of tune... but un-fixable. I take my piano books out every now and again and sit myself upon the bench and place my, still crooked, fingers in position and play some songs. I can only remember the top hand. The piano is so out of tune that it just sounds awful. What once sounded like beautiful, angelic music, know sounded grossly off key. So, I have resigned myself to accept the fact that I will never play the piano again, like I had always dreamed of. My skills will remain rusty. The piano is just a very beautiful piece of  antique furniture that holds the fondest memories of my youth.

But, there is hope! I am going to shift my focus from the piano to the organ. I am going to learn how to play the organ! Yes I am! I am going to be an owner of an organ and I am going to play beautiful music. All day if I want. And, then I'll sing to the music I make. I am going to sing beautiful music. Yes I am! My skills will not remain rusty. I won't allow that to happen. Before I exit this life, I am going to get those skills back. Yes I am! Then, I can continue to make beautiful music in heaven. Yes, I will!

My name is Carol

 Hi, my name is CAROL and I am a PICTURE TAKING FANATIC!

I've become my mother. Except she always had her video camera in hand. Mom would follow the grand kids around taking movies of all their silly plays, tricks and quirky personalities. She did her best to capture everyday moments on film. And then she spent hours transferring the movies onto a vhs for each family. She was dedicated! We all thought it was annoying at times, but wouldn't you know... years later when we could pull those home movies out and reminisce about the good old days, we were happy and thankful for the legacy of love mom left us.

So, it just happens that I now get to remind my children that "one day you are really going to appreciate this!". And they know it. So... I'll just keep snapping pictures of all of our day adventures, daily life, events, trips, funerals, holidays and birthdays, and favorite things. I will put them in books for them to look at. And one day.... they, too, will know I left them a legacy of love! 

Pumpkin Patch

Show us your pumpkin patch.

Dave got his degree in agriculture so when it comes to growing a garden, he's a pro! I have missed our gardens the last few years. He's been gone... to Afghanistan, and recently to Germany. I'm counting the days for his return in November. He retires after 30 years of military service. Yay!

I'm already scheming and planning for next year's garden, complete with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, corn, zucchini, crookneck, and pumpkins. 

My pumpkin patch won't be any old ordinary pumpkin patch! We will grow moon-size pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns, sugar pie's for eating, jack-be-little's for decorating, turbins and gourds for entertaining. Oh... I can't wait!

This year we had to settle for a pumpkin patch experience at Black Island Farms. A large pumpkin farm devoted to kids age 0 to 99! For F.H.E. (family home evening), my youngest daughter's family and I spent an evening playing in the court yard equipped with slides shooting off haystacks, a shooting corn cannon, a haystack fort with tunnels, and a bouncy house. There were farm animals, a pig chase, face painting, magic show, and kettle corn for eating. Pint-size barrels, connected together to form a train and pulled by a tractor through the corn fields, was a big hit in the court yard. 

Black Island Farms is host to the largest corn maze in the state of Utah. There were three entrances. We chose path 1, hoping that mean't the easiest. Not! But we clever adults paid close attention to the twists and turns we took as we let the little ones lead the way by the light of the moon. The kiddos had their fill in about 20 minutes and we were able to find the entrance in no time. Fun, fun, fun!

The wagon ride to the pumpkin patch was the most anticipated event of the entire evening. We sat at the front of the wagon, just behind the tractor pulling the wagon. We bounced through furrows and drove down garden dirt roads lit by only the light of the moon. We passed large open fields of pumpkins... and finally came to a stop. The tractor driver directed us to a particular patch and asked us to raise our hands when we found our perfect pumpkin and he would come and cut it off the vine, thus preserving the stem. 

It didn't take long for the little munchkins to find their perfect pumpkin. All hands went up simultaneously! My joy was in watching the little ones in the pumpkin patch. We had so much fun, we'll do it again next year! And they'll get to come to grandma's pumpkin patch, too!

The Hole

Write about something that creeped you out.

On the Tonight Show last night, Jimmy Fallon did a clip on "The Walking Dead", a show coming back to primetime televison, to the tune of "Welcome back Kotter". I have a difficult time with zombies, vampires, horror, and grossed out monsters and creatures. It totally creeped me out! I will not be watching "The Walking Dead" show ever! period.

I had a total "creep out" this weekend at a daughter's house. I made a trip to my hometown to visit my daughter's, Shaniel, and parents graves and have a sleepover with the grandchildren. We wanted to watch a Halloween show and so we scanned movies on Netflix. We came across the title "The Hole", and a grandson pipped up... that's a good movie. A thriller kind of movie. And, it was rated PG13. So, it was decided we would watch it.

After the popcorn was made, we were all in our pj's, snuggled up on the couch with blankets, and turned on the show... ready for a thrill! Well, the thrill turned into "I don't want to see what's in the hole!" shortly after the movie began. A clown-like, child size jester had been locked in the hole for I don't know how long. And, when the boys (characters in the move) discovered the hole in a recently moved in house, they unleashed the jester. We didn't give it anytime at all to see what this jester was capable of doing! Only that he could wink his eyes and appear anywhere at anytime. It was so creepy. The twins, age 9, were all "creeped out" as much as I was. I have never been a fan of clowns. In fact, I have always disliked them. I'm not sure why. But they have always been very creepy to me... alive or dead! We turned off the show and found another one.

On top of all that, one of the twins and I were sleeping in the boys room that night. My daughter came in and said "I have a hole!". She went to the bedroom closet and pulled the carpet away from the wall and opened up the trap door to the crawl space under the house. Then she descended into the hole. Talk about "creeping" us out again! So, guess who had to sleep with Tera that night? Aunt Amie.

Dumb Dumb

The dumbest thing you’ve ever done.

I've done plenty of dumb things in my life! Too numerous to count. I wasn't born a blond, but I could pass for one! The dumbest things I have done usually has to do with running out of gas. I've been so broke that I couldn't put gas in my car at times, but the story I am about to relate to you has nothing whatsoever to do with not having money.

Go to my Ride With A Cop Story to read one wild and unbelievable story. Sad, but true... I'm a grandma, too. It will leave you dumbfounded!

Bucket list

Create a fall inspired bucket list.

• walk in fall leaves - listen to the crunch and bask in the musty smell of Autumn. check!
• drive through the canyon, take pictures of colored leaves. check!
• make a pumpkin dessert (not counting pumpkin chocolate chip cookies)
• visit Shaniel's grave, Cliffview Cemetery in Price. Visit my parents grave, Wellington. check!
• go to a Corn Maze! check!
• get pictures taken in my new USU jacket, below Old Main Hill. check!
• celebrate Thanksgiving with children.
• family Christmas party.
• sibling Christmas dinner.
• take in the Lunar Eclipse of the moon (tonight! Oct 7) check!
• organize and file kids memorabilia and photos - ready for making books.
• make a Shutterfly Book.
• design a photo Christmas card - this year's Christmas card. check!

Hunter's Orange

 A blog post inspired by the color orange.

It's been a long time since I have thought about the days of hunter orange. Orange is the color you wear when you go hunting. Hunter orange pops out and signals to other hunters that you are a human and not to shoot! You wear orange for safety reasons. 

I took hunters safety as soon as I was old enough. My best friend Lynette and I were anxious to get our card, making us legal hunters. We were 12 years old. So big!

I passed the 8 week course and a shooting test and was ready to go hunting with dad. And, of course, that was only natural... with him being game warden for the State Fish and Game. Dad always encouraged and welcomed us kids to go out with him every year sometime during the hunt.

The day before the deer hunt weekend was a holiday in Carbon County. The school district designated Friday of opening deer hunt as "Hunter's Orange" day. A day to dress up in hunter's attire. I usually found myself in a big, oversized sloppy orange sweatshirt with a drawstring and hood. One of the many that was stashed away in the basement with orange hats, gloves, vests, and coats. It was so exciting to be at school. The anticipation was high with talk of going deer hunting. And... of course I had claim to the best guide around. My dad! 

A Message

Share a recent text exchange that made you laugh.

I don't do text on my phone, but I do personal message on Facebook! Here is a text exchange between my sister Kelley and I (written by Kelley). We had a good laugh on this one!

Carol, my sister, stopped by my house today for a visit. We live about 4 hours from each other so we don't see each other very often. This is only the second time this year and the last time was in February. She happened to share a very funny story yesterday in Writer's Workshop on her blog about a stolen 4-wheeler. If you didn't read it, you should. At one point in our conversation we were telling my daughter, Heidi about a funny Facebook message we had shared between us. Carol laughed and said that would have been funny if we had both shared that on Writer's Workshop since one of the prompts was to share a funny text message. It would have, but since we both suffer from advanced age that makes us forget things. We didn't remember our conversation. So for what it's worth, here is that what to us is an amusing conversation that we messaged to each other on Facebook.

Carol: I want to call you in a couple of days about how to set up a template for a specific book size. What time is good for you on Tues.?

Me: call me after 4:30, the kids will be gone

Carol: The reason I want to know about setting up a template is blah, blah, blah. And beside that it would be helpful if I knew about yakkity yak yak. But I don't really understand how to gobbledygook and hibbery gibbery. And so on and so forth. Do you think you can help me?

Me: Ummm. Maybe you should call me now, there are no kids here

Carol: *Laughter* Ok, I'll call you now.

A really good book

October is National Book Month, tell us about the best book you’ve read so far this year.

The books I have enjoyed reading the most are inspirational. Books that give glimpses into the life beyond. Books that provide insight and hope in the world to come. All because Shaniel is gone. And I yearn to be near her. To feel close to her, even though we are world's apart. I know we will be together again, but when I read these books that help me feel somewhat closer to her. I understand more how it is where she is at. It gives me comfort and peace knowing she is surrounded by family, love, and beauty. 

My favorite read this year is called "Journey to the Veil" by John Pontius. His book is actually blog posts he wrote, called Unblog My Soul, that he entered the last few months of his life. It comprised his thoughts and testament of what Heavenly Father had shared and taught him while on this earth. It is a compilation of inspiring entries of John's journey to the veil. I found it to be uplifting, encouraging, and insightful. It has helped me put into perspective, not only my life on earth, but eternity as well. I will be reading this book again!

Fashion is NOT for me

Your most favorite (or lease favorite) fall fashion trends.

Now that I'm older, I don't get into trends. Although I can say I am glad to see that satchels are back. The ones that you can cross over your body and can actually keep them from falling off your shoulder! 

I had looked and looked for one last Fall before leaving on my trip to Europe. Mostly saw only big bulky handbags with lots of bling and garb. Not my style. Thankfully, J.C. Penny saved the day! They had two styles in a few pretty colors. Burnt orange, purple, and teal, along with basic black and brown. I played it safe and got a brown one. I did, however, go all out and added a trendy burnt orange slim card holder/wallet. Perfect! Now I could go to Europe and have my bag fit snug against my body. Bonus... it fit easily underneath my jacket. 

Trends come and go so quickly. I'm in to function, comfort, and sensibility! That's about it.

Blogging Shaniel

What were you blogging about last year at this time? How have things changed?

Last year at this time I was reeling emotionally from Shaniel's death. But I was also blessed and comforted by the Spirit every single day. I recognized answers to prayers more easily. The tender mercies of the Lord helped make Shaniel's passing more bearable. Blessings poured out in abundance from heaven. Angels, both in heaven and on earth strengthened and gave me and the family courage to press forward. My faith increased. I was growing in ways that seemed even miraculous to me. I lived my life in thanksgiving daily, in spite of the realization that my daughter was taken from us. Hope was my light. The Savior's love and atonement was making it possible for me to love and forgive. 

Last year was a tender and emotional year. But I managed to blog, mostly about the spiritual growth I was going through. About Shaniel's passing. My memories of her. I hung on to everything I could about her. And I wrote! It helped me to heal.

I wrote about my granddaughter's simple prayer to Father In Heaven to help mommy find her key to the van. Her prayer was answered!

I wrote about an experience I had in meeting some young adults trekking across the country by themselves and how I admonished them to keep in contact with their parents... because they cared, even though they didn't think they did.

I continued to make posts in my photo journal, as hard as it may have been at times. But, today I am thankful that I did. I can look back and see the growth I was experiencing. Through my writing I saw my faith increase. My testimony of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice became central in my life. I still saw goodness in the world around me. I learned to rely upon the Lord... I truly needed Him every hour! And, I expressed that in word and deed.

Not much as changed since last year. I still write about Shaniel, my family, and my faith. These are the things I treasure most in life. I continue to do a photo journal. It's the history of my everyday life. I hope to leave my children a legacy of love and my testimony of Jesus Christ. They will know me. Really know me.