TV Shows

I used to be a TV junkie - I would sit and watch it mindlessly all day long. Now I watch 1 show in the morning. It is called BETTER and it is pretty much for women. They discuss books, how to parent better and new fun recipes. Their website plays the show for that day if you miss it at BetterTV.com and I highly recommend it. Today they discussed ideas to keep your children organized and occupied for the summer and the ideas were good and practical. Yesterday it was a lighthearted one with things from favorite body parts of the different sexes to how to organize your junk drawer. Check it out. There is something there for everyone and you just might get an idea that inpsires you.

As for watching TV - well - I sometimes watch MASH - if it is after Colonel Potter is there and I watch the news at 4:00 on our ABC affiliate sometimes or Quantum Leap (they are on at the same time). So much for my TV habits. I do have to say on the weekend I do watch the cooking shows on PBS but I have pretty much quit watching all of them except for America's Test Kitchen from Cook's magazine. The others I have found I would never fix their recipes in a million years so why waste the time watching. As for America's Test Kitchen - I find I usually brine my pork chops now for more flavor, and there are several of their recipes that are part of my arsenal of recipes.

So I guess I would rather read or watch an old movie than sit and watch the new stuff that is on TV. I find my Kindle more interesting than the TV.

"It's All About Me!"

I can't seem to come up with an original blog. Monday my blog was similar to our oldest daughter, Carianne's - today it is somewhat modeled after Heather's from yesterday. I was going to wax lyrical about how much I LOVE the sauna until I went to workout today and then this woman came that I try to avoid like the plague.

Carol is one of those people that thinks the world should revolve around her. I truly cannot believe that anyone can think that way but she must. She comes and never goes the direction the circuit is going. She stays on equipment much longer than you are supposed to so it throws the ryhthm and the circuit of everyone in the room off and she just randomly picks equipment. If there was a method to her - it would be one thing. But you never know what day, what time or how she is going to approach the equipment with any visit. I find her so frustrating that I almost always cut my workout short because it is better to cut it short than lose my cool. Today I had them turn on the sauna early for me so I could cool off in the sauna. Thank heaven I had that 30 minutes before I left so I felt more calm as I walked home. If I hadn't had the time in the sauna it would have taken me much longer to calm down.

I truly wonder if she is out to annoy me or she doesn't like. I am not sure what I have ever done to her. If I decided to ride the bike (or in the past run the treadmill) she would stand there tapping her foot waiting for me to get off the bike I was riding or the whatever. There are three bikes, 2 treadmills and 2 elipticals. No matter which one I am on - she wants. She reminds me of a 2 year old that doesn't know how to share. Okay enough of that - I have vented enough.

Tuesday's Book Review

I am still reading the Lilian Jackson Braun Books and The Scarlet Pimpernel Books - so I am not going into them in detail. If you have read one - you know the premise for the rest. Hopefully next weeks book review will be more stimulating.

Monday's Heroes

Today is Memorial Day. I would like to honor our family war heroes especially but all who have served in the military faithfully through the generations. This is a holiday that was originally started to honor the dead of the Civil War. As far as I know there are none to honor on my side of the family but on my sweet husbands side of the family there many to honor both Union and Confederate - some even from the same family. Clyde's grandfather, Clyde Lester Bailey, Sr drove an ambulance during WWI, and his father, Clyde Lester Bailey, Jr [Bill] was involoved in WWII as was my father, Archie Maynard Brugger (in the clean-up of Germany) but his brother Raphael Brugger was in the thick of the fighting and came home to tell the tale.

My father made a career of the military as a surgeon in the Army. As a BRAT - it was dream life for me. We traveled all over Europe and lived in Washington DC for 2 years just after the Centennial of the Civil War. It was quite an experience to travel and see the Civil War battlegrounds. At the time I was a little miffed that we saw so many - now I wish I had paid closer attention. When we went to Germany for a second tour in the late 60's - early 70's, I met my husband, Clyde Lester Bailey, III, in Heidelberg Germany, as he was serving in the Army. The military has always been good to me.

I have a son-in-law, Brandon Nordell, who is in the Air Force and serving in Afghanistan as I am writing this piece. I am proud of all of our son-in-laws but today I am especially proud of Brandon for the sacrifice he is making to keep our family safe. Thank you Heather, for marrying such a wonderful man.

Because of the Newport Ward being situated where it is - we have many families coming and going to the War College and being stationed at the Newport Naval Station. I have grown to love so many of them and today I would like to thank those families for their sacrifice. Unfortunately if I started to mention them all by name - I would miss someone and I don't want to do that. I am grateful to all of them. Our country has a violent history - based on war and treaties from the very first. If it wasn't for our military we would not have the nation we had today. I grateful for our people serving everywhere.

Genavieve Lee Nordell

2 years ago today my 8th grandchild was born. Somewhere out there is my favorite picture of us together of her all snuggled up on me sound asleep - just a few months after she was born. It is on my facebook page but I cannot find it anywhere else to save my soul. Now she is far away in Okinawa. I love it when I can talk to her on the camera phone and see how much she has grown. She blows me kisses and treats me like I am in the room. I love and miss you miss Evie! How lucky I am to have the 9 grandchildren I do have. We are truly blessed.

Tuesday's Book Review

I give up trying to get them on the same line! The first book I will review is "Dewey" by Vicki Myron. The picture you see just above this paragraph is the book cover and is used to publicize many 'cat' things. It is on greeting cards and bookmarks. I didn't realize it was a real 'library' cat and the proceeds went to take care of the cat named Dewey and the library. It was a delightful biography of this sweet cat and a very heart-wrenching autobiography of the author. I laughed, and sobbed so hard in the end that I got a migraine. You know the cat dies - it can't live forever (though it lived for 19 years!). It is beautifully written and a wonderful read. It is truly one of the best books I have read for a long time. I highly recommend it for any age.

Because of reading "Dewey" I got caught up reading the Lilian Jackson Braun books of the Siamese cats Koko and YumYum in the "The Cat Who..." series of books. I started with the first one because I realized I never really knew how Qwilleran acquired his fortune. After 5 books it was finally revealed. Now I am just caught up in the series. They are such a fun read. Problem is they are $6 a pop and I can read 2 a day! I am currently reading "The Cat Who Sniffed Glue" which is the 7th one she wrote. I will be finished with it before bed. I need to slow down and go back to the Scarlet Pimpernel Books.

I have read "Sir Percy Leads the Band" and "The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel" this week. I enjoyed "Sir Percy Leads the Band" much more than "The League..." I am not really sure why. Maybe because it just wasn' as vioent. I need to get back in the swing of reading these again.

Monday's Heroes

Brace yourselves - I have a bunch today.

First of all is Andy Bahlmann. He had the good taste of marrying our daughter Heidi. He is the father of three amazing children, Marcus, Anneke and Luke. We are proud of him and his efforts in working on his PhD and know he will be an amazing teacher. He is passionate about teaching the Gospel and English (especially Medieval English).

My second hero is Neal Gaskin. He is married to my husband's cousin Anne. We have only met Neal face to face once and had a wonderful time. But Neal has put together picture CD's for our genealogy and been a rock in the Bailey family for years. It is pleasure to know him.

My third hero is David Keeler. I watched David grow up through is his teenage years. A lot of people thought that David was snobbish, aloof and some even thought him to be slow. David's true problem is that he is painfully shy. Yet David is serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as all missionaries who fully commit themselves - he is being very successful. I as so proud of David for making this decision and having the faith of knowing that Lord would bless him.

The interesting thing about Andy, Neal and David is they all share a birthday on May 20th - so Happy Birthday.

My fourth hero is a heroine. Molly Roberts is one of the sweetest young women you would ever meet. She is an assistant manager for Bed Bath and Beyond. She has just realized that her Heavenly Father loves her and that has been an amazing revelation to all of us because it has reminded us that Heavenly Father loves us too. Molly is one of those people that willing give you everything she owns and think nothing of it. We say that about people but when the situation really arises would they truly arise to the occasion? I know Molly would. There would be no excuses and in fact you would never know she had until you went and found she had nothing left. Her parents have raised her well and we love her dearly. Today is Molly's Birthday. Happy Birthday, Molly!

Huge Responsibility

Most of you - especially my daughters' are going to laugh at this - but last night I was given the friendship basket at Relief Society and now I am in a quandry. I have a month to decide who to give it to. I stewed half the night about it. I don't want to slight anyone and being the bishop's wife kind a puts a different twist on it all together. There are sisters that NEED the basket, sisters that DESERVE the basket and then their are my really close friends. Fortunately MaryAnn Kohl is out of the running for at least a couple of months so I don't have to worry about her. Not only that - the basket is supposed to be about ME not about the person you are giving it to. I guess that makes it easy because then if the person isn't there you wanted to give it to - you can pass it to someone else. I have to fill it with things that represent me. So what represents me? One of the things I was considering putting in there because it has come to represent the whole family is a Webkinz. But then I would have to be careful who I gave it too. It would have to be someone that had an account or would want an account. I feel a bit like 'Mary Quite Contrary' in "Babes in Toyland" - "I Can't Do the Sum!"

Book Reviews

Last week I called Pam and asked her for a list of all of Baroness Orzcy's books for the 'Scarlet Pimpernel' series. I figured if I had another series to read Iwouldn't have to think about what book to get next. I have read the first two: "The Laughing Cavalier" and "The First Sir Percy" so far. I am debating whether or not to continue reading "The Scarlet Pimpernel". It is the next in the series. I have it in book form - so I probably will but will read it as a 'carry around book' and download "Sir Percy Leads the Band" on my Kindle. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first two books - in fact more than I have ever enjoyed "The Scarlet Pimpernel". But as I have started to re-read "The Scarlet Pimpernel" last night - I realized you kind of have to know the formula to reading the books and then they are a joy to read. The secret it something you have to find out for yourself but once you do you cannot wait to read the next one. I highly recommend these books and can see why they are some of Pam's favorites.

"The Honk and Holler Opening Soon" was a book I downloaded by accident. It is a long story but I mis-read the review on it and thought it was a different author. Instead it was an author suggested by the author Iwas looking up. It was Okay but not one that I think everyone should go out and read. It was very easy for me to pick up and put down - even forget I was reading it. So I cannot highly recommend it.

Monday's Heroine

I have talked about MaryAnn Kohl before but she has grown even more in my estimation than ever. Over 2 months ago she had a cold and missed church. I called her because I was worried about her. She could hardly talk to me and at the time could barely walk because her left leg hurt so badly and her right arm was in agony. Finally their home teacher convinced them that she should go and see the DR. The next day she was admitted to the hospital with a blood sugar level of over 600 and a bone infection in her shoulder. They hoped it was because of her gall bladder so the next day she went in for emergency gall bladder surgery. That didn't work so 2 days later they went in and operated on her shoulder. It was incredibly infected. They thought they got it all but less than two weeks later they were back in digging around again and found more infected tissue. She had an IV going straight to her heart and they thought they had it that time but then she started running a fever again. This time when they went in they realized that the infection was in her bone. MaryAnn has never had anything more invasive done to her body than deliver her 8 children. Now - in less then 2 months - she has had over 6 surgeries. Friday they removed infected bone and today they are going back and seeing if their work is done. She is at the Lahey Clinic in Boston and hopefully this is truly where she starts on the road to recovery. The reconstructive surgery will happen later. MaryAnn is upbeat and very positive as she goes through all of this. She is still her amazing - wonderful self. Since we have moved here she has been there for us in so many ways. We have enjoyed the ride up to the temple with them every other week. I was in the RS Presidency with MaryAnn. When Pam and Chris needed a place to stay with Bo - the Kohl's opened their home for them. The Kohl's are not like that just for us - they are like that for everyone. They are truly the most Christlike people I have ever had the privilege of being associated with.

Mother's Day Blessings

As I approach this Mother's Day, I want to say how thankful I am for the daughters that make this day possible for me. I am proud of each of them for the mothers that you have become - it was certainly not because of me. You are some of the best examples of motherhood there is. The Lord has blessed me beyond measure and I know it. So I would like to thank my kind and wonderful Heavenly Father for blessing my sweet husband - your father and me with - you - Carianne, Heather, Heidi and Pamela. Without you our lives would have been very empty. [I would have posted a picture of the girls at any age together but I have NONE of the four of them together! Heidi - maybe you can help me out.]

The Temple

It has literally been a year since I have been to the temple. Last year at this time Clyde and I planned a big genealogy trip to Pennsylvania and Virginia to search for his family members. While on said trip I blew out my left knee so badly that I I ended up having surgery on it in September with the threat of having to have surgery on my right knee six months later. I hated that surgery so badly I have done every thing in my power to avoid the right knee being worked on. I am still 'very weak in the knees' (pun intended) but I am hoping to get stronger every day now that I am working out again and dieting better. However being in the temple last night was the best. I could only do one session and I was wiped out for the rest of the evening. Clyde is a support worker so I sat visited with him while he sat at the desk. That was fun because I got to see people coming and going - including many 'Temple' friends. I was exhausted when I got home but it was worth every minute.

Report from Doctor

I went to see my Doctor about my thyroid today and my bone density scan that was run last month. I have the bones of a 20 year old! With all the abuse my body has had from large doses of thyroid, etc - I have the bones of a young person. I wish 20 year olds didn't have arthritis but they do. My blood pressure is up a bit but I will get that back down once I start losing weight and get it down again. So life is good and I am going to get healthy again and back on track once more.

Tuesday's Book Review

First of all I would like to thank our daughter's for the exercise bike they bought their father last summer. I was unable to get to Sedona today because it is pouring outside. I have tried to walk over there in the rain before and ended up soaking wet. Having to work out in wet clothes is not comfortable plus I have been fighting an earache and a sore throat (I am sure from allergies) but I don't want to chance it. I had a good workout thanks to you.

Modern books are so much easier to read and I read them so much faster. This last week I only read one fairly current book - the rest were from the turn of the 20th century. The first book I read was "Kindle Shortcuts" which was great! I found out some wonderful things that I needed to know and more efficient ways to use my Kindle.

The best book I read all week was "Steal the Dragon" by Patricia Briggs. This is completely different from her other books I have read. The 'Mercy Thompson' books are contemporary books but this book is pure fantasy. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I had a hard time putting it down to do anything I was supposed to. Once again Patricia Briggs hooked me into her story and kept me hooked. I was pretty much hooked from the first paragraph - which is unusual for me.

I read several Eleanor Porter short stories. I am just trying to get everything read from the anthology that that I acquired when I bought Pollyanna. Of the 3 short stories I read - none of them stand out -not even the titles!

I read "A Room with a View" by E. M. Forster. Forster also wrote "Howard's End" and "A Passage to India". I had always wanted to read "A Room with a View" and I am glad I did but I won't be re-reading it. It was wordy, and quite nonsensical at many points. It is supposed to be the lightest work he ever wrote. Well I see now why he is known more for his other two works. They were much better written. I have never been particularly fond of "Howard's End" but "A Passage to India" is an outstanding novel. It does take concentration and time to read though. It has been years since I have read the last two novels but I still remember them. Forster knew what he was doing.

I am now in the throes of reading my youngest daughter's favorite books - 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' series of books. I just started with "The Laughing Cavalier" and I am finding it a fun read. I must confess that rather than reading this weekend - I watched movies with my sweetheart. He brought home 'Transformers' and "Lady of the Water". I am glad I watched them but I won't be watching "Transformers" again. However "Lady of the Water" was a sweet story. It was PG13. It is about a sea nymph or a Narf. It was well done and well told. I am not quite sure why it was PG13 except that when the mean grassy 'scrunt' creature appears - it is startling - whenever he appears. You aren't sure 'Story's' state of undress untill quite far into it because she is always shown clothed. It was an interesting fantasy. I just might have to look at the children's book it came from now.

Monday's Hero

This is an old picture. The baby on the couch is Noah! It is the only picture I have of Carl. Pretty sad!

Today my hero is Carl E. Pfiester. Until I started this 'series' - I had never realized how many people were important to me. Carl is the first son-in-law we ever had - therefore my first son! He is married to oldest daughter, Carianne. Carl is very important to us for several reasons but the biggest is that he brought Carianne back to us. Carl has such integrity and is the epitomy of a true Christian - both at work and at home. He sets a wonderful example to all of us but especially to his children of Christlike love. Carl refuses to go into debt for things. Their house is paid for, their vehicles are paid for. As a contractor, he tries to be as debt free as possible while he is building and his homes are beautiful and well constructed. He is a loving father and husband. The list goes on and on but we are so grateful that he is a part of our family. We love him very much and we are so proud to call him 'ours'.

Happy Birthday Annemarie

I wish I had a picture of Annemarie but I don't - not on this computer. I remember the day she was born. Annie is my first niece and has become like another daughter. She is an amazing person, full of personality and special gifts. I miss my nieces - we used to live an hour away. Now I am lucky if I see them every two years! We love you a lot, Annie. Keep being the incredible person you are.