Counting Blessings

I am counting my blessings today. Melissa, Scott, Jared and I went to Zion's National Park Saturday and as we were paying the admission fee, somehow, Melissa's wallet was left on the bench there outside the station. In it were all her credit cards and money. We didn't know it was missing for about 3 hours. I was just sure that it would be gone or at least missing the cards and money, but lo and behold some honest and kind person had turned it in with everything still in it! I am so grateful to that person and it is reassuring that there are still many good and honest people in the world!

Mission Call

Whitney received her mission call to the Ecuador, Quito mission! We are so excited for her and proud of her!! She will be entering the MTC on Oct. 1st. Wayne's first comment was, "Do they have a Nordstrom's there?" I am sure she will love it and serve well!

Exercise

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM

If you read this without laughing out loud, there is something wrong with you. This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my daughter (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Belinda, who identified herself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
My dau ghter seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 am. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Belinda waiting for me. She is something of a Greek goddess - with blonde hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Belinda gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which she conducted her aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!

Belinda was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time she was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Belinda made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then she put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Belinda's rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Belinda was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. Her voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when she scolds, she gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Belinda put me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Belinda told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. She said some o ther crap too.

_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Belinda was waiting for me with her vampire-like teeth exposed as her thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.

Belinda took me to work out with dumbbells. When she was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. She sent another skinny witch to find me.

Then, as punishment, she put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
_______________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that witch Belinda more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little cheerleader. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat her with it.

Belinda wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more tha n a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

________________________________
SATURDAY:
Belinda left a message on my answering machine in her grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing her voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.

________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my daughter (the little brat) will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

If I Were Tag

if you were a... tag:

if you were an animal, which would you be... puppy: playful . friendly.curious. a little confused.

if you were a city. which would you be...
Madrid, Spain: lived there for 4 years. interesting, adventure, memories


if you were a flower. which would you be...
lilac: smells wonderful, reaches upward, delicate

if you were a vegetable. which would you be...
tomato: flexible, used in many dishes, great with hot sauce


if you were a color. which would you be...
yellow: cheerful, hopeful, happy

if you were a fruit. which would you be...
any kind of berry: strawberry . blueberry . raspberry . blackberry

if you were a season. which would you be...
fall: looking forward to holiday season and family togetherness.

if you were a shoe. which would you be...
mizuno tennis shoe: so comfortable and ready to run anywhere, anytime

if you were a vehicle. which would you be...
BMW: my dream car, luxurious but fast (maybe with a reinforced bumper)

if you were an appliance. which would you be...
kitchenaid mixer: does it all and I love to bake!!

if you were a disney character. which would you be...
Elmer Fudd: always looking for keys, kids, and various lost items.

if you were a dessert. which would you be...
chocolate cake, lemon meringue pie, key lime pie, really anything good and sweet.

if you were a time of day. which would you be...
crack of dawn: each day a new adventure

if you were a cereal. which would you be...
Reece's Puffs: sweet and sometimes a little airheady (is that a word or did I just make that up...)

if you were an instrument. which would you be...
flute: played in high school, sweet, and a little airy (again with the air thing ......)

Fun in NY and Philadelphia!

David Letterman Show

Wayne and I went to Philadelphia last weekend and visited liberty square, Valley Forge, and NYC (since it is only about an hour away). We were able to get in to see the David Letterman show (actually I never stay awake to watch this at home, but it was fun to see how they tape it.) While we were there I had to buy a new purse and try Pat and Geno's philly cheese steak sandwiches. They are overrated; Italian place in Orem is better! We had a great time but glad to be back!

Great Roadtrip Idea!

I am dying to do this! Can you imagine how fun it would be driving down the freeway at about 90 mph with these balloons behind you?

Step 1. Tie these balloons to your car

Step 2. Drive like a bat out of heck....

Step 3. Watch people freak out!

Graduation

My darling son is 18. Matt graduated from seminary last night and graduates from high school next week! He has always been such a delight to his father and me. How did we ever get so old? I will now have 3 children in college! Thanks Aly for the cute pictures!