tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-273524152024-03-23T11:00:55.957-07:00Life on a limbDelirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.comBlogger2183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-24281648449191909772019-02-15T18:31:00.001-08:002019-02-15T18:31:18.325-08:00In Memory of VidI'm not sure why I'm thinking about him so much these past couple of days, but I keep thinking about a fellow blogger who used to comment on my blogs. His name was David, but he went by Vid. He was a teenager, I think about 17 years old, but his political views were more mature than his years. <br />
<br />
I hadn't heard from him on my blog for some time, but I didn't think much about it because he was a teenager after all, and I didn't really know him. I'm sure there are many people who stopped reading my blog and I never noticed. But one day I got an email from his Dad. He told me that Vid had passed away. Sometime before he passed, he deleted his blog. Another fellow blogger did some searching and found a news article about a teen who had committed suicide. David, Vid, had committed suicide. With respect to his memory, I won't talk about how. But his Dad was searching to find out why.<br />
<br />
I went back through every comment that I could find from him and put it in a document to share with his Dad. There really was no clue among the comments. I also asked fellow bloggers to share any comments they might have from him. The comments were well thought out and David had an interesting perspective. But nothing spoke of depression, or suicidal thoughts. <br />
<br />
Today I went back and re-read the email his father had sent. I don't remember this now, but I told his father then that David had mentioned some suicidal thoughts, I think on his own blog. I wish he hadn't taken it down so that I could re-read them. At the time, I told him that he should hang in there and talk to his parents, that most troubles don't last forever. But he chose not to take my advice. These past few days as I have thought about him, I remembered vaguely him talking about how some kids at school bullied him. He had kind of a small physique, and said that he wasn't very physically gifted, so maybe that made him a target. Is that why he chose to take his own life? I would think if that were the case, he would have spoken more about it.<br />
<br />
This is one of the hard realities to face when confronted with suicide. Unless the person left some kind of note, we really never know exactly what was going on in their mind. I could probably come up with some different scenarios, but I don't think it would be helpful to offer those because really I have no proof. Conjecture, although perhaps well meaning, could cause even more heartbreak. My ideas might just add salt to the wound.<br />
<br />
So today I sort of talked out loud to Vid and asked what he thought. I can't even imagine the pain his parents feel these 6 (?) years later. I wish he could answer back. I wish he could help relieve his parents' burden a little by letting them know why he did it. Was there a specific reason, or was he just so depressed that he couldn't see any other way? This is the burden we all carry.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-57740797401109584052018-08-09T18:46:00.000-07:002018-08-13T18:47:34.162-07:00Paper Beads: Stringing the NecklaceI finally finished this series of videos.<br />
<br />
I noticed that I had a problem with the video and had to edit it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuHxiuw-Zaw">Click here</a> to view the revised version of part 3 of my paper bead making videos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ebuKlUzYFX9krhqn7lQhli9MepiJW1b3xkJ2ZiSr83ETyHoNiL8C-ilvg4Sor0WdIAXvvAYibaxXAjeorCJtIK9eMw7EsaQHxo7xmhbLoQi6ZoKHOsAKEd_Xc9ExwDeX08/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8ebuKlUzYFX9krhqn7lQhli9MepiJW1b3xkJ2ZiSr83ETyHoNiL8C-ilvg4Sor0WdIAXvvAYibaxXAjeorCJtIK9eMw7EsaQHxo7xmhbLoQi6ZoKHOsAKEd_Xc9ExwDeX08/s320/IMG_2633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-86315559633219346822018-07-01T20:24:00.000-07:002018-07-01T20:24:07.811-07:00Short UpdateJust a short update since I haven't blogged in a long time. I'm still trying to finish an independent study class. I must confess that I should have been finished months ago, but I just haven't been motivated, and I get distracted easily. I have to finish by August 3, 2018. If I don't finish, I don't think I will sign up for any more classes. I have only 8 years to finish my degree, and I've already wasted part of it with only two classes. I have so many other things in my life that I want to be doing. Wish me luck on finishing this one though. I have a busy month ahead of me and am not sure I can finish this.<br />
<br />
I got called for jury duty. But I have TWO reunions this month and don't want to miss either. I'm hoping the judge will have pity on me. I will happily do it another time, but this month is horrible for me. <br />
<br />
My garden is growing well but is full of weeds. I've been going out several nights a week to hoe and pull weeds, but there is still a lot to be done. I've been putting down grass clippings and it is helping, but I don't have enough for the entire garden yet. But I have some zuchinni already growing, tons of basil, and a few green tomatoes. I also was able to pick about 3/4 cup of raspberries. I've neglected them, so they aren't producing a lot. Blackberries will come on soon. My apricots all froze, but I have a lot of peaches growing. <br />
<br />
We have been volunteering at the missionary training center. We volunteer in the teaching resource center where the missionaries use Chinese to teach us. It's the best part of my week, and we can feel the Spirit for days afterwards. We met three Elders who have been assigned to Myanmar. Myanmar only lets in 8 missionaries at a time, and three of the current ones are going home, so these Elders will replace them. True modern day pioneers!<br />
<br />
I visit a woman from church whose husband just had surgery this week. She asked for help with evening meals for her. She gets home late in the evening, and often is too tired to cook. So we just serve up one portion of whatever we are eating and put it in her fridge that is in her garage (she gave us the code). She asked for meals every 2 or 3 days. She eats like a bird, so often makes a meal stretch 2 days. I've tried to give her really healthy, fresh food. I need ideas, so please leave a comment if you have any! I think I will do a strawberry, spinach salad next.<br />
<br />
We finally got a new mattress after 23 years of sleeping on the same one. Granted, it was a really good mattress when we bought it, but after 23 years it was dilapidated. But this new mattress is quite a bit softer and we are having a difficult adjustment. I think we will adjust though, and actually, it has been really nice to not have pressure pain in my joints. We also got a headboard for our bed. We bought it used, but it is in great condition. It looks great! We haven't had a headboard for a long time. I don't know why, I guess we always had other priorities. <br />
<br />
My husband and I have been following Qanon. We started back in November with the first drops. It has been a very historic movement, and we are praying for those who are fighting the deep state and evil that have encompassed our nation. July is a big month for Q, and the enemy is going to fight back hard, so watch out for: "false flags" that try to distract the public and the media, and for violence that is strategically organized to try to thwart the efforts of those fighting the deep state. July is the big month. Have you been "red-pilled"? <br />
<br />
I'm looking for pockets of time to make more youtube videos. I really want to start making videos for my grandkids. Like, maybe just a video of my husband and I playing with playdough. My husband calls it our "Mr. Rogers" videos. :) I also would like him to make some videos explaining some things for our family. We are thinking about it a lot, we just need that pocket of time.<br />
<br />
Well, that's just my little update for the month. I will blog again when I get in the blogging mood again. :)Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-39046539123986141302018-04-11T23:59:00.001-07:002018-04-11T23:59:22.006-07:00Vlogging ChannelSo I have started my youtube channel, although I don’t have a ton of videos up yet. I have one ready to upload, but don’t have the internet connectivity here in China to upload this longer video. I will upload it when I return home later this month. But for now, I do have a few shorter videos. I’m learning as I go; such as that I need tostop smacking my lips so much when I talk. Lol. I doubt most guys would be interested in it, but who knows? Anyway, it’s a new medium for me. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd2w0d7M2sezy4Y9kxnc48g">Click here to view it. </a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiD436UzpSQUQaiQZjj48ZY9VZunHuGqOOpBRDwAOba8SQ8FkQxesikEJoLerhcgloW0oIkxfbcDpGAA2hWBmExdxzyqCVKegjfVXPwhtZOwH4z2700mDDYD8DEa_S2sprRE/s1600/Delores+red+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1521" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFiD436UzpSQUQaiQZjj48ZY9VZunHuGqOOpBRDwAOba8SQ8FkQxesikEJoLerhcgloW0oIkxfbcDpGAA2hWBmExdxzyqCVKegjfVXPwhtZOwH4z2700mDDYD8DEa_S2sprRE/s320/Delores+red+canyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-40221170079518698132018-03-14T12:27:00.002-07:002018-03-14T12:27:59.696-07:00VloggingI kind of went through a burn out period with blogging. I think it became more of a chore than a pleasur e. I had been part of a consortium, and had to write about a particular topic each week. (eek! It's thundering outside! I hope it turns to snow in the mountains. We REALLY need more snowpack. I'm praying for that.) Anyway, I think blogging became a series of assignments instead of a brain dump. I prefer the brain dump. <br />
<br />
Lately I've been watching different youtube channels. It's made me want to try my hand at it. I'm not doing this to earn money, and frankly don't think I would ever get tons of viewers anyway. But I have so much that I would like to record, and I have a lot of different ideas for vlogs. I don't know the difference between a vlog...where you kind of carry the camera around all day...and the other kind of video where you record how to do something. What do you call that? Anyway, I might have a little of both, but I won't be the type to record my entire life. That would be the most boring channel on youtube. ;) <br />
<br />
Anyway, I did start the channel, and I named it "A Piece of My Mind". https://youtu.be/5im10Sq7_F0<br />
I tried to do a youtube search to find it but didn't really see it. So I guess I need to look more carefully at how it is named. <br />
<br />
The one thing I still need to learn how to do is edit my videos. I have one I just finished on how to make paper beads. But it's way too long and there are a lot of things I need to edit out anyway. I added a couple of videos that I have posted on here before. Anyway, we will see how this goes. Check it out! Subscribe if you are interested in seeing what else I post.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-67532437155929939252018-01-13T05:16:00.001-08:002018-01-13T05:16:15.856-08:00Quiet BookOur church group here in China had a baby shower for a lady in our group today. Earlier this week I got the idea that I could make a small quiet book for her. I worked on it a couple of hours every day and finished it the day before the shower. For me, this is playing. I really need to start one for one of my grandchildren, but I decided to do this small one first. These are all peek a boo pages. I kind of pooped out when I made the cover, so didn't put a lot of work in to it. But I think it turned out okay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcw6wyQ_tnX0OFQBqs6JvTUF5QJNQxhuzeTuV9bSzOLGgSLy46GFNkmvE4UDmlq3UMEIyfXcu_pn6lTtPmYB3sgX0Vj7UhbQZBJ4wSU2gcZs0ESYUuMcyq_sP1FfG385lbdM/s1600/IMG_2582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcw6wyQ_tnX0OFQBqs6JvTUF5QJNQxhuzeTuV9bSzOLGgSLy46GFNkmvE4UDmlq3UMEIyfXcu_pn6lTtPmYB3sgX0Vj7UhbQZBJ4wSU2gcZs0ESYUuMcyq_sP1FfG385lbdM/s320/IMG_2582.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0H2J5lH5oqOFJ3RdFHVxEJt4oJtT1vhNBVYnAf4XGqTccY2ARFQapLcSogGqJpiAGGtYpjS9lPZIwPFW4igwcPJhFxa-cTf5wUTbf6SkqZ3YdoN7WXFcculhiVFZvWlmpBo/s1600/IMG_2584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix0H2J5lH5oqOFJ3RdFHVxEJt4oJtT1vhNBVYnAf4XGqTccY2ARFQapLcSogGqJpiAGGtYpjS9lPZIwPFW4igwcPJhFxa-cTf5wUTbf6SkqZ3YdoN7WXFcculhiVFZvWlmpBo/s320/IMG_2584.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHEXBu6LBSWV13fUpfpqBy2X3mSwHyxmKogbUpQbYVuTASJhYjUuvdDpaCRQHJawdqEi56HwDAIpxoOn3lzwQggx1wa_wi5jHShJDfrrIuOJChRooyw6I-eDqSm_6nrTnDro/s1600/IMG_2586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHEXBu6LBSWV13fUpfpqBy2X3mSwHyxmKogbUpQbYVuTASJhYjUuvdDpaCRQHJawdqEi56HwDAIpxoOn3lzwQggx1wa_wi5jHShJDfrrIuOJChRooyw6I-eDqSm_6nrTnDro/s320/IMG_2586.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5I4x-Zw3IrhEcsMxoguTQML8QV8PVJ8wygjlsI81Z0ZtB3ykeESDeari7zGsBrYdOOkzMw7p5pX7pmvqUgu6Q91Sdbv6s2HC72B7XSmMyEbyYvwUnrLHYhUUvAiBCxv8npM/s1600/IMG_2588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5I4x-Zw3IrhEcsMxoguTQML8QV8PVJ8wygjlsI81Z0ZtB3ykeESDeari7zGsBrYdOOkzMw7p5pX7pmvqUgu6Q91Sdbv6s2HC72B7XSmMyEbyYvwUnrLHYhUUvAiBCxv8npM/s320/IMG_2588.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zf2XA9sbtLP42jHpq4lmxEMWv3Qhi63N5rA4QT1ZCVOwGxoopGPDglZFrfE_w_4vfXceLQ5qdbXTe2ige61Go9kTJfDqAvTqVAxoNF8mfok86xDzWaZN270MlZvMng8H4fg/s1600/IMG_2580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zf2XA9sbtLP42jHpq4lmxEMWv3Qhi63N5rA4QT1ZCVOwGxoopGPDglZFrfE_w_4vfXceLQ5qdbXTe2ige61Go9kTJfDqAvTqVAxoNF8mfok86xDzWaZN270MlZvMng8H4fg/s320/IMG_2580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-71180118426295120172018-01-09T05:10:00.000-08:002018-01-09T05:21:56.689-08:00Learning to ListenI've been thinking lately about how reactive I am to those in my church who have differing beliefs from mine. I really need to change this. I need to learn to listen instead of reacting. I had an online disagreement with a blogger a few years ago. She is a member of my religion, but has very differing views from mine. At the time, she said some things that really upset me, and I reacted strongly. I decided to go to her blog today for the first time in years, and I read that she has quit attending our church. She said that she felt it was better for all involved because she reacts strongly to comments made by some people at church whose beliefs differ from her's. I get that. I do that. I am just like her, although we are on different ends of the spectrum.<br />
<br />
I reacted strongly to her declarations on her blog. I think my biggest problem was that I worried that some people who aren't educated about our religion would think that her views represented church doctrine. I was worried that some people might be led away from the doctrine. So I reacted strongly, but she has admitted that she also reacts to those whose beliefs differ from hers. She had difficulty hearing certain comments at church that went against her deeply held personal beliefs. I think we two are alike in that way.<br />
<br />
I wish I could learn to just listen and discuss intelligently without reacting. I actually have that ability in other situations. I've many times gone to visit families from church and have been exposed to things in their life that weren't in line with church beliefs. I didn't over react in that situation. I tried to be tactful and understanding. I tried to accept them at the level where they are in their understanding. So why can't I do that all the time? Maybe I expect more from people who I feel are better educated about church beliefs? I don't know...I'm still thinking about this.<br />
<br />
One area that I have always struggled with is feminism in the church. While I believe that women should be equally respected, I have always felt that the feminist movement sought to tear down the role of men. I have never liked the man-bashing that I have witnessed. But recently I have been thinking about how the feminists actually have helped us to have conversations that we wouldn't have had without them. Because of their pushing, the church has taken extra effort to have a conversation about the role of women in the church. While I am not one of those advocating for women to be given the Priesthood, I do appreciate that we are taking more time to discuss the role of women. That would not have happened without the feminist efforts.<br />
<br />
The same situation has come about because of the LGBT community. Although I don't agree with some of their demands in the church, I think they have raised some important questions, and they have opened conversations. They have also helped us to look at our relations with members who are LGBT. While I may not always like the format used to bring about those conversations, I think the questions they have asked, and the conversations we are having because of them are actually very helpful.<br />
<br />
So why is it so hard for me to just listen to their concerns without over reacting? This is what I want to learn. I want to learn how to really listen to what is in their heart, regardless of whether or not I agree. I guess what I'm really wanting to do is become more open minded. I need to learn to really understand differing points of view within my religion without becoming reactive. I actually think I'm better at this with politics than religion. But I should be better at this with my religion because there is room for everyone at church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpGl5f7YYd3eSbfODUCjpeNrkT5nwKqPUy-Ac7j8uAFH3EWujlB4qWireQt1fewb7orC6L6aULRbJDlVBnPKSl9bbrafeTgpRW0v3lCu0xiJMEoAEP8lDKKpWh4ZaMbCl0iE/s1600/26195691_1690059781014220_4984246060283433101_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpGl5f7YYd3eSbfODUCjpeNrkT5nwKqPUy-Ac7j8uAFH3EWujlB4qWireQt1fewb7orC6L6aULRbJDlVBnPKSl9bbrafeTgpRW0v3lCu0xiJMEoAEP8lDKKpWh4ZaMbCl0iE/s320/26195691_1690059781014220_4984246060283433101_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-72011435254663145062017-11-09T19:42:00.002-08:002017-11-09T19:50:34.409-08:00My New ObsessionWhen I was about 13 years old, my mother gave me a small book of wall paper samples and taught me how to make paper beads. I remember that at the time, I didn't really see the point. I think it was partially because they were unfinished. It was as popular craft back in her younger life, and it was particularly common to use wall paper samples. I don't know if you can even get those samples today. Recently I began researching how to make paper beads and I have become obsessed!<br />
<br />
I watched a really good video on youtube about making paper beads. I have to say that many of the videos I watched were not really that good. But this one is excellent. If you are interested, here is the link. <a href="https://youtu.be/XnTWQ77g1Y4">Click here.</a> I learned some really excellent techniques from her. I have watched every video I could find, and have really come to the conclusion that I need to make a video too. My main thinking is that I have taken what I have learned and now have put my own twist on it. Also, I was so obsessed that I would have gladly welcomed another good video.<br />
<br />
So three weeks ago I came to China again with my husband for his work. I brought several things to do while I'm here, but the one thing I've spent most of my time doing is making paper beads! I made a necklace for myself before I left home, and now I plan on making some for gifts for others. I actually can't believe how many I've made here in China. But they are turning out so beautiful, and I think the necklaces will be pretty.<br />
<br />
A week or so ago I went with a friend to the pearl market here in Su Zhou. I did buy some inexpensive pearls for gifts, but honestly, I prefer my paper beads to real pearls! The lady I bought from also sold me some strands of beads to take back to use in making the necklaces. I certainly couldn't buy them that cheap back in the States! I also bought some black necklace cords. But enough talking, let me show you some pictures of the beads I've been making!<br />
<br />
I bought a small plastic box to put my beads in. Then I decided I really needed some way to sort them by color, so I made paper boxes to store them in, inside the box. I also bought a plastic box with organizing sections in it, but it didn't have enough walls, so I made some out of paper. Here is that box:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoXYXftAqkXBWySyMVtsqbpzlrYW_XY1OSdGs9LpQPWNsTR76Po-Qt0CPTN4HgNbOiqrN7mO-M7gH8VFyEqWfImbHewZiDZHk71akt9ZR3_mETJGoSoJikURqyaSDvOXN8_w/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoXYXftAqkXBWySyMVtsqbpzlrYW_XY1OSdGs9LpQPWNsTR76Po-Qt0CPTN4HgNbOiqrN7mO-M7gH8VFyEqWfImbHewZiDZHk71akt9ZR3_mETJGoSoJikURqyaSDvOXN8_w/s320/IMG_1734.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Here is a picture of the smaller box with the paper boxes inside. (You will notice I also keep a chart of the color patterns inside the lids):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWgQIJwwX8VakL1UUJsBHDRhsqyAak8_qlsbkcyoY6Z8VZ_t-fgSh6UE0wAf_wdN-HrjYniWMnC1vR_Q-Uvh03b1wa50EwnfAfbT5i7WJh1AURkeAtBfSF7CQPR5O5kMRpwU/s1600/IMG_1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWgQIJwwX8VakL1UUJsBHDRhsqyAak8_qlsbkcyoY6Z8VZ_t-fgSh6UE0wAf_wdN-HrjYniWMnC1vR_Q-Uvh03b1wa50EwnfAfbT5i7WJh1AURkeAtBfSF7CQPR5O5kMRpwU/s320/IMG_1735.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You use permanent markers to color the beads, and just before I came to China, I bought some metallic ones. They really make nice beads!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZF__LIuuLdeekGD3mY83j7IJqnyhrzQJ0SW7XrVsqOTcDA-PNk0-UFvWWApvuI__fY78IIHLfBtgvtcRTzdYOsfEKSOSiUaKHAlZy9jOae_YMZMiS22UJoTofAGsEUMHNrE/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZF__LIuuLdeekGD3mY83j7IJqnyhrzQJ0SW7XrVsqOTcDA-PNk0-UFvWWApvuI__fY78IIHLfBtgvtcRTzdYOsfEKSOSiUaKHAlZy9jOae_YMZMiS22UJoTofAGsEUMHNrE/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yG3Yq0xM2Rqq2kmsjxvW0yGeZKgOd0nTagUNhN1vQy0bUrRg8-FiSBp6Bz8J6U2KLHWHL-XRvKASFouO_kLo9GJPsbi-zR8JlhueOcAdCVKcnIpBW6Qbiq83gHUccZiRs9Y/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yG3Yq0xM2Rqq2kmsjxvW0yGeZKgOd0nTagUNhN1vQy0bUrRg8-FiSBp6Bz8J6U2KLHWHL-XRvKASFouO_kLo9GJPsbi-zR8JlhueOcAdCVKcnIpBW6Qbiq83gHUccZiRs9Y/s320/IMG_1737.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-dIHL8gbE16SD10jik0miHdzYw6vTO-8smn1eKcaA-FHWyzyBLsc16cuG9ebYDQ5QWKFCKU3sdncBX1Ym5L_am1_ttegWl-3XGtXQ2OPIY8nixyUrmLN1RAThyQnJAl7Ocg/s1600/IMG_1738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-dIHL8gbE16SD10jik0miHdzYw6vTO-8smn1eKcaA-FHWyzyBLsc16cuG9ebYDQ5QWKFCKU3sdncBX1Ym5L_am1_ttegWl-3XGtXQ2OPIY8nixyUrmLN1RAThyQnJAl7Ocg/s320/IMG_1738.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhmIl7Zd-S-lJwAoBenqVflLaZk2xwJhjrc02jCTjg0WpILtDCAOJI-B0KhWVfdZDTNqCJaFnCvRMr9d-ogbvDZ5DZIFxctbPTnUJkYGkjpnUuNxCcaYNFaRYnAw-PYehzRM/s1600/IMG_1740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhmIl7Zd-S-lJwAoBenqVflLaZk2xwJhjrc02jCTjg0WpILtDCAOJI-B0KhWVfdZDTNqCJaFnCvRMr9d-ogbvDZ5DZIFxctbPTnUJkYGkjpnUuNxCcaYNFaRYnAw-PYehzRM/s320/IMG_1740.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5-TXPv1mk_GsP1e7uZw6BR2HpD6S_h8IdAOKyfkDKOrOudFCv3AYhusT7Aj6452NQZQslh2I6l5AxZ40dZWS18szv9xd7ElCtEajT5s5Iwt_Xmv7xl_NaZUjnRj8epA-Dtg/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5-TXPv1mk_GsP1e7uZw6BR2HpD6S_h8IdAOKyfkDKOrOudFCv3AYhusT7Aj6452NQZQslh2I6l5AxZ40dZWS18szv9xd7ElCtEajT5s5Iwt_Xmv7xl_NaZUjnRj8epA-Dtg/s320/IMG_1741.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I decided I wanted to make a patriotic one like one I saw online, so I made these beads. I will also use the red and white ones in the picture of the plastic box above.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrY_wISNpd0q5jcesKxxAuo5GrIKtK12-zzTyx5vXeIP0-l-v4U5SAkQbdgE_0YjJr9ioFoJZYDrSurjl9nR3nNle1XgNwy_dM02EbYi2uwcqpkp7NBRyoiTbuEJsHYg5uSc/s1600/IMG_1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrY_wISNpd0q5jcesKxxAuo5GrIKtK12-zzTyx5vXeIP0-l-v4U5SAkQbdgE_0YjJr9ioFoJZYDrSurjl9nR3nNle1XgNwy_dM02EbYi2uwcqpkp7NBRyoiTbuEJsHYg5uSc/s320/IMG_1742.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is a picture of the one I made for myself. I added small clear beads in between, and also found some larger pink beads at a good price, so mixed them in too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32-p2mvR6q6cjSmcq5GRMmLXve2IGdezQQfbmSFT0eKGxRnpHPe6CMOLL6JKejLYS1fnv9kzmBicMiJF2-pZJdbMt4ySatjs6G6eEFnKub5c5wruNzPBMGPGU7dJKGlvS2no/s1600/IMG_1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32-p2mvR6q6cjSmcq5GRMmLXve2IGdezQQfbmSFT0eKGxRnpHPe6CMOLL6JKejLYS1fnv9kzmBicMiJF2-pZJdbMt4ySatjs6G6eEFnKub5c5wruNzPBMGPGU7dJKGlvS2no/s320/IMG_1743.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Now I can't wait to get home and glaze them so I can start stringing them! :)</div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-24469624828670164162017-09-06T19:53:00.000-07:002017-09-06T19:53:28.469-07:00Caution: Geek Post: My Harry Potter LifeI was just watching an interview of Oprah talking with J.K. Rowling several years ago. It really made me think about my own experience with the Harry Potter books. Jo Rowling mentioned in the interview that one day she was walking down the street and a young girl popped out of no where and said, "You were my childhood!" Well, if I met Jo Rowling walking down the street, I would have to say, "You were my second childhood!" I wish that she had written Harry Potter when I was a child, but I have enjoyed the books just as much as an adult.<br />
<br />
The first time I heard of Harry Potter was listening to NPR. They were interviewing someone about children's books, and she mentioned this new series called "Harry Potter", and briefly talked about the plot of the books. At that time, we were preparing to go on a family trip from California to Utah, so I was interested to try reading the Harry Potter book to entertain my children on the trip. When I pulled out the book in the car, my older children were quite insulted and insisted that they could read for themselves, and didn't want me reading aloud. But I wanted to have the family experience of reading a book together, so I told them that since my youngest child didn't know how to read yet, I would just read the book to him, and they could listen if they wanted, or not. I read the first chapter, and they were hooked. They insisted that I keep reading. After a little while, my voice got tired, so I told them we would have to stop. They complained loudly and suggested I drive and let my husband read to them. So that is pretty much what we did for the rest of the trip; switched places back and forth when our voices got tired. <br />
<br />
My husband is a very dramatic reader. When he reads out loud, he reads it in a way that you never knew it could sound. He doesn't do it for show. This is just the way his mind works. When he was young, his grandmother often read out loud with him. She would get a book and take him to a nearby park. They would sit at a table and read aloud to each other for hours. I credit that with his ability to read dramatically. He even added voices to his reading, so the kids actually preferred him to read. I tried to do that, but it just couldn't compete with my husband's abilities. <br />
<br />
One thing we did wrong was pronounce the name Hermione wrong. We had never heard that name before, so pronounced it "Her-Me-Own". It just so happened that my neighbor across the street was an English teacher, and had studied in England, and was married to an Irishman. She informed us that it was pronounced "Her-My-Oh-Knee". And somewhere along the line we realized we were pronouncing Rowling wrong too. Then one day I heard an interview with Jo where she said that it was "row" like rowing a boat, not "row" like you are having a row with someone. So now we get it right.<br />
<br />
Lucky for us, by the time we found the series of books, Jo Rowling had already written three. So when we got home, we rushed and bought the next two books. My kids devoured them. In fact, by the time the fourth book came out, our other books were so worn out that they were falling apart. My kids had read them all several times, as had I. My neighbors had joined the Potter-mania, so when the fourth book came out, they went together to the midnight release of the book at Barnes and Noble. My kids begged me to allow them go with them. I let my older children go, and gave them money to buy a hard backed book. I knew that we would need the better binding. Repeat that event for every other book release and movie release.<br />
<br />
When the movies came out, we all went to the midnight showing. I know that is late for kids, but you have to realize how huge this was in our family. But after the first couple of movies, I decided that I would enjoy it more if I weren't so tired, so I quit going to the midnight showing. I also kept my youngest home. It was just as enjoyable in the matinee the next day.<br />
<br />
I need to insert here that my husband isn't really a Potter fan. He enjoyed reading the first book, but never tried reading the rest. I kind of think he is less in touch with his inner child. ;) He likes to read history books and more technical things. He doesn't really understand our obsession. But I think part of that is because he never continued reading them. Oh well, to each his own.<br />
<br />
I have to say that my experience with the first movie was enchanting. For me, I was entering a world that was totally new to me. I've never been to England, and much of the visual images are kind of reminiscent of the 1800's or something. I relished every little prop and costume. I had this same kind of experience when I saw Star Wars for the first time. Star Wars was unlike any other movie we had ever seen. The special effects were amazing, and unlike anything that had ever been done before. Harry Potter gave me that same feeling. It was a world I had never been, and I savored every moment. <br />
<br />
My siblings all are Harry Potter geeks too. We all take those quizzes on Facebook to test our Harry Potter knowledge, and we all score really well. What can I say? We are a family of geeks. And we are all old, and we still love it.<br />
<br />
One day I was in a grocery store and I heard the checker telling a customer how she thought the Harry Potter story was evil, and how she didn't think kids should read the books or watch the movies. I told her that the books don't encourage evil. I told her that it is all imagination, and that they don't teach actual witchcraft. None of the spells in the books actually work! I told her it was no different than watching "Bewitched" on television. She smugly answered, "Exactly." Really? She doesn't even watch "Bewitched"? Well, there is no hope for that kind of person. Hey, listen, I am LDS, and I am VERY religious. If I thought the books would sway my children to become evil, or follow the devil, I would not allow them to read them either. But I read them for myself, and I can tell you that they actually teach children that there is good, and there is evil, and that good can over power evil. And I think also they actually teach children to recognize evil. As Harry says in the first book, "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself...". <br />
<br />
I also like that the books actually help children learn coping skills. They teach what to do if sadness and despair overwhelm you. They teach what to do if you are frightened. They teach about courage, love, and loyalty. Good can come from many sources if you are wise enough to listen.<br />
<br />
My kids are grown now, and we don't read out loud to each other anymore. But we do occasionally listen to the books on CD. Jim Dale did and AMAZING job reading the books on CD! My favorite one to listen to is, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" because the voices Jim Dale created are so wonderful! And I do really love the beginning of that story. My sister listens to the books on CD every morning as she is getting ready. She has done this for years. I usually only listen to them as I'm driving long distances. I have listened to other books, but the Harry Potter books are like a familiar friend that I keep going back to revisit.<br />
<br />
It's cliche to say it, but I am pretty much like Alan Rickman who was asked how long he will be reading Harry Potter, and responded, "Always". I do have other books I read, but every so often I think about the Potter world and want to go back for a visit. It's pure magic!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lEW7iJqmc_qHDmWJ6EgaQkuLo-_XG8LPUzbWtePWxNNeTx2YVNg8RTUjFBMm0Ph5fKg4INXn2fO21300dCU-As4-zqSK7qQuaKZoV6zb03oWsTY4qD5fbLu3Ec-fzijgxIg/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="337" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lEW7iJqmc_qHDmWJ6EgaQkuLo-_XG8LPUzbWtePWxNNeTx2YVNg8RTUjFBMm0Ph5fKg4INXn2fO21300dCU-As4-zqSK7qQuaKZoV6zb03oWsTY4qD5fbLu3Ec-fzijgxIg/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-49197856534133228402017-08-09T05:52:00.002-07:002017-08-09T05:52:44.277-07:00Chicken FeetThe other day I saw a restaurant that specialized in chicken feet. I noticed that the character for the chicken's foot actually looked like a claw. Evidently that didn't sink very far in to my brain though. Here is a picture that I took of that restaurant.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ruVQRgNGL8pSKQpaOOk4Iw_Bx8Xvs7I5vC_y9WXes0go_pLkDFh54WiOEmNmcm3ugCHOqoNwZN8DClqFmltoxnD7xqGiRsbJaDafj8HKpPyVrmnVgHG3oY9o5cdLrX-BMSg/s1600/IMG_1252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ruVQRgNGL8pSKQpaOOk4Iw_Bx8Xvs7I5vC_y9WXes0go_pLkDFh54WiOEmNmcm3ugCHOqoNwZN8DClqFmltoxnD7xqGiRsbJaDafj8HKpPyVrmnVgHG3oY9o5cdLrX-BMSg/s320/IMG_1252.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Today I went to another restaurant and decided to get some beef noodle soup. They don't put many vegetables in it, so I looked on the menu and saw a section titled "small vegetables". One of the characters on the sign looked like "gua" which could refer to some kind of squash. I took some chinese classes in college, but my reading ability isn't very good, and here in China they use simplified characters instead of complex ones. I learned the complex ones. Well, sort of learned them. I read about the same level as a first grader. When I asked the waitress about the "gua", she replied using a different tone. I should have had a clue then, but I thought maybe I just remembered the tone wrong, or maybe because of her dialect she said it differently. So I ordered the "Dong gua". <br />
Here is what they brought me:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLNUsY3s9ppqbRlYp6Kw-JTDmMdT8Zf9iNKa_bkskVcFGUyo_AA9v9uh3NPxaTKivze5jMdZcKGG0U-J1DnLyhxVCMhSVtuTfIiDN0CrmWPMhogOAaIrPi0X_7z81P0Awvok/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMLNUsY3s9ppqbRlYp6Kw-JTDmMdT8Zf9iNKa_bkskVcFGUyo_AA9v9uh3NPxaTKivze5jMdZcKGG0U-J1DnLyhxVCMhSVtuTfIiDN0CrmWPMhogOAaIrPi0X_7z81P0Awvok/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I should have remembered the character from the chicken toes restaurant! I thought to myself that maybe I could learn to eat it. I honestly tried, but couldn't eat it. I even tried to just gnaw it a little so that it would look eaten when the waitress came to clean up my dishes, but I didn't really get very far with that. It was just repulsive to me. I remember as a missionary being served chicken's feet once, and failed at eating it then too. I just can't get past the texture. It's not just skin, it's soft, almost gelatinous skin. And honestly, then I tried nibbling on the claws, but immediately pictured in my mind the chicken scratching around in chicken poop. I couldn't eat it. <br />
<br />
The beef noodle soup was delicious, but a little spicy. So after lunch I went to the convenience store to buy a container of milk. But once again, my characters were so bad that I couldn't tell what was what. I finally asked the store attendant if the milk I was looking at was yogurt milk or fresh milk. It was yogurt milk. I like yogurt milk, but that wasn't what I wanted. Finally I saw a small bottle of milk that had "milk beverage" written in English on it. I bought that. It turned out to be sweet, coconut flavored milk. It tasted good, but alas was not what I had wanted to buy. So I'm learning. Very slowly......<br />
<br />
And speaking of food, my husband and I went out to eat hot pot. It actually was very good. But we had a stomach ache all the next day. We won't be going back. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ94-QCK7H143-gEH9iFtgPRHKsjIo7JcoX8QIIy989w-1vvYV9KtFxNTUBWkCJ357axN3INQK1OJqloy9XyFNN_LeX8KeZpRg5U02YgjLjK9-2CGZPq3Nriah3UTlIsgHU0/s1600/IMG_1250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZ94-QCK7H143-gEH9iFtgPRHKsjIo7JcoX8QIIy989w-1vvYV9KtFxNTUBWkCJ357axN3INQK1OJqloy9XyFNN_LeX8KeZpRg5U02YgjLjK9-2CGZPq3Nriah3UTlIsgHU0/s320/IMG_1250.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Tonight we ate Papa John's pizza. It was okay, but after eating Chinese food every meal for the past week, it was kind of heavy. The last thing I want to try is a shrimp/rice patty burger with mango at Burger King. I am curious to see how it tastes. I'll let you know.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-11828089932423169502017-08-08T05:32:00.001-07:002017-08-08T05:32:53.036-07:00Drifting Between Two WorldsI'm back in China for 6 weeks. It's such an odd sensation to go back and forth between the two cultures. It's not a bad feeling, just weird. I actually feel very at home in China. It also takes a few days to get my mind back in the language mode. This city has a slightly different accent than where we used to live, so it takes me a few days to get accustomed to the accent. <br />
<br />
We have been hotel hopping trying to find one that suits us. Last time we were here we stayed in the same hotel the whole time. It wasn't the most convenient location, but the room itself was the best. It has a small kitchenette and a washing machine, as well as a refrigerator/freezer. This hotel has a tiny refrigerator, but nothing else. We are still trying to figure out the best way to do our laundry. We will try an air B&B next week. <br />
<br />
One thing I'm really enjoying here is the food! We eat out all the time, so it's always an interesting experience. Breakfast is a buffet here in the hotel. I love Chinese breakfasts, so that is always my choice. My husband tends to stick to the American eggs and bacon. My breakfast usually consists of: fried rice, two different stir fried vegetable dishes, a small sausage, a few steamed meat buns, some rice porridge with pickled vegetables, hot soy bean milk, some fruit, and some bread pudding. Yes, I will probably gain weight here! For lunch, I go next door to the mall and go downstairs to the food court. One day I ate beef noodle soup. Another day I had chicken curry with rice, vegetables, and mushroom soup. Today I ate dumplings and a cucumber salad. But tonight I had a stomach ache, so that food might have not been very fresh. I won't eat there again. For dinner tonight we went to an excellent restaurant! We had some barbecued pork/chicken with rice and vegetables, an egg and shrimp dish, and a DELICIOUS eggplant dish! It was eggplant stuffed with a rice cake, seasoned with a spicy sweet sauce. I will definitely be going back!<br />
<br />
Last night my husband and I took a coworker out grocery shopping. He is an intern from Germany and is having trouble finding food he can eat. He is a picky eater, so coming to China is especially difficult for him. It is very difficult for me to understand, but he doesn't eat vegetables or fruit! How can a person go through life with no vegetables or fruit!!! I just can't comprehend it. After helping him shop, I asked my husband if a young man like that can actually live off of coke, ice cream, and cookies..... No, actually he did buy some meat, noodles, cheese, milk and bread too, so I guess he will survive. He is still young, so maybe he will change his eating habits as he gets older. <br />
<br />
The other day we took the subway to go to church. On our way home, as we were almost to the door of our hotel, I heard a big crash! I looked and saw that a young woman driving a scooter had tipped over. I ran over and asked if she needed help. She was clearly shaken and had hurt her leg. I helped hold up the scooter while she gathered her things. The side mirror had broken. She explained that she hadn't seen a small lip where the sidewalk dropped off. My husband thought maybe she was embarrassed that I helped her. I told him I felt she was embarrassed that she had tipped over, but was actually glad that I helped her. It's hard to know how things are viewed in each culture. But I think overall she appreciated my help. <br />
<br />
Oh, back to food for a minute. Burger King has tailored it's menu to the Chinese palette. They have a shrimp/rice patty served on a bun with a couple of slices of mango. I'm kind of interested to try it. They also have a very strange looking chicken burger that is served on a black bun with dried pork on top. The pork looks kind of like hair. If I can get it to post, I will insert the picture I took of the advertisement on the subway. <br />
<br />
Well, if I can continue to get my VPN to work, I will post again. I can't get on to Facebook, but I can check blogs and watch youtube. Go figure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dg1QoHjtmNVf7sm6b-DPrYe2kkB9Cjb7_pw4rcH0XhXAxOctVwPCZpFm_p4RvaFSg5nWxYzCSEHcvD3MUm_4jNWj0USOS-BJ6mdXBks3Jd8vQgUpC1mMv2vuZeIX4eli_Fg/s1600/burger+king.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Dg1QoHjtmNVf7sm6b-DPrYe2kkB9Cjb7_pw4rcH0XhXAxOctVwPCZpFm_p4RvaFSg5nWxYzCSEHcvD3MUm_4jNWj0USOS-BJ6mdXBks3Jd8vQgUpC1mMv2vuZeIX4eli_Fg/s320/burger+king.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-72923931726828568032017-08-02T19:18:00.002-07:002017-08-02T19:18:57.662-07:00Back to ChinaI'm back for another round of China. This time my stay will be about 6 weeks. I think I won't be coming for the rest of the year though. My husband has to keep his weeks in China to about 26, or he has to pay more China taxes. At this point, his company doesn't want any expats, so aren't willing to pay the tax burden. So this will be my last visit until January.<br />
<br />
I boarded my plane in SLC, bound for SFO. I ended up sitting next to a very large man whose upper body spilled over in to my seat. His arms took up the armrest, and I had no where to put my arms. It was a full flight, and I felt sorry for him that he didn't fit, so I just made do the best I could. I found that when he fell asleep, he would cross his arms across his chest, and that gave me room on the armrest. He slept most of the flight. But about 20 minutes after we boarded, while we were still taxying on the runway, the pilot informed us that SFO was turning us back. We had to go back to the gate and wait for 1 1/2 hours before we could depart. I began to be very nervous because that would put us in SF about 11:30. My international flight was at 12:00. <br />
<br />
As soon as we arrived at SFO, I hurried out of the plane (after waiting for my carryon to be brought up from the belly) and asked the first airline employee I could find how to get to the international terminal. I have been in the airport a few times, but it had been awhile, so I couldn't remember very well. I walked as quickly as I could, and when possible I even ran a little. My feet are so bad that running is difficult. As I hurried away, I heard the employee calling out to me that I should take the "red line" on the air train, and go to the first stop. I walked for about 10 minutes and finally came to the air train. Next I came to the security check point. I had about 20 minutes before my flight was due to leave. I was praying that God would delay the plane. I got in the security line and noticed a drug sniffing dog coming by. Suddenly he keyed in on a man in front of me, and sat down next to him. The TSA agent caught the eye of another agent and gave him a knowing look. They took that man aside, but I don't think they found anything. He was Chinese, so the dog could have been smelling Chinese medicine. But just to make sure, they made us all walk a large circle so the dog could sniff us again. Meanwhile, the clock was still ticking.....<br />
<br />
Actually, because we had to walk in that circle, we were directed to a TSA precheck line that didn't require us to remove our shoes, or take laptops out of our luggage. It made my security check even quicker, for which I was thankful! The minute I got my bags, I took off again as fast as I could.<br />
<br />
I finally got to the international terminal, and went as quick as I could to my gate. I hurried right up to the door, but the employee there stopped me. I said, "Have they already left?" She said, "No, we don't board for ten minutes." They had been delayed, but didn't post it on the board! I was so relieved! <br />
<br />
I got a perfect seat in the plane. It was the last row of the middle seat, and I had the aisle seat. Another woman had the opposite aisle seat, and the seats in between us were empty! We both felt so lucky! What a great flight!<br />
<br />
My only problem with the flight was that when I arrived in Shanghai, I realized that my luggage had not arrived with me. Although I made my flight, my suitcase didn't. Fortunately, I had slipped some clean under clothing in to my carryon before I left home, so at least I could put on clean clothes the next day. I wore one of my husband's casual shirts, which looked like a tent on me. I gathered it at the side and tied a knot. At least it wasn't a dress on me. The airline delivered my suitcase to our hotel the next day. So all's well that ends well. But next time I think I will put a full change of clothes in my carryon. <br />
<br />
I'm already enjoying the Chinese food again. Our hotel has a wonderful buffet breakfast, and then my husband and I go out for dinner in the evening. I usually grab something quick for lunch. I love Chinese food!<br />
<br />
The weather here is a little trying for me. We have typhoon weather, so it is actually cooler than normal, but is still in the 90's with 80% humidity. I think today will be close to 100 degrees F. Ugh.<br />
<br />
Last time I came, we went to Hong Kong for a few days. I love Hong Kong and wish I could live there some day. I was kind of wishing I didn't have to go back to China when our trip was over. But when we arrived in Shanghai, I realized that I feel very at home in China. I've lived here for about 4 years of my life, and it does feel very normal to me now. The people here are wonderful, so I really have nothing to complain about. Oh wait, except the pollution. :) Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-42647909397666602522017-07-06T23:23:00.002-07:002017-07-06T23:23:59.058-07:00ForgivenessI have always been terrible about forgiving. It takes awhile for my "mad" to wear off, and even then, I feel like I have a memory like an elephant. I remember the offense for a long time, and often think about it. My husband is just the opposite. He gets over anger quickly, and then promptly forgets the offense. Weeks later he can't remember the details, while I remember every word. <br />
<br />
Recently we had a very offensive thing happen with a neighbor. Certain offemsive comments were made to us. In the moment, I tried to be tolerant. I tried to be long suffering, I tried to bite my tongue and keep the peace. My daughter was in the next room, and came out and put the person in their place. Part of me wanted to just try to keep the peace. Part of me was cheering my daughter on. You would think that after that flare up, and after my stating our position, that would be the end of the problem. But no, the neighbor went on to be offensive to my sons while we were in China for a month. I wrote an email to the neighbors. I started out trying to be tactful, but I have to admit that my anger came out and I wrote a few sharp things. The neighbor replied, and said they never meant to be offensive. But honestly, it wasn't much of an apology. <br />
<br />
In our scriptures, we are taught that we can "reprove at times with sharpness"but show an "increase of love" thereafter. (Not an exact quote). I did write an email thanking this neighbor for something nice they did for me. I also have greeted her when I have seen her. But that's as far as it has gone, frankly, I think we are both trying to avoid each other.<br />
<br />
One of my problems with forgiveness in this situation is that now I don't trust them. They have revealed themselves to me, and I haven't liked what I saw. This is perhaps the hardest thing about forgiveness that is hardest for me. I might be able to accept them as friends again, but I will probably always keep them at a distance.<br />
<br />
So as I've been thinking about this, I thought of the dog training done by Cesar Milan. One thing he does is provide psychological exercises for the dogs. For example, he makes them lay in a calm state while listening to loud noises that frighten them. As the dogs practice these exercises, it is amazing how quickly they overcome their fears and bad behavior. I've begun to look at these experiences with my neighbor as a psychological exercise for us. It helps me to think of this as an opportunity for me to learn to forgive. I'm still struggling with the forgiving part, but thinking of this as a sort of spiritual exercise has helped me to look at these neighbors differently. I'm not a person that lets go of things easily. Call it tenacity, or stubbornness, or just pride, but I tend to hang on to things. I would like to learn to be able to wholely forgive and forget. How does a person get things out of their mind? If you have any suggestions, please pass them on.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-28090327925703088822017-05-23T22:36:00.000-07:002017-05-23T22:36:58.085-07:00SinofiedI'm not even sure if "sinofied" is a real word. But to me, the meaning is "to become Chinese". I feel like in many ways I have become "sinofied".<br />
<br />
One of the things I first noticed after coming back to China is how normal everything seems to me. I went to a grocery store, and things I would have never bought before looked good to me now. It so easy to sink back in to every day life here.<br />
<br />
I look forward to eating the food. I happened to mention at church that I haven't really been cooking during this visit. The woman at church said incredulously, "What do you eat?!" I was kind of dumbfounded, and plainly answered, "Chinese food....". I love Chinese food, and I can't imagine not liking it. I was talking to a friend who has been to China several times. Her husband led a touring group from BYU. Another friend asked us both, "Is Chinese food good?" She and I answered at the same time. I answered "Yes!" and she answered,"No!" I told her that one reason she probably didn't like it was that she spent a lot of time at resorts. My experience with resorts is that their food isn't very good. I told her that if she went to a regular restaurant, she would like the food. But later she did say to me, "Me and China don't mix."<br />
<br />
I have to admit that I didn't always feel about China the way I do now. As a new missionary, there were many things I wasn't used to. Back in those days, cilantro wasn't really a part of the American diet. When I first ate it in Taiwan, I didn't like it. But through the years I have developed a love for it. There are many other things about the culture that although I wouldn't choose to live them, I understand them and can accept them. <br />
<br />
Although I might understand the culture, there are still things that I haven't really incorporated in to my psyche. Let me give you an example. The other night we went out with some friends to a part of "Old Su Zhou". My husband, and the other man had a conference call they needed to attend by phone, so they went to a nearby McDonald's to find a quiet place to have their conference. Me and the other co-worker, a woman, walked around the square window shopping. While we walked, I mentioned to her that I hadn't been able to find any greeting cards in SuZhou. I wanted to send some thank you notes to some people back in the States. Today she is flying back to her home in Singapore. This morning my husband remembered she had given him a small package for me. It was a sack with some Chinese greeting cards in it! The Chinese are so good at doing this. I know they do it, but I have never really made it part of my thinking, so it didn't even occur to me to buy a present for her.<br />
<br />
I guess you can take the American out of America, but you can't take America out of the American. But I do think that China is sinking it's way in a drop at a time. I do think I"m slowly becoming "sinofied".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5Whfa_FkhqJ3xd04cqdZm2EN_TsxmI0KNrrJiQGa2PZ2P7awNtICOU6fUX1gzoNdn0Pn7fvKmGa85GCOh8pQszHBbWKViJCDgZjWo_g8mYrigHf3ssrfk_NWaR61EAeNx-o/s1600/IMG_1041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5Whfa_FkhqJ3xd04cqdZm2EN_TsxmI0KNrrJiQGa2PZ2P7awNtICOU6fUX1gzoNdn0Pn7fvKmGa85GCOh8pQszHBbWKViJCDgZjWo_g8mYrigHf3ssrfk_NWaR61EAeNx-o/s320/IMG_1041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-73844389801000151482017-05-17T07:50:00.000-07:002017-05-17T07:50:07.421-07:00Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's Back to China I GoI just got a VPN so that I can access my blog and Facebook, Pinterest etc. I tried to get one on my iPad, but I could never get it to work. I feel sad for people in China who don't have access to the wonderful sites and blogs that I regularly view. I feel sad that they don't have access to as much information.<br />
<br />
We are presently in SuZhou, Jiangsu, China. I think this is the most beautiful city I've ever seen in China. It was designed with the help of Singapore, and is considered a model for the rest of China. In addition, the area where we are staying isn't quite as densely populated, so has much less traffic, and is cleaner. Oh that all of China could be this way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXIo6ahRxtYSALTVlC7ZDoCXnFbekHwJ_mCnCOqGA2JnKq4DzeMyY1ZGfSSaB0dbw5Cvl1SpMbocrgkOFvyAK0vjxqBAzW3xALg_DxlgSJrmy2yP78AT_WjkWEcJYbWd9QCg/s1600/suzhou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwXIo6ahRxtYSALTVlC7ZDoCXnFbekHwJ_mCnCOqGA2JnKq4DzeMyY1ZGfSSaB0dbw5Cvl1SpMbocrgkOFvyAK0vjxqBAzW3xALg_DxlgSJrmy2yP78AT_WjkWEcJYbWd9QCg/s320/suzhou.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm still trying to adjust to life here. My main problem is figuring out what to do all day. I usually go out shopping in the mornings. There is a vegetable market about a block away. There is a grocery store right by it. Then I come home and eat lunch. I am taking an independent study class, but honestly I don't have the patience to spend hours and hours a day with it. But I am working my way through the class slowly. I still have a little jet lag, so usually take a nap in the afternoon. Also, we have been getting a lot of phone calls from the U.S. during the middle of the night, so we aren't sleeping well. We have had some family issues that we have had to deal with concerning my husband's brother who was involved in a wreck with a scooter my husband gave him to use. In the evenings after my husband gets home, we usually walk a block or two to find a restaurant to eat dinner. Eating out in China is inexpensive, and is really good. So that's pretty much how my days go.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Tonight's dinner was unusual. The speciality of the restaurant is a congee dish that is served with meat and vegetables in it. We ordered some vegetables, shrimp spring rolls, and beef to go with it. We were sitting right next to the fish tanks. They have fish, shrimp etc. in big glass tanks. Every few minutes the chef would come out and get some of the shrimp, or a fish to cook. So we were just sitting there when all of the sudden a fish leapt out of the tank! It was flopping on the floor right next to me, but no one but us seemed to even notice! I called out to the waitress. She came quickly over, smiling, and grabbed a net to put the fish back in the tank. Pretty funny!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have run in to some funny signs too. One restaurant had the name "Toilet". I am wondering if they meant "Towlette" or something. Someone needs a refund on their translation. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv3nwCPAUdRN-2Ap0ZpqAcPMD09TLMvnebk2BuHOpwa-mvDZr4eQ_o4RBeTKE_WH1SIdrSiRBy38iBlDSeCTSup6C1zGyY-M0eloKe1jN2bj0bGEwtCjVZWbwa2ea_Ys9FvU/s1600/toilet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv3nwCPAUdRN-2Ap0ZpqAcPMD09TLMvnebk2BuHOpwa-mvDZr4eQ_o4RBeTKE_WH1SIdrSiRBy38iBlDSeCTSup6C1zGyY-M0eloKe1jN2bj0bGEwtCjVZWbwa2ea_Ys9FvU/s320/toilet.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And this drink shop chose the name "Fly juice", when I think their meaning had more to do with the verb, than the noun. We chose a passion fruit juice that had big black seeds in it. It was a little too much like real fly juice.....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-H6r3R4IQs7artpntFcCRhVFpnlw8Ktom4jqutQr__zhNjh7pL5DUkUden9nJiFY5R7dLLUO8sROYhErMYGLNFbKD0F_-CRmCoezYVPihpVjGZpmnfa0DGD0p0wistOYWVU/s1600/fly+juice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP-H6r3R4IQs7artpntFcCRhVFpnlw8Ktom4jqutQr__zhNjh7pL5DUkUden9nJiFY5R7dLLUO8sROYhErMYGLNFbKD0F_-CRmCoezYVPihpVjGZpmnfa0DGD0p0wistOYWVU/s320/fly+juice.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxhSskjMAz1XHNOJjjTcfkeQ6gk-Y7SURdL2H4cAgwqHmq45L5BaU5vINqD9SZsTm2LdBzNEOt_ZG6xx4ajBBnRYK4R6emyqYw0kp6QBfuj8DN-eeYwJVpeymCngeBStHP60/s1600/fly+juice+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxhSskjMAz1XHNOJjjTcfkeQ6gk-Y7SURdL2H4cAgwqHmq45L5BaU5vINqD9SZsTm2LdBzNEOt_ZG6xx4ajBBnRYK4R6emyqYw0kp6QBfuj8DN-eeYwJVpeymCngeBStHP60/s320/fly+juice+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the adventure continues....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-26180829528252236842017-05-04T09:06:00.002-07:002017-05-04T09:08:44.229-07:00Losing MomThe first of April my siblings and I made the decision to put my mother in a care center. Her care was getting beyond me. Her dementia had progressed greatly in the past few months, and there were times I wondered just how much she was aware of her surroundings. Usually she would respond to me, and she was still "there". But there were a couple of times that she wasn't, and didn't respond. Putting her in a care center was EXTREMELY difficult. We all felt so much guilt. Some people asked if one of my siblings could take her for awhile. Yes, theoretically they could have, but honestly, if her care was getting beyond me, it was also getting beyond them. The care center people assured us we had made the right decision, and felt that she was one of the people who needed a care center most. <br />
<br />
As I dealt with the guilt of putting her in the care center, one day I had a thought that really helped me. It occurred to me that those feelings of guilt and feeling bad for my mother were actually feelings that are pleasing to God. Feeling empathy, and pain for another person are godly feelings. I ran across a scripture while reading the Book of Mormon:<br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Jacob 2:<span class="verse-number verse" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">7 </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">And also it grieveth me that I must use so much</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">boldness</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">of speech concerning you, before your wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">chaste</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">and delicate</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="page-break" style="background-position: 0px 0px; border: 0px; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">before God, <u>which thing is pleasing unto God;</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">How would God feel if we didn't care about putting our mother in a care center? If we had no regret at all, what would that say about us as children? My thinking is that feelings of empathy and concern are godly feelings and even though they might be painful, we should feel blessed to have the ability to feel them.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">After three weeks of being in the care center, a great blessing happened in that my mother passed away. Her dementia had progressed to the point that she was having difficulty swallowing. Evidently, she aspirated something. The care center called my sister, who lives 30 minutes away. But my mother died before she could get there. In my religious beliefs, and from experiences of family members who have died, I believe that loved ones come to "get" a person when they die. I have no doubt my father came to get my mother's spirit. Did she die alone? Absolutely not. And not to mention that my mother had done a lot of geneology and had come to know many ancestors who died before she was even born. I'm sure a fair few of them were there as well to welcome her to the world of spirits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">As for me, I feel that because of her dementia, I lost my mother several years ago. The person I cared for was not the person I have known all my life. Our family has been grieving for years, so her death is just a release. I feel relieved for her, that she doesn't have to live with a demented mind, and live in an unfamiliar care center. And I feel relief for my family who no longer have to worry about her and wonder if she is okay. We know she is with my father, her parents and siblings, and a daughter that only lived a short time whom she never met. She lived a great life, and now can celebrate in heaven. </span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0.00784314); color: #333333; font-family: "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , "pahoran" , "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-2563350829110361162017-04-28T20:36:00.004-07:002017-04-28T20:47:58.238-07:00Sewing BasketJust a follow up to my last video. I mistakenly said that I got this new prize at the craft store. I actually got it at the thrift store. I hit the jack pot! Woo Hoo!<br />
<br />
If you would rather watch it on Vimeo, <a href="https://vimeo.com/215289260">click here</a>. For some reason, the video doesn't fit on blogger. So clicking that link would probably be a better way to view it.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/215289260" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/215289260">Movie on 4-28-17 at 9.11 PM</a> from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"></a>Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-25133644302589270072017-04-21T13:26:00.000-07:002017-04-21T13:31:14.513-07:00Craft Room TourI'm finally getting around to sharing a tour of my craft studio. Sorry the sound is a little crazy at first. I'm still learning how to do this. I tried using my phone, but couldn't figure out how to upload the video. So I finally used my laptop to film, and uploaded it to Vimeo. I hope this works.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This size doesn't fit very well....any suggestions?</blockquote>
Here is the link. It would be better to view here. https://vimeo.com/214233375<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="427" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/214233375" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://vimeo.com/214233375">Movie on 4-19-17 at 5.14 PM</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user1826331">Delores DeVictoria</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-59974021089103117722017-03-21T22:17:00.001-07:002017-03-21T22:17:15.111-07:00SNAPCHAT AddictionI've discovered the wonderful world of SNAPCHAT Filters. Watch out world!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuVg1nnCsa2kEAF9uO5Z1FrVLBUQXBE5uOtmkyEowOkPjh5RXw7V3AMvqyk7fnKQvkT8cCwD_hoTFoGU5YZiCWjv2-2cbhyy3C8KkCc1kIf8CyJrApHZj-nw8zNlEHZy9hcI/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuVg1nnCsa2kEAF9uO5Z1FrVLBUQXBE5uOtmkyEowOkPjh5RXw7V3AMvqyk7fnKQvkT8cCwD_hoTFoGU5YZiCWjv2-2cbhyy3C8KkCc1kIf8CyJrApHZj-nw8zNlEHZy9hcI/s320/IMG_2069.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUZHoxYgGMLa-Sk2TxPsrDuHwNpVFeEiFV2MDB24OnooO5-2sPCgd7MTjLU6q0CpryzPihyphenhyphen4Gp9IO9HFEsxy7NwLbajW5KGD0sNbVxaVFObAGUV3XeHXdv1zLTV_J2bVh41Y/s1600/IMG_0683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUZHoxYgGMLa-Sk2TxPsrDuHwNpVFeEiFV2MDB24OnooO5-2sPCgd7MTjLU6q0CpryzPihyphenhyphen4Gp9IO9HFEsxy7NwLbajW5KGD0sNbVxaVFObAGUV3XeHXdv1zLTV_J2bVh41Y/s320/IMG_0683.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6lfUNLpUd7sAElDo4W132WlS550Y_S0Gn_LZW5oYdjueDpQrDs5mV3f1_xZQOc6GzJlCQFt0AFLudeDNN4dRvwbMc-l7IvLdeJjhFOR1r0MtBpqX-DeMVpb-Lu-ZHGM66r8/s1600/IMG_0680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6lfUNLpUd7sAElDo4W132WlS550Y_S0Gn_LZW5oYdjueDpQrDs5mV3f1_xZQOc6GzJlCQFt0AFLudeDNN4dRvwbMc-l7IvLdeJjhFOR1r0MtBpqX-DeMVpb-Lu-ZHGM66r8/s320/IMG_0680.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs3pk_lpBEYZ3BeyChi9lowimQis5oN4YnaH2RBFUxxlXLspDrvT4cw9w9rRpxxxM72tQM2gzJtGHhDboJOthTe4zvoa8beQWgsFBrDZj8j98c4whu-O1xyObX3YeIIL0fFg/s1600/IMG_0673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWs3pk_lpBEYZ3BeyChi9lowimQis5oN4YnaH2RBFUxxlXLspDrvT4cw9w9rRpxxxM72tQM2gzJtGHhDboJOthTe4zvoa8beQWgsFBrDZj8j98c4whu-O1xyObX3YeIIL0fFg/s320/IMG_0673.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnj73r8INng0OOBdL7VLLyR22AclzuxXOOOoIhWtBbP_ZnBmb6PmmdlKkT4mxzeRxfQXsu3nHCvM7HMcpxzaPGwOMOtMVRcGEJ4MGYOJNnu_Bm8tx-2w_uPLwRGGLEE5P_Fc/s1600/IMG_0672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnj73r8INng0OOBdL7VLLyR22AclzuxXOOOoIhWtBbP_ZnBmb6PmmdlKkT4mxzeRxfQXsu3nHCvM7HMcpxzaPGwOMOtMVRcGEJ4MGYOJNnu_Bm8tx-2w_uPLwRGGLEE5P_Fc/s320/IMG_0672.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbRgCp-UyV5Wgrmx9gXhCe1z5r4YsFe-5hcJNUJwwy0BIaw7lL5Dv00WuA14SJr-xmKAAz0z0r6IRcbX76j07aI4rmaZX6LIzDUNc1wFxPMxyEmcQX0ybJ4WlxcmC46o0llQ/s1600/IMG_0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbRgCp-UyV5Wgrmx9gXhCe1z5r4YsFe-5hcJNUJwwy0BIaw7lL5Dv00WuA14SJr-xmKAAz0z0r6IRcbX76j07aI4rmaZX6LIzDUNc1wFxPMxyEmcQX0ybJ4WlxcmC46o0llQ/s320/IMG_0664.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEn6jll3wspDI6oj5IdDvkWqlE-MrMOjWq3szHracQfJjb5-gvO6zY-7IQ6bl09kL5dqyz9JferiTcxIS3r7vLtwCdqsWkg0DXt0fJE9i3LTK3bVfMpqwoy_oZ-ChMaxHLUI/s1600/IMG_0658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEn6jll3wspDI6oj5IdDvkWqlE-MrMOjWq3szHracQfJjb5-gvO6zY-7IQ6bl09kL5dqyz9JferiTcxIS3r7vLtwCdqsWkg0DXt0fJE9i3LTK3bVfMpqwoy_oZ-ChMaxHLUI/s320/IMG_0658.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtrsdDrzM2gUPXoN_3LHIATlIZyLeusow5an47ZphoErW7nDHWbX6JaFnHQM4-9MzFMGjr1najsHSX7m1wXfjQ7L4rOrfUi7iZ_MUlb4F3_e4MP5QKnODh1J6gxIxx_4PsAU/s1600/IMG_0642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtrsdDrzM2gUPXoN_3LHIATlIZyLeusow5an47ZphoErW7nDHWbX6JaFnHQM4-9MzFMGjr1najsHSX7m1wXfjQ7L4rOrfUi7iZ_MUlb4F3_e4MP5QKnODh1J6gxIxx_4PsAU/s320/IMG_0642.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukom1OfGac0aW7jLFE-fzx6j0IuXsau2S_-Npr5gUyVied7Unm-NNsQ-rsoWlMhb_3KZ39pVhP3U0UyBRJPyNK_tEpk21sAYCRHbSstKfVEr0ljbh1itkK_8oq7fLYMOQaWo/s1600/IMG_0641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukom1OfGac0aW7jLFE-fzx6j0IuXsau2S_-Npr5gUyVied7Unm-NNsQ-rsoWlMhb_3KZ39pVhP3U0UyBRJPyNK_tEpk21sAYCRHbSstKfVEr0ljbh1itkK_8oq7fLYMOQaWo/s320/IMG_0641.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqlJmcAn_OzqzjkKn3ESgX9natyiW9ovlvfvLp9zuWPFM3gfymQ7Q5HCPbjKNfuTbQT-UHssVH5fFUA67oPWtpTxTOzHtGBilUnT8ADqkStwROJcMuf8I7PnqGzdKDY4LijU/s1600/IMG_0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqlJmcAn_OzqzjkKn3ESgX9natyiW9ovlvfvLp9zuWPFM3gfymQ7Q5HCPbjKNfuTbQT-UHssVH5fFUA67oPWtpTxTOzHtGBilUnT8ADqkStwROJcMuf8I7PnqGzdKDY4LijU/s320/IMG_0637.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFIweftwQIQRuug6C1d7gNWTzBBFTGoZBnvBWPu0mN4GNS0Hhj2R-OM6Rz0ND2hfi1foi8FTv3kNiDtQSMqN952OXWtmUpMG-YFgbGFrbE2eS26yZSjDVluXoaBhFH-rUvts/s1600/IMG_0632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFIweftwQIQRuug6C1d7gNWTzBBFTGoZBnvBWPu0mN4GNS0Hhj2R-OM6Rz0ND2hfi1foi8FTv3kNiDtQSMqN952OXWtmUpMG-YFgbGFrbE2eS26yZSjDVluXoaBhFH-rUvts/s320/IMG_0632.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyhyOH8-x_AxzYTr6Vtpg8Dn-8uCark6j4cT-QF0ewavKA3XuRgIyTbLpnmmub0wMaHCeE1TH4muPEdNxfWHLEqcPAJjTqhj9cRkhpxN9gWhByIb9O0cdGoh8A_qyd5J9YLM/s1600/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyhyOH8-x_AxzYTr6Vtpg8Dn-8uCark6j4cT-QF0ewavKA3XuRgIyTbLpnmmub0wMaHCeE1TH4muPEdNxfWHLEqcPAJjTqhj9cRkhpxN9gWhByIb9O0cdGoh8A_qyd5J9YLM/s320/IMG_0623.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqLTCXtBAFSmRapovjPnBQNN9Z_xA1zGJMmI_3Z_0lSAIK8erAGjIAaOrDu6t8EvCNIHliVrGG2Vy7oSEiGBmVUAmNjnJ32yvUZEqz6vXzucbeezXUgklq0QrhgSRnbs0_KY/s1600/IMG_0617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqLTCXtBAFSmRapovjPnBQNN9Z_xA1zGJMmI_3Z_0lSAIK8erAGjIAaOrDu6t8EvCNIHliVrGG2Vy7oSEiGBmVUAmNjnJ32yvUZEqz6vXzucbeezXUgklq0QrhgSRnbs0_KY/s320/IMG_0617.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlcWwzfhxdz3CJUcAgIGeZNucTium1bOL5TEdmt9pL0wR1s38Y6LfcxzjzAJMiHZrev1dyhT3StU2tKdSTlFNUuRtuVySrJAeAGggyp1yR23avqRqNiCt5BLTqfDs5DF-BVM/s1600/IMG_0606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlcWwzfhxdz3CJUcAgIGeZNucTium1bOL5TEdmt9pL0wR1s38Y6LfcxzjzAJMiHZrev1dyhT3StU2tKdSTlFNUuRtuVySrJAeAGggyp1yR23avqRqNiCt5BLTqfDs5DF-BVM/s320/IMG_0606.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEpynBEBI6dMnLufXbBpttXVaG4UDVaN0rTiac3G-_Hj4dj0z1y5oeTttohTr_BotCxCHnk8xlHENiuw9WiJMj-AXWW3gDUR785H7s5hmbOJR5Cz_zL4-9y1dWmTC7BATFZw/s1600/IMG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEpynBEBI6dMnLufXbBpttXVaG4UDVaN0rTiac3G-_Hj4dj0z1y5oeTttohTr_BotCxCHnk8xlHENiuw9WiJMj-AXWW3gDUR785H7s5hmbOJR5Cz_zL4-9y1dWmTC7BATFZw/s320/IMG_0603.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYbSdInueBO0PgILIEd1h9MERofT3uFIOnJEFBCuk98t9MU_L_e4-Z_Bsdiys8YYMQoSNCYNCe85IDfbZ4CgsDTG8BoGjRKVQoRhX1-EEggoWN7ZX2eJ-ulKwDkl4BvA0Pkk/s1600/IMG_0601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYbSdInueBO0PgILIEd1h9MERofT3uFIOnJEFBCuk98t9MU_L_e4-Z_Bsdiys8YYMQoSNCYNCe85IDfbZ4CgsDTG8BoGjRKVQoRhX1-EEggoWN7ZX2eJ-ulKwDkl4BvA0Pkk/s320/IMG_0601.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaVq9m7A_8WyKtEFG5_eK70jJkFhHCsn12odebrE1kD_kV4YlcXZVpYcyVHQKcUE0wNdpzW04r0mFG4kQYqUSKU2OBlczr13Ffp_ukng4svYGRXeWxhj_ttuOYkzrMO2Pgqw/s1600/IMG_0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaVq9m7A_8WyKtEFG5_eK70jJkFhHCsn12odebrE1kD_kV4YlcXZVpYcyVHQKcUE0wNdpzW04r0mFG4kQYqUSKU2OBlczr13Ffp_ukng4svYGRXeWxhj_ttuOYkzrMO2Pgqw/s320/IMG_0512.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_Y7GTfAJCNwK8uWcvAHp9VpfZiTkiM9d6tI6VakXbEHIr01O2ebvH9njLRrOutoveKnzn6RHubsuY4MXUKSiMo2zavK6-dNoY5KMAVI6yzA9EdMpkWAUWp4u5dtVWa64f88/s1600/IMG_0581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_Y7GTfAJCNwK8uWcvAHp9VpfZiTkiM9d6tI6VakXbEHIr01O2ebvH9njLRrOutoveKnzn6RHubsuY4MXUKSiMo2zavK6-dNoY5KMAVI6yzA9EdMpkWAUWp4u5dtVWa64f88/s320/IMG_0581.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-81154985642069616042017-03-03T19:24:00.000-08:002017-03-03T19:29:56.364-08:00PlayMy sister Inklings blogged about what she played as a child. I had already been thinking about that this week so decided to follow her lead. I sort of feel like I could also talk about what I play as an adult, because honestly, I still like to play. :)<br />
<br />
My earliest memories of play revolve around our front yard. I used to make mud pies on the driveway often. I had a couple of friends in the neighborhood, so they would play with me. Another thing I played is something that my husband teases me for. I think he would like someone to analyze this. We had a porch that was higher than the driveway. So you had to climb steps to get up to the front door. There was a railing around the porch. I used to take my dolls and drop them from the railing. Then I would run down to the driveway calling out, "Oh my baby, oh my baby!". Then I would comfort the victim, and return to the porch to do it again. Yea, I know, a little weird.... lol<br />
<br />
I also remember that I loved to play with my sisters things. They had an overnight case in the closet with Barbie dolls in it. I often went in and played with them. I don't know if my sisters always knew... <br />
<br />
When I was about 6 years old we moved to Texas. I didn't have any friends at first. I started school and found out that one of the boys in my class lived just around the corner. I started going over to his house to play with him. But the only thing he ever wanted to do was try to build things out of wood. He would get a hammer and nails and hammer scrap pieces of wood together. This could be because his father was working with his sons to build a clubhouse in their back yard. It turned out to be quite an elaborate clubhouse complete with a tunnel underneath that was used as an escape hatch. So the boy, Alan, used to only want to hammer nails in to wood. He had a younger sister that would come to see what we were doing. He always told her to go away. But frankly, she looked a lot more fun than him, so I told him I was going to play with her. I never played with him again. But at first I couldn't remember her name. I would go to the front door and say, "Can "she" play?" They would say, "Gail?" I would say yes and play with her. She was my best friend for most of elementary school.<br />
<br />
Gail and I used to play Barbies more than anything else. I had inherited my sisters' dolls and clothes. Gail's family had more money than our family, so she had all new things. But I do remember that she often tried to find ways to steal my doll clothes. I always called her on it. <br />
<br />
One thing we liked to do was pretend that we had boyfriends. We each had a good boyfriend, and a bad boyfriend. We used to watch an old TV show called "Alias Smith and Jones". We both really liked the one actor and thought he was cute. But Gail "called" him as her boyfriend first, so I was stuck with the other. Now I can't remember which was Smith and which was Jones. Then we each chose a name for our "bad" boyfriends. She chose the name "Oreo". I was kind of jealous because I thought that was a really great name. I named mine "Earwax", but never really was satisfied with that name. So we would pretend that the bad boyfriends would tie us to a tree or something, and then Smith and Jones would come rescue us. We imagined all kinds of situations where the bad boyfriends would try to kidnap us or something, and the good boyfriends would rescue us. Weird kids.<br />
<br />
In our home in Texas, we had a porch that was screened in. But with time, the screens kind of came away from the wood, so there were occasionally holes in the bottoms of the screens. We used to play "store" there and would hand the goods in and out through the screen. That was a favorite game.<br />
<br />
I don't remember why exactly, but my brothers made a large wooden box. Actually, it only had the top and sides, no bottom. My mother wanted them to dig a hole in the yard for her to put an old freezer in to use as a potato cellar. I think that was what the box was for. Then one day my brothers found an injured owl. They used the box to keep the owl until they could take it to a vet or rescue place. Eventually they did dig the hole in the ground and even made dirt steps leading down in. But we never did get the old freezer. They put the box over the top of the hole. For me, that was a perfect club house. I used to spend a lot of time in there. I also kept a box of "treasures" in there. <br />
<br />
We had an alley that ran behind our house. I often combed the alley for "treasures". Like, maybe I would find a marble, or an old toy or something. Once I met an old man who was coming out to the alley just as I passed. He gave me a sack of shelled sunflower seeds. He instructed me on how to soak them in salt water and bake them in the oven. Nope, I just ate them plain. One time I found a rocking chair that had one rung broken. I took it home and showed my parents. They actually went and had it fixed. I was so happy they fixed my rocking chair, until they gave it to my brother when he got married.... <br />
<br />
My mother bought a large roll of paper. I was allowed to use as much as I wanted. I spent a lot of time making paper dolls, making and illustrating books etc. That was the best toy they could have bought for me! <br />
<br />
I really liked paper dolls. We had a subscription to a church children's magazine called "The Friend". Every month, "The Friend" included a paper doll. I went through all of the back issues and took every paper doll I could find. I spent many, many hours playing with those paper dolls.<br />
<br />
My friends and I liked to play with Barbies, but we especially liked to make clothes. Sometimes we would have contests to see who could make the best clothes. I actually think I learned a lot about garment construction from that! When I was 11, my parents gave me a Barbie doll house for Christmas. Some people think that is too old to play with dolls, but I loved that doll house and played with it a lot.<br />
<br />
My parents also got me some roller skates. I skated quite a bit in our neighborhood. For my birthday one year, they put new tires on the old bike my sisters had ridden. They also put a big basket that had flowers on it. I was kind of embarrassed about the flowers on the basket, but I was so happy to have a bike. I learned to ride it and rode it to school often. When my brother left for his mission to Mexico, he gave me permission to ride his bike while he was gone. It was a ten speed. I rode that all over town.<br />
<br />
Now as an adult, my way of playing is usually to create. I love using all kinds of mediums to create things. Like, I might crochet something, or make greeting cards, or draw, or sew something. I have a wonderful "studio" in the basement with a great desk. I have a lot of rubber stamps, markers, etc. When I need a "pick me up", I go down to my desk and putter. :) I have been thinking a lot about doing a "VLOG" about my studio area. I watched one done by Mandy from "Sugar bee Crafts", and it inspired me. So keep your eyes out for my first ever "VLOG" about my "creation station". :)Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-70965199816077004982017-02-10T22:30:00.000-08:002017-02-10T22:30:06.280-08:00ToleranceYears ago I made friends with a woman whose son was in my son's grade school class. Her son is disabled (cerebreal palsy). Over the years, she and I, and even the son, became friends and had a lot of contact. She went through a difficult divorce (I guess they are all difficult.), and I was a listening ear when times got tough. She was a very different person from me, but we had a sort of spiritual connection. I know this might sound weird, but I swear that months and months would go by without our talking, then suddenly I would find myself thinking about her, and within a few days she would call me. This happened over and over, even when she moved far away. Her lifestyle was very different from mine. She was a recovering alcoholic, I am an LDS non-drinker. She lived with her boyfriend before marrying him. I believe that one should be married to live with and have sex with a man. She swears like a sailor, I abhor swearing. I'm not saying all of this to say that I am superior, only to show how different we were. Through it all, I remained supportive, and never once criticized or berrated her for her life choices. I never told her how much I loathe swearing, or smoking. I wanted to be a good friend, and allow her the freedom to live her life as she saw fit. After I moved to China, we stopped talking on the phone. (For obvious reasons). Even after I moved back to the States we never talked because we didn't have contact numbers anymore. But eventually, to my surprise, we connected on Facebook.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After becoming Facebook friends, I noticed she posted many liberal memes. I try not to post many political things, although I do "like" many political posts. I did post something that she disagreed with. Next thing I knew, she had unfriended me. I was quite surprised because I thought we were close friends. After a couple of months, I got another friend request from her. I won't lie, I considered not accepting it. I was still stinging from her unfriending, but mainly I had lost trust in her. But I decided that I need to be tolerant and forgiving, so I accepted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At first things were fine, although I remained guarded. Then I noticed her posting highly offensive things. I'm not just talking about anti-conservative things, these were sometimes explicit, and more often than not were founded on false news or half truths. I wanted to preserve the friendship, so I just unfollowed her so that I wouldn't have to see the swearing and offensive falsehoods. That seemed to work, and I felt things were going okay.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One day, out of the blue, she posted an offensive meme on my wall. Then in the comment section, she posted some sort of explicit memes, and wrote things that I found distasteful and inappropriate. I didn't want my friends exposed to them so I deleted the post. She came back and posted in the comment section of a non-political post. Once again, she posted very offensive things, and swore at me, and berrated my religion. Somehow she tied my religion to my politics. I deleted the explicit comments and replied that I felt we should keep politics out of our friendship. She hurled more attacks at me, then unfriended me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You might be tempted to say, "Well, she wasn't a good friend, was she?" Well, she was initially. To me, this is more about the current trend of anger and hate coming from the left. They cry "tolerance and love", then turn around and spew intolerance and hate. Never in my life have I seen a group so filled with hatred. For those of you who are liberal, know that I don't paint you all with the same brush. But there is a core majority that are raging. It's the pure definition of inhumanity in my opinion. The love of man has waxed cold. If the left was truly tolerant, we would not be seeing rioting, or beatings of conservatives. I can understand disagreeing about politics, but throwing away a friendship over it is shameful.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-65301290579789780072016-11-30T19:03:00.000-08:002016-11-30T19:03:00.685-08:00Making ChristmasI was remembering today the first Christmas I experienced in China. We moved to Beijing in 1993. At that time in China, Christmas wasn't really popular, so there weren't any decorations or Christmas music in public. Now days you can find some decorations here and there. But back then, it really was a foreign holiday, so it was hard to get in the Christmas spirit. We had to work hard to make Christmas in our own home.<br />
<br />
We lived in the "City Hotel", and at that time there was a florist shop just down the street. Flowers were so inexpensive that I used to get a bouquet for my table almost every week. I could have a beautiful bouquet of roses and other flowers for about $5 U.S. One day when I went to get my weekly arrangement, I happened to notice an artificial Christmas tree sitting in the middle of the room. I quickly asked them how much it cost. They told me that it would be about $15 U.S. I told them I wanted to buy it. I was so excited! It was the only Christmas tree I had seen! <br />
<br />
There was also a store not far away called "The Lufthansa Center". Unlike most other stores in our neighborhood, it had souvenirs for sale. One day while I was there, I happened to find Christmas ornaments for sale! In China at that time, there were very rarely any Christian related products, but these ornaments had many! There were embroidered angels, Mary and Jesus, Wise men etc. I bought a whole bunch of them to use to decorate our tree. I felt so lucky to have found them!<br />
<br />
There was also a place near our hotel that focused on selling to foreigners. I often went there to see what they had. I was able to find embroidered Christmas stockings, tablecloths, and even a quilt. I don't know if I can properly communicate how rare it was to find any Christmas decorations at all, and here I had hit the jackpot! <br />
<br />
One thing that I have always tried to buy when I travel to other countries is a nativity. I collect nativities, and decided it would be neat to get them from all over the world. But at that time in China, I could not find one anywhere. The embroidered ornaments would have to count. But then one day my church visiting teacher came and brought me one of those Scandinavian Christmas candles. It has different tiers with nativity figures on them, and a kind of windmill on top. Candles are placed all around, and the heat causes the windmill to spin, which makes the nativity figures go round. That is the only real nativity I brought home from China.<br />
<br />
That was a great Christmas for us. I don't think our presents were necessarily great, but we enjoyed having Christmas in our own home. I still have most of those decorations now. I brought them home and use them every year. Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-2510925959578176452016-11-18T21:26:00.001-08:002016-11-18T21:26:03.499-08:00Tipping PointThe term "tipping point" has been going through my mind a lot this week. Basically, I think there comes a time when you physically reach a tipping point, and things can go down hill very fast. This last week I hurt my lower back. Through this whole process of trying to heal it, I have learned that I let my health slide by for too long, and ended up getting hurt because of it. I reached my tipping point.<br />
<br />
I was in so much pain that I decided to go to the doctor. He took an X-ray and told me that there isn't any kind of break or other damage. But he did point out that I have some beginning arthritis. He also pointed out some calcium deposits. He sent me to a physical therapist. I have to say that the therapy has been awesome! It has really helped. I wish I could have gone to them over the weekend when the pain was the worst. I feel like I'm 90% healed now. But what got me to this point?<br />
<br />
The therapist also looked at the X-rays. He said that I had a type of tendonitis, when the tendon in the back of the hip hardens. I asked what could cause that. He said either over use, or under use. I assured him it was the latter. While we were living in China, I just didn't get much activity. The pollution was so bad that I didn't want to exercise outside. I tried to do some indoor exercise, but honestly, that was really boring and just wasn't something that I enjoyed doing. I did walk some, and did bike some, but not enough. In combination with inactivity, I also started gaining weight. That added to the tipping point. See, when you gain weight and are inactive, then you get to a point where it's very difficult to exercise. Because of my weight, my feet are bad. Because of my inactivity, my muscles are weak and can't endure strenuous exercise. The past two years I have had my mother living with me, and it has kind of tied me down. But now I've had a wake up call and have decided that I have to take the time to get myself back over the other side of the tipping point and get stronger.<br />
<br />
I have a neighbor who is kind of in the same position as me. She has let her health go to far downhill. She told me that what she really wanted to do was go to the recreation center and walk in the water. I told her I would go with her! But whenever I ask her what day she wants to go, she makes excuses for why she can't. But this recent back problem convinced me I can't wait for anyone else, I need to get started now. Thankfully, my son agreed to come with me the first time. He has been quite inactive recently too, and I think was a little shocked at how out of shape he is. But he has been a nice exercise companion. I walk, and occasionally swim in the water. He swims more than I do but occasionally walks with me. Tonight we went for our second time. They also have a hot tub, and that has helped my back too.<br />
<br />
You know what I really like about this so far? First of all, the pools are a good temperature, so it's not cold, even though outside winter is coming. But after walking and swimming around for 45 minutes or so, my muscles feel so good! And I have enjoyed spending the time with my son. I'm going to keep this up because I have to. I can't let myself go head long downhill again. I have to check myself now, or I am going to be an invalid as an old person. I can't wait until I get to the healthy, strong tipping point; the point where I begin to really get in good shape!Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-51191930217208718072016-06-06T22:43:00.001-07:002016-06-06T22:44:18.371-07:00DementiavilleLife has been a little rough lately. Living in "Dementiaville" can be taxing. Not only did my mother have a brain bleed back in February, but her dementia has greatly increased since then. I think she might have had another small brain bleed a month or so ago. Some days I listen to her say the same things 20 times. Right now her preoccupation is 1) with going home, even if she has to walk the 250 miles to get there, and 2) wondering where her husband is. No matter how many times I tell her that he died 3 years ago, she can't remember. She is also obsessed with calling her parents to come get her. If they were alive today, they would be about 110-115 years old. She is always surprised when<br />
I tell her they died some 30+ years ago. <br />
<br />
I have to admit that I often feel burnout. Her reasoning ability is completely gone. She can't follow even simple directions. For example, her cane might be leaning against the wall, and I will say, "Grab your cane so we can go." She reaches for her coat, "This?" This exercise usually continues with her reaching for every other item nearby until I come close and point to her cane. <br />
<br />
Today I had a flasback to an MRI I had once. They strapped me in so that I couldn't move my arms. As I entered the tube like machine, I started to feel a little claustrophobic. I had to take my mind to a different place. I had to do two passes that lasted 15 minutes each. There was nothing I could do but wait it out, and try to think about something else. Sometimes that's how I feel now. I feel like I just have to grit my teeth and bear the dementia craziness until things change. I can try to find distractions for my mind, but I just have to live through it. And sometimes I remind myself that eventually it will get much worse as things progress. But like the MRI, I just have to tough it out.<br />
<br />
I know it's my mother, but in some ways it's not. Sometimes I feel more like the parent. In some ways her personality is still there, but in many ways this is a very different person. So it's not really like I can enjoy being with my Mom. This is the scrambled eggs version of her.<br />
<br />
So for now I will just try to take my mind to another place the twenty fifth time she asks me how far it is to her home, or scurries over to wash my dishes by rubbing them in her hands under cold water, or puts away the clean dishes in places I would never imagine. I will continue to make sure her hair gets washed when she showers, and that she brushes her teeth. (After I find where she tucked away her toothbrush). I will make sure she doesn't put back on her dirty clothes after she showers, and I will try to make sure she doesn't fill her cereal bowl with cornchips she finds in a bag on on the counter. I hope that somehow I'm building Karma, because I will probably follow in her footsteps.<br />
<br />
<br />Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27352415.post-55245812398712534362016-04-04T21:44:00.002-07:002016-04-04T21:44:48.141-07:00Lessons in HumanityI was at DI (church thrift store) and found myself in an aisle with a strange looking man. He looked like someone who had lost several hundred pounds. His legs and feet were still quite large, but the rest of him looked like he had lost weight after being morbidly obese. He was wearing a knitted cap, and looked disheveled. As I got nearer to him, I noticed a very strong odor coming from him. It was over powering! I tried to lag behind him aways so that I would be out of reach of the stench, but even 4 or 5 feet away was not enough. I finally had to leave the aisle and go elsewhere.<br />
<br />
After I left the aisle, I told my mother that I couldn't stand the smell. But then I felt bad for this man, and felt bad for turning away from him. I decided that I was going to try to find a way to reach out to him in some small way. While my brother and his wife were checking out, I went to put my cart back and noticed that man sitting on a bench at the front of the store. I think he was resting. He had seemed to have trouble walking. I looked at him and smiled and said something about how sometimes we need a rest. He just looked at me and smiled. I wonder if anyone else had even spoken to him that day. <br />
<br />
Don't think that I feel magnanimous because of this. I feel bad that I let the physical things get in the way of seeing this man as a child of God. I am used to working with those who are mentally disabled, but I haven't really had much contact with the homeless; which I think he was. I feel like this man helped me to learn a lesson that day. I hope I can remember him next time I'm in a similar situation.Delirioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01564398770468606675noreply@blogger.com1