My Green Coat

About 20 years ago I bought a nice coat. It was a green dress coat and I loved it. I even found a hat to match. I just felt good when I put it on and I always received lots of compliments when I wore it. I had a scare with it. When Mrs. Dr was going to BSU I was taking her to class and we were in a car accident. A drunk driver hit a car two cars behind us and they hit the car in front of them and they in return hit us. We were both O.K. so I got out to assess the situation and the car that hit us had a huge screw sticking out and I didn't see it but it found it's way to my coat and OH NO it tore my coat. I was so upset. All I could think about was my beautiful coat. Art thought I was crazy because my coat was my worry. He told me forget the coat, what about the expensive car. How could I even think about the car..........my coat was torn. When the insurance adjuster called I told him how upset I was about my coat. I made sure he knew how serious the situation was. Again, Art said wait what about the car.......again how could I even think about the car..........my coat was torn. The insurance man said they would fix the damage to the car and when I asked about my coat he said he would replace it. He said he had never had anyone that upset over an article of clothing so it must have been very valuable and he would gladly replace it. Which he did and I still have the replacement coat. It is nice but not my green coat. I just couldn't bring myself to get rid of the coat and it was a good thing. I had it out looking at it one day and it came to me.....I would have it altered to be a short coat. Off to the Taylor I went. Oh I once again could wear my coat. I must mention I had to replace the buttons three times over the years. But with much sadness I must now report the coat is old and tired. It needs more than just the buttons replaced, it has been well worn. Art and I cleaned closets today and it was time to say goodbye to my beloved coat. I am not a good purger. I am however a very good hoarder. I wanted to pack the coat away far in the back of the closet. That way I could get it out and reminisce of when I wore it. But Art told me it was time to let it go. He offered to sneak it out while I wasn't watching but instead with tears in my eyes I handed it over and looked away as he took it away. Never have I been so attached to a coat. (well maybe my mom's fur coat but that will never ever go away. EVER)

When I told the Buddy that I got rid of the coat today with joy in his voice he asked if I got rid of the hat as well...........hmmm I suspect he wasn't the fan I was.

Remembering the Past

Last night Art and I made our usual trip to the auction and decided to stop by Arbys for dinner. We had not been there for a number of years. When we walked in it brought so many memories flooding back in my mind. But the memory that made me laugh is one of the times we were there with the kids. They loved Arbys and on one occasion Mrs Doctor said she loved Arbys so much that when she grew up she was going to work at Arbys and the Buddy said not him....no he was going to work for Sears.

Well it has been several years since then and the kids grew to be kind loving generous wonderful people that Art and I love and enjoy so much and are pleased to call them friend. They now have wonderful families of their own. And neither one worked for Arbys or Sears................well so far.

12 Days of Christmas Carol

Here is how this Christmas Carol came to be. My father in law shared this with me.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.

So a couple of months ago I was chatting with my sister and she suggested I blog my travel calendar. My response was.. who cares? Well after looking at my calendar I thought it would be fun to put it all down. I was a lucky girl and got to travel a lot and let me tell you it was really fun. I may have missed something but this is the majority. I am so sorry if I fail to mention a trip with you or to see you, my mind isn't so good that is why it is goo to get it in writing. Feel free to let me know what is missing. You know your mind is the second thing to go.

2008 Travels

March 11 Cascade with Shawna
March 14-16 Travel with folks to Albuquerque for Jared and Cathy's wedding
April - I was home but we painted the house
May 12-June 6 Kirksville for the birth of Andrew
June 14-21 Ft. Lauderdale with Don
July 18-20 Cascade
July 25-27 Idaho Falls with Don, Brent, MaryKate, and Reagan
Aug 1-2 Cascade with the Young Women
Aug 22-24 Cascade with Don
Aug 29-31 Cascade with Don,Dan and Shawna
Sept 3-7 Don and I flew to Seattle to see Patty and then took the train to see the Taylors. Mark, Debbie, Don and I all went to the beach.
Sept 19-21 Cascade with Don and folks to can peaches
Sept 23-30 Kirksville
Oct 7-12 Reno and Lake Tahoe with Don. We had dinner with Elder Taylor
Nov 8-16 Cancun with Don, Dan, and Shawna

Figured Me Out

So I went to church today. It was Stake Conference and the meeting was really good. But before the service started a lady I barely know came up to me and this was our conversation.

Lady: Oh Hi, are you still in Young Womens?
Me: Yes I am, I love it
Lady: Oh so is that why you put gray streaks in your hair so they take you serious and people don't think you are just one of the girls? Personally...I like it BUT I would never do it.
Me: Oh aren't you just the clever one. You figured me out.
Lady: Well I am just smart about that kind of stuff
Me: Yes I can see that
Lady: You still kinda look young so maybe you should put some more gray in it
Me: Or change my makeup....I'll keep it in mind.
Oh look isn't that your family looking for you?

Christmas Fun To Share

What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents?
Silent Night


Why does Santa have 3 gardens?
So he can HOE HOE HOE


What do snowmen eat for breakfast?
Frosted Flakes


What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?
Frost Bite


What did the ghost say to Santa Claus?
I'll have a BOO Christmas without you


How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?
Fleece Navidad


What does a cat on the beach have in common with Christmas?
Sandy Claus

What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when a fire is lit?
Crisp Cringle


Why was Santa's little helper depressed?
He had low elf esteem



O.K. admit it you smiled and even laughed at one or two of these.

Snow???

I hear tell it is snowing...........but not here. SHHHHHHH. Don't tell, it is nice here.