Money Matters

Good news:

Gas prices are down.

Bad news;

Stock prices are down - way down.

It's ironic....

I talked RAH into investing in the stock market recently, something he has never wanted to do because the one time we did it years ago, we lost money.  But, it seemed like a good idea last April.

We bought high, apparently, because our stocks have plummeted.  We have lost a lot of money, which we can't afford to lose.

When will I ever learn?

Giving Thanks to a Mother-In-Law

Recently, a wonderful daughter-in-law told me how much she loved being married to our son.

I've thought so much about her comment, because it really made me think about my own perfect mother in law....

Did I ever tell her how much:???????

I love her son for being so neat?  He loves things tidy and organized and in place.  I'm kind of sloppy and he reminds me to eat over my plate, not spill food as I eat all over the kitchen, which he often maps and sweeps, etc.  He keeps his things where they belong.  I know that he got that from you, dear Dorothy.  Did I ever mention that to you?  I feat not.

I appreciated her for making and selling cookies so my husband, her son, could buy a cornet.  His music has blessed the lives of me and all of his children, who all share his musical talent and abilities.  The music he has created and continues to create, fills our home with joy and praise.  But, did I ever tell you thank you for making all those cookies, dear Dorothy....I fear not.

I love his commitment to the Gospel.  I know you were so strong in the faith all his growing up years....I still remember you ironing your temple clothes every single Friday for about 20 years, until you became so ill you couldn't go?  Allen learned at your home how significant the Gospel is in a person's life and I've been the recipient of his commitment all these years.  Did I ever mention that to you, dear Dorothy....I fear not.


His kindness has meant to me over the years?  He has been a good husband, not that we haven't argued, disagreed, fought, or been upset?  But, RAH has, by nature, his mother's gentleness, goodness, kindness.  That has meant a great deal to me, and I don't think I mentioned it....I fear I didn't.

I have appreciated her son for his work ethic.  He didn't always like his job, but he got up every morning to teach a class at 7 a.m. three days a week for 32 years.  The other two days a week, he had more reasonable hours, but there he was every day.  He corrected essays/papers for 32 years, and that is not easy...it gets just plain boring and incredibly monotonous and I don't think I ever mentioned it to her how grateful I was that he worked, moonlighted, rented an apartment, all to make the family stay afloat financially....I fear I neglected to mention that to her, and I am sorry.


It's amazing how one little comment can stir such thoughts and emotions, which my daughter-in-law's appreciative attitude did to me that day.

So, dear Dorothy Hackworth, if you have an IPad in heaven, I hope you read this and know that with all my heart, I'm grateful for the lessons you taught your son over the years.

You would be proud.

And, I am the grateful recipient

.





 

Relationships - the Constant Challenge

I just learned about a situation one of my sons is facing.  Someone he works with has undercut him and is trying to get him pushed out of the project he has worked on for five years.  It has hurt our son deeply.  And, he no longer has respect for this person, whom he has worked very closely with for these five years.

Another son is also having some serious relationship struggles with a family member.  It has gotten worse over the course of the last four years and is heart wrenching.  His wife is having health issues and is partly caused by the relationship with the family member.

I've been thinking about both of these situations and I just keep thinking that if only we would all live the Gospel - or even the Golden Rule.  If we would treat others the way we would like to be treated, what a great blessing it would be for everyone.

I do not deal with challenges very well at all.

So, this is disheartening.  When my children ache, I ache also.    But, perhaps I feel it too deeply.

I want happiness for everyone all the time.  No struggles, no despair, no sorrows; what a great world this would be.

Even though I know this is entirely against the church's stand of having opposition and overcoming it.  

But, it's so hard to stand by and watch the ones you love suffering.  I'm just not good at that.

I'll seek help in prayers and the Atonement.

When the Heart Aches....

It's supposed to unite us,

but in our family,

it divides us.

And my heart breaks....

And aches.

Making Stupid Decisions

Well, if there is one thing I am really good at it;

It's making bad decisions.

I should win first place,

Or the gold medal.

OUCH, those bad decisions STING!