My Happiness Project

Return and Report!

These are my 5 Strengths, I would also refer to them as my strongest weaknesses!

My Friend Urlene and I started a smash book to record and document to make a fun place to see our progress our resolve to dig in to My Happiness Project.  She told me about Gretchen Rubin and her books and I fell hard!  Urlene loves me and so she indulged me setting up these books of ours my last visit to Arizona, you should have seen us, it was quite a mess both the room and us!! I was enlightened to see how much she cared about me, this isn't something she wanted to do! I watched her work at it staying there processing this project idea, I want her to know I appreciated that she did this with me - I don't know how I would have started it without her.
Solitude is a weird thing, I've had my share of it these last 3 years, done some serious soul searching.  These books of GR are amazing and fit to my personality I can relate to her so much, anyway ... Because I'm not a reader, if you know me - you know that, it jumps out at me that I can attempt to use her pattern and find my Happiness, my purpose added to and upon the things I've been taught, my upraising and my current emptynester status.  This list is the first of the things I want to learn about, character traits I want to develop, and the person I want to find down deep within.

and this is where I start.
What is a Patriarchal Blessing?   https://www.lds.org/topics/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng

The #4spendidtruths These are from her Book(s) and she talks about them in her YouTube videos http://gretchenrubin.com/ this is a great place to go and learn from her

My inspiration comes when I'm reading from The Light of Scriptures

Ok so I don't have my own 12 commandments yet these are Gretchen's http://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2009/09/twelve-commandments-of-happiness/

I hope to have my own 12 commandments at the end of this project.  After completing my first month (Nov and Dec of this year are going now to be considered my practice months!!) I think one of my commandments will be Don't Give Up, if you didn't write yesterday write today. Writing, Logging, recording, documenting somehow some way will help me not give up.

I just like this paper! It will have a cool picture on it before this is over!!!

I love her #SecretsofAdulthood
I will apply these and read them often.  I have added to this page the following list for my secrets of Adulthood.  

1. Pray everyday everyday everyday Pray asking what should I pray about! Pray for my kids!
2. Move the Body!
3. Minimize time screen time - evaluate daily
4. remember mom taught me to write thank you cards  - Say Thank you everyday.
5. Spend Time Outside make myself go outside everyday everyday everyday
6. Unplug  (I don't know how long yet but I know everyday everyday everyday that I need to)
7. Do service and this doesn't count my chores!
8. Have a good clean joyful laugh (this one is hers, but I like it I don't know how to do it)
9. Use your talents always searching and maybe adding new ones
10. Live with who I am sleepwise be productive
11. Don't look back longingly
12. Read more Learn more Apply knowledge

This is a great guideline for Happiness also
Proverbs 31:10-31 I want to be that woman

The first 2 practice months and first 4 months
 Main Resolution with subgoals

the next 8 months FamilyisForever Nov and Peace Dec.

So Stay tune and I shall return and report my progress of #MyHappinessProject the coming of self.

Am I talking to You or to Me?

Trifle not with sacred things

2014 Larry Kacher

• accept by faith those things you can not understand
• your Choices do not only affect you
• riptides can take many in the current of life
• establish patterns in your home
• develop righteous currents

Mesa Third Ward Reunites

#Perspective #Roots #Family #Time #Closure

And Not One Picture! (Really? me! the queen of pictures from the past!)

Thoughts on seeing, hugging and reuniting with friends from the past....

Pre - anxiety, fear and excitement - joy if you will...

But more than that, (believe me or I wouldn't have showed up) is the "feeling", the feeling I remember of being there in that building WITH them.  I lived in this ward boundary and attended church with these people for over half of my life (as of now!) and maybe especially because we have moved so much since we have been married I am overwhelmed with
love and desire to be there, to see them.
The feeling that the past is the past and for good or bad these are my people and that I accept them now and forever (of course should mean that they in turn will accept me)!!!

side notes...

I met at Urlene and Mikes we talked and talked and talked.  Amazing how without seeing each other for so long we can just pick right back up. I love her! We talked so long our husbands were very bored with the same stories and not that impressed with the fond memories of past boyfriends, memories of 3rd ward and family - Funny the different perspectives!

At the reunion...Lyle ask me if I remembered all the pictures of the Bishops on the wall in the Bishops office? I answered without a thought "Yes indeed I was in there alot"!  

I really missed the sliding glass doors to the overflow!  You know I was married in that chapel and had my reception in that cultural hall.

I Had a great conversation with Sister Willis. See I still say "Sister" my mom demanded respect that way - no one (well except Betty) was ever called by their first name. Still to this day it's hard for me to call people by their first name!!!

It was so cool to just "chat" with old friends. To hug the boy I sent on a mission. To hear the voices of leaders. To see adults that were children I taught and babysat. To see Tyson and meet his son. To know that life moves on lives and families are created and to be reminded that without the atonement life would be harder, uglier and less successful, joyful complete.

Back to my thoughts on the reunion...

I wanted so badly to see them all (this village that helped raise me) and "feel" something.  I wanted that so much that I paid lots of money to fly across the states to spend an hour and a half in their presence.  I'm not saying that every memory I had there is a good one, but because of them I am who I am. 
I have none of my immediate "growing up" family left, so I think that my association here is needed that "these are my people" these "are my roots" and yes I indeed believe that what I have in these relationships is family; the Parent figures; Harvey and Betty Green, Sophie and Lloyd Harper, Betty and Stan Abbott, Corrine and Fred Dewitt, Brenda and Terry Reed, and Liana Willis,  these are they who along with Bishop Watson, and Bishop and Toni Brown, Ella O'loughlin and Mary Jepson(who have all moved on to a better world) well, these are they who raised me.  So yes to go to a ward reunion for me was a "Family Reunion". 
With those parental figures also comes all the "siblings" - Urlene, Susan, Lyle, Sheila, Debbie, Jane, Renee, Valerie, Julie, April, Rhea, Terry, Bobby, Eldon, Mark, Andra, Tanya, Richard, Elmers, Tyson, Stacy, Tera, Marion, Taun the Jensens, the browns, the Flakes, The Sanchez, The Starks, The Abbotts, Ronnie, Timmy, Kristen, Tom, The Farnsworths, The Rowleys, Brother Ball!!!.... just to name a few who each one in one way or another had something to do with who I am today.  
Then the only "blood family" I have there in Arizona; Matthew and Olaf - I was SUPER blessed they showed up ... we are all of the "McCoy Clan" since 1961 that is left to REPRESENT at the Mesa Third Ward reunion. My sister had ties there and brought her sons up always including them in the Third Ward from blessings and baptism to friendships and campouts.
Which brings me to Iris!!!  WOW! As I looked around the room and silently remembered the people, the experiences, the building, that room and that stage, the pictures and slide show and comments... Mom you were woven in that tapestry inside and out. I couldn't see anyone that you didn't affect the life of in one way or another. I saw People that you raised.  People that you taught. People that you served with. Thank you mom for being my strongest root, my beacon in a storm. You Mom, were the light and example for me and so many others.  From Relief Society to Primary. From Young Women to Ward Camp Outs. Come Hell or High Water you were there to serve and support all of us. I watched that! I observed you in your actions of; "Observe and then Serve" way before it was "popular"!!  From you I learned so many many things and I can honestly say; 
"My Mother Taught me".  I'm sure many there the 25th day of October 2014 could have said the same.  You were indeed missed.  I felt your presence your arms around us, your unconditional love right there in that big hall on that evening.

Post - peace, closure, gratitude, joy in remembrance...

it was more about the people than the building, (I guess it does help to have the village!!) it is feelings and the bonds felt therein.  It was the traditions. The Unity. It was the Things our Mothers taught us, remembered with love, woven into it all was the Gospel that was felt, testified to and taught there.  

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!!!

Reverence .... at ground zero

The Sunday in January that we took the subway to lower Manhattan...

Walking toward "Ground Zero" the new towers in view

Austin came to visit us from his work for the weekend. He had said that for my trip I could do "what ever I wanted to do" so I wanted to go to see the where the Twin Towers went down, now a place of remembrance I thought it a suitable appropriate thing to do on the Sabbath.  What I didn't know was just how appropriate I would feel it really was until after we had gone there.  It was hustle and bustle on the subway, then the subway stopped and we got out and walked up the stairs to light, Sunlight it seemed even brighter than before we had gone in.  We stood on the corner of - it seems like 6 different streets meeting in the middle. It seemed like it should have been also hustle and bussle - chaos and mayhem, but it wasn't.  We debated a direction and then made choice and started to walk.  As we walked we stopped talking really, and just looking - different "sight seeing" than we had been doing the last couple of days.  In the moment maybe not even realizing it, but later learning from each other that we all had felt it.  The change in Atmosphere.

A very real very humble honor

Austin and I reading names around the fountain square.

Richard hadn't wanted to go here.  He had other intentions for this day, so he was reluctant.  We smiled and spoke to all of the police officers gathering around the fences so early and then went thru the guards at the gates, the security checks just before the switchback lines started and then we were in.  As we stepped into this Memorial, the only word I could then and still today can use to describe it - REVERENCE. I felt Reverence. The dictionary says that reverence is a deep respect or regard.  My interpretation of reverence is that plus so much more, a time of silence, honor, tribute, in this case sadness and heart felt condolences and yet a wonderment at life and the symbolism of this place and how life goes on, after death.  So much death, it's not a wonder to me at all that I felt the atmosphere change, I can't think that with that much death those spirits aren't all over that place - I felt that!

Richard's heart was changed after going here,
he was very glad that we did!

The idea of the water in the footprint of the buildings is awesome and enlightening   The scriptures teach us that water is representative of the WORD and the Word represents Jesus Christ. It's the only way I know how to make the comparison and share how I felt there that day.

There is rebuilding going on, it is amazing to see the process.  To physically be able to see the adjustment and a way to go about rebuilding something that has been defiled, abused, .... death.

 Life does go on and we must rebuild after tragedy   We must see the foundation and it must be rebuilt.  Under the twin towers were 3 subways that were smashed, people had to find new roads, travel into new territory,  experiment with open minds into darkness, make new choices.  And as we all do this and rebuild on a stronger more sturdy foundation we will triumph, grow taller, be smarter and leave behind wisdom for the generations that follow. Just as they are reconstructing here.

It was very cool!  I am so grateful to go and see this place.  I remember "that day".  Watching on the television black ashes coming towards people on that street that I was now walking on toward ground zero.  It was a dark time for me, we had just moved -(twice, two different states in 4 months, My sister and brother had both just died).  I felt dark and without hope.  Seeing those people and those planes that day - it was so helpless, I remember only wanting to hear the voice of President Hinckley telling the world it would be ok.

Todays feeling is one of peace and commitment to raising tall, lifting up, being a better person and wanting that for my children and grand children, nieces and nephews.  Life is good.  Make something of yourself.  Have no regrets, don't be slothful,  Dig in those roots and stand tall.  Nourish your spirit with Good better BESTEST stuff you can!!! - Exert yourself!  "We ought to dig deep into the things of God, lay our foundation upon the rock, until we come to that water which shall be in us an everlasting fountain of eternal life." Lorenzo Snow

This is a picture of the only tree left standing, it makes me cry seeing it and all it's strength struggling to live to it's fullest produce leaves again, shed the remains of fire and blackness that were left on it.  We all NEED to be reminded that life is for living and be about good works and integrity.  Teaching  and being of service to help others put down stronger foundations and stronger roots themselves. and in turn that will make our foundations and roots stronger and deeper too!

lds.org
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng
http://www.history.com/topics/world-trade-center

Cattle

I'm starting to get the idea!  peace and gratitude??? IDK!

Yes another dream!  I wouldn't record them and talk about them except they are vivid, so very real that they are in my head til I do write about them!!!

This dream had corrals with cattle in them a lake, pond, trough, some kind of pool of water.  The corrals were laid out all around the water.  It was dry and dusty.  It was time for church.  Someone young man came to visit us.  I can tell you the names of the body builds of who he resembled, but not the point.  I could also tell you the personality of him as he talked to us, also I don't think its the point either, except to say that Richard baptized him.  Anyway  this kid came over and I sat down by the pool of water to talk to him, this is a place I felt peaceful and comfortable.  I do remember rationalizing I don't need to go to church if I am doing good hear with this kid.  Richard not happy didn't go to church either, instead he went out to wrangle some calves in his cowboy hat and really really western botton shirt!!!  I listened to this kids "problem" he had gotten himself involved with a woman who had a daughter now he found some letters that were in opposition to the "story" she had told him and he didn't know what to do.  end of story.

Now I'm in a corral with lots of cattle and one BIG BLACK HORSE. (I remember thinking in my dream about the dream the other night that I was suppose to compare the corrals with the All the cattle in them to the white house with all the children in All the rooms - WEIRD!)  I was working with the cattle and outside the corrals in the (I can't say pasture cuz there was none) dirt the cattle were getting anxious and starting to move which caused the cattle in the corral with me to start circling!  The horse started getting flighty and jumping so I opened the gate and herded the cattle out which started a stampede.  I could see over to Richard, his buttons all shinny and was a afraid as her wrestled with the calves the stampede was going to run over him.  I hollered "Are the outer gates open"?  I was afraid that the herd was all going to run out and I'd have to go herd them back in.  end of story.

I am awake now.



So today when we went walking Richard asked me "What do you like about living in Nebraska? and what don't you like".  As we talked I heard myself "I like where we live.  I like looking at the water.  I don't want to necessarily get in it, but I find it peaceful.  I miss the green of washington, but I don't remember looking out at the trees and thinking 'this is peaceful'.  I'm not all that over whelmed with Nebraska per-say  but I am grateful for our job and our home and for exactly where it is.  The water is peaceful, like my living room!"

Be Grateful.  Be at peace.

Interpretation:

Cattle 
To see cattle in your dream indicates that you need to proceed with caution in some situation or relationship.

To see a herd of cattle in your dream represents a lack of individuality. You generally go with the flow of things. Alternatively, it symbolizes prosperity.

To see a stampede of cattle in your dream suggests that something in your life is out of control.

Church

It is representative of your value system and the things you hold sacred.

Water 

To see water in your dream symbolizes your subconscious and your emotional state of mind. Water is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It is also symbolic of spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment. To see calm, clear water in your dream means that you are in tune with your spirituality. It denotes serenity, peace of mind, and rejuvenation. 

Horse 
To see a horse in your dream symbolizes strength, power, endurance, virility and sexual prowess. It also represents a strong, physical energy. To see a black or dark horse in your dream signifies mystery, wildness, and the unknown. You are taking a chance or a gamble at some unknown situation. It may even refer to occult forces. 

Buttons 
To see a button in your dream indicates a metaphor for being too "buttoned up" or refrained. You need to let loose and be yourself. also to see a button in your dream indicates that you are stuck in some problem, situation or relationship. You need to push forward. Perhaps, it is time to make a new start... the dream symbolizes second chances.

31 Days of 31 Christmas' - 2001

Add caption

Nanny, Ayris and Amric is Baptized Billings Montana -- Apryl playing piano.  Austin and Gramma were there too.

Silence

I cleaned the house in silence this morning! and afternoon...it did go on and on!  I really don't like all that goes on in my head with all the silence in the house!!!  I thought of so many things to blog about and so many items to get on my soap box concerning, which one ... where to start... what do I have to say about anything really that would be of benefit today?

Let's talk about silence.  My Daddy used to say "Silence is Golden, in other words Shut Up and get Rich"!  Goggled it and did not find it translated this way anywhere!!! But did find the following of interest:

As with many proverbs, the origin of this phrase is obscured by the mists of time. There are reports of versions of it dating back to Ancient Egypt. The first example of it in English is from the poet Thomas Carlyle, who translated the phrase from German in Sartor Resartus, 1831, in which a character expounds at length on the virtues of silence:

"Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the daylight of Life, which they are thenceforth to rule. Not William the Silent only, but all the considerable men I have known, and the most undiplomatic and unstrategic of these, forbore to babble of what they were creating and projecting. Nay, in thy own mean perplexities, do thou thyself but hold thy tongue for one day: on the morrow, how much clearer are thy purposes and duties; what wreck and rubbish have those mute workmen within thee swept away, when intrusive noises were shut out! Speech is too often not, as the Frenchman defined it, the art of concealing Thought; but of quite stifling and suspending Thought, so that there is none to conceal. Speech too is great, but not the greatest. As the Swiss Inscription says: Sprecfien ist silbern, Schweigen ist golden (Speech is silvern, Silence is golden); or as I might rather express it: Speech is of Time, Silence is of Eternity."

How do you suppose we apply this to our wealth (pun intended) of knowledge?  In silence you find peace.  In silence the heart speaks to you and the mind confirms or vise versa!?!?!  Anyway it is a way for God to answer your prayers of the heart.  I also found today that it is a way to see yourself and analyze choices.  We don't get "Do Overs" in this life, but My hubby and I like to think we get new windows of opportunity, a chance to "do over" a choice or choices previously made.

We are doing alot of that right now, choosing, trading (hopefully trading up with our choices).   In my silence today I thought as it took me an hour to clean the stairs and the foyer that no one will notice, no one will care, no atta girls will be administered yet everyday the kids thank Heavenly Father for Dads job and thank Dad for all his hard work.  I am grateful for the blessings and grateful for the silence today. But tonight I listened to a Matron of the Temple speak of the reverence, the silence of working there day in and day out and I couldn't help but think I am the matron of my home and I am grateful for today's silence and appreciate the blessing of being able to be home to welcome, teach and nurture my family as they come and go even when they don't notice!  My goal in the end is to keep us together for eternity.