daily dose.....

Last night I had a blast.....usually the weeks leading up to Christmas are always so busy for me doing all the things I like to and need to do in preparation for our family gathering.  I was so excited this year to receive an invite to a cookie/ornament exchange to recharge my sorta run down batteries.

What a great night!  Lots of fun women to hang out with and learn more about.  Super tasty snacks (which I ate too many of, because who needs dinner when there is party food!), fun door prizes, darling ornaments to exchange, steal and covet, delicious cookies to exchange, a beautiful home, and laughter.  Lots and lots of laughter.  I did mention we laughed, right?  Because I laughed until I cried, then I gave myself a headache, but I did sleep well!

I am sure you know laughter is the best medicine.  It is documented here:

The sound of roaring laughter is far more contagious than any cough, sniffle, or sneeze.
When laughter is shared, it binds people together and increases happiness and intimacy.

In addition to the domino effect of joy and amusement, laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.



Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.


Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.


Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.


Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.

Physical Health Benefits:
Boosts immunity
Lowers stress hormones
Decreases pain
Relaxes your muscles
Prevents heart disease

Mental Health Benefits:
Adds joy and zest to life
Eases anxiety and fear
Relieves stress
Improves mood
Enhances resilience

Social Benefits:
Strengthens relationships
Attracts others to us
Enhances teamwork
Promotes group bonding


Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing.


Laughter helps you relax and recharge. It reduces stress and increases energy, enabling you to stay focused and accomplish more.

Laughing with others is more powerful than laughing alone

Using humor and laughter in relationships allows you to:
Be more spontaneous. Humor gets you out of your head and away from your troubles.
Let go of defensiveness. Laughter helps you forget judgments, criticisms, and doubts.
Release inhibitions. Your fear of holding back and holding on are set aside.
Express your true feelings. Deeply felt emotions are allowed to rise to the surface.

Boy did I meet my RDA, and then I stored some up for a rainy day.  
Thanks Wendy & Jill for a fantastic night!!!

how sweet it is.....

Life is sweet.  Sometimes I forget this. 

The voices (yes,sometimes there are more than one) in my head tell me to do "this"and be "that".  Go, do, clean, shop, wash, fold, wipe, sweep, pick-up, drop-off.....priorities, priorities, priorities.  Where am I on that list?  Why am I on the bottom or not on the list at all?  I let the things I want or like to do go by the wayside, thinking empty laundry baskets, shiny mirrors and clean produce drawers are more important.  Occasionally, not as often as I'd like, I realize that I am important too.  That it is ok to have fun and if I am not on my to do list, then life can be pretty sad. 

This week I did something I've told myself I would do over, and over and over again.  Actually for the last six years, ever since we moved into this house I said I would.  But I didn't.  Lots of excuses were found ..... the kitchen isn't done (this was valid), we need new carpet, I should paint, the house is dirty, the dog needs a bath, everyone is too busy, we need new landscaping.  Seriously, I needed to get over my Martha perfectionism.  It is a disease.....

So this year I did it.  And you know what?  I haven't had so much fun in a very, very long time (dates with the Mr. being excluded, b/c he is a fun date).

Gingerbread House Party 2009

What a fun time, lots of laughs and lots and lots, did I say lots? of SUGAR!  super sweet!

BYU Womens Conference

So we're back.

I've been home long enough it almost feels like I never left. Except for those rare quiet moments when something I heard echoes in my head, or something I remember makes me smile.

Womens Conference was AMAZING!! It is definitely an experience to remember and repeat as often as possible! 20 hours in the car (10 there/10 back) seems to fly by when you are visiting with friends or napping! In-n-Out never tastes as good as when you are on a road trip!!!

We arrived in Provo late Tuesday evening, and before checking in @ Hotel Eggleston we had to eat HERE! Super,super yummy!!! Now I will have to find one near home!

The Egglestons' welcomed us with open arms and this is what we saw when we walked into their home.....

Wednesday morning everybody slept in so Mary and I took a little walk. I had thought about hiking to the "Y", but Debbie said it would take hours. So instead we followed a lower path that meanders along the base of the mountain. I think we wound up going 2-3 miles, beautiful! The street you can see is where we stayed at Debbies home.

Everyone tells me over and over you have to eat at CAFE RIO. So it was the only thing I said I HAD to do! Oh yeah, it was so worth it! I had this yummy salad. I am hungry just thinking about it and want to go back - NOW!

Thursday morning the conference started and this is what I saw from the living room.....

I was amazed at how many women were there. It was such a wonderful feeling to be gathered with so many women to learn and be lifted up in all that we do.

I had never been to the BYU campus before.....it is HUGE! I planned more carefully for the Friday classes so I wasn't heading back and forth from one end of the campus to the other all day! I am sure I must have walked five miles a day!

Thursday evening after all the class sessions were over there were many opportunities for service: tutus, crowns, wands, hand puppets, sewing dolls, school kits, tying quilts...the list goes on and on! We tied quilts for a while and received prefered seating tickets for the evening entertainment...

The music was fantastic! I had no idea what to expect, and was glad to have stayed for the fun!

Debbie has a scooter to get around without the parking hassles. She and Mary rode it home late after all the fun was over! Now I want one! It looks so fun!

ready for Friday!


girls night out at a yummy bbq.....

Bye BYU, see you next year!

Sharing.....

My friend Amy, posted this on her blog the other day from her friend, then my friend Cheryl did it, so I had to play too!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!
My choice.
For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year!
4. You have no clue what it's going to be. I may bake you something and mail it to you. It may not be big or impressive. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure! Keep in mind I am not that talented. So come on, sign up!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? (there's always a catch) Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and make the same offer to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog! The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling you they want to participate will receive someting from you this year.