Christmas Jars BY Jason F Wright

I absolutely loved this book, as did everyone I know that has read it. I think it would be very hard to find someone who didn't just love this book. I would recommend to everyone, all year round! This is the absolute example of pay it forward or blessings that come from generosity! For those that have read it, I knew the ending would happen, but until that particular door of opportunity opened, I had not put the two together. Life is funny way, continually going in circles, in the good way...it truly is a small world! I would encourage some kind of Christmas Jar action. That may not mean an actual jar somewhere in your home that you then pass on to someone else in need. To me, it means sharing of yourself, using the talents you were blessed with, to bless the lives of all around, strangers, family and friends alike! This book came at a perfect time for me, as usual...see my last blog regarding 15 Nov. As I strive to follow the good examples of my life while leaving the bad things behind, I challenge all of us to look for the good in everyone, it really is there! The harder challenge then often becomes focusing on that good and letting go of the fear or nervousness you may have and just give. The act of giving does not have to include a financial cost. Just as in this book the act of giving the jars full of money was helpful to those receiving, I think the great gift received, for most of them, was the hope they needed and a restoration of faith in the goodness of mankind! Ok, there were a few quotes:

pg 55: "Genuinely batty? I concur." Those that know me, know how true this statement rings in my life!

pg 95: "...no one can rush the process of perfection." No matter what is being talked about, a thing or a person, this statement is a great reminder to us all!

pg 110: "I guess some people just need to learn how to give..." I think that speaks for itself and I challenge each of us to learn how to give, share of ourselves with others and I promise that we will each be the better for it!

15 Nov 1934...2000

I finished reading the book Christmas Jars early this morning. I will review that one in a day or two. I missed a book club meeting for this book, but had only started it the night before the meeting and wasn't finished with it by then...but the reason I missed the club meeting was because of yet another car crisis, which I will probably get around to blogging about soon, too. You see, I have all these events/ideas of things to blog about, but don't take the time to just sit down and DO IT!

I wanted to write this blog first thing this morning, but one thing after another and I am finally getting to it now. I was determined to do this blog TODAY, though! Finishing the book this morning seemed very appropriate, in my mind. This book reminded me of two very generous men in my own life, both of which happened to be tied to the date of 15 Nov...

15 Nov 1934: Jose Toribio Gilberto Trujillo was born to Ignacio and Eliza Rebecca (yes, I am named after her) in Mora, Mora, New Mexico. This is a little farming community in the mountains above Taos, New Mexico. This is my dad; he lived only 61 years on this earth. I was always very close to my dad. We lost him over 12 years ago. I have my moments of grief just as most anyone would, but usually he is there in the back of my thoughts, just as he was my whole life with him. One of the fondest generous memories I could think of this morning was his love of cleaning the snow in our neighborhood. He loved to shovel snow, I am certain he was nuts...yes, I come by this naturally! One year, he finally got a snow blower, with this; he would do the entire neighborhood. He would do our driveway and sidewalk and work his way around the big 'half circle' that made up most of our neighborhood. He would get half way through one side and run out of gas. Then he would walk home and go down to the gas station, fill up his can and get back to working on the neighborhood. He would do this until he pretty much did what everyone else had missed along the way. I should note that he was forced into a medical retirement around the age of 50, so he had lots of time on his hands. My dad would never take money for doing this; he just loved to clear the snow. He often did receive cookies and other baked goods for his services and yes he did share these with us, of course. He was very generous, remember?! One of the many who would offer goodies was a group of 20something ladies that happened to share the house across the street. When he died in Feb 1996, a day or two after, it started snowing and it snowed pretty good. We fully believed that this snow was from Dad, punishing us for not EVER helping him in cleaning the snow! When we woke up in the morning, we were dreading the need to clean the snow, but when we got around to opening the blinds and such, we found that the girls from across the street were already out there getting it done. We were so grateful and even though the snow provided the opportunity for some in the neighborhood to return dads sweet favor in cleaning snow for us, some of us still like to think it was his way of paying us back. This is just one example of my dads’ great generosity...but I will move on....

15 Nov 2000: Leon John Myrup died from injuries he sustained in a fall a long while before this date. I only had the privilege of knowing this great and generous man for just over 4 years. He is my husbands' great grandfather, granddad, as he was called...This man was in his nineties, but you would never know it! He still mowed his lawn weekly and did his home teaching, faithfully, every month. He went to church every week and did give of himself and what he had to all he could. He took my husband in to live with him in 1988, shortly before losing his wife. Steve lived there and they took care of each other from that time on. When my husband and I got married, in 1997, I moved in with them. This was an easy choice for us and we lived there for 11 months. Moving was a hard choice for us, but Steve got a job in Magna and we wanted to shorten his commute from Orem to somewhere closer in Salt Lake County. I witnessed the kind generosity of this great man in so many ways. He always stood behind Steve in all he chose to do. They truly took care of each other and they were both the better for it! With all the great things that Granddad did for everyone who crossed his path, I am most personally grateful for all he did for Steve and even for myself! I look greatly on his example as one to learn from and follow in striving to be closer to our Savior!

These two wonderful men played very important roles in my life and I miss them both terribly. I was grateful to be reminded of them and the generous things they did with their lives and talents. They have touched my heart and will continue to live on forever. I am grateful for the knowledge of the Saviors gospel that teaches us that families can be together forever. I hope to live so that I will be with them again. Thank you, Dad and Granddad, for ALL you brought to my life, most importantly for bringing me to my husband, Steve! They both played a very important role in us finding each other. That story will come in the future, I am certain. I just want to close by saying that I love you, Dad…Granddad…and Steve so very much!

SLBizzNet...update

Today was the third official meeting of SLBizzNet. This is the official name of our group. Each week has gotten better with more people in attendance. This is as it should be, although I admit that the attendance isn't all my doing. This next week will be a new test, as the powers that be have finally jumped on board relenting it is past time to start calling new contacts and not just the previous members. I will continue on and do even more to get people in the seats at the weekly meeting and hope that the others 'in charge' will be able to do their part and get the visitors to become members. I now wish that I had jumped on board with this venture months ago, but, you know....woulda, coulda, shoulda....live and learn! Anyway, we are here now and if everyone does their part and we keep the energy good and high, this venture will be the great thing it once was 4+ years ago!

Some have asked exactly what SLBizzNet is...it is a networking leads group. This is a group of small business owners (or sales reps) who meet for lunch once a week. At this meeting we each take about 60 seconds to talk about our business and who/what would be a good lead for us that week. Leads are passed to each other, thus helping grow each others businesses. As small business people we are also there to be supportive in the understanding of what it is like to be in business for yourself. I have been networking since about 2001 and love it! Not only have I made some great business contacts, I met my bestest friend ever, and a few other friends, because of a networking group! It is a great way to build a business via the best form of marketing our there, word of mouth advertising! So, with all this in mind, anyone you know who has their own business in anything or is in sales, directly responsible for their own commission income...pass their info along to me and "Discover the power of networking"!

Photo Tag....

I was 'tagged' for this from my Sister in Laws' blog. Basically, what you do is open the folder or disk where your pictures are kept and open the 4th folder then post the 4th picture.

I know that this is small, but that is the size I had it saved. I don't really know any story behind this pic, but I do know that it is a picture of my sisters coffee stand, Red E Espresso, in Tacoma, WA. It was obviously taken in the dead of winter with rare 'big snow' accumulation in WA. It had to have been taken winter 2003/2004. Although the stand still exists, as far as I know, she sold it long ago and moved on to another coffee shop and even beyond from there to another career altogether. She did very well with Red E in the long run and I know she would not trade the experience of that time for most anything!

Ok, now it is your turn, and make sure you post me a comment so I can see what you find!

BizzNet

I am feeling quite anxious tonight and felt the need to blog about it. I figured it would help ease my anxiousness, if nothing else....I hope! Many of you are aware of the struggles we have had this year. Now, I am working with a former client and friend from my networking days, which were among the best of my businesses. We have teamed up with another friend we made via the old BizzNet group and are restarting BizzNet! BizzNet is a leads group. We meet for lunch once a week and learn about each other and each others' businesses, then we help support and grow each others businesses. We are very excited at the opportunity this affords us and our businesses. We look forward to the many friends we have yet to meet and keep. Our first meeting is today (technically, if you look at the time, it is officially Wednesday...yes, I'm a nerd and I know it!) and I am very excited but also nervous. This meeting alone could make or break this venture being a success, in a way. I have no doubts the great help and importance networking plays in the bottom line of small business. I have done all I can, at this point, to make this first meeting a success. I just hope it is enough. The end results rely on others, who I know are very capable of doing their jobs, but the nerves are there anyway. Given all that has happened this year, one of the lessons I have learned is that sometimes we can work our behinds off and it still comes down to what others choose to do or not do that can make all the difference between success and failure OR positive and negative results. Anyway, I could ramble on all night about this, but suppose it is time to get some rest before the big day officially starts! Send all your good thoughts, prayers, karma, etc, etc my way, k?! I know you will....have a great day, I will too!

Oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRILYN!!!

Fahrenheit 451 BY Ray Bradbury

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I guess I can now officially say I have read this book. I have heard a lot of hype about this book for years and finally decided to give a try. I am glad that I read it, but don't necessarily see what all the hype has been about. The title, for one thing, always confused me, but now in just the introduction I understand that this is the temperature at which book paper burns. Ok, I guess that makes sense for this title to a book where the main topic is books.

The futuristic world that Ray Bradbury has created is one where books are bad and, in fact, if caught with books your house is burned to nothingness. The firefighters start these fired instead of putting fires out. I guess in the end we all have to decide if we are like Montag, Beatty, Clarisse, Faber, Mildred or even the Hound, how do books fit into our life and the lives of those around us?! I think everyone should read this book, once, unless you really really like, then be my guest to read it over and over. My challenge, in any case, is to keep books alive in whatever way we can. That, in my opinion, should be everyone's desire!

Now for the quotes, with a few thoughts, too:
pg 90: "If you don't want a man unhappy politically, don't give him two sides to a question to worry him; give him one. Better yet, give him none." hmmm....sound like something that COULD be applied today?! Yes, I'm glad it isn't, but it COULD be!

pg 158: "You'd better head for the river if you can, follow along it, and if you can hit the old railroad lines going out into the country, follow them." Sounds like good advice to me, on so many levels!

pg 180: "Don't judge a book by its cover," someone said. And they all laughed quietly, moving downstream." This could make sense to all of us, but in the context of this book, it is an amusing statement.

pg 181: "...when he died, I suddenly realized I wasn't crying for him at all, but for all the things he did. I cried because he would never do them again...He was part of us and when he died, all the actions stopped dead and there was no one to do them just the way he did. He was individual. He was an important man. I've never gotten over his death." see below

pg 182: "Everyone must leave something behind when he dies...It doesn't matter what you do...so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away." see below

I had a really hard time getting into this book, but as I said before I am glad that I read it. Not only does it challenge me to continue my love for reading and soaking up all the information I can, it left me thinking about what kind of legacy I hope to leave behind. Not just in the monetary or famous way, if even that, but in the basic personal one on one connections in my life. Yes, it reminds of the whole message of my all time favorite movie, It's A Wonderful Life, we do touch the lives of others, hopefully for good, even if we can't see it now. At least, that is my hope!

The Heir Series BY Cinda Williams Chima

I have read a lot of books this year, good ones even, but this series is the best I have read all year. Yes, it was even better than the new Sisterchicks book and you all KNOW how I love them! After I read all three of these heir books, I had the absolute pleasure to meet Cinda herself. I look forward to her future works! Here are my reviews for all to enjoy, i hope...

THE WARRIOR HEIR

I absolutely loved this book! Upon reading the description, I thought here we go with another Harry Potter type story. You know what I mean, young boy finds out he has abilities and there is a whole other world out there that needs him to use those abilities, etc. I started reading this and was immediately hooked. Of course, the genealogical direction it took had everything to do with my fascination. I did find the book a little bit predictable. I think every teenager would love to have an Aunt Linda in their lives! I loved how even the genealogical aspect was brought full circle. My favorite quotes: pg 60: "Weird is good, strange is bad," Fitch always said. Jack felt better. pg 254: "Just remember who you are, Jack, the old man said. "The world will try to change you into someone else. Don't let them. That's the best advice anyone can give you." pg 420: "More and more, there were no revelations, but simply the uncovering truths long known but dimly remembered. Everything had been written long ago. There was nothing truly new in the world, but only the slow, circular march of time that revealed the old things once again."

THE WIZARD HEIR:
I felt the first in the series ended in a way that didn't leave a ton open for a sequel. As I started this one, I did find that is continued from the first one beautifully. There was not as much focus on genealogy, and no research really involved. This one focused on "weirbooks" which is ones Weir genealogy, so it was still interesting in that way. I loved the storyline following private schools. I think the author did a wonderful job of capturing the teenage struggles and views. Especially given the added stress of being 'orphaned'! It kept me very intrigued the entire time. Also, I love the nickname of "Seph" as I had not heard that one before. I did find one funny quote given a recent popular series....pg. 395: "What were you thinking...taking up with a vampire who sucks magic from innocent wizards?" You will have to read the book to find out what that comment is all about!

THE DRAGON HEIR:

The Wizard Heir left huge openings for this sequel, and (for now) final installment of The Heir Series! Again, no genealogical research and not even a big focus on weirbooks and such. BUT this one did focus on relationships as they are, now and in the past! With multiple generations playing their part in trying to save the Weir World, EVERYONE had something to do. Most of the responsibility fell upon the youngest generation to fight this great battle. You will have to read it to find out how it all ends and exactly who survives on ALL sides of the battle! I think the author did a wonderful job of letting the reader know and remember that although there is this whole Weir World with all of its powers, the characters are just human with all that entails. I do feel that the book ended well with slight openings and possibilities for future additions to this great series! For more information on this author and her works, visit her website: www.cindachima.com! A couple of quotes that caught my attention: pg 297: "Bats fluttered like black handkerchiefs among the trees at the edge of the clearing." AND pg 444:"There he hung silently like a bat in a cave..." It should be obvious why I like these quotes, but if you must, you can ask me.