Merry Christmas!

I hope your day was filled with love and precious gifts.  But, because I know that some of you have to bear the weight of a Christmas day without cold or snow, I thought I would send you a few pictures of the Northwest from today.
I hope your day was great!

Here is my recent publication.  I hope you enjoy it.

Coeur d'Alene oncology nurse finds harmony during challenging times  http://spokane.latterdaysentinel.com/

By Gloria J. Warnick, Staff Writer

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December 15, 2011 — In the season that celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we talk and wonder of the angels that sang praises on that night so long ago. Were we one of them? Perhaps - and if so, what did we do or commit to do in this life that allowed us this privilege?

Debbie James was probably there.

Not only does does the Coeur d'Alene resident sing like an angel as a second soprano with the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale and Select Ensemble, she works at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane in the Medical Surgical Unit that specializes in end-of-life oncology. In other words, cancer is what she works with and she does this work with great love for her patients


Coeur d'Alene resident Debbie James works as an oncology nurse at the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. James' interests include singing with the Northwest Sacred Music Chorale and Select Ensemble, kickboxing and maintaining a rock garden. Contributed Photo.

"I've been an oncology nurse for 25 years and I've had the privilege of working with some really great people," James said. "I feel like this is really a gift and a calling that I have."

In the days and hours before the death of a body and the rebirth of a soul, how wonderful it would be to hear the words that we may have forgotten over the long period of time we call life. In other words, the perspective of death as the end of this worldly probation and ascendance into a peaceful realm. To hear this from an angel could provide great peace and joy to the suffering soul - and that is the gift that Debbie James works to give to her patients.

She talks about death as if were a preparation for a trip.

"We've all had an opportunity to travel," she said. "We know that, if we traveled from one city to another, there are specific things that we have to do and there are specific rules that apply."

And so it is with the trip that a person makes into and out of this life.

"I don't know if it's a scriptural thing but I like to remind people that we made this trip once, at our birth," Debbie added. "I don't know if we got to choose our time of birth but we waited to be born. What were we waiting for? I don't know, maybe for our last eye lash to go on, or maybe some final instruction about going through the birth process. I feel that people who are waiting for their rebirth are going through the same process. Unless their death is brought on by an accident or some kind of sudden cause then we are all waiting. What are we waiting for? I don't know...maybe some final departure information, maybe which gate to go to meet their loved ones as soon as they cross through the veil, or maybe we are getting instructions on how to leave out bodies. I like to think about this. I like to think these analogies are true."

Debbie teaches family members what to expect when their loved ones' physical bodies fail. Other important issues, such as helping family members say things they may never have gotten around to or creating final paperwork is important to Debbie.

"Yes, I am responsible for knowing vital signs and reading lab reports and looking ahead to what is coming next, as many of my brilliant companion nurses do, but I have a passion for the psyche/social aspect of a patient," she said. "I feel that my gift is that I want a patient to be comfortable about what is going to happen next. I want them to be at ease and I want the patient to know that I am here for them and I will take care of them to the best of my ability. These are the important things to me. I started with this gift of caring for the person and I feel that the medical knowledge was added so that I could have this opportunity."

As wonderful as the opportunities are, working in the Oncology department can be very stressful. Debbie finds that she has the constant challenge of finding an outlet. The North West Sacred Chorale provides one of those for her.

James describes the experience as collaborating with "a fine group of people" in a setting that features "challenging music and interaction with fabulous musicians."

Debbie has several outlets beyond music. She has been seen kickboxing at the Kroc Center and, at times, stops by the road to gather up a particularly unique rock. In fact, on a trip to her home you might find her out digging and planting rocks in her yard, a most wonderful outlet for this eart bound angel.

At this time of the year, as we sing and write and think about the birth of our Savior, we can rejoice in knowing that he has a plan, not only for our birth but for our rebirth.

Christmas Ideas

I found these Christmas gift ideas at my daughter blog:  http://kellywestover.blogspot.com/  I wonder if I could get a button made of the Chocolate comment....teheheheheh!

1.  Stocking stuffer gag gifts | Dippylulu | Etsy

2.  Not a quitter tags | Aubree Lane | Etsy

3. Letterpress 2012 Calendar | Albertine Press | Etsy

4. All you need is love | Gayana | Etsy

5. I like to rock | Handz | Etsy

6. I'm tired, can you carry me | Red Bishop | Etsy

I try to give credit where credit is due. 

If at any time you notice an uncredited source please let me know.

Willa Cahill Nativity Update

I promised up an update on what Willa Cahill has been painting lately.  These are not the pictures that I wanted to share with you of the 7 foot tall project that she was creating in her garage.  Those pictures are still on my Kodak camera and the cable that my grandson filed away for me hasn't been found yet.  Tomorrow at church I am going to seek among my family history researcher friends to see if any one has a compatible cable I can borrow.  Then I'll share those awesome pictures with you.

But, here is a picture of a Nativity that she created for her mother-in-law.  She gave this to her already, so I feel safe sharing the images over the internet.

I love the work of this talented, sensitive person.    I'm a Mormon, so she created my Nativity characters with halo's and gold dots but her family is Catholic and for her mother-in-law she put angels with wings  in the night sky.

Angels with or without wings, her art work takes my breath away and I am pleased to show it to you!  Oh and the paint brush in my hand is because I got to put the lacquer finish on the work!

Crock Pot cooking at it's best

I came home from a L-O-N-G day of work and my dear husband had the house warm and inviting with dinner cooking in the crock pot.   Everything was sweet, but me.

I don't like going out of my home to work. But, crazy health issues have caused my husband and I to flip our established work arrangements.  So, grumpy and without much of a smile I took a plate of food and sat on the couch in front of the TV. 

Do you know how much a bit of good food can change a person's attitude?  Well, I do.... now.  Yum  This dish was so good I took pictures of it and am posting the recipe.  Thank you Sweetheart.  This dish is a keeper...just like you!

Crock pot cooking at it's best:

Prep Time : 20 Minutes
Total Time: 8 hrs 20 minutes
Serving:  6

Ingredients:

12 skinless bone-in chicken thighs (about 5 pounds)  He used the chicken breast.
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound baby Yukon GOLD potatoes (he used red potatoes)
2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup honey
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 Tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary, plus springs for garnish
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.

Directions:

1.  Rinse chicken and pat dry.  Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderately high heat.  Add chicken and cook, turning, until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes.
2.  Place the potatoes, onion and garlic in a 5-6 quart slow cooker: top with chicken.
3.  Stir together honey, juice, cornstarch, rosemary, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and cook, 6 to 9 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.  Serve garnished with rosemary springs, if desired.

 ♛

Tonight we are trying this recipe with a beef roast.

What a crazy holiday season this is!

What a crazy holiday season this is!  Not only does Thanksgiving and Christmas happen but in my family there are at least 5 major birthday's to celebrate,  including mine.  I can't complain too much as I contributed to this log jam of late-in-the-year birthdays.  But I do get tired!!!!   Here's a picture of my ideal cake. It is what I'm shooting for next year....So that gives me a year to find the stars, crown and learn how to make the yummy fondant icing   I found this picture at

www.wilton.com/ideas/browse.cfm?cat=Cakes&cel=Birthday.  I have a Wilton book from years ago and they have always given the best information and ideas for celebrations! 

Being tired this year,  my cake didn't exactly look the greatest.  In fact it was a yellow sheet cake with a white cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate sprinkles that I stuck Happy Birthday picks into. The funny story of the day is that I had to make my own the cake. I had to decorate it ,and I even put the candles on it and lit them.  (Three candles only .. one each for Health Wealth and Wisdom)  Then I gave it to my boys for them to present to me.

Oh the dulcet deep tones of Happy Birthday! 

Great Facebook Postings

Today I am preparing for the 2012 New Year and taking inventory of  the 2011 year.  I
meet great friends, ate great foods, and wrote a bunch.  I also read some great saying from my Facebook friends.  Here are three that I especially liked:

We’re women.  We don’t say what we want, but we reserve the right to be pissed off is we don’t get it.
– from Sliding Doors And posted by Rhonda Kidder.

 
Dear Tone-Deaf Business Man singing along to "Wake up Little Suzie" in the coffee shop at the top of your lungs while reading your newspaper: Your oblivious happiness made my morning.  posted by Christy Warnick

And my favorite:  (about my grandson)
When my wife leaves the house, Quinn cries,  When I leave the house, Quinn slams the door behind me.  Posted by Eric Westover. 

Have a great New Year!

 

Kelly McDowell - A great masseur from the Highlands Day Spa

 Kelly McDowell is a licensed massage therapist at the Highland Day Spa.  His specialty is Swedish massage.  Trained in Lomi Lomi and Thi Message, he has a large repertoire of therapies to choose from.  Creating his own massage based on the needs of his client is what this thinking young man does best.

While his goal is to open his own studio/ massage clinic in the Bend Oregon area, he currently works exclusively at the Highland Day spa.  http://www.highlandspa.com/   This is an honor shared by only one third of all graduating students. 

 

The Spa’s training is thorough, and Kelly is a fully certified as a licensed massage therapist. He said that the opportunity to become a massage therapist came to him as friend’s who were enrolled at the Highlands Day Spa talked to him about the program.   He called up, made an appointment, and became involved in the spa’s work-off program.  He left the program recently as a fully licensed therapist without the large student loan.  He credits the Spa and his parents for giving him this excellent start in life. 

What advice would he give to a new graduate?  “I suggest you find a location outside your school as a career opportunity as soon as possible. Getting your career started is important.”  Kelly said.

It's a big rule in my house that Thanksgiving has to be cleaned....

It's a big rule in my house that Thanksgiving has to be cleaned away before the Christmas holiday celebration can begin.  Today was a major clean up.  It's taken hours and the house smells like pine sol, but it's basically clean and the Christmas tree is up.

 

Do you have boxes and boxes of handcrafted oraments that your children have created for you over the years?  I do.  And  I love them.  Every year when the sky is grey and the snow is beginning to fall, I pull out the ornaments and they delight me.  I can honestly say I don't remember the names of all my children's teachers that spearheaded creating them, but I appreciate the effort they made on my behalf each year.

This year, I left all my children's handcrafted ornaments in the box...Before I did, I picked each up and  ooed and aahed over them and even shed a tear at the memories, but I left them in the box and just put lights and decorative balls on the tree.  I don't know why.  But suddenly, I felt like a grownup again...alone with just today and the future in front of me. Interesting to be this age and redefining what each day means to me. 

Wow! I just read what I wrote and it sounded really grown up, but the fact is, the ornaments that I chose to put on the tree were total memory lane.  I made the one on the right when the children were little and the one on the left was from our original tree, when we were so poor all we could afford was one box of $2.50 ornaments and a string of lights. Those were tough days, financially... Today, life is still financially tough but I have great memories that I enjoy.

So, along with creating great memories and getting the tree decorated, I want you to have a house that smells wonderful. 

Here is a recipe for a great Star Christmas Tree Cookie!  Enjoy the cookies and have fun with your tree decorating!

Art Work pending

You might have noticed that I didn't post yesterday as usual.  There is a simple reason, really!  My 21 month old grandson visited for Thanksgiving and I am missing a cable that would down load the pictures I wanted to share with you.  I'm sure the cable is in a drawer or trash can somewhere in the house...I just haven't found it yet.

So, in the meantime let me tell you about what I wanted to share with you.  Do you remember my delightful talented neighbor, Willa Cahill?   She is the artist who was one of nine children who was actually encouraged to paint on a wall.  Consequently she has no fear of creating art in large spaces.

Recently she was commissioned to paint a Christmas scene of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and Angels.  The painting is over 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide and was painted under the influence of William Adolphe Bouguereau.  I've included a picture of Mr. Bouguereau here that I found at  Wikipedia.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William-Adolphe_Bouguereau

I thought you'd also like to see one of his magnificent paintings.
I'll post the pictures of Willa's work as soon as I find the cable.  You are going to love her work!

Thanksgiving came and went!

Thanksgiving came and went.  Yes, I ate too much!  But this was really the best Thanksgiving I've had in years!

As you know the two daughters, my son-in-law and my grandson spent it with us.  This was the grandson's first experience with snow and even though I didn't get to be there for his first encounter, I heard that he held the snow in his hand with expressions that ran from.....  "Oh pretty!" to "Are you crazy?  This stuff is cold!"

We had snow for the first two days that he was here, but then the rains came and turned everything into a soggy mess.  After a couple days of that, the white stuff was simply gone. 

With three women in the house, the poor boy didn't have a chance.  We played dress-up and bundled him in hat, gloves and coat... 

I love this picture...notice the California tennis shoes!

Today, Thanksgiving is over and I'm a bit depressed. Yes, I get to put up the Christmas decorations and  play Christmas music but I also have to start my pre-Christmas exercise program.

Still, (big sigh) the two daughters, my son-in-law and grandson flew home to California with out me this morning....and I miss them already.  Thank-goodness, I still have a son who lives here, so for everyone, thanks for the wonderful pictures and memories.  Lets make lots more holiday memories together!

PS:  Girls, you have become really good cooks! 

Thanksgiving Holiday Begins

Thanksgiving holiday has officially started at my house.  The children flew in from the Bay Area with my grandson.

After getting everyone's heavy suitcases packed into the correct spots, and I have to say spots because this is our retirement home and it is small, we found places for everyone. Air mattresses were pumped up and couches were put into use. Thankfully we had plenty of blankets and children who enjoy being together.  But I have to tell you,  people, toys, and bedding littered the house.














What is amazing is how one small grandson can entertain so many adult people.  He has spent his time, so far, whirling in papa's chair, eating a few Cheerios and pushing cars around the house just for starters. It would be an understatement to say that this house has been alive with activity.
Later we will explore the snow. A California boy and his first experience with snow.  I can hardly wait.

Wild Turkey's

The season is still passing into winter. Which literally means no snow has stuck to the ground yet! Thank goodness.  But it is cold.

I don't care.  My car is warm and I have warm boots and a huge jacket.  I snuggled into my jacket, warmed up my car and headed for the Idaho Writer's League meeting this morning. Romance writer Bonnie Paulson was on the agenda.  WOW!  That girl is awesome! She has a relaxed style that invites the audience to ask questions and her understanding of the e-book format industry was worth warming the car up for.

I have to confess that I was late to the meeting.  In fact in a very packed room there was only one chair left and I grabbed it.  Why was I late?  I got distracted by a flock of wild turkeys. No, really.  A flock of wild turkeys was feeding on the ground and  I wanted to see how close I could get to them taking pictures.  Here's my proof.

O.K. so I admit I was the one who chickened out and left first.  The turkey's were interested in their food and frankly I didn't want them deciding I looked tasty.

So after the meeting, with my warm coat off and my mind filled with wonderful thoughts, President Faye Higbee invited the writer's group into the dinning room for lunch. Following through a huge set of double doors and picking up my red plate and bowl, I stood staring at a table laden with choices. But, all I could think was it was a good thing that flock hadn't been invited to join our meeting because turkey stew sat steaming in a huge crock pot!

Yum !  It was good!

Places I have & Have Not Been

 

Places I Have & Have Not Been

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get!

And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows me I am not!

I have been in Deep doo doo many times; the older I get, the easier it is to get there.

I'm also sure we've probably seen each other in one or two of these places.!!
 

And the winner is....

Several weeks ago I told you how my bathroom wall has become dreadful!  Water drips have completely soiled the walls and I’m afraid that I would find long hairy mold growing out of it! So I decided to paint the wall.  I stopped at  Home Depot and picked up a bunch of paint swatches. I taped them on the wall and after weeks of living with them and viewing them in every light possible.  We choose one.

The winner is....Martha Stewart Living  Kerry Blue Terrier MSC 161!  I love this color!

 

The only problem is I now want to paint my other bathroom.  Oh and I'm sure the living room and the kitchen could use some new colors also!

Somebody please stop me!

This Just In on the "Occupy Oakland" activity.

To post or not to post?  Tired after a two night driving jag to Portland and back,  my step son was just ordained a High Priest and set apart to work on the High Counsel over the Young Women's annual trek, I honestly was to tired to think....So I sat here reading.  One of my favorite blogs.http://cmewander.blogspot.com/is written by my daughter, Christy.  She works for Clorex in Oakland and she posted a blog about what is really happening at the Occupy Oakland Movement.  I copied it for you.

This Just In

Occupy Oakland has been evicted from Frank Ogawa plaza in Downtown Oakland.

FINALLY.

My office just opened for the day (at 10:00am) because the Police decided to empty out the plaza starting this morning at 4:00.

This time it was peaceful. Thank goodness. I guess over a month of illegal camping in the city center, illegal drug use in the camp, riots, marches, broken offices, business closures and a shooting (& resulting death), piled on top of the over $700,000 per week cost for extra police enforcement this madness was costing the city finally brought Oakland's moronic mayor to her senses.

Walking from the parking garage to my building this morning I took this photo (and then had fun embellishing it with red):

Just another day at work in Oakland...

The Nativity Project

Walking into my garage two nights ago, I was greeted by this sight.  I have worked on this secret project for a year, and every time I see the finished project I am moved to tears.  I've always loved the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have sought for years to find a way give to my children a remembrance of my feelings for this story.  So, when my neighbor Willa Cahill put out a Christmas display in her front yard, several years ago of a huge 5 foot by 8 foot Nativity painted on wood, I asked her about it.  

I love her story so much!

It seems that she is a child from in a large, devoted Catholic family. In the evenings, after dinner, the children would become restless...especially when they were cooped up in the house for a long period of time.  And the winter months have long dark days with nasty weather patterns that do keep children inside.  So on those especially trying evenings for the parents,Willa's mother would give each of her children a paint brush and paints and say, "Here, go paint a wall."

They must have had the most interesting walls in the neighborhood!

And because of her childhood experiences, Willa has no fear of painting large spaces or of any painting project.  In fact she has painted free hand murals in offices and homes.  (You should see the walls of her children's rooms! Wow and Double WOW!)

But for today. The story is that I taught two of her children piano for a year and she agreed to freehand paint 6 Nativities for me to give my children.  Pictured here are 4 of the finished projects.  To me, they are joyfully beautiful!

And to the hundreds of you, who have seen these wood sets and inquired about obtaining one for yourself, Yes,Willa has agreed to freehand a personal project for you. Luckily, my husband has also agreed to work with us. He and our son, Michael, are creating an online store for you. But for right now, we are still getting everything priced and set up. We have so much to learn and do. I'll let you know when we have a final price and where you can place your order.  I'm so sorry that this is taking so long. I can only say that these one of a kind heirloom pieces are very special and we want to give the very best attention to the details and shipping.  But, for today I hope your enjoy the pictures.

More photo's from the "Real" Occupy Oakland movement

More images from the "Real"  occupy Oakland movement as documented by photographer Euan Rannachan and posted on http://kellywestover.blogspot.com/http://kellywestover.blogspot.com/

 

occupy oakland

The aftermath of the 'movement' this past Wednesday...

images by Euan Rannachan

Gorgeous Autumn Colors

With all the negative news going on, today I wanted to share a positive picture. I took this last week on a street in Coeur d' Alene Idaho.  Of course, this week all the yellow leaves are brown and snow flakes are beginning to fall.  But ain't the Fall colors gorgeous? I thank God and the makers of Kodak for my camera!

This was published in the LDS Sentinel as the Image of the Week . http://spokane.latterdaysentinel.com/

Image of the Week

By Gloria J. Warnick, Staff Writer

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November 02, 2011 —
Autumn leaves created a sea of orange and yellow on this Coeur d'Alene street last week. Photo by Gloria J. Warnick.

Occupy Oakland

My daughter, works around the corner from the Occupy Oakland movement. This is her post from Wednesday. It is newsworthy and gives us another viewpoint to consider. http://cmewander.blogspot.com/

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Solidarity?

Yesterday I bought lunch at one of my favorite sandwich shops in downtown Oakland. If you didn't know, I work in downtown Oakland, California. The very same Oakland which has been home to the Occupy Oakland movement, and, more recently, the protests (which are growing more and more violent) in Oakland. The action is all happening literally one block from my building.

Yesterday at the lunch counter I happened on a flyer being distributed there, calling for a city-wide strike to bring about these things (among others):

-Free Healthcare
-Free Education
-Redistribution of all wealth (equally)

I was positively FLOORED. And not in a good way.

I happen to agree that, yes, America is spiraling out of control and that things are going very, very wrong politically, economically and socially. I'll be doing what I can to end this ridiculousness by voting in the next election. That's how our system works.

Today, a Wednesday, I sit at home, not because I don't have a job. Not because I'm uneducated or incapable of holding a job. Today I can't go to work and make a living for myself because an Angry Mob has threatened violence against businesses who dare to open their doors for business. I for one do NOT support angry mobs that prevent businesses from functioning with a lynch-mob communist agenda.

The "Occupy" movement, in my humble opinion, is officially out of control.

I found this fantastically penned article via a friend:

Some Belated Parental Advice to Protesters
by Marybeth Hicks
Columnist, Townhall
October 20, 2011

Call it an occupational hazard, but I can’t look at the Occupy Wall Street protesters without thinking, “Who parented these people?”

As a culture columnist, I’ve commented on the social and political ramifications of the “movement” - now known as “OWS” - whose fairyland agenda can be summarized by one of their placards: “Everything for everybody.”

Thanks to their pipe-dream platform, it’s clear there are people with serious designs on “transformational” change in America who are using the protesters like bed springs in a brothel.

Yet it’s not my role as a commentator that prompts my parenting question, but rather the fact that I’m the mother of four teens and young adults. There are some crucial life lessons that the protesters’ moms clearly have not passed along.

Here, then, are five things the OWS protesters’ mothers should have taught their children but obviously didn’t, so I will:

• Life isn’t fair. The concept of justice - that everyone should be treated fairly - is a worthy and worthwhile moral imperative on which our nation was founded. But justice and economic equality are not the same. Or, as Mick Jagger said, “You can’t always get what you want.”

No matter how you try to “level the playing field,” some people have better luck, skills, talents or connections that land them in better places. Some seem to have all the advantages in life but squander them, others play the modest hand they’re dealt and make up the difference in hard work and perseverance, and some find jobs on Wall Street and eventually buy houses in the Hamptons. Is it fair? Stupid question.

• Nothing is “free.” Protesting with signs that seek “free” college degrees and “free” health care make you look like idiots, because colleges and hospitals don’t operate on rainbows and sunshine. There is no magic money machine to tap for your meandering educational careers and “slow paths” to adulthood, and the 53 percent of taxpaying Americans owe you neither a degree nor an annual physical.

While I’m pointing out this obvious fact, here are a few other things that are not free: overtime for police officers and municipal workers, trash hauling, repairs to fixtures and property, condoms, Band-Aids and the food that inexplicably appears on the tables in your makeshift protest kitchens. Real people with real dollars are underwriting your civic temper tantrum.

• Your word is your bond. When you demonstrate to eliminate student loan debt, you are advocating precisely the lack of integrity you decry in others. Loans are made based on solemn promises to repay them. No one forces you to borrow money; you are free to choose educational pursuits that don’t require loans, or to seek technical or vocational training that allows you to support yourself and your ongoing educational goals. Also, for the record, being a college student is not a state of victimization. It’s a privilege that billions of young people around the globe would die for - literally.

• A protest is not a party. On Saturday in New York, while making a mad dash from my cab to the door of my hotel to avoid you, I saw what isn’t evident in the newsreel footage of your demonstrations: Most of you are doing this only for attention and fun. Serious people in a sober pursuit of social and political change don’t dance jigs down Sixth Avenue like attendees of a Renaissance festival. You look foolish, you smell gross, you are clearly high and you don’t seem to realize that all around you are people who deem you irrelevant.

• There are reasons you haven’t found jobs. The truth? Your tattooed necks, gouged ears, facial piercings and dirty dreadlocks are off-putting. Nonconformity for the sake of nonconformity isn’t a virtue. Occupy reality: Only 4 percent of college graduates are out of work. If you are among that 4 percent, find a mirror and face the problem. It’s not them. It’s you.

 

 Photos from: http://www.good.is/post/photos-at-occupy-oakland-a-night-of-protests-and-tear-gas/

Family History Seminar - Hayden Id

Digging for roots: Hayden Family History Seminar celebrates many aspects of genealogy

By Gloria J. Warnick, Staff Writer

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November 02, 2011 — Over 200 followers of Jesus Christ, representing many religions, gathered at the Hayden Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the fourth annual Hayden Lake Family History Seminar on Saturday, Oct. 22.

Under the direction of Connie Godak, director of the Hayden Lake Family History Center, over 35 patrons, both LDS and non-LDS, spent a year planning and preparing for the free seminar. A member of the inaugural Spokane temple presidency, President Frank Wagstaff and his wife Jane, who are now the area advisors for 43 Family History Centers in the Northwest, shared information about the event with the centers they oversee. The Kootenai County and Eastern Washington Genealogical Societies also helped spread the word. Genealogists from Walla Walla and the Tri-Cities and other surrounding areas joined local researchers for the day.

Sister Godak insisted that the event was a collaborative effort. The local wards and some attendees contributed wonderful food for the luncheon. Some baked breadsticks, some made soup or salads, while others set up or took down the tables and chairs or worked in the kitchen.

"For the first time, we really felt like we had enough food for everyone, and we are so grateful for this support," Godak said.

Godak added that there were a few changes to this year's agenda, including classes with more specific themes and a second lunch time.

"We really can't comfortably accommodate more than 200 people at this event and the addition of the second lunch hour made things much more relaxed," she said. "People were able to eat, visit, exchange ideas and contact information without having to face long lines for food, before having to hurry off to another class. I think this was our most successful event so far - but tomorrow we start working on plans for next year."


Over 200 people attended the fourth annual Hayden Lake Family History Seminar at the Hayden Stake Center on Oct. 22 Contributed Photo.

A total of five sessions were taught, comprising 20 classes. Each session featured between three and five classes and, at the end of the day, there was a live webinar on Google search strategies by Lisa Louise Cooke, author of "Your Google Toolbox."

Some of the classes offered were "Repairing Photos with Photoshop" by David Van Etten, an illustration and design instructor from North Idaho College and "RootsMagic," both an introduction class and an advanced skills class by Margie Stein Beldin, a user group leader and a renowned family history researcher in the Tri Cities. Archeologist Joseph C. Mitchell, M.A., presented several topics, including "Researching United States Military Records."

Van Etten commented that this is the fourth time he has taught the Photoshop classes for the seminar, and he really enjoys it.

"Every time we think we might give him a break and let him off the hook for a year, we get so many requests for his classes that we just have to have him back," Godak said. "I think there'd be a rebellion if he wasn't on the schedule. He just makes it so fun and is an excellent teacher."

Mitchell said the research of military records is "a great way to understand the service that our ancestors provided for us, so we can live the way we do."

The Hayden Family Center had 188 visits in September of this year and 320 hours were spent on the computers. While people who attended the seminar were from many religions and walks of life, a visitor from Walla Walla was heard to say that "the Family History Center is the front door to the temple."

The center's address is 2293 W. Hanley, Coeur d' Alene, ID. Hours are Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a class taught each Tuesday night, from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information, email haydenlakefhc@gmail.com.

Listed below are the presenters at the 2011 seminar.

David Van Etten: illustrator, graphic artist and owner of Van Etten Studios, North Idaho College instructor in the Adobe Digital Suite.

Margie Stein Beldin: genealogist, historian, and Tri-Cities RootsMagic User group facilitator

Joseph C. Mitchell: B.S. Cartography/GIS and M.A. Anthropology/Historical Archaeology, UI.

Miriam J. Robbins: First vice president and team blogger of Eastern Washington Genealogical Society; genealogy blogger

Sandy Doutre: genealogist, teacher, and instructor of All Things Historical; one of the founders of the Family History Center.

Connie L. Godak: genealogist and current director of the Hayden Family History Center.

Louisa St. John Durkin: DAR registrar and past president of the Kootenai County Genealogical Society.

A Warm Jacket

I am so excited!  My perfect grandson, Quinn, his mother (my daughter, Kelly), his father, Eric and his Auntie (my other daughter, Christy), are all coming for Thanksgiving.  They will all be here for 5 days!  Hooray! I’m so excited!  But I’m a bit worried also.  These kids live in the Bay Area.  Yes, it can get cold there, but it’s a different kind of cold….one that does not involve snow.

The last time my daughter visited for the holidays she flew into the Spokane airport. As we were walking out the doors toward the car, the cold air hit her. She stopped, said “Somebody PLEASE turn on the heater!“, turned and walked back inside the airport.  It took an hour to get her though those doors again.  Dad had to warm the car up, park it outside the door, and then lend her his radiant hot jacket before that could happen. 

   

So this week, I went to the Harding Center and got this jacket for the grandson.  Isn’t it adorable?  I figured I could always re-donate it after the holidays. The Harding Center were out of coats in her size when I was there, but they did receive a huge new supply from Sonia’s Cleaners just as I was leaving.  What an amazing service these two organization provide to our community!  I’m sure they have plenty of adult coats now.  However when I talked to Kelly about the fact that snow is predicted for tomorrow she didn’t sound happy but she did promise to bring coats.

I probably won’t need this coat but I’d rather be safe than sorry…After all there is nothing more miserable than a sick child during the holidays.

Choosing a Bath Room Color

I had another blog ready for today but I’ve decided to save that one for another day and share with you an activity I am working on.

My bathroom wall has become dreadful!  Water drips have completely soiled it and I’m afraid that long hairy mold will start to grow out of it.  I stopped in Home Depot and picked up a bunch of paint swatches.  I called my boys together and all three of us piled into this tiny room, yelling, Yes, No, Maybe so, until we got six possibilities.

 

I taped the “possibilities” on the wall and we whittled our choices down to two…  I understand that it is important that we think about these choice for awhile.

 

As long as I get this done before Thanksgiving, I’ll be a happy girl.