A Sure Path to Happiness... :D

My daughter and I, several years ago. :)

I feel happy this morning... :) :D Thus, I have three awesome pieces of news to share with you this morning. *Please read to the end to find out what is helping me to feel happy again so I can more readily recognize and count my blessings! :) Thanks, friends! I love ya! :D

One -Yesterday, I finally exercised again. I rode a bike course that I normally do in 40 minutes, then repeat; it took me 50 minutes, and I didn't repeat it. It was, shall we say - notably more challenging; there is definitely something to be said for consistency! But hey, the desire is finally back! :D I think I'm finally on my way back to normal living!

I have a couple other great experiences to celebrate here today. Two - My family and I finally went on a camping trip this summer! We LOVE camping! There was a time when we did a lot of camping. Unfortunately, our business is so busy in the summer months that it is a real challenge for us to find time to camp anymore. I think next year we'll just have to make a lot more money and hire people to work for us so we can play some more! Yeah. That sounds like a good plan to me! :) *By the way, we took three extra boys with us (I love my "adopted" children! :D) and had a great time! (By the way, I'm going to have to do another blog post just about the camp out - mostly for photo sharing; stay tuned! :)

OK, are you ready for great news number Three? (This one is by far the best! :) One of the awesome young men who camped with us, (we'll call him Trevor) us has been asking us questions about the church for several years now. It has been so neat to discuss the gospel with this bright and inquisitive young man! It was even neater to hear that he wants to join the church. I'm so happy for him!

If any of you are interested in knowing what the "Mormon's" believe (Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), I encourage you to seek information from the horses mouth - not someone who gets it through the much distorted grape vine! There is so much that is false being circulated by those not of the same faith. Please visit with ACTIVE members who know and currently live the gospel to learn what they believe. And you can always ask the missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to come to your home (or meet you somewhere else) and tell you what the doctrine of the church really is.

I have been SO BLESSED through the gospel and church, so I really want to share it with my friends! If any of you have questions, you can come to me if you want to! :) Also, feel free to visit the following sites to see what "Mormons" are like, and what we believe.

www.mormon.org - What Mormons Believe

www.mormonnewsroom.org - For News Media

www.lds.org - For Gospel Resources (Bible and Book of Mormon, Teachings of prophets, Help for families

Related Sites

• FamilySearch.org
• Youth.lds.org
• Mormon Channel
• Provident Living

I found a video that reminds me of what is helping me to pull out of depression I have struggled with the past couple weeks so I decided to share it here (A dear friend who I have loved like a brother since my youth lost his life in the most tragic of ways). The Lord has been speaking to my heart, telling me that I need to help myself to stop mourning all the time, so I can be the mother, wife, sister, friend, and person that I need to be... so I can be happy, and so I can lift others and help them to be happy. I put a smile on my face, and have tried my best to do what needs to be done. I have cried a lot, too. I have withdrawn, and I have pushed myself to reach out to others; reaching out felt best. :) I did my visiting teaching and visited another friend who I knew needed my love. I have introduced friends to the missionaries. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of hope, service, and of love. This is where true happiness is found.

I would like to leave you with a video made for the children of the world by a living prophet, to teach them this most basic principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is normal to have moments of quiet mourning, but I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and teaches me to look beyond my own pain and succor others. Herein lies the greatest path to healing and happiness...

I hope you have an awesome day! :D

Corine :D

Moving Forward...

My Heart and Mind:

My heart has been heavy since the tragic passing of my cherished friend (who I have loved since my youth as much as I love my own blood brothers). My heart has ached tremendously. Healing has been a slow process. Jason's family and friends are all in my prayers...

It is at times like this when I most need to remember to focus on all the good - and really appreciate the simple daily joys in life. I know the lord loves my friend and is healing him. At this very moment, I am choosing to keep my chin up and keep moving forward. I pray for this, but know I must also do my part. So I am choosing to trust in the lord and leave all thoughts leading to pain or worry behind; thoughts of "what if" or "if only" must also be things of the past. Jason is in the lord's capable hands... I choose to keep all idle/useless thoughts of things I have no control over out of my mind. I will retain and cherish sweet memories, but leave all the unanswered questions and unproductive thoughts alone, refusing to think upon them. I also choose to turn my thoughts towards things I can control or influence... to those who are in this world who need me, and to the simple pleasures that bring joy into my heart and into the hearts of others. 

I am happy about all these decisions. My mind needs to be free. I know I need to start exercising again (since his passing) and set some more fitness goals. I need to keep doing things to keep my spirit strong as well as my body. I need to take care of myself so I can be a strength and blessing to the people around me who need me. I need to keep living - and really live...

With these positive decisions firmly in my mind, my burden is suddenly miraculously lightened. My heart aches less... :) I am determined to remember the good - the best. And I know it is also time for me to focus on what is happening in my own life right now. And so I shall, even right now on this very blog! There will be moments of solemn mourning, but there is always enough good to uplift and find joy in when we direct our thoughts positively...

The Current Highlight in My Life:

Miles had business traveling to do and could find no time in the summer schedule except during the weekend of our 23^rd Wedding Anniversary. Therefore, a few weeks ago he asked if it was OK to go ahead and schedule work travel the weekend of our anniversary and take me with him (on the positive note that we could stay at a hotel and spend time together… :) I said OK, and that is how we spent our 23rd anniversary.

The day before our anniversary we drove all day (with business stops here and there) as I cried and talked about my friend off and on all day.  I cried so much my nose and eyes got sore and my lips were parched from dehydration (again). Miles was SO AWESOME! It was nice to just talk about what ever came up in my mind (be it over memories etc., or the pain of knowing the pain Jason went through - which I choose to no longer dwell on) and have Miles be so great to just hear me out and let me talk! He was so pleasant, kind, supportive, understanding of my emotions etc. What an awesome husband! I am truly blessed to have him!!!

Taken on our Anniversary in our "travel"attire! :o

Our anniversary day was a really good day (my emotions were stable; yeah!). :D It was on Sunday. Miles and I headed out of town later than planned, so could not get to a town with a church on time come Sunday morning, but the day was relaxed and good. Since it was the Sabbath, we didn't eat out etc. but the time we had together at the hotel and walking around taking photos of the beauty around us was priceless. I also asked a kind man to snap a couple photos of Miles and I. The man was so nice, and let me give him a couple photography tips so we could finally get a photo that I really liked! I love my bravery (and nice, selfless people)! :D

Though Miles and I did nothing spectacular, it was SO NICE to just relax and be together, talking, walking, and taking photos. Like my friend Arlene said to me before we left for the weekend - "All a couple really needs to celebrate their anniversary is time together." She was right. :D

I also really enjoyed the drive home. We saw some beautiful places and started making plans for some exciting anniversary trips for the next couple of years (river rafting on the Salmon River - gorgeous place! And Miles wants to take me to NY to roller blade in Central Park for our 25th anniversary -the first item on my short - and still only verbal - bucket list! :).  I'm so glad Miles likes to dream and stop and enjoy the scenery as we travel like I do! Here are a few photos taken on this trip (we had two cameras)...

When Miles and I arrived home I went straight to my bedroom with my clothes bag in hand and about dropped my jaw when I saw our bedroom. There was a beautiful new bed set on our bed, and gorgeous, burgundy curtains ready to be hung.

Our daughter, Mindy had been here… :) It HAD to be her. She is the sweetest, dearest, most giving daughter and friend I could ever ask for. I could see that she also purchased a curtain rod, but it was not quite up yet, thus the improvising with the stick that I brought in to use as a curtain rod (should I ever finally get around to purchasing or making a curtain :o). :D She couldn’t have done a better job of choosing colors; Miles and I both LOVE IT! 

I also have a family camp out to write about and share photos from, but that will have to be another day.

Right now, it is time for me to stop writing and go do some home school/high school planning. School starts here in North Idaho next week. I pray this school year turns out to be the best one yet! Please feel free to pray for me with my school planning (still considering public vs. home school this year though we missed registration) and a little divine intervention to go with it; I sure could use the inspiration and help this year!  

Thanks, and love you, friends! :)

Corine :D

Stars - And He Cast Them into the Ocean

As was mentioned in my last post, a dear childhood friend of mine passed away recently. He was a remarkable teacher with a fabulous reputation and many teaching awards and recognition granted to him. His life was devoted to teaching and building people up, helping them to love themselves, work hard, be the best that they could be, and live good lives. He was loved and respected by many, and he deserves that love and respect.

I got on one of Jason's blogs this morning and ended up reading an old writing he posted on Jan 23, 2008. This post very much shows the kind of teacher and person that he is. I am not crying at the moment, but part of me wishes to. I ache instead over the tragic loss of him. I know I already wrote and posted a tribute to him (The Measure of a Great Man), but I would like to pay another small tribute to him  again by showing you a few of the thoughts of this good man's heart and of the legacy he left behind as a teacher and builder of so many children - and adults. He built them up. He encouraged them to work hard. He taught and inspired them to be good.

I will offer the link within the title of the text he wrote, but also desire to copy and paste it here as well. For any who may wonder what kind of man he is, I think this post will give you a small glimpse of what a truly good person he is - as ALL who know him readily agree... 

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Stars   

By Jason Frederick Zimmerman

I had a friend who needed to cancel our evening plans, which led me to stay at work a little bit later than usual tonight. As I entered grades, visited with a few other teachers, organized the room, and began to get ready for the next day’s teaching, my classroom door swung open. Standing there was a student I hadn’t seen for quite a long time…I’ll call this boy, ‘Joey.’

As Joey strode into the room I found myself surprised to see him, especially so late in the evening. How had he gotten into the school? Why was he here? Joey walked straight up to me and threw out his arms, embracing me in a bear-type hug. It was then that he began to talk. I couldn’t believe just how big this boy had become since he’d been a chubby little fourth grader in my classroom some six years before. He’d become a fine young man, now in his second year of high school.

Joey talked, expressing several times just how much he loved being in my class as a 4^th grader. He reminisced about the voices I’d used for read-aloud, the assignments he’d had fun with, and just how much the room had stayed the same…though it was just a little bit smaller than he remembered. His face grew somber as he turned and looked me in the eyes. He began to thank me for the countless hours I’d spent on him; hours of working on assignments as well as tutoring him with reading.

He took a deep breath and then said, “I wanted to tell you something else…I wanted to let you know that I’m a good kid. I’m not perfect and I’ve done some stupid things in my life, but when I started to drive to the school tonight to visit you, I thought about how proud I was of the fact that I am a good kid, and I wanted you to know that. I’m not trying to toot my own horn or anything like that, and I hope you don’t think I’m being prideful, but I’m not doing drugs, I’ve got a lot of good friends, and I’m nice to people. I’m proud of myself and I wanted to let you know that, too, because, it was you who really made me the person I am today. I can remember all of the long hours you worked with me and helped me to love school. The things you taught me about being a good person. Well, I just wanted to thank you for that.”

It wasn't long before Joey’s cell phone rang…it was his mom. He needed to be home for dinner soon. I walked him out of the school; before he got into his car he gave me another hug, once-again expressing his gratitude. As I watched the taillights of Joey’s rover vanish into the darkness, I climbed into my own car and made the trip home over the icy streets of town, my head a flood of reflection. I had thought about Joey—on numerous occasions. He’s the type of student that teachers often think about…wondering: Was all the time I spent on him wasted?

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me as I drove home; thankfulness for the time I’d chosen to spend on this particular child who had struggled with education for so many years. It was this same boy, ­now sixteen, who helped me to realize that the time we invest in others, though it may tax us to our very limits, can make the biggest difference. This time we spend is NEVER wasted.

In the words of Loren Eisley:

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach, and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”


This is exactly how Jason lived his life. He spent it, making a difference in as many lives as he possibly could, no matter how impossible it may have seemed to others, and even when others may have looked at his recipients as just a number... The beauty about Jason is that in his eyes, no one is just a number! Many people will greet him on the other side and thank him for reaching out to them and helping them to be so much more than they ever thought possible. I know I will! :) I think I'll write a small note to Jason, from me and all the other stars that he threw into the ocean as he struggled through his own life.

Dear Jason,
Thank you so much for reaching out and building up so many! Thank you for LOVING so unconditionally! And thank you for doing the impossible, and throwing us into the ocean, even though the task may have seemed impossible!

God be with you, till we meet again!
Your friends on earth and through eternity...

And He Cast Them into the Ocean...

As was mentioned in my last post, a dear childhood friend of mine passed away recently. He was a remarkable teacher with a fabulous reputation and many teaching awards and recognition granted to him. His life was devoted to teaching and building children up, helping them to love themselves, teaching them to work hard and live good lives. He was loved and respected by many, and he deserves that love and respect.

I got on one of Jason's blogs this morning and ended up reading an old writing he posted on Jan 23, 2008. This post very much shows the kind of teacher and person that he is. I am not crying at the moment, but part of me wishes to. I ache instead over the tragic loss of him. I know I already wrote and posted a tribute to him (The Measure of a Great Man), but I would like to pay another small tribute to him  again by showing you a few of the thoughts of this good man's heart and of the legacy he left behind as a teacher and builder of so many children. He built them up. He encouraged them to work hard. He taught and inspired them to be good.

I will offer the link within the title of the text he wrote, but also desire to copy and paste it here as well. For any who may wonder what kind of man he is, I think this post will give you a small glimpse of what a truly good person he is - as ALL who know him readily agree... 

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Stars   

By Jason Frederick Zimmerman

I had a friend who needed to cancel our evening plans, which led me to stay at work a little bit later than usual tonight. As I entered grades, visited with a few other teachers, organized the room, and began to get ready for the next day’s teaching, my classroom door swung open. Standing there was a student I hadn’t seen for quite a long time…I’ll call this boy, ‘Joey.’

As Joey strode into the room I found myself surprised to see him, especially so late in the evening. How had he gotten into the school? Why was he here? Joey walked straight up to me and threw out his arms, embracing me in a bear-type hug. It was then that he began to talk. I couldn’t believe just how big this boy had become since he’d been a chubby little fourth grader in my classroom some six years before. He’d become a fine young man, now in his second year of high school.

Joey talked, expressing several times just how much he loved being in my class as a 4^th grader. He reminisced about the voices I’d used for read-aloud, the assignments he’d had fun with, and just how much the room had stayed the same…though it was just a little bit smaller than he remembered. His face grew somber as he turned and looked me in the eyes. He began to thank me for the countless hours I’d spent on him; hours of working on assignments as well as tutoring him with reading.

He took a deep breath and then said, “I wanted to tell you something else…I wanted to let you know that I’m a good kid. I’m not perfect and I’ve done some stupid things in my life, but when I started to drive to the school tonight to visit you, I thought about how proud I was of the fact that I am a good kid, and I wanted you to know that. I’m not trying to toot my own horn or anything like that, and I hope you don’t think I’m being prideful, but I’m not doing drugs, I’ve got a lot of good friends, and I’m nice to people. I’m proud of myself and I wanted to let you know that, too, because, it was you who really made me the person I am today. I can remember all of the long hours you worked with me and helped me to love school. The things you taught me about being a good person. Well, I just wanted to thank you for that.”

It wasn't long before Joey’s cell phone rang…it was his mom. He needed to be home for dinner soon. I walked him out of the school; before he got into his car he gave me another hug, once-again expressing his gratitude. As I watched the taillights of Joey’s rover vanish into the darkness, I climbed into my own car and made the trip home over the icy streets of town, my head a flood of reflection. I had thought about Joey—on numerous occasions. He’s the type of student that teachers often think about…wondering: Was all the time I spent on him wasted?

I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me as I drove home; thankfulness for the time I’d chosen to spend on this particular child who had struggled with education for so many years. It was this same boy, ­now sixteen, who helped me to realize that the time we invest in others, though it may tax us to our very limits, can make the biggest difference. This time we spend is NEVER wasted.

In the words of Loren Eisley:

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “Don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach, and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said, “I made a difference for that one.”


This is exactly how Jason lived his life. He spent it, making a difference in as many lives as he possibly could, no matter how impossible it may have seemed to others, and even when others may have looked at his recipients as just a number... The beauty about Jason is that in his eyes, no one is just a number! Many people will greet him on the other side and thank him for reaching out to them and helping them to be so much more than they ever thought possible. I know I will! :) I think I'll write a small note to Jason, from me and all the other stars that he threw into the ocean as he struggled through his own life.

Dear Jason,
Thank you so much for reaching out and building up so many! Thank you for LOVING so unconditionally! And thank you for doing the impossible, and throwing us into the ocean, even though the task may have seemed impossible!

God be with you, till we meet again!
Your friends on earth and through eternity...

The Measure of A Great Man...

I am very honored to have been asked to write a tribute to a great man, and someone who has been one of my most cherished friends since childhood, Jason Frederick Zimmerman. I realize that my readers here may not know him. But I have chosen to post this here regardless, for me, and for him.

Jason has led an amazing life and developed many beautiful talents: photography, guitar, teaching, drawing (in his youth), writing, acting… Volumes can be written about these talents and many others that he developed throughout his life. It seemed that whatever Jason does, he does it well. But the talent I think of most when I think of Jason is one that I continually witnessed in his character when we were kids. Because I spent most of my time with him in our youth, I will take you back in time and give you a glimpse of him in his beginnings…

 



Letters, cards, a poster and a banner... He spoiled me! :)

Jason was an incredibly sweet kid. He had a crush on me when we were kids (beginning about 10-12, and yes, I fell for him later on). I hadn't grown into boys yet, so when he would give me little love notes I would burn them in the fireplace. The notes kept coming, and eventually mom talked me into keeping them; she said I would later enjoy looking back on them, so at about age 12, I started keeping the letters. Mom was right. I cherish those sweet letters still. :) I could never mention this before, so as to not embarrass him, but I don't think he will mind now. These letter are precious. He is precious. He was such a sweet boy with an incredibly big heart.

Jason had a knack for making others happy. I don't think he could stand to not be there for others… Uplifting, Serving, Encouraging, Sacrificing, Giving, and Forgiving…This is how Jason lived his life. He did it in his professional life. He did it in his personal life. I wonder how many people, like myself, counted HIM as their best friend BECAUSE NO ONE TREATED THEM BETTER or LOVED THEM MOORE THAN HE DID!

My favorite photo of him when we were 15

Looking back, Jason was the center of a small circle of very close friends that I was blessed to be a part of. He was the highlight of our lives! I looked forward to mutual each week - more for the time I would spend outside with him after the planned activity than for mutual (and I loved mutual!). He was so expressive and animated, and that drew me to him. I love the way he could come up with something cleaver and witty in an instant and made me laugh! His sense of humor is INCREDIBLE! He could have me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe! I also LOVE his enthusiasm; I am thankful to have caught it, and consider it my greatest asset; I will one day thank him for that. :D There are other things I also strive to emulate from my associations with Jason.

Jason has a way of making everyone feel special and important. He treats everyone with politeness and utmost respect. He always looked for the best in others. He was always smiling, always teasing, and always lifting the downward lips of others. And for as long as I have known him, Jason has been very quick to forgive. I recall the quarrels a friend and I had with each other in our youth. Jason was always the mediator who smoothed things out between us. Looking through an old letter he wrote to me I was reminded of his brief and gentle plea that I not be angry with her. His love and friendship are completely unconditional. Though we were both very young at this time, (and he was only 6 months older than me and treated me more than equal), he became, not only my best friend, but also my mentor – I will forever strive to be more like him!

About 15 yo... He was so good to me!

Jason’s empathy and kindness allowed him to know what others were going through, and he found creative ways to uplift and help his friends when we needed it most. If anyone was sad, he could be counted on to cheer them up and bring a smile to their face. I was delighted to find him continue this as an adult; I noticed that he used his blogging as another creative means to send uplifting messages to friends in their time of need. And I KNOW he will continue to bless the lives of others and find great joy in doing so.

In addition to the finely tuned character traits mentioned above, Jason always strove to do the right thing. Being a good person was always important to him. When things got hard and he felt the pressures of teen life on his shoulders, he would tell me of his struggles, expressing his desire to always do the right thing. And he always did. Sometimes he wrote me letters about his righteous desires. When he saw friends begin to sin, it was stressful for him because he cared so much about his friends, and hoped he would not make the same mistakes. His determination to do what is right has always been contagious and inspiring. I am a better person today because of his example and love him for it! :D

I found in my pile of old letters from Jason a poem titled “The Measure of Man.” I smiled as I read it, and then cried like a baby as I thought of how appropriate it was that I stored it with his childhood letters. I’d like to leave you this poem; along with the hope that the reflection of Jason’s life will leave us all inspired to stand a little taller…

The Measure of Man

Not – “How did he die?”

But – “How did he live?”

Not – “What did he gain?”

But – “What did he give?”

These are the units to measure the worth

Of a man, as a man, regardless of birth.

Not – “What was his station?”

But – “Had he a heart?”

And – “How did he play his God-given part?”

Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer?

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not – “What was his church?”

Nor – “What was his creed?”

But – “Had he befriended those really in need?”

Not – “What did the sketch in the newspaper say?”

But – “How many were sorry when he passed away?”

 Lillian B Rose

I know there are masses weeping over the temporary loss of the presence of Jason Frederick Zimmerman. All who know him love and respect him. I know I speak for many in saying that we sincerely thank our Father in Heaven for Jason's continued existence and the profound, eternal influence for good that he continues to have on so many.

Thank you Jason, for your legacy of seeing and bringing out the beautiful… not only through photographs, but especially in people. I hope you are blessed to read this from above. Know that you are dearly loved by many and continue to have a profound impact for good… Know that in our book, you measure very tall. :) Know that we love you, and that some will cease to fear death, knowing that you will be on the other side to greet them when they arrive. Thank you for being you. We love you Jason Fredrick Zimmerman!!!

My First Olympic Triathlon! :D

Click on my number for race results...

Hi! :D

Today I participated in my first Olympic distance triathlon! I have only been training for this for a short time so I have to remember that when comparing myself to the top racers (I started running in March of "11, but began learning to swim with my face in the water 5 months ago, and began biking again two months ago). Considering this - I am happy with the results! :)

I have a couple of friends who have (at my request) been praying for me concerning the triathlon I did today. This post is a letter to them as well as to the rest of you who are interested in how things went today...

Thank you for your prayers, they were answered! (Especially the one about not having problems swimming in the crowd. ;0)

About the crowds... I didn't have to worry about the crowds for the swim at all! :o I was doing what I do best (socializing) when I said goodbye to a couple people so they could catch their wave. I decided to go get a drink of water and get back on time for my wave 10 minutes later.

As I walked back to my water bottle I decided that as thirsty as I was, I should watch the current wave go so I can see what the start is like with 200 people and decide if I wanted to just wait a minute to start behind the rest of the wave. By the time I got to the beach everyone was out there swimming full force and I didn't notice anyone swimming over the tops of anyone else. But , something else caught my attention... NO ONE ON THE BEACH HAD A CAP THE SAME COLOR THAT I HAD! AHHHH! Only I would do this - and I seem to make sure to do something like this with this blond head of mine regularly!!! Long story short, I had a TON of room before me, with NO ONE in the water around me; it took a while to catch up with part of the crowd... :o

Despite the several minute delay, I had a blast swimming! :D 

And I had a blast biking (it was quite fun passing people when we went up hills - despite the fact that some caught up with me on the flats)! :D  

I'm not sure if I can say the run was a "Blast" but I had fun socializing some more and encouraging people who were struggling. One man told me I was "way too happy for this!" I passed him and saw him again after turning around and just before finishing the race. He then hollered out to me, "And you're still  smiling! ;)" Yeah... I think even the run was a blast! :)

My time was nothing to write home about (though to tell you the truth, I don't actually know what it is yet exactly - but think it was just under 3 hours); however, I gave it a good effort and felt really good about that. I earned my first professional massage, and a nap, and took both of them with gratitude and gladness! :D

Now, I hope all is well with you. As for me, it is time to go catch another nap before getting together with friends tonight... :)

 Hugs...
Corine :D

PS. I just remembered a favorite video I would love to share with you. Here is a story of a man who DOES have something to write home to family about! Enjoy! :D

Lessons from My Garden... :)

Hi friends! :)

This summer has been incredibly busy for me! I know I haven't taken much time to write here for some time, but as I look back at how much I have accomplished - it feels right. :) I know this won't last forever and I look forward to having more interaction with long distance friends again soon (thanks so much for patiently keeping me in your circle of friends! :D) 

By the way, do you remember those old gardening blog posts I used to write? The ones in which I was constantly learning and writing about life through gardening? Maybe you would like to hear a little more? LOL :D Because this year I have learned some very different things from before and I think it's worth remembering...

First of all, this year is the year I thought I would plant early and have a huge crop (since my garden beds were finished - with exception to getting new soil for the planters). OK, so I think that every year! :o LOL But you know what? This year, I didn't even FINISH planting. That's right. In addition to the planter boxes having nothing done with them, there was an entire bed that I had not planted it, with exception to one small corner. In that corner some of the plants died. I had many plants die this year... But I also had some unexpected pants come up as well. I think I'll tell you about the plants that died first, then about the plants I didn't plant...

It was really important to me to have GOOD SOIL, so I would not start my garden until I could get fertilizer for the soil. This is good, but I made a couple mistakes...

Mistake # 1: The reason that part of the garden was planted REALLY LATE and part of it WASN'T PLANTED AT ALL was simply because I was determined not to plant until I had fertilizer to create the "perfect" soil... even though it was way past time to plant. Looking back, I think the bare sections would have produced more than the nothing they are producing now even if I hadn't added fertilizer; don't you agree? So my first mistake was allowing high expectations that I didn't think I could meet - keep me from planting.

Reflecting on this, I realize I have entirely missed out in a few things in life waiting for the "perfect" opportunity - or the perfect situation - or the perfect "whatever" - I missed out on the first Annual Sprint Triathlon in Hayden (2011) on account of not being "perfectly ready" (I could have swam on my back in a wet suit! :o done it). It is good to have high expectations, but even better TO LIVE- To DO our best and be content with our best whatever it may be.. NOT ALLOWING HIGH EXPECTATIONS TO KEEP US FROM LIVING!

Mistake #2: Once I obtained the fertilizer I OVER APPLIED it. There was a time when I thought "more was better" and though I thought I learned that lesson I have come to realize that I had much more to learn on the matter. :o

When I first created my garden I followed instructions and placed the fertilizer down before the soil. This kept the fertilizer deep in the ground as the foundation, but away from the new young plants. I mixed a little compost soil with the fertilizer just up from the fertilizer, then had compost soil on top without fertilizer. This worked very well and none of my plants ever died.

This year I had to dig down into the soil to add the fertilizer, then place the soil back on top. When doing so, I decided to mix a little fertilizer in with the soil on top... I did not realize it at the time, but the purpose of having the fertilizer down deep is crucial to the plant's development. FIRST it encourages the plant to grow the roots DEEP to get to the fertilizer, thus making the plant stronger. SECOND, a new plant doesn't have the strength of an older plant and the FERTILIZER actually BURNS AND KILLS young plants! Young plants are NOT READY FOR FERTILIZER until they have grown some, which is another reason the fertilizer needs to be deep in the soil so plants can grow sufficiently strong before the roots reach the fertilizer. Just as babies need milk before meat... All thing need to be done in wisdom, order, and with patience. My friend Valerie kept me from injuring myself multiple times when I first started running with her. She knew that I needed to work my way up and train with wisdom and patience. Thank you Valerie!  :)

In addition to my garden having it's down's to learn from, it also has it's up's! :D (And these are my favorite lessons of all! :D) Since I knew I had only planted in a small corner of one of the beds, I only watered one corner of the bed. A few weeks went by and that corner began to grow while the rest remained barren. Then it began to rain - on the entire garden bed - including on the area in which I did not plant... To my surprise, seeds had spilled and were sprouting up. They were all in a little cluster with no room for the plants to grow large, but they were growing, and I hadn't even planted them! I was excited and hoped they might have time to grow produce, so I transplanted them, covering most of the rest of that garden bed. Now the plants are growing quickly and strong. And here are two more life lessons to be learned from my garden:

 *Like the the rest of the garden, these plants required very little effort on my part, 

and yet, I know they will give so much back. 

*Despite the fact that my garden isn't perfect and still has a couple barren spots,

  it is still beautiful and good!

I think the natural man in each of us can get overwhelmed rather easily. We see the BIG results that we want and we sometimes imagine that we will have to give up our entire lives and work harder than we have strength to work to make them happen - BUT IT ISN'T SO...

Just as Heavenly Father sends the rains, He sends the experiences we need in life, and people who have been there before and can show the way. All we have to do is BELIEVE Him, enough to obediently follow the few simple instructions He gives us, and He will cause our small efforts to produce great blessings!

Here again is one of my favorite quotes...

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you to not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future--to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities.

"God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe."

Jeffrey R. Holland

PS. I think all of this applies to my triathlon training as well as to any goal or ambition in life. As I set aside a small amount of time to consistently train, my skills and strength improve and I am able to do and be more than I was before. Isn't it awesome the way big results come from small daily actions? 

Have an awesome day!

Corine :D