It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

It's been a while since I last posted. I can't sleep tonight (too much pain), so I thought that maybe I could do a short post.

We have our outside pretty much finished up on the decorating. The tree is up and decorated inside. We went artificial this year. Too many allergies. The cat is wreaking havic on my tree skirt!

Sunday was our annual Smith family Gingerbread House/Christmas Party. It was fun. We did our white elephant gift exchange. This year, we went a little more serious on the gifts. They were not silly. No electric toilet paper. No Butt Paste. There were several gift cards and some games. The kids did their left right game with their exchange. They all enjoy it and it is fun to watch them get confused!

Tonight we did some Christmas baking. We made fudge, choc chip cookies, Rice Krispies treats, a Chex mix, and dipped pretzels. I think we are going to do some more tomorrow night. This is where my pain tonight is coming from. Too much fun!

I have all my Christmas shopping done and wrapped and under the tree. It feels good to be ahead of the game this year.

Anyway, that's it for now. Until later...

This 'N That

Don't faint! I decided to post again in less than one week! What is the world coming to?

We we to 2 missionary farewells yesterday. The first one was for my nephew Curtis Jarman. The second one was a young man in our Ward that Michael has grown up with, Jordan Shill. Curtis is going to Long Beach, CA, Spanish speaking and Jordan in going to Milan, Italy. Both of them leave Wednesday morning, November 19, 2008.

Both farewells were good. I had a very had time staying awake in the second one. Not because of the speakers, but because I was just plain tired. We went over to my brother Doug's house (which is really my parents house) for a lunch/dinner. They had really, really good Mexican food. I think I over indulged! When we got home, I went to bed. It was only 7 o'clock.

Michael spent this afternoon and evening with Curtis. They have been pretty close for all of their lives. I think Michael is sad about Curtis leaving. But maybe he will be next?

We got our Christmas money from the CU on Friday. Roger took it back to the CU today and cashed it. WooHoo! We can do some shopping now! I just wish I knew what to get for people. Any suggestions?

Today at work, I was observed by my "supervisor". I was pretty nervous, but she didn't rip me apart like I was afraid she would. She actually had more positive things to say about me than negative. Whew! Maybe I will still have a job?

Well, that's it for now. Until later...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

Today is a first. It is my mother's birthday. The first one since she passed away. She would have been 81 years old. It has been almost 5 months. While most of the time, it feels like the time has flown, there are some days that all I do is think of her and miss her.

I wish that I had a talent for words so that I could make things sound good. But, alas, that is not one of my few talents. Unfortunately, the computer with my pictures of my mom has crashed, so I can't put pictures in this post. I was able to get this one from her obituary.

She was a wonderful person and a great mother. She had many challenges in her life, but managed to work through them. She had polio as a child but was able to overcome most of the effects of that. Although, later in life, she had what they call "post polio syndrome". This brought her a lot of pain. I think, looking back, that she tried to cover up most of the pain she felt. Because of the polio, she had some difficulty walking. But, she didn't let that get in her way.

While she was not "educated" (she dropped out of high school) she was a very smart woman. She ran a couple of businesses with/for my dad. Here she picked up more smarts.

She always told us that she didn't have any talent. She proved herself wrong. Once we were all gone from home, she developed some fine talents. She could paint very well. She loved crafts. She could sing, although that is her talent that she "always" had.

I think the best talent she had was teaching the gospel by her example. She let us know as we were growing up that she loved her Savior and Heavenly Father. She showed us this by the way she put 150% into any calling she ever had in the church. She loved the gospel.

She loved Dad and made him happy (most of the time). She loved having her family around her. She loved to laugh. She loved to sing. She loved life. She loved being a mother and grandmother.

I am so grateful to have had such a loving mother. She taught me the most important things in life. I didn't realize until after I was married and had children, just how much she taught me. There were many times I would call her and thank her for the things she did.

I am very grateful for the knowledge that I have of the "plan of salvation". For the knowledge that I will be able to see her and be with her again. I don't know how I could have made it through these last months without that knowledge.

So, for now, I will say, Happy Birthday, Mom. I hope you have and great day. I love and miss you so much! Til later...

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH DEAR!

On November 9, 1977, my first lovely daughter, Sarah, was born. She entered this world at 9 lbs 2 oz (my smallest baby). She had lots of strawberry blond hair. She was such a cutie and it was love at first sight.

Sarah has always been such a joy in our family. As a little girl, she would line up her "babies" on the floor and put disposable diapers under them. That's how she diapered her babies. She loved to tease her older brothers. She would taunt them with something of theirs until they noticed, then she would take off running.

Growing up, she was kind of shy out in public (definately not at home!). School was her own special social event. I don't remember ever having trouble getting her to go to school. That's where her friends were.

She and her 2 older brothers and her sister were very good friends growing up. They always played well together. I am glad that she still has that association with them now.

Sarah got married at the ripe old age of 19. One day before her 20th birthday. She had found the love of her life on the internet. They celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary yesterday.

She has grown into a beautiful person, inside and out. She is such a good wife and a wonderful mother of four. She is very crafty and is a perfectionist in all she does. She is a great cook (I envy her that) and is always looking for new recipes for her family. She takes her callings in the Church seriously and does them well.

I am so grateful that I was chosen to be her mother. She teaches me so many things. She is a natural.

So, on this special day, Sarah, I want to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and may this day be special forever. I love you, Mom.

Random Thoughts

Well, I decided that it was about time to write something again. I'm not real good at this blog thing. There hasn't been much to say for a while.

My Uncle Glenn passed away on Oct. 23. He lived in Midland, Texas. He left the Church when he was a young man and joined the Catholic Church. He lived in New Jersey all my growing up years, so I only met him a couple or three times. His wife was a former nun and she passed away in 1990. He has only one surviving son and he is a Catholic priest. So, the Jarman line ends on that branch with my cousin Glenn Michael. He lives in Texas and so we haven't been able to get to know him. He knows nothing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I find that extremely sad.

Work has been very busy and sometimes crazy. Today, I was working with one of my kindergarten groups and the little girl had two big green globs hanging out of her nose. I told her to go blow her nose. She got up and did it. Then she brings the tissue and puts it next to me OPENED up! I told her to throw it away. She did and came and sat back down. Then I saw that she had green smeared all over one cheek. I about pucked! I was so grossed out. UGH!!

We have had a lot of car problems this week. One car has windows that won't roll up. The other one had a fuel pump go out. Of course we were at the Pointe at Tapitio in WAAAAAY north Phoenix when it decided to stop working! Crazy weekend.

We missed the "state" conference on Sunday because of no transportation. I had really wanted to go. I hear it was very good.

We voted on Tuesday and we are not excited about our future. We have decided that we will try to give our new president-elect the benefit of the doubt. The only good thing about it is that possibly we will get a new governor out of it.

The marriage proposition passed. That was good. Although some are "blaming" it on the Mormons. What, the Mormons were the only Church to speak out about it? I never saw any signs on a Mormon church yard. I saw plenty on Baptists, Catholic, non-denominational, etc. But we get all the blame. Huh!

Well, it's getting late and I need to get to bed. So, until later...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARY LOU!

Today is my "little" sister Mary's birthday. I will be kind to her and not reveal her age. I want to dedicate this blog to her on her special day. I don't have any pictures with just her, but I do have a couple that I don't think she has with some of us.

The Jarman cousins LtoR:
Chris, Mary, Doug, Mark, Alan, Linda, Robie
(We were too poor for shirts!)
1955

Mary and Robie
1958'ish

Jarman Kids
1958'ish

When we were young, (I can hardly remember that far back!), we used to use our imaginations for playing games. In the summer time, when the "monsoon" arrived and we would have wonderful dust storms, we would get our little red wagon and pretend that we were pioneers trudging across the plains. We would place our arms across our foreheads to block out the dust. You probably had to be there.

We also used to "wash" our hair in the wagon using rain water. It's a good thing we had such a good mother, because I don't remember her ever getting mad at us for that. I think I would have yelled at my kids for the same thing.

I remember Mary letting me get into her bed at night when I couldn't sleep. I was a woose and she was brave. I had lots of trouble sleeping even as a kid. When I was scared, she would hold my hand. She was always a better sister than me.

Growing up, we fought like cats and dogs. As we left home and started our own lives, we became very close. We used to get together with our young children and bake or do crafts. It was always at her house because mine was too big a mess!

We both used to work for American Greetings putting out cards. We would get together and help each other sometimes and then we would "do" lunch. We always had such fun!

I miss that closeness now. She has moved to Utah and we don't get to see each other often. Our lives have drifted apart physically, but I still feel very close to her. I have always counted her as one of my best friends.

So, Mary, I hope if you read this that today will be extra special for you. I hope that your pain will lessen at least for one day. May you enjoy the day and hear from all those who love you. I love you.

Robie.

Birthdays

Today was my birthday. It started out kind of rocky for me. I woke up this morning smelling my mother. I don't know if she was near me, or if my subconscious was playing tricks. Anyway, it made my first thing in the morning rather emotional. This is the first time that she has not called and sung "Happy Birthday" to me.
Then my friend called to wish me happy birthday and to see if I was ok. She said she had a feeling I wasn't. She is too perceptive.

Anyway, I have talked to each of my children. My husband remembered (he wrote himself a note). I got an email from one brother and a voicemail from one sister. My dad called and sang to me and yes, I got emotional again. He has always sung it with Mom.

Everyone at work remembered me (of course, they announced it in the morning announcements!). A friend took me to lunch and we met another friend that we used to work with at Kino Jr. High.

All in all, it was a very nice day. I got flowers, candles, chocolate, scrapbook stuff, and gift cards to the scrapbook store. Sarah made a wonderful meal on Sunday for my birthday and Christopher and Jill made a cake.

I truly am blessed by those around me. I just wish I wasn't getting old!

Well, that's it for now. Until later...