Done

Wow, 126 blog posts for 2012! 
For two months I participated and accomplished my goal.  There were some positive outcomes to these two blogging challenges:

• I have created a habit of regular blogging
• I cleared off my desk out of shame
• Began scanning my family history pictures
• Shared some family history research stories
• Shared some family history on this blog

Hope you have enjoyed the posts and thank you for your comments. 


 

Quote

"Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are."
-- St. John Chrysostom

Books

picture from here

Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. 

My fifteen favorite books in no particular order:

1. Roots
2. Book of Mormon
3. D&C
4. Little Women
5. The Work & the Glory (volumes 1-9)
6. The Hiding Place
7. Two From Galilee
8. Escape
9. Gone with the Wind
10. People of the Lie
11. Angela’s Ashes, ‘Tis, & Teacher Man
12. Stones from the River
13. The Miracle of Forgiveness
14. How Green was My Valley
15. The Diary of Anne Frank

Gratitude

Things I am grateful for:

• The dear friend who brought over home made lasagna, who even though she knocked and I didn't answer the door, checked and walked right in.  I needed her but was too down to answer the door.
• The sweet little waitress in San Diego who served clam chowder with lemons and Tabasco sauce. Yummy.  That's the only way I can now eat clam chowder.
•  Life Insurance.  It has eased my path down the grief road.  I am very blessed.
• Learning how to use power tools and to mud sheet rock.
• Travel to Florida with my BFF
• Travel to Hawaii with another BFF
• Travel to Las Vegas and Yellowstone with two of my BFF's
• Grandchildren who were just with their papa Joe, and now are in my arms.
• The plan of Salvation, temple sealings and my faith in God
• My children
• The Internet that allows me connect with the outside world.
• My mission at the Family History Library, it has given my life meaning and service.
• Home teachers who come and visit each month
• DVR
• My BMW and never ever ever having to find my keys!!!
• Learning to play the piano 
• Hugs from my grandchildren
• Good neighbors
• A warm bath
• A quilt and a cool breeze while I sleep
• My IPad

Grief

The reason we have trouble getting through our grief is that the grief gets in our way!*

In-other-words,
--it is difficult to heal and live, when in fact it is the very pain, sadness, and anger from the grief that prevents us.

Or,
--it is like trying to shut the door to keep out the rain, but the strength of the wind prevents you from closing the door.

And,
--darn it is just extremely difficult and hard;

But,
--not impossible.

*(A Rumor of Angels, 2000)

My family

This cutie little boy

married this cute little girl

and these are their beautiful children

Shoes

"The eyes can mislead, a smile can lie, but the shoes always tell the truth...only an incredibly shallow insecure woman would rather be in pain all day long, than wear a descent looking comfortable shoe."
--Gregory House, episode 22.

In other news. . .

Just hear me out for one second.  This is what I have been dealing with this week:

• broken water lines
• plumbers and more plumbers
• insurance companies regarding auto accident
• taxes
• computer virus'
• stolen credit card number & various charges

Can I get a big "BOOOOOOWHOOOOOOO"?
Thank you!
When it rains it pours, and I know that everyone has to deal with this kind of crap, and I know I have it better than many, but worse than others.  Not really trying to complain or get sympathy (alright sympathy welcomed) just needed to let the world know to BACK OFF!!!

This is when I really need to remember the quote from President Monson, "don't be weary in well doing" because it is times like this I want to put up my dukes and fight it out.  "Well doing" for me is being diplomatic, patient, and understanding; it's not my nature but I'm trying.

Thanks for listening peeps and I sincerely hope your week is going better.

Things I'm grateful for:
1.  New grandson about to be born
2.  My oldest daughter for coming through for me
3.  Through all of this, being strong enough to still not cry 

Quote

“Don’t cry because it’s over; 

smile because it happened.” 

~ Dr Suess

Just for today,

It's all relative,

Everything I am today is because of what I have been through.
The woman I am;
The friend I am;
The daughter I am;
The person I am.

Each experience has left an imprint on me.
A scar, gray hair, memory, feeling, wrinkle. . .
I am engraved, molded, and shaped,
 by the impressions and experiences in my life.

Name

Janet Howie Roberts  Picture taken in (1917)

I was named after my great grandmother Janet Howie Roberts.
I never appreciated my name until I began doing family history work.
The more I learned about my great grandmother, the more I respected her and my name.

The Isaac Roberts & Janet Howie family:


Here is just a little of what I know about her:

• She was born and raised in County Durham, England
• Her father, brothers, and husband were all coalminers.  
• She had 13 children, and buried four of them.
• On St. Patrick’s Day, 17 March 1911, Janet's three-year-old daughter, Mary Elizabeth died. Two days later Janet's second daughter, Sarah Ann died.  Janet buried both of her little girls on the same day. (numbers 38 & 39 in the above picture)
• Janet's first three sons, Hugh, James (my grandfather), and Percy, all served in WWI and her younger son, Isaac served in WWII.  (numbers 26, 24, and 28 in the above picture)
• In 1906, at age 38, she traveled from England with her husband and seven children.  The youngest was 4 months old. 
• Three months after the family’s arrival to the U.S. her little son Willie, died just two days before the family’s first Christmas in Rock Springs, Wyoming. Willie had been sick since they arrived in the US.
• Janet liked to knit and many of the pictures we have today have her children and grandchildren wearing those knitted hats.  (see below)

• In addition to her own 13 children, she raised two of her grandchildren.
• Janet died four years after her husband.
• Janet is buried in Rock Springs, Wyoming next to her husband and her three young children.