What Does Your Name Mean?

What Karla Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's" Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

This was a fun thing that Julie did on her blog. I liked it, so I did it too. I think it is somewhat contradictive, though. How can I be a blazing type A and then chill in the next paragraph? Now I admit, I may have some A tendencies, but I am a total pleaser, too. So I hope I don't come across as authoritative. (I do know alot, though - just kidding!) Anyway, give it a shot. It's fun!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

This post is just a little trip down memory lane and a tribute to a wonderful father because today is his birthday. Yes, my dear old dad was a Valentine's gift to his mother. And she loved him so much that she gave him to her sister when he was born because she knew she was going to die in a very short time. He was raised in very poor circumstances, and lived in different homes with different families. Yet he says he loved his childhood. One thing I remember most about Dad is all the wonderful stories he would tell me about his growing up years. Last Saturday, I attended the world wide training meeting for all adult members in the church. It was a fantastic broadcast, with a big focus on family. As they talked about gospel centered homes, family prayer, family home evening, and spending time with our children, I sat there and wept as I thought of Mom and Dad and the amazing home they made together. Mom and Dad were together on everything - we had family prayer morning and evening. We actually knelt around our table before breakfast (I don't know any families that eat breakfast together nowadays) and before dinner. This memory is something I cherish. They never questioned "shall we go to church today?" It was something that we just did and it was a way of life. They both served diligently and completely in every calling, teaching us that serving the Lord was important and we should do it because we love Him. They taught us to work, by working with us in the home, in the yard, and on school projects. I loved getting the "worm sticks" and smashing the big fat tomatoe worms in the garden. Dad used to take me on his milk route, which I loved. We spent many happy times together as we went to the stores to pull out the milk into the case for people to buy. He would always buy me a treat, or we would sneak a carton of egg nog during Christmas time and down it together. How I loved going with my Daddy. Mom and Dad taught us to pay tithing, which they always did willingly. They taught us about faith, priesthood blessings, going to the temple. I used to love watching Mom press their temple clothing before they would go. We learned to have fun together. As kids, we had bikes, roller skates, scooters, and a really neat pogo stick. We went on some really marvelous vacations every summer, which they saved for and planned for many months. They taught us never to go into debt, but to save and pay for the things we wanted. They were never extravigant, but we never went without. I never wanted for anything as a child growing up in their home. I like this old picture of our family, but LaRue is not in it. It is an old polaroid. I loved that doggie shirt that I was wearing. Mom and Dad are young and beautiful! They were always a strong couple, and I never worried about the solidarity of my home. I love this old reassembled photo. It shows the way LaRue used to wear rollers in her hair all the time. It shows Janet's beautiful attitude about family trips. (I believe we were on the way to Tennessee this particular summer.) David is trying to tell Janet to straighten up, as he still does today, and I am just smiling in oblivion, and trying to have straight hair (like Janet). Mom is holding her trusty purse, wearing a homemade dress and sneakers, as was her custom.

This photo of dad was taken at the park in Syracuse, the fall after Rod and I were married. Isn't he so handsome! This photo of Mom and Dad was taken when we went to the circus at the E-center. I thought it was the Delta Center, so we were almost late!

Here is Dad with all of his children, taken just this past Christmas. It was so good to get together. And here is Dad with ALL of his Grandchildren. Don't know if this shot will ever happen again!

Dad, I cannot express my love for you in an adequate way. Just know that I love you. You have always been there for me throughout my entire life. I thank Heavenly Father for giving me such wonderful parents, and such a loving, kind, and faithful father. Thanks, Dad!

Pantry Update

First of all, Becca said I should post this picture of Rod and me from last night's birthday celebration because it's cute. So here we are. Here is the pantry all painted and ready for shelves. Here are some of the shelf parts. Rod got one completely put together tonight while I was at the church doing the monthly Visiting Teaching report. It is so exciting!

Airport, Rain, Birthday

Sunday night we had to pick Becca up at the airport. Her flight was late, of course. It was late leaving on Friday, too. The delays get old... Anyway, there was this big rush of people trying to get out after the Superbowl, so I took some shots of the line at the security checkpoint while we waited for Becca to land.

Monday, it rained and I just love the rainy sky. There was a wonderful rainbow and the sunset colored the clouds with pastel shades. This is what it looked like up over my house about 5:30.

After I painted the pantry we, went to Becca's future freshman night at 6:30 at Centennial High School. Rod met us there. We really enjoyed the presentations and Becca is very excited about high school next year. She knows exactly what she wants to do and will be pursuing a nursing career with the help of the CTE department on her campus.

We then took our goofy kids to the Texas Roadhouse Grill for a prime rib dinner for Rod's Birthday. I had them scrunch together so I could get a picture. Aren't they cute teens? I hope that light above Becca's head is not a thought bubble . . . Bud Light? She's gotta have better stuff coming out of that little brain than that!Here is the Birthday Boy riding the saddle. He was not too thrilled that we let them know it was his birthday, but he was a good sport and we all had a great dinner and a good time together. I really love my family. And times like this are treasured memories. It was fun to spend the evening together.

Pursuing the Panty Project

Our rotating shelves arrived this week, all boxed up. So today was the day to begin the pantry project.

Here is the pantry, the way it looked when I started. I had to move ALL this stuff: cans, boxes, paper stuff, drinks, pasta, flour, sugar, emergency packs, holiday decorations, etc. etc.

This is how the pantry looked when It was emptied out! This pantry was a major selling point for this house because you cannot store food stuffs in the garage in AZ. It just gets too hot!

This is how my kitchen table and one corner of the kitchen looked after I emptied the pantry out. This is how part of the garage floor looked. I had to get Nick to help with the high shelves so I would be done in time for to sit down and watch President Hinckley's funeral on the internet. Thanks for your help, Nick! Just as the funeral ended, Rod got home from work.

When Rod saw that I had kept my promise to empty the pantry, he started right in on taking out the shelves. He sent me to Home Depot (more than once!) to get sheet rock mud, tools, and paint so we could fix the walls before we put our new shelves in.

The walls looked pretty bad once the shelves were removed so...

Sheet rock mud to cover the lines. It stays pink until it dries, then turns white. Pretty cool! While the mud was drying we snuck away to the Chocolate Festival and then had dinner at the Golden Corral. Believe it or not, they have some really good food at this one - Black Angus fillet mignon. It was melt-in-your mouth tender and I love their mashed potatoes.

This is how the stripes look after we textured them when we got back from the Chocolate Festival and dinner. Now we have to let that dry, put on primer, and paint. I'll keep you posted on the rest of the project. Guess it will have to wait until Monday though. I just hope I don't go crazy with pantry stuff everywhere!

Wow!

Last Saturday, Rod gave me this gorgeous bouquet of flowers. In the center were these "pod" things. As I added water on Thursday, this is what I finally noticed: the pods had opened up into these stunning yellow lilies. Aren't they something? I mean they just took over the whole vase! They are so bright and cheerful! Once again, thanks Rod. And, as you can see, there are still a few more of the pods. I hope they all open. This bouquet has been so long lasting and gorgeous! The only flowers that have wilted are the orange mums.

Can you tell I love fresh flowers?