No Love Affair

Well, I tried two new-to-me yogurts today.  a) Dannon's Oikos brand peach at the bottom Greek flavor and b) Chobani raspberry.

Oikos:

•  I read several raving reviews about this brand.
• First bite was okay.  Tangy, with only a hint of the peach bits and jam-like flavor at the bottom.
• After mixing, the sweetness was overwhelming and the over-all taste was not at all what I seek in a yogurt.  
• It was very distasteful to me.  
• I won't buy any more.

Chobani--don't remember reading up on this brand prior to the "taste" offered me at Sam's Club

• First bite good.  Actually a little similar to the Oikos.  (I was, however, expecting the "strawberry flavor" the sample hostess mentioned that it was supposed to be.  It was definitely raspberry.)
• It was far less gaggingly sweet and far more enjoyable than the Oikos brand.

There is no love affair with either brand I tasted today, though I would try the Chobani stuff again.  Except for the fact that I love the "The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt" hands down over all other brands sampled to date.

I know everyone of the three or five wonderful folks that find their way to my blog have been waiting with baited breath for this update in the Yogurt World of Taste. *note heavy sarcasm in voice*

Please, feel free to share a little about your own favorites, if you have any.  This is NOT a contest.  And you don't have to be having a love affair with any particular type/brand of yogurt.  Or food. Like I do.

Ready to Scream

This post was drafted almost a year ago.  I had to calm down--obviously--before posting it.  After reading it again a day or two ago, I realized that the entity whose name I'd included could be switched with some other "vendors' names."  I chose to delete it that you might insert your own favorite/anti-favorite provider's name.  I think the problem is rather (unfortunately) somewhat universal.

This is how that original post began:

I'm counting to ten, for the tenth time and I'm still about to boil over.  Can I just say that I loath contacting *** insert name for your anti-favorite huge conglomerate phone or other provider of services customer service phone number** * for ANY reason?  It is the worst merry-go-round/house of horrors.  Repeatedly.  I've made four or five calls already today by 8:30 am.  Spent over 1 hour on-line trying to find my billing statement and/or talking to their agents seeking help for the same.

First call: couldn't tell me where I could find my bill on-line, even though I'd already logged in, been "greeted" and still couldn't get to the "right place" to see my bill.  (And this was all after receiving four, (count them, 4) copies of the same bill email with a freaking link to click on to see my bill!)  The problem was . . . the link only took one to the billing site for ***see the above***  mobile customers.  Which I am not, nor ever plan to be!!!  (I think I posted something about that a year or three ago.  Don't remember, but I'll check on it.)  The rep sent my call to "someone who can help you with that".  Uh-huh.  NOT.

Second call:  the one I was transferred to:  the answer to all their queries:  Nada.  Didn't apply.

Third call:  Lovely young sounding voice, asked up front, "How can I help you feel like a valued ***see above*** customer today?"  My cranky response was, "Sounds like a really tall order, to me."  She asked a few more questions about my "problem" and so I began to civilly (I honestly tried my best) explain my frustrations.  After a bit, I noticed there was dead air coming through my receiver.  Let me tell you, that made me feel ESPECIALLY valued by ***you-know-who***!!!!!!!!!  Can you feel it, too?

Fourth call:  Got a Southern gentleman who actually got down to business and tried to help find the reasons my bill was 40 some dollars more than last month.  (Yes, I know I called Germany--to visit with my brother.  And yes, I know that call cost me $6.66.) That does not a $40 increase make.  Then he located some charges connected with a modem I'd had replaced in late October.  (When I called Tech Support about the dead/dying modem there was not the teeniest mention of charges.  I assumed it was still under warranty.  I should have asked, I know, but I stupidly trust people to tell me that they're going to charge me for something if there's a charge attached, and how much that charge will be.  Again.  Nada.  [I LOVE those people.])  He said he tried to give me credit for the charges, but because they came from Tech Support, THEY would have to cancel/credit my account for the "undisclosed charges" to my account.

Fifth call:  Tech Support person:  Sorry ma'am.  We have nothing to do with billing.  We can't change anything.  You have to speak with the billing department.  I just spoke with billing and they said YOUR department had to take care of it because YOUR department charged my account.  I'm sorry, Miss ___,  I can transfer you to billing and you can talk with them.  I think I just mentioned that they're the ones I've been talking with and they said YOUR department would have to reverse the charges, or whatever, since your department is the one that billed me in the first place--without telling me you were doing so.  Miss ___, we can't do anything about billing.  You'll have to talk with them.  Would you like me to transfer you?  I can't see what good that will do.  I've been on the phone with ***___*** people all morning.  I have other things I need/have to do.  I can't stand the merry-go-round ***___*** has working against its customers.  They treat customer service as a joke and send customers in circles until they run out of time/tenacity and hope they'll just give up.  I know YOU personally are not the problem, but it frustrates me to no end.  But, you have a Merry Christmas.  I did mean it.  Sincerely.

I don't have time.  I need to get dressed and go clean the Church.  In thirty minutes.  I'll post this later.  After I've cooled down and edited it.  Pray for me.  It IS Christmas time after all.

Well, it was Christmas time.  And I have been paying for that modem a little each month.  Now, if only the equipment will continue to work past the final payment . . .

Do you ever wonder where the old work ethic vanished?  Where choice and accountability disappeared?  Where smoke and mirrors kind of operations were normally referred to as "snake oil" deals?  We've slipped onto a treacherous down-slide into "no-fault" stickers on everything.  Integrity is still out there, but not so many people seem to have an honest (yeah, pun) "integrity" sticker on them these days.  So many people seem to be "working the system" for personal gain never thinking of the havoc they are creating for everyone/anyone else.  So, I commend everyone who strives for honesty and integrity above all.  Humility goes a long way, too.  And I need to work on that one, for sure.  Thanks for letting me vent.  There are still good people everywhere, I know.  I just want to find them more frequently.  And continue to strive to be one of them myself.

I Just May Be Addicted

I'm not in the habit of advertising but I have become somewhat addicted to something edible, delicious and good for you.  One of my daughters had mentioned that Greek Yogurt was superior in taste, etc., to the normal yogurts on the shelves at the grocery stores.  I might have had a taste of one she was eating and thought, yeah, that's pretty good, and then shrugged and gone on.

Last week, however, I needed to find yogurt that included more of the probiotics for good gut health and I went looking.  I found a large variety including Yoplait brand, which I've been eating and enjoying for years, and Activia and others.  (Both those brands are good.)  I have liked yogurt since I was introduced to it over 40 years ago by a guy from the mid-east.  And that was just the plain-jane variety without any added flavor.

As I continued scouring the shelves for something different, I found just a few cups of "The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt" on the shelf.  I remembered watching a commercial or two for that brand recently on TV, so I thought, why not try it?  I picked up a couple of Pomegranate flavor, and a couple of Honey flavor the first day.  I tried the Pomegranate.  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!  I was so overwhelmed, melted and madly in love I can't begin to tell you!  It was thick.  It was rich. The flavor was subtle.  It was a little more acidic than I was used to.  It was in a word:  delicious!  I was smitten.  I fell in love! I want to eat it all the time. But, I did share it with my husband . . . because I loved him first.  He really likes it, too.  I doubt he'd say he was smitten, overwhelmed, melted or madly in love with any particular yogurt, but he does really like it. 

I've bought several more cups of the pomegranate, honey and vanilla-cinnamon-orange flavors and the large family size of the honey-strawberry.  They are all good.  Pomegranate is the favorite flavor of the three my husband has tried. This morning I tried the vanilla with cinnamon and orange.  I don't think I've purchased any of the plain, but I will.  I assure you, I will!

The only drawback . . . if there is one . . . it costs more than twice as much as our regular brand.  However, I will still purchase, eat and enjoy it whenever I can.  For good gut health.  If nothing else.  *smile*  Yes.  Totally for good gut health.  *nods head in affirmation*  Absolutely for good gut health.  and TASTE.  Yum.  Who knew good gut healthy food could also be so delicioso?  Mmmmmm.  Mmmmeeee.  That's who!  Now.

So, if (when) they (The Greek Gods Greek Yogurt folks) EVER come up with a mango lasse (or lassi) flavor I might just die and go to heaven!!!  For those of you who have not been initiated, a mango lasse is a yogurt based drink.  It's thick, orange, sweet and habit forming.  It's made with yogurt, mashed mangos and some sugar, I think.  It is habit forming--in case I  haven't already mentioned that.  I had my first taste seven or eight years ago, it was okay, but this past May at a little Indian restaurant in Provo, Utah, I had my second and third cups of the wonderful, refreshing, addictive stuff.  It was to die for, too.  Who knew that yogurt could be so heavenly?  Well, I do. Now.  Aaaaaahhhhhhh! *smile*

An Amazing Friend

I have an incredible friend.  Her name is Susan.  I’ve known her for about 26 years.  This woman is a few years older than I, not that you’d know it by looking at her or all that she does.  She puts me to shame! Big time!

I don’t know how to explain what I mean any better than by listing what I know of some of her accomplishments/daily activities.  Please bear with me.

            She is and does the following:

• wife of 48 years to the same husband
• a mother of 1 daughter and 4 sons—who all, but the youngest, live far from here
• a grandmother of 14 grandchildren
• owns her own business (jointly with her husband) which employs at least 10 employees
• is indispensable to her husband’s fireworks business which provides employment for many, many others in a broad geographical area
• is thoughtful, kind and generous
• donates her time to the small community where she was born and raised as their Mayor of 18 years
• cooks a hot mid-day meal for her employees each of the 6 days/week her business is open—before coming to work
• donates her time/talents to Church service (we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has a lay ministry, and are not paid for services rendered)
• as the organist—for about 25 years now
• pianist for the choir and anything at other times she’s asked—I don’t know how many years
• recently taught a lesson in Relief Society (the women’s organization) at least once each month
• has presided as the President or a Counselor of our Ward’s (congregation) Relief Society
• has presided as the President or a Counselor of our Ward’s Primary (the children’s organization)
• has served as the Ward and Stake choir director
• has served as the Stake (similar to a Catholic diocese) Music Chairman—which oversees the various Wards and Branches (units or congregations organized within the Stake)
• supported her husband’s various callings as Bishop, Stake President’s Counselor, Bishop’s Counselor and a host of other callings he’s had throughout their marriage—which means she’s had to do without his help with their small children during Church meetings for most of their marriage
• has encouraged me through all my callings, particularly in the music area—‘cause I don’t have her talent/training!
• cared for her mother for many years when her health required daily assistance (her Mom was 98, I think, when she died)
• visits one of her older siblings (who is about 15 years her senior) in the nursing home each day—7 days a week, in the community I live in
• ALWAYS went to each band event EACH AND EVERY one of her children participated in throughout their public school and college years—no matter how far they traveled!
• has a great sense of humor
• is not above perpetrating practical jokes on people she knows well
• keeps a large home (it’s large to accommodate her children/grandchildren when they come to visit) neat and clean—always!
• keeps up her yard—along with her husband
• has opened her home to her sisters-in-law and other family members who were displaced for a while following Hurricane Rita, back in 2005—the one people didn’t hear so much about because of all the press on Katrina hitting New Orleans, but was just as devastating—and one of those sisters-in-law lived with her for about a year when her health required daily help
• Does without sleep most of the time—I’m convinced!!!
• Her sister-in-law described her like this:  “Susan is the most well organized, disciplined person I know. And she’s tireless.”

As much as she has a great sense of humor, she is also very much a no-nonsense person when it comes to matters that require seriousness—adhering to the laws of God and man.

Susan scared me to death when I first came to live and attend Church here.  Her husband was the Bishop at the time.  I mostly saw the no-nonsense side of her—at first.  I knew she loved children and working with them.  Still she wouldn’t tolerate them being irreverent during time for serious lessons, but she’d play with them during music time with fun songs.

I am from a different background than she.  She, as I mentioned above, is still living in the same community she was born and raised in—right next door to her parent’s home.  She does not like to travel, though her business requires it once or twice a year.  I was born 1500 miles from here and raised all over, and I love to travel.  She hates to speak in public—to a group—like even in Church—where she knows everyone and has known them for most of her/their lives.  I don’t mind at all.  (I know.  Something’s wrong with me!)  She is not comfortable teaching in Relief Society, etc.  (She’s a VERY GOOD teacher who spends a lot of prep time on each lesson.)  I, on the other hand, LOVE to teach in Church.

Susan did something back in November 1994 that touched me deeply and taught me what a good, thoughtful, kind, “in-tune” person she is.  My father had just died.  Our oldest child was in Utah going to school there as a brand new college freshman.  We were leaving shortly—driving our three younger children to Utah.  In wintery weather.  (My husband is a native Louisiana boy—hates driving in winter weather—period.)  So, that afternoon as we were madly packing for a road trip to Utah in the winter, Susan came to the front door and said, “I’m not too late, am I?”

Then she went back to her car and proceeded to gather up bags and bags of goodies for us to snack on during the 2 1/2  day drive.  I was in shock.  I was so touched by her thoughtfulness.  I thanked her.  And she said, “It’s not much.  I wasn’t sure what your family liked.  I hope something in there will be something you’ll like.”  (We were leaving soon and I hadn’t yet gotten anything to take with us to snack on and didn’t know if I’d even have time.)  And then she was gone.

Even more impressive to me was this:  Every treat she brought was something particularly enjoyed by one or all of us.  I don’t now remember any more about the specifics of the contents of those bags—there were so many bags of goodies!  (I think we ate those goodies for weeks, even after we got back home!)  But I came to understand that Susan, in that instance had prayed for guidance to get snacks we’d like—and she’d received guidance from a loving Heavenly Father to bless a family that had no clue she was so aware of us in our time of need.

I’ve come to know that Susan prays a lot about a lot of things.  She cares about a lot of people and has a great love of the Savior, Jesus Christ.  She’s dedicated to living as He taught/teaches us to live.  I believe that’s what gives her the strength to do all that she does, provides her with the continued faith to persevere through the many trials and tribulations she faces day in and day out.

You might think Susan is a fictional character.  I assure you, she is not. There may be hundreds of women like her in the world, but she’s the only one like her that I know.

I love this sister, this woman of great faith and good works.  She’s one of my greatest heroes.   (Or is that heroines?)  I’d like to be more like her.  I need to be more like her.

Share with me what you know of people like Susan, or at least, who your heroes/heroines are and why.  

Just a Taste

A couple of weeks ago we took a side road, one we'd speculated on taking a number of times in the past, but never had the "time" to do it.  Yet, this time we did!  We actually visited Arches National Park.  And loved it.  It seemed like we'd raced through in the 4 hours we spent being awed at every turn.

These rock figures make me think of sentinels, with a Star Wars kind of look, sort of.

There are several formations in the park that perform various types of balancing acts--like this one above.

This is another of those balancing stones that we saw from various angles.

Low and behold, this is an actual arch in Arches National Park.  Those tiny little figures right under the arch are really people!

I love this tree---in this setting.  There were others that captured my eye, but I just love this one.

This arch was only visible to those who hiked to see it.  There was a deep ocean of sand to wade through, a very hot ocean of sand, I might mention, except for the shaded areas.

Whereas the majority of the rock formations, if I understand it all correctly, are made of sandstone. So, one is not so surprised to find a lot of sand hither and yon, if you know what I mean.

Husband suggested that if we REALLY want to see it properly, we need to spend a few days there and take the longer hikes to see some of the arches we couldn't really see or see very well from the road.

These pictures are just a smattering few of the ones we took.  Now if we were really good photographers . . . well, you can imagine.  Nonetheless, it was a gorgeous day.  I was totally captivated by the enormity of it all.  It was beautiful.  And, again, I think I need a geology professor to be friends with.  So I can pick their brain.  I have so many questions.

I Just Thought I Was Busy Before . . .

For the last two weeks, more particularly the last 8 days, I have been more physically busy for LONG hours each day than I can remember.  I thought that as we aged we'd get to a point when the burdens got a little lighter.  WRONG! And, I suppose that it's a good thing!  If I am still able to work hard physically, perhaps I won't just fade into a nursing home existance!!! in the future.  Here's hoping.

I am grateful that I'm able to do this this kind of work.  Husband and I each drove over 1500 miles (in three days--he in the U-Haul and I in our pickup) and then worked like a steveadores--along with some help from a couple of strong, hardworking young Brazillian guys our daughter knows--before and afterwards, have been furiously unpacking all those zillion boxes I packed, and have been trying to make some order out of chaos for my daughter and her little ones.  (Daughter is working furiously to finish this semester and graduate.  Six more days and she should reach her goal!)  Together my husband and I have been in the thick of it all--(thank Heaven!!!) while we've tried to help the little ones feel like there will be more order in their lives (soon) along with the love, and comfort that were there when they lived with us.

However, last night the exhaustion level along with the knowledge that we have so much more to do in  too short of a period of time, triggered the sneeky, creeping tendrils of self-pity working themselves into my thinking and feelings bginning to stifle my original feelings of accomplishing worthy goals.  They began twisting themselves fairly effectively into my thoughts until I remembered this phrase in the Scriptures:  "when you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God."  I chatised myself a little and and allowed the "blam of Gilead" to soothe me before I took up my Scriptures and read a little realising that God is always watching over us, is mindful of each and every trial and tribulation we might experience and is always there to assist when we can't go it alone.  For that, I am daily and eternally grateful.

I also remembered that I'll be stronger for each physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual mountain I climb--even if I slip down a notch or two here and there--IF I keep striving to go forward.  Christ certainly had the most diffiuclt path to follow of any human being.  He somehow experienced every pain, every illness, and endured the consequences of each and every sin each and every one of God's child have or ever will commit--so He knows first hand how we feel and He conquered it all!  It amazes me beyond belief that He loves us all enough to have endured all that.  And knowing that He conquered all and is there and willing to help me conquer all my challenges gives me courage to press forward.  It also helps me realize how puny my challenges are in comparrison!

I'm going to miss my daughter and her three little ones terribly when we have to leave.  I seriously want to have my family--all my family--close.  We'll see where the Lord directs us in the days to come!  In the meantime, I know He'll be watching over them, and me, and the rest of my family.  And everyone else, too!  That knowledge is what lifts me up and gives me joy!  Even in the midst of my challenges!

I've Been a Little Busy . . . But Who Hasen't?

 This little doll, otherwise known as Baby Cakes, has been keeping Grandma and Grandpa busy lately.  We kind of like it that way.  It has a little something to do with why no one has seen much here lately!

I keep thinking I'm going to find an extra minute or three to post something or other, and then it's midnight and I'm exhausted and I haven't posted anything.

So, I'm going to try to post something now.  My #2 daughter and her three children (who have lived with us for the past two years) are now out west.  I drove them out (in daughter's van); my husband and our son drove out a few days later and we had a nice visit with several of my siblings and their various children/children's spouses, etc. including a super surprise visit from one niece-in-law back home for a brief visit from Germany (where nephew is serving in the USAF).

Since we got back home, it's been B U S Y!!!! Crazy busy.  Youngest, or #3, daughter (expecting her second child) has been with us since we got back, so we could get re-connected with her little Doll, our youngest--for now--granddaughter, before our second trip out west--scheduled for this week--with a truck load of household goods (including 30 boxes of books.  30 very heavy boxes of books, I might add) for # 2 daughter who is working to graduate in three weeks with her Bachelor of Science degree at BYU, and on getting settled in a new home, new job (we're praying for), and all the things that go with all that with her three very special, delightful, busy, intelligent children!

Not-so-good news:  Two weeks ago  my mother fell and broke her femur while getting out the car to go into Church.  Several members of the Church who are medical professionals were on the scene and came running to assist as soon as they saw what happened.  Surgery was successfully performed the following day to secure the break so it could heal properly.  She's okay, thankfully, but not progressing with therapy, because she, unfortunately, doesn't like to do any kind of exercising.  We're all concerned for her current/future well-being under the circumstances.  She's stubbornly and avidly avoided almost any and every form of healthful, minimum exercise for at least the past 20 years, so that mind-set is really difficult to overcome in her present circumstances.  My brother and his wife--where Mom's been staying since March of this year--are looking after her along with my nieces and their families.

Also, since returning in early/mid-June, this Grandma, ME, has been dividing her time between getting caught up
     on paying bills
     taking care of #1 daughter after gallbladder-ectomy surgery/recovery
     taking care of Little Baby Cakes during the mornings (while her expectant Mom--#3 daughter-struggles
          with the effects of her new pregnancy)
     trying to stay on top of all the new changes in medical insurance stuff that goes along with someone  
         (read:   my husband) retiring
     working to rearrange our two storage units so that we can divest ourselves of a bunch of stuff by taking it
         to #2 daughter and her three children
     with Church callings
     and breathing and enjoying the summer (WHAT?  Do I get to do that when it's 100+ outside and the
          humidity is 75% or more?  Occasionally, yes. When it's a little cooler)
     and packing.

I know, waa, waa, waa and double waa.  But such it is/was.  And then we load the U-Haul--(Yes.  We are trying our luck with U-Haul once more . . . PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!!  The other options are slim to none.  **Sigh.**)--on Wednesday and pray that everything packed (and yet to be packed), along with the pieces of furniture we're planning to take, will all fit therein and in my husband's truck, which I will be driving so we have a way back home--and I imagine . . . you get the picture.  Buying the gasoline for the gas-hog U-Haul for 1500 miles will be bad enough, but then we're talking 3000 miles round trip for the much smaller truck that's ours, as well.  (Guess that's partly why someone who recently retired is going to be going back to work.  But then they do want him back and were a little loath to let him go, so they said multiple times.  It will be a new job to him, so I think he'll enjoy it.)

So, with all that, the yard is showing the great effects of Husband's labors.  The garden is making tomatoes and peppers for us to enjoy along with a volunteer "pie pumpkin", as well as with the various flowers and herbs planted here and there in the yard and in pots likewise.  And Baby Cakes has become excessively attached to said Grandpa for various and sundry TLC she's received at his hands.  (We are all so grateful for Good Grandpa's and their TLC!!)

I'm not sure how we'll survive once we get back home in August and all the children and grandchildren will be far, far away.  Well, the children who have children will be far, far away. The other two are, fortunately, not so very far away.  I'm getting a little misty eyed even as I type, just thinking of it.  We've missed the three older grandchildren so much since we left them in Utah in early June, and now the youngest will be leaving (about the time we leave to go west) to go back to Georgia and I don't know how I'll survive!

It will be far too quiet and still around here!  There will be no pudgy little cheeks to snuggle and kiss.  No thrilling giggles to hear from tickles being administered, or various games of peek-a-boo being played.  No multiple readings of various books along with the pointing out by tiny fingers of this and that picture, or character, or color, or alphabet letter and the little voice calling out the proper names of all those listed things found in the various books that accompanies the pointing tiny finger . No spontaneous tiny voice singing her own songs or dancing to music on the TV to the delight of her mother and grandparents who applaud and clap with joy at the precious moments. But, there will be other days for future joys.  It will just be so very quiet here till then.

So, I might get caught up on my cleaning.  I might actually get the smaller storage unit emptied and its remaining contents moved into the large one.  I might be able to remember things I need to be doing a little better.  I might be able to sit down to read a book or two.  And I might just sit down and cry in the quiet house that will be filled with sweet memories of when little, precious children graced us with their presence on a daily basis and cluttered the living room with their toys and books, and smiles, and giggles and hugs and kisses.

I've got to be more positive!  I'm planning to go to Georgia for the birth of Baby Cake's sibling when that time comes.  That will certainly be a welcome experience and that thought brings a new smile to my face, as we speak. God is certainly good to me, and us, day by day and week by week.  Challenges abound for us and everyone else we know, but with challenges come new opportunities to grow in so many ways, particularly as we recognize that God's always near and willing to help us on our path as we rely on His loving care and keep moving forward.

Here is little Baby Cakes.

She was pulling faces like this BEFORE the camera came out.  Finally got ONE after the camera came out!  She's teething and enjoys a Popsicle to ease the discomfort.

 

We were dancing and having a great time together--after she danced and entertained her Mom and Grandpa and me first.

(I don't  know why I can't figure out how to flip pictures up 90 degrees to the right when I need to!)

This child has quite a repertoire of expressions to entertain us with!  I can't tell you how much we've enjoyed having her and her Mom with us the past few weeks.  I'm just trying to figure out how we can get her and her cousins in Utah back together again sometime soon!  They would have so much fun together again!