Voting In America

VOTING IN AMERICA

Long ago the Pilgrims and Puritans left England
Before they approached the shores from their voyages
To land and plan their new country and the work ahead;
They developed a plan, self-determination and freedom
Were the hallmarks of the dreams that were sown
On the wilderness soil of those eastern colonies.
Four hundred years have passed since those
Adventurous times, and today we sing the
Anthems of tribute to their courageous lives.
We recall the ideals and lofty principles;
That seem so relevant presently as we contemplate
Our God given right to thoughtfully fill our ballots,
Choosing the men and women who will lead
And guide our nation.
We read of different ideas and beliefs
That seems foreign, discordant and strange
Sending fears and doubts of the future.
Will this measure pass or
Will the best candidate take his
Place as the head of our Land?
Skeptical and wary after hearing
The rhetoric and allegations, and media
Spinners of half truths and innuendos
We must put our faith in Our Creator
Approaching His throne humbly on our knees
Just as if we were the Pilgrim folks
Pleading for heaven’s help
To give us self-determination maintaining
Our unwavering faith in freedom’s dream.

Barbara Renouf
October 2008
Santa Clara, Utah

La Vie En Rose...

I've been so preoccupied thinking about all the logistics for 'The Grand European Tour' (shoes, passport, socks, leaving the fridge full....) that I haven't had time to sit down and brush up on my European History.
And I thought, where else better to learn than from Hollywood (haha)?

Now I don't mean foreign films, although they would probably be more helpful.

I mean the American movies about Europe, where everything European is rose-colored, romantic, and lovely (nevermind the history part).

Here is a partial list:

Can you suggest any others??

Roman Holiday

To Catch a Thief

Sabrina (Audrey style)

Charade
An American in Paris

Return to Me (the last 2 minutes)

Only You (warning contains some 80's swearing)


Mary Poppins

Peter Pan

Miss Potter

Artistocats

Ratatouille

Moonstruck

An Affair To Remember

The Godfather (TV version)

Friday Favorites (on Saturday)

Our family experienced many favorites this last week as we visited the Magic Kingdom, saw all the Halloween decor there, visited with Aunt Leslie's family and Uncle Roy's family, and had a lovely stopover for steaks with Grandma and Grandpa and The Mylroies. We had a wonderful time eating our way through Southern California (Rosa's-thanks to Leslie, popcorn by the bucket, and about a million churros)....

However, my real favorite this week is something I noticed along the way. Maybe I particularly noticed this Friday Favorites because I used so many Public Disney bathrooms along the way, but....

Mom's and Leslie's bathrooms and homes were so spotless that I felt ashamed of the way I left mine at home (don't worry they weren't quite gas station material yet). It weighed heavily on my mind, and so the first thing we did when we got home?

CLEAN THE BATHROOMS!

Oh how nice it is to enter a clean bathroom. I don't know why I avoid the chore when really the end result it so nice. So now my Friday Favorite this week is a CLEAN BATHROOM! Hooray!

DAD'S FAVORITE FANTASTIC FRIDAY

DAD'S FAVORITES:

Well, I asked Pop for some favorites and he definitely took the higher road on his answers. He gets an A+ for getting all of his answers right. We're so glad that he participated! Next time I am going to drag some more superficial/shallow answers from him, but for now enjoy these great ones. We are so lucky to have such a good man as our patriarch.

#1 Family (Barbara, Children, Grandchildren & Great Grandchildren and all spouses). Dad loves his family. There is no question about that. Who else would put up with all of us if he didn't love us?
#2 Church ( Book of Mormon, Nauvoo Pageant ) Dad has always served willingly in The Church and set a wonderful example for all of us as a man devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has made all the difference for our family.

#3 Sports (Fishing, Golf, Pool, Hiking) It is always fun to see Dad head out to the pool with his book and towel. Somehow if there are grandsons around he always seems to end up in a water battle. I'm sure it's all those darn grandson's fault.

#4 College Football ( I know he loves BYU and USC games in particular. HINT: Don't bother him during these games. )

#5 Reading (Church History, American History). He is always reading something good for you. WE LOVE YOU DAD! THANKS FOR PLAYING!

Lucy and Ethel's Wednesday Afternoon Literary Club

As seen on Friday's Favorites, Mom has been reading the Anne of Green Gables Series. Here is a little snippit that Mom liked (it's a fun sample of Lucy Montgomery's writing)....

After the Avonlea school concert got back into it's natural groove and into its normal interests....."To be sure the concert left traces. Ruby Gillis and Emma White, who had quarrelled over a point of precedence in their platform seats, no longer sat at the same desk, and a promising friendship of three years was broken up. Josie Pye had told Bessie Wright that Julia Bell's bow when she got up to recite made her think of a chicken jerking its head, and Bessie told Julia.

None of the Sloanes would have any dealings with the Bells, because the Bells had declared that the Sloanes had too much to do in the program, and the Sloanes had retorted that the Bells were not capable of doing the little they had to do properly.

Finally, Charlie Sloane fought Moody Spurgeon MacPherson, because Moody Spurgeon had said that Ann Shirley put on airs about her recitations, and Moody Spurgeon was "licked; consequently Moody Spurgeon's sister, Ella May, would not "speak" to Anne Shirley all the rest of the winter. With the exception of these trifling frictions, work in Miss Stacy's little kingdom went on with regularity and smoothness."

Monday Mourning

Keeping it Real.

This.....

And This.....

DO NOT MIX....

As much as we love to focus on the happy joys in life, I have to take a Monday moment to 'keep it real'. Somehow a mysterious ink pen entered into my laundry and jumped for its last escape into my dryer. It ran the full cycle....

And now what am I left with (after the oxyclean, nail polish remover, and hairspray soak/scrub method)?

A trip to Target!

On the brighter side, the kids thought the tye-dye underclothing were amazing.

JACK'S BAPTISM

A GOOD BOY!

Little Jack Renouf's baptism is going to be Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 2:00 pm in Lake Elsinore, CA. It is going to be a wonderful day and we are all so proud of Jack's decision to be baptized.
His parents both describe Jack as a happy child who is always making friends and loves playing video games.
Jack said, "I feel excited and nervous to be baptized." He also said he knows he making a good choice.
He wants his two sisters, Eloise and Mingi, to sing 'When Jesus Christ was Baptized" at his baptism. He also wants Potato Cheese Soup for his reception afterward. (a family favorites)

Here is some more information about Jack (in very particular orders):

Favorite Color: blue, turquoise-blue, turquoise-green, blue-green, black
Favorite Food: Hot Ramen Noodles
Favorite Candy Bar: Butterfinger
Halloween Costume 2008: Darth Vadar or Dragon Ninja
Favorite School Subject: Math
Favorite Animals: Humans, Kangaroos, Cheetahs, Lions, Elephants
Best Friends at School: Sammy, Josh, Bobby, Jose
Favorite Movie: Iron Man
Favorite Video Game: Lord of the Rings, Lego Star Wars, Star Wars 3, Star Wars 1
Favorite Books: Ralph S. Mouse, Ralph and the Motorcycle, Runaway Ralph, Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
If he could go anywhere in the whole world, where?: St. George, Utah.

MOM'S FAVORITE FANTASTIC FRIDAY

MOM'S Friday Favorites (by MOM)

1. Anne of Green Gables illustrated by Mary Engelbreit. She has been reading this and enjoying rediscovering Anne with a cute little Engelbreit flower on each page.

2. Cinnamon Floss. Mom has always always always, anywhere and anytime been an expert flosser. She says cinnamon is her favorite.

3. Pumpkin colored Cardigan Sweater from Eddie Bauer. She bought a brown sweater and a pumpkin colored one. (I couldn't lift the picture but it is a long sleeve cardigan from EB)

4. Mom's latest Fruit Salad: 1 can of pineapple chunks with juice, 1 can of mandarin oranges, add fresh fruit such as apples, strawberries, and/or pears. The joy of this salad is that the pineapple juice keeps the fruit fresh. Drain the pineapple juice before serving, and serve over a bed of lettuce. Mom says you don't have to convince yourself to eat fruit you don't like, if you do it this way.

5. Reading the WallStreet Journal Editorials

Hope you all have a happy peppy Friday!

COMING NEXT FRIDAY: DAD'S FAVORITES

FAVORITE FANTASTIC FRIDAY

After Mary Kate's fun post about 'FAVORITE THINGS', I racked my brain for some products that I love. I was trying to think of non food items which is very difficult for me these days, instead I turned to the mirror.

I finally thought of two favorite things.***

I put three asterisks because they are only favorite things when you are A) on a budget, B) don't shop at malls, and C) have under 2 minutes on any given Target/Walmart aisle.

If you have at least 2 of these 3 ***s then these products might qualify as a FAVORITE.

Number One: MAX FACTOR 2000 CALORIE MASCARA

This was a suggestion for Real Simple Magazine and it is truly a great mascara.

Number Two: REVLON POWDER BLUSH ('Wine with Everything', so cheesy I know).

This just happen to be lucky grab during my 2 minute crunch time on the TARGET aisle, but I it's been a good friend (although I must confess he is currently in pieces thanks to some anonymous baby).

That's all for now folks! I hope you all have a fantastic, FAVORITE FRIDAY!

ps...I should add Fridays to my list! WHOOOOPEEEEE!