Ahhhhhhhh!
AND TIME OUT (For Women, That Is)
Can you hear me? That is the sigh of relief after I was done speaking in Sacrament Meeting today. Call me crazy, but I don't mind Public Speaking. I don't get that nervous about actually speaking in public. What I fret over is sorting out the millions of thoughts that come to me as I prepare to speak or teach. If I get nervous about anything, it is that I want to make sure I say what the Lord wants said and what the audience needs to hear.

After Church, I went to a Girl's Camp Meeting for Parents and Young Women planning to attend Camp this summer. Hard to imagine that I finally have a daughter going to Girls Camp. After years of being Stake Young Women's President and putting my heart and soul into Girls Camp for so many other girls, one of my very own finally gets to go. I have the next 10 years for Girls Camp with my daughters and their friends. Katherine already has a plan as to how to raise money for her Camp Cost. The fun is just starting.

When I got home, it was time to hit the kitchen. We had 6 Missionaries over for dinner. Since this morning felt like the PERFECT fall weather, I was happy I had planned to make Taco Soup and Homemade French Bread (aka Jolynn's Sunday Bread). Wherever you are enjoying fall (or freezing winter), try my Taco Soup and French Bread Recipes. Taco Soup is from Cindy Jump and French Bread is from Jolynn Watson.

No nap today when I badly wanted one. I am so happy to have my latest big projects over. I have had so many big things back-to-back and need to take a deep breath and STAY HOME. As Ron commented last week (as he NEVER does) "I am thinking that it is time for La Hacienda to have some of your attention." (You know it is bad when he verbalizes what he observes as far as the house is concerned)

This week, I am getting my house ready for Christmas Decorating. I started deep cleaning yesterday. My house needs to be cleaned UNDERNEATH. Just a quick skim/run-through will not do at this time. I got some closets and drawers cleaned out and the fun is just beginning. I am super excited to put up my tree, for some reason.

We are leaving for Gainesville at the end of the week. Ron is marching in the University of Florida Gator Alumni Marching Band on Saturday. I am so excited! I love Alumni Band Weekend. We sit with the band and enjoy every minute of that party. The Band Section Rocks...Literally!

This week, I have already warned my partners in Volunteer Crime that I will not be showing my face at the school (other than for delivering and retrieving my child) or at any Community Projects. I am taking a TIME OUT!

Speaking of TIME OUT.....I am on the Deseret Book TIME OUT FOR WOMEN COMMITTEE Team for the Orlando Event to be held March 20-21. Yahoooooo! This is an amazing event and I am delighted to help make it happen in this corner of the world. I am always amused when people say things like and I give answers like.......

• They should not charge members of The Church (the whole Priest craft thing....) Hello... have you never purchased a Book from Deseret Book?
• Have you ever sent your children to EFY (Especially For Youth?) It costs and is not advertised in Public Meetings or over pulpits, yet ....Bingo...all can agree...there is not one Youth who should miss a summer at EFY.
• Have you ever attended BYU Women's Conference...Sponsored by The Relief Society of The Church? Hello.... It costs and IS advertised in Chapels and on Bulletin Boards.
• TIME OUT FOR WOMEN is too expensive...Hello...have you ever compared the cost of a Christian Women's Conference (Retreat) to Time Out For Women. No Comparison in Cost or Quality. AND did you know that Deseret Book would rather have people attend for NO COST rather than NOT ATTEND? There is a Ticket Scholarship Program for those who cannot afford the cost. No one is turned away due to cost. Try that one on for size!
• Trust me...this is not a money making venture for Deseret Book. Expenses are covered, at best. Authors may sell a few more books, yet, that is not the focus intended. At the end of the day... lives are touched...lives are changed... spirits are re-charged...cups are re-filled..WOMEN are better off at the end of TIME OUT FOR WOMEN than they were when they arrived.

Check out Time Out For Women coming to a city near you. Call up a friend, reserve tickets, and commit to attend. Thank me later!

I hope you are still with me...the above post started out as a brief check-in and quickly meandered all over every subject on my brain's agenda. If so....thanks for reading through this far! Have a Great Week!

Have you ever attended a Time Out For Women?

Have you made Taco Soup?

Do you like Girls Camp as an adult or did you as a child?

Are you excited to set up Christmas?