When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. But, somehow I always had something else to take care of first, the truck, the car, playing golf. Always something more important to me.

Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a minute, and when I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. I said, 'When you finish cutting the grass, you might as well sweep the driveway.'

The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.

Have you ever just ran out of energy by mid-week and had no excuse for it?

At least puppies have a good reason!

Diana, my brother's little Westie goes and goes and goes and lets loose and then gets so tired she just STOPS and literally passes out!

Perhaps my lack of energy is due to the approaching holidays and the hustle, bustle and stress that it creates.

Maybe I should take up:

Nah! Or maybe I should just go...

S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G-!  That should bring my energy level up without having to take on a new exercise program! Here I GO!

HOW DO YOU RELIEVE STRESS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

As we started home from the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, the roads were dry and less congested as they were on the trip to Salt Lake City the previous Wednesday.

A couple of hours into the drive, (it's a 300 mile trip) my husband says, "It's snowing."

Automatically I started gearing up for what lies ahead and sure enough, we are soon...

• going 40 m.p.h. down the highway
• following a looooong line of cars and trucks
• visibility is poor to none
• I-am-whiteknuckling-it despite my husband saying "It's okay, I got it."
• I started thinking...There's No Place Like Home! There's No Place Like Home!

It took us 6 hours to get home! Whew! I admit since we moved to Southern Utah in 1996, I have become spoiled with year 'round mild weather, clean air, low crime, no traffic jams AND-NO-SNOW!

I am lucky to live in such a wonderful place and "There's No Place Like Southern Utah!"

What is beauty? Is there a clear definition of what beauty entails? Have you given much thought to how a child perceives beauty?

During the process to find the Daley's a home, we became friends. I met their 4-year old, Adrina, a beautiful little tow head with bright blue eyes. Little did know at the time that she looooved pigs. Well, what do you know... I do too!  Adrina and I hit it off!

When Miss Prissy had 7 piglets last summer, Cindy, her mom, Adrina and little sister Claire came to see the little ones. Adrina was especially thrilled and wanted to hold each one. I think she did! Her mom took pictures and I never guessed the pigs would be such an inspiration for Adrina.

Adrina is now in Kindergarten and the class was to paint a picture on Beauty Is...? Most little girls will paint flowers, houses, favorite dolls...but Adrina drew her "Beauty is a Pig" picture for reflections and WON! Her picture went as far as the regional contest.

Adrina is a person after my own heart and this tribute is for her because I also believe that "Beauty is a Pig!"  Congratulations Adrina!

As you travel this holiday season, we would like to wish you and your families a safe journey and warm holiday wishes! And if you're not travelling, we'd still like to wish you well as you celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday!

May you enjoy your families, eat a hearty meal and make new memories!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

As I sat at my desk this morning, I began typing away and noticed a lot of the paperwork on my desk was moved around...well, look who popped out from behind the monitor! I have had every intention for the past several weeks of filing the piles and stacks of papers that have landed on my desk.

This morning, my mind was made up for me. Hiway has started the process and her idea of filing is to push them off the desk onto the floor. And I noticed she has given her stamp of approval on many of them as well...bite marks!

A friend was opening a new business and Bob thought he'd send flowers for the occasion. The flowers arrived at the new business and the owner read the card: "Rest in Peace."

Surround yourself with Christmas wishes as you enter the beautifully decorated Jubilee of Trees celebration, complete with glowing lights and festive décor at every turn!

Where: The Dixie Center located at 1835 S Convention Center Drive, St. George, Utah

When: Open Daily 10:00 am to 8:00 pm except Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Adults $3.00 / Children Age 3-12 $1.00 / Children 2 & Under Free

Saturday Evening Admission - 6:00 pm - $5.00 per person
Monday Family Fun Night - 6:00 pm (Free Admission)

To purchase tickets or make a donation: http://www.jubileeoftrees.org/purchase-tickets-and-donations

 A little history...

Since 1981, the Jubilee of Trees has raised more than $2 million dollars for neonatal healthcare for babies as well as mothers-to-be and also to fund the Life Flight helicopter at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. For many, this means the difference between life and death.

For more information regarding the services provided by generous donations, go to: http://www.jubileeoftrees.org/bringing-life-flight-helicopter-dixie-compliment-childrens-services

For more information The 2009 Jubilee of Trees Entertainment Schedule, please go to: http://www.jubileeoftrees.org/entertainment-schedule

With temperatures still hovering in the 60s, the weather couldn't be more perfect to golf a round at Sand Hollow Resort. This Championship golf course is located off State Highway in Hurricane, Utah and is open to golfers year 'round! So, let's play a-round!

Sand Hollow Resort was named The GOLF Magazine's Best New Courses of 2008. Sand Hollow Resort consists of two stunning John Fought Design courses, utilizing the areas natural rock formations, cliffs and panoramic views. AMAZING! It also includes an 18-hole Himalayan-style putting course.

For more information on Sand Hollow Resort and its many amenities, go to:

http://www.sandhollowresort.com/   or

http://www.golf.com/golf/gallery/article/0,28242,1860815-6,00.html

On our way into St. George the other morning, my mind already on the full day in front of me, I barely noticed the sun trying to break through the dark, ominous clouds. My son Spensyr suddenly said, "Mom, do you see that rainbow?"

I looked to the right side near the red cliffs and was amazed to see a FULL RAINBOW! And a double rainbow is starting just above the left side if you look closely.

I-have-been-known-to-chase-rainbows! I quickly pulled the car over, got out and proceeded to take a series of pictures that I hoped to piece together later to show everyone!

I hope I represented this unexpected beauty to its fullest potential!

Thank you Spensyr for opening my eyes to the wonders and beauty of Mother Nature at work and for getting me out of ‘work ahead mode' and instead, putting me back in the ‘here and now'! You are very much appreciated!