June 2010

Oh my, today is June 30th ... where has the time gone? We are six months into 2010 and only have six more month of this year to go!


I am filled with so much emotion this morning for such a wonderful month. The month started with a visit from my sister, Linda. She arrived on June 1st and by June 9th Linda was back at her home in Castle Dale, Utah. The days and time I spent with Linda during that short period was magical and memorable. We visited downtown Chicago, toured various fun sites around Chicago/Naperville/Aurora and then went to Nauvoo and Carthage IL to round out Linda's visit. Everything was wonderful! Even the weather cooperated, which for IL, is quite a feat during the rainy season! I have put together a quick little photo synopsis of our time with Linda, which I will post at another time.


I also started a new job on May 17th and of all places it is in a dental office. (http://washingtondental.com/) The dentist for Washington Dental (in Naperville) is Dr. (Randy) Vaughan! There was no training with the new position, which is so helpful in a new working environment, so my training has come from Dr. Vaughan himself, in helping me to understand the various dental instruments, techniques and procedures, the office part has come from trial and error. I am hoping by my 3-month mark that I will have most of the information down pat! Right now, it is frustrating yet rewarding when I can print off a patient's statement, send a recall notice or dental insurance out. My dad was a dentist. Mine, and most of my sisters, first jobs were working with my dad in his dental office. I feel like I am back to my 'roots' so to speak with this job; and yet the dental field has grown in leaps and bounds from when I was working with my dad, so all in all, it is indeed a NEW, LEARNING and CHALLENGING environment for me.


The first part of June in Aurora has been very wet with tremendous thunder and lightning storms so I haven't been outside much after dark. But last night I spotted them!!! I've been waiting and waiting .... and there they were lighting up the evening sky .... fireflies!!! We do not have fireflies in the Rockies or the West, so these winged illuminated insects are something I have looked forward to while living in IL during the summer months. Fireflies are magical winged fortresses of light, dancing and darting among the moon and darkened IL skies. The fireflies show up, or at least I notice them, around the time of my birthday (June 23).

The month of June (2010) has been an interesting, fantastic, challenging and electrifying month for sure! I can't wait to see what is in store for the remaining months of 2010!!!!

-Shelly

PS
Lynn has his colonoscopy on Friday (7/2/10)!!!

PPS
They will not be posted online as Shelly's were. - Lynn

A Thought from my Friend, Bobbie Lou!

If you Wake up in a red room

with no windows and doors,

DON'T panic .... you're just

in my heart!!!

Another Year Over Another Year Ahead! :)

Tomorrow will be my Birthday! I love birthdays, except when I am the center of attention; however, I do enjoy the over exaggerated celebration and heralded birthday greetings from family and friends, some whom I haven't heard from in years.

My birthday though is my own special internal compass day when I look at where I have been in my life, things I have done, goals I still have and where I want to be when I die! If I was standing on the ruler of my life, I would be at the midway point. Am I happy? YOU BET I AM!!! Could I be a better person? I am a good person but I can always be a better person!!! Am I fulfilled in every aspect of my life? Yes and no. Yes, in that I am fulfilled; and no because there is more fulfillment to come. I Am In Love with Life itself and I feel so blessed and grateful to have this small place in the gigantic quantum of galaxies and space known as earth to live on. I am blessed to know God and to also know that when I kneel down to pray in the morning , in the evening, or while driving in my car, that He listens to me. I feel grateful to have a a strong feeling, reverence and love for Jesus Christ, my Savior and your Savior!

I found '39 Things I have Learned In My Life', from off the Internet which so applies to me and I would like to pass it on since I am in total agreement with Michelle R. Brennan, and I couldn't say it any better!

1. Listening to the Spirit's inner voice ultimately makes life easier.
2. "Letting go" is the only way to keep something or someone in your life.
3. Everyone should have a cat because a cat makes you smile once in a while.
4. Children are the best mirrors.
5. Love is a commitment to growth.
6. Dogs understand love better than people do.
7. Angels inhabit human forms.
8. "We" vs. "They" thinking creates fear and conflict. Harmony requires a sense of community.
9. Quiet reflection feeds the soul.
10. Books are the ambrosia of life.
11. Freedom is worth the responsibility.
12. Friends who listen are rare treasures.
13. Ice cream can make almost anyone feel better.
14. Life is a privilege.
15. Goodnight hugs and kisses heal the day.
16. Tight shoes don't make your feet look THAT much smaller. Vanity isn't worth the pain.
17. There's a gift in every lesson of life.
18. No one is an expert on you, except you.
19. Sunshine promotes a positive attitude.
20. Holding onto grievances smothers joy.
21. Help is as close as a prayer.
22. Truth is simple.
23. One person CAN make a difference in the world.
24. Change only APPEARS difficult.
25. Open minds are healthy minds.
26. People who follow their bliss are the most interesting people.
27. You don't own an idea until you understand it with your heart.
28. There is no end to learning, you just move to the next level.
29. There is ALWAYS another way of looking at things.
30. Peace is a choice.
31. Your life is your creation.
32. It's not worth the calories unless it's chocolate.
33. Whatever you give eventually comes back to you.
34. New adventures help you feel young.
35. It is your inner power not your weakness that most frightens you.
36. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.
37. Everyone has the same amount of faith, they just invest it differently.
38. Older doesn't mean wiser unless you've looked within.
39. Sometimes crying is the best response.

-Shelly

The Amazing and Incredible Invention Ever, Baking Soda

Okay, I told Lynn and I was going to blog about baking soda and he gave me a 'look' only Lynn could give me as to say, 'Are you totally crazy'? He shrugged his shoulders and walked away. And, I guess in a way I am a little crazy! I love to take every day things I use around the house, such as vinegar, cucumbers and now baking soda, which I usually use to bake cookies, cakes or bread, and now find out they can cure, add or take away about anything!!! So, if you don't mind .... I'll just ramble on for a few about this remarkable product known as baking soda. If you have no desire to read about baking soda you have my permission to exit our blog, but you have to be sure to come back in a few days or even next week for another thrilling and yet not to remarkable blog entry from the ... 'World of Lynn and Shelly Hook'.

Here are sixty-one 'happening' things you can do with baking soda inside and outside your home, straight from Bellybytes.com!

• To make your own baking power, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
• Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of a grease or electrical fire. Scatter the soda by the handful to safely put it out.
• Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything it touches.
• Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
• Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.
• Wash the garbage cans with baking soda.
• Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
• Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better when baking soda is added to the washing water.
• Clean your fridge and freeze with dry baking soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water.
• Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the baking soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
• Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part baking soda, then add a layer of three parts kitty litter on top.
• Always add 1/2-cup baking soda to your washing machine load.
• Clean combs and brushes in a baking soda solution.
• Wash food and drink containers with baking soda and water.
• Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3-tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
• Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
• Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with baking soda and water to get ride of stale smells.
• To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of baking soda and water.
• Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a baking soda solution (3-tablespoons soda to 1 quart water).
• Run your coffee maker through its cycle with a baking soda solution. Rinse.
• Give baby bottles a good cleaning with baking soda and hot water.
• Sprinkle baking soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
• Sprinkle baking soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
• For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles; place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tablespoons baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
• Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some baking soda on the bottom.
• Run your dishwasher through its cycle with baking soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
• To removed burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in baking soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
• For a badly burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of baking soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the baking soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean the next day.
• Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
• Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
• Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with baking soda and water.
• Sprinkle a bit of dry baking soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
• Clean your bathroom with dry baking soda on a moist sponge - - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
• Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
• Soak your shower curtains in water and baking soda to clean them.
• To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with baking soda, then rinse.
• Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
• Sprinkle baking soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots, slipper to eliminate odors.
• Add 1/2-cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
• Putting 2-tablespoons of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
• Apply baking soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
• Take a baking soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
• Take 1/2-teaspoon of baking soda in one-half glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
• Gargle with 1/2-teaspoon in one-half glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
• Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
• To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
• Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
• Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
• Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
• Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
• Use baking soda as an underarm deodorant.
• If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
• When scalding a chicken, add 1-teaspoon of baking soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and the flesh will be clean and white.
• Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
• Add baking soda to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
• Add baking soda to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
• Use banking soda to sweeten sour dishcloths.
• Use baking soda dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
• Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Damp a cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.
• To eliminate dog odors or just freshen up the air, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet where your dog lies and vacuum up. Leave the soda on the carpet for half an hour. It also eliminates odor in your vacuum after it has been vacuumed up. A great way to freshen up your home air during the winter when everything is closed up.

And of course, the list could go ON and ON and ON and ON, but I will end the list, or at least my list of things we can do with baking soda, right here! :)

-Shelly

Happy Father's Day!

To my husband, to my father and Lynn's father, and to my grandfathers and Lynn's grandfathers, the brothers and brothers-in-law, and to all the uncles and the most awesome(est) ever nephews, and to the men in my life who are my neighbors, work associates, bosses, and friends whom I love and adore with all of my heart,

Happy Father's Day!

A few inspirational highlights about fathers and fatherhood from Bill Cosby, the father who has made many of us laugh for years.

"A new father quickly learns that his child invariably comes to the bathroom at precisely the times when he's there, as if he needed the company. The only way for this father to be certain of bathroom privacy is to shave at the gas station."

"If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right."

"Nothing I've ever done has given me more joys and rewards that being a father to my children."

-Shelly