8/28/2013

When You Officially Enter The Fuddy-Duddy Stage of Life



DOWN HOME with Granny B
I got in a car accident a while back. After I stopped at that stop sign, looked right and left then pulled forward, I had no idea how that red car appeared out of nowhere. Like magic - poof! There it was. Crunch.
I... am an insurance company’s worst nightmare. I immediately pulled my van off the road, raced to the other vehicle, made sure she was alright, hugged her told her I was sorry for ruining her car and her day.
I think I’ve officially entered my fuddy-duddy stage. I can see through my glasses pretty well straight ahead, but they don’t work so well when I look right or left. I guess what I really need is wrap around glasses so I can see on the sides of my life.
Someone once said to me, “Be nice to old fuddy-duddies on the road. You will become one of them sooner than you think.” Boy, were they right. When I looked around me at my 40th high school reunion, I wondered how all those kids got looking so old so fast. Then I realized I was one of them.
I don’t like to complain about getting older. I mean the only alternative is dying young. I’ve always been happy to tell everybody how old I am on my birthday because if I wasn’t that old, I’d be dead. I have also learned not to take life too seriously because we’ll never get out of here alive.
They say that the joy of life is the ride. What they don’t say is that while you’re on that ride you’re going to get in some accidents right after you change your insurance from comprehensive to liability because you’ve never been in an accident before and you’re tired of paying those premiums. Then . . . wham! You wreck your car, someone else’s car and your pride. There you are minding your own business and suddenly you cause an accident, get handed a FTY citation and still have to pay to get your car fixed on your own dime. Then you have to attend traffic school if you don’t want the bad driver points on your record.
Well, I refuse to be intimidated or humiliated by reality. The real miracle is that I’ve never been in an accident before when I’ve been in so many near misses – my fault or their fault. The real miracle is that no one got hurt. I think we add years to our life and life to our years when we stop a hardening of our attitudes. We don’t have to wonder, “Why me?” “Why now?” The real question is, “Why not me?” “Why not now?” Bad things happen to everybody. Some times it’s our fault and sometimes it’s the other guy’s fault. We don’t have to spend the rest of our life feeling picked on. That’s life.
After the accident, the auto body guy said it wasn’t worth the money to fix our old van. It would cost more to fix it than the vehicle was worth. But I fixed it anyway. I don’t think you have to give up on cars or people and send them to the junk yard just because they get a little older or a little banged up. I’m just not ready to let go of my old van . . . my sense of humor . . . or my love of life.

8/23/2013

When Seeking Guidance Through Prayer



Taken from Twelve Steps:
"It is reasonable and understandable that the question is often asked: 'Why can't we take a specific and troubling dilemma straight to God, and in prayer secure from Him sure and definite answers to our requests?'
This can be done, but it has hazards. Quite often, the thoughts that seem to come from God are not answers at all. They prove to be well-intentioned unconscious rationalizations. Anyone who tries to run his life rigidly by this kind of prayer, by this self-serving demand of God for replies, is a particularly disconcerting individual. To any questioning or criticism of his actions he instantly proffers his reliance upon prayer for guidance in all matters great or small. He may have forgotten the possibility that his own wishful thinking and the human tendency to rationalize have distorted his so-called guidance. With the best of intentions, he tends to force his own will into all sorts of situations and problems with the comfortable assurance that he is acting under God's specific direction. Under such an illusion, he can of course create great havoc without in the least intending it. . .This means that side by side with an earnest prayer there can be a certain amount of presumption and conceit in us. . .We discover that we do receive guidance for our lives to just about the extent that we stop making demands upon God to give it to us on order and on our terms."


8/19/2013

I'm signing books TODAY at BYU Education Week Aug. 20th from 1-3


I'll be signing books at the BYU Bookstore on Tues. Aug. 20th from 1-3. Hope you can stop by.

The View From the top of Tower Mountain in Spanish Fork Is Incredible

I took a 4-wheeler ride up to the top of tower mountain with friends and family this weekend.
The 360 degree view from here is amazing.
We're standing on a helicopter pad.

8/18/2013

Nature Loving Family

When we want to have fun in our family
we explore the great outdoors.
We walk alone in the woods. . .
Climb the highest peak. . .
Savor a wild flower . .
Listen to the waves on the beach.
Electronic entertainment just can't compare
the majesty of God.




8/11/2013

Baadsgaard Man Camp 2013

The men and boys in my family went to MAN CAMP this weekend.
 
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8/05/2013

STUPID BOOTS

STUPID BOOTS
One of my sons loved to wear rainbow colored moon boots to school every day – come rain or shine. Who was I to discourage such a free spirit? One day he came home from school and told me that the older boys at recess had called him "stupid boots". I told him I was sorry he had a bad day.
He replied, "I didn't have a bad day. I just had a bad two seconds. The rest of the day was great!"


And. . . my son wore those boots the next day and the next . . . until they were too small for him. Pin It

8/03/2013

Esbern and Mary Baadsgaard Reunion 2013

My husband Ross and my seven wonderful sisters . . left to right
Margaret, Karen, Leanna, Sue, Evelyn, Melanie and Irene.
 I am so blessed to have these awesome people in my life.
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8/02/2013

I have a story in the latest BYU MAGAZINE summer 2013 issue

LEARNING FOR LIFE
How alumni use their BYU educations
to serve their communities, neighbors, and families.


Grandma Stories

With my journalism degree I’ve documented family history, read aloud thousands of children’s books, written articles in the newspaper to raise funds to restore a pioneer cemetery, and presented reading and writing workshops at schools and community events. Now I especially relish writing a story for each of my 21 grandchildren on their birthdays, starring them as the main character. Watching their delighted faces while I read their hot-off-the-press grandma story is a great way to pass on my love of reading and writing.
—Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard (AA ’76, BA ’87), Spanish Fork, Utah
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