"My Prophet"

I don't know if it's actually okay to feel possessive of a Prophet....

(But, then again, I'm sure everyone who cared about President Hinckley is feeling a bit of that right now.)

He has been the Prophet since I was 16. Not only does that mean he's gotten me through growing pains and life-changing decisions, it means he's been presiding over the best moments of my life.

In my selfish way, I feel sad that he left us and, at least for awhile, we won't be privileged to hear his comforting words and optimistic urging. But when I really sit and think about how glorious Sunday night was for him, I can only feel happiness and comfort. He awaited that day, I would bet, since his wife died. Sunday marked his turn and I'm sure he was more than ready for the welcome embraces and rest he's undoubtedly found on the other side. I've pictured it over and over again in my mind--who would be there to meet him and how excited his cute little feisty wife is to now have him with her again. Even more awe-inspiring is the thought of his reunion with the Savior. All of those years of service and exemplary living must have been a small price for the warm reception I can only imagine occurred.

So, the selfish sadness has flitted away and in its place, gratitude reigns for the chance to be "acquainted" with him. I'm grateful that I am a woman privileged to hear the words of a Prophet who spoke unceasingly of woman's divine nature. I'm grateful for the feelings I have experienced while listening to his positive, uplifting words. I'm grateful for the encouragement I have received in my life because of his bidding to "do the best you can" and 'be a little better". I'm grateful for the bright spot he was to, not only our faith, but the world as a whole. But, mostly I'm grateful that the Lord saw fit that I could live in the day of Gordon B. Hinckley.

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds."

"Our lives are the only meaningful expressions of what we belive and in Whom we believe. And the only real wort for any of us lies in our faith."

"These are difficult times. The economy is struggling. There is conflict in the world. But the Almighty is keeping His promise that He will bless those who walk in faith and righteousness before Him. "

"We have no need to fear. We have no need to worry. We have no need to speculate. Our imperative need is to be found doing our duty individually in the callings which have come to us. And because, for the most part, the Latter-day Saints are walking in faith and working with conviction, the Church is consistently growing ever stronger."

Wild Pubber

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

http://www.blogthings.com/whateuropeancitydoyoubelonginquiz/

Megan, come visit me anytime! :)

Vexatious Language Down and Out: Deported to Overcrowded Land of Forbidden Words

I call your attention to the 2008 Banished Words on my What's What list, compiled by Lake Superior State University. (Who are THEY? I am at a loss, truly, but their Banished Words List is BRILLIANT!)

It has inspired me to free my pent up aggravation toward a few words that float about and spew forth, unattractive and harsh to the ear. It's just something about the way they sound...or their frequency of use. FOR THE LOVE OF GOOD LANGUAGE! It's personal and I hope no one is offended if you love some of my most hated words.

Thus, my very own List is born. Although, for the sake of creativity and copyright infringement, I will entitle mine the Vexatious Language Bounced List, or just Bounced for short. It is my sincere wish that the words which appear on said List would book their fare on the next train outta town and never come back.

On the other hand, there are words that are not used NEARLY enough. This list I will call...hmmmm...how about Downright Delicious Diction, or simply Delicious.

You might find my preoccupation a little disturbing, but you see, this obsession began many years ago. My college roommates and I had a very large collection of our "Good Words", scrawled in various positions upon a 5 foot section of butcher paper. We papered our apartment walls with it and added new, great-sounding words almost daily. We practically formed our own language.

So....having explained that and without further ado, I introduce my very first edition of Bounced and Delicious Lists, respectively.

Sayonara, ciao, adios: psycho, freakin', the bomb, panties, and cocoa--for now

A warm embrace, curtsy, shake of the hand: Apocrypha, unwieldy, helter-skelter, dishy, retort, sizzle, hoity-toity

A Frolicking Game of Tag...and I'm It

Six Things You Really Don't Need (or Even Want) to Know About Me, But Nevertheless Will Know After Reading This List

**If you would prefer not to know my idiosyncrasies, please avoid reading this entry at all cost.**

(Thanks for the tag, Amanda.)

1. I love dill pickles and pineapple--together--on my salads.

2. I love the way Justin Timberlake dances. Secretly, I wish I could break dance, but am holding out hope for Bennett.

3. I do not like Mexico. (Sorry, Autumn and Brynn.)

4. The best kind of day is a rainy day. I don't like a lot of sunshine. (Vampire?)

5. I have nicknames for every member of my family, including my pets.

6. At one time in my life, I wanted to be an architect, an interior designer, book editor, dietician and meteorologist. Oh, and I obviously wanted to be a counselor. Check.

Thanks to my superior running, weaving and tackling skills, the following people have been TAGGED. (You should run faster next time.)

Megan H., Amy V., Jessica M., Angela B., Autumn S., Heather T.(we need more deep, dark secrets, Heather. :) and I'm taking the liberty to add one more, Nicole A. Okay, forget it, I'm tagging everyone. Leona B., Karen S., Sara G., Brynn L., Jenna W. and Jo, you too. (Sorry, I can't leave anyone out.)

The RULES:

1. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.

2. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog....

Can anyone tell me where I might find the Two Year Old Whine/Yell/Cry MUTE Button? I have searched all over Bennett and am coming up with nothin'.

**Seasoned veterans of Two Year Old Wars, please send enlightenment.**

SOS! MAYDAY!

Phew--He Doesn't Look Like Pammy

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

A Hearty, Side-Splitting, Tear-Producing Laugh: Me and Pamela, Pre-Botox and Various Other "Pre"-Surgeries

Two Weirdos with Beardos

Okay, our newest furry tenants are not weird at all, but they technically DO have beards. Actually, they're cute enough to squish, but I've been looking for a chance to use the phrase Weirdo with a Beardo (thank you, "Andy" on Evan Almighty). If I didn't use the phrase soon, it would rampage my sleep-filled nights and wreak havoc on my overcrowded brain. (Note: brain not overcrowded due to excessive knowledge; rather, overcrowded with nonsense such as aforementioned phrase obsession and swarms of equally preposterous bits.)

I now introduce you to the smallest of the Bearded Ones--

Charlotte Martella

Age: 3 months

Himilayan

Aliases: Stresser Under the Dresser

and
Peppy On the Steppy

I would also like you to meet the Largest of the Bearded Ones--

Willoughby Martin

Age: 2 years

Himalayan/Yellow Tabby mix

Aliases: Hairy on the Stairy

and

Chubby in the Tubby
Evidently, Willoughby's modesty supercedes his vanity. He will not let me take a picture of him in the tub.

We busted these two out of the Humane Society and Salt Lake County Shelter on Saturday. Two cages emptied--a small, yet satisfying victory for Cat Woman and her sidekicks, Kitty Man and Hairball. (Kitty Man=Christopher, Hairball=Bennett)

I had one very important requirement for our future feline occupants: they had to have blue eyes, in honor of Marty (The Cat). I'm not sure what kind of discrimination that is, but I succeeded in finding two very adorable candidates and no one was offended. Except maybe the fifty other cats I didn't choose, but would have loved to take home had I the room and just a smidge more craziness. (Having two cats has officially bumped me up to the Crazy Cat Lady level. Having fifty plus would be Level 5: Clinically Insane Cat Lady.)

200 Year Old Woman Runs Marathon

Thanks to my affiliate Megan at www.cupcakechowder.blogspot.com, I am able to deliver particularly delightful news to any and all Jane Austen devotees.

Jane Austen is running a marathon!

Or, at least PBS's Masterpiece Theater (said with a fine British accent, mind you) is running the marathon on her bahalf. I beseech--nay, behest-- you, in the name of great literature, to tune in to PBS beginning Sunday, January 13th.

Everyone will be there--the Bennett sisters, Anne Elliott, Fanny Price, the Dashwoods, Emma Woodhouse...Mr. Darcy.... :)

More info here

"Point Out Preggars" and Other Riotous New Year's Games

New Year's in Price, Utah, is not celebrated in quite the same way as in other parts of the state, country and I daresay , world.

Yes, there are similarities--those Castle Country dwellers haven't completely reinvented the wheel. But their idea of New Year's entertainment and your idea of New Year's fun may differ slightly.

Chronicled for the first time in a public domain, I bring you the

Cox Family New Year's Games 2007/2008

Exhibit 1:

"Point out the Preggars"

(Also known as Find the Fruitful and Guess the Gestater)

Need help? HINT: Contestants 2,4,5,6 are NOT in the family way. Make no mistake, I am most certainly contestant #2!!

Exhibit 2:

"Take a Family Picture in 5 Degree Weather"

Other objectives of the game are to: (1.) Get Bennett to Look at the Camera and (2.) Be Happy About It

Exhibit 3:
"Audition for Cox Family's Heavy Metal Band,
Hearing Impaired Cheetah"
(not to be confused with Def Leppard)

Exhibit 4:

"Chase Small Children with Open Markers Around House to Prevent Multi-Colored Walls and Furnishings"

The game is won when participating Small Children cry when markers are confiscated.

Custom Homes for the Holidays

Per tradition, my family endeavors to construct Homes for the Holidays using only the finest in edible materials. Notice I did not say we endeavor to construct only the finest of homes. Au contraire, we usually end up making a mockery of innocent little ginerbread houses and produce less than desirable holiday abodes. Here is our 2007 Homes for the Holidays Listing:

Backwoods Christmas Cottage--a real bargain for anyone wishing to spend Christmas tucked away from civilization. Home surrounded by trees and friendly forest critters. Amenities include open ventilation system, red frosted glass windows and mostly-working, multi-colored Christmas lights. Minor repairs needed on front door, all windows, upstairs balcony and roof before move-in.

Church to home conversion--Spacious find for multiple family living or single family living with ample room. 23 bedrooms, commercial sized kitchen, full-sized gym. Comes furnished with 80 pews, 7 pianos, 1 organ and over 200 folding chairs. Plenty of parking space for those holiday parties.


Fixer Upper Foreclosure--This work-in-progress is perfect for anyone looking for a challenging remodeling/rebuilding project for the holidays (or the next 5 holiday seasons). Agent will pay the first interested party to move into this house. Car and jack included with home. (Sorry, car cannot be moved from front yard--no engine or tires.)

Jamaican Flavor--This stately Jamaican palace simply screams holiday celebrating! Lush grass and clear pools abound. Working draw bridge and moat keep uninvited visitors and family at bay. Plenty of shrubbery and palm trees to adorn with festive lights.

Christmas Confusion Leads to Ladies' Loo**

During the holidays, there are multiple instances in which confusion is entirely possible. For example, when one is crashing from a sugar high and the English language sounds garbled and odd. Or when one is outside so long in sub-zero tempreratures that the brain actually becomes numb.

But possibly, one of the msot confusing moments came this very holiday season, in a restaurant, when one Christopher Cox had an urgent need to use the restroom after one too many glasses of...only Dr. Pepper, but still.... (You thought it would be the hard stuff, didn't you?)

The Urgent Matter came and Chrisotpher heeded its call. It seems that confusion from the almost-crisis had so completely enveloped him that he had little care for the distinction between the Ladies' and Mens' rooms. He pushed open a door and was greeted by cheery purple. He quickly scanned the room, but no urinal was to be found. His foggy brain considered, for a moment, this oddity but was soon overpowered by the Urgent Matter. While inside, Christopher's brain also noted the little white bins placed so conveniently on the stall--wait a minute! A startling realization suddenly burst through the fog of confusion.

He was--GASP!--IN THE LADIES' LOO!!

Resolution of Urgent Matter was immediately aborted and a very chagrined, but certainly enlightened, Christopher returned sheepishly to his seat.

**True Story

Bennett Cox Brings Vanilla Ice in from the Cold

Being a product of the 80s has lasting effects. Apparently, "THE 80s" buries itself deep in a wrinkle of the affected one's genes, and carries silently over into the next generation. Last week at dinner, Bennett repeatedly requested his favorite entree--ice. Piece after piece went into his cup and, after hearing the word over 20 times and in varying pitches, Christopher and I decided it was time Bennett was introduced to Vanilla Ice. Don't pretend you don't know what we're talking about. There's no shame in knowing every word of "Ice Ice Baby." Really.

We taught Bennett how to say that oh-so- nostalgic phrase and it came back to haunt us tonight. We put him in his bed, gave him the customary drink and after he was done guzzling, he put his cup down and said, "Ice, ice baby"... with a grin. Hurry, someone grab my red, white and blue parachute pants!

Skipping Joyfully--not RUNNING--to Catch Up

Rookie Year for 10467 Sugarloaf Christmas Lights

Nothing says HAPPY 29TH BIRTHDAY, CHRISTOPHER! like taking a dip** into Fiesta Flamboyance Fondue***

**Note: Made-up name because I have no clear recollection of the actual name of said fondue.

***Note also this would not be considered a skinny dip since I'm sure I took a few extra, uninvited and somewhat clingy pounds home with me.

"Tansa"

Bennett and his girl, London. We still need to work out the dowry details, but it's practically a done deal.

All hail to peanut butter on such an occasion as this!

"You're laughing at my hat, aren't you?"

I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon.
~Ellen DeGeneres

Orphaned Camera Hitches a Ride

Have you noticed there is a serious lack of pics on my blog? I have. But there is good news on the horizon! My orphaned camera returned home this weekend. He/she/it was abandoned in Price by a careless, negligent owner over the Thanksgiving holiday and had to hitch a ride with my in-laws. Sadly, said camera is suffering and in great pain due to some Inner Camera ailment that is undiagnosable by the likes of me. And the pictures on my sick little camera are being held hostage. So until I figure out how to heal he/she/it, my blog will be a Picture Void. (Don't tell the sick camera, but its replacement is on its way via UPS. Merry Christmas to us!)

Merry Reading

Bennett and I have been reading some fun Christmas books as of late. We thought we'd share some of our faves.

Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Audrey Wood

Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Greene

Are You Grumpy, Santa? by Greg Spiridellis

Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell

A Star So Bright by M. Cristina Butler

Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner

Snowy Day for a Farewell

There is a risk in allowing ourselves to love other living things. The risk is in losing them. On this very snowy December day, we bid farewell to our "firstborn", Marty (The Cat).

I can only hope there are lush curly ribbon fields and newspaper hills. And yellow feather dusters in whatever form they appear in Cat Heaven. If there are, Marty is one happy cat.

50,000 Word Piece of My Mind:NaNoWriMo

During the month of November, my brain spilled out 50,000 of its words onto paper. (84 single spaced pages, thank you very much!)It was NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) that caused such a spilling. And as a result, not only am I a WINNER of NaNoWriMo, but I have half a novel in its purest form to show for it. When I say purest form, I mean PUREST FORM. It is raw, unrefined. A La Natural. But it's out of my head, thus freeing up some much needed space.

I have been writing children's books for 3 years now and have 6 manuscripts ready to send out into the Void of Publishing Attempts. However, I had not thought about writing a novel, more specifically a young adult novel, until August of this year when an idea came to mefrom Writer Heaven. And NaNoWriMo made it all possible! I wrote every day for 2 hours (approximately 2,300 words) and am now about haflway through my novel. (Many thanks to Bennett for taking 2 hour naps.) It is exciting. I know my characters and they carry on conversations in my head, which to some may seem creepy, but to writers is a delightful way of making lifeteime friends! As a former counselor and more recent writer, I am all about confidentiality. Meaning, I will not disclose what my characters are telling me. Translated: I am giving no details about my book until it is complete, polished and sparkly. :)

Who Needs Bear Hugs, Anyway?

I want a pet lion!

Let 'Em Flow

Okay...I'm not usually one to shed a tear over a touching story or tender moments. However, I heard the story of Joseph Democko and his 3 boys and tears were shed. In a bountiful measure. If you have not read or heard this story, it is time you do. Not only will it leave you feeling grateful, it will renew your sense of goodness in people. And quite possibly produce tears. More than a few, I will wager.

You can find the story at the following URL: http://www.people.com/people/package/article/0,,20153759_20152177,00.html

or

Rachael Ray had an entire show about this guy. You can find it on her website www.rachaelrayshow.com on the Tuesday, November 27th, show. Amazing. It's worth your time. Trust me.

One Benefit of Standing in Line

There I was....standing in line at...well, it doesn't matter WHERE. I was crazy for being out in public today, but had to get a few last minute groceries. Just like every other person in the valley. As a result of everyone else doing the same exact thing I was doing, I ended up in a LOOOOONNNNNGGGG line, with no end in sight. Against my better judgment, I quickly glanced over the magazine rack to see what smut was available as a time killer. And then! Behold, Matt Damon's face on the cover of People magazine--THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE! Let's just say, the line went a little too quickly after that. Ha ha! Oh, and don't worry. Christopher has a little Hollywood crush of his own--Jennifer Garner, for any of you wondering.

P.S. Bourne Ultimatum is out on DVD December 11th! (I vote for a fourth in the Bourne series. Anyone with me?)

Now available! Cox Family Secrets Online!

All the juiciest little tidbits of the Cox family are now available to, well, virtually anyone that cares! And we'll be here, making sure you get the latest and greatest news...or at least plain ol' news. I can't promise juicy or greatest and I really can't promise latest. But, here we are, joining the growing throng of bloggers. Come to think of it, I've always dreamed of possessing a title like "blogger". It's nearly as covetous as "millionaire" or "Nobel Prize Winner". Probably trumps "Advice Columnist" as well. Whatever status it does or does not bring upon us, here's to blogging!