A Tribute: Ruby Ann LaRue

This is probably one of the worst pictures of me (though darling of my sister Cassie and my Grandma LaRue):


I'm posting it because my sweet, 96-year old grandma LaRue passed away tonight. This picture was taken just two weeks ago, but a week later, she fell, hit her head and broke her hip and it is what finally "helped" her pass on to the other side. Up until then, she was healthier than anyone I knew. Anyone.

I'm happy she's finally getting to be reunited with my Grandpa, who took a walk 20 years ago and hasn't been seen from since. She'll finally get to learn what happened to him. The rest of us will have to wait until it's our turn.

We are having a double funeral/memorial for Grandma and Grandpa LaRue. I can't wait to be able to celebrate their lives and relive memories of them with the rest of my family.

In the mean time, I'm sad that I won't get to see her again on this earth, but oh so happy she's no longer in pain and has moved on to her eternal life and companion.

Love you Grandma.

Just a quick note:

I was so lucky and got to sing with my 8-year old niece yesterday in her ward. We sang "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and were actually able to harmonize a bit with each other.

I want to thank Kymber for asking me to do this. It was an honor and privilege to get to be the first one to be a part of Kymber's first official musical number.

I hope there are many, MANY more to come. You have a beautiful singing voice m'dear...

I've Been Tagged...

I have managed to escape being tagged... UNTIL NOW. My "darling" niece tagged me on her blog. I don't like to do these, but because it's her, I'll do it this one time. Here's to you Bryndee Boo...

THE ABC'S OF ME

A - Attached or single: single (sigh)
B - Best friend: Andrea
C - Cake or pie: White cake with the gooiest chocolate buttercream frosting.
D - Day of choice: Friday (you get the anticipation of Saturday).
E - Essential item: Blistex.
F - Favorite color: Green!
G - Gummy bears or worms: Neither one - GWOSS!
H - Hometown: Gilbert, AZ.
I - Indulgence(s): Chocolate croissants (zoiks!), Pepsi (Mmm).
J - January or July: In town, JANUARY - out of town (like San Diego), JULY!
K - Kids: 19 nieces and nephews.
L - Life is incomplete without: My Family.
M - Marriage date: Now, that's the fruit you're talking about, right? Marriage, what is this marriage you speak of?
N - Number of siblings: 4.
O - Oranges or apples: Oranges.
P - Phobias or fears: Any of my family members being hurt.
Q - Quotes: "Can I sit by you?" as quoted by Bryndee, Porter, Torie, Kymber, and Abby every Sunday when I come over for dinner.
R - Reason to smile: "You're awesome!" from my boss (as I already know this [grin]).
S - Season of choice: Arizona winters - absolutely.
T - Tag three friends: Tricia, Rachel, Alisa.
U - Unknown fact about me: I can seriously stick my entire fist in my mouth.
V - Very favorite store: Any shoe store probably.
W - Worst habit: I like my junk food - salty and sweet.
X - X-ray or ultrasound: Huh?
Y - Your favorite food. Peanut Butter anything.
Z - Zodiac sign: Scorpio.

Cheap Entertainment

On Monday night, I went with my friend Jenny to the LDS Visitor's Center in Mesa. They had an AMAZING showcase of pictures that a local photographer took depicting scenes of Christ's life from the Bible. He used his friends and family in the pictures, and he went all over Arizona to take these pictures.

Right now they're only being shown at the Arizona Temple, but I hope they make the rounds eventually as they are some of the lovliest pieces of art I've seen in a long time.

If you get a chance, you should go see these pictures. They're beautiful. Go here to learn more about them. You really will be amazed and inspired.

And it didn't cost me a dime.

Happy 32nd Birthday...

...to my baby sister Cassie. Love you sis!

I am not suffering...

A lot of people (especially at work) ask me how I feel sacrificing the "niceties" in life by doing this getting-out-of-debt program. I answer them all the same. It's not a sacrifice, and there are people in my life who supply me these niceties on a regular basis, whether it's taking me out to lunch, giving me gift cards, putting movie tickets in my purse (I still don't know who did this), etc. I'm so blessed.

I was going through my purse the other day looking at all the gift cards, etc. that I can still use and I have quite a bit. Take a look:

Funnily enough, this came from the bank that supplied me my horrible Line of Credit - it was a "bonus" for using them (quite a bonus at 18.99%). I still don't know how to use it since supposedly it was supposed to come with some kind of code to activate - I got the card but never the code.

Here is a single movie ticket that landed in my purse towards the end of last year (I think). I can't tell you who it came from or when it showed up in my purse or even why I was fortunate enough to receive it. I also got a gift card to the movies (for Christmas), as well as a gift card to Chick Fil-A (from my 12-days-of-Christmas Secret Friend). I'm not a huge fan of fast food, but Chick Fil-A is one of two that I do enjoy. A lot. I LOVE this card.

This is another set of movie tickets that also landed in my purse. Hmm, methinks maybe I leave my purse unattended too often (smile). Anyway, what a pleasant surprise to find these. I'm just waiting on a good enough movie to use them for.

My lovely friend Lori gave me this Barnes & Noble gift card for my birthday last year. I got it shortly after I sold all of my books at my garage sale and was feeling a little blue about it. It was so fun to get this and so far, save it for that special book that I absolutely HAVE to have, no matter the cost. (Still waiting...)



I received these two gift cards from a friend of mine last year (one just because and one for Christmas). Both go to Carrabba's, which is one of my all time favorite restaurants. Because it's so much food, I don't eat here very often (though the one right by my house calls my name on a regular basis - I don't answer it near enough), which is why I still have some left on these cards. But what a great night out when it's Carrabba's free food.

Last but not least, when I do go out to lunch or go get lunch for my bosses, I have a punch card. These tend to get filled up fast because of how many orders I do. Because of this, I get free lunches on a fairly regular basis at these two restaurants. How delightful is that?



Yeah - there isn't a whole lot of suffering going on here. I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and not only benefitting from getting out of debt, but am being spoiled rotten by those who love me.

I love my life!

Happy Birthday Bryndee!

My beautiful Bryndee (yet another niece) turned 14 this past weekend. She's lovely. Absolutely lovely. Inside and out - her parents got a gem of a teenager in this one.

Happy birthday Bryndee Boo. I sure do love you!