A Poem for Home

A Pot of Red Lentils

by Peter Pereira

simmers on the kitchen stove.
All afternoon dense kernels
surrender to the fertile
juices, their tender bellies
swelling with delight.

In the yard we plant
rhubarb, cauliflower, and artichokes,
cupping wet earth over tubers,
our labor the germ
of later sustenance and renewal.

Across the field the sound of a baby crying
as we carry in the last carrots,
whorls of butter lettuce,
a basket of red potatoes.

I want to remember us this way—
late September sun streaming through
the window, bread loaves and golden
bunches of grapes on the table,
spoonfuls of hot soup rising
to our lips, filling us
with what endures.

"A Pot of Red Lentils" by Peter Pereira, from Saying the World. © Copper Canyon Press, 2003. Reprinted with permission. (buy now)

I wanted to share this poem (I had to read it for my English class), because it reminds me of home! Also because its perfect for fall. It made me miss our fresh vegetables from the garden, and how in the spring and summer we would weed the garden as a family (okay, i hated doing that...but I miss being together.) And it made me excited for Christmas, when we eat lentil soup and spend time as a family! I guess the point is, I miss home. Love you all!

You Asked for It...

So, Mom says we don't post enough, and Ginger says we should write about little things that happen. Fortunately for you all...I have plenty of hilarious mishaps.
Most recent first:
So, I'm getting all settled into my new apartment on my day off, and I realize: Hey! I have everything to make chocolate chip cookies! And I'm working on perfecting the fluff, so I went ahead and started making some. I get all the way through and taste the dough and...it tastes really funky. So I look around the table at my ingredients, and guess who wasn't paying attention to labels? This girl. I put onion salt in place of real salt!! Being a broke college student, I tried adding spices, and sugars, all to try and save them form waste. But no matter what, after I cooked them, they had a thick, onion-y aftertaste. It was really gross. And really embarrassing.
But it was not nearly as dumb as when I was doing my laundry, and realized that I had washed my pepper spray. Now, my laundry room has only one vent, and its a tightly sealed room. (which i always thought was a bad idea.) Again, not really thinking, I wanted to make sure it still worked. So I sprayed the pepper spray right there. Away from my face, and into the corner...where it bounced right back. And, hey! The pepper spray worked. I couldn't breathe. Lol.
I also had an incident where there was a wasp on the inside of my window sill, but the window was blowing too strongly for it to fly back out. I freaked out, and put it under a cup, and was going to slide paper under it, to take it out side. However, the wasp started flying down, so I couldn't lift it up without losing the paper. I decided I was going to leave it there to die, when I suddenly felt really guilty about murdering it. (Don't ask me why.) But as I flung open the window to let it out, another wasp flies at my head! I dodged, and accidentally knocked over the cup with the trapped wasp.... I ran like the dickens! And tripped over everything in sight. Everyone there was laughing their heads off at me. :)
Well, there you have it. Stories. Because Mom thinks she's too boring.

Oh man its september!!!!! ahhhh.... Its getting hot again... ewww.

 

but so this week was really really good. really good... :)  i learned a lot and set a lot of new goals and i feel, honestlya nd truly, like the Lord has forgiven all of my errors. all of my mistakes. and i am so grateful for that. I am so grateful for the atonement and for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us. I know that it is only through repentance nad change. constantly changing and growing that we can grow nad later be worthy to return and live with him. I am so thankful for that opportunity.  I hope everyone someday can realize the significance of that sacrifice and have the desire to change their lives. and be better.

 

but so this week was my companions birthday! and so we decided to surprise her. she said like 2 weeks before that she wanted a lomito (a sandwich type thing...) and so i arranged with hermana franco and hermana wills (the other hermanas we live with) so that htey would buy the stuff and then id make a giant chocolate chip cookie (because she likes those tooo...) and we would have a surprise birthday party.  :) hehe but did you know that its really hard to create a surprise birhtday party for someone you ahve to be with 24-7... luckily in the apartment we can be in different rooms. but it was sooo fun.. im not really sure why because i just made a cookie and put a candle ona sandwich that hermana franco bought and we sung happy birthday and took pictures... but it was a lot of fun.. I love my companion so much. she is amazing.  and someday i hope you guys can meet her.

 

We also taught some great people this week. one we are pretty excited about. we have a member whos husband is not a member... he doesnt even really believe in god btu we went to teach her and he came nad listened!!! it was so exciting. he doesnt have the greatest opinion about hte church but thats changing little by little. and that he listened to us is HUGE!!!!!!! im pretty excited about that.

 

So ive started to read Doctrine and covenants this week.  Ive always loved church history but d&C isnt my favorite. i love the book of mormon. but D&C has some really great stuff. I really like to look at all of the advice the Lord gave to these early saints and to us to help us.  Today i found a scripture that i just fell in love with! its D&C 6:33-34

It says:

 33 ^aFear not to do ^bgood, my sons, for whatsoever ye ^csow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow ^dgood ye shall also reap good for your ^ereward.
 34 Therefore, fear not, little ^aflock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are ^bbuilt upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
Isnt it just great?!?! i love that it tells us to "fear not to do good" and then it tells us to "fear not" and hten to "do good" this little change i just really like.  we shouldnt be afraid to do good because only good comes from good but also we shouldnt fear. we shouldnt fear anything nad hte solution for that is to do good!!! Service and love can really overcome everything. that is one of my goals this week is to serve. really really serve.  and you guys should try it too!!!
love you! i should go.. but have a great great great week!
hermana applegate

What’s happening at home?

The first week of school wrapped up and we survived that new early schedule. On Thursday, the first day that Aubri went back to school, we did the usual family routine of animals in the wee early hours, pack lunches, eat breakfast, get ready, family scriptures and family prayers then out the door before the clock strikes 6am. … The great news is that we actually did it! Yeah!

Andrew was set apart last Sunday in the Teachers Quorum as first counselor. I didn’t get to be there since I was teaching my family history class at the time… but the Bishop assured me that is was awesome and would have made me cry. (not sure if that makes me feel better or worse!)

Aubri has been asked to give a talk for the Primary program about repentance. We really need to write that darn talk sometime soon!

Today in church I was put in as the Beehive advisor. I will be teaching .. yeah! My favorite thing to do! I was pretty excited about that. I did hear afterwards that the class is so tough that the last teacher quit and was in tears every time she tried to teach. … Hopefully, I can turn that around! Andrew says that I have “the look” when I teach.

When I asked him what he was trying to say, he demonstrated me teaching… stopping mid sentence and glaring at the back of a class room as if my next step was to take out a machete and see what I could do with that! It was cute when he did it… lets hope that I am tough, but not quite that bad!

Gosh… I seriously can’t think of anything else that is happening at home!

I did make a quick trip to the temple and the kids spent the evening at Gingers house. That was fun… but seriously, other than that, it has been mostly work, laundry, cooking and getting ourselves on the early schedule.

Have a wonderful week!

Mom

Picture Blog!

HI HI!

So much is happening, just wanted to write a quick "picture" blog post!!

Some of these you may have seen on facebook already, but just look at them anyway!!!

Still on the no-sugar thing! had a hiatus this weekend cause i had to deal with a bunch of crazy people but im back on and going strong!!

Speaking of my no good, very bad, horrible weekend.. Aubri and Mom came over and cheered me up! we played, laughed and cleaned my room! all my favorite things! Aubri tried on my new extensions (clip in pieces) and so did Mom! Love my fake hair! Although i never wear it out cause im paranoid it will be obvious that its fake!! haha

Went to the Dierks Bentley Concert and was SET on spending the mula on getting some real true cowgirl boots that fit right and i would wear all the time. i comprimised on the pair i LOVED at $230.00 to these ones at $170.00.. havent bought them yet.. but i think im going to! Thoughts???

Brooke (my roommate) and I tried to recreate Texas Roadhouse at home.. it worked! sorta... hhahaha 

Continuing Pilates with my friend Melanie even though its FREAKING expensive! We do it once a week and I love it! See that machine at the bottom of  the picture? Ya.. THAT is the torture device! haha It hurts so good! 

I got a new car stereo installed! now i can play my ipod. GOODBYE burned discs!!! haha

I got some pool time in with my newly active in the church friend named Lacey....

I got my hair done and the girl dropped some bleach on my toes and since i had a spray tan it bleached REALLY bright! so we added more bleach and made it into a heart! hahahaha

I baked 24 cookies for Relief Society visits then all of them canceled.. then i had my bad weekend.. guess who ate all of those cookies in a matter of 3 days.. thats right brooke and i. wow. haha sooo yummy tho! i meant to give them to someone else who would appreciate a plate of treats but ya.. never got around to it.. oops!

I had the opportunity to go to Atlanta again with the Bridal Collection to pick out what will be in the store next year. Fashion shows from dawn till dusk and 14 hour days alongside lots of budgeting planning and walking.. lots of work but so fun! We picked out some fun Prom dresses and also picked up a new bridal designer for the store. Here are some pics!!!

 This was the weird "art" at the Atlanta airport that i had to capture.. why ants?? i still dont get it!

 This was the hotel we stayed at. Same as last year. There are 47 floors and its all open on the inside we took the glass elevator(which reminded me of willy wonka!) all the way to the top and took a picture looking down. Who wants to count how many floors we could see?? hahahah

This is all of us at the end of the trip.. we are tired and hot and ready to go home so dont judge how we look! (left to right: GayLynn(owner) MEghan (Sales manager), Lynn (Owner), ME! 

Well.. i guess thats it for now! Love you all... hope to see some more posts from some of you! xoxo!! 

Dear Family,

Well, here at home the summer is winding down. The evenings are getting cooler and from time to time I think about adding another blanket to my bed.

The tomatoes and cucumbers from the greenhouse are fantastic to have and make all the hard work we put in there well worth the effort.

With fall comes school and tomorrow morning, Andrew heads back to High School and Seminary and Aubri begins on Thursday. I think we are all ready for the schedule to start again, but have enjoyed the lazy days of summer.

Christopher is working at Sonic now, he rides into work with me and then when I get done I pick him up. It is an awesome arrangement that works out perfectly; we are very luck to have this situation. He is earning the last minute money before he heads out to the mission field. My guess is that we should have papers ready to turn in within about 3 weeks. Yipeee!!!

I am excited about all of my missionaries! Sarah called today and says that she is ready to go and will come home to prepare at Christmas, submit papers and be ready on her 21^st birthday.

For me, work is getting busy, as we are entering that season. We have inventory which takes so much work it would make your head spin and of  course, my busy season happens before the customers come shopping, so in about 3 weeks, “stuff” will begin to arrive by the truck loads and I am the lucky girl that gets to sort through all the errors, pay the bills, file the claims and make sure it all runs smoothly. Thank heavens for my iPod and all the awesome church podcasts that I have found. It keeps my mind off the drudgery and makes the time fly faster until I get to come home to my family.

Betsy and family are slowly moving into their little apartment. You would be so impressed with the kind of job that Jeff is doing on that! I have no idea where he is getting the energy… it is amazing! Very talented guy.

It is so nice to see them at church on Sunday… just so nice. I ran into Betsy at the post office the other day and it was about the coolest thing that I could think of. Such a fun surprise!

We are still milking at home… well, let me word that… I … am still milking at home. Every time I talk about giving up for the year, I get some serious milk drinkers that beg me not to and I keep on keeping on. I have to admit it is nice to always have fresh yummy milk in the fridge, no doubt. I keep thinking that if I were sleeping instead of milking I would get the much needed beauty rest that I want… but it seems like when I stop milking, something else comes up and I don’t get that sleep anyway.

Well… I suppose that is about all that is happening here at home. I will have to start thinking of something exciting to write next week because this sounds a little hum drum for sure!

Love you all!

Mom

Aug 5 2012

Today I retire to my computer as I have just been slaughtered in a game of Risk with Andrew and Christopher. Aubri was the first to go, then me. I must admit... I am considering grounding the boys tomorrow if they make a single side step out of line! Those buggers pretty much ganged up on me and took me out together! So Annoying!

Ok... back to real life. :)

For those of you who didn't get the whole story, it has been a life changing month for me. The first of July I went in for a routine MRI to just make sure that everything is still at bay. Most unfortunetly, they found a tumor in my remaining breast and were quite concerned. They had me come back the following day for yet another MRI and to take a biopsy of the area. So, me and my practically empty check book headed back up to the MRI/Radiology Clinic for a torture session. As it turned out, the session was a bit more brutal than I expected due to the fact that I take one aspirin every day as prescribed by my oncologist (it is supposed to help with cancer recurrence) Anyway, I guess this makes my blood thin and I had some bleeding issues. This created a very muddy MRI picture (and some tougher healing) but they took a bunch of samples anyway.

The doc told me that she knew it was "something" and that if my results came back with "nothing" we would need to do it again until we got something.

I wasn't very encouraged, and found myself with a bit of panic not wanting to face having cancer again. After some discussion with the doctor she pretty much convinced me to prepare for that... so I went home with a heavy heart to say the least.

I spoke with Dad told him, but decided to not stress my kids out about this and so I wanted to wait until the test result were back.

(Maybe a stupid decision, but none the less that is what I decided)

I got my results just a couple of days later... and they got "nothing" meaning... they missed the tumor.

The rotten part was that we had to get "something" before we could quit. But the first biopsy was too brutal and I needed time to heal and stop the bleeding issues... stop taking the aspirin and get things healed up. My next MRI guided biopsy was scheduled for 3 weeks later.

This was a tough 3 weeks for me. I spent time in the Temple, on my knees and pulled out some old books I had from my first bout with cancer that Neal A Maxwell wrote (not sure you know this but he passed away from cancer and fought it for a long time... I just really like him)

Anyway, I came to the understanding more completely and fully about what "faith" really means. What enduring to the end really means... and more than just what it means... but more how to really "do it".

It is hard to explain, but I realize that to truely have faith... my MUST trust the Lord. You HAVE to be willing to submit to HIS will 100% and with patience and with cheerfulness.

You can not leave this part out of the faith equation. Faith means you trust the Lord to do for you what HE knows is best... If you trust him, you know that no matter what comes your way, He knows what is best for you, and would never give you something that wasn't for the best! Even if this means death (as rough as that sounds) but seriously... if he thinks that it is time for you to go... and you trust Him 100% then you can be sure that death is what he wants for you.

That sounds so intense, but it was such a lesson for me... another test of sorts to determine if I really did trust my Father in Heaven. I say I do... but do I REALLY?

Those 3 weeks were a test to my faith. I spent long nights awake thinking about this and studying examples of faithful people of the scriptures.

Finally last Wednesday the time came to return for the next MRI guided large needle biopsy. The questions I asked myself for weeks would now be answered... did I trust the Lord?

See... just because I wanted to not have this happen... didn't have anything to do with it. What really mattered was... am I willing to submit to the will of the Lord because I trust Him.

I believe that all though I am not perfect in this regard, I did feel my faith and trust in the Lord increase.

Of course you know the end of the story. The test results came back as an internal scaring that was only "acting" like a cancer tumor. The test was over,  I had not had a cancer recurrence.

I guess I could have not understood this concept as much as I do right now, without the worry and wonder as to what would be my future and fate.

It was a lesson that I thought I would share with my family.

Love you all... and hoping you all have a wonderful week...

Lots and lots of love from home sweet home!

Mom

ITS OFFICIAL

31 Jul 2012

Virginia Nichole Scurti 
8022 S Columbine Ct
Centennial, CO 80122


Dear Ginger:

Congratulations! You have been admitted to the BYU-Idaho Pathway Program. This is truly a unique educational opportunity.

We request that you respond to your offer of admission at www.byui.edu/response. (Before responding, please allow 3-4 business days for our systems to fully update with your admission decision.) On this site, you will complete the following steps, which must be done before you can register for classes:

- Accept or decline your admission offer
- Create a BYU-Idaho username and password 
- Receive your BYU-Idaho student number (your I-number) and your university email address

As a new Pathway student, you will begin your studies in the Academic Start Curriculum. For information about registration, academic deadlines, semester schedules, and more, please visit www.byui.edu/online/pathway/current-students/first-semester-x40464 and select your Pathway location.

Please note that a minimum number of applications is required to start a new class. If the minimum number of students is not reached at your location, you may have to wait until the next semester to begin taking classes.

Welcome to BYU-Idaho. We wish you the best as you pursue your educational goals. If you have further questions about the program, please contact your Pathway missionaries. You can find their contact information at the Pathway first semester Web page referenced above. You may also contact the Online Support Center directly at: 

Email: onlinelearning@byui.edu
Local Phone: 208-496-1800
Toll Free: 866-672-2984
Skype: onlinesupportcenterbyui
Live Chat: www.byui.edu/online/online-support-center

Sincerely,

Admissions Committee
Brigham Young University-Idaho Admissions Office

Life is happening...

Happy Tuesday!!

I've been meaning to write a post on here for awhile.. and today I feel like slacking at work.... so TODAY IS THE DAY! haha aren't you so happy??

SO, here is whats new in my life, I am recently and officially a BYU-I student to get my business degree.. ugh! haha back to school I guess! On one hand its the absolute LAST thing I want to do.. but I have really felt like its the right thing for my life and a few opportunities came up that I felt like I couldn't pass up. So I enrolled in the Pathways program which is basically a cheaper, online solution through the church to going back to college/finishing a degree. (if anyone is interested in learning more, let me know!! Its an amazing and inspired program to help you get an education!) So ya , that starts in September.. YIKES!

I also turned 25. GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! haha no, its ok,  I've come to terms with it. I actually went on a weekend trip to my roommates hometown in the San Luis Valley and more specifically Manassa. We stayed on her parents MASSIVE farm. They grow hay and canola and wheat I think. It was a really cool experience and I had some time to soak up the true smell of freshly bailed hay think about my life. I wouldn't have had it any other way.. at first, 25 was freaky and I felt old. But then I felt grateful for everything I had been through and learned. I realized 25 is young still and I have so much more to do and see and learn. I wouldn't be who I am today without the past I have lived. I also get a discount on my car insurance. haha

Speaking of my car, I finally paid that sucker off, lowered my insurance bill, and in September of this year I will finally be free of anything tying me to my accident and all the wrong choices I made regarding my driving habits.. if you know what I mean! haha So September it will be off my record. I got in my accident when I was 16. count it.. that's 8 years later people.. Don't make stupid decisions like I did! haha Anyway.. now that's all taken care of,  I'm itching to buy a convertible.. ok its not an itch its like a full body rash, I want one soooo bad!!!! Im thinking a black toyota solara...siigghhh but Im trying to be smart.. maybe Ill get a huge raise this year and I'll decide to take on another car payment haha

My calling is going well, I'm still in the RS presidency of my singles ward.. We have a really tight knit presidency and things work well for our ward so Id suspect Ill be in that calling for awhile longer haha. I really enjoy it and its only stressful every once in awhile. I DID have a traumatizing moment a few weekends ago at the summer YSA conference. I was getting my food and walking to sit with some people at a table towards the back when I heard someone calling my name.. I looked around but didn't recognize anyone so I kept walking then I heard it again and I turned around and HAVE MERCY.. it was freaking HOLLY ROTH PEOPLE. I didn't even recognize her but she was like its holly roth.. remember me? I was like um I remember the 8 yr old you! not the 18 or however old you are now! So I guess she moved back to CO and is going to school and is in my singles ward. Guys, Im in the same singles ward as a kid who  I babysat almost 10 years ago... I need to get married. hahaha

Next week Im going to market again with The Bridal Collection. They are flying me to Atlanta with the owner, the manager of the department and one of their husbands. Im so thrilled they asked me to go again. It's a week long. fully paid for AND I get paid the whole time. (Im also taking PTO from my real job so its sort of like getting double paid from both jobs haha woo woo! lol) Not to say Ill be lounging by the pool and going to fancy restaurants the whole time. We work 12 to 14 hours days every day.. there is a TON of walking and decision making the whole time. Fashion shows from dawn till dusk then afterward socials to meet designers and put your stores name out there. We have to decide what might sell in our store, what we want to buy from the designers and how much we can mark each gown up and if we have the budget to keep particular designers and gowns in our store. I really enjoy it.. especially when we get to go in and buy buckets and buckets of jewelry at wholesale prices. So that will be a exciting.exhausting week for me! I can guarantee  blisters on my blisters from wearing heels for 14 hours for 6 days but the experience is worth it!!!
(ps I also get to buy anything at wholesale on any of the floors.. you guys should text me if your looking for anything.. they only take cash but their is a kids floor, jewelry floor, home living floor, shoes, purses etc!)

Welp.. I think that's it for today.. everyone post on here or if not.. at least in the facebook group.. lets keep this dang thing alive. I miss my familia!!!

xoxo~Ginger

Make things easy!

There has been some question as to how you can get all updates on the blog via email.
If you look on the right hand side of the blog... you will see right under the calendar a place to put in your email address. This will send you updates on the blog! Give it a try!

Family Letter July 29, 2012

Dear Family,
I am going to give this a try... instead of an email to Jenna each week, I might as well write to everyone at the same time, post it to the blog then send it to Jenna and personalize it. I think it might be nice.
Ginger commented that we had a little bit of a communication issue in the family and upon thinking about it, I believe that I agree! So... I am hoping to resuscitate the family blog.
This past week Andrew went to Youth Conference and like some of you may remember he went to the same location were everyone jumps off the cliff. I understand he did it. I am awaiting photos that I hope to post here if I can figure out how.
Last week, Andrew also went on a week long canoe trip. He had a good time and came back without any bee stings :)
Aubri had the opportunity of a lifetime... she has just returned from a very grand adventure traveling the countryside with Dad. She was luck and got to see many great things... they went down to North Carolina I think and also got to spend time with the cousins in Bellevue. It was perfect timing and the locations stayed exciting.
It was a little quiet at home those days but they made memories they will be able to have forever.
This week at home we are going to be in the "School Fest" fashion show. Both Aubri and Andrew signed up for this one. It should be exciting and the best part is, you get to keep your clothes.
We were watching a recorded episode of  America's funniest home videos when Aubri saw a commercial for this years school fest with pictures last year. Imagine how excited she was when she found herself on the stage in the commercial! Very excited indeed!
Jeff and Betsy are so busy building building building. Aubri and I went over for a tour yesterday and I have never seen anybody move so fast on getting something built! It is awesome! I am very impressed with how much Jeff has done all at the same time while he is working full time... soooo impressive!
It is so fun to have them in our ward. It just seems so awesome to have them at all the fun events... for me, it is kind of like taking the two coolest parts of my life and putting them in the same spot!
Hopefully, next week I will have photos to post of the fashion show... can't wait to see how Andrew does! Maybe we will have a model out of him and we didn't even know it.
Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Mom

Is our family rich?

One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"
       "It was great, Dad."
        "Did you see how poor people live?"
        "Oh yeah," said the son.
          "So tell me, what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father
The son answered; " I saw that we have on dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.
The boy's father was speachless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are"

December 2011