Memo from Mom - August

Hey there incredibles!

Here I am again to offer some advice - and believe me, it's only that - offered and not shoved at you.  Thus the email and not the lecture, okay?  I have been accused from time to time of directing my comments at certain family members, and although I have hoped for some to listen extra carefully, I am not actually pointing fingers.  Okay, so here we go.

I've been thinking this week about some of the things that make life easier - the practical things.  Thus, here is a short list of helpful hints from Mom.  Some of them you will already know and others you may not know.  I just hope that you will find them helpful.  Go ahead and laugh - that's what I'm here for, right?

• Clean out your drawers and closet and give things to the DI or Goodwill.  Others have needs that you can meet, and there are always a few things in our closets that we don't use.
• Clean one or two windows every time you get a chance - there's nothing like looking through a clean window to give you a fresh outlook on the world.
• Always run cold water while you run the garbage disposal.  While we're on the subject, you can sharpen your disposal blades by running egg shells or ice through the disposal.  The fastest way to clog the drain is to run carrot peelings or potato peelings through the disposal.  Don't take the chance of running celery ends through - sometimes they just get stuck.  To deodorize it, you can run a half lemon through the disposal.
• Dishwashers do need to be cleaned.  I learned this myself recently!  Dishwasher cleaner is sold alongside the DW detergent and is run through without the dishes when the washer gets mucky at the bottom.
• Clean the microwave without any cleaner, as the residue will make the food taste different.  Use a microwavable cup of water with lemon juice.  Put it in the microwave, heat until steamy, then carefully remove container and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
• Put things away as you go when you cook, as you watch movies, as you do a project, etc.  It makes the mess nonexistent, and no one has to clean up after you.  Imagine that!
• Recycle!  Not only will it help the environment, but it will help you feel better about yourself.
• Be a partner with others - in conversation, in cooking, in cleaning, in projects, in all parts of life.  Life is full of give and take.  Don't be the only talker - listen more; don't be the only one in the kitchen - make it a party and invite others to help.  You know what I'm saying.  I'm sure you also know I'm not the best example of this!  I'm learning...

Okay, so these aren't related to each other or anything, but I hope they might be somehow helpful to you.  We'll add to them as time goes on.  I'm just grateful to have children who continue to teach me in so many ways.  You set such wonderful examples of service and friendship, generosity and love.  I'm so grateful for your strong testimonies and the love you show to immediate and extended family.  You make my life worthwhile!  Thanks for being there, guys.

I love you forever!

Mom 

GPS

Hello Dear family,

I just wanted to add onto this blog. I think it would be a bad thing to just leave it alone. Perhaps I can add some fun stories to the lot here. I think it's time that I come clean with you all. I have a problem with directions. I know you all claim to have known this for a long time, but I have just recently come to terms with it. Recently, Stuart and Amy went on a trip to Puerto Rico. I asked if they would like me to take them to and from the airport. They agreed that that would be great. As I got into the car with them that Saturday morning, I had a thought cross my mind, maybe I should get my GPS and bring it with me (I was driving their car). I mentioned this thought to Stuart and Amy and Amy looked at me incredulously and said, "you can't just come back the same way? We're going to the airport!" I don't know how you'd all feel, but I felt stupid and said, "Oh of course I know... I was just kidding... I like hearing the voice..." In my stomach, however, I had a bad feeling welling up. That bad feeling turned out to be predictive as I attempted to return to their home from the airport. I ended up driving out to a toll bridge (why must I pay for my mistakes like this?). This toll bridge was not in Maryland. So I turned around, paid again, and almost went back all the way to the airport before I realized that I had missed a turn-off again! At this time, I decided to wake-up my dear Anne from her Saturday morning snooze and beg her help on Google maps. With her help, I made it back. The adventure would usually stop there, but I walked into Stuart and Amy's home and the security system started beeping, prompting me to enter the code that Stuart had left me. I didn't think to look at the paper because I remembered it well. Apparently I didn't remember all of it because the house alarm started shrieking and I started panicking. It was so loud that the neighbors knew that the Hagen's home had been infiltrated. I finally got the thing shut off and received a call from the security company. They asked for the password... and I didn't know what to say, so I gave them the code. They thanked me and sent the police. Let's just say that I was on the edge for the rest of the day. My GPS rode with me back to the airport the following week. We are sticking together from now on. As for the rest of you, if you need me to go somewhere, please tell me the state, city, and address. Me and my lady will get there.

Love you guys,

Benson