Love, Jori :)

Has it really been over a YEAR since my mom has made a post? I knew it had been a long time, but a year?! Wow, time keeps going by faster and faster! You see, when she first started this blog, she came to me for answers. I was not extremely comfortable with the blogging world myself. But much more computer savvy I guess, so she turned to me! I loved it because I would get to first dibs on what she was going to post about. "Hey Jori, I want to make a post on 'this', let's take a picture of it." Haha I loved it. Since when does my mom like taking pictures?? I still can't believe she put the picture up of her holding her latest friend at the time.

Anyway, I just got some inspiration(see picture below) and decided I want to make a little post about her. Maybe help ya get to know her more.

Those of you who don't know me, I'm Jori. Hi. :)
I am her youngest daughter of six. Yeah, the youngest. I must get everything I want, right? Haha well I don't think so. (Even though my siblings would have to disagree with that at many times.) My mom is just wonderful and would do anything for her kids. ANYTHING. And I don't get any sort of favoritism to that. (Ok, maybe just a little ;).) But really when it comes down to it, my mom is just an extremely selfless, caring, and loving mom. There are so many examples of this I could bring up and go so much more into, but I wanna get to this.....

Do any of you know what this is?

Notice that pan, pecans, powdered sugar...


Hmm, why could this be laying out on the table on a night such as this?


Well let me tell you why. It's CINNAMON ROLL making time. My mom is famous for these babies. Every Christmas morning. Birthdays, if that's what you want. Heck, even as her appreciation to members in the ward. She will make these awesome, delightful, heart-warming pieces of heaven.

So what's the occasion this time?

Ok.. well let me tell you what tomorrow is. It is clinical presentations day for the respiratory care program at Gateway Community College. What the heck is that? Well you see, I am a student at Gateway in the respiratory care program. Its my first semester there. Clinical presentations is where the students get to present a clinical situation (their experience working with a patient at the hospital) to the rest of the program and faculty. Fortunately, I am first semester and so have not yet been to clinical rotations to work at the patients bedside. So us first semester students get to sit back and enjoy what we hear. Or so that's what they say...I'm sure it's going to be a huge learning experience.

Still, what does this have to do with my mom making cinnamon rolls?? I'm getting there, I promise.

Clinical presentations day is from 7am to 4pm and is a potluck breakfast and lunch all day. (Thank goodness!) When they told us about this at the beginning of the semester and how we are to each bring some kind of food to share...I thought, "...breakfast, cinnamon rolls, man everyone would love me!" Haha. I just kept that in the back of my head though.

Then as the semester kept rolllin by, my birthday came along. It just so happened to land on a Thursday this year. Thursdays were my lab days. 7 - noon. I had great people in my lab who loved to bring food. Come on, who doesn't love that? Especially when you have to be at school at 7-in-the-freaking-morning. My teacher had also said at the beginning of the semester that she doesn't mind if we bring food for the class, or if its someone's birthday and they want to bring birthday cake. That was my cue. I would bring cinnamon rolls. Yessss. Sure enough, my mom was happy to make them. They were a hit! At the end of the day, my classmates were ready to hire her. Seriously. They told me, "Tell your mom, if she will make these again for us, we will bring money for her and pay her." I'm really gonna have to start that for next semester! What a great way to make some extra bucks. Its a win-win situation. My class is happy, teachers would be happy, I'd be happy cuz they are happy, and my mom would be happy with some extra cash, so that would make me even more happy. So really its a win-win-win-win-extra win situation.

Ok, wow. Sorry, I feel like I keep going off on tangents. But after that first taste of my mom's cinnamon rolls. Almost everyday, my class has been raving about them. I told my mom all about this, then threw in there..."would you be willing to make them again for the end of the semester?" Sure enough, what did she say? Yes!

So when it came time to discuss clinical presentations day again in class and what we should be looking for and are responsible for, I was sure to let my class know that my mom will be making cinnamon rolls. Oh how much joy that brought the class. My teacher was especially excited. (She had been trying to go off sweets. Mind you, when I first met her, she told us she loves desserts and believes they go with every meal of the day. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Donuts were especially her thing. Until she had my mom's cinnamon rolls that is. Ha when I took them to class for my birthday, she almost failed my because I was taking away her will power. Really, she basically threatened me. Then what'd she do? She had seconds. Oh the power of these cinnamon rolls.) Everyone is anticipating these cinnamon rolls tomorrow. No pressure mom!

Now here it is, just after midnight. I was in the kitchen earlier and noticed that little set-up for cinnamon roll-baking. My mom had told me she was going to get up at 3 in the morning to make them. ..But I think I hear her getting up now. That little stinker! She gets no sleep. I don't know how she does it. These past few weeks of no sleep for me because of studying is nothing compared to my mom's inadequate sleep. Anyhow, I better wrap this up so she doesn't suspect that I'm doing this. I wanna make her surprised! And it just so happens Mother's Day is in two days, what a coincidence. Happy Mother's Day Mom!! :)

I just had to show some more appreciation to my fantastic mother. So mother, thank you. For always being so willing to do anything that you know will make your children happy. I love you. You sacrifice so much of your time for those that you love. You are an amazing woman and I hope to be a great mother to my children someday as you have been to me. I love youuu. To the moon and back, and back and back and back. Forever and always.

P.S. Let's start blogging again. We have the house to ourselves! It's just you, me, and dad. Let's get down to business, finish our projects, and blog about them! I know everyone here in this world misses your posts.
P.S.S. I somehow managed to delete your previous background.. But I came across this one, I hope you like it!

Love your favorite,

Jori



Sidenote to all of you professional bloggers: Maybe someday soon I'll start a blog of my own. For a project for school this semester, I kept one about my progress through the respiratory care program. It made me realize that blogging really is not all that hard, and its fun! I've always wanted to, just haven't felt creative enough for it. So stay tuned. I may be joining ya'll! Keep on posting and giving me inspiration, and the sooner I will have to make mine! :) Love you all!!

Love at Home

Well, here I am writing another tender post. I miss my Dad. He has been gone five years today. May 1st. 2004. Occasionally I drive by his house and reminisce time spent there the last few years of his life. We spent a lot of time there taking care of his yard and cleaning his house. These are great memories for me. Dad took great pride in having a nice yard.
It was such a special time in being able to help take care of Dad., after he got ill. He was always so kind. Dad was all about love!!!! I had a great Dad. He loved the Lord, was such a hard worker, so organized, loved to serve people and put on a great party, those luaus are memorable. He was a loyal friend, and was such a tease, Justin has gotten that trait. He always had a story to tell, for most of my life I believed every word. He made sure my childhood was the best. Disneyland every summer, Horseback riding every Thursday, Annual Cowboy Breakfast, steak cookouts, story telling on the sun-deck. We really never wanted for any material thing , he was a great provider. He was a great man, a great Dad and grandpa. I miss his early 6:00 Tuesday morning phone call, "Are you making me something good to eat today?" Oh, how he loved green chili corn bread. He never complained, he was always so positive about life. Even the last day of his life, we had such a great conversation, expression of love for each other and the family when all along he was in a lot of discomfort, little did we know how much fluid was building inside of his body.
I miss his hugs.

His sayings:
"Don't take any wooden nickels"
"What's the price of wheat in Shang-hi?"
"Its cuuute"
"Aseeta balancha aseeta papoo"
"I see London I see France, I see (insert name here) 's underpants."
"You know the song of the shepherd's serinade? ... BAAA BAAAA"
"There's a place in France where the naked ladies dance. There's a hole in the wall where the men can see it all." (just imagine his signature peck muscle flexation)
"Pop-eye the sailor man"
"Now, now."
These are just a few examples of my witty Dad's humor.
We always knew he wasn't happy when he would say, "We need to have a pow wow."
..... Dad I love you. And I miss you!
Let us all remember Lavon or is it LaVaun, or LaVaughn or Vaughn, A. Wright???

This morning I attended the 5:30 a.m. session at the Temple . When I got to the assembly room and sat down, the song Love at Home was playing, and then today just as we were closing the Antique shop at 4:00, "Dancing with my Father" by Luther Vandross started playing on the radio, (Dad passed away at 4:00p.m.) Do you think he was close by today? Now mother and Dad are together preparing a place for us, I wonder how many dogs and horses will be there. I forgot to mention his love for animals, do you think Liz has followed in those footsteps? Love you sista.

Dad was in a lot of parades, preparing for those events was a big endeavor, I think Lo and I probably have more memories of this. Gosh, I had such a great childhood, THANK YOU to my wonderful parents. I miss you both dearly. ALOHA

Love at first sight

Is your purse or handbag, a friend. A true and loyal friend. I found mine last week at Target. You see I have had friends in the past that were not really me, and they would get returned to the store after a week or two, but this new one meets all my criteria of being loyal. First the size works, its not too deep, easy to find what I am looking for. The color is good for summer, it is soft, not too stiff, it has a snap, not a zipper. It has handles and a strap. very user friendly. Frankly it has everything I look for in a TRUE FRIEND. And it was under 30.00 dollars, I never spend over 30.00, I would show you my other friends of the past but after Oprah had the show on hording I got rid of them. This new love makes me smile, makes me happy. Do you have a true friend?

P.S. The day after my new friend and I met, I went to work and Jessica Blair and said, "Hello, Oh Lucille, cute bag!" I knew then that this was a long-lasting relationship.
Also, my daughter Jamie said, "Oh mom you got a new friend! It makes me happy when I see it."

..If you only knew how many stores I have gone to over the last few months to find my one and only. I truly have a friend.

My Angel Mother

Today is April 2nd. It has been twenty years since my angel mother left this mortal existence, seems like it just happened and that it has been a life time all in one. My mother, Norma Riggs Wright was an amazing women. Health problems, were her Gethsemane, her test in life. She had strength and courage. Oh, how I miss my mother. I miss being able to call her on the phone and have her with a ready answer to my question, for you see she was very wise. My mom knew a lot about everything, from love, to child rearing, homemaking, decorating, gardening, entertaining, the buzz on hollywood, to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, she was a smart lady my mother, and I miss her more than I can express in words. Memories are all I have now, and my memories are tender to my heart. I understand now, why my mother did some of the things she did. Living life has a way of helping us understand....... I miss my mothers smell, her touch, her tenderness, her laugh, her knowledge, her wisdom, her testimony, her humor, her presence. I miss not being able to share my life with her, Jamie was just 2 yrs. old when mother died, the only one who has a lot of memories of her is Jill. I asked Justin not too long ago of his memories of grandma, and they are faded; that makes me sad. My mother taught me how to love, we love deep, we feel deep. Sometimes I think that might be a curse, but, no I am grateful because I know what love is and how to love because of my mother. There is not a day that does not go by that I don't think of her. I know she is not very far away. I have felt her from time to time over the years, and that is a comfort. I need to take the time and write down some stories of experiences from my life with her so that my family can have her brought to life for them. Just know this, Norma was an amazing, beautiful, culture refined woman, she was an angel. I miss her, I love her. It has been twenty years since my mother left this mortal existence.

Enough Already

Who's on the Lord's side who?

Is there anyone out there that is fed up with the news media, television in general, or talk radio? I have had to just turn it off. I find myself just wanting to watch old classic movies or reading a good book, or looking at decorating magazines. If I have to hear our NEW Pres. of the good ole USA try and sell his socialism plan one more time I think I will scream. I know it is important to be up with current events, but all of this mess with the economy is craziness. Have you noticed how the Ensign this month is all about self-reliance, preparedness, and having the oil in our lamps full. I love the scriptures, only by trusting in the Lord will we find peace. I am so grateful for the gospel, I think as time goes on, all of us, if we ask for it will have many missionary experiences. The signs of the times, as many say, are all around us. I hope as we all live each day we pray to be a good influence, I know all of you do, what great examples you all are to me. You can just tell how strong these little spirits that are coming to our homes now are. Definitely saturday warriors! I am excited for Jori, this year she is going to be in the Easter pageant, as a birth angel. She is excited too. A chance to participate in such a great program and feel the spirit so strong each night will be amazing. Let us all treasure our blessings, we live in an exciting time, the best of times and the worst of times..... now that I have vented I feel better. I am anxious for general conference. Let us stay close. I love you all.

Enjoy Life Eat Doughnuts!

This post is for Mandi and all of us who like DOUGHNUTS which is probably all of the WRIGHT family. Did you know that Brigham Young had donuts as part of his morning breakfast, buttermilk doughnuts,that is. I would like to share with you a recipe from the Lion house in Salt Lake City, remember we are taught to follow the prophet!


2cups buttermilk
2large eggs beaten
51/2 cups flour
l1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
6 tablespoons butter

In a medium bowl stir together all dry ingredients and set aside. Whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and sugar. Add melted butter and whisk again. Add dry ingredients and gently stir together. Do not use a mixer. [Remember Brigham didn't have electricity] Dough will be sticky. Start heating frying oil to 375 degrees. (Lard works best.)
Roll or pat dough on a well floured board about 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick. Cut with 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter. Form the scraps into a ball and reroll and cut. Fry in hot oil. Doughnuts will start to crack when they are ready to turn. Remove when golden brown. Drain on paper towel.
While warm sprinkle with granulated sugar as desired. Makes 2 dozen. Go to mormonTimes.com

Enjoy! Conclusion, I will be brave and share a deep emotion . I have always lived with the attitude of when I, when I loose x amount of weight I will buy some great clothes, when I this or when I that. I look at pictures of myself ten or twenty years ago and think, I was not that fat, I wish I looked like that now. I should of enjoyed life more then. Of course we should be healthy conscience ,But now that my metabolism has come to a streaking halt, I am trying to enjoy life at where I am. A new season of aging, wrinkles, flab, arthritis pain etc. Thank goodness I have Mandi to keep by eyebrows lookin good and Tara to keep the gray out of my hair, the point is . Be happy with yourselves, where you are RIGHT NOW , life is precious, say positive things about yourself and to your children, Your kids will have better self-esteems if they know their mother feels good about herself. For me , my grand kids have a comfy cozy pillow to hug. So therefore if you want a doughnut, enjoy it, eat it . Life goes by so quickly..........

What is most important?

Dear Friends, Pondering of what is most important to me , inspired this change. The sampler on the top left, reads Forget me not, remember me, watch and pray, the one on the top right says,Good life, if you would live a life discreet Five things observe with care: of whom you speak, To whom you speak, And how, and when and where. The sampler in the middle, Home Sweet Home, brings me to convey this thought. How blessed is a life who has the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ as a road map, what a blessing it is to pray to an Heavenly Father who loves us, and knows us. Must we never to forget to pray. Living our lives through the example of our Savior, brings peace. As we try to keep the commandments and live our lives according to God's plan of happiness , our homes can be sweet, and a place of refuge for those who enter our door. My goal and desire is to live a life as this and for my home to be such a place of refuge. I love my family, may we be examples to all....Let us all stand for truth, and be steadfast....