Nugents Nuggets

61 years ago...

2008-11-19T22:25:00.000-08:00

61 years ago on November 20th, I was born in a little town of Safford AZ, seven weeks early because my mother, while visiting her parents, was going to have twins. Up until 2 weeks before Joan and I was born our heart beat together as one, strong and steady. My mother had become huge but thought it was going to be just a big baby, it was her third pregnancy. Dad was in California looking for work and learned of our birth over the phone, he wrote about the conversation with my mom in his journal. What a brave woman my mother was, having her third and forth kids with no hubby around. My mom was the youngest in her family so thank heavens her parents were still around to offer support and a place to go after, Joan and I was born.

Throughout my life people have asked me, "what is it like being a twin?" My answer has always been I loves it! Joan was my best friend! I saw my sister a brave, outgoing and willing to take a risk kind of person. I was more cautious, timid, and wanted to stay between the lines type. Sometime we would fight but not very often, we had the ability to just get along. Joannie pretty much tried and did everything first, walked, rode a bike, dated, got married and had babies before I did. I loved being with her. I would go through anything to see her or talk to her in person or on the phone. it was the happiest day and saddest day in my life when she got married. Her marriage took her all over the world. I didn't get to be with her when she had her first baby, but she didn't get to be with me when I got married. When we had our big families living at home and we had a short opportunity to live near each other, many of our memories were with our families being together, we would go through just about anything with our eleven children so we could be together. we shared, clothes, hand-me-downs, recipes, books we were reading, insights, comfort when days were rough.

I spend a lot of time being the third wheel with Joannie and her husband, Louis, we made some great memories together. I don't recall times when Joan got to be a third wheel, I guess it was just the way life was and it's situation. As we have moved along life's path we have had different experience and heartaches in our lives. I have become aware that our twinhood has been more difficult for Joan throughout our lives. It has been the saddest time of my life the last few years. Joan and I have drifted apart. things have been said, feeling have be hurt about things that just don't want to be talked about. You know, all our married lives have been filled with miles of being apart. My sister and I over the last 41 years have had 3 times in our live that we have lived near each other. Six year ago I moved nearby and we have never been so far apart. What I have learned? Is miles can be as far or as close depending on who is driving and sometimes you think that your more important to someone else than they think you are. All I know is that there is a hole in my heart that can't seem to be filled. It's like the hole that was left when my mother passed away. Forgiveness has been forgiven. Are things different? yes. Joannie will always be part of my soul and my eternal person. we have a connection that God only knows about. I know it will be revealed someday to both of us. May the future become a little brighter for our relationship. I love you, Joannie, Happy Birthday!

How Blessed I am...

2008-09-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

Today Janel, Pat and my oldest daughter, with her husband Dave brought home her 5th child... Linkin Gary Christofferson. It's number 17 in the grandchild department. Just 3 month ago Our youngest son, David and his wife, Ally, brought home their 1st little girl, Edyn Liza Jean Nugent, that make 2 for them a "Z" and "E". Then a little over 4 months ago, our son Joseph and his wife, Laurie. had their 4th baby, JP (James Patrick Aaron Nugent), a son, their first little boy. Pat and I have 11 beautiful granddaughters and 6 handsome grandsons...How very Blessed we are!!!!! Nothing really matter when you look at all of them... smelling that sweet brand new baby smell or watching bundle of energy spin and dance to the 12 dancing princesses. words can't be expressed enough on the Joy they all bring. I missed them when I don't see them enough. Scott brought and surprise us last labor day weekend with his gang of girls. I couldn't get over having them here and getting to talk to them and hug and kiss them. What a wonderful gift.

I think how difficult it was at times when I was busy raising my children and how it felt like it was only Yesterday. Watching my children raise their children is priceless and it leave a deep impression upon my heart with gratitude. I want to thank each one of you for surviving me and I continue to watch with amazement and appreciation on how you all do so well with your parenting. I love each one of you so very much. May the Lord bless you with your children as much as He has blessed me with you.

Looking Back For a Moment...Looking Forward For Now...

2008-07-22T22:02:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't written in my blog for a long time but it ok because the people who read it and leave a message I talk to about everyday anyway. Last Tuesday, July 15th we close the door to our house in South Jordan. It was a beautiful house. We lived there just short of 6 years, we moved more to the south. we are a little more out into the country, a little further from my work, but my favorite part is we are closer to our children that live here in Utah. I hope they all think it grand as much as pat and i do. we still live on the west side of the valley hearing the trains go by, I love it. I walk with the farm animals in the morning. it takes me a little longer to get to work but that seem ok to me. over the last 3 months I have never cried so much. Pat did most of the packing. He finally got into when I told him this was his job for the next few months and he would get paid at the end. we dejunked and gave away stuff and sold a few things and the conclusion is we still have too much stuff. My girls and their hunbands took there weekends to load up boxes and lifted up box and unload boxes. I can't thank them enough. During all this box stuffing. 2 of my Daughter-in-law gave birth new babies. Joe and Laurie had a sweet boy and David and Allyson had there sweet pink little girl. I know I haven't been much help to either family. I have notice that our new home is taking shape. Pat and I have alot to do still. But one box @ a time. it a simple sweet house it got a nice spirit about it. the boxes are coming so slow because I work all the time. most of what i get done i do on the weekend. I learned the other day. We experience some fear in anything we do.it is when you stop forward you lose Faith. Faith can be maintained even with fear as long as we are moving forward and get through what is hard at the time. I thought I would never move again when I came to Utah but alas no one know my history except my family and my friends in Sunnyvale. I have made so great new friends along the way, but they weren't with me when I raised my family. So I always go back to what I loved the best. My friends in Sunnyvale. I will grow where I am planted, I always do. but that special knowledge that a friend knows all about you and they saw that you grew up with your family, they know your history, it's unique and you would understand it if you have experienced it. I love that I am closer to my children and their kids, my darling grand children, I get to see my dad more often. I am given my self, to get things straigthen out, until September. so, maybe I can help with the next grandkid that coming! I will miss my beautiful house but I can't take it with me.

I feel peaceful about the way it has work out. Don't know why, as of yet, why we are here but time will tell.

Mother's Day

2008-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

Well this week is Mother's Day. You know this special day has not been around very long. It not as old as the 4th of July or Christmas. It is usually on Sunday. We are honored at church with a piece of chocolate, or a flower or maybe a pamphlet discussing the important of Mothers. We all have mothers or had a mother and I glad about that. I would hate to think we can from a plant or the ocean. I have always consider that all women are nurturer that play a important roll, good or bad for mankind. My mother wasn't famous or had a high visible job in this world but she was one of the most graces people I have every know. I understand she was pretty high spirited when she was a young women and maybe a little bit of a tom-boy, but as I reflect upon her while she raised me. She spoke most of the time in gentle even tones. She cooked simple good food and well balance meals even when we were poor. She raised me to know the important things in life, loving the Lord, the power of prayer and excepting where you were with peace and without judgment and then prayed contently for you to get your head on straight. She was great listener and teacher. She gave me advise when I asked her and knew what to do for just about anything. She didn't like working in the yard she thought that was men's work but she could sew about anything, paint, teach and make any thing look beautiful. She was smart with numbers and spelling and she knew her children very well. Later her grandchildren. My mother was always happy to see me. When we both got older I made it a practice to come see her close to mother's day and her birthday. In the spring and then llate fall. We would to women's conference, shopping and sit and talk. I value those times. She stayed up with me pretty well, until she got sick and then she would come with me and we would find her somewhere she could sit and watch what was going on. I miss her still very much she has been gone for over 10 years. She died way to young and the older I get I realize how very young she was. My regret is, I didn't include her enough when she could do thing more easily. I look at my hands now and I see my mother's hand. My face reminds me of my mother's face. I am so grateful she wasn't bad looking! I hope I can pass on to my family a little of what she gave to me! She was my example of beautiful women inside and out. Love you, Mom!

Tulip Festival, Ha!

2008-04-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I and some of my friends went to the "Tulip Festival" at Thanksgiving Point. I was looking forward to it for two reason: one to be outside because this winter has been way too long, and get to see beautiful stuff and two to walk and talk with friends. When we arrived the sun was shining and the line was short, hurray! There was a big posted sign behind the counter that said, "Bloomfest 25%, well what in the ...does that mean. We set outside anticipating the view of color and roll green hills and I knew it was going to be beautiful because I went last year. As we walk down the well groom path of brick and stone I noticed alot of green grass and green stems but no flowers, oh you would get a flower here and there but not much more. There was no leaves or buds in the trees either. As the path began to wind around the word "Bloomfest" 25% came to my mind. I stopped one of the bend over gardners and asked him what did it mean. He answer with a little chuckle that only 25% of the blossum are blooming because mother nature has been so cold for so long lately! Well, I and my friends stop strolling and with the wind beginning to blow, blow, blow we headed right to the luncheon room. We decided that we could handle eating outside because the building would block us from the wind. But by the time we has order our salads and fill our water glasses, we watch tables, dishes, napkins being blown off the patio. Our table decided that we need to keep water in our glasses and dressing on our salad or the leave of the salad and the cups wouldn't blow away. We had laughing good time trying talk and hold on to our food. I was grateful that the wind was on the warm side and that I didn't give a care about my hair. After I said good bye to my friends I sat out on a bench in front of the building of the garden lobby waiting for my daughter to pick me up and watching people running in holding on to their sun hats and cameras having big smiles on their faces to see the tulips in bloom. I sat quietly but in my head I was shouting "there is only 25% of nothing to look at" but the cost, was pricey but I got to be with my friends. I thought I would put some photos of the tulip festival from last year just to make my blog a little more interesting.

Road Trip!

2008-04-20T10:12:00.001-07:00

Two weeks ago. My Daughters and I went on a Road Trip!! The main purposes was to get away from our regular lives and be together. We included a wedding of a old family friend in California and seeing Bryce Canyon for the 1st time. I took an extra day off on the front and back end of our trip so getting ready and unpacking was no big deal. We left in the afternoon on Thursday so Janel and Amy could have their family be taken care of and it would co inside with their husbands schedule. We made it to Las Vegas the 1st night. We each took turn driving on the trip so we all drove about 3 & 1/2 hours each way. Each of us brought car food and we ate, talked, and listened to music all the way there. I had so much fun being with these amazing women. They are both so smart, funny and fun to be with. It was so nice being in warm weather. I was "ah struck" by how my girls adapted to doing 12 flower arrangements and a bridle bouquet when we arrived in Ridgecrest. They hustle for 5 hrs. worked hard, maintain fun attitude and did amazing work. I feel so lucky to have such talent helping me. We made time to find Thirty ice cream @ the Rite Aid drug store. The the chocolate malted crunch was as good as I remember when we as family would go have ice cream for 25 cent a scoop in Sunnyvale. It was nice to see my friend, Anita, marrying a great guy. The afternoon following the reception we took off to Vegas again. Janel and Amy were great at getting us around on the freeways there and we made sure we got a In and Out Burger. I love their burgers but the fries need some help. We took our time getting up and watched the 1st session of General Conference and be a witness to the new prophet being sustained. We got on the road to Saint George I really like that town. The weather is the best except when you are in California. We stop to fill our car up with gas and it was the 1st time I have every pull up to the pump and they had no gas left! Really no gas! we had to go further into town to find a gas station with fuel to sell. We got to Cannonville around 6:30 in the evening and Cherie Scoffield was walking down the street to met us. It was great to see her and Bill. We had the best time. They showed us Bryce Canyon and it was beautiful. Bill is a great guide but I love hearing stuff like that and he reminds me of my dad they are both great story tellers! Their bed were comfortable and company was even better. As I get older I have more gratitude for the time with people you like. I loved being with Janel and Amy and see them in action as graces, beautiful, capable, and caring women. Seeing old friends that know your history. Would I do it again? Yes, in a heart beat!

Valentine Dinner with my Children...

2008-03-05T19:10:00.000-08:00

I know it been awhile since Valentine's Day but, I have a minute so I thought I would write about what I got to do for my family who lives here in Utah. I made an invitation to each of my children and their sponses to join Pat and I to a special Dinner just for them without their children. It was so fun I made favors and dishes they you would only find in a restaurant. Pat and I prepared each plate and served it to them with each course there were 5 different ones. We had balloons and everything was done in red, white and black. We actually ate in the dinning room! We all had so much fun visiting together. I love seeing how my children have become such fabulous adults and they are all married to wonderful people. It was great evening !

I Wish I Could Write...

2008-01-21T22:04:00.000-08:00

Like Amy, Janel and Jaana! They are so clever and wordy and they make sense. Oh well, writing is not me thing but I made a goal that I was going to try to improve. I know I haven't written is a while because I have been so dang busy with my job. I am a event planner and receptionist for Ultradent products, Inc. The company make Dental stuff, reading Jaana's wisdom teeth pull out story reminded me that she most likely used some of company's products. I work from 10 am to 6 pm everyday with about 5 to 10 hrs overtime each week. It is a crazy job and it keeps me really moving. I help plan parties in house for about 700 employees. Right now I have about 7 things we are working on between now and mid February. I walk and run so much that I have lost 25 lbs since last May and with the help my doctor (no meds) and exercise . My boss is a single, 38 year old, only child, raised by a single parent. What word would you use to describe what kind of boss she is?? well it can be challenging at time. Well, enough of complaining, it doesn't change anything. Pat and I have kind of reversed rolls, he made some pretty yummy beef tacos and pork chop with mushroom sauce. When the food taste good I think he really impresses himself . Well this about it on the writing for tonight so, until next time... I will just keep practicing.

Some people don't think before they put their mouth into gear

2007-12-30T22:11:00.000-08:00

Well, today was the last Sunday of the year (2007). We went to church and in Sunday school the teacher asked us to reflect on time when the Savior was born and maybe how Mary, his mother and Joseph, his step - father was feeling at the time. Well, there was alot of discussion, because we live in a ward full of old people and many of them have alot to say about anything and everything, well, anyway I raised my hand to express (because I am one of those old people) how I thought that the trip to Bethlehem must have been very difficult for Mary being 9 mos pregnant and riding on a back of a Donkey and how I empathized. I was then...a brethren (kind of a big know it all brother in the gospel) interrupted me and said how he didn't want disagree with me but.....(here it comes) That it wasn't difficult for Mary because Donkeys were the mode of travel in those days and Joseph probably got a really special Donkey for the trip that rode really smooth!!!! WHAT?? Did the guy think before he put his know-it-all mouth in gear, really! Have you every heard of a smooth riding donkey? What I know is those animals take short little steps and it like riding on a pogo stick. I would think it is hard staying on a donkey if you would in the best of shape. It was so obvious that the old talker-talkerton man didn't have any idea what it was like to be pregnant or riding on a donkey. He went on to say, (by that time I knew he was full of it and he was just talking to hear himself but maybe he just didn't have his hearing aid on and really couldn't hear himself), how he thought that God had to make it easy for Mary, Oh brother! I know Mary was a very special human being and she was giving a very special task to do but easy???? I don't think so. Mary was a very special spiritual person having a very human and earthy experience. God just knew she could do and go through it all to fulfill her assignment.

Patrick O. Nugent

2007-12-29T00:58:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to see a movie called, PS: I Love You, it was a story of a young girl who loses her husband after 10 years of marriage through death. He writes her a series of letters that lasted a year after he was gone to help her with the lost of him.
Why do I mention this? Well it caused me to reflect on my marriage and what my husband has brought to me over the many years I have known him, which is close to 50 years. I met him when I was 14 years of age, almost a lifetime ago. I was awed by his looks and his abilities to be able to do anything. He made me laugh. I enjoy watching him move. He was a wonderful athlete, in fact he was the best. He played basketball and he was always the highest scorer, baseball the same, he was the clean up batter. When he hit the ball it always went over the fence. I went to see him play in any kind of weather. I was his greatest and best fan. I loved dancing with him, he struggle with his rhythm but it didn't matter because we had fun. I looked forward to every youth dance because i knew he was going to be there. He was tall, broad shouldered, light brown,wavy hair, he had a strong built but he wasn't fat. He was so adjell and quick. Along with being smart, quick witted, he could do math like a whiz, spell and had a killer testimony. I loved being with him. We had our first date when i was junior in high school, I was about 16. At the time he was dating my sister Joan. We went to a jazz concert. Pat has always like Jazz, the easy listen kind. I felt safe with him and he was going places and I wanted to go too. He told me often he was going to be a millionaire by the time he was thirty and I believed he would be and I wanted to be there with him when he did. He was at every activity I was at and participated, I saw him as a leader and a guy of influence. He sure did influence me. I felt beautiful around him. After we were married Pat help me develop confidence in what I couldn't do very well. I became a better, leader and reader because we would practice by having me read to him the scriptures. I believed in the power of the priesthood he held and he would pronounce blessing on me any time I would ask with abilities beyond myself. I adored him and he was my champion, my knight in shiny armor, my love.

What 2007 Has Brought to Me!

2007-12-25T21:17:00.000-08:00

This has been quite a year. The most noticeable thing is I am a smaller person, meaning size about 25 lbs. I have worked very hard and rid myself of old hurts and beliefs. For almost a life time I thought there was something wrong with me and if I tried harder no one would notice. But that is not true. Life happens and you have to do some very hard stuff but it doesn't mean you are loved less. Last year at this time, my desire was that I wanted my health back and I wanted to be nifty at sixty. I knew I was going to be 60 years old so in January I started to eat better and I wanted to develop habit for eating that would last me the rest of my life. I was done with emotional eating. I started looking at those things that caused me to turn to a cookie instead a yummy salad or sandwich; I was finished with cleaning my plate and having 2 of everything. I didn't like my job and it took so much gas to get there but, didn't have a place to jump to. In March I came down with the shingles Boy was I sick!!! It was on my face and it like having fever blusters all over you. It hurts so bad. My Daughters sprang into action and helped heal me. They were wonderful. They helped me want to live again. I learned about family and those who say they care but their actions are ones of hollow comments. In April I was free of my no end job and the shingles. I joint a "women on weights" class with my daughter Janel 2 days a week and decided that I was worth it to see a doctor that could help me get my weight down and health back. I felt myself becoming strong in my body, mind and soul. I didn't just want to live, I want to thrive!! In the course of the year I filed bankrupty, let my house go (even thought we are still living in it, which is a miracle) found out I can save myself and that Lord is aware of me and guide me with everything. In August I came across a job site for the company called Ultradent and the spirit told me that I need to walk in my resume. It was a part time job but I knew it would bring something more to me and it was very close to my home. I was hired and I am full time and I am doing what I have done all my life plan events!!! I work with some wonderful people that make getting up and going to work a lot easier. I miss a clean house, staying up on the laundry, my 11 o'clock nap, being around my grandkids and sleepovers. It has strengthen my confidence giving me money to pay bills and save for a rainy day. This year has proving to me that I can live without my twin sister and I don't have to invest time into things that don't matter. I learned a lot when I was young from my husband but he has a harder time learning from me now that we are older. I had the experience to watch my sons interact with their wives and realize just because I don't see them very often and their families spend more time with their wives families that I haven't had a influence upon them. They are married to really good women and they have married women more like their mother than they care to know. This year my daughters have kept me sane. They are talented and wise be on their years. Janel has been like a star guiding me along sometime a very dark and lonely path. She is full of light and very willing gives it to anyone who comes in contact with her. She was a child the Lord gifted to me that has given me peace. Even during those years of adolences we had our storms but, when we took the time to be together, even then there was peace and a easiness about being with her. She is ever learning and a joy to talk to, and be with, I love you, Janel. My Amy has kept me present by including me in her creations. She is so talented and has an eye of an artist. She is so kind and give so much of herself in helping others, she has truly been a savior to me. She has fed my body and mind. Nursed me back to health given me hope. Her presents has been felt not only by me but my friends and that has been going on since she was a teenage girl. I have never worried about Amy's intentions. She is good to the bone. I love you, Amy. I just want to say thank you to both of my beautiful daughters, you are women of truth and goodness and I am so lucky.

Christmas Day 2007

2007-12-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Well today is Christmas and I learned something. As I watched my daughter Amy and her husband work so hard on helping Santa and his elfs get Christmas ready I noticed that is what makes it fun for the Parents. As I watch the faces of our little grandsons and the glee of their parent as they came up the stairs to Christmas music and the lights of the Christmas tree. I watch with delight the custom that has been past from parents to child. I wonder why I didn't have my parents come more often to our family Christmases while I was raising my family. I know I worried I would be judged by my parents on how i spent money on my family and how it was always too much. I know now that was all in my head. I was thought of so generously by my daughter and how I have every thing i need. I was thrilled how my family can give to their families. No judgement just love and appreciation for what I have and the kind of children and grandchildren I have. Christmas is so much better with children!!! and the peace the Savior bring knowing he answers our prayers.

I Wanted To Try!

2007-10-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

Well after reading my girls' families blog I thought, "I want to try!" My strength in writing is the same as Ether in the B Of M very weak, oh well. the only people that will probably be reading this is my daughters and they both understand me pretty well.
I made myself laugh today and it something I am going to remember to share at "Good News" time in Relief Society and I sure I will never forget. Well here goes! I have started a new job couple of months ago and I like it very much but for the last two week I have asked to increase my hours so down the road I can qualify for benefits, since Pat is looking for another job we will be with out them by the end of the month, so anyway needless to say my stress levels have increased just a small bit. I go to work at 12 noon and I have been trying to get there 10 mins early so I can make a good impression. Well, I got into the parking lot 2 mins late and with my new hours and newer respondsiblities I have more junk to take in with me. I was thrilled to find a parking space right in front of the check in door and under a shade tree, lucky me! I got so excited about the time and my luck that I gather all my stuff and almost sprinted into the building. I got inside and my boss said we were going shopping for the lobby and I was thrilled to go and spend someone else money and be at work and shop, can't get better than that. well, my boss drove and we had a great time. I got to know her better and we went to some great store and spent lots of money. I got back just in time to do my last part of my job which is the receptionist in a great looking lobby. ( I'm almost at the funny part hang in there) Soon a employee came in to tell that someone had left there car running in front of the building and would I let everyone know the licence plate number and the color of the car and have them return to their car. I did and repeated it 2 times. Soon it was time for me to close up the phones and the building, so I did and I return some things to the Human Resource department and started look for my car keys. I couldn't find them and I looked for 20 mins. I called my boss thinking I left them in her car and then call pat to bring me the other set so I could get home and not worry about the keys, I knew they were at work or in my purse somewhere. Pat called my back and asked my to use the emergency key under the back wheel. I walked gingerly out to the car because I was glad i wasn't going to worry about the lost keys until later. I got the emergency key out from the wheel and I notice that there was so much heat coming from my car but I was focusing on try to get the key box open and It was just too hard to get open. I call pat again and asked him how you got the little dumb box opened and in the middle of listening to his answer I could here a car idling and thought why did the person owning the car next to me leaves his car ओं!!!???

The Punch Line of My 1st Entry!

2007-10-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

well let me finish and you probably figured out that when I open my door there was my keys in the ingition and it was my car that was still running!!!!!!! I had left it on all day long!!!!!!! Oh my, where did my brain go. I guess I need to know my own licence plate and remember the color of my car. I just hope I never forget my pants!!!! Is this what is going to be like to be 60!