Grandma's Delights

February, the month of Love

2012-02-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

There are so many things I love--not just because of Valentine's Day. I love the smiles of my family, the giggles of grandchildren, the hugs of friends, the squeeze of hubby's hand, the smell of yummy food, the beauty of a sunset, the time with extended family, the hope for camping trips soon, a gentle rain, a funny story, a lovely hairdo, good news, a good book, a card in the mail, a new sewing project, finding a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle, music, the beauty of time in the Temple, the blessings of the gospel, and the miracles of life.

Random Thoughts

2012-01-31T13:47:00.000-08:00

I have so many things to be grateful for. Today I'm listing random things that I can think of that I am thankful for--they make me happy! I am thankful for: holidays that add a little bit of fun and spice to life; technology--even though I have been reluctant to use some of it; medical advances that help me feel better; mail that brightens/frustrates my day; clean sheets; bouquets of flowers my hubby often buys me; seasonal decorations to brighten up the drab; frozen veggies; laughter; family pictures; lotions to soften my rough skin; scriptures!; and communication with loved ones. Maybe I'll make a new list tomorrow!

life is good....

2012-01-30T10:40:00.000-08:00

Life is good because: We are getting into our new calling; We had a delightful Sabbath day; I am working on quilts; we are enjoying picture puzzles and Wii games (especially Toy Story Mania); I am reading fun books on my Kindle; we have almost made it through the long month of January; we are enjoying time together and both of us can't wait to get out in the motorhome; We are enjoying family when possible; we both have a good attitude; and therefore, LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Hobbies

2012-01-19T12:02:00.001-08:00

Yes, I am thankful for hobbies. I'm thankful my husband has a few to help fill the empty times too. I love to read and I'm thankful for my Kindle that has half a dozen books I can read. I enjoyed "A Christmas Carol", "The Scarlet Pimpernel", and a few Christmas stories. I loved "Pollyanna Grows Up" and didn't even know there was a sequel to "Pollyanna". I have two Church books I'm working on, and I've been reading a biography of Abraham Lincoln for a month. I'm finally half way through it. I have Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography and The Scarlet Letter waiting for me.
I have also started sewing quilts and I have six waiting for me in various stages. I'm eager to go to Quilt Club Monday and get more information to help in my quest. By the end of the year, or hopefully sooner, I will have made a quilt for each of my children.
I enjoy picture puzzles too. I received a set of ten for Christmas. So far I have completed three. I am eager to start another one with the Disney princesses. I love to do Sudoku puzzles and play games with my family. We have lots of fun playing Pinochle to Scene It games. I'm glad we're a game playing family!

It's Time for.....

2012-01-17T10:39:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for snow...but I personally don't enjoy it. I always worry about falling on ice. But I am thankful for hot chocolate, gloves, warm hats and coats, pretty views of snow (I don't have to go out in it!), furnaces, rice and corn bags heated in the microwave, warm blankets, fireplaces, a pot of stew or chili, soups and muffins, and cuddling with my hubby. I guess winter is worth it!

Rebellious

2012-01-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

Yes! I am sometimes rebellious. I am not always into the right mood to list my blessings on my blog. I recite my blessings to myself every night as I prepare to sleep, but I have had a hard time putting them on paper. Sometimes we have to stand back and look at things a little differently, I guess. I have so many blessings each day, and I love recalling some of the Lord's tender mercies in my life. Therefore, I must persevere and catch up to date. I am so thankful for my special family--their kindnesses, their laughter, their sharing and their love. We are enjoying our new family picture for the first time in nine years. I have so many special friends who listen to my ramblings and love me still. I love the games, the visits, the laughter, and the wonderful hugs. I love our Ward family, who also love and supports us. The smiles and hugs make a great start to each week. That's my new start for this week. I hope you enjoy your week too.

January 5th

2012-01-05T20:47:00.000-08:00

Things I'm grateful for: hair dressers, crockpots, a husband that does dishes after you cook a couple of meals at one time, people that still have Christmas trees and lights up, a chance to kick back and relax after a busy day, and studying the scriptures with hubby. Things that make me happy: pictures of my family, beautiful music, laughter, smiles, and good news.

January 4, 2012

2012-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

Housework has been a priority lately because I tend to let a lot of it go during the holidays. Today was cleaning my kitchen. It felt good to see the improvement. I also put out my January decorations--Snowmen. It always helps to have things still decorated after Christmas to help eliminate the after-holiday blues. I had other plans for the afternoon, but hubby suggested we go to the Temple. It was a perfect afternoon as we were on a small session. The parking lot was not very full. Hopefully the evening hours brought more people to enjoy the spirit of the Temple. We also received a new calling, and I am thankful for this opportunity. All of these experiences are things I am thankful for. It also made me happy to see the fruits of my labors. It has been a lovely day!

January 3rd

2012-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for the ability to work. We put all of our Christmas decorations away today. It takes about three days to put it all up, but it comes down quickly. I also cleaned the stove and the microwave, which were major disasters after the holidays. I am also thankful for the scriptures. I am thankful for the reminders that we all go through challenges, and Heavenly Father will help us through it. I am thankful for wonderful, uplifting reading material that enriches my life in so many ways.
The things that made me happy today were forgiveness, laughter, delightful holiday memories, Christmas music for one last time this season, and hugs from hubby. Its been a pretty good day.

Reflection

2012-01-02T14:15:00.001-08:00

This time of year is a reflection period as we face the challenges of a New Year and set goals for the coming year. I just have to reflect on the month of December. We were so fortunate to have our daughter and her family come for Christmas. We hadn't seen them for 2 1/2 years! The little boys were such a joy to have in our home and brought a renewed love of the Christmas holiday. We had all of our family here for my birthday and celebrated by getting family pictures for the first time in almost 9 years. It was GREAT!!! Christmas also brought all of the family and it was a time to treasure. I am so blessed!!!
During the coming year I'm going to do a happiness and gratitude journal. I am so thankful for the opportunity of living at this time and having the gospel in my life. Our New Year was spent with special people. Our grandson was a joy to have here for the weekend. He helped with projects and house cleaning too. I feel so complete with love in my life.
January 2nd: I have enjoyed organizing a few projects. The new 2012 calendars are now in place. I exercised this morning. I am preparing our course of study for family home evening. I am also planning what we need to read to prepare for our classes on Sunday. I attended a BYU Religion class on the Life of Christ. I gained a new appreciation for Joseph Smith's translation of Matthew 24. I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend that class. This enthusiasm will keep me going through out the coming year. I am trying to act on the priorities of life this year. That makes me HAPPY!!!

December

2011-12-14T07:33:00.000-08:00

December is a rush around, shop around, clean around, wonderful time of year. We put away November decorations the day after Thanksgiving, and prepared for Christmas decor. It takes about three days to get everything put up. This year we are having our two youngest grandsons come from Maryland, so we decorated a little differently that usual--kid proof. Because our daughter and her husband and sons are coming, I wanted to get all of my preparations done as soon as possible. I mailed out Christmas cards, made and delivered neighbor gifts, and got most of the shopping done. I have a lot of the wrapping done, but that will be ongoing. We have also prepared our home for the long-awaited guests. We also have two other grandchildren staying until the weekend. We have completed our Home teaching and Visiting teaching so that helps. I am so excited for this Christmas and having all of the family together once again.

Day 19

2011-11-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for the many things I can do to fill my time--hobbies. I love to read and I have friends that share wonderful books with me. I love the scriptures and inspiring books. I love to knit, write, play games, camp, scrapbook, and sew and quilt. I enjoy football, cooking, and travelling. I love to watch TV, and movies. I enjoy some shopping, but I'm not a shop-a-holic. I love music. I don't play or sing anymore, but I love listening. I am so thankful that I have many opportunities to learn new things and explore my talents. I am blessed.

Eighteenth Day

2011-11-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for family. We have a wonderful extended family! We get together with hubby's brothers and spouses every month--for over forty years. We enjoy camping with them every year. We have delightful Christmas parties for the kids and then one for the adults. It is so special to have family that you can really count as friends. My brother and his family don't get together as often, but we keep touch regularly on the phone. We can really enjoy time with each other. Our children are so loving and patient with me. They truly enjoy gathering and playing games, and visiting. They help one another and support each other whenever needed. I am so thankful for the good citizens and caring people they have become. I am so blessed!

Day 17

2011-11-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

I am slow but, I am so thankful for the comforts of life. Beds, cars, washing machines, telephones, TV, furnaces, air conditioning, warm clothes, showers, stoves, and refrigerators are so often taken for granted. I am thankful that I have limitless choices when I go to the store. I can watch movies, read, sew, play games, and travel in a free country. I can instantly converse with friends and family with phones, text, and internet. I enjoy a warm, comfortable bed at night. I can worship God in my own way. I am so blessed!

Day 16...

2011-11-16T13:32:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for the strength of the gospel in my life. I feel peace, reassurance, love, patience, and such a great appreciation for my Savior. I know I've expressed some of my feelings earlier this month, but I marvel at the blessings of the gospel. It is certainly worth another day's post! I am so thankful for prayer, the spirit of the Holy Ghost, scriptures, and the love I feel from my Heavenly Father. My soul overflows with the testimony that these things are true. It is worth expressing my gratitude for the gospel every day of my life.

The fifteenth Day of gratitude

2011-11-15T18:20:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for living in a place that has four seasons. My favorite seasons are Spring and Fall. Spring gives us hope after a long,cold winter. The green returns and we see patches of color with the flowers. I even enjoy most of the spring rains. Fall gives us a little cooler weather and gorgeous leaves. I love to walk on crunchy leaves, just like the children. Summer is a time to be active, warm, and on the go. I love not having to wear coats and jackets. I love doing things that we don't do the rest of the year. Camping, picnics, swimming, and traveling give the summer a spark of joy. Winter is my least favorite because I don't like to be cold. And I HATE driving on icy roads! The good things about winter are the first good snow that laces the tree branches and gives a clean white look to the world. I love hot chocolate, children playing in the snow (But not ME), a warm crackling fire, Christmas, family gatherings, and snowmen. Yay for four seasons!

The Fourteenth Day

2011-11-15T18:14:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for precious grandchildren! We love to hear from them on the phone or at our home. They are always so excited to see each other too! We love taking them camping, having sleepovers, playing games, singing songs, watching funny shows, and sometimes making cookies or pizza. They range in age from fourteen to three. That gives us quite a variety of interests. I am excited because our two youngest ( ages 3 and 5) are coming for the holidays. It has been over two years since we have seen them. It will be so fun to have all of them together--PICTURE TIME! We are so thankful for these special children in our family!

DAY 13

2011-11-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for our extended families. Our brothers and their families are such a joy to us. It is such a blessing to have a good relationship with extended family. We get together with hubby's brothers every month--and have done so for almost forty years. It is so special to know that you have friends that are always there for you--and family too! We love to meet for dinner, go camping, have picnics, Christmas parties, and just a good visit. I always look forward to seeing them. That is a special blessing.

The twelfth day of Gratitude...

2011-11-12T17:52:00.001-08:00

Today I am thankful for medical advances that can help us live healthy lives. I have not felt well for over a week. Today I finally went to see the doctor. I have bronchitis, and I'm now on antibiotics. I already see an improvement. Many dear friends and family are facing medical challenges. I can see how much we need increased medical advances to help them. I'm thankful for the doctors, nurses, and pharmacists who strive to help us be the healthiest we can be. We are so fortunate to live in a day when these illnesses can be treated. I pray that the future will hold even more advances.

11-11-11

2011-11-12T17:46:00.000-08:00

This is an historic day! I join with millions, who today have expressed appreciation for all those who have served to protect our freedom. Through all of our American history we have seen those who show the passion of freedom in their choices. We need to be reminded of this more than once a year. We have many public servants who daily serve us. We have a military that protects our nation. We have good citizens who vote and do community service. We have some political figures who actually try to follow the Constitution. I am so thankful to live in this country!

On the Tenth Day...

2011-11-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for WATER. Yep! Plain old water. We love to watch rivers, streams, lakes, the ocean, waterfalls and fountains. We play in water--swimming pools, boating, sliding, water skiing, fishing, cruising and splashing. We stay healthy with water, drink it, bathe, cook, and sanitize. We could not live without it! I am so thankful for this blessing. I am also thankful for the opportunity to be baptized in water so that I can be forgiven for my sins and weaknesses. I am thankful that I am able to follow the living water..Jesus Christ.

Day Nine

2011-11-12T17:35:00.000-08:00

I'm slow catching up! Here goes! Today I am thankful for our neighbors. We have lived here for 37 years now, and have never regretted moving here. The people here are loving, respectful, helpful, and friendly. We can always get help when we need it. Everyone takes good care of their homes and its a beautiful place to live. I am so thankful for the love and support we receive. It is so nice to be in a place where we are truly comfortable. That is a special blessing!

The Eighth Day

2011-11-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today I give thanks for the FUN things in life. It always helps to face your day with some fun to make life better. The things I think make life fun are: Comics, cute emails, the smile of a loved one, funny movies, good books, the whirr of the sewing machine, my husband's teasing (don't tell him!), old tv sitcoms, a card in the mail, surprising someone else, accomplishing something good, and time with a friend. This is the frosting on the cake of life.

Day 7...

2011-11-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have to express my thankfulness for a warm home, good transportation, lovely furnishings, kitchen appliances, and all the comforts we enjoy in this country. I have my first cold of the season, and it is so nice to rest and enjoy TV, movies, and a cozy lounger. I have been reading letters from missionaries in South America and Africa. The lifestyles there are so poor. I know I am spoiled! Hopefully, I use my blessings to help others and share my abundance. I know I could improve, so that is one of my new goals.

Blessings--Sixth Day

2011-11-06T13:36:00.000-08:00

Today I must express thankfulness for public servants who go to the aid of those in need. I am thankful for police, firemen, search and rescue teams, ambulance drivers, doctors and nurses, and many others who serve the community each day. Our son was in need of search and rescue when he was duck hunting yesterday. I don't know the whole story yet, but I know many came to their rescue. I am so thankful that the three men were alive and safe. I know that Heavenly Father had a hand in their rescue. Thank You!

The Fifth Day of Gratitude

2011-11-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for dear friends. I appreciate being able to feel of their love for me. We can talk about anything and respect each other's opinions. We can laugh and giggle and feel like kids again. We can wrap our arms around each other when there is sorrow or disappointment. We are friends! What more could I ask for!

The Fourth Day of Thanksgiving

2011-11-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my precious, special grandchildren. I love their laughs, smiles, giggles, and hugs. I am so pleased when we can see them grow and flourish as they grow up. They are my JOY! They do well in school, they develop talents, and they cheer me up just to look at their pictures. I am so blessed to be a Grandma! This is the best!

Third Day of Thanksgiving

2011-11-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

Today I am thankful for our special family. Our children are good citizens, thoughtful people, and respected people. They are so willing to help, and play games, and support one another. They are my joy! I appreciate their patience with me, their love, and companionship. They strive to do their best and they make me proud of their accomplishments. I couldn't ask for better children--and that includes their sweet companions who also put up with me. My daughter-in-laws are also my children. My son-in-laws are my sons too. That is such a blessing to me. I am so thankful I can say we have a happy family!

Day Two of Thankfulness

2011-11-06T13:17:00.000-08:00

Today I must express my love and appreciation to my special husband. He is so patient and thoughtful. He has been buying me bouquets of flowers every few weeks, so I always have beautiful flowers to smell and enjoy. He works so hard to take care of all my needs. And I also know he does that for countless others. He amazes me with his ability to see the needs of those around him. I am so thankful for his willingness to go the extra mile for me and our family. I am so thankful that we ended up together for eternity!

A month of Thanksgiving

2011-11-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

I have noticed many on Facebook listing blessings each day of the month. I have chosen to list my blessings here. For the first day I must express my thankfulness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Atonement. That is my source of strength and hope. I am so thankful that there is a way I can erase my mistakes and move forward. I don't know what I would do without this knowledge in my life. I love to read the scriptures. I love to hear testimonies that strengthen mine. I am so thankful for the plan of salvation and the opportunity to one day live with my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Delightful Disneyland

2011-10-21T13:37:00.001-07:00

Our son and his wife are devoted to Disney. They even have a season pass to Disneyland. They invited us to join them on a five day trip, and it was a blast! We traveled all day Saturday and got to our motel in the early evening. We went to dinner and then walked to Downtown Disney for some shopping. Love the atmosphere! We went back and got settled in our room. We even played a couple rounds of Pinochle. We could hear the fireworks starting and went out on the balcony. Beautiful! We could see them perfectly. Sunday hubby and I went to Church with some long-time friends. They also invited us for dinner. We had a great visit. Later we met the kids at Disneyland and enjoyed some rides. Our daughter-in-law lost her cell phone on Thunder Mountain Railroad. It took a while, but they were able to find it. Got in lots of walking! Monday we rode just about every ride in the park. It was a fun day. We went to California Adventure too. We love the river run and Soarin' over California. We also loved the Toy Story ride. We had planned on going to the World of Color show that night, but it was cold and we just went back to the motel. The kids went to a special parade and got their pictures with all the Disney characters after the parade. On Tuesday we caught our favorite rides again. We also found a magnificent Pumpkin display--Disney characters carved onto huge pumpkins. It was amazing! We also had a special ride on Lilly Belle! That is a train car named after Walt Disney's wife. You have to make reservations ahead of time. It only holds fifteen people. It is decorated in old Victorian furniture. Stained glass windows at the top, old tables with marble tops, brass lamps, red velvet couches and chairs make it an elegant place to ride. You also get tour guide that gives all kinds of information about the trains and Disney. It was a delightful ride. The kids had tickets to Mickey's Halloween Party, so in late afternoon they went back to get in their costumes. They were pirates and had AMAZING costumes! We took pictures and then we left for California Adventure--Disneyland closed to the public at 6 pm for the Halloween party. We went on a few rides and then went out to dinner. We were back at the motel by 7:30 pm. On Wednesday the kids went to Disneyland for souvenir shopping. We left at 12:30 pm and headed home. It was a delightful break and we truly enjoyed it. Yay! Disneyland!

October Already???

2011-10-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

This year has been going SO fast! We had lovely weather in the 70's and 80's for a few weeks. Then yesterday--POW--rain, snow, wind. The skies are gray and cloudy, and I'm not ready for winter yet. However, October also brings some wonderful things. We have celebrated the birthdays of two sons and two grandchildren already this month. That first week of October is busy with celebrations. I love the autumn leaves. We don't have any in the valley yet, but I can tell the mountains do. I hope we can get a chance to take a drive and enjoy the colors of Fall. I also made my first pot of chili for the season. Perfect for cool autumn days! I am also into making soups and muffins. That's one of my favorite meals. I'm sewing and getting some of my "spring cleaning" done. I have my living room decorated for the season, and hubby hung my jack-o-lantern lights in the front window. Football games are back. We are going to take a short vacation this month--Disneyland! I love the Haunted House all done in "The Nightmare Before Christmas" mode. Later this month we have the Scarecrow Festival, which is a fundraiser for the Boys Ranch. I also enjoy Halloween parades and trick or treating. Come on October--Bring it on!

Blessings

2011-09-25T15:08:00.000-07:00

Before this month is over, I need to stop and reflect on my many blessings. I have enjoyed luncheons with friends, grandchildren sleeping over, new friends in our new Stake, wonderful religion class that buoys me up for the week, Temple sessions, time with extended family, time with my daughters and daughters-in-law, Visiting Teaching with my companion and having mine come here, doctors appointments, BBQ, and time with my dear hubby. My life is busy, but it is full with the Lord's richest blessings. I'm so thankful for my hubby, my children and their families, my special friends, and my friends in the Gospel. The Lord has blessed and protected us through long trips, hurricanes and earthquakes, illness, and through many of life's challenges. Thank you for blessings beyond our belief. Happy September!

43 Years

2011-08-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Forty-three years ago my life changed forever! It is hard to believe we have been married that long! On our wedding day we had NO clue what the future would hold. We have cried, laughed, worked hard, played hard, failed, and succeeded. It has been quite a ride so far. BUT one thing is certain--I made the right choice! We have learned so much--patience, forgiveness, service, joy, pain, perseverance, and a true understanding of togetherness. I love the way my special hubby is always thinking of others. He is so thoughtful, talented, loving, and FUN-loving. We are truly blessed. Now to continue on our special journey for the next 43 years--and onward forever!

Summer's almost Over :(

2011-08-08T17:35:00.000-07:00

August already! This summer has been so busy--and enjoyable. We went to Girls' Camp and cooked for the Stake Leaders. We did a Welcome dinner for 170 people with Dutch Oven BBQ chicken, salad, rolls, Ants on a Log (celery filled with peanut butter and topped with raisins) watermelon, and for dessert pudding with crushed Oreos for dirt and a gummy worm on top. It was a cute and delicious Picnic! The sky was filling with dark clouds and we could hear thunder. We decided to move the serving tables to the bowery. We were glad we did, because there was thunder, lightning, hail, and tons of rain! It was an exciting adventure! We had a great little cookhouse, and the Stake Leaders and girls were fun and helpful. The testimony meeting was awesome! What a strong spirit! Yeah! Girls' Camp!
We spent the following week at the Mills Family Reunion. It was delightful to visit with the extended family. We had a lot of rain the first few days, and I was so thankful for our motorhome. The grandkids were fun and we enjoyed playing games together. The only thing that I missed was having our own camp area. We parked in the group area on the blacktop. It wasn't quite the same as having dirt and weeds underfoot. Oh, well! It was a great week. For the Friday night dinner we had 98 in attendance. At breakfast the next morning we had 57 attending. Our family had everyone come at some point during the week. We also enjoyed coming home and staying put for a little while. It will take days to clean and unpack, but it was worth it!

July

2011-07-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Wow!! July is almost half over! We had fun taking six grandchildren to the Spruces for a few days. They got along so well and helped when we asked them to. The only problem is they are growing too tall for some of our motor home beds. We enjoyed the rain too. We roasted hotdogs over the fire and made s'mores. We played games together. We saw a moose! It was a great campout!!
We went to our Stake Youth Conference at Timberlane. I even slept in a tent! We are glad we didn't try to take the motor home up there because a logging company uses the road and it is not paved. Wild!! We met new people and made new friends. The cooking was a lot of work, but was great fun. We now have a better idea of what we need to do with Girls' Camp in two weeks. We also feel like we are a part of the South Stake now. The Youth seemed to do well at mixing in together.
Our second week at West Ridge 1st Branch was a good one. I led the music and only made a couple of mistakes. The pianist said I was easy to follow and she liked my tempo. I now have to plan the music for August. Hubby is finding some challenges with all the rules and regulations, but said his lesson went well. We also attended an Eagle Court for two of the boys who earned their Eagle. It was very nice!
Today we are trying to get back in a routine--if that's possible. My husband came up with an idea to organize our freezer and it looks great! Now I won't have food bags falling out when I open the door. I also need to get busy in the sewing room. It still has quite a bit of organizing to do, and I need to get my sewing club blocks made before I go to camp and our Spruces reunion. It looks like a BUSY summer.

Onward, Ever onward....

2011-06-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

I am enjoying my BIG project--organizing my sewing room/guest room. I have found that as I move forward with really cleaning my home, that I have gained inspiration in unusual ways. My bedroom has stayed clean for two weeks--a new record! I love being able to put everything in its place. Our passports arrived this week and I already had a place to put them. The sewing room presents new challenges. It hit me that sorting material into colors, projects, and kind of material would help me get a handle on my organization. I found 2-Qt. Ziploc bags at Walmart and began to sort my material. I'm not sure how I'm going to store all my beautiful bags of material yet, but I love being able to see the colors. I'm sure I will gain inspiration to solve my next step in organizing. Wahoo!!!
We are also facing new changes in our life as we have been called to serve in the West Ridge Academy Branch. Hubby will be the Scoutmaster/Deacon's Advisor and I will be the Chorister. We will attend from 10 am to noon. They don't have Sunday School. This is better known as the Utah Boys Ranch. It will be interesting to find out how this all works out. This week we are meeting with the Youth Conference committee to find out what our cooking responsibilities are. That is in less than ten days, so I'm glad we are finally getting oriented. We are also taking most of our grandchildren camping next weekend. Summer here we come!!!

It is so much FUN to....

2011-06-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

It is so much FUN to finish the Spring cleaning in my second room--my bedroom. I love the new bookcase and baskets full of my Stuff. I love being able to find what I need! I love the fact that I can now start on my sewing room/guest room. It is going to take some creative thinking--but I can do it! It is so much fun to sleep clear through the night and wake up refreshed. It is so much fun to walk a mile! I haven't been doing my walking for quite a while. I know I had better get going so I'm ready for our summer activities. It is so much fun to hear my grandson chattering on the phone. I even understood a few words! It was also fun to visit with my daughter for a little bit! It is so much fun to have lunch out with a friend. I met one of my retired teacher friends for lunch and we talked up a storm. She is facing many challenges with her health. Being single she doesn't get as many opportunities to talk. It is so much fun to be in a Book Store! I can easily get lost there! I was able to find books for my grandsons birthdays next month. I also pampered myself with a book. It is so fun to cook healthy meals! I made salmon, steamed spinach, and a vegetable quinoa dish for dinner. We both loved it! I love having just a little free time. Tonight my sweetie is working a a float for the Pioneer Day Parade next month. So I love sitting here and recording all of the things I have enjoyed today. I hope you have a day to love too.

It's official!!!

2011-06-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

We are going to Girls' Camp in the end of July. We have been asked to be the cooks for the Stake leaders. At first we thought we might take our motorhome, but gas prices may nix that. However, we are looking forward to meeting more of our new Stake people. The Stake Camp Director lives next door to us, so we will be able to get more ideas an information easily. I just hope our health will be at its peak! We don't have any responsibilities besides the meals, so we hope to have some kick-back and relax time. Our big challenge will be getting us ready for our family reunion the following week. Yay!! Summer!!!

A Beautiful Spring Day

2011-06-03T14:08:00.000-07:00

I just have to let you know that I love Spring. This year has had record-breaking rain and I need to show gratitude for Spring. I love the GREEN, the bright flowers, the chirping birds, and the blue skies--occasionally. Today hubby and I went out for breakfast. Then we took a ride up to our favorite campground. The roads were plowed, but its going to be a few more weeks before they can open the campground. SNOW! Four feet in many areas. SNOW!! On the tables! SNOW!!! Couldn't even get up to our favorite spot. However, I still love Spring!

Serendipity

2011-05-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

Life is full of changes, surprises, and expectations. I have been surprised by fun little playtimes with grandchildren. I have enjoyed lunch with dear friends--and that met my expectations! We enjoyed a stormy picnic with some grandkids. We enjoyed meeting good friends at a wedding. We spent time with extended family.
I watched Oprah and laughed and cried. She had the story of a young woman whose mother had died of cancer. When the mom realized she wouldn't be there for some of her daughter's special days, she began making videos for her daughter. She had videos of advice, congratulations, milestones, and of everlasting love. That show gave me a new outlook on my own life. I realized that I need to live life to the fullest. I need to enjoy the changes, surprises, and make new expectations. What can I contribute to others today? How can I live life to the fullest today? What could I do differently? I need to enjoy the little moments of serendipity that add so much to our lives. Life is good!!!

April Showers

2011-05-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

The month of April had only 7 days when it didn't rain or snow. Now May is keeping up that tradition. Rain, rain, rain.....And I heard that Alta got 2 feet of snow. That has made me a little grumpy---BUT I decided that I could count my blessings! I love the beautiful spring flowers with their brilliant colors. I love the green lawns. I love the green trees. I have been doing some spring cleaning and have finished the Living Room. I have been working on our bedroom and I have found a couple of "lost" items. Wahoo!! I still have the hardest part of the room to clean, but I will succeed! I'm planning on doing the sewing room next. I have also learned that having Hubby home more brings adventures. He loves to just take off. We've gone looking at cabinets, countertops, and various needs at Walmart. We also took a trip to Logan Canyon to visit friends. We also went to dinner with his brothers and spouses. We went to lunch with his brother. We went to Chuck-O-Rama for a dinner, and Subway for lunch. I also took a break to eat at Olive Garden with lady friends. I have also been doing my share of cooking. We are eager to get the motorhome out on the road, but that looks like it will be delayed. There is still 10 feet of snow at our favorite campground. I hope I find warm spring days soon!

Change

2011-04-26T13:20:00.001-07:00

I always take stock at the first of the month to see how I'm coming on my resolutions. I discovered that a friend of mine listed a blog-site on her journey to clean her home. It seems I am always struggling to clean my home so I've been reading her blog entries from the past year. One of the basic parts of the plan is to work on a project for 20 minutes each day until you finish it.
So this week I have begun to clean the Living Room. I have cleaned out unwanted books from all the bookcases and sent them to DI. I have cleaned out the dead parts of the potted plants. I changed the decor from Easter to spring. Tomorrow I will clean the curio cabinet. I really enjoy working on projects because I know I only have to do it for about 20 minutes. And if I choose to, I can work on it longer.
We are also seeing changes in our Church callings. We are being released from the Young Single Adult Ward bishopric. Eight new Stakes for Singles only are being formed in the Salt Lake valley. We go the the Conference Center tonight for information on the changes. On Sunday we meet with our new Stake and we will be released. I have truly enjoyed the past two and a half years that we have served with these delightful young people. It will be different to go back to our home ward. However, that is facing changes too. On May 15th we attend a special Stake Conference to receive information on new boundaries for that Stake. I guess it proves that there is always going to be change. I have decided to enjoy the changes that come! Bring it on!!!

Miracles Abound

2011-04-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

On April 5 I discovered a lump in my breast. I tried to get a doctor's appointment because I needed an order for a diagnostic mammogram. They said the doctor couldn't see me until July 21, so they would call me when they found another doctor that could take me. I called again the next day and they said there was still no opening. The next morning I received a call saying I could come in at 10 am. The doctor was the one I had really wanted. She did a new patient survey and answered all of my questions. I am so delighted! She will be a great doctor for me. That was a miracle! Before I left she had my appointment for my mammogram set up. When I left her office I felt such a sense of peace. That was wonderful because I could really enjoy my weekend. We had four grandchildren for the weekend and had a ball!
Yesterday I had my tests--a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. They were so kind and explained everything. They also had the diagnosis before I left which is wonderful too. No waiting around for a week to get results. I had non-cancerous fatty tissue and they said it would not require any surgery at this time. I have the same tissue in my arm. My Mom had a number of these through the years too. I count my blessings!!! I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me!!!

More Miracles

2011-04-03T16:28:00.000-07:00

I sometimes marvel when I look back and recognize the little miracles in my life. General Conference is always inspiring and I agreed with Elder Holland when he said that we would each hear the things we happened to need during the many talks given. We were also blessed with our income taxes this year. For the past five years we have had to pay out. This year we actually got a few dollars refund! (hope the figures are correct). We also were blessed by family as we attended our little granddaughter's Grandparents day at kindergarten. We had family visits during the weekend that we delightful. It was a weekend of refreshing ideas, relaxing, and renewing hopes. Now its onward to enjoy the month of April--snow and all!

March Madness

2011-03-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

Basketball isn't the only thing with "madness". My schedule really keeps me going right now--which is good. I have quite a few projects I'm working on too. We have spent the past ten days we have finished Visiting Teaching, Had hubby's company party, been to lunch with dear friends, enjoyed St. Patrick's day, been to my podiatrist, saw the play Music Man (twice) attended Ward Council training, had Ward Conference, enjoyed our adult religion class, had dinner with the Mills in Payson, Hosted our nephew and a friend for breakfast, enjoyed our grandson's Pinewood Derby, and spent time sewing on a quilt, and reorganizing my recipe file. I'm also enjoying the signs of spring each day. Onward!

Inspiration

2011-03-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Our Stake Relief Society had a wonderful "Time Out" Saturday. The speakers were so inspiring! You definitely needed a tissue at hand. The spirit was so strong and we were entertained and blessed by the delightful stories they told. I truly felt the sisterhood being shared in the chapel. We also had a wonderful luncheon and the opportunity to visit and enjoy one another. I had the chance to visit with my 12th Ward friends too. I also realized how many blessings I have and the great love of our Savior in my life. I was certainly filled and strengthened for the coming week. The next blessing was the Sabbath day, and the opportunity to partake of the sacrament. I think I'm ready to face the coming week!

Trials

2011-03-11T13:59:00.000-08:00

I am amazed at the many trials people are faced with. I certainly am blessed at this point of my life. I know two young women battling breast cancer. Today I found out that the wife of one of my husband's Eagle Scouts is facing possible deafness and they don't have a clue why. She is having an MRI this week. I am devastated to hear of the earthquakes, tsunamis. and other natural disasters that so many people are facing right now. I read of so many sad stories in the news and I am made even more aware of my own blessings. At this time my trials are not as bad as many others. I know that it can change in the blink of an eye, so I realize that I must strengthen myself spiritually so that I can fulfill the Lord's plan for me. I know that I am in the Lord's hands and I need to increase my faith to meet my coming challenges. I pray for blessings upon those who really need them right now.

Coincidences????

2011-03-09T13:04:00.000-08:00

Monday morning my husband was taking his chess set out of my sewing room and cleaned it. When I got home from my religion class that afternoon, his chess set was sitting on top of my genealogy file cabinet. I had mentioned that one day I would like it upstairs. There it is!!! Tuesday I located my journal, which I haven't seen since about Christmas time. That afternoon I happened to glance at the calendar and realized that I had an appointment with my optometrist in half an hour. I made it in time! It was a good report too. Today I was sewing busily when I remembered I had a cake in the oven. When I got to the oven there were 28 seconds left. Nice cake!!! While I was reading the scriptures I happened to read one verse that jumped out at me. I know I have read it a dozen or more times, but today it was exactly what I needed. Are these all coincidences? I doubt it.......

A New Week

2011-03-06T16:44:00.000-08:00

Things have certainly been moving along--It's already March. I've had fun sewing, cleaning, scripture reading, making a Pinewood Derby car, cooking, playing games with hubby, watching movies, and riding around the valley with hubby. Life is good! We also got to do a Skype session with our daughter and grandsons. They are growing so much! They laughed, sang, danced, and read words their Mom would type on the screen. They are reading quite a few words for two years old and four years old. We have a busy week in store with family and church activities. That makes life worthwhile! I hope you enjoy your week!

What a fun way to exercise!

2011-03-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

I slept in a little today, but it has been a productive, fun day. Today I set up the ironing board in the family room and used our dining table as a cutting surface. With all the trips to the sewing room to sew kept me going. I did both squares for the quilting club and then cut out a quilt. It uses twelve light colors and twelve dark. By the time I cut out the first group I was tired. Thankfully after a lunch break, I finished cutting the quilt out. The nice part is the sewing should hopefully go more smoothly. When I sewed the squares, I remembered why we call our Quilting group "Pic N' Sew". It feels SO good to be sewing again! And I got my exercise in besides!

The Birthdays

2011-02-27T11:18:00.000-08:00

On Friday evening we had a family Birthday party. Our daughter and her son celebrate birthdays this week, and it was fun to get together and enjoy one another. Our grandson turns 14 and has never "celebrated" his birthday so it was fun to share it with him. He told grandpa that he didn't want to do the candles and Birthday song, so we did it low key. He enjoyed the presents and time with his cousins. I had made a homemade devil's food cake that was heavenly. I had made two cakes because the recipe said "serves 12". We had 17 people coming. However, we had cake leftover from the first cake. We sent that with our grandson. Tonight we are having the rest of the cake after a pancake dinner. I hope they finish it off, because I eat too much of it and that is not good for my blood sugar levels. All in all it was a great party! My daughter raved about it and thanked us for having it. We have a terrific family!

It's All in My Head....

2011-02-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

I keep thinking that I need to write on my blog--I think of what to say about each day. But it doesn't get on paper (or computer). So today I'm going to empty the blog portion of my brain so that I don't have to try to remember it any longer. I love my adult education class! It gives me a new perspective on the love of our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. It is hard to believe how many blessings I have! There are so many things that I need to learn and do.
I am so blessed to have such special friends. I was able to have lunch at Zupa's with two dear ladies that always lift me up. Great day! On Friday my sweet hubby took me out for dinner. Afterwards I talked him into taking me to Seagull Book to get one of the new books in one of my favorite mystery series. The book was delightful and I'm ready to pass it onward to share. It has recipes in it and I made one for lunch today! Another fun event was our Ward FHE activity. We played a "Where's Waldo" game where we had to find each member of the Bishopric at the mall. They had on mustaches and wigs, and hats. It was a lot of fun! My hubby even picked up some of the grandkids and got them in on it. People weren't looking for someone with a bunch of kids.
We are planning a fun family Birthday party for next weekend for our daughter and oldest grandson. We are certainly blessed with a wonderful family!
For now I can move one and keep the coming week in my head until the next edition....

Things I'm Happy About...Part Two

2011-02-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Today I'm happy that I got a great night's sleep, I've been to the Temple this week, I'm enjoying the scriptures, we had lots of pie for Ward social, there are leftovers of pie (yummm), hubby enjoyed the liver and onions I made for HIM, I have a clean sewing table, I had fun shopping for material, and I bought freezer paper for quilt patterns. I had my hair done, had fun making artistic valentines, I treated myself to Chinese food for lunch, and enjoy getting the newspaper every day again instead of just on weekends. I am enjoying reading some new books, and got an easy assignment for Sunday's Break the Fast. My face plant injuries are almost healed, and I LOVED hearing my little grandsons sing to me, and the sun is shining! That brings a BIG smile!!!

Things I'm happy about...

2011-02-08T00:00:00.000-08:00

I slept eight hours last night, I exercised, I enjoyed my religion class :), I had fun with some of my family, I had a good visit with friends, played games with hubby, watched a movie, got my Monday chores done, and cleaned off my sewing table, (now maybe I'll get back into sewing!) I also listened to an uplifting radio program, read a book from my childhood, and laughed with joy because I didn't have to go out into the snow! To be continued.....

Things I'd like to forget.....

2011-02-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

Things I'd like to forget right now are no sleep nights, draggy mornings because I don't sleep, talking myself out of doing things I should do, watching TV instead of doing things with hubby, putting off scripture reading, deciding I'm too tired to go to CES Class ("But that's your favorite part of the week", says hubby), not getting bills paid, not going to FHE because I'm too tired, not exercising because I'm too tired....Did I say I'm tired? OK! This week I'm going to class, getting bills paid, EXERCISING, and getting back into life! Oh, by the way I am going to watch where I'm walking so I DO NOT do any more face-plants on the cement! That is something I will remember!

The Days Just Whiz By....

2011-01-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

I actually had to get the calendar to see what I needed to write about. So much for trying to write daily.... I have enjoyed lunch at Olive Garden with my dear friends, getting my hair done (with my good friends), had my hearing aids serviced, and had a lovely dinner with the Stake leaders. I attended a wedding luncheon and reception, loved seeing all of our children help move my daughter, worried about my daughter in Maryland and hope she's enjoying a much needed vacation, attended CES Adult Education class, attended the Temple, helped my daughter-in-law because she broke her arm trying to help my daughter move, and tried to get the house cleaned and ready for our Second Annual Goldfish Races with our Ward FHE. I am also looking forward to our Stake Temple day Friday and a Relief Society dinner on Saturday. I always enjoy Sunday meetings and look forward to our CES class Monday. We are having hubby's brothers and wives for dinner Monday for our monthly get-together. I also thoroughly enjoyed the biography of President Thomas S. Monson. I can see that I need to lengthen my stride and make some improvements. February is just around the corner. Hang in there!!!

Enjoy the ride!

2011-01-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

We are enjoying the day off school with grandchildren. They love playing, watching cartoons, eating waffles with ice cream, and laughing. We have lots of leftover lasagna available for dinner tonight. I played "Let's Make a Deal" with the kids--and "Won" a million dollars! Hubby is working today, but should have a slightly shorter day. He is also selling Girl Scout Cookies if anyone wants any! He always helps girls we know by selling to his customers. His customers seem to be eager to buy from him--and have done so for over 25 years. He started when one of our daughters was a Girl Scout. As for me I am enjoying the sound of laughter, yelling, and love. Tomorrow will be too quiet!

Catch my breath day

2011-01-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

Friday flew by! I made lasagna for Sunday dinner, cleaned house, spent the afternoon riding around with hubby, and prepared for our Ward Talent show. The Bishopric did a cute number wearing wigs (mops) and togas. We had piano, singing, stand up comedy, one who could twist their body into a pretzel, accordion number, and Y-C-M-A singers. It was a delightful evening.
Saturday we were up early to attend the Jordan River Temple. Wonderful session!
Then we went to pick up our grandson for the weekend. We got lunch, ran errands, and Bret helped me bake cookies. Bret went to stay with his cousins overnight. Hubby and I went to a wedding reception and then did some grocery shopping. Then hubby had to get the programs ready for church.
So today is the day I catch my breath. I set the tables for dinner, straightened up the house, and read the scriptures. We had a lovely Sacrament meeting and Sunday School and Relief Society. Dinner tonight with my son's family. Tonight the grandkids sleepover. Then I'm ready for a new week. Bring it on!!!

Little Adventures

2011-01-13T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hair day! One of the best days of the week--get my hair done and VISIT with dear friends. I also got some equipment to do senior chair exercises, floss, and grocery shopping done for the weekend. It feels good to be a little prepared. I also had the opportunity of spending time with a little granddaughter. She challenged me to Mario Kart on the Wii. Great fun! She won 3 races and I won two. We also played Katie Checkers. If you've never played this version you are really missing something. Of course, she won every game. I'm flattered that she wants to have play dates with her old grandma, but I'll enjoy it while I can. Teenage years will probably change that. Tonight I'm off for our FHE adventure. I don't know what we are doing, but I know that it will be fun. Last night we had over 25 of the Ward come for pie and ice cream. They laughed, visited, and laughed some more. Great evening!

New perspective

2011-01-12T14:20:00.001-08:00

I just finished the biography of President Hinckley and I am just starting the biography of President Thomas Monson. I realized that these BUSY men kept journals through the years. If the President of the Church can take time to record daily feelings and events, I should be able to also. So that gives me a little more incentive to put down my own thoughts.
Yesterday I was slow moving. I guess my busy Monday needed a quieter day to follow. I did get a record of 2009 recorded on my files. Today I did 2010. I do think those are important items. But one of the best parts of yesterday was a "date" with one of my sons. He called and invited me out to dinner. Serendipity! My husband was working at the concession stands at the U of U, so the two of us took off. It was so delightful to catch up on news and strengthen our friendship. It is not often when you get one-on-one with your adult children. I am so thankful for the Family. This is one of the most rewarding relationships we have in this life. By the way--Thanks to the sweet princess who creates my background for my blog each month! The blessings of family are eternal!!!

Resolutions

2011-01-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

I have been enjoying reading the biography of President Gordon B. Hinckley. I was pleased to receive encouragement from Sister Hinckley's comment about resolutions. She said that she had made a resolution to read one chapter of scripture every day. She reported that she was only three days behind. I was so glad that I'm not the only one who sometimes doesn't keep up on resolutions. I know that I can continue trying. There is no such thing as a broken resolution--only the failure to keep trying when we don't get it right the first time. So I'm going to get back on my blog and keep trying to do my best. Keep smiling!!!

January....

2011-01-03T00:23:00.000-08:00

I have really been a slacker the past few days. I haven't felt well, which is not a good excuse. I went to Urgent Care and got antibiotics for a sinus infection. I'm doing a little better finally. I think I'm ready to get back in more of a routine. We had a very quiet New Year's Eve--munched on goodies and watched a movie. We were in bed before ten. New Year's Day was more of the same. I enjoyed the quiet and started planning my first week of the New Year. I'm keeping my same resolutions--just trying to add to them for the coming year. I actually did pretty well on last year's, but there is always room for improvement. I love a resolution I heard in Relief Society today--I will appreciate the little steps of progress I make in the coming year. Too often we look for the failures instead of seeing the progress we have made.
I am starting the year with so many blessings. That makes it a good year. Onward 2011!!!

Christmas Day in the morning

2010-12-25T17:37:00.000-08:00

It's been such a beautiful day. We had a quiet morning getting food ready for later. Then hubby and I opened gifts to each other. We received a phone call from our daughter-in-law telling us that they were on the way to the emergency room. Our son had given her new kitchen knives for Christmas. She nicked herself trying to open one of the knives. They bandaged it up and he tried his luck at opening them. His was a deeper cut and required stitches. Only these two could have such drama. Last year our son went to a Maverick to get some cough syrup Christmas morning.
They had just had a robbery and he was greeted with cops all over the place as he walked to the front to pay for his purchases.
The rest of the morning was wonderful as we all opened gifts and laughed. It was fun to have our daughter and her son join us too. A wonderful day of family and remembering the first Christmas. A wonderful celebration!

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Today is a busy, but delightful, day. I have finished shopping for food and am in the process of making potato salad. I have decluttered the house and cleaned up some of the wrapping stuff. I have enjoyed putting away my birthday things. Yesterday was a very satisfying day. My sweet hubby gave me a gorgeous bouquet of daisies and carnations. The grandkids gave hugs and sang "Happy Birthday". I got to go get my hair done and enjoy a visit with dear friends. We made gingerbread houses with the grandkids, and enjoyed visits from my children. It was a wonderful way to spend my birthday.
Today will be finishing preparations for Christmas. I am looking forward to a special time with family tomorrow. We have lots of stockings to stuff and still need to deliver neighborhood gifts. What a delightful time of year! The birth of the Savior is a sacred and loving time. Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas????

2010-12-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

All of a sudden it doesn't seem like Christmas. I have done the shopping, wrapped almost everything, I've played Christmas music for weeks, I've enjoyed Christmas movies, and the decorating has been enjoyed for weeks. Yesterday we enjoyed hearing the Christmas recital of two of our grandchildren who are playing piano. We also had the privilege of helping deliver Sub for Santa items to a sweet family. The darling little Mom just sobbed as we brought in load after load of gifts. "There can't be any more," she would exclaim and fresh tears would slide down her cheeks as more was carried in. The two children hugged all of us and thanked us for this special Christmas. The dear Mom couldn't express her gratefulness for our gifts, but we could feel the thankfulness in her speechless hugs. That was one of the best Christmas moments this year.
So I guess I need to drum up some more Christmas spirit and have a party! Yay! The grandkids are coming for a special time with us. We are having pizza for dinner, and baking cookies for dessert. We will make snowflakes, and maybe some stars. We will make gingerbread houses decorated with lots of candy. We will hear the Night Before Christmas told by a cute little bear and mouse. We will probably watch some Disney Christmas cartoons that they love. I hope we will get some sleep too.
Tomorrow morning we will have waffles and ice cream--and celebrate my birthday. Yes! I do think I can work up some more Christmas spirit!!!

Marvelous Monday

2010-12-20T10:51:00.000-08:00

We had a lovely time last night with four of our children and their families. We enjoyed dinner and then did white elephants. My son asked his dog, Harley, if he wanted to take a white elephant gift to grandma's. He got in his toy box and picked out a cloth elephant toy. I happened to have it and he came and took it away for a trade. Hilarious! It was a fun evening.
I did get to sleep in a little. (Needed!) After a slow start I visited with my daughter on Facebook, had breakfast, and went shopping for hubby. With all our other shopping, he has been there and I haven't been able to get him anything. I felt like I was sneaking out of the house. LOL I got his gifts wrapped and visited with my other daughter. Now I can start preparing for the grandkids to come Wednesday.
Tonight we are having a nephew and friends for dinner and games. Tomorrow I'm going to lunch with my daughter--an early birthday present! Party! Party! Party!

Sabbath Joys

2010-12-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

We had a wonderful evening last night. The lights downtown were gorgeous. After the wedding ceremony we met friends at Sizzler's for dinner. We got home and visited with our son and his family--they had a party at our home tonight.
Today we are having our Stake President and his wife give the sacrament meeting. It has become a tradition for them to come and speak the week before Christmas. It is always inspirational. Tonight we are having family come for dinner. We are going to play games and do white elephant gifts. I also listened to the Tabernacle Choir this morning and enjoyed music we heard at the concert the other night. Wonderful! I am blessed to be able to live at this wonderful time.

Saturday

2010-12-18T13:02:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to post every day to get back in the habit. This morning I finally posted for yesterday, so now I'll get today's post done. We spent the morning cleaning and getting things ready for tomorrow. Hubby spends hours doing Church work to get ready for Sunday. I have a little more relaxed schedule. I made a salad for Frank's brother--he always wants me to make it for him. We delivered it and finished cleaning. our son and his wife are using our room for a Christmas party today. Hubby and I are going to the Salt Lake Temple for a wedding. I have dinner tomorrow under control for now. I'm excited for the coming week and finishing preparations. We are certainly blessed!

Busy Day

2010-12-18T09:49:00.000-08:00

Got my shopping done for Sunday Dinner with the family. It always feels good to have things prepared ahead. I also finished Christmas shopping for this year! Now is the huge job of wrapping. I'm kind of excited because we bought some new wrapping paper. We got one that is red with white designs that is very Christmasy. We also got one with the same white patterns, but the background is black. You would think that is kind of weird, but it is very Christmasy too. I can't wait to use it. Frank and I both chose that black one as our very favorite design.
Last night we watched Hallmark Christmas movies while we finished up Christmas projects. Frank crocheted some hot pads and I wrapped the neighbor gifts so we can deliver them. I now feel like Christmas is under control. That means I can concentrate on the most important meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to All!!!

Thursday--Fun Day

2010-12-16T05:23:00.000-08:00

I really slept well, but here I am early in the morning getting my day underway. I get my hair done--Yay! Love spending time with those ladies. Then I'm doing some shopping and preparing gifts for neighbors. This evening we are going to our daughter's for dinner and then will attend the Tabernacle Choir Christmas program with David Archuletta as the guest performer. I am looking forward to this special evening. Tickets are hard to come by and I never dreamed I would actually be going. I am also eager to see all the beautiful lights on Temple Square. Merry Thursday!!!

Human again

2010-12-16T05:17:00.000-08:00

I'm finally feeling human again and ready to join the race for Christmastime. Today I enjoyed going to lunch with two dear friends and exchanging gifts. These ladies spent so much time sewing and I love the table runners they made. Yes,m great minds think alike! They both did table runners that are so different and beautiful. We had gone shopping at a quilting store a few months ago. We all got the patterns, but I didn't do sewing for Christmas. They inspire me!
I had a fairly quiet day. My visiting teachers also came and we had a great visit.

A Day off

2010-12-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

Today is my day off!! No by choice, but probably needed. I got some Christmas shopping done yesterday and prepared a nice dinner for hubby's Home Teaching group. By the time we sat down to eat, I was not feeling wonderful. By the time they left, I was NOT feeling well, so I went to bed. It was a long night, but I got more sleep than hubby. Today I am feeling better, but I'm certainly taking the day off. Tomorrow is another day.

Wonderful Weekend

2010-12-13T10:30:00.000-08:00

Time goes too fast! But I really enjoyed my weekend. We had a grandson come to sleep over, and had his cousin come at the last minute to give him some company. I had a quiet evening because they just play together so well. Hubby was working in the concessions at the U during the Gymnastic Meet. I slept so well!!! We had waffles for breakfast and then went to the Mills Kids Party. Our oldest grandson seemed to enjoy his first Christmas party. We had a great time, and I was pleased that those who took charge this year did so well. After 25 years of hubby and I doing it, I know we were ready for a break.
We had a bridal shower for one of the granddaughter's who is getting married at the end of the month. Delightful. I had hubby come and pick me up and we did a little shopping and then went home to check the potatoes that were in the oven.
We packed up gifts, potatoes, and went back for the Adult Party. Again, it was delightful to see everyone and enjoy an evening together.
Sunday was wonderful. We had a gentleman who is a Jew and joined the Church ten years ago. He had some wonderful insights that were inspiring. In the evening we attended the Stake Christmas musical. Very well done! Also enjoyed the refreshments. It was a lovely way to end the Sabbath. Now I'm ready to face the coming week.

Firsts

2010-12-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

This morning I was thrilled to get a phone call from my daughter. It was especially nice to have my little 2 1/2 year old grandson say "I love you". He hasn't been a talker and this is a big step.
Hubby and I got Christmas cards mailed, bought gifts for family, stopped at the bank, and got the first group of gifts wrapped.
My grandson decided to come and sleepover. I went and got him and took him Christmas shopping for the first time in his life. We came home and wrapped some of the presents and put them under the tree. He is also going to our Mills Family kids party tomorrow for the first time. It is fun to have him included in our family traditions. It is strange for him, but I think he is excited.

Wahoo!!!

2010-12-08T14:23:00.000-08:00

Enjoyed our Quilt Club meeting and yummy lunch today. I got some good ideas too! I especially enjoy spending time with my dear friends.
When I got home I had a list of phone calls to return. Called my cousin, my brother, and my daughter. My cousin let me know about my uncle, who took a bad fall last weekend, is being admitted to VA Hospital in Ogden tomorrow. My brother and I caught up on news and now we're trying to find a time to go to lunch. My daughter had very good news--we have tickets to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and David Archuletta next week!!! WAHOO!!! I guess that's my early Christmas present! I've never been to the Christmas program before, and this was a pleasant surprise.

Success

2010-12-07T19:46:00.001-08:00

I worked on the problems from yesterday, and today had no problems. Got all the business done! What made the difference???? Oh well--Success! I finished the Christmas cards and have more presents to wrap. I did a little more sewing, but I'm not sure I want to take them to Quilt Club tomorrow. We'll see....
Our daughter came and borrowed some ornaments to put on her tree. It was so good to see her. She is coming on Christmas--the first time in fifteen years. Wahoo!
It has been a pretty good day! I look forward to tomorrow with Quilt Club and then the Oquirrh Mountain Temple in the evening. More success!

Schedule??????

2010-12-06T19:46:00.000-08:00

I had a long list of TO DO items today. But I didn't sleep last night and hubby let me sleep in. With a late start I was way behind, but I decided to do my phone calls. After punching in numbers for the automated calling I was told they couldn't help me and to call back. I did the whole number thing again and they didn't have the options I needed. I tried doing it on line---no such luck. OK! Then I made the next call and waited and waited and waited for them to answer. That didn't work either, so back to the internet to try it. They didn't have what I needed either. Hubby came home just then and suggested we go Christmas shopping. Sounded good to me!! We did accomplish quite a bit this time. Yay! We went home for lunch and then shopping again. It ended up being a fun day. Tomorrow I'll solve the phone problems, and maybe be closer to my regular schedule. It is fun to skip the schedule sometimes. Yay!!!

Satisfying Day

2010-12-05T02:39:00.000-08:00

I love the weekends! We even slept in Saturday! I did part of the Christmas cards, started our Christmas buffet shopping list, bought some of the stocking stuffers, and enjoyed a movie with hubby. I have about 20 stockings to fill this year. I love turning on the Christmas tree lights while I work and often have the music playing too. I'm eager to get to the shopping of gifts. I need to get that list made next. On to another week.

I Did IT!!!

2010-12-03T17:13:00.000-08:00

I did some sewing!!! Yes, I did! It felt good to sew the seams and produce something special. I also did some planning pages to get ready for 2011. I've got my Christmas card list ready and figured our our expenditures. I think I can get most of my shopping done next week. That would be exciting!!!
Today I went to the podiatrist with my hubby. He has had pain for months. The doctor was young and knowledgeable and gave a few prescriptions to help with pain. He is also having hubby go for physical therapy 2-3 times a week. He says that will help his feet heal quicker. We go back in three weeks to see how treatment is coming. He also had lots of samples of diabetic shoes. I might start going to him too. We'll see.
Tonight we picked up the prescriptions and then got Chinese food. An evening home is a great "Date Night". Hubby is playing Christmas Carols on the piano. I love to hear him play. Hopefully this weekend will be as productive as today has been!

Better Days

2010-12-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Some days are better than others. Yesterday I had a lot of trouble finding motivation to do anything. I forced my self to get the basics done, and then fizzled out. I made myself go into the sewing room to try and get back to something I love. I did thread the machine, but that was about it. Where did my "get it done" attitude go?
In the evening we went to visit friends, have dinner, and play games. It was so nice to just kick back and enjoy. I also enjoyed getting my hair done today. We always solve the world's problems, so I'm hoping that will carry over and help me move on. Today is the first day of the rest of your life---I know I've heard that before, so I'm going to persevere and make today one of accomplishment!

December---Finally!

2010-12-01T14:22:00.000-08:00

I love December! I started Christmas music almost two months ago. Now the house is decorated and Christmas is in the air. The snow really helps set the mood. I tended my little granddaughter for awhile after she got out of school. She was so excited because they had started their advent calendar today---chocolate in each window. I let her start our advent calendar too. Now I just need to figure out what expenditures are going to be. That's the hard part! I also need a shot of energy to get me moving more productively. Yay! December!!!

Love is the Reason

2010-11-30T17:46:00.000-08:00

Our Church meetings Sunday were so helpful in strengthening and uplifting us for the week. I can really feel the love of the gospel in my life. I also gained strength by attending my Church Education class by President David Christensen. He discussed the Atonement and cleared up a number of concepts for me. I am truly amazed at the love our Savior has for us. He also talked about Elder Bruce R. McConkie's final Conference talk in 1985. It is a beautiful talk to read and very powerful. I remember hearing him speak that day and marveled at his testimony and faith. I have a lot of studying and praying to do to strengthen my own testimony.
I am also thankful for this special time of year when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Love is in the air! People are so much more loving to others around them. That is a good thing because Love is the reason our Savior came to Earth--love for each of us.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2010-11-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

I love getting the house decorated for Christmas!!! We started yesterday and just about finished today. I love the colors, the lights, and that special feeling that says we are celebrating the birth of the Savior. I love the music and that feeling of little secrets to surprise loved ones. I love the giving attitude instead of the "gimme" attitude. I love the traditions and family time together. I'm so glad that its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Thanksgiving delights

2010-11-26T09:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was everything it was suppose to be! Family, friends, and culinary treasures that left lots of yummy leftovers. I am so thankful for the joy we share with our loved ones. We were also blessed to have time with grandchildren. We are truly blessed. Now the fun is in preparing for Christmas---my favorite time of the year. The tree is up and ready to decorate. November decorations are packed away for next year. I love the music and decorations we use to remind us of the joy of the Savior's birth. Happy Holidays everyone!

Temple Blessings

2010-11-20T20:54:00.001-08:00

I have been so fortunate to be able to go to the Temple a number of times this month. We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for a wedding sealing. Beautiful! We attended out Ward night at the Jordan River Temple and had a wonderful session. We went to the Bountiful Temple as a young lady from our Ward received her endowment. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I loved to see her glowing face. Such Joy!! Then this Friday we went to the Jordan River Temple as one of my friends received her endowment. They took us out to dinner afterwards and it was such fun to visit with her family and our neighbors. I am so thankful for this special opportunity in my life!!!

Random Thoughts

2010-11-16T01:00:00.000-08:00

I have so many blessings. Today I ended up missing my BYU study class (which I love!) and we went to BYU to see the Carl Bloch art collection with relatives. What an amazing artist! The details made you feel like you were there. The exhibit was about the life of Christ and was well worth the time. After the exhibit we went to Payson to have dinner at our sister-in-law's home.
I am so blessed to have such a special bond with my in-laws. We laughed and visited and ate, and ate. It made a delightful day!
We had four engagements in our Ward this past week. That is a blessing too, because the Ward is accomplishing its purpose. We had a wedding last week so that is ten people we are losing--in the best way!
I love my special family! The greatest blessing is to have them forever.

Winter?????

2010-10-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

I can't believe the short Fall we've had. I hope we get a few more beautiful Fall days, but looking outside doesn't look like it. Tuesday night we went up to Alta to visit friends with a time share. We played games and had dinner and played more games. Then we decided to head home because it was snowing. It was a blizzard!!! We headed down the canyon at about 10 miles an hour and had trouble seeing where the road was. We saw one car that had slid off the road and two cars trying to help, so we kept going. We saw an ambulance and Sheriff's car going up. We made it to the bottom (very thankfully) and made it home safely. The next morning we heard that they closed the canyon, so we were grateful we got down when we did. The leaves up Little Cottonwood were gorgeous! The only good side to the weather is that it brings with it my favorite time of the year. I LOVE the Holiday season! I hope you are able to enjoy your favorite time of the year--whenever that happens to be!

Reflection

2010-10-06T18:24:00.000-07:00

I always seem to have some reflection on my life when I listen to Conference. This time was no exception. I thought of my special children, our devoted brothers and their families, my very special Hubby, my goals, and my beliefs. I truly feel refreshed and ready to move forward. There have been some special miracles that strengthen me and encourage me to carry on. Today my Hubby called and wanted to know if I would like to go with him for awhile. It was so much fun, and almost like playing hookey. We hunted for a water plant in the south part of the valley and finally found it. Then we went to the VF Factory Outlet and did some shopping--He got pants and I got dressy blouses. Then we went to Incredible Pizza for lunch. My grandchildren are always wanting to go there. It was a delightful day!

Ups and downs

2010-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

We have had lots of "UPS" lately. First, we finally were able to get a new fridge that WORKS! No more spoiled milk!! Then we spent a few days in our favorite camping spot at the Spruces. It was SOOO quiet and peaceful. Frank's brothers and wives came up for Friday evening and Dutch Oven stew. We really appreciate that time when we can enjoy each other's company. We also have our basement flooding coinquered (hopefully!) and I can start putting my scrapbook room back together.
The "downs" have been foot pain for both of us. I fear we might have to have surgery. I guess we shouldn't worry until we know. I haven't had any response for employment, but hubby says I don't need to worry about it. I guess we'll see. We have so many blessings that I know that we will be all right. We love all our family and friends and we know that the blessings overcome the "downs" in life. So here's my smile for the day!!! :)

The Red Sea

2010-09-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

Rice-Eccles Stadium was a sea of red last night. What a sight! Our Ward worked in one of the concession stands last night. We sold Brats, hotdogs, and BBQ beef sandwiches. We had three, and sometimes four, of us doing the cooking and preparation. We had ten to twelve running the order lines. What an evening! They said that when we had a lull in business, we could eat and take a break. The lull came when there were about 5 minutes left in the game. The attendance was 45,730 with standing room only. There are at least a dozen concession stands and the lines were from half a dozen to two dozen most of the night. We had about eight lines in our stand. I spent the night wrapping hot dogs, making Brats, and keeping the supplies current. We had a power outage that didn't help, but we pretty much kept up with things. THe stadium was NOISY! I think everyone was pleased with the game, except Pittsburgh. We didn't get home until 11:30 pm, but it was a lot of fun. My whole body hurt. I don't think I'm young enough to keep up with that assignment, but I'm glad I had the experience. Go Utes!

September

2010-09-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

Wow! Summer has almost disappeared! We got in a short camping trip to celebrate our 42nd Wedding Anniversary. It is always so peaceful and beautiful in the mountains. We are so blessed. I have some new challenges ahead an I'm eager to pursue them. I have applied to be an aide at the school in our neighborhood. If that doesn't work out then I will hope that the hiring freeze will end at the end of the month so that I can substitute. I am also going to have to reassemble my scrapbook room now that we discovered the source of the flooding. My toe is healing well and I am beginning a little bit of walking again. Tomorrow night we are working at the concessions stand at the U of U during their game with Pittsburgh. Yes, its football season again! Let's go get September going!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2010-08-16T00:37:00.000-07:00

Life is full of adventure--sometimes not good. We had a water patch in the basement hall just before we left on our camping trip. We couldn't figure out where it came from, but took up the carpet and let it dry while we were gone. Then we found water in my scrapbook room--couldn't tell where it was coming from. Then the other day I went down to get some of my stamps to make invitations. My bottom drawer had six inches of water in it and I had to wash and dry all of the stamps. We couldn't figure out how that one drawer could have water, but none of the other drawers did. Hubby found a broken water sprinkler by the scrapbook room window and was able to fix it. That was the bad.
Last Sunday I broke my little toe. It hasn't been painful, but my foot is sure ugly! Purple and red still hasn't faded.
The good overshadows the bad and I can see that I am blessed. I enjoyed Quilt Club, got my hair cut and had a great visit at the same time, had a pleasant day with our Ward at Pineview, enjoyed two Sacrament meetings, had fun with family, and can, and get to go to lunch with dear friends. Life is still very good!

Vacation Days

2010-08-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

I finally feel like its summer---and its almost over! Our camping trip was fantastic! It is so beautiful there and peaceful too. We enjoyed visiting, walking, playing games, and eating terrific meals. We had excitement too--A thunder, lightning, rain and hail storm that woke everybody up. I was thinking how thankful I was that I wasn't in a tent when it intensified! There was hail pounding down like you wouldn't believe! The ground was covered with white hailstones and looked like winter. When we went on our morning walk there were still piles of hailstones. We enjoyed spending time with all of the family. We had 94 at the evening dinner on Friday. We had 71 for breakfast Saturday morning. Delightful!!! I was also pleased because when we got home Saturday I had energy to unpack, do laundry, go grocery shopping, and straighten the house. BUT it seems like just when I start feeling energetic my health faces another challenge. Sunday morning I was getting ready to go to Logan to hear our nephew report on his mission when I stubbed my toe on the bathroom door. It does hurt that much, but it is purple today. I have an appointment with my podiatrist this afternoon--no fun walk today. I am looking forward to our quilt club on Wednesday and also going to the Temple that evening. It will be a great week!

July

2010-07-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful weekend at the Spruces and were greatly refreshed. This week I have been more eager to get things done. That is also due to a dear friend loaning me her extra sewing machine. I have also been pleased because my endocronologist was VERY pleased with my progress the past three months. The housework has been more fun, sewing becoming a renewed passion, the scriptures have given new insights, and time with huibby has been more appreciated. Onward July!!!

Fun and busy

2010-07-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe July is almost half over. We enjoyed our Stake Patriotic program and breakfast on the 3rd. It was one of the best programs I can remember. On the 4th we had Break the Fast with fried chicken, potato salad, more salads, pie, and fun red, white, and blue desserts. We also enjoy a TV patriotic special. On the 5th we had some family come for hamburgers, hot dogs, and the fixins'. It was a great weekend. We had our littlest granddaughter come for a couple of days and one night. It was her birthday and we had fun celebrating that. This week we have two more grandchildren coming for a few days. We are also taking our first camping trip towards the weekend. At least its beginning to feel like summer.

June is....

2010-06-28T12:03:00.000-07:00

June is a beautiful month. We have had many blessings: family, employment, friends,and opportunities. We have had grandchildren sleep over, enjoyed the wide outdoors with friends, enjoyed qult club at our home, Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching groups for dinner, Temple work, scripture study, and Mills family park party. I have also apprecitated good health and enery. Especially when I haven't had it. Last week I had flu for three days and did lots of nothing. This week I'm up and at it,m but a little slowly. I'm looking forward to enjoying July, and hoping for some camping trips to brighten the summer.

Weekend fun

2010-06-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

We took inventory and started loading the motorhomke for the summer. It looks like the weather might cooperate for awhile. Now we just need to find time to go camping! Last night we went to Camp Tracy up Millcreek Canyon with our Ward. It was so delightful to be in the canyon, ducks on the pond, trees everywhere, a campfire (and marshmellows for those who like them), and stories and laughter. I finally feel that maybe summer is really here.
Today is Father's Day and it has been fun to recall some of the things about my awesome Dad. He has been gone for twelve years, but his memory remains. I'm also thankful for my husband, who is a terrific father to our children. We are blessed.

Commitment

2010-06-18T09:25:00.000-07:00

I need to make a commitment to improve in a number of things. I guess its like a mid-year's resolution time. My granddaughter is inspiring me to keep up with my blog a little better. I have also been reading the Fablehaven series, which I am really enjoying. I have done a little better at walking, but need to kick it up a step. I need to prepare meals with more fruit and veggies. I NEED to sew! That ought to keep me busy each day. I hope your day brings fun and accomplishment. Oh, I also get to go on a date with hubby tonight. Ahhhh!!!

Wahoo!

2010-06-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

Busy week but it has been fun! Hubby is progressing with his new job. We had a Home Teaching dinner here Tuesday that was lots of fun. I had our quilting club here for lunch and quilting tips. Today I finished the receiving blanket to turn in next month. I also put my unused material in a brown bag and closed it up with ribbon. Two items ready for August. Wednesday evening we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple to do sealings, and then had a social at our home afterwards. I got some shopping done for grandsons birthdays and hope to mail it off tomorrow. I'm getting ready to have a grandson stay for three days. That should keep me busy!