Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving was filled with visiting, eating, chocolate dipping, going to the temple, playing, and more eating. The highlight for me was the time we skype-d Greg. It was tough having him in China while the rest of us were together. All the pictures of us around the kitchen table were of the Skype session.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Blindness, the last frontier
The YSA is having a turkey dinner for 150 on Monday!
I woke up at six this morning (how I hate that I can't sleep). I finished my book, dyed my hair, and made nine loaves of bread and a batch of cookie dough. I'd had to grind the wheat and start the turkeys thawing in the sink for a few hours (as I never trust them to totally thaw in the fridge) I was meeting our FHE leader to go shopping at ten, so I had Steve help me spread butter in the pans as I threw the bread dough into them. The kitchen was a mess - with dirty pans in the sink and the wheat grinder on the counter. I left him a note: "Let rise until 10:30. Bake at 350. Cook for 35 minutes. Use both ovens."
Shandy and I went shopping to order pies/rolls and buy paper products, salad, dressing, and green beans at Sam's Club. Who knew that Sam's was such a social place. I saw a dozen people I knew and got three phone calls while we were there. After I dropped Shandy off at her house and unloaded some of the food, I ran to Macey's for a few things that were cheaper there. I decided to pick up forty pounds of ice, as our bishop's wife said they had plenty of room in their freezer and I had to stop by their home anyway. Plus, it would mean one less thing to pick up on Monday. I forgot about ice until the last minute when the clerk was filling out the paperwork for the charge. When I got to the ice machines as I left the store, I threw in the ice and headed to my car. Low and behold, I had eighty pounds of ice. While I was checking out, they had already loaded forty pounds of ice under my cart, and I had never seen them. How did they do that? Embarrassed, I hauled the ice I had loaded back.
Anyway, I got home just before one - some three hours after I had left. I walked in and there sat half of the loaves of bread. Steve hadn't even seen them. He baked five loaves (in two ovens :-)), had eaten half of one, had waited til they cooled, bagged them, and put them in the freezer - ALL without seeing the other four loaves. My kitchen is NOT that big nor was it that messy - as he had done a lot of the dishes by the time I got home.
Blindness --- the last frontier.
I baked them anyway - so we'll have to see how they taste.
I woke up at six this morning (how I hate that I can't sleep). I finished my book, dyed my hair, and made nine loaves of bread and a batch of cookie dough. I'd had to grind the wheat and start the turkeys thawing in the sink for a few hours (as I never trust them to totally thaw in the fridge) I was meeting our FHE leader to go shopping at ten, so I had Steve help me spread butter in the pans as I threw the bread dough into them. The kitchen was a mess - with dirty pans in the sink and the wheat grinder on the counter. I left him a note: "Let rise until 10:30. Bake at 350. Cook for 35 minutes. Use both ovens."
Shandy and I went shopping to order pies/rolls and buy paper products, salad, dressing, and green beans at Sam's Club. Who knew that Sam's was such a social place. I saw a dozen people I knew and got three phone calls while we were there. After I dropped Shandy off at her house and unloaded some of the food, I ran to Macey's for a few things that were cheaper there. I decided to pick up forty pounds of ice, as our bishop's wife said they had plenty of room in their freezer and I had to stop by their home anyway. Plus, it would mean one less thing to pick up on Monday. I forgot about ice until the last minute when the clerk was filling out the paperwork for the charge. When I got to the ice machines as I left the store, I threw in the ice and headed to my car. Low and behold, I had eighty pounds of ice. While I was checking out, they had already loaded forty pounds of ice under my cart, and I had never seen them. How did they do that? Embarrassed, I hauled the ice I had loaded back.
Anyway, I got home just before one - some three hours after I had left. I walked in and there sat half of the loaves of bread. Steve hadn't even seen them. He baked five loaves (in two ovens :-)), had eaten half of one, had waited til they cooled, bagged them, and put them in the freezer - ALL without seeing the other four loaves. My kitchen is NOT that big nor was it that messy - as he had done a lot of the dishes by the time I got home.
Blindness --- the last frontier.
I baked them anyway - so we'll have to see how they taste.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
So Funny
Last night, I went out with Kelly to deliver the Daughters in My Kingdom book to those who weren't in church the day we passed them out. We had a great time visiting. Kelly has a magic with people. Some were ill. Some were totally inactive. Some were very anti. Yet, Kelly could connect with all of them. We were fast, too. In under two hours, we made four visits with sisters, and visited with children of five others who weren't home. I was impressed with our speed.
Gail is a non-member who likes to come to activities, so we dropped a book by her house. We got visiting about exercise and health. I told her, "I just hate it when doctors say, 'You look good for sixty'". She was incredulous, "So they think you are sixty?"
I laughed and said, "I AM sixty." Pretty funny.
Gail is a non-member who likes to come to activities, so we dropped a book by her house. We got visiting about exercise and health. I told her, "I just hate it when doctors say, 'You look good for sixty'". She was incredulous, "So they think you are sixty?"
I laughed and said, "I AM sixty." Pretty funny.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Looking good for 60?
This past week I had a flu shot (and subsequent body fat analysis) and had lab work done to test my cholesterol. At both interactions, I was asked for my age to which the response was, "You look good for sixty." So just how bad is sixty supposed to look?
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Twenty eight pages from dates...
I went to my personal history writing class last night. The title was "a sketchy life sketch". Though we normally write vignettes of various incidents in our lives, we were encouraged to sketch out major events in chronological order so that the pieces might make more sense. I have thought that recording just a list of dates and events was a great idea - ever since Cherri mentioned that is what she does, but I STILL haven't done it.
The discussion that followed was so interesting. Debbie said that she had wanted to write the history of a great grandmother who had died with little personal history known. [Of course, I couldn't figure what would motivate someone to write a history with no information but dates.] She said, "I listed all the years she had been alive 1870, 1871, ... Then I inserted major events in her life - birth, baptism, marriage, birth of children, deaths of family members. In a parallel list, I entered historic events - Utah became a state, Spanish-American Ward, Ford Motor Company founded, titanic sinks, first radio broadcast, the great depression, social security act, and so on. Then, I could look find connections and see patterns." Three of her children died within a month and a half, of a disease with a six week incubation period. She was pregnant with a fourth child at the time she lost her three children.
Her husband had died in a mine accident. Debbie checked the Deseret News to see what they had reported about the accident and found detailed descriptions of the accident, the number killed, the funerals, who spoke, and descriptions of the deceased person's injuries. By putting dates and events together, she could piece together a twenty eight page story.
Mary said that once you start writing the history, information surfaces - as though the individual wants their story to be told.
I found it fascinating that doing such writing would become a passion for people. Not me. But maybe I will work on a "sketchy life sketch".
The discussion that followed was so interesting. Debbie said that she had wanted to write the history of a great grandmother who had died with little personal history known. [Of course, I couldn't figure what would motivate someone to write a history with no information but dates.] She said, "I listed all the years she had been alive 1870, 1871, ... Then I inserted major events in her life - birth, baptism, marriage, birth of children, deaths of family members. In a parallel list, I entered historic events - Utah became a state, Spanish-American Ward, Ford Motor Company founded, titanic sinks, first radio broadcast, the great depression, social security act, and so on. Then, I could look find connections and see patterns." Three of her children died within a month and a half, of a disease with a six week incubation period. She was pregnant with a fourth child at the time she lost her three children.
Her husband had died in a mine accident. Debbie checked the Deseret News to see what they had reported about the accident and found detailed descriptions of the accident, the number killed, the funerals, who spoke, and descriptions of the deceased person's injuries. By putting dates and events together, she could piece together a twenty eight page story.
Mary said that once you start writing the history, information surfaces - as though the individual wants their story to be told.
I found it fascinating that doing such writing would become a passion for people. Not me. But maybe I will work on a "sketchy life sketch".
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Conference Weekend
Chelle and Trisha (and families) were here for the weekend. We missed the others! Halle saw the big picture over the piano and got so excited!!!! - Lori, Kim, Greg, Chelle - and that's you, Mom!
Waiting for the games to begin.
Eve
Savannah
Steve and Halle
Making plans for finishing the basement.
Zach helped me go through the Halloween decorations. This skirt from the dressup box was a hit!
Waiting for the games to begin.
Eve
Savannah
Steve and Halle
Making plans for finishing the basement.
Zach helped me go through the Halloween decorations. This skirt from the dressup box was a hit!
Halle
I had Halle come outside to pick tomatoes with me. She got her shoes on, but when she realized I didn't have mine on, she pulled them off. Here is our conversation:
It tickles [plants on her feet].
I did it.
Get these off [the stems]
[I went in to get a pen and paper, so I could record her comments. She grabbed a scoop she had found in the utensil drawer.]
I got this thing [the scoop].
It's working. [Digs in the dirt.]
Me: I thought we were picking tomatoes.
No, I'm not. I'm dumping this on you [dirt from the scoop].
A bee is there.
[She grabs my paper and pen. She starts writing on the paper, making small little lines and telling me what she is writing. It is below.]
Zach, Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, Ben, Chelle.
I made a big thing. Come see it.
[She comes to me and messes up my hair.]
You have crazy hair.
What you doing?
I want it.
What's this mater doing. [She throws it. She pretends to eat it.]
A butterfly. A butterfly.
Where is?
Two butterflies.
Wow. You see one? A white one.
[She rubs my hair again. ] It's crazy, Grandma.
[She giggles as she walks on the dirt.]
I'm going back in [house]. [She returns with her blanket.]
Me: Your blanket will get dirty.
Not dirty. Put in grass. Nothing dirty here.
I don't want to eat tomatoes. They are yucky for me.
Butterfly. Saw again.
Butterfly is again.
Where is.
I see it. Right there.
Be around here.
He went like there.
There Bee.
I saw it again.
Tomatoes. I squish it.
[Car passes with 4 wheelers.] Where's that going?
Me: Maybe the cat will come visit.
We have a cat. [Goes into house to find her stuffed animal. Returns.]
She's soft. [Slurping sounds as cat licks me.]
It tickles [plants on her feet].
I did it.
Get these off [the stems]
[I went in to get a pen and paper, so I could record her comments. She grabbed a scoop she had found in the utensil drawer.]
I got this thing [the scoop].
It's working. [Digs in the dirt.]
Me: I thought we were picking tomatoes.
No, I'm not. I'm dumping this on you [dirt from the scoop].
A bee is there.
[She grabs my paper and pen. She starts writing on the paper, making small little lines and telling me what she is writing. It is below.]
Zach, Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, Daddy, Ben, Chelle.
I made a big thing. Come see it.
[She comes to me and messes up my hair.]
You have crazy hair.
What you doing?
I want it.
What's this mater doing. [She throws it. She pretends to eat it.]
A butterfly. A butterfly.
Where is?
Two butterflies.
Wow. You see one? A white one.
[She rubs my hair again. ] It's crazy, Grandma.
[She giggles as she walks on the dirt.]
I'm going back in [house]. [She returns with her blanket.]
Me: Your blanket will get dirty.
Not dirty. Put in grass. Nothing dirty here.
I don't want to eat tomatoes. They are yucky for me.
Butterfly. Saw again.
Butterfly is again.
Where is.
I see it. Right there.
Be around here.
He went like there.
There Bee.
I saw it again.
Tomatoes. I squish it.
[Car passes with 4 wheelers.] Where's that going?
Me: Maybe the cat will come visit.
We have a cat. [Goes into house to find her stuffed animal. Returns.]
She's soft. [Slurping sounds as cat licks me.]
Monday, September 26, 2011
Podcasts
Check out my friend's blog on podcasts. Being as I am still trying to figure out all I can do with my IPAD, I thought she had some great suggestions.
I {heart} podcasts.
http://thatslife-kjha.blogspot.com/
I {heart} podcasts.
http://thatslife-kjha.blogspot.com/
Saturday, September 24, 2011
And None Were Maimed
We went to the condo this morning to get the boat - so it can be winterized. When we got to the condo, we were disappointed because the tree limb (which had fallen in a micro burst) STILL hadn't been taken care of. (The building behind the tree is not our condo. It came within feet of hitting our condo.) The yard care people had been mowing around it for over six weeks. We were also disappointed that the rain gutters had not been taken care of, like we had requested. I had cleaned what I could from a short ladder, but I couldn't get on the roof. ARRGGG!
We intended to go for a walk, but ran into a fellow condo owner that we really didn't know well - Rudy Deiterich. Rudy was doing similar tasks around his condo. We talked about the broken tree. He said he had tried to get it down, but didn't have a chain saw. I asked if he had a ladder I could borrow. When I told him I wanted to clean the rain gutter, he said, "You can borrow it, but I have to tell you a short story first. A lady in our neighborhood was on her roof. She fell and died. If you fall off, I don't want you to blame Rudy's ladder." I told it had been a good life. I would just ask that he speak at my funeral. He said he didn't like to speak, so he wouldn't. :-)
Anyway, he helped us take the ladder over to our condo. I climbed on the roof with a trowel, and went to work. Twenty minutes later Rudy came back to see how we were doing. We had the crud removed, but the downspout (which was crimped to go around the roof and deck bumps) was hopelessly plugged. We tried forcing a hose up. We tried forcing a hose down. Finally, we took the downspout apart. Rudy is a mechanic and had a variety of tools in his truck.
As we were cleaning up all the crud we got out of the raingutter, Rudy started on the tree. He had a pruner and a small hack saw. He would cut and Dad and I would haul the limbs off. I found a better pruner in the garage. I was amazed at how well it did on those mammoth limbs.
We worked on the tree for over an hour. I'm amazed someone didn't get severely injured. The limbs of the tree were wedged in the grass. As we sawed through a branch, the the top of the broken segment would shift. We would grab the branches and twist it around, trying to get the top to break free. At one point, I went sailing as the limb catapulted me across the grass. Just when we were ready to give up, we found a larger saw somebody had left in the grass at the neighboring hotel. Dad and Rudy took turns sawing and jumping out of the way of flying tree trunks. Finally, we got it all down and pushed over the edge of the neighboring hill.
While we were working, Steve kept getting phone calls and texts about his conducting tomorrow. Last week he had too many speakers (as he had forgotten a speaker whom the bishop has asked), and had to tell one to wait a month to give his talk. Today, he got a call saying the high counselor was coming and bringing a partner to speak with him. That was news to Steve. Steve had three speakers already, so there were a lot of calls/texts to sort that out. [I'm not sure why this hast to be so complicated. Steve's poor memory doesn't help. The person getting prayers last week didn't do it, and Steve didn't realize it until he had started the meeting. Songs were different than he had been told. New announcement were flung at him minutes before the meeting. I hoping the next month he conducts will be smoother.]
Anyway, Rudy and he started comparing notes. Rudy is ward clerk in a YSA ward in SLC. He said it is the HARDEST calling he's ever had - 150 new members this year all with records to transfer, names to enter in the ward lists, and so on.
Steve has been stressed with all the new names and challenges of making callings and figuring out who does what to make the ward click. Last week, these were his YSA responsibilities:
a. Four hour training meeting on Saturday
b. Sunday: bishop's meetings, church, and a 90 minute financial training in the evening
c. Monday: FHE (We watched 17 Miracles)
d. Tuesday: 2.5 hours of stake bishops training
e. Wednesday: Stake Opening Social (at the stake president's house) [We had a conflict, so we didn't go to this.]
Crazy!
We intended to go for a walk, but ran into a fellow condo owner that we really didn't know well - Rudy Deiterich. Rudy was doing similar tasks around his condo. We talked about the broken tree. He said he had tried to get it down, but didn't have a chain saw. I asked if he had a ladder I could borrow. When I told him I wanted to clean the rain gutter, he said, "You can borrow it, but I have to tell you a short story first. A lady in our neighborhood was on her roof. She fell and died. If you fall off, I don't want you to blame Rudy's ladder." I told it had been a good life. I would just ask that he speak at my funeral. He said he didn't like to speak, so he wouldn't. :-)
Anyway, he helped us take the ladder over to our condo. I climbed on the roof with a trowel, and went to work. Twenty minutes later Rudy came back to see how we were doing. We had the crud removed, but the downspout (which was crimped to go around the roof and deck bumps) was hopelessly plugged. We tried forcing a hose up. We tried forcing a hose down. Finally, we took the downspout apart. Rudy is a mechanic and had a variety of tools in his truck.
As we were cleaning up all the crud we got out of the raingutter, Rudy started on the tree. He had a pruner and a small hack saw. He would cut and Dad and I would haul the limbs off. I found a better pruner in the garage. I was amazed at how well it did on those mammoth limbs.
We worked on the tree for over an hour. I'm amazed someone didn't get severely injured. The limbs of the tree were wedged in the grass. As we sawed through a branch, the the top of the broken segment would shift. We would grab the branches and twist it around, trying to get the top to break free. At one point, I went sailing as the limb catapulted me across the grass. Just when we were ready to give up, we found a larger saw somebody had left in the grass at the neighboring hotel. Dad and Rudy took turns sawing and jumping out of the way of flying tree trunks. Finally, we got it all down and pushed over the edge of the neighboring hill.
While we were working, Steve kept getting phone calls and texts about his conducting tomorrow. Last week he had too many speakers (as he had forgotten a speaker whom the bishop has asked), and had to tell one to wait a month to give his talk. Today, he got a call saying the high counselor was coming and bringing a partner to speak with him. That was news to Steve. Steve had three speakers already, so there were a lot of calls/texts to sort that out. [I'm not sure why this hast to be so complicated. Steve's poor memory doesn't help. The person getting prayers last week didn't do it, and Steve didn't realize it until he had started the meeting. Songs were different than he had been told. New announcement were flung at him minutes before the meeting. I hoping the next month he conducts will be smoother.]
Anyway, Rudy and he started comparing notes. Rudy is ward clerk in a YSA ward in SLC. He said it is the HARDEST calling he's ever had - 150 new members this year all with records to transfer, names to enter in the ward lists, and so on.
Steve has been stressed with all the new names and challenges of making callings and figuring out who does what to make the ward click. Last week, these were his YSA responsibilities:
a. Four hour training meeting on Saturday
b. Sunday: bishop's meetings, church, and a 90 minute financial training in the evening
c. Monday: FHE (We watched 17 Miracles)
d. Tuesday: 2.5 hours of stake bishops training
e. Wednesday: Stake Opening Social (at the stake president's house) [We had a conflict, so we didn't go to this.]
Crazy!
The Relief Society Broadcast
The YSA stake was meeting together to watch the Relief Society broadcast. Each was encouraged to bring their mother. I had no mother, daughter, or granddaughter to go with me. Plus, we were just getting back from the condo. Anyway, I'm listening to the broadcast while thinking about my granddaughters.
Brooke is going to be a great mother. She is fascinated with the twins. She has asked her mom for a little sister. Drew wants a little brother, but they have it all worked out. Lori can have TWINS - like Aunt Michelle.
I can't believe how quickly the twins are changing. This morning, after sleeping eight hours, Savannah was more interested in "talking" than in eating. She is becoming much more social. Both Eve and Savannah will goo and coo. Eve loves her feet. She isn't very stable, but that doesn't stop her. Savannah loves to watch the toys in her bouncer. It won't be long before she is reaching for them. What cute girls.
I got to see Halle and Zach (before Zach and parents went to the circus). After Halle's nap, we watched Tangled. Then, she wanted to play an "Ariel" game. We found an Ariel coloring game. We would select a color with the paint brush and then click on an area of the picture. It would suddenly fill with color. I don't know how many times I heard the same response, "I did it! I want to do that again." It was pretty cute.
Brooke is going to be a great mother. She is fascinated with the twins. She has asked her mom for a little sister. Drew wants a little brother, but they have it all worked out. Lori can have TWINS - like Aunt Michelle.
I can't believe how quickly the twins are changing. This morning, after sleeping eight hours, Savannah was more interested in "talking" than in eating. She is becoming much more social. Both Eve and Savannah will goo and coo. Eve loves her feet. She isn't very stable, but that doesn't stop her. Savannah loves to watch the toys in her bouncer. It won't be long before she is reaching for them. What cute girls.
I got to see Halle and Zach (before Zach and parents went to the circus). After Halle's nap, we watched Tangled. Then, she wanted to play an "Ariel" game. We found an Ariel coloring game. We would select a color with the paint brush and then click on an area of the picture. It would suddenly fill with color. I don't know how many times I heard the same response, "I did it! I want to do that again." It was pretty cute.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
China
I finally made contact with Greg again. It had been over a week. They will start teaching (officially) this week but have been teaching privately to fill the time. It sounds like he is happy. These are pictures I pulled from the China Horizon (the company that places these young adults as English teachers) newsletter.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
FHE
With Steve's new calling, we end up being involved in family home evening groups.
Organization of the FHE activities is seriously lacking.
The first Monday it was decided to have a "meet the bishopric" activity where we came to the church. By the time we hit Relief Society, they had decided there would be dinner. The activity was fun except that they had forgotten the ketchup and mustard for the hamburgers, so I ran home to get it.
The next activity was ice blocking. The park was hard to find, and no directions had been given. By the time we started, there were about 25 kids, but they had ice blocks for six. I ran to buy more ice, but by the time I returned, half of the group had gone.
The next activity (last night) was to be had at the bishopric's houses. When I got to church on Sunday, I was told we were having FHE at our home and were in charge of a game, a spiritual thought, and treats - YUP basically everything. But they had no flier to give addresses to anyone. The groups (instead of being organized by apartments) were organized by birthdays. Then, to make matters worse, they sent out text messages to various people telling them where to go - but sent them to people not in the ward any longer and sent messages telling people to go to a different house not related to their birthday. Like I said, the organization is sad.
Sundays are wild days for me anyway. I go to Steve's ward for three hours and then attend Relief Society in our ward (as I haven't been released yet). Then I come home at 5:45 and have to get dinner on the table. Sundays are also the night we call the kids. I found time to make treats on Sunday, and woke up Monday morning at 5:30 to start cleaning (as cleaning has NOT been a priority for months). We got home at 5 and continued the cleaning and setup for home evening.
When our group came, several said they received text messages to go elsewhere. By ten after, one person had shown up. Several drove by looking for a bunch of cars and didn't stop as they figured they were at the wrong place. We went outside to flag them down. A whole car of guys who shouldn't have been here (and were looking for THEIR ward FHE) showed up (and soon left) when they realized they had gotten a text message based on where they lived LAST YEAR. We had about seven who stayed. We decided to crash the other counselor's group. It was a good thing we did. They only had four people and one was just leaving as we arrived (a half hour late). Thus, no one ate my treats or saw my clean house. [But who can complain about having a clean house, right? I had considered making cinnamon rolls after work, but was so glad I opted for Scotcher-roos, which were little work and could be given to my students the next day.]
ANYWAY, after a rough beginning, we had so much fun. The kids were hilarious. We played some "minute to win it" games that Ashley Fowles brought. (I had asked her to help me.) We played a get acquainted game where we pulled questions out of the jar and everybody answered. The first question was: "What instruments do you play? What is your favorite kind of music? What is your favorite hymn?" The second question was, "What was your worst date and what advice would you give your daughter about dating?" The answers to the second were hilarious.
Organization of the FHE activities is seriously lacking.
The first Monday it was decided to have a "meet the bishopric" activity where we came to the church. By the time we hit Relief Society, they had decided there would be dinner. The activity was fun except that they had forgotten the ketchup and mustard for the hamburgers, so I ran home to get it.
The next activity was ice blocking. The park was hard to find, and no directions had been given. By the time we started, there were about 25 kids, but they had ice blocks for six. I ran to buy more ice, but by the time I returned, half of the group had gone.
The next activity (last night) was to be had at the bishopric's houses. When I got to church on Sunday, I was told we were having FHE at our home and were in charge of a game, a spiritual thought, and treats - YUP basically everything. But they had no flier to give addresses to anyone. The groups (instead of being organized by apartments) were organized by birthdays. Then, to make matters worse, they sent out text messages to various people telling them where to go - but sent them to people not in the ward any longer and sent messages telling people to go to a different house not related to their birthday. Like I said, the organization is sad.
Sundays are wild days for me anyway. I go to Steve's ward for three hours and then attend Relief Society in our ward (as I haven't been released yet). Then I come home at 5:45 and have to get dinner on the table. Sundays are also the night we call the kids. I found time to make treats on Sunday, and woke up Monday morning at 5:30 to start cleaning (as cleaning has NOT been a priority for months). We got home at 5 and continued the cleaning and setup for home evening.
When our group came, several said they received text messages to go elsewhere. By ten after, one person had shown up. Several drove by looking for a bunch of cars and didn't stop as they figured they were at the wrong place. We went outside to flag them down. A whole car of guys who shouldn't have been here (and were looking for THEIR ward FHE) showed up (and soon left) when they realized they had gotten a text message based on where they lived LAST YEAR. We had about seven who stayed. We decided to crash the other counselor's group. It was a good thing we did. They only had four people and one was just leaving as we arrived (a half hour late). Thus, no one ate my treats or saw my clean house. [But who can complain about having a clean house, right? I had considered making cinnamon rolls after work, but was so glad I opted for Scotcher-roos, which were little work and could be given to my students the next day.]
ANYWAY, after a rough beginning, we had so much fun. The kids were hilarious. We played some "minute to win it" games that Ashley Fowles brought. (I had asked her to help me.) We played a get acquainted game where we pulled questions out of the jar and everybody answered. The first question was: "What instruments do you play? What is your favorite kind of music? What is your favorite hymn?" The second question was, "What was your worst date and what advice would you give your daughter about dating?" The answers to the second were hilarious.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A little healthy competition
Chelle and the girls have been here for the weekend as Ben is in Texas to a football game. The girls are now almost four months old (two months adjusted age).
Ever since we read about (second) cousin Roxie (who is two months old) sleeping 10-12 hours at night and trying to laugh, we have been talking to the girls about it. There is nothing like a little healthy competition. The last two nights they slept almost ten hours!!! Here you can see Eve trying to talk to grandpa.
Roxie is 13 pounds 10 ounces, which we just can't compete with. The girls are 10 pounds 4 ounces and 10 pounds 8 ounces.
Ever since we read about (second) cousin Roxie (who is two months old) sleeping 10-12 hours at night and trying to laugh, we have been talking to the girls about it. There is nothing like a little healthy competition. The last two nights they slept almost ten hours!!! Here you can see Eve trying to talk to grandpa.
Roxie is 13 pounds 10 ounces, which we just can't compete with. The girls are 10 pounds 4 ounces and 10 pounds 8 ounces.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Laugh Out Loud Funny
I have been struggling with technology this semester.
I record my PhD class lecture for a student who is on an internship, but with my new computer, when I try to transform the format, I can't get any sound. All the tech people are so busy with the start of the semester, I'm finding no one that can tell me why. My work around is to use my old computer to change video formats (to a more condensed one), but I'm not thrilled with having to use my old machine.
Well, today I decided I wanted to create Jing videos (which are voice over video captures of your screen) for my sophomore level course. These are the kind of "how to" videos you see on You Tube all the time.
I read about how to do it, bought a headphone/microphone from Best Buy, and started recording. The first video I created... (wait for it)- had no sound. I remade it, fiddled with it, and finally got it to work. Then, in creating the second video, I transferred it to my webpage and COULDN'T HEAR IT. I was getting so frustrated, because every video takes fifteen minutes to create (even longer if you flub up). Then I realized that the reason I couldn't hear it was because I had taken the head phones off.
Laugh out loud funny.
I record my PhD class lecture for a student who is on an internship, but with my new computer, when I try to transform the format, I can't get any sound. All the tech people are so busy with the start of the semester, I'm finding no one that can tell me why. My work around is to use my old computer to change video formats (to a more condensed one), but I'm not thrilled with having to use my old machine.
Well, today I decided I wanted to create Jing videos (which are voice over video captures of your screen) for my sophomore level course. These are the kind of "how to" videos you see on You Tube all the time.
I read about how to do it, bought a headphone/microphone from Best Buy, and started recording. The first video I created... (wait for it)- had no sound. I remade it, fiddled with it, and finally got it to work. Then, in creating the second video, I transferred it to my webpage and COULDN'T HEAR IT. I was getting so frustrated, because every video takes fifteen minutes to create (even longer if you flub up). Then I realized that the reason I couldn't hear it was because I had taken the head phones off.
Laugh out loud funny.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I'm cold for YOU
While talking to Lori last night, Drew came to her saying, "But I'm cold for YOU". It was Kram's turn to snuggle with Drew and Lori had put Brooke to bed. The tradition is that if the kids are cold in the morning, they jump into bed with their parents. Saying he was cold for his mom was an attempt to get her to snuggle with him. I thought it was cute.
This morning I got a phone call from Halle saying she has pink fingernails. It was a first. So cute.
I'm down with the twins today. They are growing. You can see that Savannah has a penchant for electronics.
Resting in the "Pack n Play".
This morning I got a phone call from Halle saying she has pink fingernails. It was a first. So cute.
I'm down with the twins today. They are growing. You can see that Savannah has a penchant for electronics.
Resting in the "Pack n Play".
Monday, August 22, 2011
Elder Bednar
On Saturday night, Elder Bednar spoke to the YSA in the valley. The format was interesting. He took questions from the audience - either verbal or texted to his IPAD. He prepared them by saying he didn't want obscure questions, but ones which would benefit the audience.
Someone asked about finding a mate. His response was so direct. He said, "Some people make a list of all the attributes they want in a mate. That is the height of arrogance. If you found someone who had all those attributes, what makes you think they would pick you? Realize you are not marrying a finished product, but potential. Rather than make a list of attributes for your mate, make a list of attributes YOU will work on. As you seek to better yourself in those ways, you will be attractive to those who are also working on those attributes."
Steve had said we should stay home to make room for the young single adults, but I told him we didn't even know if we would be taking someone else's seats. I was glad we went. It helped to get a vision of where they are and what their concerns are. In church on Sunday, there were no less than a dozen references to his comments. We needed to be there.
On Monday night, we went to a "meet the bishopric" get together. Probably 40 youth showed up. As we went around the circle to give introductions and say something unique about ourselves, there were a range of situations. Some were just out of high school. Some were nearly thirty. One fellow was back from service in the Airforce. One just received his mission call. Another had just returned. Some stood at the sidelines, not talking to anyone. Some came with a brother or a sister. One said, "I'm really not doing anything with my life." Another said, "I love to run. I don't run as much since I got cut from the high school track team, but I still love to run." In personal conversation, one gal had graduated from USU and was a secretary for the institute. She said she might go on for grad school in statistics, but it was hard to plan as she might get married and move away. I said, "Oh, are you dating anyone?" "No." She is a doll, so she might get married and move away, but still, it's not exactly my choice of game plans.
We have a family with five kids in our ward (the Fronks). They have thirteen kids, so five in our ward should be no real surprise I guess. They are such neat kids. They said they couldn't come to the meet the bishop night as it was family home evening, and they never miss their family home evening. I found THAT impressive.
I am going to love this calling!
Someone asked about finding a mate. His response was so direct. He said, "Some people make a list of all the attributes they want in a mate. That is the height of arrogance. If you found someone who had all those attributes, what makes you think they would pick you? Realize you are not marrying a finished product, but potential. Rather than make a list of attributes for your mate, make a list of attributes YOU will work on. As you seek to better yourself in those ways, you will be attractive to those who are also working on those attributes."
Steve had said we should stay home to make room for the young single adults, but I told him we didn't even know if we would be taking someone else's seats. I was glad we went. It helped to get a vision of where they are and what their concerns are. In church on Sunday, there were no less than a dozen references to his comments. We needed to be there.
On Monday night, we went to a "meet the bishopric" get together. Probably 40 youth showed up. As we went around the circle to give introductions and say something unique about ourselves, there were a range of situations. Some were just out of high school. Some were nearly thirty. One fellow was back from service in the Airforce. One just received his mission call. Another had just returned. Some stood at the sidelines, not talking to anyone. Some came with a brother or a sister. One said, "I'm really not doing anything with my life." Another said, "I love to run. I don't run as much since I got cut from the high school track team, but I still love to run." In personal conversation, one gal had graduated from USU and was a secretary for the institute. She said she might go on for grad school in statistics, but it was hard to plan as she might get married and move away. I said, "Oh, are you dating anyone?" "No." She is a doll, so she might get married and move away, but still, it's not exactly my choice of game plans.
We have a family with five kids in our ward (the Fronks). They have thirteen kids, so five in our ward should be no real surprise I guess. They are such neat kids. They said they couldn't come to the meet the bishop night as it was family home evening, and they never miss their family home evening. I found THAT impressive.
I am going to love this calling!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
100 Grand
You've heard of the gratitude exercise where you imagine losing everything you have: your home, your savings, your family, your ability to see or hear, your ability to walk. Then imagine getting each of these things back, one by one, and consider how grateful you would be for each and every one. You are told to start finding joy in the small things instead of holding out for big achievements—such as getting the promotion, having a comfortable nest egg saved up, getting married, having the baby, and so on–before allowing yourself to feel gratitude and joy.
I had that experience this afternoon. I took a nap and was totally zonked. As I slept, I dreamed I gambled $100,000 on being able to convince a goat to cross a finish line (okay, so my gambling experience is limited). I convinced a friend to make the same gamble with her $100,000. We both lost all our money.
It sure felt good to wake up from that nap!
Monday, August 15, 2011
Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies
Do check out Lori Hurst's blog for pictures of the family reunion. They are fun!
http://lorihurstsblog.blogspot.com/
You've heard the quote: Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.
I'm banking on it! Steve was just called to a Young Single Adult Ward bishopric. Tony Smith (from River Heights) is the bishop. I used to serve with his wife, Kelly, in stake primary - but I haven't seen either of them in a while. Scott Harris (also from River Heights) is a counselor.
I worry that Steve's memory problems will be an issue, but Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. I'm counting on it.
Our first YSA ward activity is this week - to the Palisades. They are leaving Thursday and retuning Saturday. (We have a departmental retreat on Thursday, so we'll be heading out after the rest of them.) Near as I can tell, you bring your own sleeping bag and tent. The main activity is doing whatever you want and skiing. It could be interesting, as our water stuff and sleeping mats are at the condo. I'm trying to talk Steve into stopping by the condo on the way to the Palisades. It looks like a good route to me. I haven't been in a tent in ten years. I hope the rodents haven't devoured it. Much as I'm not a camper, I do think it is a fantastic way to get to know the youth. This should be fun.
Steve and I came to Chelle's last night to help with the kids - and do weeding. We spent the morning in the yard. The weather was cooperative - a rainstorm last night and a nice breeze this morning. The weeding is pretty much all done but the side yard - and even that isn't bad. Trisha and Brandon, Ben and Chelle spent HOURS weeding on Saturday. With a little luck, we'll finish it this morning and be ready for tilling.
http://lorihurstsblog.blogspot.com/
You've heard the quote: Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.
I'm banking on it! Steve was just called to a Young Single Adult Ward bishopric. Tony Smith (from River Heights) is the bishop. I used to serve with his wife, Kelly, in stake primary - but I haven't seen either of them in a while. Scott Harris (also from River Heights) is a counselor.
I worry that Steve's memory problems will be an issue, but Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies. I'm counting on it.
Our first YSA ward activity is this week - to the Palisades. They are leaving Thursday and retuning Saturday. (We have a departmental retreat on Thursday, so we'll be heading out after the rest of them.) Near as I can tell, you bring your own sleeping bag and tent. The main activity is doing whatever you want and skiing. It could be interesting, as our water stuff and sleeping mats are at the condo. I'm trying to talk Steve into stopping by the condo on the way to the Palisades. It looks like a good route to me. I haven't been in a tent in ten years. I hope the rodents haven't devoured it. Much as I'm not a camper, I do think it is a fantastic way to get to know the youth. This should be fun.
Steve and I came to Chelle's last night to help with the kids - and do weeding. We spent the morning in the yard. The weather was cooperative - a rainstorm last night and a nice breeze this morning. The weeding is pretty much all done but the side yard - and even that isn't bad. Trisha and Brandon, Ben and Chelle spent HOURS weeding on Saturday. With a little luck, we'll finish it this morning and be ready for tilling.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Microburst
They say it was a microburst that got the tree in front of our condo. It was sad to see the effects.
We did have a great day at the lake. We had gone to deliver a new BBQ grill as ours wasn't working last week. We stayed for floating in our 2-man raft (more like a two midget raft), playing in the pool, riding bikes to Sweet Water trailer park (who knew they even had one), and playing Upwards (Steve won, he wanted to make sure I mentioned). On the way home, we stopped to visit Steve's mom. It was a fun day. The only downer is we don't know where Steve's wallet and keys are. With the Prius, you only have to have the key with you (not in the ignition) so we thought maybe he left his keys home - but they're not here. We may be taking another ride to the lake tomorrow.
We did have a great day at the lake. We had gone to deliver a new BBQ grill as ours wasn't working last week. We stayed for floating in our 2-man raft (more like a two midget raft), playing in the pool, riding bikes to Sweet Water trailer park (who knew they even had one), and playing Upwards (Steve won, he wanted to make sure I mentioned). On the way home, we stopped to visit Steve's mom. It was a fun day. The only downer is we don't know where Steve's wallet and keys are. With the Prius, you only have to have the key with you (not in the ignition) so we thought maybe he left his keys home - but they're not here. We may be taking another ride to the lake tomorrow.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A little too much of a thrill
One of Steve's favorite activities is 4-wheeling with a bunch of friends, ten years older than him - Providence natives who know these canyons as well as they know themselves.
This beautiful scenery is a big part of why he loves it so much.
This picture was taken BEFORE he rolled his 4-wheeler. Luckily neither he nor the 4-wheeler was disabled. Somebody was looking out for him!
He said he was going up a very steep and rocky part. He became stuck in a rut and gave it more gas. The 4-wheeler flipped back, he jumped out of the way, and the 4-wheeler landed on its side. I asked, "What should you have done differently?" He said, "I should have been in 4-wheel drive. Then I wouldn't have needed to give it the extra gas to get out of the rut."
This beautiful scenery is a big part of why he loves it so much.
This picture was taken BEFORE he rolled his 4-wheeler. Luckily neither he nor the 4-wheeler was disabled. Somebody was looking out for him!
He said he was going up a very steep and rocky part. He became stuck in a rut and gave it more gas. The 4-wheeler flipped back, he jumped out of the way, and the 4-wheeler landed on its side. I asked, "What should you have done differently?" He said, "I should have been in 4-wheel drive. Then I wouldn't have needed to give it the extra gas to get out of the rut."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Grandkids
On my way to Chelle's, I stopped by Trisha's to drop off some food storage I wouldn't get to before expiration (or even many moons after expiration). I brought a few random trinkets for the kids (as my purse was completely boring for the last visit). I forgot about the Raspberry Days Parade candy in my purse, which was an instant hit. I also brought the Otter Pops that we barely touched at Island Park. As Trisha and I were hauling in food storage, Halle and Zach pulled all the Otter Pops out of the box and laid them on the entryway. They were quite appealing in their bright colors. Halle decided to jump on them. Not a good a idea. Luckily we stopped the fun after just a few had burst. Her entryway was more than a little sticky. Kids!
Savannah and Eve are growing so fast.
These babies are the best ever. Last night they woke up after 5.5 hours. I fed them. Three hours later Eve thought it was time to eat again (which probably was only fair being as she'd gone so long the previous feeding). I pulled her in bed with me to snuggle, and she slept for another hour! They had parallel blow-outs so I threw them both in the bathtub together. i think they are ready for the jacuzzi as a single bathtub is pretty cramped.
Savannah and Eve are growing so fast.
These babies are the best ever. Last night they woke up after 5.5 hours. I fed them. Three hours later Eve thought it was time to eat again (which probably was only fair being as she'd gone so long the previous feeding). I pulled her in bed with me to snuggle, and she slept for another hour! They had parallel blow-outs so I threw them both in the bathtub together. i think they are ready for the jacuzzi as a single bathtub is pretty cramped.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Tough TImes
I was talking to a friend in church yesterday. A year or so ago I remember her son being out of work. Evidently it has been two years since he lost his job in finance. His wife has been able to work, so he has been a stay at home dad. They are expecting again in October. He said, "I can't do that (be fulltime caregiver for a baby) again. I've GOT to work." His dad builds metal buildings, and Jake's decided to join his dad, even though that will mean lots of travel to go where the work is. Luckily, his wife can work from home.
My friend's daughter's husband has also had a hard time finding a job. He graduated in patent law two years ago from the U and hasn't been able to find work in his field. He has a job in computer products that pays the bills (for his wife, Becky, and three kids). He's 36, and they are still living like students.
As I watch the stock market plunge today, it makes me think its a great time to get your food storage in shape.
My friend's daughter's husband has also had a hard time finding a job. He graduated in patent law two years ago from the U and hasn't been able to find work in his field. He has a job in computer products that pays the bills (for his wife, Becky, and three kids). He's 36, and they are still living like students.
As I watch the stock market plunge today, it makes me think its a great time to get your food storage in shape.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
To The Rescue
I've been reading the biography of President Monson - To The Rescue. It is somewhat oddly written (having "President Monson" comment about various things in his history, rather than telling about "Tommy"), but I have loved learning about his growing up years.
There is something so comforting about going back to our roots.
This week as I was down with Chelle, I took advantage of the torrential rains we have had to pull weeds in their yard. I worked for a few minutes one night until dark, and got up the next morning and spent a few hours pulling weeds. It was so like Dad would have done. Dad was a worker. He loved to read. He loved skiing, boating, handball, square dancing. He loved life, but he so loved work. In the summer, he would work late in the evenings in the garden- irrigating, planting, picking and weeding. He was up at the crack of dawn - hard at work. Work brought him a lot of satisfaction. He was interesting in everything and could remember what he learned - but he worked hard to retain that zest for life.
We just got home from the condo this evening. I hadn't been home more than a few minutes when I retired to the backyard to pick raspberries and beans (and even two tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow summer squash). In my youth, picking produce was a frequent chore. I can't remember ever really liking to do the picking - except for sitting in the pea patch picking/eating peas. Yet somehow in my own little garden, it is a connection to that past that I thoroughly enjoy.
There is something so comforting about going back to our roots.
This week as I was down with Chelle, I took advantage of the torrential rains we have had to pull weeds in their yard. I worked for a few minutes one night until dark, and got up the next morning and spent a few hours pulling weeds. It was so like Dad would have done. Dad was a worker. He loved to read. He loved skiing, boating, handball, square dancing. He loved life, but he so loved work. In the summer, he would work late in the evenings in the garden- irrigating, planting, picking and weeding. He was up at the crack of dawn - hard at work. Work brought him a lot of satisfaction. He was interesting in everything and could remember what he learned - but he worked hard to retain that zest for life.
We just got home from the condo this evening. I hadn't been home more than a few minutes when I retired to the backyard to pick raspberries and beans (and even two tomatoes, zucchini, and yellow summer squash). In my youth, picking produce was a frequent chore. I can't remember ever really liking to do the picking - except for sitting in the pea patch picking/eating peas. Yet somehow in my own little garden, it is a connection to that past that I thoroughly enjoy.
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