Had to add one more picture - just because it is so good!

Memorial Day

It isn't often that we are in town on Memorial Weekend. It was nice to be able to go to Midway and go to the cemetary. It always makes me a bit sad because it is a reminder that mother isn't here and I miss her greatly.

We had a surprise visit from Buster's son Kenny and his little boy Aden. I had to take a double take when Kenny walked in. He looks so much like his dad that it is a bit of a shock. It was nice to see him and visit with him for a few minutes.

Les and Keith out getting the meat ready for lunch.

Delicious lunch was had by all. To my right is Carolyn and her husband Keith down on the end. Keith is Max's cousin.

I'm still enjoying Mother's Day!

Maren came by the house on Saturday and sadly, Neal and I weren't home. She left my Mother's Day present on the back porch and I LOVE IT!!! What a nice surprise. Thank you Maren! I'm so excited to use all three of my gifts. Well, I've actually already used the hair Tassi and the lotion. I'll for sure be using the Rumbi gift certificate during the next couple of weeks. Our office staff go their often for lunch!

There was a check for Maren and Greg from Judy in the house. We told Maren the key to get in but for some reason, she couldn't make it work. I'll have to stick the check in the mail.

Lunch after golf at Jeff's favorite hamburger joint!

Golfing at the Stansbury Golf Course on Saturday

Jeff and Neal decided to go golfing on Saturday and Emmi and I joined them. We had a really fun time and the weather was almost perfect. Neal gave Emmi some helps with her grip and she did much better. She has a lot of strength and follow through. When she has her grip right she can hit the golf ball a country mile. She is destined to be a good golfer - which will please her grandfather!

Bella

I got up this morning, got ready for work and came out to get my cell phone before going downstairs and saw Bella just looking at me. She was under the covers, no less. I guess she got cold last night. How funny.

New Sewing Project - Seriously?

I guess I just can't sit still at night. I need something to do while watching TV. This is my new project. However, this project has a purpose and a place to go. I'm going to give this to Sally Curtis. She is my 911 help friend! She is a sewing genius and whenever I get stuck on something I can always call on her for help. She made my costumes for the Pioneer Trek and made me some Halloween costumes as well. She also help me with the pattern for the pillow cases I made for the grandchildren and numerous other projects.

Wonderful thought.

This was sent to me by a friend.

“I did not know I had so many tears. I have tried to hide most of them. Not that I am ashamed of tears, but seeing them in my eyes brings them too often to the cheeks of others, and I would not spread sorrow too widely. Yet there is a cleansing of the soul through the eyes. Tears release sadness that must not dominate, leaving only love, somewhat older, wiser, calmer, and yet renewed, reborn, freshened, enlarged, flowering. The soul was not made by God to be sorrow’s home. He would have us happy. We open the doors and windows and let it out. We learn from the memory of its visits; then let the breezes of continued living clear the air. We learn to breathe again, to walk in the sunlight. Love, joy, peace, each other are the true inhabitants and we would not crowd them unnecessarily.”
S. Michael Wilcox

She happened to be by me when I got a call from my niece telling me that her dad, my brother Donald, is very ill and doesn't have too much longer to live. He is dealing with heart problems and cancer. He will be 82 this August. He is 15 years older than I am. Even though Donald and I are not close, and never have been, it is always a sad time and causes one to reminisce. My memories with Donald are very few. He was in the service when I was old enough to remember and spent the rest of his career in the service and then retired in San Diego. His visits to Utah were rare. I can only recall one visit. I was a senior in high school. The rage was t-strapped shoes. We couldn't afford them, but when Donald found out that I wanted some, he bought them for me. They were red, shinny and new. I LOVED those shoes.

Love fun surprises in the mail from the grandchildren!

I just had to post this picture that River drew for me and had his mother put it in the mail. I called him this morning and asked him to tell me about his picture and he said, "Gam, it is a picture of cars crashing and falling down! So use your imagination when studying this Picasso.

HALLELUJAH - HALLELUJAH - HALLELUJAH!

I'm am so excited to report that I took my last stitch in the sampler I've been stitching on since the beginning of this year. I've posted a picture of the progress each month and finally took the last stitch in it last night. I am so happy to have it done and so proud of it. I'll take it to the cleaners today and have it blocked and pressed and then Neal can take it to the framers to pick out the matting and the frame. That is always his job because he has such excellent taste in color. I'll take a picture of it when it is all framed. What am I going to do with it? Neal wants to hang it down stairs. I had nothing in mind when I started it, just liked it and wanted to do it.

One of those 'feel good' or 'warm fuzzy' moments

I suspect that I will continue, off and on, to wonder how in the world the calling of Stake Relief Society President came to me. As I visit the wards and become more and more acquainted with the sisters, I wonder even more. There are so many who are 'more' of so many qualities than I am for this calling. But I do believe in inspiration and I do believe that I'm here at this moment in time for a purpose. That purpose may never be made known to me and I accept that. So with that understanding, I have accepted this calling with faith and committment. It has been a year already and much has happened in that time. It is the little notes of "You're doing great" that always help push me forward. One such note came yesterday from President Parry:

"And thanks for your kind words about yesterday's conference. In our interviews with the bishoprics in conjunction with each conference, I typically ask for an report on the different sessions. President Little consistently tells me what a great job you do in the Relief Society meeting!

We are blessed to have you. Thank you for all you do for the sisters in the stake.

Best,
President Parry"

I love the gospel!

Emergency trial run

Today the county had an emergency trial run. I was assigned to dispense medication. Instead of medication they gave anyone who would drive through and fill out the form a gold dollar. People could even drive through more than once if the wait was worth the dollar. I was surprised how many times some people actually came through.

The weather held out and we actually had some sunshine while we were dispensing. Nice little break in the rainy weather.

Out to lunch after recital.

Neal invited everyone to Cafe Rio to celebrate Taylor's dancing and trophy. Very fun time was had with the Cutler family.

Taylor's Dance Recital

We had the opportunity to go to Taylor's final dance recital for the year. It was out at Taylorsville High School. Taylor was awesome and was in about six performances. I am amazed at how many routines she has in her head and knows them all and performs them flawlessly. Thanks Taylor for inviting us. It was so fun to watch you. You are every bit as good as your mom was. Your Grandma Judy would be very proud of you as am I!!

The pictures are not all that wonderful. My little camera just isn't made for taking pictures from far away even with the telephoto lens.

Maddie and Bobby Mack - Her dad's 3rd grade teacher and President Kimball's daugheter.

I thought it would be fun to take Maddie with me to visit Bobby Mack who is recovering from a fall that caused a broken bone. Maddie couldn't get over how sweet Bobby was.

Jump Rope - It has been too long to even remember the last time Neal and I jumped the rope!

A talk I gave at our Stake Relief Society Leadership Meeting.

The other day I was browsing through an art store picking up some paints for Neal and came to the isle where they had paint brushes displayed. I took one of the paint brushes off the shelf and a clerk came by while I was looking at it. The clerk assured me it was made of genuine bristles. I started to put the brush down and then picked it back up again to take another look at it.
I noticed that it was a 1 inch brush; it had a wooden handle and a metal strip around it. I wondered where the “genuine” bristles came from. I noticed there were several numbers on the handle which must mean something to somebody. I wondered what kind of tree furnished the handle.
Lots of elements went into the making of this brush – many hands were instrumental in it assembly.
Then I wondered what would happen to the paint brush. Will it be used in painting an artistic landscape? Or used by a child just learning to splash paint on paper with water colors?
No matter. If it brings pleasure and beauty into the life of someone, then it will have fulfilled its potential.
Now, the paint brush, no matter how carefully made, can accomplish nothing by itself. Some hand must lift it, dip it in the paint and apply it to the canvas. This is where you and I enter. Ours are the hands that must pick up the brush and use it however we wish. If we don’t pick it up, if we don’t use it, then who is going to suffer? Not the brainless paint brush, but we who did not take advantage of its usefulness.
In some ways, we are like the paint brush – we have a name, we have numbers and we were created.
Now, I’ve used this paint brush as a prop and maybe some of you aren’t interested in using a paint brush at all. But, the same principal applies to dozens of other objects that are contained in our homes. The broom sitting in the closet will not keep the kitchen floor clean unless you pick it up and use it. The soap will not get your clothes clean unless you introduce it to the washer, the pen lying on your desk will not write the letter to a friend who needs to hear from you, unless you pick it up, the loaf of bread or the cookies you did not take to your neighbor will not let her know that you care about her.
Every one of us has potential. Every one of us was given talents, but unless we do something with those talents they will die – as dormant as the poor paint brush - and we will have wasted the gifts given us by our Heavenly Father. We will never know what we are capable of doing until we actually do it.
I went back in my writings and found a quote that I had recorded from Bruce R. McConkie in the 80’s. He was talking about being born where we are per our works in heaven before we came here. He said, “We have a special set of works for us to do that will refine us and make us grow if we will not shrink from the task. The amazing thing in all this is realizing who we really are and that we absolutely do not walk alone. Once you let that fill your consciousness, you can climb any mountain! “ Unquote
I have come to believe that I am a useful person. That my Father in Heaven has blessed me with many talents that I’m still discovering and that it is up to me to develop those talents and reach the potential I was created for, whether it is being a good wife, mother, grandmother, teacher or leader – it is up to me to create the best picture I am capable of.
I know that I’m cannot achieve the potential I have on my own. I know that it is a total and complete group effort. I believe that the “errand of angels is given to women”. As promised, - - on days where I have done my part to connect to holiness, - - I can feel an undeniable force of those on the other side of the veil reaching out to help me. They are the women who lived before me, those who share my mission. I know that the Lord is there too, on my right hand and on my left. He is there in the quiet times when I am kneeling by my bed desperately seeking his guidance and help.
I pray that we may each fully understand the greatness of our gifts and talents. That we will each believe we have an incomparable power and influence to do good. That we can, through our God given gifts and talents, bless the lives of the sisters in our wards, our stake and our neighborhood. We must use those gifts to bless and serve others.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Slowly but surely

These pictures aren’t wonderful but it gives you an idea of what Jeff and Lynda Ann are accomplishing entirely on their own.  They are trying to at least get Emmi’s bedroom done so that she has a nice room to go to through her high school years.  The table and saw are in the end of the ‘what will be’ the family room.  The pink insulation you are looking at is Emmi’s bedroom wall.  The picture below is Emmi’s room ready for the sheet rock to go up.  I remember how excited I was when our basement started to come together.  It will be so nice when it is finished.  I’m sure Emmi can’t wait.  What colors will Emmi choose for her walls? 

Bridge Tournament

Neal and I went to a National bridge tournament last night at the Marriott here in Salt Lake. The tournament has been going all week but this was the firt chance we had to go to one of the sessions. We were surprised, pleased and a bit dumbfounded when they announced that we were the winners of the 49'rs. Those are the pleople who have 49 or less points accumulated. If you know the bridge world and the point system 49 or less isn't anything to brag about if you are a constant, playing bridge two or three times a week player. Neal and I are lucky to get out once a month and play so we were very happy that we won!

An Emmi achievement

Emmi made this pot in her pottery class and it went all the way to state competition.  Way to go Emmi.  All your mom and uncle ever made were creations that looked like ash trays!  However, I’ve put them to good use.  I use them for my small earrings.

Mother’s Day

A dozen white roses from Neal – They are beautiful!

A scented wax warming jar from Lynda Ann

  

Jeff G. being silly with my camera!

This was my favorite gift and it came from Andrew.  Just in case you can’t tell, this is a card board potato bug!  You have to love the imagination of a child! 

  

This picture was from Andrew.  When I tell you what the picture is you will love it even more!  Looking at the picture, top left is Bella.  Look closely and you will see the tail, four legs and her head.  The next picture going to the right is, as Andrew put it, my sewing stuff.  The scribble in the middle is all my stitching.  You can see the straight line of the needle with the thread.  The large circle is the hoop.  Next to my sewing is a smiley face and the picture at the top right is me going out the door.  The bottom figures are Lynda Ann on the left, me on the right holding Andrews hands in the center.  Quite a drawing and one that took a lot of thought.  I LOVE it!

This came from Jamie and Lynda Ann.  Of course, I shed a tear. 

The movies from Jeff G.  He always gives me a movie and I love his choices!

Lynda Ann fixed a delicious dinner of pulled pork, rice, veggies topped with strawberry pies for dessert.  It was wonderful!  Thank you Lynda Ann.