Jaden’s basketball game

Neal and I had a busy Saturday with meetings and interviews.  Our Stake Presidency is being changed this Sunday and all High Council and Bishops, etc. were asked to come to the stake offices at an appointed time to be interviewed.  Plus we had our adult meeting at 6:00 p.m.  Jaden’s game was at 4:00 o’clock which worked out perfect as we could squeeze the game in between our meetings.

Jaden played well and aggressively.  He made a number of baskets and seems to genuinely love the game.  It is fun to have two of our grandchildren playing basketball and we are grateful that we are able to attend their games when possible.

No, I don’t usually wear pearls and a suit to a game!  You can see that we were on our way to more meetings!

A very sad evening

Last night our Relief Society Presidency met for the last time with President Parry. He is being released, after 9 years of service. He has been such a great influence on me and has been such a great spiritual leader and mentor. I have loved working under his direction and am very sad to see him released. I was teary through most of our final meeting with him. As each one of us left his office he shook our hands and thanked us for our service. I was the last one to leave and as he took my hand, he held it tightly, looked into my eyes, paused for a moment and then said, "Sister Maxfield, the Lord knew what he was doing when he called you to be the Stake Relief Society President." It was an emotional but very cherished moment. I shall treasure the time that I have worked under his leadership.

Quilting

This is one of those Christmas gifts that gets used over and over and over.  Yes, it gets put away, sometimes for months or even years but when you need them, boy do they come in handy.  These quilting frame stands came from Jeff and Mindy one year for Christmas and I can’t begin to tell you how many times they have been used.  Used for making quilts for grandchildren, children and friends.  Thanks Jeff and Mindy for a very useful and well used gift.  I grew up with quilting frames set up in our front room periodically.  Often I would come home on a Saturday and walk in the door to see Lila Mae and mother quilting.  I remember as a little girl spending hours underneath the quilts while they were thumbtacked to the frames.  What great tents they made.

I’ve got some baby showers coming up so decided to get going and get all the material I had laying around finished into baby quilts.  These are the five I’ve tied since Sunday night.  My fingers got so sore from pulling the needle through the material that I had to use a pair of pliers for the last two quilts.  Nice to have them all done.

Jeff’s surgery.

We were at the surgical center at 9:00.  Jeff and Mindy and I sat waiting for the final word from the doctor.  Jeff’s blood sugar was a little high and infection is always a risk but much higher with a diabetic.  Jeff was given the option to go ahead or wait another two weeks.  After discussing it with Mindy, they both felt good about going ahead.  After they wheeled Jeff into surgery, Mindy and I went for a late breakfast at Mimi’s where we had a good food and a great visit.  We headed back to the surgical center in time to talk to the doctor who said every thing went perfectly.  After they were able to get Jeff’s pain under control, his oxygen intake where it should be and he was awake enough to stand up, they sent him home.  It is amazing how many surgery’s are same day.  Years past Jeff would probably have been in the hospital for at least three or even four days.  I’m sure most people get better care at home.

Below is Jeff just before we sent him off to surgery.  The other picture is the doctor’s initials indicated this was the shoulder that needed the surgery.

Below is a picture of Jeff right after surgery.  Can you tell he is a little high on pain medication?  I wished I remembered and could record some of the funny things he said.  He has a wonderful sense on humor and it is only intensified when he is ‘high’. 

Below is a picture of Mindy dipping Jeff’s crackers in his diet coke.  The nurse wanted to give him a pain pill but not on an empty stomach.  Jeff couldn’t feel the back of his throat and couldn’t tell if he had swallowed his drink or food.  So Mindy suggested that they soak the cracker in the diet coke and then it would go down easily.  It was successful and Jeff was then able to take the pain pills. 

I am always grateful and admire greatly, doctors and medical staff.  I am thankful for priesthood blessings and continual answers to prayers.  It will be a journey before Jeff is completely healed but now he is well on his way.

New floors!

I’m so excited to get rid of this ugly carpet and get new wood floors.  I’ve loved the floors on the main floor, up the stairs and along the hallway and now we have completed the next room which is the master bedroom.  Neal and I have been camping out downstairs.  Having ‘stuff’ all over the house and things not put where they go is about driving me nuts but come Monday we can put every thing back where it goes. 

Finished flooring.  Isn’t it gorgeous?!  The above two pictures are before they wood is stained and sealed.  Below is the finished product.

Dinner with the Hintze Family

Yesterday, Neal and I were invited over to Jeff and Mindy's for dinner. Because of our Sunday schedules we didn't get over there until about 5:30. Jeff and Mindy were gracious hosts and Mindy's dinner of pot roast, potatoes, gravy, carrots and salads was delicious. We ate, visited and Neal even played Wii golf with Grayson who beat him on two holes!

The highlight of the dinner was when I said to Grayson, "You have a birthday coming up in two weeks! How old will you be?" Grayson excitedly said, "Eight." I smiled and said, "And what happens when you turn eight?" His reply, "I get my carving knife back." We all had a good laugh.

Thanks Jeff and Mindy for the invite and for a delicious Sunday dinner that I didn't have to prepare!

A blast from the past!

Today, I met Susan and Lila in Orem for shopping and lunch.  Susan had mentioned that they were going to visit Janet (my sister-in-law, married to Buster).  I haven’t seen Janet since Buster died and that has been 13 years ago this February.  Janet and Buster lived in our basement apartment for a while after they were married.  I was in high school.  There was an incident that happened that accelerated down hill causing mother to have a family meeting and basically telling Janet and Buster that even though they lived in the basement they were guests in our home and she didn’t want to hear any more about what happened.  They were either to move on or move out!  Families living together never seem to work out for the best. 

Anyway, as we were getting ready to leave, Janet mentioned that she had a picture and thought it was of Annette and wanted to give it to Lila Mae.  They bring it out and I smiled because it is a painting of me!  I’m sure if Janet had known it was of me she would have never taken it in the first place and would not have had it hanging in her house all these years. 

When I was a freshman at BYU I was asked to be a model for an art class.  This picture was one that was chosen to be displayed for a few months and then was presented to me.  My mother had it hanging in her bedroom for years and I always wondered what happened to it.  Low and behold it shows up.  Below is the picture.  Of course, Neal thinks it looks just like me.  He does wear rose colored glasses or he is losing his eyesight fast!!! 

My little MP3 player and me.

I went walking for the first time with my MP3 player that Jeff and Lynda Ann gave me for Christmas.  I walked over an hour and was serenaded all the way by Perry Como, Andy Williams and various country stars.  It was absolutely delightful.  Almost better than having a friend along with you.  One can listen, walk to the beat and even sing along when there aren’t any cars coming down the street!  It is also a wonderful time to think about whatever is on your mind. 

Thank you Jeff for taking the time to load all my favorite artists singing my favorite songs.  I had to chuckle a couple of time because I had it programed for random songs and I would hear some fun country western and

then all of a sudden I would hear the tab choir singing “Consider the Lilies of the Field or the Hallelujah Chorus!  Quite a change, don’t you think?  It was great and I can transition very quickly!

2011 Has Come To A Close

The year ended with Neal and I at the bridge center playing bridge.  We had a table full of snacks and played bridge until about 11:00.  Then we came home and brought in the new year by watching one of the stations broadcasting from New York.  Big hype.  Have I ever said the New Year’s Eve has never been a holiday that I thought was worth making a big deal out of.  Even as a teenager, I loved going to the big stake dances but when it came time to pass out the silly pointed foiled hats, throw confetti into the air and blow some silly horn, that is where I lost interest.  Ah, but those who love certainly get into the high energy level and have a good time. 

Lynda Ann called us about 12:30 or 1:00 a.m. to wish us a happy new year and then told us that Derek, Emmi’s friend had been driving one of his friends home and was hit broadside totaling out the car he was in.  Thank goodness no one was hurt, but all were shook up.  When they went back the next day to see the car and take pictures then is when Derek and his mom realized the impact of the accident and how blessed everyone was to come out with little or no injuries.

New Year’s Eve was always a worry when the children were home and old enough to be out celebrating.  I’m grateful I never had one of those horrible and most dreaded calls.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions but when I was at church on Sunday, the Stake President said, “Let us all try to better this year than we were last year.”  I thought that was a great thing to do, so my resolution is, 1) to be better in 2012 than I was in 2011 and 2) to read the Book of Mormon all the way through and over again.

This has been a good year for Neal and I.  We both have good jobs that we enjoy.  We are both blessed with excellent health and have great callings in the church.  I will have served two years as the Stake Relief Society President this May and Neal is just beginning his service as the 2nd counselor in the Cottonwood YSA (Young Single Adult) Ward. 

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Thankful that I was born in these latter days when the fullness of the gospel is on the earth.  I am grateful for good children who love us and for our posterity of 19 grandchildren.  The Lord has truly blessed our whole family.  May the blessing of Heaven be poured upon us in the year 2012 and may we all be mindful of those blessings and always remember to give thanks from where the are coming.  I love you all!  Mom/Jeannine/Gam