Lyndsy gave me eyelashes for Christmas.

Saturday at 1:30 p.m. began the process.  It only took her 3 hours to beautify me.  I think she did a beautiful job considering the model she is working with.  What do you think?  We had a wonderful visit while she was working on me, discussing everything from A to Z.  By the way, these are real mink eyelashes!!!

When we were about finished James and River came in and James told me that he has accepted a new job with Larry H. Miller Company. More pay, better benefits, closer to home, lots of perks (that hopefully we will all benefit from) and a much better atmosphere. Good luck James in your new endeavor. I think he starts on March 5th. Oh yes, Jeff H. called and said that he had a knew job. He is still working with IHC on the weekends but will be working with another counseling group during the week. Jeff G. is also thinking about making some career changes.

A little more on the 2002 Reunion

These little 8.5 oz. Coca-cola tins were handed out at the reunion.  I thought they were very unique and Neal wanted some to show to his marketing classes at UVU and U of P.  I put a water bottle beside the tins so you could see how small they really are.

Oh, yes, remember the picture of Neal, Mitt Romney and I?  Well while we were having that picture taken KSL was also taking a picture and we were on the news Saturday night!  We’ve had numerous people say they saw us.  One person in Neal’s single ward said they knew it was him because of his hair!  It was aired Saturday night so we never got to see it, but have heard about it.

A note from Jamie and a call from Tucker

I received this note in the mail from Jamie. A “Thank you” written or spoken is always nice to receive.  They make you feel that all your efforts were appreciated.  With 7 children, 5 spouses and 19 grandchildren, I find myself beginning Christmas preparations almost as quickly as the new year comes into reality.  Making sure all are remembered on their birthdays and other holidays almost gets to be overwhelming to me and the thoughts cross my mind each year that maybe this will be the year that Neal and I will just hand out an orange at Christmas and call it good!  But, when a note comes along, it reminds me and validates the importance of keeping up traditions and gift giving – no matter how small or simple the gift.  Thank you Jamie for a “thank you” that came just at the right time.

I got a call from Tucker Saturday morning and we must have talked for a good hour.  It was wonderful to just sit and visit and not feel like I needed to run to a meeting or get some errands taken care of before a busy day ahead of me.  Your timing was perfect, Tucker, and I so appreciated our wandering a little down memory lane and our sometimes “philosophical’ conversation. It was just like having you right here by my side!  I have to add a funny on Tucker.  I made mention of the $2.00 bills included in the girl’s Valentine Cards and he had know idea that they had even received any Valentines.  I had to laugh and told him that he was going to have to read his family blog to keep up on what is going on!  He travels so much during the week that he really misses out on a lot of little events.  I had the feeling I knew more about the three little girls than he did at that moment because I had just read Jamie’s blog that morning! 

Wow! A hug from Mitt Romney?! Yup

Neal and I had the opportunity to go to the 10 year anniversary of the Winter Olympics.  It was an awesome experience and full of events that I had no idea I would encounter.  We headed for the Gateway plaza, parked the car and walked over to the Union Train Station (now part of the Gateway).  We gave our name and were given a pass to go in.  This particular part of the celebration was only for the employees of the Olympics.  As we walked in, we saw a huge group of people.  Many we knew and many we didn’t know.  It was so much fun to reconnect with past friends.  I told Judy how interesting it is that when we work with people on a daily basis how quickly we become involved with their lives, happy parts and sad parts, and then when we quit or the job ends, as did the Olympics, we move on to knew acquaintances' and again become involved with their life’s journey.  We don’t mean to forget or not keep in contact, but slowly as the years roll by our lives become filled with a whole new set of experiences and memories.

We had just missed hearing Mitt Romney give his talk but realizing he was there and shaking hands we wiggled our way at the very end of a long fence (that he was behind with his security) hoping that we would get a chance to see him.  Well we not only got to see him but he gave me a hug!!  Yup, a full on hug!  And as you can see below we got a picture and I got his signature!  Oh my goodness!  Who would have ever thought that when I woke up Saturday morning that in the afternoon I would be hugging the next possible president of these United States.  Look and see for yourself!  The first four pictures are of him and his wife and the security coming toward us.

Wow, he is almost here.  Will he notice us?  Not only did he notice us but he was happy to pose for a picture with us!

Then he signed his name – just for me!

I thought I’d died and gone to heaven.  Come on now, you have to admit that he is very, very good looking! 

When we came in we got an anniversary pin and Neal bought me the Rainbow Gardens Mormon Muffin Pin that came with the recipe, which I’m going to try and make this week.

We also had our picture taken with one of the mascots for the Winter Games and some fun pictures of our old education staff and the girls in the travel staff that worked along side us.  So many fun memories came swimming back.

Right after the open house we then went to the Energy Solutions Center for the ice skating exhibition which I might add was phenomenal!  And oh yes, Neal saw some people sitting just a couples rows away from us that he had to go visit.  It was Brother and Sister Parkin from the Parley’s Ward and Carolyn Behner.  I didn’t get a picture of them.  Oh Neal got one.

Valentine’s Day

Neal always comes through with a box of chocolates.  They will be all dark covered nuts, caramels and marzipan.  My three favorites.  This year was no exception and he added a box of chocolate covered strawberries.  I know this is Jamie’s favorite dessert.  Jamie, did you get some?  I would share if you were here.  Neal had to teach tonight so I’m home alone enjoying over dosing on chocolate all by my self!  Thanks Neal!  I love you! 

Jeff H. called to wish me happy Valentine’s Day and to tell me that Mindy’s grandmother fell and broke her hip.  Mindy spends her days at work and evening hours at the hospital with her mom.  Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you MIndy.

Here comes Susie Snowflake!

This has been such a dry winter.  Lot’s of snow in the mountains and nearly none in the valley.  Even the mountains don’t have the snow they should have for this time of the year.  We woke up this morning and looked out the window to these HUGE flakes coming down.  Neal commented that he has not shoveled the driveway yet this this year and it is already half way through February!  I just had to take a picture, because there isn’t anything quite as beautiful as watching the snow flakes drift down and blanket mother earth.

What a difference a year makes!

These are pictures of Jaden, Taylor, Brock and Boston.  Maren gave us a frame that houses a picture of each of the kids.  Last week she gave me four new pictures to replace the old ones.  I couldn’t believe how much change takes place in just one year.  Judge for yourself and see if you don’t see why pictures are so important to capture the look of a particular age.

Obviously, Boston and Brock have show the change the most but even Jaden and Taylor show the maturity that takes place.

Thanks Maren for the pictures.  They are wonderful.

A little reminiscing

Last Saturday I met Susan and Lila in Provo to shop and have lunch.  I always look forward to those times when the three of us get together.  Sometimes we drive to the Quilted Bear which is on the very South side of Provo and so when I leave and head for Salt Lake I always drive by the house I grew up in.  I wandered around the neighborhood thinking about friends and all the fun we had growing up in that area.  Then I drove past the grade school I attended and had to stop and take a picture of it.  It is interesting how much memory slips away to some folder in your brain and you just can’t find it.  I so understand the importance of writing things down while they are fresh on your mind.  When you don’t think of something for a very long time then it seems to slip away.  I sat there in front of the school trying to remember my teachers names and I could only come up with my 2nd grade teacher, 5th grade and 6th.  They were Mrs. Gleaves, Miss Huber and Mr. Anderson.  That’s it.  No names or even faces for Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd or 4th.  I know I was a very shy, quiet child and it is possible I just went to school each day and didn’t have much interaction with those teachers.  Anyway, here is a picture of Franklin Elementary – a little piece of my childhood years.

My January visiting teaching effort

I forgot to post what I did for the month of January for my inactive sisters who don’t want a message and most of the time, don’t answer their doors even though I suspicion they are there.  The recipe is on the front and the visiting teaching message for January is laminated on the back.  This recipe is thanks to Jamie.  I still remember the first time she made it.  Justin and C. J. were visiting and Jamie made a batch of this sweet salsa and myself along with Justin and C. J. and Jamie stood around the island and nearly consumed the whole batch.  It is delicious.  I’ve taken it to work a couple of times and it is gone nearly as fast as I set it out on the counter!  By the way, the lime tortilla chips are a must!