Sunday Thoughts

"The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith.  Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long.  Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the wys, and the hows do we reap the rewards of our faith, and our diligence, and patience and long-suffering.  Real obedience accepts God's commandments unconditionally and in advance."
Elder L. Whitney Clayton

As Neal and I sat at the table this morning, eating our breakfast, I reflected on the past happenings.  The earthquake, the pandemic and the riots in our city last night.  We are in a trouble world in a troubled time.  I know that through faith and prayers our Father in Heaven will provide, protect and bless me and my family and I will hold fast to President Nelson's words that there are happy and good times ahead.

Adventure at Iceberg

Mallory and I decided that it was an evening just made for a trip to Iceberg.  So off we went on our malt adventure.  We drove around the back way so we wouldn't have to wait on the busy street.  I pulled up waiting to take my place in line as the cars pulled forward.  The lady, who should have gone ahead, waved me in front of her.  I tried to get her to go but she insisted that I pull in.  I thought it was so nice of her to let me in front of her that when we were waiting, I got out of my car and went back to her and told her thank you and that I would be glad to order her malt when I ordered mine so that when she got to the window it would be all ready.  She thanked me but said that she had a bunch to order.  I got back in the car and we moved forward again, this time by the order microphone.  The girl came on and asked what I would like.  I ordered a mini hot fudge chocolate banana malt and a mini hot fudge mint chocolate malt and Mallory ordered a cheesecake malt.  The girl repeated the order and it didn't sound quite right so I repeated again my order and we moved on.  There was one car in front of us.  While we were waiting for them to get their order I decided that the least I could do for the lady behind me was to pay for one of her malts.  So I got out again and stepped back and told her to make sure that she got credit for one of her malts that I was going to pay for.

Mallory and I rolled up to the window and already knew that our order was going to be messed up.  And when I added one of the malts for the lady behind me the poor girl was all confused!  We knew we were in trouble.  Finally our malts came and this is what we ended up with.  A chocolate malt, a mint vanilla malt with banana in it and a banana malt along with the cheesecake malt.  Yup, you got it, we ended up with four malts along with paying for the 5th one for the lady behind me.  My bill?  Over $25.00!!  Those who know me, Know I didn't say anything, I just took the 4 malts, paid my bill and Mallory and laughed all the way home.  In fact we were laughing so hard that I could hardly see to drive.  Of course, on the way home we had two malts besides our own that we had to keep from melting and dripping all over the car.  We both decided that we were done with Iceberg for a while and need to find another place for hard ice cream malts!!

PS.  Banana and mint do not go well together!

Wrong Way

I've already told the story of Jeffrey on his tricycle, going across the street to Penny's and backing up all way to her garage.  She nicknamed him "Wrong Way".  I had to smile when the orchids that were given to me when Jeff died bloomed and one flower is facing the wrong way from all the others.  It was as if Jeffrey wanted to remind me of him.  I had to smile and do every time I look at it.  Look at the flower at the top and you will see that it is facing the wall and all the others are facing forward.  No worries, Jeffrey.  Mom will never forget you!!!

More pictures of before and after

It has now been 12 days since Neal's surgery and he is doing amazing.  We've been to Costco, Macey's and the Frame Shop and he has also walked down to the mail box and back.  We are preparing for his second surgery this Tuesday.  Let's hope he does as well with his new left knee as he did with his right one.  Look how nice and straight his right leg is.  You can see it is still a little swollen but looking great.

 Without the sock.  It looks much worse than it really is.  Quite a scar to talk about.  He will have one in both knees by next Tuesday.  You can see how his left knee and leg is crooked.  Nice to have both of them straight.

 Cute get well cards from Lila Mae and President and Sister LIttle.

Dinner on Capital Hill

Ron and Judy invited us to their home for dinner.  Judy is an amazing cook.  The evening was beautiful and so we were able to eat outside.  Mallory was invited but declined because Judy was having a shrimp dinner and Mallory is not fond of seafood in any shape or form.

 A view of the city from their patio.  It is even more amazing at night.

Emmi's Blanket

This is Emmi's COVID-19 blanket.  I believe everyone of us has some project they have done during the stay home stay safe time and this was Emmi's along with a bunch of puzzles that she has mentioned she has done.  Apparently she went on line and taught herself how to crochet.  Amazing.  You did a great job Emmi!

Sunday Thoughts

"I believe that every one of us has a specific mission to fulfill on this earth.  I believe that we made scared promises in the premortal councils.  In turn, we were promised the gifts and powers necessary to fulfill those very special tasks.  It seems clear then that our greatest task is to live worthily enough to know step by step what the Lord's will regarding us, remembering that occasionally what we may want to do today, because of the trends and vanities of the world, may not be what we covenanted to do so long ago.  Each of us has a purpose.  And for each of us, that purpose is different, it is distinct, it is divine."  Patricia Holland

I think my specific mission on this earth at this time is to be a good wife to Neal, be a good example to my children and grandchildren and to better myself each day by saying my daily prayers and studying the gospel.

Neal coming home from the hospital - needs care for the week:

Monday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Tuesday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Wednesday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Thursday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Friday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Saturday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Sunday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
etc.
etc.
etc.

Jeff's birthday

May 20th rolls around once again and it is a time to think about Jeffrey on his birthday.  Mindy sent me this collage of pictures.  She told me it would be okay to post it.

Happy birthday, Jeffrey.  Thinking of you today and every day!  Love, Mom

Update on Neal's knee

The picture that I'm going to post is pretty graphic.  But, Neal insisted that I take a picture of his leg.  It is bruised from the toe up to the hip.  If you look closely, you will notice the blisters that have formed on the inside of his leg, just below the knee.  Most of them have drained now.  I've become a full time nurse!

Belated Mother's Day Gift

Tucker sent me a gift for Mother's Day.  It was supposed to arrive the day after but for some reason was delayed for a week.  It is a GREAT gift even though Tucker didn't enjoy ordering it for me.  In fact, I sent him a picture of me with the shirt on and he said he was glad I got it and not to ever show it to him again.  I laughed and laughed!!

LOVE THE SHIRT!!!!!  Thanks Tucker and Happy Mother's Day to Me!!

A New Knee for Neal

Early Tuesday morning, May 19th, Neal was admitted to St. Marks Hospital where he had a knee replacement done by Dr. Jeff Jackson.  Jeff is the son-in-law of Norman.  The surgery went well.  Jeff said there was an incredibly amount of arthritis and damage to his knee.  They said it was bone on bone and he was surprised that Neal could even walk on it.

They had him up and walking that afternoon and I was able to bring him home the next afternoon where we have been doing therapy and watching him get stronger each day.

He has to go back in on June 2nd to have his second knee done and we start all over again.  It will be good to have both knees new and working well.

We took this picture of his bow legs and swollen and arthritic knees.

 After surgery before the epidural has worn off.

 Walking down the hall that afternoon.

 Amazing but no surprising, running into someone he knows!

Learning how to do the steps up and down before going home.

 Beautiful flowers sent by Mindy and family.  Neal loved the colors.  Sure brightened up the bedroom.  Thanks Mindy.

My New Project

Started another stitching project.  This one is going to take some time but is going to be fabulous and very fun when it is done.

A Period of Stress

Mallory saw this glued to a brick wall while we were out walking and took a picture of it.  Pretty much sums things up.

We are in a period of stress across the world.  There are occasionally hard days for each of us.  Do not despair.  Do not give up.  Look for the sunlight through the clouds."  President Gordon B. Hinckley

Mother's Day

Lots of wishes and wonderful gifts.  Maren came by on Friday and dropped of my Mother's Day present and we gave Maren's hers.  While Maren was here, Neal sat down with her and had her go through her mother's jewelry so she could take what she wanted.  Neal said she picked out some necklaces and a couple of rings.  It was good for Maren to be able get her mom's jewelry.  No point in having it locked up in the safe.  She should be wearing it.

Maren gave me two dish towels and a couple of wooden spoons and a bag of chocolates.  Great presents.

I also got a phone call from Tucker and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the California Maxfields.
I have to share a funny story here.  Neal and I along with Mallory were in the car on the way to Stansbury.  My phone rang and I answered it through the car phone.  I heard "Hello Mother" and for just a second I froze.  The thoughts going through my mind in those few silent seconds were, "This can't be Jeffrey.  Jeffrey is gone.  But, it sounds just like Jeffrey."  I literally could not answer until I heard "Mother?  This is Tucker."  I had to tell him that he sounded just exactly like Jeffrey the way he said, "Hello Mother" just how Jeff used to do.  Seriously, it totally startled me.

Neal surprised Annie and I by paying for our hair coloring and cuts.  We didn't know he had done that until I went to pay and David said it was all paid for thanks to Neal.  We were thrilled.  Neal also gave me a new pair of walking shoes.

My most prized gift this year came from Mallory.  She found a poem that Annette had written me years ago and had it framed.  She and I both wept as I read the poem.  The thoughts she wrote in her card to me touched me deeply.

So incredibly and so very thoughtful.

I also got a cold food storage bag from Annie that she is putting our name on.  I'll post a picture of it when I get it.

Got a call from Derek wishing me a Happy Mother's Day.

This is a picture that Mallory gave to Lynda Ann for Mother's Day.  It is a picture of Annie and I at Disney Land (we think).

 Annie had us out to her home for dinner and games.  Abby and she fixed a delicious roast with potatoes and carrots.  All in all it was a very fun day.

 This is a picture of David, me and Annie after he did our hair.  Good old COVID-19.  Annie sent this picture to Edwinna.

Thanks and love to all my children and grandchildren for your love and wishes and gifts for a Happy Mother's Day.

Jordyn Lyn Graduates

The pandemic has certainly changed a lot of plans for many this year.  Our granddaughter, Jordyn Lyn graduates from high school this year and there will be no graduation ceremony.  It was also the time for the girls dance recital and there won't be a recital this year.  We are all stuck in our homes hoping to get through this pandemic without incident.

Jordyn Lyn, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments in school and dance.  You have grown into a beautiful woman inside and out.  We are proud to be your grandparents.

 Perfect picture to remember COVID-19 2020

Sunday Thought

"You may be momentarily disheartened, remember, life is not meant to be easy.  Trials must be borne and grief endured along the way.  As you remember that 'with God nothing shall be impossible' know that he is your Father.  You are a son or daughter created in His image, entitled through your worthiness to receive revelation to help with your righteous endeavors."

President Russel M. Nelson