Sunday Thoughts

I was watering my plants the other day and notice that my blooming cactus was really struggling.  It barely had three or four blooms on it this year and it look very unhappy.  I noticed that the soil was way down in the bowl and the soil was also very dry.  So I got some fresh soil and replanted the cactus, packed it in good and watered it.  I noticed this morning that it is already looking happy and healthy.  The potential was there it just needed some extra soil and nourishment to help it grow.  As I was reading some quotes I came across this one and it made me think of my cactus. 

This is the quote from Elder F. Uchtdorf:

"In a way, we are seeds.  And for seeds to reach their potential, they must be buried before they can sprout.  It is my witness that though at times we may feel buried by the trials of life or surrounded by emotional darkness, the love of God and the blessings of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will bring something unimaginable to spring forth."

I love that promise.  Through Jesus Christ something UNIMAGINABLE WILL SPRING FORTH.  We all need that promise in our lives.

Those were the days

 This picture is one that was floating around on the Gertson Family Chat.  Not sure where they came up with this one or why and I don't remember what the heck I was doing or just exactly who I was posing for when this picture was taken.  However, it must have been around the time I was dating Neal and because I have short hair.  All I can say is, "It's to laugh."  

Mallory put under the post "She's a keeper."

Emmi said, "Oh, for sure.  And pocket sized."

Love that my grandchildren love me because I sure do love them.  

Sailor of the Month!

 

Emmi was rewarded Sailor of the Month!  She earns free time and gets to display the coveted mini trophy.  Not sure what the trophy looks like.  I'll have to wait for a picture.  Here is the announcement of the award:

Congratulations PO3 Gertson!  We think you are deserving and amazing!

The Gift of Sight

It is wonderful to be born in the day and age of advanced medicine.  To be able to have a cataract removed from the human eye and replaced with a corrective lens is amazing.  I've known for about 5 or 6 years that I had a cataract on my eyes.  The right eye being a bit worse than the left.  I've grown so used to not being able to see clearly and having to wear glasses for anything small at all.  As for distance, every thing was double.  Looking up in the sky at a jet flying over, I could see the shadow of another jet right under the first one.  I finally gave in and went to the eye doctor and gave them the "go ahead" to have the cataract removed.  I went to St. Mark's on Tuesday morning the 19th of January.  It was such a good experience that I can't believe I put it off as long as I did.  

All went well and without incident - well that I was aware of.  I went to the doctor's office on Wednesday, the day after the surgery, to have my eye checked and make sure everything was okay.  When Dr. Alder walked into the office his first question was how I was feeling.  His second question was, "Do you remember laughing?"  I told him I didn't remember anything after I heard the anesthesiologist say he was going to give me a little happy juice to relax me.  Dr. Alder told me that I kept laughing during the procedure and he had to tell me to stop laughing because I was wiggling too much for him do the eye surgery.  I didn't bother to tell him what I figured happened to make me laugh.  I just told him that I guess I'm just a happy person.  He did say that the surgical staff all got a kick out of it!  Of course they did!  So the part I didn't share with him was that when Neal and I were in the waiting room for me to go into surgery, Neal asked me what Dr. Alder's first name was.  I told him I thought it was John.  He said, "Oh, I hoped it was Nate."  I took the bate and asked, "Why Nate?'  Neal said,  wait for it . . . . . . . "Well if his name were Nate and his name was in the phone book, it would be Alder, Nate!!  (alternate)."   OMYGOSH!  Then Neal cracks himself up laughing at his own stupid joke.  He was laughing so hard at himself that I started laughing at him laughing.  We were both giggling when the RN walked in and wheeled me to the surgery room.  So when they put me under I guess I was still giggling at Neal's stupid joke!  

On the bright side, I can see clearly anything close up without my glasses.  As I'm typing this, I don't need glasses.  Yahoo!!  I have my left eye done the end of February and I've already threatened Neal that he can't tell me any stupid jokes before surgery!!

Sunday Thoughts

 I think I have called him Andrew Man most of his life.  One of his Priesthood leaders nicknamed him Mandrew, so he is alias a couple times over.

Andrew was ordained to the office of a Priest last Sunday, January 10, 2021.  Because of the COVID issues Neal and I were not there but were certainly proud of his advancement.  His father ordained him to the office of a Priest which is the power and authority of God.  Andrew is a worthy young man.  His duties as a Priest is to "preach, teach, expound, exhort . . . . 

Andrew can now, if need be, bless the sacrament in his home for his family.  This is a very important step in his progression of becoming a God-fearing man, missionary, husband, father, and provider.  In D&C Section 11 the Lord tells Joseph's brother Hyrum (and Andrew) that he will be "the means of doing much good in this generation. . . trust in that spirit that leadeth to do good . . . you shall know all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, . . . Keep my commandments, hold your peace, appeal unto my Spirit, cleave unto me with all your heart... study my word . . . . seek the kingdom of God and all things shall be added according to that which is just. . . build upon my rock which is my gospel."  

We love you Andrew and proud of your decision to be ordained a Priest and to move forward in the gospel.  Stay the strong and good young man that you are today.  Does he not look like a little missionary?

 P.S.  I did have another recent picture of Andrew but for some reason I couldn't get it to download.  But this one is perfect!

Here is a current picture of Andrew:

Handsome man!

Peanuts just says it all

 Yesterday while I was shopping with Lila Mae and Susan, they gave me this cartoon that Lila Mae said she thought of me when she saw it.  Last week we had just had a long discussion about our New Years resolutions and I had mention that I was going to try and be a better person.  More genuine, more loving, more forgiving, more understanding and happy.  Always looking for the happy.  It is medicine for the soul so be happy.

One has to love Lucy.  And would we all like to have that great feeling.  I think we can achieve that just by trying every day to be a better person.

Madeline

 I was reading my scriptures this morning and noticed there was a marker in D&C pages.  I opened to the marker and saw this cute book mark of Maddie.  I'm sure this was a grade school picture that she gave me.  I thought it was darling and had to post it.  Nice that I read the scriptures often enough that I get to come across cute things that my grandchildren give me.  Maddie, you were tucked neatly in the middle of the Doctrine and Covenants!  And you are tucked neatly in my heart!

Merry Christmas and Happy Valentines

 I got a text from Mindy asking if she and Robert could come by for a quick visit.  I was on my way to Provo to meet with Susan and Lila Mae but told her I would let her know when I got back.  That afternoon they came by the house and gave Neal and I a gift certificate (which is tradition) for Market Street Grill.  We were thrilled and will certainly use it.  They also gave me some darling dish towels for Valentine's Day.  I loved both gifts.  I was very happy to see Mindy and Robert, visit with them for a few minutes and get caught up on their lives and the events of the children.  They did have some exciting news that she and Robert are going to Hawaii this coming week.  They are going over for Mindy's job.  They will be there for 4 days and have a fun event planned for each day they are there.  I'm so excited for them.

YAHOO!!  Happy eating!  Thanks a million.

Pictures of the Culters and Maxfields

 Tucker and Maren spent a fun vacation together in Yosemite National Park.  I happened to find these pictures on Instagram. 

 I also came across this picture of Taylor. 

 This is what she said about this picture:

She was asked this question - "Was there a moment in your life where you recognized that you weren't society's standard of beauty?"

Her answer - 

"I was a tall red head covered in freckles, which wasn't the norm for being beautiful.  I really struggled with self love and accepting what God gave me.  After my accident it didn't make anything better with the whole "self love' thing.  I realized real quick that I wasn't even close to what society claims to be beautiful.  My look was very unusual and isn't everyone's cup of tea.  But to be beautiful to me has nothing to do with the outer appearance.  It has everything to do with your genuine and real self.  To me what makes people beautiful is saying I love you, or texting someone to make sure they got home safely, being beautiful is treating people the you want to be treated, being beautiful is how you portray your energy on to people, being beautiful is just you being you.

A couple of months ago I was involved with this amazing campaign for "Beauty has no Limits."  They asked me questions just like the one above.  The whole focus was to show that beauty really doesn't have limits.  I had the best time shooting this shoot with the most beautiful people.  They couldn't have asked for better people to be in this campaign!  Thank you for showing me how to love myself for what I was given.

Taylor, you are beautiful inside and out.  We love you!  Gam and Pa

Little bit of decorating

 Neal and I have talked about getting a small throw rug to go between the couch and chairs.  We finally drove down to Interior Decorating where they sell rugs that are way too expensive but are beautiful.  They are hand made from India.  The guy who owns it is a friend of ours through the bridge world.  We found a carpet that we thought would be perfect and Bejon told us to take it home and try it out.  Of course he is a salesman and knows that once you get it home, you will love it and want to keep it no matter the cost.  So we brought it home, put it down and as Bejon hoped, we love it even more.  We are now awaiting the price of the carpet.  We know it won't be cheap, in fact, probably more than we would ever think about spending on a small area rug. 

This first picture is the carpet that has been in front of the grand piano.  We had moved it between the couch and chairs just to see if we like a carpet there, which we did, but not this one.   

We moved the area rug back to the grand piano area and put down the new one.  This is a view from the balcony.  And yes, we fell in love with it.  

It is so Neal and I.  It is very quiet and peaceful in color and feeling and goes perfectly with the furniture.  Let's just hope the final figure to purchase it isn't out of our range.  It would be sad to have to give it back.  I may make you all start taking your shoes off before going in the front room!!

COVID Vaccination

I was able to get my first COVID Vaccination shot last Monday.  It pays to work for the county.  Even though we are not front line we are all on call if needed to supervise lines and drive throughs for testing and vaccinations.  Ashley and I had an appointment for 4:00 p.m.  We drove to the Redwood Recreation Center and were surprised at the long lines.  After we parked the car we walked to the middle of the parking lot where the end of the line was facing East.  the line would go to the entrance of the parking lot and then U-turn and head West to the length of the lot.  From there it turned South to the width of the lot and then East again to the entrance of the lot and then again West to eventually go into the building.  I was amazed that even standing in the long line outside, how quickly the line moved.  We stood in line for an hour and after we entered the building we were only in there for about 5 minutes before getting our shot.  We were then escorted to a room to wait the 15 minutes to make sure we didn't have any reactions.  Ashley and I got there about 4:45 and were back to the office at 5:30.  Not bad at all.  So thankful for the scientist who were able to come up with a vaccine to help stop this pandemic.  

 

Sunday Thoughts

"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one."  Quote from Brad Paisley

Our 2021 Come Follow Me manual mentions about becoming new creatures.  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;  old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."

When we study the gospel, we're not just looking for new information; we want to become a "new creature".  I think this means relying on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us change our hearts, our views, our actions, and our very natures."

As January 2021 is here I was thinking that this is the time when we make goals and fresh starts.  But with the Savior, our quest for personal change and growth doesn't only happen at the beginning of the year.  Through Christ, we can become "new creatures" every single day.  And when we get off course, He is there to help us back on the path and back to Him.  We get fresh starts whenever we need them, and He freely gives that to us. How grateful I am for that knowledge.  So, with that in mind I welcome 2021 but have to admit that I'm just a little apprehensive about the future too.

I don't know who took this picture of me but every time I see it, it makes me smile and feel good.  Not just because I've peeled the apple almost completely without breaking the chain of the peeling but I look happy.  That is one of my goals for 2021 to look for things and do things that will make me feel good and feel and be happy.  Happy New Year everyone.  Look for the happy and good in everything.

A Little More Christmas

 Jamie sent me this picture of her using the wagon that we gave everyone in 2019 Christmas.  Maren, Jamie and Lynda Ann have all told me how fun these wagons are and how much they have used them.  Glad we struck it rich on that gift.

I also had to post all the snacks that we were given and that Neal bought.  There was so much that they took up the whole counter top.  So while we were eating candy during the holidays we were putting puzzles together.  This was the last one we did and have now put the Christmas puzzles and all the puzzles away for another year.  Too many project stacked up while we spent our time gaining a few pounds and sitting at the card table puzzeling.  I don't think that is a word but you all know what I mean.

One last funny for 2020

The first week of January 2021 certainly was not a good week for the United States.  2020 combined with the beginning of 2021 will be long remembered and for most, happy to have that behind us.  Let's hope things are more positive moving forward.

Laughter is good for the soul

The Gertson family bought a new family game for Christmas.  It's called Telestrations.  I don't remember playing a game other than What Were You Thinking that has made me laugh hysterically like this one did.  We played it one night until midnight and didn't want to quit.  I would encourage all the kids to buy this game.  I will bring laughter to your lives.  The funniest thing for me was sitting between Abby and Hayley.  Abby had to guess what I drew and believe me, I'm no artist and that was a total and incredibly funny challenge for Abby.  Sometimes I was laughing so hard I could hardly draw the next picture.  I will add here that Abby did an amazing job coming up with what I was trying to draw.  This game is a must for every family.

 

Bangladesh

Another fun family remembrance.  My threat to the kids were always if they didn't shape up and behave that I was going to buy them a one way ticket to Bangladesh.  It was a pretty empty threat and the kids knew it but it did always bring a smile to a sometimes tense situation when I was trying to get their attention about something.  The funny thing is that one time the family was at the airport waiting to board and Tucker and Derek came running up and said "Mom, you have to look at the window across the hall."  I ran over there and sure enough there sat a huge airplane with the words BANGLADESH AIRLINES across the side of the plane.  We all had a good laugh over that one.  Tucker sent me a picture of a hat that he got for Christmas and looking on the inside notice it was made in Bangladesh.  Very funny.  I love that my kids always look for moments that bring back such great memories.

 

Yosemite

Maren, Greg and the boys made a trip to California and met up with Tucker and his family.  They traveled to Yosemite National Park and just had, in remembrance of their dad, to take a picture under neat the Yosemite National Park sign.  Just in case anyone has forgotten, we were all seated around the table talking about fun places to go for a family reunion.  Neal pops up and says "A really fun place to go would be Yo-sa-mite."  It silenced everyone at the table as we were trying to figure out just what exactly he was talking about.  Jamie finally looked at Neal and said, "Did you mean Yosemite?"  Well the whole family busted up in laughter and every since then we call Yosemite, Yosamite.  Here are the pictures sent by Tucker and Maren.

Greg, Maren, Brock and Boston

Tucker and Peyton Jean

Always fun memories in this family and few are ever forgotten.  You guys have a fun time and be careful.