One more project completed.

 I've been trying to get the roll top desk out of my house for a few months.  I had posted it on our ward face book and told anyone who wanted it, to come get it.  I had one taker and then she told me that her husband said they just didn't have room for it.  I was done trying to give it away so I called on two great, younger than Neal and I by far and much stronger, men in our ward to come get it and haul it off to DI.  They came last Saturday around 3:30, brought a little truck and the two of them hauled it downstairs, out the front door and into the truck like it weighed nothing.  When I saw them drive out of the driveway it was a hand wave of relief and deep felt thanks.  Neal and I gave them a gift card to eat out with their families.  Both of them wanted to decline that gift because they said they wanted the blessings.  I told them they would get lots of blessings and the gift card was just a little bonus blessing.  So grateful for people who are willing to help.  Actually kind of weird to be on 'old age needing help' side of my life.  But, I am, and I shall gracefully accept the fact.

Joseph Hurst and Robert Curtis.  Love these two!

Neal supervising and Joseph and Robert doing their courteously best to ignore his suggestions.

It really was a very nice desk, with no scratches anywhere on it.  I hope it finds a nice home.

I bought a new smaller desk and just need to wait for Annie to come and put it together.  Then I can set up my office in the spare bedroom with a small desk and my lap top that doesn't take up the whole wall!

Retirement

 I've never really though about retirement.  Somehow didn't think it would ever come.  But, it was time to begin thinking about it and making the decision.  It was a hard decision for me to make and honestly, not one that I looked forward to.  The timing seemed right to step into this new chapter in my life.  I've worked for the Salt Lake County Health Department for 20 years and at 77 I think I've earned now to be able to not have to go to work every morning and basically do what I want and enjoy doing.  People keep asking what I'm going to do now that I'm retired and my answer, at this point, is "whatever I want to".  Seems like an honest answer for someone who has worked all the years that I have.  Neal is one year away from retiring and from there, we will see what the future brings for us.

The County threw a wonderful retirement party for me.  We had all kinds of pies, root beer floats, brownies and rice crispie squares.  Lots of people came to wish me on my way and what I didn't think I would enjoy I have to admit that I loved every minute of it.  

They gave me two gift cards.  One to Talbots for $150.00 and another for Market Street Grill for $160.00 plus an envelope with $120.00 in it.  Eric told me that they had never raised that much for anyone's retirement.  I was deeply touched by the generosity of my co-workers.

This is a picture that was taken towards the end of the party.  From left to right Lauren, Ashley, Nancy (in the back)Lori, Eric, Ron, Debby (in the back along with Mark and Heather) and then me and Dorothy.  This group of people are the ones that I will miss the most.  So very close to all of them!

Same picture but now Lori is smiling instead of being sad.

Lynda Ann came to the party and she also made the darling little gift bags that I gave each person that came.  Everyone loved the bags!  Even had a couple people ask where I got them.  I gave Annie all the credit for making them, ordering the gifts and putting all 50 of them together.  We could easily have had 75 but I honestly did not think that many people would come.  

Thankful for the support of Neal.  Of course, he loves this kind of stuff because he can mingle with people and get their genealogy.  Plus, he knows more people in Salt Lake than anyone I've ever met.  If they are not related then he went to school with them or participated in scouting or dated them!!

This was the bag that Annie put together for me.  Everyone loved them.  

The gift card for Market Street - Totally will be used.  Neal and I love Market Street and go there every chance we have.

My official last day is May 31st.  I will go over on Tuesday the 31st, say my goodbyes, take down my "Jeannine's Hole in the Wall" sign that hangs above my office door and with lots of tears, turn in my key and badge and walk out the back door.  It will be a sad and happy day.

The Patio Flowers Pots

 I think Neal looks forward to this every Spring and is sad every late Fall when he has to cut the plants down and put the flower pots back in the garage for the winter months.  He spends a lot of money and does a beautiful job of making the patio and the front porch colorful and very happy looking.  I heard him outside this morning, early, so had to step out quickly and get a picture of his beginning project.

More pictures will be posted as the project is finished.  It usually takes him a couple weeks to get all the flowers picked out, purchased, brought home and then planted.  

Lexi Graduates High School

 Another grandchild is graduating from high school and moving on to a new chapter in her life.  Jamie posted some fun pictures of Lexi through the years, so I borrowed them to put on my post.  Miss Lexi your Gam and Pa are so very proud of you and what you beautiful young lady you have become and look forward to seeing what great things you will continue to accomplish in your life.  We congratulate you on this milestone in your life and wish for you a fun filled summer before your college years begin.  Love you so much.

Sunday Thoughts

 Mallory called me and as we talked she mentioned that she was asked to teach Gospel Doctrine in her BYU ward.  She asked if I had my lesson put together and I told her that I did and would be happy to share it with her.  So I sent it to her first thing Friday morning.  It was fun to think that me and my granddaughter would be teaching the same lesson on the same Sunday at almost the same time.  I couldn't help but think about how blessed I was and am to be able to share the gospel with her.  

As I thought about Emmi's experience at the Rome Temple and spending time talking about the gospel with Mallory, my Sunday thoughts became clear.  They are the words from our last general conference:

"Coming unto Christ means more than just thinking about Him or talking about Him or even loving Him.  It means following Him.  It means living the way He teaches us to live."

"We were born at this time for a divine purpose."

"Even though you may feel alone as the storms of life are raging, you can shine a light in the darkness.  Your light of faith in Christ can be steady and sure, leading those around you to safety and peace."

Retiring May 31, 2022

 Tuesday, May 31st will be my last day at work.  Excited?  Yes.  Mixed emotions?  Yes.  Am I going to miss many of my co-workers?  Absolutely.  But, I am so looking forward to jumping freely into a new way of life and a new adventure.  Neal is going to teach one more year and then he will retire.  It will certainly be different to have every day free to do whatever I want.  I plan on stitching a lot, walking a lot, doing needed house hold projects, reading good books, watching good movies, spending time with my sister, Lila Mae and being available to attend grandchildren events.  

This is the congratulation announcement that the county sent out.  I chuckled when I saw the picture.  Where they found it, I'll never know.  It is a much younger Jeannine and it is Jeff's shoulder that I'm leaning on.  Maybe that is Jeff's way of cheering me on.

I will have more pictures to post after Thursday.  That is my retirement party and it will be fun to take pictures to remember my party and my many friends in the county.  

Lynda Ann also made a special 'thank you' bag for me to hand out to all who come.  I'll show that after the party along with pictures of the party.

Emmi Touring Rome

 I'm glad that Emmi has had a chance to explore some of the world that she might never ever get a chance to see.  Being on the Truman aircraft carrier for weeks at a time is hard and depressing so getting off the ship is so needed every now and again.  One of her top priorities was to get to the Rome Temple and be able to go in the Celestial Room and feel the love and Spirit of her Father in Heaven.  She has been praying for answers and felt that getting to the temple would really help.  She had to go early in the morning as non of the people she is touring with are LDS and would have no desire to travel the distance to the temple and wait outside for her while she did some initiatory work and then spend time in the Celestial Room.  She had to take a cab to the temple and back, which cost her $150.00 but she said it was so worth it.  

The famous picture of the Apostles and President Nelson.

I am so happy, for Emmi, that through her determination, she made it to the Rome Temple, did some temple work and was able to spend time inside.  I couldn't help but remember a talk by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin called "Sunday Will Come".  I thought of Emmi and how she has had so many struggles, anxiety and questions since she has been on the ship.  I pray that her time at the temple helped calm her anxieties about her future and gave her the answers she was seeking.

"Each of us will have our own Fridays - those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces.  We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again.  We will all have our Fridays.  But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death - Sunday will come.  In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.  No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come.  In this life or the next, Sunday will come.  I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable.  We have the personal testimonies of those who saw Him.  Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior.  They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side.  They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him."  

Spring in Utah

 Jamie and Jordyn Lyn came in a perfect weather window.  The two days they were here, which was Tuesday and Wednesday the weather was beautiful and with pleasant 80's temperatures.  Thursday morning I go up, looked out at the mountains and there was snow down on the foothills.  Yup, typical of Utah Spring it went from the 80's down to the 50's over night.  I'm so glad they were able to enjoy a couple of perfect Spring days.  I sent Jamie and Jordyn Lyn this picture.  

While Jamie was here she gave me a couple Burt's Bees detoxifying charcoal sheet face masks to try.  I put one on Thursday morning and just had to send her a picture of me with the mask on.  One picture is supposed to be normal and the other picture supposed to be scary.  Actually I think they both turned out scary!!  I know.  I know.  It is hard to tell which one is scary.  They both are!!  But, the mask was so refreshing and felt so good - if I didn't look in the mirror!

Cheesecake Factory

 Jamie and Jordyn Lyn were headed back to Fresno today so our time with them was short put the visiting packed in the hours we had together.  It was fun to sit and visit with Jamie this morning about Yoga and what it means to her and how she feels it can help people.  She promised that the next time we are together she will teach me some Yoga.  I would love to experience that.

At 11:00 we met Lynda Ann at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Mindy had meetings all day and couldn't join us and Maren wasn't able to be there so it was just the four of us.  The food was delicious!  We even ordered a huge piece of chocolate cake (It's called Linda's fudge cake) and we were all so full that the four of us only ate about 1/4 of it.  We visited until 1:00 and then Lynda Ann drove Jordyn Lyn and Jamie to the airport to catch their 3:35 plane.  It was sad to see them go , but just seeing them for the few hours we did was a blessing.  

I told Jordyn Lyn that I wanted a sweatshirt that said perfectly imperfect.  So profound!

Jamie and I decided we should have split one.

.

Our chocolate cake.

I love this granddaughter.  She has just completed her first two years of college and will be moving to an apartment this Fall to start her next year at Fresno State.  Jordyn Lyn is majoring in Graphic Design.

Love you Maxfield Californians!  So much fun to have you with us.  

Belated Sunday Thoughts

 

I get a bit overwhelmed when I think about the mountains this family has climbed together since this photo was taken. and long before that.  I also get overwhelmed when I think about the goodness that Heavenly Father as shown me along this journey.  I can tell you with an absolute surety that mountains are much easier to climb with my Father in Heaven by my side.  I look at myself in this picture surrounded by children and grandchildren and I want to yell out Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's words:

"Don't you quit.  You keep walking.  You keep trying.  There is help and happiness ahead.  Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.  It will be all right in the end.  Trust God and believe in good things to come."

Emmi in Pompeii

 Just got these pictures this morning of Emmi strolling through the streets of Pompeii.  

She said "I FOUND THE MISSIONARIES!"  She said they were walking around and she kept catching people like "hey, that's a member right there."  Then she find the missionaries!!!  She said she spotted the tags all the way across the market square.  The missionaries told her that they had found around 15 members that day.  

Emmi also mentioned that she is trying to figure out how to get over to the Rome temple while she is there.  That would be so exciting.  

Jamie and Jordyn Lyn

 I got a text from Jamie that she and Jordyn Lyn were flying into Salt Lake for a wedding.  They would be here Tuesday late afternoon for the wedding and then leave Wednesday afternoon to head back to Kingsburg.  A very short visit but I will enjoy every minute I can get with them.  Of course, when Jamie got here I was having some trouble with getting my pictures to download from my phone.  So Jamie was able to do her magic and get things fixed so I could blog again.  Of course, there was a lot of talking and catching up on family and each other.  Jordyn Lyn has now finished her second year of college and is well on her way to a four year degree.  

These pictures were after they had come back from the wedding.  We visited until after midnight.

I'm not particularly happy that I'm looking old and Jamie looks like she is still in high school!!

So fun to have them here.  I have a little surprise planned for them this morning.  I will write about that later.  

Mother's Day

 Saturday before Mother's Day, Lynda Ann, Mallory, Hayley and I met  Mary, Lila Mae and Susan at Joe Vera's for a delicious Mexican lunch.  It is one our favorite places to go.  We visited for a couple hours , exchanged presents and then headed back to Salt Lake.  Lynda Ann had worked all night and needed to get some sleep.  I meant to have the waiter take a picture but was so involved in all the conversations going on that I completely forgot.  Susan was happy because she hates to have her picture taken.  Susan gave me a gift card to my favorite hot chocolate stop on a cold morning before work and a gift card to my favorite clothing store along with some of my favorite lotion and body wash.

Lila Mae gave me some lotion and perfume.  

When I got home there was a package in the mail from Tucker.  He sent me this picture that he had taken at Mindy's wedding.  I love this picture.  It just has to make one smile when they look at it. Along with the picture was a card.  I was laughing so hard when this picture was taken.  Tucker was telling Neal to "quit peacocking!"  Funniest terminology I've heard in a long time.  If you don't know what peacocking is then ask Tucker.

This was the card he sent with the picture.

Maren text me in the evening to wish me a happy Mother's Day and I also heard from Derek wishing me a happy Mother's Day.  

Annie had me out to a delicious steak dinner and games on Mother's Day.  Neal didn't come along because he was preparing for a colonoscopy the next day and decided that he would rather be home close to the familiar things he needed!  And to add here that the procedure went well and everything was fine.  No cancer!  Always good news.  Neal also gave me a huge bouquet of yellow roses.  I forgot to take a picture of them.  But, they were beautiful!

Lynda Ann sent me this and I love it.  

Thanks to all my children for making me feel loved, appreciated and needed in their lives.

Sunday Thoughts

Me and Abby - My little namesake missionary

You had eternity to prepare for your mission.

And you'll have eternity to reflect on it.

But you only have 18 months to live it!

 Missionaries have a hard job.  They suffer constant rejection, exhaustion, and sadness.  They have been given a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, but it is not always easy.

"It was meant to be that life would be a challenge.  To suffer some anxiety, some depression, even some failure is normal.  If you have a good, miserable day once in a while - or several in a row - stand steady and face them.  Things will straighten out.  There is great purpose in our struggle in life."  

Elder Boyd K. Packer