Projects

 The other day I happened to be really looking at the chairs around our dining room table and thought they seem almost black along the top.  I wondered if it was actually oil and dirt from everyone handling them over the 30 years we've had them.  So I got a rag and some cleaner and went after one of the chairs.  To my surprise, they turned from black to the natural color wood again!  Holy cow!!!  What a difference.  See for yourself.

Before

After

Before

and After

Absolutely amazing how much dirt and grime was on the tops of the chairs.  I may have to work on the seats another time.  I think there could be an analogy of repenting and washing away our sins, but I'll leave that comparison up to you.  

Santa

 I finished my Santa counted cross and took it to the framers to be framed.  I can't believe how incredible it turned out.  Patty, who does all my framing couldn't say enough about how incredible it was.  She even made the comment that if I didn't want it, she would buy it from me.  But, I think it has already been spoken for.  It is hard to see the detail because it still has the protective plastic over it, but if you look closely you will notice the details and Santa's glasses - which I might add here were a nightmare!!!

Story Worth

 A year ago, 2021, for Mother's Day, Jamie gave me Story Worth.  I was given a question each Monday to write about and submit.  It was not an easy task.  But, I was committed to follow through and write something each week.  It was an amazing experience and I'm sure there are stories and thoughts in the book that will be interesting and informative for my posterity.  The project lasted for a year and I think there may have been only one time that I didn't have an entry for the week.  But, I feel good that I wrote all that I did.  I was kind of glad when Mother's Day of 2022 came around and I was done.  Thank you Jamie for giving me a gift that encouraged me to write some of my history.  Over time, so much is forgotten.  I can't count how many times I have pulled my mother's journal off the shelf and read it.  Often I've felt she was right beside me and many times the closeness I felt brought tears.  So, thanks, Jamie for this gift and for the completed book!  I LOVE it and am proud of myself for finishing it.

If anyone wants to read it, you know where to find me! :-)

Father's Day

 Neal and I had a nice quiet Father's Day.  I got a text from Maren telling me that they were on their way to St. George and she had just left a Father's Day present and a belated Mother's Day present on the front porch.  What a nice surprise.  I wished we could have thanked them in person but they had already gone by the time we got the text from them.  

Neal got a New York Yankees Shirt.  I'll post a picture when he is cleaned up and sporting his new shirt.  He loved it.  The Cutlers (I'm sure it was all Maren) left me a belated Mother's Day gift.  Two new kitchen towels, spatulas and a $30.00 gift card to Nordstroms.  I especially loved the Mother's Day Card that came with it.  

You can almost picture butterflies and the smell of fresh flowers coming from the card as you opened it.  So beautiful.

Thanks Cutlers for the nice gifts.  They will be treasured and well used.

Annie called and invited us out to their home for dinner.  We left about 4:00 and headed to Stansbury.  There have been some serious fires on both South and North sides of I-80.  We just missed an area of the road being closed down.  We thought that we might have to turn around and go home but we were lucky enough to be behind a trucker who knew just how to skirt the problem and we were off and back on the road in about 3 minutes and sailing on our way.  By the time we headed home it was about 7:30 and the roads East and West were clear with no fires or closures either way.  Thanks to the Gertsons for the invite, for a delicious steak dinner and for a nice Father's Day celebration for Neal.  Annie made the comment that "He isn't my father but he has always been a great step-dad to me."  

Good friends

 Since I've been retired, I haven't felt like my life has slowed down at all.  The fun part has been continually being invited to lunches with my good friends from work.  Being with this group for so many years, they do become family and you do become a part of each other's lives.  It was Ashley's birthday lunch so we all met at Crown Burger.

Starting at the very front left, we have Eric, Dan, me, Ashley, Melissa, Lauren, Ron and Karla.  What a fun day!  And a fun and crazy group.  Love them all.

Fun Backyard Game

Maren sent these pictures of a backyard game that Greg built.  I can't for the life of me remember what it is called.  Obviously  bag toss that you try and get it through the hole.  Hole Toss?  Can't remember.  I love that it is the Cougars vs Utah.  What a great idea.  Hopefully we will get to play it and that the Cougar side will win!  Great job Greg!  As always!

 

Sunday Thoughts

It seems like hardships have been plentiful for our family lately.  But, I suspect every family could say the same.  no one is exempt from hardships and trials.  I found some strength and courage in a talk given in the recent April Conference called, steady in the Storms.  The thought that stayed with me was this, "In fact, the prayer that works is,  I want only what you want.  Just tell me what it is and I will do it."

Sometimes I wonder if I really have enough faith to accept what he really wants for me.  If I truly and honestly answer that question, I don't know.  Some days it's a loud and confident YES and other days I'm hesitant.  "When the storms in life come you can be steady because you are standing on the rock of your faith in Jesus Christ."  

I believe in the power of prayer and that the Savior hears my pleas.  I know our prayers are answered, ALWAYS.  I am learning to be patient and find the joy and the abundant blessings I have now and the blessings I will receive while I wait and learn and grow.  I am so thankful that he is so patient with me.

 "I WANT ONLY WHAT YOU WANT.  JUT TELL ME WHAT IT IS AND I WILL DO IT.

Hermana Gertson

 The family is counting down the weeks until Hermana Gertson comes home.  I didn't think she could get anymore wonderful.  But her mission in California has accentuated her beautiful spirit and goodness even more.  Her love and devotion for the people she serves in the name of Jesus Christ have been the most inspiring to me.  She is so good, so warm and so genuine.  Everything she does is for Him and her light continues to shine brighter.  Go Abby go!

Still Going Through Papers

 I think I will be going through files and papers for days but oh the fun stuff I've been coming across.  I found some diary pages from my sister Annette.  Her diary when she was in high school.  I have no idea how I got them but one funny comment she made was:  "Dear Diary.  Not much has happened today.  I came hoe and slept for ages.  I got up again and put up Jeannine's hair which took about 45 minutes.  She sure is trying on my nerves!"  I'm sure as her little sister that I spent many hours driving her crazy.  Being 5 years younger than her would make me pretty obnoxious and I'm sure because I was the baby of the family I was spoiled - anyway that is what all my siblings tell me.  A picture of Annette and I in Seattle.

Lila Mae's Health

Lila Mae has rebounded amazingly well considering what she has been through.   Pneumonia, fevers, blood draws, bone marrow tests,  fluid on one of her lungs that had to be drained along with physical therapy.  It has been a long two weeks in the hospital and her family is hoping that she will be coming home this week.  They have determined that she has Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) which I understand is leukemia.  Her chemocare is one shot once a week for three weeks and then off for a week and then the routine begins again.  After her first set of shots she was having a pretty rough time.  I was able to get a picture of her on one of her good days.  My sister, Annette, died at the age of 35 of cancer.  

We did have a little excitement while at the hospital.  Lila Mae's room looks out over the helipad and we were able to watch one of the helicopters coming in.  Very exciting.

We are all praying for Lila Mae's recovery.  We just aren't ready to let her go just yet.  I don't know if there really is a time that we are ever ready to say goodbye to a loved one.  I guess I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.  For now I'll just enjoy what ever time we have with her.

Boston at Cooperstown Dreams Park

 Maren, Greg and Boston had the opportunity to spend a week at the Cooperstown Park where Boston was tutored and trained in all aspects of the baseball game.  Maren said that every day he played baseball games.  What a wonderful experience for Boston.  I hope he appreciates what his parents are doing and providing for him.  These are the pictures that were sent to Neal and I.

Lexi Lalani Graduates High School

 Another grandchild has completed their twelves years of school and officially graduated from high school and on to college.  Neal and I did not fly to California to attend Lexi's graduation but Tucker sent us some great pictures.  Lexi we are so proud of you and all you have accomplished so far in your life.  The time goes by so quickly.  When you are your age, time seems endless but believe me it is gone in moment.  Try and enjoy and live these young adult and college years with fun and purpose.  Your future is yours to create.  Pa and I love you!

Sunday Thoughts

How do you say goodbye to a loved one?  How do I say goodbye to my beloved sister?  How do I convey the feelings that are the most tender part of my heart and soul?  I don't think it even possible.  I knew this day would come but it never seemed like it was really going to happen.  I've so many memories with Lila Mae.. .. .. so many memories.  The list grows longer and longer.  I am so thankful that we had those times together.  My heart is heavy and it hurts.  Life won't be the same without her.  I'm not signing her off, but I'm trying to prepare myself for that inevitable phone call.  

 

Do You Remember?

 Since my retirement, I've been busy cleaning, going through files throwing 'stuff' away but finding treasures along the way.  I found these two emails written to me by Emmi.  I wish I had what my responses were but at least I saved these.  Emmi, do you remember?

"January 5, 2009

Good afternoon GAM!

I just got home from school about 5 minutes ago.  It had started to snow about 15 to 20 minutes ago.  I was walking from the bus stop to my house.  I was carrying my mom's late Christmas present, a green and yellow dirty spoon holder thing, like her Seattle one, and some snowflakes clearly landed on the green base and I could distinctively see the shape of the snowflakes.  Heavenly Father sure has one heck of an imagination!  That's amazing that every snowflake has a different design."

Then she goes on to say:  "That sounds like a fun tradition.  My mom or dad would probably have to come with us.  4 cute little blond girls in a public place with no parents or security.  Anyways, that does sound like a very fun tradition!

Your Emmigirl"

I have no idea what tradition she was talking about because I don't have my email to her.  But the thing I loved was her comment about Heavenly Father having an imagination.  I would bed she brought a smile to His face when she thought that.  

This email is dated January 5, 2009.  So I'm guess she wrote this late that evening.

"Hi GAM!!!  

I have some pretty big bruises in my knees from sledding.  It was totally worth it though.  The best hill is called SUICIDE.  It is the steepest and second largest hill there!  One kid he was probably 14 or 15, had the one board that was half skateboard and half snowboard.  SUICIDE also has a fair sized jump at the bottom if you can make it down without hitting the bushes.  Anyways, He was standing up on the strange board up on the entire thing, made the jump, and face-planted it in the snow every time!  It was quite funny, because he did it about 20 times before he finally landed it.  I LOVE SLEDDING!!!  So thankful for snow.

And I love you Emmi girl and I'm thankful for you!

Abby, do you remember this pin cushion that you made me?  Another treasure that I found today while going through stuff.  Some things grandmothers just never throw away!

The note inside the flower said, "Happy birthday Gam.  I love you so much.  Love Abby"

And I love my little missionary namesake.  Amazing that she only has 2 1/2 months left on her mission.

And while we are walking down memory lane, Annie sent me this picture.  Jeffrey and Lynda Ann with their grandmother, Grace Hintze.  Very cute picture of all of them.  I believe Grace genuinely loved all of her grandchildren.  Some may have been a little more spoiled than others but she loved them all.  As I do all of mine.

Stitching Progress

I've made some headway on this huge stitching project.  This is one that I will have to post each month to see how much I've done.  Everyone always asks how long a project took and I have no idea.  I've tried to keep track of the minutes and hours but it never works.  I just randomly pick my stitching up here and there through the days.  I can only tell you how many months or weeks it took.  Well, I can estimate.  Even tracking that is nearly impossible.

 

Another Cancer Surgery for Neal

 Neal had a mole on his shoulder that the doctor thought looked suspicious so they removed it and took a biopsy to have it analyzed and sure enough, it came back with cancer cells in it.  So another appointment was made and he went up to the University of Utah Cancer Building for surgery on Thursday morning.  He didn't have to go under anesthetic.  They were able to just localize the area and do the surgery.  Then he had to wait for 4 hours for the results to come back to make sure they got all the cancer.  Then he went back in and they sewed everything up.  He will have a scar because it was such a huge area.  Here are some rather gory pictures.  

Lynda Ann's Magic

 I think I already reported that Annie and I had done some shopping at IKEA and that I had bought a new desk and chair.  Annie had some time last week and came and we (she) put the desk together.  I have to say that there were some hilariously funny moments as she tackled the directions, all the different size pegs, screws, nails, etc.  For the life of me I don't know how she was able to follow the directions and put this together but she did and now I have an almost finished desk in the guest room alias my office.  She still has to put the drawer in and then put the chair together but I'm sitting at my desk right now and loving not having to balance the lap top on my lap or sit down at the kitchen table.  So nice to have a central place to index and blog.  Thanks to Annie!

And the partially and almost finished project.

Now I need to get all my pictures rounded up and see where I want things hung so the room will look nice and tidy and put together.  I'm not a fan of hodgepodge!  Thanks Annie, for putting the desk together.  I love it!

90 Years

 My sister, Lila Mae is in her 90th year.  She has been healthy and active up until about a week ago.  She is up every morning at 4:30 making bread for the Dairy Keen in Heber.  Goes to work and works for 4 hours and then home.  Thursday morning she went to work as usual but came home not feeling well.  Stayed home in bed on Friday.  Saturday morning she took a shower and fell and couldn't get up.  Susan found her about 10:00.  Lila had laid on the floor for nearly 2 hours.  Sunday Susan took her to the emergency room and she was admitted to the hospital in Heber and then transferred by ambulance to Utah Valley Hospital in Provo.  

Lynda Ann and I along with Hayley drove to Provo on Wednesday and spent the better part of the afternoon with her.  We did stop and have lunch with Mallory before going to the hospital.  

The prognosis isn't good.  She has been in the hospital for a week now and they say will probably get to go home either tomorrow, Sunday or Monday.  She will have to be on oxygen and hospice.  Neither are a good indication that she is getting better.  I'm afraid that I'm going to lose my last living sibling.  Lila Mae and I have been so close our whole lives.  This goodbye will be a very hard one for me to handle.  

I just talked to Susan and she said that Lila Mae's white blood cell count is really low which makes the doctor fear that she may have cancer.  Another bad news moment.

I called her mother a couple of times.  I guess because I remember doing this very thing with mother and because Lila Mae looks so much like mother.  Very sad times.