My Sister, Lila Mae

I'm guessing that Lila Mae (middle) is about 18 or 19, Annette is 10 or 11 and I am about 5 or 6.

I LOVE this painting of my two sisters and I. Annette on the left, who died about 36 years ago, the middle is Lila Mae and I'm on the right. There is five years between Annette and I and thirteen years between Lila Mae and I. Lila Mae's birthday is tomorrow. One of the funny things about her birthday is that I never can remember if it is the 14th or the 19th of October! Lila tells me that mother had the same problem.

Most of my childhood memories center around Lila Mae. I spent every summer and every weekend and every possible moment I could at Lila's. I want to share some thoughts about Lila on her birthday.

This afternoon, I find myself thinking about you and reminiscing. The combined bring a flood of warm memories of my childhood and my adulthood. One of the great joys of growing up is remembering the past. I have come to realize that often times a jewel can be right under our nose and we don't appreciate it. Then, one day you suddenly realize that it was there all along. I believe that I 'discovered' you at an early age.

Because of the history you and I share as siblings, I sometimes feel I don't have to work at our relationship. It is so easy to over look because I assume you will always be there. But then reality sets in, and I realize that there may come a day when I will miss you. Time slips by so quickly, taking with it opportunities to be with each other.

I also realize that as sisters, we are the only people in the world who can reference our lives from a similar perspective. No one else has that ability. No one else lived inside those walls, knew our mother like we did, grieved the loss of our sister Annette, our brother, Buster and finally our mother and has the memories that allow us to laugh or cry at the same things in the same way.

I believe that our relationship is about as deep as you can go. When mother died, it seemed for me, that the bond between us became deeper. I was able to seek solace in you.

You know so much about me and I about you. We know the good parts, the bad parts, and the secrets. Our relationship is a very powerful and valuable one. I want you to know how much I love you! Happy Birthday, Lila.

Primary Talent Night

Mallory and Abby had a "Our Time To Share" night with the primary. Mallory played the flute and Abby shared her cooking and decorating skills. It was a fun afternoon listening and watching the girls perform. Neal, Jeff and Emmi slipped out right after Mallory's flute solo so they could go do a round of golf. As soon as the program ended, Annie and I headed to her house to work on Halloween spiders. We finished about the same time the golfers did and then went over to Dan and Jill's house to play Six Handed Rook. It was a very fun afternoon and evening.

Halloween Craft Night

Andrew wanted to make his own craft so he took all the scraps and created a robot! I love children's creative imaginations.
Showing off our finished product.

The craft table!
I, as usual, cornered Lynda Ann into helping me do a craft that I could hand out to my visiting teaching families and the office personnel. Lynda Ann found these spiders in her craft box that apparently we had made a few years ago. It was my job to round up all the supplies. The hardest supply to find was the Sixlets! Why is it that every time you go after something that you see all the time, you all of a sudden can't find it anywhere! Oh my gosh! I went to Fresh Market, Dan's, Smith's, K-Mart and WalMart and even into Big Lots! No one had Sixlets! You would think during the Halloween season there would be every kind of candy you ever wanted and more. Not so. In the mean time, our RS Presidency is putting together a gift to give our ward RS Presidencies at our leadership meeting. I was looking for a particular container that I remembered buying a few years ago at Harmon's. As I was leaving Harmon's, I decided to check their candy and see if by chance they had any Sixlets. Well not only did they have them in the regular candy section but they had a huge bag of them in their Halloween candy section! Goodness sakes, I had been all over the valley looking for those things and finally found them. Hooray for Harmon's. From now on, that is the place to go. I LOVE HARMON'S!!

A great big THANK YOU to Lynda Ann for helping me make 20+ spiders. They turned out great. When it comes to making things it is always 911 Annie.

My Reminiscent Maren

I got a phone call early this morning from Maren. She was on her way home from an all night shift and had just help deliver a baby. She said she couldn't help but think back about her deliveries and having me there with her and Greg and just wanted to call me. I felt good all over, knowing that we have created some very precious mother-daughter memories. I think it has been hard for Maren not having Judy around for the really special events in her life, beginning with her marriage to Greg. But I hope that in some way I've help fill the gap. I love Maren and have certainly enjoyed our Mother/Daughter adventure through the years and hope they will continue forever.

Things I didn't know!

Lynda Ann and I were just chatting about the kids saying they didn't feel well so they could, hopefully, stay home from school and how hard it is sometimes for a mother to determine if the child is really sick or just doesn't want to go to school, thus, the "I don't feel good".

I mentioned to her that I didn't remember that she or Jeff ever tried to play hooky very much. She just laughed and shared me a couple of stories about wanting to stay home from school and trying to pull the wool over my eyes, pretending she was sick. She said one time when she was in junior high she didn't want to go to school. In our dinning room we had a big chandelier. Lynda, wanting to fake a fever, took a thermometer and put it up in the light fixture to heat up the mercury. She said she left it there too long and the thermometer broke leaving broken glass and mercury around the light bulb. She had to wait until I wasn't around to get it all cleaned up. Obviously, she didn't miss school that day.

Another story she shared with me was when she was in grade school. She convinced me she was sick and stayed home. I was the teacher's aide at the school and apparently left her home while I ran around the corner to the school to get some work and tell the teacher I couldn't stay that day. After I left she made some vanilla cake batter to eat. (One of her favorite things.) While she was eating it, she heard me coming in the door earlier than anticipated. She knew she would be in trouble so she took the batter and hid it in her closet. The funny part is that she forgot about it and found it weeks later all moldy and disgusting.

She thought I had heard both these stories, but they were news to me.

I hit the jackpot last night!

Last night was the best night ever. The reason why is because I had numerous phone calls from my family. The evening started out with talking to Tucker. We talked about his new job, which sounds very, very complicated, and then, of course, BYU and Utah football. I've already resigned myself to losing the bet this year. Hummm, what will Tucker do to me. He certainly has plenty of pay backs - so I am a bit worried. However, he does love his mother and he is a gentle and kind and forgiving soul. (I hope he reads this **tee hee**)

My next call was from Maren who wanted some recipes that were easy to make and easy to deliver. I gave her a couple that I always use. She said that a friend of hers had lost her mother at about the same age that Maren had and they had talked about how hard it would be when the lost the other parent. Well, Maren just found out that her friend's father had passed away last week so Maren wanted to do something special for her.

No sooner had I hung up the phone when Maddie called to tell me that she loved my cartoon I had posted on my blog of the two dinosaurs who missed Noah's boat. She caught the humor of it and had a good laugh and wanted to share that with me. I was glad that she was checking out the blog.

Then, who should call but Emmi. We chatted for a few minutes and I answered a couple of her questions. She seems to love high school and is doing very well. She especially loves seminary. She asked me if I had Susan's address. She really loves Susan, but then who doesn't. Susan is a friend to all who know her.

Lynda Ann called just to check in on me and make sure I'm alright, which I always appreciate.

So you can see, from the above notations, that it was a night of phone calls from my children and grandchildren. Yes, I certainly hit the jackpot!

Another project? Why not!

This is what it should look like when completed. The center says "Families Are Forever"

The colored part is what I have already done. I have to mark each square or line of stitches as I do them so I will remember what I've done and where I need to start. You always start in the center and work your way out when doing counted cross stitch.

I started this project on Sunday of October General Conference. My mother always told me that "Every stitch I took on Sunday I would have to pick out with my nose when I got to Heaven". Boy, I sure hope she didn't mean hand stitching. I'm hoping she was referring to not mending or sewing on the machine on Sundays.

It is always interesting to me how I can't seem to survive or feel good unless I have a dozen or more projects lined up. Some urgent and some for when I get to them. You would think that at this time of the year taking on any more projects would be insane and you would be right! I'm finding that the older I get the more and more I realize how like my mother I am. She was never one to sit idle. If there was sewing to be done it would be done in the early hours of the morning or into the late hours of the night. If there was a television show she wanted to watch, then she would be doing hand sewing or crocheting while watching a show. I can hardly remember a Saturday that I didn't come bustling in the house to run right into the quilting frame set up in the front room with mother and Lila Mae working on a quilt. Even when mother would come home from work during her lunch hour she would be reading while eating her lunch. She was always busy. She often said to me, "Idle hands are the devils tools." Maybe that stuck in my head more than I realize. I've often heard people say that they would be so bored if they retired or they just wouldn't know what to do with themselves all day. I think I have enough projects in waiting right now to keep me busy for years. I would never have to worry about what to do.

Yes, I'm right in the middle of Christmas sewing projects but saw a sampler that I just couldn't resist sending for. It's pictured above. Who am I doing it for? No one in particular. Maybe just me. I don't know that my children really get into the country sampler world so it may hang with some of the others that I have stitched, cleaned and left hanging in the back of the closet.

Counted cross stitch for me is like putting a puzzle together. I love to see the picture began to take shape and love to admire it when it is all put together down to the last stitch. I shall keep a tab and update the progress of this project as each month goes by. Speaking of months, can you believe it is already October!

Jamie has me hooked! And a lesson learned - sigh . . . . .

I love blogging. I've always been pretty good at keeping a journal, but blogging is almost an every day event for me. I can't wait to take pictures and record the events of the day. I was never this devoted to writing in my journal and certainly have never been one to take pictures every where I go. I'm wishing I had started this years ago, but, I didn't so we will continue to carry on from here. Thank you, Jamie, for insisting that I learn to blog. I love it!

Thanks to Lynda Ann, I have learned one very important thing. No matter how anxious I am to get things recorded on my blog, I must remember that my family is actually checking it out now and then. Lynda Ann and Mallory called me last night, laughing so hard they could hardly talk, and proceeded to tell me that they saw Mallory's birthday present and Lynda Ann was excited to get a particular Christmas present that I have pictured and posted! In the future, I must be much more careful about my timing. Mallory assured me that she would act surprised when she opened her birthday present next week!

Family Gathering at the Park

Grayson showing me the how many teeth he has lost.

Thanks to Lyndsy's planning, the family all gathered together at the park. The park was nestled in a neighborhood just below the U of P. The pavilion was rented for four hours from noon to four. I don't think the weather could have been better. Sun was out, skies were blue and there was no wind. We had the usual park menu of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, along with salads, salsa, chips and drinks and even some brightly decorated cookies for Taylor's birthday.

Lyndsy had rented some recreation equipment, so we were able to play volley-ball (which wasn't a big hit) and kick-ball, which was the hi-light of the day. The whole family, even down to the two little boys, Andrew and Brock, joined in the fun. I think River was the only one who just wasn't interested in kicking the ball.

Of course, Gam (as Jaden referred to me as the 'easy out') usually made the out for the team! I'm every bit as competitive, I just don't have quite the strength I used to. At one point I was pitching the ball to Lyndsy. She kicked it right to me. I picked it up and then began the race to first base. I could see that Lyndsy was going to beat me so I made a lunge for her and the base just missing both. I landed on the ground, face down with nothing to show for the effort but a bruised ego. Sigh . . . .

It was a successfully planned and very fun day. All had a great time. Thank you Lyndsy for planning and organizing the event!

I love fall!

Notice the cement discs made by Emmi and Mallory when they were very little. I love the hand prints.

I absolutely love the seasons. Each one brings it's own carpet of colors and beauty. As much as I love the warmth of summer, I'm happy to see the fall begin to take over. The temperatures are near perfect and the changing scenes of nature are inspiring. I had Neal get down the "Fall/Halloween" bucket so that I could do a little Fall decorating.

A family divided?

Today is Taylor's birthday and next week it is Mallory's birthday. It is always a challenge to buy birthday presents as the grandchildren grow out of the toy market and into the clothes and young teen stage. Money is probably the best gift but I think I hit on something for these two girls that they will love. When Neal and I were at Swiss Days I came across a booth where they were selling all kinds of BYU and Utah paraphernalia. Included were sweatshirts made by Renee. Pictured above are the two sweatshirts I bought. They ended up being very pricey but they are excellent quality and I just could resist. You will notice we have one BYU and one Utah. Taylor cheering on the Utes and Mallory cheering on the Cougars. I think if you lined our family up the Cougars are well out numbered, but even though we may be in the minority, we are forever faithful to our team. (This year is not a good year for the BYU football team. I'm anticipating losing the annual bet with Tucker!)

Another finished project

I just finished another project. This is a birth sampler for Boston that has been in the making for a little while. It needs to be cleaned, pressed and then taken to the frame shop for matting and framing. That is Neal's project to pick out the frame color and the matting colors. He has an excellent eye for colors and what looks good or highlights. I've made one for each one of the grandchildren, except C.J. and Justin. I didn't do counted cross stitch when they were babies.

Sewing projects

Baby blanket

Christmas
Christmas

Apron for Lila Mae

Apron for Lila Mae

My new sewing table that Lynda Ann surprised me with and put together for me. I came home from a meeting and there it was all put together. AWESOME!! Thanks, Lynda Ann!

The holidays are just around the corner and I am in a race again this year to get as much done by November 1st as possible. I like to have ALL my sewing completed and wrapped so that I can thoroughly enjoy the holidays without the stress of trying to get things done at the very last minute. When I am preparing Christmas for 19 grandchildren and children and spouses it can be overwhelming if I don't start early. I have all the pajamas made for the grandchildren, I am now doing the final touches, such as hemming, buttons and button holes, elastic in the waist, etc.

I also had a couple of added projects. One was a couple of aprons that Susan had me make for her mother. Lila Mae's birthday is in October and I'm not sure if Susan is giving the aprons to her mom for her birthday or having her wait until Christmas. But it really matters not. When someone asks me to do something, I usually get right at it. I'm not one to let moss gather under my feet. Also a baby blanket to be made for a baby shower and numerous other projects.

I have such wonderful memories of waking up early in the mornings during the months of October, November and December and hearing mother's sewing machine just a whirring away. Every once in a while I even might hear a swear word or two. Oh how mad she would get when the thread broke and she had to stop and re thread the needle. I believe her term was "Dammit all to Hell." Yup, that was it. And she meant it. I would just lay in bed and smile. Mother worked a job that went from Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. The only time she had for sewing was 5 a.m. and late into the evenings. Thanks mom, for all the nightgowns, Christmas dresses, rag dolls, doll clothes and stuffed animals. Some day I shall have to relate the story of the stuffed bears and oh yes, the Christmas ties she made for all the son-in-laws. Classic stories.

An evening with the Gertsons kids

Emmi, Pa and Hayley playing scrabble.

Lynda Ann and Jeff were given 7 free tickets to the circus on a Friday afternoon - showtime - matinee. The kids loved the circus and each one couldn't wait to tell me what was the most exciting act they saw or the most exciting animal show. It was all very exciting to hear about it. Lynda Ann said that they also had two free movie tickets and I would I mind tending the kids. Of course I told her that was fine and off the two of them went to the movies. So our evening consisted of a number of activities going on in the house. Mallory, Abby and Andrew played downstairs with the blocks and doll house along with watching a movie. Emmi wanted to play scrabble with me and of course, our Einstein, Hayley wanted to play as well. I really think Emmi's goal is to someday beat me at scrabble. As smart as she is, I don't suspect that achievement is too far off. Hayley actually did a really good job. She needed a little help from Pa but I was amazed at how many words she was able to create on her own.

When Jeff and Annie returned we played a game called "Nickles to Nickles". The game ended about 11:30 and the Gertson's loaded up and headed home. It was a fun evening with the children and parents.

My three cute granddaughters from California

This is a picture of Peyton, Lexi and Jordyn Lyn in the skirts I made for them. They called me Sunday night to thank me and tell me that they wore them for the Primary Program. They also shared with me their parts on the primary program. Lexi informed me that Peyton had a part but when she got up to the microphone all she could do was giggle, so Jamie had to go up and help her through her part. It was fun to visit with the two older girls and hear their experiences with the primary program. It is times like this that I yearn to live closer to them. As grandparents, we miss so very much of their daily activities and mostly their dancing, music and church performances. We are proud of you, Peyton, Lexi and Jordyn and love you tons! P.S. You look absolutely darling in your new skirts!

Sweet Bella Boo

Bella patiently waiting for my return. She loves to go in the car with me and hates to be left behind. I'm guessing that is why she didn't come to the door to greet me. She was pouting.

This year the women's conference is being broadcast to our stake center so this afternoon I ran over to the stake center to set up the tables in the cultural hall for our refreshments and set up chairs for the sisters to sit while eating their delicious piece of cake. The hall looked very festive. When I arrived home, Bella wasn't right at the door to greet me as she usually is. I set some groceries down on the kitchen counter and then headed up stairs to put some stuff away and there at the top of the steps was Bella. The scene reminded me of the movie Pollyanna. There is a scene where she is going up the steps and kneels down to talk to the dog who is lazily laying at the top landing. Had to post this picture. Couldn't resist.

Do you believe in gaurdian angels?

Picture of Annette and I taken by a street photographer. They actually used to have them.

I woke up one morning to the rolling thunder that I love and the rain dancing off the roof and pavement. What a wonderful sound to wake up to! The air was so cool with just a touch of fall and the house was the perfect temperature. I just wanted to snuggle back down under the covers and enjoy the storm, but it was a Monday and I had to get up and face reality.

As I laid there listening to the sounds of the storm I couldn't help remember an incident that happened to me right after we moved to Provo from Seattle. I was 7 years old when we made the move. In Seattle you have rain, rain and more rain, but you seldom experience the loud rolling thunder and lightening flashes that you do in Utah. The rain in Seattle is usually just rain without all the fan fair.

Because we didn't have a home when we first moved to Provo, we were temporarily living in Springville with a lady that mother worked with. School had started, mother had found a job and we were just waiting for the sale on our home to go through so we could move in. I was in second grade and Annette was in 7th grade. (I attended Franklin Elementary). The plan was that after school I was to walk the three blocks to the park on Center Street and Annette was to walk from junior high and meet me there. Together we would walk to my mother's work, which was about 6 blocks away. There we would do our homework until 5 o'clock and then ride with Mrs. Persons to her home. Mother didn't own a car and, in fact, never did.

Sometime in early October, I walked to the park and waited at the appointed tree for Annette to meet me. There had been a storm brewing most of the day and about the time I arrived in the park, it hit with all vengeance. The rain came down in torrents and the thunder rolled and the lightening danced across the sky. I was terrified, but kept my post for what seemed like forever. I finally decided that Annette had forgotten me and was sure I could find mother's office on my own. So began my journey through town. I wandered up and down through town and every side street that I thought would lead me to mother's office, but to no avail. I will never forget the terrified feeling of being completely lost and alone. It was just dusk, I was soaking wet, cold and crying when a young man came up to me, took my hand and asked me what was wrong. In between sobs, I told him I had lost my mother. My memory of the time has faded but I know that he walked for quite some time with me trying to help me find mother's office all the while assuring me that everything would be fine and we would find my mother.

Unbeknownst to me, Mother, Mrs. Persons and Annette had driven to the park and when they couldn't find me there began driving along center street and along side streets trying to find me. The finally spotted me, jumped out of the car and gathered me in their arms. They had been looking for me ever since Annette had arrived at mother's office without me. I remember my mother thanking the young man profusely for trying to help me. I am forever grateful for that kind young man who noticed me and stopped to help me. I am thankful that he was a good person. Do I believe in guardian angels? Yes I do. Do I believe that someone was watching out for me? Yes I do. Did I get a lecture on talking to strangers? Yes I did.

Now the story doesn't end there. After that experience, I determined I would never be afraid of thunder and lightening again so every time a storm came through you would find me sitting out on our front porch proving to myself that I was not afraid. For the first little while I would have mother sit with me but then after a time I was able to go out there on my own.

Just some thoughts

I can't seem to get the Cutler experience out of my mind. I keep thinking what a tragedy that whole event could have been. They could have lost their entire home and all the contents in just a few short minutes. And yet, their home was untouched by the fire and smoke. No damage of any kind. Maren related to me the events of those three days they were evacuated. Can you imagine having the police knock on your door and tell you that you have just an hour to gather what you need or want and leave. One hour isn't very long. I've thought a lot since then about family preparedness and how crucial it is to have your house in order. Maybe this is a wake up call for our family to think about what we need to do to be ready for any kind of disaster that may come. Maybe it is time to make sure our house is in order. Our spiritual, emotional and physical house. I talked to Maren to day to see how she was doing and she said that they are still recovering. They had piles of laundry that she had just finished but are still trying to get their house put back together. I can't express how grateful I am for their safety, the safety of their home and their well being.