Christmas Cactus

One day in December of 1990 (my first Christmas as Neal's wife in a new neighborhood and knew ward), I heard a knock at my door and there stood Gretta McPhee. She lived a few houses up the street from us. She had a Christmas Cactus in her hand. She didn't come in just handed me the cactus and said how much she loved hers and hoped I would enjoy this one. She told me that they always have gorgeous red blooms on them around Christmas time. She hoped it would always make me smile and feel good. That was my first neighborhood Christmas present from a neighbor I hardly knew. It has been almost 20 years and I still have that cactus plant and like Gretta said, it blooms for me every year at Christmas. When I see the first little buds breaking through I always smile and remember sweet Gretta and her gift to me so long ago. It does make me feel good and it always makes me smile when I see those blossoms.

Just an added comment

Lynda Ann was at work and had a few minutes so she pulled up my blog on the computer and was looking at it. She happened to be looking at the picture of me getting my facial from Lyndsy. You know the one where I look like I'm dead! Well two different co-workers came by her desk, at different times, and looking over her shoulder noticed the picture and said, "Who is the dead woman?" We had a good laugh! Nope, not dead yet and not planning on being dead for some time to come.

Lynda Ann and more projects! She is so like me!!

Andrew was so excited about his first loose tooth and he said that I had to take a picture and put it on my blog for all to see! Lynda Ann said that when he first realized it was loose that it was a bit of a drama of sadness, but once he got used to it and the attention he got, he was very excited about it.

Salt Air and the Great Salt Lake

Lynda and I had a planned activity, so I drove out to Salt Air to meet her. As I was waiting for her to get there, my mind took me back to my childhood and memories of the once very famous and great place. I remember when I was about 9 or 10 (around 1953 or 54), my Aunt Edith and Uncle Johnny and their two boys came to visit us from Seattle. They had never been out the to Great Salt Lake so they piled me and my two cousins, Jackie (who was my age) and Jimmy (one years younger) and drove us out to Salt Air. I don't know what the speed was in those days but it seemed like we drove for hours and there was not much to look at. It was crowded with tourist and locals, but we were able to find a spot on the beach. I remember swimming in the lake and not sinking. The salt content was so dense that you would just float in the water. I also remember that I couldn't wait to get under one of the beach showers to get the salt off my skin. It was a fun place to go and was, for years, a great tourist attraction. Now, you rarely see anyone in the water. It is mostly an attraction for sale boat enthusiasts.

Every time one of Neal's scouts (these include all the scouts from the five wards he is over) gets his Eagle, Neal carves him a neckerchief slide. He will ask the scout what his favorite things are and then determine what carve. This particular scout loves bears so Neal carved him a bear. I'm always amazed at Neal's art ability. He really is talented. Neal says that some of the boys are really excited about them and others (like the scout who got the bear last night) never says 'thanks' or smile or acknowledge what Neal has done for them. I hope I raised my boys to be more sensitive and kind when people go out of their way for them.

An answer to prayer

On November 30th, we had our Stake Relief Society Leadership Meeting. Part of the program consisted of President Parry and I saying a few words. As President Parry was ending his remarks, he told the Relief Society Presidents that he wanted them to do three things. 1. To pray and ask who they could do something for in their ward and what they should do. It could be a note of encouragement, a loaf of bread, a phone call, an invite to church, etc. Whatever they felt inspired to do. 2. They were to enroll one of the sisters in relief society to either take on the task or join them in accomplishing the task. 3. When they had completed the request at the end of December, President Parry wanted a brief note of what they did or what their experience was.

This task wasn't given to our stake leadership, just the ward leaders. As the days went by I thought more and more about it and decided that I wanted to be a part of this experience. So began my journey of each day asking for direction. When Neal and I went in for tithing settlement I even asked the Bishop if there were any special needs in our ward and he said there was not. I was a little disappointed but remembered that Pres. Parry had said, "Ask the Lord" not the bishop. So continued my prayers.

On Sunday we had our Fast and Testimony meeting. A young girl stood up and in her testimony she said how she was teaching her children to not be caught up in material things and that staying home and popping corn and watching a movie was just as good as going to the theaters, etc. She then said, "Sometimes we have to decide on whether we have milk in the fridge or gas in the car." That statement hit me like a thunder bolt. There was my answer that I had been praying for. After the meeting I cornered my secretary and told her my experience and asked her if she wanted to do this with me. She jumped on board. We don't know exactly what we are going to do yet, but it will be in secret. We are thinking of doing something every month for the whole year. I will keep you updated.

Still celebrating Neal's birthday!

Ron, Judy, me and Neal outside Ztejas at the Gateway. Judy's birthday is December 2 so we usually celebrate hers and Neals together. Southwestern menu. Food was delicious and we all took leftovers home for Sunday's dinner.

Exchanging birthday and Christmas presents.

This is a beautiful carved nativity set that took Judy over a year to find. Apparently you can't buy them anymore. This was our Christmas present from the Stanfields.

This is the top of the wood carved blocks. You have to see it to grasp the beauty of it. Thank you Ron and Judy. We love it and will treasure it for years to come - along with our friendship!

Annual Breakfast With Santa and Mrs. Clause

Our annual Breakfast With Santa sure seems to come around fast. Didn't we just do this a few months ago?
The breakfast consisted of Eggs, Bacon, Pancakes and milk or orange juice. A very nice breakfast for the price of $3.00 per person.

Now isn't this a surprise - Annie holding Boston!

One of Santa's Elves

This is Abby with her little friend Ainsley.

All Abby asked for was a Polar Bear (stuffed polar bear, of course.)

Andrew asked for a Criss Cross Crash

Hayley wants a Signature German Shepard Webkins

Taylor asked for a camera and Brock wants a Monster Truck

River wants a Pillow Pet

Here the kids are making count down until Christmas chains

Lyndsy and Brock showing off their antlers. Notice Lyndsy's right antler.

Back rows: Taylor, Abby, Brock, River, Hayley

Front Row: Ainsley and Andrew

I only did this because dad, like most men, loves Marilyn Monroe

Taylor as Marilyn

Lyndsy as Marilyn and James as (?) I have no idea!

Facial by Lyndsy - WONDERFUL!!!!

I went to Evolve Salon where Lyndsy does her magic. She is doing some kind of facial work on me that should make me look years younger! I told her I can't relax and not to expect me to enjoy it or even fall asleep. Well, guess what, I not only fell asleep, I slept through almost the whole procedure. I would become aware that I had been sleeping and then fall right back dreaming again. Amazing how fast the time goes by when your mind drifts off to 'la la land'. I have to say, that Lyndsy does an incredible job. No, I don't mean that I'm going to look younger. I'm saying that Lyndsy is an incredible massage therapist. If she can put me to sleep then she has nearly performed a miracle. I always have a million things going on in my mind and a list a mile long of things I need to get done. Stopping in the middle of the day for a facial is way, way down on my priority list - until she gave me one! Anyone and everyone should sign up for a massage from Lyndsy. It will be an incredible, relaxing and wonderful experience. I think I have four more treatments and I'm looking forward to every one of them! Thanks Lyndsy. And, by the way, you are BEAUTIFUL! Love, Mom
These pictures are probably a sneak preview of what I'll look like in my coffin!!! Only I will be all in white. Sure hope it is warm!

Update on my counted cross project - going into the 3rd month.

You can see I'm making slow progress. The counted cross takes a lot of time but when you add the outlining stitches to bring dimension to the work then you are adding hours and hours. Notice the different in the bottom of the tree where the outlining has been done and the top of the tree where there is no outline stitching. Also the top two squares have both been outlined.
I would say I'm about 1/8 the way done. I'm in to this project about 2 months now working on an average of two hours a day in the evenings. That gives one a clue as to the hours and hours of work that goes into a sampler.

Continued celebration of Neal's birthday

Neal and I went to Market Street Grill for dinner. This was our favorite dating place and was the place we hung out the night before we got married.

Don't you just love these balloons. These balloons were in Neal's office when he arrived at school on his birthday. The students helped him celebrate all day by singing and even taking him to lunch.

Neal's birthday - 67 years

Happy Birthday Neal! He was just going out the door to teach at UVU. Looking pretty dapper! Notice Bella by the door hoping that someone will invite her to go for a ride in the car.
There is a song by Anne Murray that I just love and really sums up our courtship and time together. "Can I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life"
Our first date was going to a Ward Dance with Joyce and McKay Phippen. That began a wonderful courtship and engagement.
There are so many qualities about Neal that it is hard to pin them down. I love that he allows me to be me. He never questions - he accepts. That is a wonderful quality in any relationship. He supports my church callings along with my every day needs that add variety to my life and his. He goes along with projects that I get him involved in and NEVER complains. Not once. He is honest, hard working and very much in love with me, his children and grandchildren and life. What a wonderful example he is to all who know and love him.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEAL - I LOVE YOU!!