More Projects

Annie had an extra long stretch of days without work.  I imposed on one of her days off to have her help me with some handouts for my RS lesson and make some letters for the Christmas Sacrament Meeting Program.  We started at 10:00, took a break for lunch and then back at it.  We worked until 4:00 and then I headed home a happy relief society teacher and a very happy choir director!  The Merry Christmas signs are for the choir program on the Sunday before Christmas.  The little turkeys are for my relief society and priesthood lesson this Wednesday night.  I'm also handing out the Tootsie Roll hand out that goes with my lesson on the Holy Ghost.

Along with my projects, Annie, of course, was working on many of her own.  She is making Christmas decorations.  The funny thing is that she says the kids keep taking the gnomes to their rooms because they like them so much.  She will be having a Danish themed tree this year.  Hanging the gnomes from the tree.  Can't wait to see it all put together.

On the way home from having lunch we past this car on the road and just had to take a couple pictures and send to Tucker.  We knew he would love it.

Another Project

I had a friend ask me if I would finish this project for her.  Goodness, I just got through doing one for Susan and then was asked to this one.  I've had to put my own projects aside so that I could get them done.  Last night I took the final stitch in this one and will take it to the cleaners in the morning, have it steam pressed and then I'll be happy to give it back to the owner.  I may have it framed as a surprise.  Still thinking about that.

All the outlining in this things was a nightmare.  So happy that it is done!

Thank You Note

I got this thank you note in the mail from Mallory thanking me for her birthday package.  She is so loving her mission.  She just celebrated her one year anniversary in the mission field.  She was set apart on Halloween night and left for her mission on November 1.  I can't believe that it has been a whole year since she has been gone.  I am so proud of her and her willingness and commitment to her Father in Heaven to serve a mission.

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Saturday was a busy day for me.  I spent the morning rearranging the cupboards in my kitchen, emptying the china cabinet, hauling all the Christmas dishes upstairs, unpacking them and getting them ready for Neal to arrange in the china cabinet.  Of course I had Bing singing Christmas Carols.  It took me from 8:00 in the morning until about 2:30 to get everything done.  I also made a trip to D.I. and stopped at Jimmy Johns and got a sandwich.  I love getting the house ready for the holidays and having everything festive.  Just puts one in a holiday mood - especially with Bing Crosby singing in the background.

More Football Games

Boston and Brock had their final football games on Saturday.  I was in the middle of getting Halloween put away and Thanksgiving and Christmas stuff out, so I opted not to go and sent Neal to represent us.  He said that both teams won.  Boston was the quarterback for his team and ended up being taken out of the game with a concussion.  I think this is the second one he has had.  Football is a rough game.  Congratulations to both boys for being champions!!

The Scarlet Pimpernel

The other night Neal, Annie, Emmi and Abby and I went to see the Scarlet Pimpernel.  Dave, our hairdresser was in the production.  It was fabulous.  I've never seen it before and completely enjoyed every minute of it.  Abby couldn't sit with us because she had Digby with her who is in training.  She sat in a handicap designated area.

 You can't see Digby but he is there.  Comfortably snuggled under the seat.  It is interesting how many people stop Abby and are fascinated with the dog and that Abby is a trainer.  I'm sure she has answered a lot of questions that people have about guide dogs.  The one she seems to get asked about the most is the small strap that goes around the dogs jaw.  People think it is to keep the dog from opening his mouth and they often think it is cruel.  Abby patiently explains to them that it is loose, doesn't prevent the dog from eating or opening his mouth and is part of the training.

Thanks Annie for getting the tickets and inviting us to join in.  After the production we all stopped at Chili's and had dinner.  Very fun evening.

The On-going BYU - Utah Rivalry

I sent this to Tucker and he immediately sent one back that was exactly the opposite.  However, I refuse to post it.  I like this one better.  

Temples

Lynda Ann has been doing a lot of family research into her biological ancestors.  She has come up with hundreds of names on her side of the family who need their temple work done for them.  Last week I meet her and Emmi at the Jordan River Temple where we each took a name through.  Lynda Ann had her grandmother's name (on her biological mother's side).  As she came through the veil her eyes were flooded with tears.  She said that it wasn't until she was at the veil that she knew her grandmother was aware of what she was doing.  The interesting thing is that I had no feelings at all until I was at the veil and I knew that this was the right thing to be doing.

I don't know who said this but I had it written down on a paper:

"Latter-day Saint temples are considered houses of God, a place of holiness and peace separate from the preoccupations of the world.  They provide a place where Church members make formal promises and commitments to God.  They are also the place where the highest sacraments of the faith occur - the marriage of couples and the "sealing" of families for eternity."

I bear testimony that is true.  I know it and I felt it.  I'm so happy that I was in the temple with my daughter and granddaughter.  What an incredible time.

I have to interject here that there was a funny moment in the session.  I happened to glance at my white shoes and noticed that the sole of the shoe looked like it was cracked.  I slipped the shoe off, turned it over and the whole bottom of the shoe was cracked and ready to fall off.  I was afraid that I would leave a trail of dried pieces of leather behind me when I walked.  Thank goodness the glue held until we were done.  I don't know how many years I've had those shoes but obviously long enough that they need to be replaced.

After the session, the three of us went to Crown Burger and from there to our home.  When I got home I got this picture from Kay Rose (a missionary at the genealogy library).  She said that even Santa Clause was looking up his ancestors!

What a great picture!

New calling

Neal and I met with the Bishopric last week and received a new calling.  We are now the activities and service projects coordinators.  I thought sure that I would be released as the choir director, but that didn't happen and I'm also still teaching at the retirement center.  When the calling came to me the quote from Elder M. Russell Ballard came to my mind and I could not complain to much about having three assignments!

"The Lord isn't asking us to load up a handcart.  He's asking us to fortify our faith.  He isn't asking us to walk across a continent, He's asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor.  He isn't asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple, He's asking us to attend regularly the temples already built.  He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death, He's asking us to live a disciple's life."

Kind of puts things into perspective, don't you think?  So I shall accept this new calling with a smile and do my best as I go forward.  Better that I am busy and actively engaged in good things, right?

I do love this gospel.  I have a testimony of the Savior's teachings and I am committed to do my part (with a smile on my face!)

How do I get myself into others projects?!

Last week Ashley, Heather and I arranged to have lunch with our friend Kay Rose.  Kay used to work at the county with the three of us and we are fast friends.  Kay also lived in my ward and she and I were visiting teachers for a couple of years.  Kay has since retired from the county and is serving a mission centered here in Salt Lake.  We met for lunch and had a wonderful visit catching up on her mission and family.  After lunch, we said to me that she had something she wanted me to do for her.  Of course I smiled and told her I would be happy to do a favor for her.  She went to her car and pulled out a counted cross stitch project that I remember she had started a few years ago when she was working at the county.  Probably about 5 years ago.  She asked me to finish it for her!  How could I say no.  I couldn't.  She did ask me if I was working on a project and my response was that I always had a stitching project in the works.  So once again, I've set my project aside so that I can get this one done for Kay before her mission ends in June.  My goal is to have it done by the end of November!  Here is the project as far as I have it done.  Kay had the major part of the picture done, what she doesn't have is all the outlining and all the lettering, etc.  That is the part that takes hours to do.  I don't have a colored picture of it to show the finished project so I will post it when it is completed.

My New Apron

I had to run an errand for Neal to pick up some scout scarves that he had some embroidery work done on them.  As I was leaving I happened to glance at a small room just off the entrance door.  I spotted a dark blue item with a white Y on it.  Of course I had to check it out.  At first I thought it was a t-shirt but as I unfolded it, I discovered it was an apron.  Well, I still wear them almost every time I cook.  Especially on Sundays or big family dinners.  I had Neal take a picture of me sporting the apron so I could send it to Tucker because I was just sure he would love it.  I thought it was incredibly clever!  Needless to say, Tucker didn't see the humor in it or like it.  But that's okay.  It sure made me smile!

Halloween Salt and Pepper Shakers

One of my favorite places to drop in on occasion is a hospital gift shop.  You can often find stuff there that you can't find any place else.  After Neal's surgery we stopped at the gift shop on the way out.  As I was browsing and Neal was buying some candy, I spotted some Halloween salt and pepper shakers.  So cute!  I just fell in love with them.  Mummys.  So dang cute!  I just love them.  Those who know me know that I'm just not into Halloween but some how I just couldn't resist this little set to sit on my kitchen counter.  Love them!

Two More Eagle Scouts

Neal has been carving the past couple weeks.  He has been at the task every spare minute he had and was finally able to finish two carvings for two more eagle scouts in our stake.  One is the head of a lizard (who is one of the scouts pets) and the other is a hand in the shape of the scout oath symbol.
They turned out amazing.  Neal just looks at a picture and begins carving from a square or round small block.  I'm always amazed at what he is able to do.  Here are some pictures.  Amazing job, Neal.

One more surgery

Neal had to have one more cancer removed from his nose.  We went up to the hospital on Thursday morning for Neal's surgery.  Everything went well and the cancer was successfully removed.  Thank goodness for modern medicine and expert doctors who can help heal.

 This is a diagram of where the cancer was and where the surgery and skin graft was done.

A P.S.

I went shopping and to lunch with Susan and Lila Mae.  Lila Mae turned 87 yesterday.  We had a fun time shopping and then went to Sizzler (Lila Mae's favorite eating place) for lunch.  After lunch we did a bit more shopping and then I headed home.  I stopped in Spoons and Spice to pick up some needed glass serving bowls and spotted these cute Halloween salt and pepper shakers.  Just couldn't pass them up.  I don't decorate for Halloween but just couldn't help buying these and having them displayed in the kitchen.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Ready for Winter

Winter is fast coming.  The weather has turned cold and it was time for Neal to cut down his patio plants and get them stored in the garage for the winter.

While we were out working, I happen to glance up at Mt. Olympus and grabbed my camera to take a picture of this beautiful mountain.  No matter the season Mt. Olympus dresses beautifully.  Everything about this picture was awesome.  The incoming storm, the sun giving its last rays before being covered up by the clouds and Mt. Olympus majestically showing off its beauty.  We are blessed to live around all this seasonal beauty.  

Projects

There never seems to be a lack of projects that need to be done.  I just recently finished a project that was in my way of thinking - a nightmare!!  Susan asked me if I would do this counted cross stitch for her.  When I saw the pattern I knew it was going to be miserable.  But Susan has done so many things for me that I just couldn't say no, so I put all my projects aside and worked every possible minute to get this stitchery done.  It took me about 2 months was all - but it seemed like FOREVER.  I will just say that I hope to never do one like this again.  Seriously, there are so many mistakes in this that you couldn't possible count them all!!  I was so happy when I took the final stitch!

After I finished it, I was going to give it back to Susan to have it framed but Neal insisted that after I had done all that work he wasn't going to just let it be framed unprofessionally.  So we took this and another one over to the Frame place to be done professionally.  This give you a idea of how it will look when completed.

We also had another one that just needed to be redone.  Annie has always wanted my "Happy Everything" that I've had for years.  So Neal and I took it to the frame place to have it rematted and framed in black.  It is going to be amazing when finished.  I took a picture of it now before it is redone so we can see what a difference matting and framing can make on a picture.  The contrast will be fabulous.

Saying Goodbye

It is always, always hard to say 'goodbye' to family when they are at the house but even more so when it is one that you know you won't see for a while.  Tucker was headed home Monday evening and so we tried to arrange to have everyone go to dinner at Mobetas that evening.  As it turned out the only ones who could come were the Gertsons and myself.  So the five of us met at 5:30, had a delicious dinner, said our goodbyes and then Jeff and Emmi headed home, dropping Tucker off at the airport.  Annie headed to work and I headed back home.  Tucker was able to spend time with each sibling while he was here, and that was one of his hopes.  He spent all day Saturday with Maren and her family, Sunday evening with Mindy and her family and most of the day Monday with Lynda Ann and her family.  I took a quick picture of the five of us at dinner.

Hard to say goodbye but now I can look forward to Thanksgiving and seeing all the Tucker Maxfield family.  We love you all and miss you guys.

Family Dinner

With Tucker in town it is always fun to have all the family come in for dinner.  It is a lot of work for Neal and I but we love having the family all together at the house.  Tucker wanted potatoes and gravy along with a roast and the rest of the trimmings.  Because we had Tucker, Greg and Taylor's birthday all this month we had cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday.  We had Mindy's family minus Maddie who had to work.  Lynda Ann's family plus a friend of Hayley's who was staying with them for the weekend.  Maren's family minus Jaden who was at school and Lyndsy, the two boys and her friend Andrew.  We had a room full, that is for sure.  We had a delicious dinner and then played games until about 8:00 p.m.  What a wonderful day!  Lots of games and laughs.  We also gave Tucker his birthday presents.  Of course everything UTAH!!!

 Cute picture of Andrew, Tucker and Ryan.  Tucker's nephews are quickly getting almost taller than him.

 The group skyping with Tucker's girls.

 First time I've used my new china.  It looked very pretty on the table.

Tucker comes to town!

Tucker came home for a weekend visit and it is so good to have him here.  I love his energy and the fun the family has when he is here.  He came in Saturday morning at 9 a.m.  He and Neal helped me get the tables set up for the dinner on Sunday and he fixed my Alexa system and then he and Neal went to Boston and Brocks football games.  From there they went to Maren's to see her new home.  Maren, Greg, Neal and Tucker then headed to Ephriam to watch Jaden play football for Snow College.  Neal said he nearly froze the first half of the game.  It was cold and rainy.  Not a good combination to stay warm.  They got home about 2 a.m.  While they were gone I got the house and the tables ready for dinner on Sunday.  Then settled in and watched the Women's Conference - which was excellent!

Beautiful Fall Peaches

Annie called and said that she had a lady she knew who was coming in from Washington State and she was bringing peaches with her and did I want some.  I bought a case and Annie bought two cases.  We both found out quickly that we couldn't possibly eat all the peaches before they went bad so she called and asked if I could help her bottle her peaches.  She came to the house on Friday and we put up 21 pints of peaches along with bottling some pie cherries.  Annie still remembers how much she love her Grandma Ross's cherry pies.  So after the peaches were done we began doing the pie cherries.  Haven't heard if she has made a pie yet but she has the cherries to go in the pie.  Mother would be smiling about now.  She did make delicious pies.

My new purchase

It is usually a mistake to browse around the internet even if you aren't looking for anything in particular.  I thought it would be fun to type in Gucci watches just to see what came up and I was hooked when I saw this watch.  It is tiny and has a black face and I loved it the minute I saw it.  So a purchase was made.

Fits perfect and I love it.