A Week in St. George

Ron and Judy invited Neal and I to spend a week with them in St. George.  We left Sunday evening about 6, making a couple stops on the way down.  We arrived about 11:00 and settled in for the night.  We had some typical Spring Wasatch Mountain Spring Weather to deal with.  Rain, wind, cold, and sunshine.  We were able to do everything we wanted.  We golfed a couple days, made a trip to Las Vegas and Primm on one of the rainy days and even sat out on the patio in our swimming suits and read while basking in the rays.  We walked to golf course a couple of times, played lots of bridge, watched a couple movies and went to the famous Bear Paws for breakfast.  The week was full of fun, laughter, shopping and good food.  We love spending time with the Stanfield's and look forward to many more fun adventures.  We came home late Saturday evening in preparation for Sunday and Neal getting ready for his classes on Monday.

 Walking the golf course.

 Our usual stop at the In N Out burger place in Las Vegas after a full day of shopping.

 Shopping bags just from Primm.  By the time we were finished at the Vegas Outlets the back was full!

 A beautiful view of the St. George Temple coming in to St. George from Vegas.  What a welcome sight!

Lynda Ann Visits the Emergency Room

Annie called me last week and said that she was in the emergency room with a horrible headache and neck ache.  She said when she stood up the pain was horrible and when she laid down the pain would go away.  The doctors ran extensive tests trying to find out just what the problem was.  They said she had all the symptoms of a person who had a spinal tap.  Only Annie didn't have one.  They sent her home late that night and told her to rest and drink lots of caffeine and see if she didn't feel better by the following Monday.  Monday morning she went to work but as the day progressed the pain became increasing and the nausea hit.  They admitted her and ran more tests of her spine and found that fluid was leaking from her spine.  Somehow she had punctured a small hole in the spine.  They did a procedure where they draw blood from her and then inject it into the spine and it closes up the leak.  Don't know the name of the procedure but you get the idea.  She was able to come home the next day and has been told she needs to be careful for the next 6 months.  No lifting anything over 10 pounds and no over doing.  So grateful for modern medicine and doctors who are there to assist us when needed.

Pictures from Maren

I wish the kids would all send me more pictures but, I'll take whatever they send me and be happy about it.  Maren sent me this picture of the boys with the $2.00 Valentines.  Great picture!

She also send me this picture of Taylor.  And told me that Taylor raced downhill at Snowbird for a Steve Young sponsored money raiser.  After Taylor raced that night they did a video of her from previous interviews and of her skiing, biking etc.  It was really well done.  They chose Taylor to help raise money for the Wasatch Adaptive Sports big fundraiser for the year.  After Taylors video was shown the audience gave her a standing ovation.  Maren said she was crying and then Taylor spoke.  She mentioned the climate of the day was meeting and shaking hands with Steve Young!
We are so proud of you, Taylor, and love you.

Emmi Has A Birthday and Joins the Navy!

Exciting times for Emmi.  She celebrated her 22nd birthday and also made a commitment with the Navy which will be official some time in June.  Right now she is working at the county part time helping with collecting fees, sorting through returned mail and going out on inspections with some of our inspectors.  We are excited to see where these new commitments take her.  Tucker thought it was funny that she joined the navy and doesn't like sea food.  She seems to be more of a land meat food person.  Congratulations Emmi.  We are proud of you and are excited about what the future holds for you.

We love you, Emmi Girl!

Making Bread

Not long ago, Lynda Ann and I spent a Saturday in Midway visiting and making bread.  We had a linger-longer in our ward and I wanted to take home made bread.  Lila Mae has a bread mixer so that is why we ended up there.  Much faster to make bread using a mixer rather than doing the whole thing by hand.  We ended up with 6 loaves and I talked Lila Mae into helping me make cinnamon rolls.  What a delicious day!  We had such fun visiting with Lila Mae and Susan.  Lots of members of my ward were very excited to have some home made bread.   The cinnamon rolls barely made it to the table!

 Every thing turned out perfect and tasted delicious!  Thanks to my sister.

A Message from Jeffry R. Holland

I read this quote and it was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.  I hope all who read this will find the same solace in his words that I did.

"To all mothers everywhere, past, present, or future I say thank you, thank you for giving birth, (for adopting) for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.  To Mother Eve, to Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel, to Mary of Nazareth, and to a Mother in Heaven, I say, thank you for your crucial role in fulfilling the purposes of eternity.  To all mothers in every circumstance including (step-mothers) those who struggle - and all will - I say Be peaceful, believe in God and yourself.  You are doing better than you think you are."

I needed to read that and I needed to add my own "adopting" and "step-mother" to his quote.

That is my message for this Sabbath Day to all my girls.  Do the best you can, be peaceful and believe in God and yourself.

Love,
Mom

The Cannery

Neal and I had an opportunity to go to the dry pack cannery and clean machines.  Something neither one of us have ever done before.  It was quite an experience!  The cannery had been processing white beans all day and our job was to clean up all the spilled beans and then spray down the conveyor belt, the hopper and the floors.  After everything was done the floor supervisor came up and told us that the last step was to spray all the machinery with a white foam that was a disinfectant.  I sprayed and Neal came along behind me and wiped the foam.  At one point I accidently turned on the sprayer when Neal was in front of me and got him right in the face!  We had a good laugh over that.  Wish I would have snapped a picture but forgot.

I had two pictures but for some odd reason the other one won't upload.  But, I think this picture pretty much captures what we were doing and yes, we did have to wear the funny hats!  We had a fun time and were more than happy to be of service.  

Finished Project

This particular project worked up incredibly fast.  Seemed like I just started it and I was taking the last stitch in it.  I need to get it to the cleaners, have it blocked and then to the framing place to be framed.  I have to say that this falls in the category of "my favorites".  I love the simplicity of this one and the message that goes along with it.

This will be a fun one to have framed and hanging in our home.
Here is my next project, well projects.  I haven't totally decided what I want to do yet.

Any votes?  Any comments?  Any wants?  I'm thinking I may do the . . . . .

Some Sunday thoughts

Quote from President Oaks:

"A strong church begins with strong families"
"The best answer to any question that threatens faith is to increase faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

This is my favorite from President Kimball:

"The time will come when no man or woman will be able to endure on borrowed light.  Each will have to be guided by the light within himself.  If you do not have it how can you stand."

I don't know who said this, but I love it:

"The more we remember the Lord, the more power we will have to keep on the path doing what the Lord expects from us."

Our Dancing Granddaughters

Tucker sent me these pictures of the girls dance picture for 2019.  Jamie also posted one from 2013 compared to 2019.  They've all certainly grown and are just as beautiful as ever.  Good lunch on your competitions for this year!  We love you all!

Shopping and Lunch

This last Saturday, Annie and Abby and I met Susan and Lila Mae for shopping and lunch.  We had lunch at Joe Vera's Mexican Restaurant on Provo Center Street.  It was delicious.  After that, we stopped at the Asian Market and got some Chinese medicine for colds and sore throats.  From there we stopped at the Cotton Shop and I got a couple baby blankets for Lila Mae and Susan to crochet around.

We exchanged Valentine presents and then it was time for us to head home.  Lila Mae brought Annie and I some home made bread.  Great gift for Valentines.

Annie said told me about a bakery in Lehi who sold square doughnuts.  How great is that.  So, of course, we had to stop on the way home and get some.  While we were there, we also got a loaf of very colorful bread.  We just had to take some pictures.

 By the way, the doughnuts were delicious.  Nothing much better than a freshly made doughnut!

After we left the bakery, we stopped in Draper area to see Glenda Crebs.  We had a fun visit with her and got caught up on all the Crebs girls.  It was a very, very fun day!

Beautiful Flowers

Neal surprised me with a bouquet of gorgeous flowers.  He usually brings me flowers for Valentines Day and for Mother's Day.  He is such a romantic.

Wicked

Lynda Ann found a deal on tickets for Wicked at the Eccles Theater.  Neal and I with some of the Maxfield sisters and brothers and Ron and Judy all jumped on the great price for an early purchase.  We went last Thursday and ended up on the main floor close to the front.  We had amazing seats and loved the production.

Neal and I met Ron and Judy along with Barry and Linda at the Marriott for dinner.  From there we got on Trax and road it to the theater.  We had an incredible evening and enjoyed every minute.  Annie, Jeff and their kids all ate at the Fast Food Court and then met us at the theater.

Thanks Annie, for a wonderful evening and great seats!

the ushers were all over trying to get people to not take pictures in the theater but we were able to sneak a couple.

Stitching - always

I'm moving right along on my new project.  Because it is the first of February I have to post my progress.  After that last project I did, this is pretty easy and I love it.  Neal also took a couple pictures of me stitching.

 I actually think I'm picking out a mistake.  Mistakes in counted cross are horrible to pick out.  I try to make as few as possible.  But, I know that if I'm going to enter them in the fair they need to be almost perfect.  If there is stitch going the wrong way the judges will find it and mark you down.  If the stitching isn't perfectly even, the judges will find it and mark you down.  Everything you do has to be close to perfection.

I have to tell a story about this wad of thread.  When I do a project I bag every color individually and number each individual bag and the organize the thread numerically on a round ring.  I had a friend at work who asked me to help her with a project.  When she brought it, this is how her thread looked.  I nearly died!  I just don't know how people an work with that kind of disorganization.  I went to the stitchery store and bought all new thread an organized it and was then able to finish her project for her.  Of course I never told her.  Didn't want to hurt here feelings.  I hope she never asks for my help again!!  Not that I wouldn't love to help her again but it gets a bit expensive buying all new thread!  I know, I'm probably a little too anal with some things for my own good.  But, you can blame that on Lila Mae and my mother.  They are the ones who taught me the love for needlework and organizing!

Hair Appointments

Often Annie and I get our hair done on the same day and time.  That way we get to visit with each other and with David.  We both had our hair trimmed and colored.  We got done about 5:15.  Emmie was in Salt Lake so she picked up Jeff from work and met us at DODO's for dinner.  Neal was just home from UVU so he came and met us as well.  We had a delicious dinner and laughed and talked and at the end of dinner enjoyed delicious cakes and pies.  Such a fun evening.  Emmi and I both ordered hot chocolate.  That is what is sitting in front of me.  It was sooooo good.  I do love hot chocolate!

AirMed

Annie's dream is to fly AirMed some day.  She would love to work for them some day but even more than working for them would love to be on the helicopter.  She did get to go and tour the area and they took of picture of the group in front of the helicopter.  Neat to be there by it, but her dream is to be on it and in the air.

Changing the subject completely.  Lynda Ann, Jeff and the kids were watching wedding video and other home movies (they do this every year on their wedding anniversary) and Abby snapped a shot of me and sent it.  This is what I looked like in my younger years.

End of January

Some rather interesting things happened at the end of January.  It was three years since we lost Jeffrey.  Maybe he was sending some reminders to us.  We had a huge snow storm that to this day in February we are still seeing the remains of.  It was a really heavy snow full of moisture.  Lots of big limbs broke on the trees behind the fence in our back yard.

 Neal getting ready to go out and shovel the driveway and a couple of the neighbors driveways.  He always takes care of others.  I text a picture to Tucker and he text back and said I miss the skiing but I don't miss dad telling me to go out a shovel the driveway!

then a few days after that we had what the news people called the red wolf lunar moon.  I think that is right.  I ran outside and saw lots of the neighbors outside looking a the moon.  I took a picture of it.  Of course my phone camera doesn't do it justice but you get the idea.  It was actually really neat to see it.  I stood outside as long as I could stand the cold and then finally came in.  It was incredible to watch it slowly going all red.  Actually, it was rather eerie.

Then Neal had a Klondike Scout Camp in the winter!  No kidding, why would anyone want to go camping in the snow, cold and ice.  He sent me a couple pictures of the tripod tower that was built with his poles and ropes. 

All I see is two frozen smiles and cold!!!!