Neals 60 Year Class Reunion

 Neal was in charge of his class reunion of 60 years.  He has been working on finding and inviting for the past three months.  This last weekend was the reunion.  Friday we went golfing with class mates.  Friday night was the big dinner.  Saturday they did a hike and lunch and Sunday they had a devotional.  The reunion was certainly a success.  They had over 160 people to the dinner.  Neal work long hours pulling this whole thing together and was please at how it turned out.  Here are some pictures.  There are many more but these are the ones that I took.

This first picture is Neal warming up at the golf course.

Neal with John Jarman.  Neal and John are childhood friends since third grade and threw the javelin in high school.

This is after we had finished the gold game and were in the small club house getting some drinks.  From front to back:  Milt Thackeray, Dick and Sherrie Miller, Jim Backman, Jack Schroader, Rich Berrett, Grant McAllister and Brent Scharman.

From left to right:  Jeannine, John Jarman, Milt Thackeray, Neal, Sherrie Miller, (behind her) Grant McAllister, Brent Scharman, Rich Barrett, Bob Beuhler, Jack  Schroader (with the dark glasses), Dick Miller and Jim Backman

Neal and Dick Miller making announcements and giving prizes.

East High Men's Quartet singing "The Mosquito Song".  From left to right:  Jim Backman, Steve Stoker, Bill Evans, Neal.  I wish you all could hear it.  It was classic.  It should have been recorded for posterity.

The reunion was a success and enjoyed by all who attended.

Yosemite

 If you all remember, we were sitting around the table talking about fun places to go as a family and Neal said, "We should plan a trip to "Yo -saw-mite".  (Pronounced phonetically)  Jamie looked at him and said "Yo-saw-mite?"  Do you mean Yosemite?  Yup that is a family event that will never be forgotten and certainly one on Neal.  The other day Neal and I were shopping at REI and I found this shirt and told him that he had to buy it and that I would take a picture of him and send it to Jamie - which he did and I did!  Jamie loved it and had a good laugh remembering how he pronounced it.

By the way, we've never gone to Yosemite.  

Lynda's Projects

 Annie and Jeff and I are going back to Norfolk to meet Emmi when her ship come in to port.  Neal wanted to come but he has school and can't get out of all that he needs to do at the beginning of a new semester.  It will be an exciting trip.  The emotions will be running high to see that big aircraft carrier come in to port and see the "manning of the rails" and then wait patiently for Emmi to step off the ship and into our arms.  Annie and Emmi have been busy getting all the paper work done and sent in so that we will be allowed on base to witness everything.  It is amazing what has to be done to have clearance.  Almost have to donate a pint of blood!!  But it is all about safety and I'm happy that Annie is taking care of all the paper work.  She is a trooper and takes such good care of me.

She also has made me and her a shirt to wear that day.  She just seems to add projects on top of projects and I am lucky enough to be the recipient of many of those projects.  Here is a picture of the shirts she made.  So excited to wear them!  They are one of a kind!

Along with making shirts for the two of us she also made these bags for Abby to give to the missionaries she serves with in California.  Like I said, if it isn't one project with Annie it is 10 more!  She is amazing!!!

I had to throw this picture in.  Emmi said that they had a barbeque on board the ship and for a special treat they allowed the sailors to jump off the ship into the ocean.  This is a picture of people waiting in line to take the plunge.  Emmi said it is very organized and they only let so many people in the ocean at once.  They have a special team of divers already in the ocean to help if something happens.  If you look close you see a girl with her arms folded in front and Emmi is right behind her, next to go.

What were we thinking!

 Judy and I had many long conversations about doing some permanent make up.  Years and years ago, in fact when Lyndsy was living in Arizona, I had permanent eyeliner put on my eyes.  Things are so much more advanced now and make up artist can do so much more.  I've never had eyebrows to speak of.  They have always been thin and so blond you could hardly tell I had any.  Judy was the same way so we decided to have permanent make up on our eyebrows.  I think it was one of those friend things where if you do it, I'll do it scenario.  And yes, by permanent that means either Microblade or tattooed.  We went together and had our eyebrows done the first of June.  We had to go back in July for a touch up and while we were on our way over we decided to have our lips done.  OH MY GOSH!  I couldn't believe that we talked each other into doing that, but we did.  My kids have always teased me of having no lips.  I think because I so seldom wore lipstick that my lips kind of blended into my face and they didn't really show that much.  I actually do have lips!  So now I have nice eyebrows that you can see and I have permanent pink lips!!  Judy went with dark red!  Not me.  I told the girl that I wanted a very light soft pink.  We have to go back in September for a touch up.  Not looking forward to that.  Was it painful?  YES!  They do put some cream on your lips to help deaden them but it was painful.  I was gritting my teeth so hard when the artist was doing my lips that I thought I could break a molar!  But, now that it is done, I love them.  Here is a picture of our visit.

We both ended up with miserable cankers on our lips.  Judy got one on her upper lip and I got one on my bottom lip.  I never get them but we were told it was a  normal possibility.  Glad we fall in the normal?!!!!

Talking with Derek

 We love when Derek calls and we get to chat with him on face time.  We miss him greatly and being able to vsit once a month and see him makes any anxiety we may be feeling about him being so far from home, dissipate a lot.  And it is good to get caught up on what he is doing and how he is doing.  He is now living in a new apartment and has Frankie, the rabbit, and a new dog.  I have no idea what the puppy's name is.  He told us but I didn't write it down and I don't remember, but he sent us some cute pictures.  I asked him if the dog and the rabbit can cohabitate and he said, "We are working on that."  Apparently Frankie is fine with it but the puppy isn't so sure that he doesn't want to tear Frankie to pieces.  It is going to take some time.  Derek is contracted to teach school and really enjoys teaching.  He would be a great teacher because he is so animated.  Here are some pictures he sent us:

Derek's apartment.

A Random Picture

I saw this picture of Mindy and Maddie on Face Book and had to post it.  Cute of both of them.  I don't think it had to do with the Mormon Pioneers but cute picture anyway :-)

 

Movie Time

Andrew works at the theater in Tooele and can get us in for free movies, popcorn and drinks.  I was invited to come out on Saturday and see Where the Crawdads Sing.  I've read the book and couldn't wait to see the movie.  It was everything I had hoped it would be and just as good, almost, as the book.  Of course the end of the movie and the book let's you figure out "who did it".  We all agreed on one particular person, but I heard lots of discussions at my work about what people thought actually committed the murder.  Anyway, it was a fun afternoon.  

After the movie we went to Chubby's for dinner and then Annie had to get home to sleep because she had to work that night.  I tried to get a picture of everyone but only got Annie, Mallory and Andrew Man.  Hayley and her boyfriend Alex were behind Annie. 

I might add here that Andrew has a girl friend as well, but she wasn't with us so I didn't get to meet her.  Maybe next time.

 I saw this cartoon and nearly laughed myself silly.  I've always wanted seat warmers in my car and I love popcorn!  So dang funny!!!

Sunday Thoughts

 I read this powerful analogy and loved it.  While we were at Bear Lake and as I talked to Neal's sisters I realized how many families have children who are leaving the church.  When I read this analogy that was shared in a sacrament meeting, I wanted to post it.  Neal and I love puzzles and have one going frequently.  I totally love this analogy and related completely to it.

"The analogy, or parable if you will, is to think of the gospel, the church, God's plan or even just LIFE, like a puzzle.  When you start a puzzle, you start with what you know.  You work on the outside pieces, pieces with clear edges, pieces you are confident belong.  As the puzzle continues, you may run into various pieces that don't seem to belong, that fit weird, or don't make sense.  But you don't throw out the entire puzzle just because you can't figure out where that piece goes.  You know there is a bigger picture coming into place.  You set aside that puzzle piece and keep working at the rest of the puzzle.  Eventually, the picture will become more and more clear and it will be obvious where that seemingly unimportant, or incorrect piece goes.  You'll be glad you didn't give up or throw that piece out because you'll see the bigger picture."

There are many things I don't have the answers to, but I know that my Father in Heaven is the master puzzler, if you will, and every piece of this life; the gospel; and his plan is there for a reason.  

(1 Nephi 11:17)  Even if we can't see where it fits now, don't let what you don't know or understand stop you from what you do.  Keep doing the puzzle.  Keep all the pieces in sight until you know where they go.  

Bear Lake

 I haven't been to Bear Lake for a long time.  Too many past hurtful memories.  So I lost all interest in ever going back.  Actually, truth be known, I never loved Bear Lake anyway.  I only made it a part of my life because it was such a deep part of Neal and the Maxfield children's lives.  But when that was all taken away from me and the money I had poured into the cabin, I was done.  

Over the years I've worked and have not wanted to use precious vacation days spending time at Bear Lake.  If I were going to use my earned vacation I wanted to pick places that I wanted to be.  But, this year found me retired and Neal wanted to go and spend some time with his brothers and sisters and families.  They always have Sweetwater from Friday to Friday during this week in July.  Neal paid for the week.  We went up on Friday afternoon and stayed for the weekend, coming back Tuesday morning.  He invited Lyndsy and Maren to go up Tuesday afternoon for the rest of the week.

It was nice to spend time with Nita, Nanette, Nila, Ned and Natalie's families.  McKenzie and Bryndy's family were also there.  Nadine was in St. George at a missionary farewell and was coming up on Tuesday evening.  Adam came up with some of his kids while we were there.  It was nice to get reacquainted with the 2nd and 3rd generations.  

Some fun and random pictures.  This first picture is the group on Monday ready to play golf.  I was not there when they took the picture.  But got there shortly after.  The golf day is a big day for the Maxfield siblings.

This is a picture of Nanette, Nila and myself.  Nila is holding a rock that has Gary's name on it.  The rock is permanently at the golf course.

Nanette and I ready to head out for nine fun holes of golf.  I loved golfing with Nanette and having some very personal talks with her.  Loved being able to share with her.

Bryndy also golfed with us.  She brought along her little 3 month old Lela Wendy.  Her baby was so good and hardly let out a peep the whole time we were golfing.  Bryndy had her in the baby carrier and sitting on the seat of the golf cart next to her.  

This is little Lela Wendy.  I'm not sure how to spell her name.  But no matter, you can't mistake this little one for Bryndy's!

Nanette took these as I was getting ready to hopefully hit the ball!  One never knows.

Me holding the baby while Bryndy tees off.

Bryndy actually nursed the little one while we were hitting.  

This is at the last hole and after the final putt.  We were happy to be done but had an amazingly fun time with each other.  None of us took the game too seriously - which is totally my kind of golf!  Loved being with these two!

Nanette, Natalie, Laura and I were in charge of dinner on Monday night.  We worked together getting things ready.  It was fun to work with Nanette.  We did have a good time tasting and then tasting again to make sure the casserole was perfect.  Nanette is quite the cook.

We went to church on Sunday.  There were many options to choose from so on Sunday, families went to different wards.  Nita, Neal and I went to the Lake Town ward.  The sacrament meeting was really good.  There was a visiting authority there.  I didn't catch his name but he made a comment that I love and one that I have often wondered about.  He said that he often hears people say, "If I was alive back in the pioneer days would I have had the courage and faith to come across the plains?"  He said without question that if we are faithful now then we would have been faithful then.  I loved that.  I like to think that I would have been strong enough and had the faith to make the sacrifices and the journey that the pioneers did.  I have a great admiration and love for the pioneers who sacrificed so very much.

His talk reminded me of the quote from Elder M. Russell Ballard:

"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 wordly 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."

I LIke to Look for Rainbows

 Yesterday I ran away from home.  I drove out to Annie's and spent the afternoon and evening with her.  Just needed to get away from the stress of life brought on by  - well, let's just leave it at that.  I don't need to go into details.  I'll just say that I'm trying to support Neal and how he chooses to "help" his children.  Sometimes I just need to space myself completely from the whole scenario and that was my choice yesterday.  

Annie and I played a few games of Nertz until Jeff finished his shift and then Jeff and Annie along with Andrew and I drove into Tooele and had hamburgers and fries.  When we got back we played a game of Shanghi and by that time it was 8:00 and I needed to be back in time to pick up Hayley from the library.   

As I left Stansbury, the skies were covered with black clouds, the wind was blowing hard and there was even some claps of thunder.  As I neared the airport I noticed the beginning of a rainbow.  The sun was setting and the timing was perfect for this incredible and gorgeous phenomenon of nature to occur.  As I watched the rainbow became larger and larger and more and more brilliant.  I had to pull off the freeway, jump out of my car and take a picture.  Dangerous, but so worth it.  As I neared home and exited the freeway I notice that we not only had one huge full arching rainbow but there was a double!  I must have thanked Heavenly Father over and over for this incredible scene above me.  I pulled into the Murray Public Library parking lot and got out and took a couple more pictures.  The pictures don't do justice to the intense and bright colors of the rainbow.  It was magnificent!!

This particular pictures was from a photographer up by a lake that got the full view of this rainbow.

I told Mallory that when I die and if I get to Heaven I want to be in charge of rainbows!

"I like to look at rainbows whenever there is rain,

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

I want to be the best I can and live with God again."

Project Done

 I've needed to clean out my pantry for ever.  It was completely disorganized and a mess.  I don't like confusion, even in my cupboards, so today was the day to get the pantry cleaned out shelf by shelf.  I put in new liner along the shelves and completely took everything out and actually (without Neal knowing) took about three bags of out of date food to the garbage can.  I started yesterday and worked for a couple hours and then finished the project this morning.  Hayley and I had to make two trips to the container store but so worth what we found there.  I walk through that store when I go to the mall but don't really look to see what they have unless I'm doing a project that needs a container or organizer of some kind.  Hayley and I just happened on this shelf savers and I bought a couple to see how they would fit.  Woohoo!!  So we went back this morning and bought more.  What a nice feeling to have that closet wiped down, clean and each shelf organize.  I have breakfast stuff on one shelf, canned goods on another, etc.  The project done gave me such a happy feeling (which I desperately needed today) that I just had to take a moment and post it and show pictures.  I just love the space savers!!!  Who wouldn't?!

Top three shelves

Bottom shelves

Hayley Bug

 On Monday, July 10, Hayley moved into the basement bedroom.  She got her dream job at Evergreen County Library.  She is only part time but eventually hopes she will get on full time.  Her goal is to start community college in the Fall or Winter semester and study Library Science.  It is a great field for her to pursue as she loves books and reading.  Hayley doesn't have a driver's license or a car so she and her mother learned the bus system to get her from our home to the library and back.  She will eventually have to learn the bus routes to get her to community college and back when she starts college.  This is a picture that Annie sent of she and Hayley at the library, after their very first bus ride,  saying "We made it!"  Hayley said that she only has to transfer one time.  She catches the bus out on 13th East right in front of our complex and rides it straight North to 33rd.  Hops off and waits for the bus going East on 33rd which drops her off just a block away from the library.  Hayley did comment that when she went on her own the first time she got on a bus heading West and making a quick assessment jumped off and crossed the street and caught the next bus heading East and still made it on time to work.  Of course if it is raining or snowing or she doesn't get off until after dark then her Gam will take her.  

Hayley is as quiet as a mouse.  We don't even know she is in the house!  

Hey, I rhymed!!!  

Sunday Thoughts on Words of Wisdom

" Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.

There was a pause.

"Do you want to talk about it? " asked Piglet.

"No," said Pooh after a bit.  "No, I don't think I do."

"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.

"Nothing, really," said Piglet.  "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like.  I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either." "But goodness", continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you.  And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."

And as Pooh sat there working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs. . . he thought that his best friend had never been more right.

Temples

 Yesterday was a busy day.  Lynda Ann and Hayley came in to Salt Lake.  Lynda met with her doctor and then they came and picked me up and the three of us went to lunch at Chili's.  From there, we went to Skechers to get Hayley some shoes.  Hayley has a new job working at the Evergreen Library over by Evergreen Jr. High School, where I used to work.  From there we drove to the Salt Lake County Offices for Hayley to do her final paper work.  She starts her new job this coming Monday.  When we got to the county offices, Hayley discovered that she didn't have her social security card.  She knew she had it when she left home but it wasn't in her purse and was no where to be found.  We searched the car good, her purse and her pockets but no SS card.  Human Resources could not get her paper work done without her social security card.  It was finally determined that Hayley took her phone out of her purse and the card could have possible fallen out of her purse then.  Annie called Skechers and sure enough the card was laying on the floor by the check out stand.  Annie and I drove back up to Skechers, got the card, back to the county offices and Hayley was then able to get all taken care of.  We then drove out to West Valley to drop her off at her boyfriends work place and she would go back to Stansbury with him.  Annie worked that night so she came back to the house with me and took a very short nap before heading to work.  As we were driving back along 215 we saw the new temple being constructed.  It is located right off the freeway just like the one in Orem.  You certainly can't miss seeing it.  I had Annie snap a couple pictures.

President Russell M. Nelson said:  "Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.  My dear brothers and sisters, these are the latter days.  If you and I are to withstand the forthcoming perils and pressures, it is imperative that we each have a firm spiritual foundation built upon the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  The temple lies at the center of strengthening our faith and spiritual fortitude because the Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple.  God lives!  Jesus is the Christ!  This is His Church, restored to help you fulfill your divine destiny."

A Brown Recluse

 Believe it or not, Annie got bit by a Brown Recluse spider.  She said the minute she walked into the emergency room the nurse took one look at her leg and said, "Brown Recluse Spider!"  They gave her some antibiotics to take because it was so big and red.  They didn't want it getting to the bone.  

Lynda Ann also had an appointment with her doctor about her spinal leak.  The final decision has been made for her to have surgery.  They will go in from the front and patch the leak.  It is a very intricate surgery and one with some risks.  But the doctors feel confident that this is necessary for Annie to have a normal life without the serious headaches and other issues that accompany a spinal leak.  Her surgery will be scheduled for mid September.  

4th of July and Sunday Thoughts

 Neal and I were invited to Stanfield's cabin in Scofield to celebrate the 4th of July.  We had a wonderful time, as usual.  The little town of Scofield had their 4th of July celebration on Saturday the 2nd.  We went over to the little parade and then to the fair grounds to wander around all the exhibits.  When I saw little parade, that is exactly what it is.  One float with the Scofield royalty and lots and lots of 4-wheelers along with horses and one band.  Of course the fire department and the police were present in the parade.  Just about every group of people in the parade threw candy.  It was like Halloween in July.  I noticed that most every family had a bag for the candy.  We even came home with our pockets full of all varieties of candy.  It was a fun day and a great way to remind me of what a great country we live in and to enjoy our freedoms.  After we wandered around the fair grounds we headed back to the cabin.  Judy fixed us a delicious dinner and we played bridge and watched a movie that evening.  

Sunday we went to Sacrament Meeting and then spent the rest of the day just resting, reading, eating delicious food and also some bridge and a movie that evening.  Monday was Judy's brother's birthday.  Robert and Laurie (Judy's brother and his wife) came to Scofield and we played  two rounds of Hand and Foot.  It was very fun.  Then Judy fixed a delicious steak dinner.  They stayed until about 4:30 and then headed home.  We cleaned everything up, played a few hands of bridge, watched a movie and then headed to bed.  We left the cabin about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning the 5th.  Ron and Judy had to get back to tend their grandchildren.  

Here we are at the parade.  The people next to us had two extra chairs and they offered them to us.  That was very nice.  Ron and Neal sat on the ground when the parade started.

Judy and her famous tomato pie and meat loaf.  So delicious!

This is out on the patio playing Hand and Foot.  Left back is Laurie.  Left front is Ron.  Left right is Neal, then Judy and her brother Robert.  I'm there, but taking the picture! 

There is a talk by President James E. Faust called Obedience:  The Path to Freedom.  And I quote:

"Brother Jake Garn, former U.S. senator, traveled into space with a team of American astronauts a few years ago.  Recalling the view they had of the enormity of the heavens from the space shuttle Discovery, he commented that to orbit the earth is to recognize that we are all children of God and that the earth operates in obedience to God's laws.  He spoke also of the magnificent beauty of the earth from space and that it is absolutely breathtaking."

I will add here that all I have to do is stand in my back yard and gaze on Mt. Olympus and experience a rainbow stretched across that magnificent mountain to recognize the beauty of God's creation and bow my head in thanksgiving for this beautiful earth.