A Trip to LA

 I was given the opportunity to travel with Lynda Ann to LA to spend a weekend with Abby.  It was her birthday this past week and Annie wanted to be there to celebrate her birthday.  We were going to leave on Thursday, but circumstances made it better to leave on Friday.  We arrived at the airport a little after 2 and had a few minutes to grab a bite to eat.  There are so many restaurants and fast food places in the airport that no matter what you are in the mood for, you can find it there.  We stopped at Cafe Rio and had a good lunch to start our journey.

Then we boarded Southwest for LA.  Our flight was - thankfully- uneventful and we arrived safe and sound, gathered our luggage (which also made it) and headed out to the curb to find Abby who was there and ready to pick us up and begin our fun birthday weekend celebration.  

Our first event was taking Abby to the restaurant of her choice for her birthday dinner.  She chose The Cheesecake Factory in Sherman Oaks.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then order a piece of cake to top off the dinner.

The Happy Birthday To You! was written in the frosting.  So clever and so fun.

After out delicious dinner and dessert we headed back to her apartment to settle in and unpack a bit and mostly visit and catch up on life events.  I don't know what time we finally got to sleep and none of us cared.  It was so fun to be together.  

Saturday morning we went to Abby's favorite daily breakfast stop for some smoothies and muffins.  Annie and Abby got Strawberry Banana and I got Blueberry.  They were delicious!

One of the things that Annie really wanted to do was to visit the Flower Market in downtown Los Angeles.  Nice that Abby knows her way around LA and is comfortable driving us everywhere.  The Flower Market was amazing and the smells were incredibly refreshing.  It was like walking into a Bath and Body with so many fragrances coming at you all at once.  You wanted to just stand there and enjoy the moment.

Rows and rows of every flower you can imagine.

Bundle of orchids.  They were everywhere.  I get excited if I get a second bloom from my orchids and here they are growing in bundles!!

One of Abby's favorite flower and color.

And what would picture taking be without a photo bomb?

After spending a couple hours at the flower market we headed to Northridge for the long awaited pedicures.  I say long awaited because I hadn't had one since December and was ready to have my feet properly pampered and the toe nails painted.  Can you tell who belongs to these feet? 

Somewhere on our journey, Abby decided she wanted a cob of corn from one of the street vendors.  I didn't try it but Annie did and said they were delicious!  Sadly, I didn't get a picture.  But I will say that you can't eat one of these delicacies without getting it all over your mouth and even your nose!  Which I will add here that Lynda Ann did.  Goodness!!!  Where was my camera!!

We headed back home because we were supposed to be to a birthday party for Antonio's niece who turned one.  We had a delicious dinner and birthday cake.  The table that Annie, Abby, Antonio and I were eating, all of a sudden collapsed and all the food slide down and hit the floor.  A little embarrassing, but we didn't cause it.  The leg just came out from underneath it.  

This picture is Antonio's sister and 4 year old, Abby and Antonio and the one year old.  Sorry I don't know names.

Abby and Antonio with Antonio's nieces.

After the party we headed home.  It had been a long day and we were ready to snuggle in for the evening and a good nights sleep.  Yes I'm wrapped in a blanket because I was cold.

The next day was Sunday so we got cleaned up and headed out to the Spanish ward that Abby goes to.  We met lots of her friends from her mission and Annie was excited to meet a lot of the ones she has heard so much about.  We stayed for both meetings.  I think Abby would have been happy to then go to the singles ward, but Annie and I said two hours of Spanish was good with us.  We headed back to the apartment to change and then off to get some lunch.  We decided on Pizza.  So back to North Hollywood for some delicious pizza and salad.  We stayed in the restaurant and talked for a couple hours.  It was so fun.  Lots of laughs.  Such good times.  I didn't take a picture of the Pizza place but as we drove in I had to take a picture of Crumbls and Sees.  Goodness, right together.  Felt like we were back in Utah.

More of the trip in the next post.

Thinking and missing my mother

 My mother was an incredible woman.  Who was my mother as a person?  What made her what she was?  What influenced her?  What happened in her life to shape her character?  We could each ask that some questions about ourselves.  We are complicated people, right?

I remember mother telling me that when she was little she took a pair of scissors and cut a 4" fringe on the bottom of all the lace curtains in the living room.  She says that her mother defended her against an outraged grandmother.  She says she had a happy and protected childhood.

I think some of mothers strengths came from joining the LDS church.  She said that when she was first baptized it didn't mean much to her.  My father wanted her to and she wanted to because he wanted her to.  If it has not been for Lorin, she may not have ever joined the church.  She said that joining the church was worth all her worry and woe and indeed worry and woe did come into her life.  She divorced Lorin because of irresponsibility, drinking, heartbreak and separation.  She was left to raise 5 children on her own.  There were hard years and lean years.  But her children were the most important thing to her and she worked hard her whole life to support and take care of us.

As I was making bread today I remembered an incident that happened when I was in college.  Mother made about 14 loaves of Norwegian Holiday Bread.  As she finished the second to the last batch she noticed a hole in the bottom of the plastic bowl she had been mixing dough in.  So in order to keep the liquids from all running away before she had a chance to get the flour in, she plugged the hole with a strip of white cotton cloth.  She got all the little loaves of bread in the oven, started washing the dishes and when she got to the bread bowl, the hole was there, but no cloth plug!!  She looked in every plausible place for it, but couldn't find it.  There was only one place where she couldn't look, and that was in one of those loaves of bread, so to those who received a loaf from that batch, she had to give instructions to look for a strip of cloth so they wouldn't think it was a strip of a dirty dishrag, or an unknown object introduced by a very careless cook.  Mother lived by the motto, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."  She always, always 'made do' in many instances and she 'did without' in many more.

Mother liked ordinary pleasures, her flower garden, a good book, or crossword puzzle, a good meal and gathering with her family.  Woody Allen said that "85% of life is just showing up."  Mother always showed up as a faithful mother, a giving grandmother, a contributing Church member and teacher and a good neighbor.  She gave what she could, when she could and did it the best way she could.  I am better for having had her as my mother.  She left me a beautiful heritage of love, testimony, service, forgiveness and faith.  She was an example of how to face difficulties with resolve, how to stop and smell the roses, and how to live life gratefully and productively, believing the promise that is we endure to the end, God will make all things right one day.  

I love you mother and I miss you greatly!

Tucker Comes to Visit

 Neal and I picked up Tucker on Thursday night at midnight and then sat up until 2:30 talking and catching up him and his family.  I have to add here that when we pulled up at the airport to pick up Tucker I text him to tell us when he was coming out so we would know when to move forward in the line of cars.   He was waiting for his luggage that was taking a little longer than expected.  Finally I get this text:  "Squirrel has the nuts.  Heading to the treehouse."   Yup, I laughed right out loud.  

Friday, Tucker spent the day with Maren and her family and Neal spent the afternoon getting a massage and running errands for Lyndsy.  That evening Neal and I met Tucker, Maren and Greg out at Bonsai Japanese Steakhouse in Sandy for a delicious and very fun dinner.  I would recommend it to anyone. 

Saturday Tucker had a photo shoot up Millcreek Canyon but his model didn't show up.  He was irritated and disappointed that he had spent so much time getting all the props and camera equipment to the sight for the photo shoot. The girl apologized and said could they do it the next day.  Tucker and Neal got home about the same time and got ready to go to the U of U basketball game.  Tucker was going with all his buddies and Neal had been invited by Norm.  Norm did invite me but I most graciously declined the offer.  No interest in basketball and especially the Utes.  Neal and Tucker helped me set up the tables and chairs before they left.   While they were gone, I finished the table settings, peeled and cut the carrots, scrubbed and foiled the potatoes and made sure I had plenty of barbecue sauce for the chicken and then settled in to starting my new stitching project and grab a little TV.  

Sunday Neal and I attended our church meetings and then home to get all the food cooking so everything would be done promptly at 4:00.  Tucker made his famous bacon bits, which I might add were delicious!  We had a full house (I think 19 people) only missing Maddie, Grayson (who had just had his wisdom teeth out), Jaden and Desmond along with our California family and CJ and Justin.

After dinner and the table was cleaned up and the first load in the dishwasher, we played What Were You Thinking.  That is always a game of laughs and fun.  After that game the Gertsons headed by to Stansbury and Mallory back to Provo.  Taylor, Brock and Boston headed home so the rest of us play a game of Reds which I lost miserably.  Tucker loved that I lost and he beat me.  It was such a fun evening.  After everyone left we finished putting the final touches on cleaning the kitchen and then Tucker and I sat up until 12:30 talking.  

Neal and Tucker got up at 4:30 and left at 5:00 to take him to the airport.  I got up just before 5 to give him a hug and send him on his way.  I was so good to have him here for the weekend.  He always brings lots of fun, laughter and energy.  

Finished and Starting

 I finally finished my Repeat the Sounding Joy project.  This will go down as one of my favorites.  I put in the last stitch and now need it press it good and take it to the Framing Establishment to get it framed.  I'm very excited about this one and what it will look like when framed.

This gnome Christmas is my next project.  I've been anxious to finish the above project so I could start on this one.  This project came in a series of three.  One of Spring, another of Halloween and the last of Christmas.  The thing I love about this series is the all that is going on in them.  You can't just glance at it and think you've seen it all, you have to look at each individual item to see everything that is there.  

Just beginning.  Always at the very center.

Emmi and Mallory's Awards

 Emmi finished all the paper work, study, testing and interviews to get her Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist Pin.  This was her comment when she sent the news of her achievement.  And I quote:

"It's possible to do this several months long project in six weeks.  I have learned that I can work harder than people expect me to.  thank you for the prayers and support as I knocked this beast out."

Congratulations Emmi Girl!  You are a rock star for sure and we are so proud of you!

Mallory also received a notice from BYU telling her that she received an academic achievement from PHI ETA SIGMA National Honor Society.  3,5 and above grade point.  Way to go Mallory!!!

Valentine's Day

 Valentine's Day.  One of my very favorite holidays.  Well, I guess we are stretching it to say it is actually a holiday but it is a fun day recognized by most people.  I've already told how my mother always made it such a special day when I was growing up and I guess those memories have always stayed me.  I loved my childhood and that love mostly because of a mother who, as poor as we were, did everything she could to make any special day memorable.  I shall always love her for that.

This year, Lynda Ann, Mallory, Hayley and I met Susan at Joe Vera's for our Valentine lunch and gathering.  It is always a fun time to be with Susan and fun to have something a little extra to celebrate.  I think we are all still feeling a bit saddened that Lila Mae isn't with us anymore.  It is still a bit of a shock to meet for lunch and not have her there.  But each time we get together,  the sting of her absence becomes a little less.  Doesn't mean that we don't think about her just as much and miss her intensely, but time does allows us to smile and remember the good times without the sadness that has accompanied those memories in the past months.  

When I got home from this fun day there was a gift delivered to our front door from the California Maxfields.  Always a welcome surprise!  Chocolate Dunford Donuts, Godiva Chocolates and a beautiful Valentine flower arrangement.  What a delightful surprise and gift.  

Again, this year Neal and I sent out our Valentine's to the grandchildren with the traditional $2.00 bill enclosed.  Two people sent me pictures when they received their Valentine.  Of course cute Brinkley displaying the card and the bill.  

I'm assuming everyone received their Valentine's except Justin Hintze.  Sadly his came back.  I've text him asking for his new address but haven't heard from him yet.  

Neal and I made our annual Valentine dinner date at Market Street.  We had a delicious dinner and loved spending the evening together reminiscing about past years together.  Glad that we always do something to make it a special day for us.  

Happy 2023 Valentine's Day everyone!  We love you all.

Temple Work

Last week I had the opportunity to do some sealings at the Jordan River Temple.  A group of us were sealing couples together and sealing children to parents.  As I knelt at the alter in proxy for a girl being sealed to her parents, I felt an overwhelming joy come over me.  I thought about the time, when I was a little girl, and we traveled to the Manti Temple to have Annette and I sealed to our parents.  

The temples provide an opportunity to do ordinance work for our kindred dead and for others.  It is an opportunity for us to serve those who have past on.  I believe that doing temple work helps us develop a kindship with our Heavenly Father and that brings us peace and happiness.  In the temple there is an influence and spirit that touches our minds, hearts and souls of those present.  

It is truly the House of the Lord.

 

Stitching Progress and Bridge with the Ladies

 I had to show an update on my stitching project, Repeat the Sounding Joy.  This is definitely going to go down as one of my favorites when it is completed.  I still have a long ways to go before it is finished and ready to be framed.  I already love it.

I also wanted to mention that I hosted a bridge afternoon with Judy and a couple other ladies.  I loved my table setting.  Notice the table cloth and the little Valentine favors.  

Moving Day

 It was moving day for Lyndsy.  She has been living in Tremonton for the past couple years and is now moving back to Salt Lake.  Maren, Greg and Neal left Friday morning about 10:30 and spent the day packing all of Lyndsy's belongings.  Maren brought two large plastic containers and Neal brought 4 large containers.  All the containers were filled and everything packed in the back of Maren's truck.  The project took them all day.  Maren dropped off Neal about 6:30.  

Maren loved her dad's expertise on knots and had to take a picture.  

Truck loaded and ready to leave Tremonton.

Nice of the three of them to give up their whole day to help Lyndsy move.  Maren's new truck certainly came in handy!  

Valentine Saturday

 Lynda Ann and Hayley and I drove to Provo on Saturday to meet Susan and Mallory at Joe Vera's for our Valentine gathering.  We all love the Mexican Food at Joe's.  It is on the Center Street of Provo.  It is fun for me to drive down Center Street and remember my growing up years and the hundreds or thousand times I walked that area going to and from high school and then BYU.  We had a great time visiting and filling our tummies with good food.  It is always fun to get together with Susan and continue the tradition.  It is always a bit sad not to have Lila Mae there.  She was our anchor.  So now I guess it falls on Annie, Susan and myself to make sure that we continue the tradition of getting together for all the holidays and all the in between holidays that we can.  

After lunch we headed to University Mall to look around and pick up a couple items.  Then we dropped Mallory off at her apartment and headed home.  It was such a fun day and I love getting together.  

Three Backyard Friends

 Sunday morning as Neal and I were leaving for Stake Conference I happened to glance out the North windows and saw not one, not two, but three squirrels scampering around in the trees.  Neal and I stood there and watched them for a good 5 minutes or so.  They were so much fun to watch as they chased each other around the trees, jumping from limb to limb and tree to tree.  I'm pretty sure that the two really active ones that were on a fast chase were two males trying to claim their territory and the attention of the female.  It was so much fun to watch them.  This is a picture I caught of one of the scampering along the fence.

Neal and I also went to the Backyard Bird place and bought another feeder that will hold seeds and small nuts.  I'll have to take a picture of it.  We have noticed that the squirrels haven't discovered the other feeder yet.  The birds have but the squirrels seem more than happy with the peanut feeder for now.  They are now known as Chip and Dale and Nancy!

Fun Lunch

 Mallory and I had some stuff that needed to be framed so she drove up from Provo and we jumped in my car and headed over to the Framing Establishment.  Patty is the one we like to work with and I had called that morning to find out her schedule and she said she would only be there until one.  Mallory worked that morning and Neal and I had a funeral but we were back at 12:30 from the funeral and Mallory had just pulled in the driveway.  We made it to the frame shop in time to have Patty's help in choosing colors of frames and mats.  Quite a process.  From there, we settled on Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  We got there at 1:30 and realized we were just after the lunch crowd and just before the early afternoon and dinner crowd.  We had a delicious lunch along with a fun visit, catching up on her new job on campus, her classes for this semester and her new found entertainment of attending the basketball games.  She doesn't see any sense in football but loves basketball.  Of course I had her snap a picture of the two of us enjoying our time together.

Mallory headed home about 3:30 so she could be on the freeway and ahead of the evening commute.  What a fun afternoon!  Thanks Mallory for hanging out with your Gam.

Angels Among Us

 A couple weeks ago when I was with Mallory in Orem. we met Susan for lunch and then did some shopping.  She told me a story about a basketball player at BYU named Trey Stewart.  Trey deals with depression and is very aware of mental health issues.  Mallory said that Trey is a big fan of motivational words and quotes.  He started a company called Default Happiness.  He does clothing with positive words of them.  Mallory mentioned that she discovered him and his story at a time when she was feeling down.  She ordered a sweatshirt from his company and also posted a "thank you" for helping her feel better about herself.  There was some correspondence back and forth.  After Mallory related the story to me I wanted in on the sweatshirt so she ordered one for me.  It hasn't come yet but when it does, I will for sure model it and blog the picture.  I'm so impressed with people who move from down to up.  Who recognize, acknowledge and embrace the fact that they do have mental health issues and find ways to turn it around to a positive.  I certainly wish this young man the very best in his basketball career and his new business!

Along with this story is another that I heard and wanted to post.  I will quote the incident as told by one who experienced it.

"We were seven missionaries at JFK going to Portugal.  We had faced the disappointment of a cancelled flight and had spent the night at JFK.  The mission home people in New York heard of our plight but couldn't come to rescue us at the airport until the next morning.  As we were gathering up all of our stuff the mission president noticed that we were all carrying pillows.  He asked us where we got the pillows.  We responded, "from an angel, a real angel."  We told the mission president that as we laid on the benches at the airport last night, we fell asleep.  And when we awoke this morning, we all had these pillows under our heads.  No one saw anyone or heard anything giving us the pillows.  Some of us were also covered up with a blanket.  We all had tears in our eyes as we related the experience."

So I will add here that I believe angels are everywhere watching and caring for all of us including God's missionaries, even at JFK on a bench !

 

Emmi's Award

 Emmi got a much deserved award from the Navy.  A Navy Achievement Medal.  So proud of you Emmi and what you are accomplishing and continue to accomplish with your career in the Navy.  

Proud to have you representing the family, church and armed forces in such a grand manner.  You are an amazing example of someone who has stayed true to your beliefs no matter where you are assigned.  You have much to be proud of!  We love you!!

Emmi's next adventures will take her to Texas the beginning of March where she will be stationed until the first of July and then transferred to Hawaii for the next 5 years.  Yes, there will be on going trips to Hawaii!

Number 8!

 Maren and Brock and some friends drove to Indio, California for a Lacrosse Tournament.  Maren said they stayed at Buffalo Bills the first evening and she thought about the family trip to California.  So long ago.  We do need to plan more family adventures before Neal and I get too old to go on them.  This is the picture she sent of the back of Brock.

Frustrations with the computer.  For some reason it won't let me download the picture of Brock from my phone to the computer.  So, sadly, you will just have to trust that there is a picture with his wearing his number 8 jersey.  I know nothing about Lacrosse but with a grandson playing - I'd best learn quickly.

Sorry there is no picture to post.