Father's Day

We had a very quiet Father's Day.  COVID has changed our world just a bit and with Neal's recent surgeries and the virus running rampant we just couldn't take any chances of having everyone over.  So the kids all dropped by individually. 

As I have been reading the Book of Mormon I came across this.  At a vulnerable moment in young Nephi's life, his prophetic future was determined when he said "I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father."  Also, at the turning point of the prophet Enos's life, he said it was "the words which I had often heard my father speak" which prompted on of the great revelations recorded in the Book of Mormon. 

Neal has been and is a great father to his children.  Had they all listened to his council and advice and trusted his testimony, some of their lives would have been easier and not quite so complicated. 

Don't know who wrote this but it is cute and perfect for Father's Day.

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
toiling an striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way
Glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come home and to hear his voice.
Only a dad, but he gives his all,
Smoothing the way for his children small,
Doing with courage so stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
These are the lines that for him I pen,
Only a dad - but the best of men.

A New Puppy

Ordinarily I wouldn't blog about someone getting a new puppy, but because Mallory lives with us and this new addition to her family is very much a part of our conversations I had to add the exciting news to my blog.  She has already seen the puppies just after they were born and will go out the first of July to have her pick from the litter.  Forgive me Mallory, but I can't remember what kind of puppy it is.  I think a Golden Retriever?  I'm not sure. 

Ever since she decided to move back to Georgia to homestead with Emmi, it seemed like the perfect time to add a puppy.  She has wanted one for a long time but Neal and I weren't keen on her having a dog here so she patiently waited until the time was right.  She will pick her puppy the first of August and will have moved back to Stansbury for the month and then she, Abby and Lynda Ann will drive her and puppy back to Georgia. 

We have been receiving all kinds of packages in the mail full of fun stuff for the dog.  I went downstairs to see all she has purchased and just had to take a picture.  You can see from the haul on the bed that the puppy will have a happy home. 

She also researched and bought the perfect puppy kennel which doesn't show up in the picture.  She even has a container for the dog food.  Believe me, she hasn't forgotten anything.  Happy times ahead!

Small Gathering

Because we are dealing with the COVID-19 issue and haven't been to church since the first of March, a sister in our neighborhood decided that she wanted to get a group of ward family members together for a backyard dinner and visiting.  Neal was just a week out from his second surgery so I suggested that we have it in our backyard so he could participate.  It was fun to sit in a circle and do the distancing game.  We started at 6:30 and it didn't end until 9:30.  People just need to socialize, catch up and feel the love and energy that exists in a ward family.  We have all missed that greatly.

We are getting together again on July 11th in our back yard for a barbeque.  Everyone will bring their choice of meat and we will barbeque, eat and visit.  Good times!!

Annette's Birthday

Today is June 25th and Annette would have been 81 years old today.  She would have hated that, I think.  I just can't imagine that she would have loved being old.  I love her and I miss her.  I'm so thankful for memories that can keep a person alive and happy in your mind.  I like to think of her when she was completely well and happy.  Maren reminds me a lot of Annette.  The energy level always went up when Annette walked into a room - the same as Maren.  Annette loved adventure - as does Maren.  Annette loved challenges - as does Maren.  And Annette was not afraid of change or to sometimes fly by the seat of her pants - as does Maren.  Annette's husband, Allen, called me yesterday to remind me that it was her birthday today - as if I would forget that.  So, happy birthday Annette.  You are remembered and loved!

I have Annette's china displayed in the cupboard along with the statue of two sisters that always reminds me of her.  What a wonderful and fun sister she was and what great times we shared growing up. 

P.S.

I forgot to post a couple things that I wanted.  First of all Mallory and I water Neal's plants every single night except Sundays.  Last night while we were out watering we got our feet all wet and took a picture of our footprints.  We had to laugh at how different they are.

Also, Emmi or Abby posted this saying and I've decided that it is my favorite saying this week!

MY ENTIRE LIFE CAN BE DESCRIBED IN ONE SENTENCE. . . . .

"WELL, THAT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED."

We can all relate to that, for sure!!!

IF

Sunday Thoughts

Elder Gary L. Stevenson gave a talk entitled:  "Remember, the Lord will help his children."

"One thing is certain, each of you will have adversity and affliction in your lives because it is part of our mortal experience.  But remember, the Lord will help you!  We have a loving Heavenly Father, and we are His children.  I have faith in and a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His role as our Savior and Redeemer.  I offer my special witness of Jesus Christ, of His infinite Atonement.  I bear witness of His birth, of His life, of His ministry, of His death and of His resurrection.  All of which comprise the sacred and infinite Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

What a beautiful testimony for all of us to find hope in.

A Fun Saturday

Mallory and I decided that we needed a "get away" for a few hours and chose to go up to the Park City Outlets.  It was certainly a new way of shopping.  In most of the stores we had to stand in line outside the store and get invited in as people left.  We were lucky at the place we chose to eat.  We were seated immediately but I noticed that as more people came they had to wait outside until there was a table available.  Distancing, masks, standing in lines.  that is our new normal.  We were able to buy some tops, shoes and even got in to Bath and Body.  One has to be patient these days if you want to shop in any of the mall stores.

When we got back and as we drove in the driveway we remembered that we had forgotten to pick up Mallory's car at the mouth of Parley's.  Goodness.  So we got Neal and back in the car and drove up to get her car.  After we dropped her off we went to the grocery store, while Mallory headed to do some personal shopping.  When Neal and I got home, I realized I had forgotten to buy the bags of ice for his ice machines.  I asked Mallory if she would come with me and back to the store we went.  From there, Mallory reminded me that we were going to get some watering cans so we detoured to Home Depot and picked up two more cans.

We watered the flowers and recognized how much faster it was to water all the flower pots.

It was a busy, busy day, but a good one for me to get away from being a nurse for a few hours.  thanks to Mallory, we had an incredibly fun day.  I loved being with her!

More Surgery Pictures

It has been a long 4 weeks of surgeries and recovery.  We are in the midst of recovery.  Every day we are icing knees, changing dressings, exercising, dispensing antibiotics and other pills, etc. etc. etc.  Sometimes I get a bit worn out but most of the time I keep a smile on my face and plug along.  I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel and not too far off.  We have an appointment tomorrow with the doctor and hopefully it will be all good news.  Neal is doing incredibly well and he has been very blessed.  We did have a little scare on Thursday and went to the hospital to have his ankle checked.  It was a very angry red and oozing.  He was immediately put on antibiotics.  The doctor drew a line around the red area and told me to watch it and if the red goes beyond the line to send him a picture.  This seems to be the new norm.  Sending pictures to your doctor.  I had to smile.  It is much better but still not healed.  We have an appointment tomorrow at 3 p.m. to have the ankle checked.
Here are some gruesome pictures if you choose to look at them.

Sunday thoughts

Mallory and Neal and I had our Sunday Meeting this morning and talked about the gospel and how much it means in our lives.  We also talked about how grateful we are for all the blessings we have and that we need to look for all the good around us.  Even with the earthquakes and the COVID-19 going on we still are incredibly blessed.

Mallory has had some hard decisions to make during that past month or two and recognizes the guidance of our Heavenly Father in her life.  She was planning on going to England this fall but has since figured out that England isn't where she is supposed to be and will be headed to Georgia this fall to live with Emmi and go to school there.  She is also getting a new puppy to take along with her, something she has wanted to do for some time.

She read this as we closed our lesson and I thought it was a perfect Sunday Thought during this time in our lives when so many things have changed.  Not going to church on Sundays, Temples closed and slowly reopening, missionaries brought home from foreign countries, general conference viral again in October.  It seems almost as though the world has come to a stand still but this paragraph recorded by Joseph Smith in 1842 is perfect:

"The standard of truth has been erected.  No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done."  Joseph Smith, 1842

And to that I say Amen! " Hold to the rod, the iron rod.  Tis strong and bright and true.  The iron rod is the word of God.  Twill safely guide us through!"

Surgery 2

Neal had his 2nd knee surgery on Tuesday morning, June 2.  He did well and I was able to bring home the next afternoon.  I'm still amazed at how quickly people are in and out of the hospitals these days.  Years ago you would have been in the hospital for at least a week for a new knee surgery.  Now, it is almost like out patient.  I do think he gets better care and better sleep when he is home.

This time he hasn't pressed quite so hard and isn't trying to run a marathon the day after surgery.  He worked his first knee so hard that he almost damaged it.  There was a lot of swelling and a lot of bruising.  This second one has gone much better and much smoother because he has listened to Dr. Jackson who impressed on Neal to "take it easy this time and not over do the exercises.

I've been home with him for a week and will be going back to work tomorrow.  Neal should be independent enough at this point to get around without me right there.

Getting ready for surgery #2

 After the surgery.  You can see that his right knee is very bruised and swollen from him working it too hard.  The newly operated one looks better!

 Getting ready to come home.

 Two nice straight legs and both looking thin and well taken care of!  Who is his nurse?

So grateful that the surgeries are over and that Neal is doing so well so quickly.

Sunday Thoughts

"The trial of our faith will always involve staying true to simple, daily practices of faith.  Then, and only then, does He promise that we will receive the divine response for which we long.  Only once we have proven our willingness to do what He asks without demanding to know the whens, the wys, and the hows do we reap the rewards of our faith, and our diligence, and patience and long-suffering.  Real obedience accepts God's commandments unconditionally and in advance."
Elder L. Whitney Clayton

As Neal and I sat at the table this morning, eating our breakfast, I reflected on the past happenings.  The earthquake, the pandemic and the riots in our city last night.  We are in a trouble world in a troubled time.  I know that through faith and prayers our Father in Heaven will provide, protect and bless me and my family and I will hold fast to President Nelson's words that there are happy and good times ahead.

Adventure at Iceberg

Mallory and I decided that it was an evening just made for a trip to Iceberg.  So off we went on our malt adventure.  We drove around the back way so we wouldn't have to wait on the busy street.  I pulled up waiting to take my place in line as the cars pulled forward.  The lady, who should have gone ahead, waved me in front of her.  I tried to get her to go but she insisted that I pull in.  I thought it was so nice of her to let me in front of her that when we were waiting, I got out of my car and went back to her and told her thank you and that I would be glad to order her malt when I ordered mine so that when she got to the window it would be all ready.  She thanked me but said that she had a bunch to order.  I got back in the car and we moved forward again, this time by the order microphone.  The girl came on and asked what I would like.  I ordered a mini hot fudge chocolate banana malt and a mini hot fudge mint chocolate malt and Mallory ordered a cheesecake malt.  The girl repeated the order and it didn't sound quite right so I repeated again my order and we moved on.  There was one car in front of us.  While we were waiting for them to get their order I decided that the least I could do for the lady behind me was to pay for one of her malts.  So I got out again and stepped back and told her to make sure that she got credit for one of her malts that I was going to pay for.

Mallory and I rolled up to the window and already knew that our order was going to be messed up.  And when I added one of the malts for the lady behind me the poor girl was all confused!  We knew we were in trouble.  Finally our malts came and this is what we ended up with.  A chocolate malt, a mint vanilla malt with banana in it and a banana malt along with the cheesecake malt.  Yup, you got it, we ended up with four malts along with paying for the 5th one for the lady behind me.  My bill?  Over $25.00!!  Those who know me, Know I didn't say anything, I just took the 4 malts, paid my bill and Mallory and laughed all the way home.  In fact we were laughing so hard that I could hardly see to drive.  Of course, on the way home we had two malts besides our own that we had to keep from melting and dripping all over the car.  We both decided that we were done with Iceberg for a while and need to find another place for hard ice cream malts!!

PS.  Banana and mint do not go well together!

Wrong Way

I've already told the story of Jeffrey on his tricycle, going across the street to Penny's and backing up all way to her garage.  She nicknamed him "Wrong Way".  I had to smile when the orchids that were given to me when Jeff died bloomed and one flower is facing the wrong way from all the others.  It was as if Jeffrey wanted to remind me of him.  I had to smile and do every time I look at it.  Look at the flower at the top and you will see that it is facing the wall and all the others are facing forward.  No worries, Jeffrey.  Mom will never forget you!!!

More pictures of before and after

It has now been 12 days since Neal's surgery and he is doing amazing.  We've been to Costco, Macey's and the Frame Shop and he has also walked down to the mail box and back.  We are preparing for his second surgery this Tuesday.  Let's hope he does as well with his new left knee as he did with his right one.  Look how nice and straight his right leg is.  You can see it is still a little swollen but looking great.

 Without the sock.  It looks much worse than it really is.  Quite a scar to talk about.  He will have one in both knees by next Tuesday.  You can see how his left knee and leg is crooked.  Nice to have both of them straight.

 Cute get well cards from Lila Mae and President and Sister LIttle.

Dinner on Capital Hill

Ron and Judy invited us to their home for dinner.  Judy is an amazing cook.  The evening was beautiful and so we were able to eat outside.  Mallory was invited but declined because Judy was having a shrimp dinner and Mallory is not fond of seafood in any shape or form.

 A view of the city from their patio.  It is even more amazing at night.

Emmi's Blanket

This is Emmi's COVID-19 blanket.  I believe everyone of us has some project they have done during the stay home stay safe time and this was Emmi's along with a bunch of puzzles that she has mentioned she has done.  Apparently she went on line and taught herself how to crochet.  Amazing.  You did a great job Emmi!

Sunday Thoughts

"I believe that every one of us has a specific mission to fulfill on this earth.  I believe that we made scared promises in the premortal councils.  In turn, we were promised the gifts and powers necessary to fulfill those very special tasks.  It seems clear then that our greatest task is to live worthily enough to know step by step what the Lord's will regarding us, remembering that occasionally what we may want to do today, because of the trends and vanities of the world, may not be what we covenanted to do so long ago.  Each of us has a purpose.  And for each of us, that purpose is different, it is distinct, it is divine."  Patricia Holland

I think my specific mission on this earth at this time is to be a good wife to Neal, be a good example to my children and grandchildren and to better myself each day by saying my daily prayers and studying the gospel.

Neal coming home from the hospital - needs care for the week:

Monday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Tuesday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Wednesday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Thursday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Friday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Saturday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
Sunday - Bath, change bandages, therapy, 3 meals, change bandages, put in bed
etc.
etc.
etc.

Jeff's birthday

May 20th rolls around once again and it is a time to think about Jeffrey on his birthday.  Mindy sent me this collage of pictures.  She told me it would be okay to post it.

Happy birthday, Jeffrey.  Thinking of you today and every day!  Love, Mom

Update on Neal's knee

The picture that I'm going to post is pretty graphic.  But, Neal insisted that I take a picture of his leg.  It is bruised from the toe up to the hip.  If you look closely, you will notice the blisters that have formed on the inside of his leg, just below the knee.  Most of them have drained now.  I've become a full time nurse!

Belated Mother's Day Gift

Tucker sent me a gift for Mother's Day.  It was supposed to arrive the day after but for some reason was delayed for a week.  It is a GREAT gift even though Tucker didn't enjoy ordering it for me.  In fact, I sent him a picture of me with the shirt on and he said he was glad I got it and not to ever show it to him again.  I laughed and laughed!!

LOVE THE SHIRT!!!!!  Thanks Tucker and Happy Mother's Day to Me!!

A New Knee for Neal

Early Tuesday morning, May 19th, Neal was admitted to St. Marks Hospital where he had a knee replacement done by Dr. Jeff Jackson.  Jeff is the son-in-law of Norman.  The surgery went well.  Jeff said there was an incredibly amount of arthritis and damage to his knee.  They said it was bone on bone and he was surprised that Neal could even walk on it.

They had him up and walking that afternoon and I was able to bring him home the next afternoon where we have been doing therapy and watching him get stronger each day.

He has to go back in on June 2nd to have his second knee done and we start all over again.  It will be good to have both knees new and working well.

We took this picture of his bow legs and swollen and arthritic knees.

 After surgery before the epidural has worn off.

 Walking down the hall that afternoon.

 Amazing but no surprising, running into someone he knows!

Learning how to do the steps up and down before going home.

 Beautiful flowers sent by Mindy and family.  Neal loved the colors.  Sure brightened up the bedroom.  Thanks Mindy.

My New Project

Started another stitching project.  This one is going to take some time but is going to be fabulous and very fun when it is done.

A Period of Stress

Mallory saw this glued to a brick wall while we were out walking and took a picture of it.  Pretty much sums things up.

We are in a period of stress across the world.  There are occasionally hard days for each of us.  Do not despair.  Do not give up.  Look for the sunlight through the clouds."  President Gordon B. Hinckley

Mother's Day

Lots of wishes and wonderful gifts.  Maren came by on Friday and dropped of my Mother's Day present and we gave Maren's hers.  While Maren was here, Neal sat down with her and had her go through her mother's jewelry so she could take what she wanted.  Neal said she picked out some necklaces and a couple of rings.  It was good for Maren to be able get her mom's jewelry.  No point in having it locked up in the safe.  She should be wearing it.

Maren gave me two dish towels and a couple of wooden spoons and a bag of chocolates.  Great presents.

I also got a phone call from Tucker and a beautiful bouquet of flowers from the California Maxfields.
I have to share a funny story here.  Neal and I along with Mallory were in the car on the way to Stansbury.  My phone rang and I answered it through the car phone.  I heard "Hello Mother" and for just a second I froze.  The thoughts going through my mind in those few silent seconds were, "This can't be Jeffrey.  Jeffrey is gone.  But, it sounds just like Jeffrey."  I literally could not answer until I heard "Mother?  This is Tucker."  I had to tell him that he sounded just exactly like Jeffrey the way he said, "Hello Mother" just how Jeff used to do.  Seriously, it totally startled me.

Neal surprised Annie and I by paying for our hair coloring and cuts.  We didn't know he had done that until I went to pay and David said it was all paid for thanks to Neal.  We were thrilled.  Neal also gave me a new pair of walking shoes.

My most prized gift this year came from Mallory.  She found a poem that Annette had written me years ago and had it framed.  She and I both wept as I read the poem.  The thoughts she wrote in her card to me touched me deeply.

So incredibly and so very thoughtful.

I also got a cold food storage bag from Annie that she is putting our name on.  I'll post a picture of it when I get it.

Got a call from Derek wishing me a Happy Mother's Day.

This is a picture that Mallory gave to Lynda Ann for Mother's Day.  It is a picture of Annie and I at Disney Land (we think).

 Annie had us out to her home for dinner and games.  Abby and she fixed a delicious roast with potatoes and carrots.  All in all it was a very fun day.

 This is a picture of David, me and Annie after he did our hair.  Good old COVID-19.  Annie sent this picture to Edwinna.

Thanks and love to all my children and grandchildren for your love and wishes and gifts for a Happy Mother's Day.