The Apple and the Tree

Annie sent me a text telling me that she accidently bought some body was from Bath and Body, thinking it was lotion.  The next, after showering, she put the "lotion" on and then realized it wasn't lotion but instead, body wash.  She didn't have time to hop back in the shower so had to just rub it in as best she could and go with it.  We all gave her all kinds of flack and had a good laugh.  Well, isn't there a saying that goes something like, "He who laughs last?"  Anyway, the story continues.  A couple mornings ago used up the last of my lotion and grabbed another tube from the shelf, put it in my make up basket.  The next morning, after showering, I grabbed the bottle of lotion and put a large amount in my hand.  I realized immediately that it had a different look and texture and still proceeded to rub it on me.  Well, observation finally connected with my brain and I picked up the tube and realized it was body wash!!  Not lotion.  How funny that Annie and I both did the exact same thing.  Well, I didn't have time to get back in the shower so I just rubbed it in as best I could and then put some lotion on top.  OHMYGOSH!!  So I had to report to Annie that she comes by it naturally.  The girls all got a good laugh and Abby posted this cartoon on the family chat.  Perfect Abby.  And another event that just goes to prove that Annie was supposed to me mine!

   

Sunday Thought

 OF THIS BE SURE:  YOU DO NOT FIND THE HAPPY LIFE . . . . YOU MAKE IT.

Thomas S. Monson

A Near Miss

I can't say enough about how important it is to say your prayers in the morning before leaving your house.  I am a firm believer and have a testimony of the power of prayer in my every day life.  My friend and I go walking every morning at 5:30 a.m.  You would think that nothing could happen in those early morning hours.  Mindy and I were in the middle of our morning walk when we heard a loud bang and realized that there had been a horrible accident on Fort Union and 9th East.  A young girl was in a hurry and ran the red light crashing into a pick up truck going through the green light.  She hit with such impact that it bounced her around and had her heading North instead of East and at full speed.  She came across all four lanes of traffic and into the parking lot of Jimmy Johns where her car was finally stopped by some cement polls.  Her entrance into the parking lot is exactly where Mindy and I walk and had we not had to wait an extra 2 minutes for a light that seemed to stay red forever, we would most assuredly been right at that entrance when she came flying through.  We both had tears of relief that our walk had been delayed a couple of minutes.  A.S.A.P.  Always say a prayer!  

The pictures don't really tell the story but this was all we could get.

This is the pick up truck that the girl ran into.

This shows our walk pattern looking down on the building of Jimmy Johns and the parking lot just south of their building.

Neal Turns 77

 I told Neal on his birthday that I'd never dated and old man.  He got a chuckle out of that.  I'm not far behind, so easy for me to make that comment and not hurt his feelings.  We had a fun birthday celebration.  We went to our 'go to' place to eat.  Market Street Grill.  I had called the night before and made reservations.  We got there at 5:00 and had a delicious and expensive dinner for two.  We didn't hurry and stayed for a couple hours as there just wasn't any hurry to give up the table.  I don't know how these restaurants are able to stay in business but I guess they squeak by with the help of takeout.  I did notice lots of people coming in to get food and take it home and many more who had ordered ahead and were having their dinner brought out to their car.

I had the waiter take a couple pictures.

I read this quote from Howard W. Hunter and thought it was perfect.

"Earn the respect and confidence of your children through your loving relationship with them.  A righteous father protects his children with his time and presence in their social, educational and spiritual activities and responsibilities.  Tell your children you love them."  I do hear Neal tell his kids all the time how much he loves them.

A couple things I remember about our dating that I always have to smile about.  First is that Neal was always late!  And I mean Late.  There were a few times that I even called his house and the factory to find out where he was and if he was really coming.  I'm talking two hours after the set time for his arrival.  I even got shinned a couple times when he would call and tell me that he couldn't get away from the factory.

I also remember that on our second date we were playing scrabble and I old him that I would beat him and I did!  It was the last word and I pulled off the win by going ahead 2 points.  Yeah, such a good feeling.

Another funny and one never to be forgotten was that all of Annie's friends referred to Neal as Clark.  I, thought sure they were comparing him to Clark Kent - Superman.  Well, that wasn't the case.  It wasn't long after we were married that I found out they referred to him as Clark Grizzwald!  

But all funnies aside, Neal has some great qualities.  He is always trying to be a better husband, father and grandfather (Pa).  He faithfully prays and reads his scriptures every day.  He sets an example for me and for his posterity when it comes to his commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  He always tries to be kind and forgiving.  Our time together has certainly had some rough hills to climb, along with many discouraging situations and considerable challenges combining two families and parenting but we have done it for the past 30 years together for better or worse.  All I can say is we have done the best we knew how.  Our commitment to each other and our eternal marriage has added blessings beyond the struggles of every day life.  Families take work and patience, love and forgiveness.

Happy 77 years to a great husband, father and grandfather!

Home Made Rolls

Both Maren and Jamie made my home made rolls for their dinner.  I was proud of both of them for making them and they look delicious.  Wish I could have been at both of their homes to try them.  Way to go girls!!  Glad you each sent me a picture and they all look delicious!

P.S.  Again, does Jamie ever take a bad picture?  Never seen one yet.  

Maren's rolls.  

 

#Givethanks for Technology

I asked people to send me pictures of their Thanksgiving.  I got lots of fun pictures that I will post.  We also did a family zoom call at 6:00 and were able to get everyone except for Lyndsy and Derek.  We did get to talk to Derek, but he was just on his way to teach his class so he wasn't able to do the zoom call.  Not sure why Lyndsy didn't join in.  Even though we couldn't all get together in person, at least we all got to connect and see each other on zoom.  There are always blessings and something to be thankful for if we just look.  

Our Thanksgiving was spent eating a delicious dinner on the Spode Christmas China.  After we took a generous plate or two of food to Ron Organt who has no family and lives alone.  No one should be by themselves on Thanksgiving.  After we delivered dinner we came back and had a game of scrabble and I beat Neal yet again.  He added the score up a couple times but it came out the same every time.  

Neal double checking the score again!

Our Thanksgiving dinner for two.  Yup, even did home made 3 o'clock rolls.  Lila Mae's recipe.  

Emmi's Thanksgiving dinner with her friend Chappel.  They ate at a restaurant.  Glad she had a friend to spend some of the day with.  

Gertson's kept up the tradition by going bowling somewhere in Tooele.  They said they were the only ones in the bowling ally

Maren's family having dinner.  Greg had to work today until 5:00 so Maren had dinner ready so they could eat together and then had to hurry off to work at 6:30.

Tucker's family dinner.  Food looks delicious.

Place settings at the California Maxfield's home.  Looks beautiful!

Lyndsy sent these pictures.  She said she borrowed the dishes from a friend so it would be more like Thanksgiving.  She made a peach pie and dressing.

We ended the day with a zoom meeting.  So fun to see everyone that joined in and we will plan on doing the same thing for Christmas because we are pretty sure our Christmas is going to be just the same.  I told everyone that come this summer and we have a vaccination available to everyone, we will plan on having a huge family reunion and party!  

A couple screen shots of our zoom meeting.

Love you all!!  Even though we couldn't be together this year we all have much to be thankful for!  

#givethanks

 I am thankful for all my posterity.  I love them all and delight in their accomplishments and the good things they are doing in their lives.  I love how they keep me in their circle of events when it is possible.

I had to post this picture because it totally depicts a grandmother with her grandchild.  Gently holding her hand and helping her with her journey.  I pray that I can always be an example and have my hand out to all my posterity to guide, support and love.

#givethanks

 I'm so grateful for my sisters.  Both Lila Mae and Annette were such an incredible influence in my life.  The years of memories with both of them are treasures to me.  We lost Annette way too soon but I'm so grate for all the time we did have together.  She taught me a love for all kinds of music.  Hours and hours were spent at the piano, playing and singing.  Lila Mae basically raised me and taught me kindness and love.  Both Lila Mae and Annette had a huge part in shaping the person that I am today.  I love them both!!

Lynda Ann put this collage of pictures together in a frame that spells SISTERS.  That is why you see different frames around each one.  

Lift to right:  Annette, Lila Mae and me.

Left to right:  Me, Lila Mae and Annette

Annette and me in Seattle

Left to right:  me, Annette, Lila Mae 

This was taken in Midway.  Left to right:  Annette, Lila Mae, Mother and me in the front.

Man, I was so cute!!!  Hahaha

#givethanks

 I am so thankful for my family.  We are a crazy group with a variety of personalities that tolerate, clash, laugh, have fun and most importantly, love each other.

Love you all!!!

Abby Gets Her Mission Call

 Some time ago Abby decided that she should go on a mission.  I'm sure lots of prayers were offered by her to make sure this is what she was supposed to do.  I'm always sure that Jeff and Annie were thrilled to know that they would have another missionary in their family, but kind of sad to think that she would be leaving them for a while.

Abby began preparation for her mission by getting all the necessary doctors' appointments along with her meeting and interview with her Bishop and the Stake President.

Abby is beyond ready and she knows that she will dedicate her next 18 months to the Lord.  Abby is committed to serving and clearly understands that a mission is not an opportunity for her to have cool experiences, rather a mission will require her to work hard both physically and emotionally, forgetting about herself and serving the Lord.

I suspect that she and Mallory, who served a mission in Tennessee, have talked about what it is going to take to find, teach and baptize those she serves, and who she will help come unto Christ.

Abby is beyond ready and will be a mission president's dream come true!  She is mature, spiritual, calm, quick to learn, level-headed and obedient.

Abby has been called to the Los Angeles, California Spanish Speaking Mission and will leave for Mexico City to the mission home to learn the language.  She will be in the mission home for 6 weeks and then to LA to serve the people there.  

Jeffrey R. Holland:

"Don't worry about the language.  None of that matters.  It will not matter.  God loves you and this is the truth and you can do it!  Just reach down, pull up your socks, and go to work.  This is a atime for you to go out.  I plead with you sisters to start fast, run hard and to the top!  You can rest later."

Two of my favorite primary songs:

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,

I know who I am

I know God's plan.

I'll follow him in faith.

I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

What a simple and beautiful statement of the truths we believe!

and:

I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ

I'll honor his name

I'll do what is right;

I'll follow his light

His truth I will proclaim"

I know these words are true and that we have a loving Father in Heaven, who is waiting for us to turn to Him and to bless our lives and the lives of those around us.

#givethanks

#HashtagGiveThanks

 I get up every morning and walk with my friend Mindy.  I am so glad that she loves to walk and is committed to walk with me every morning at 5:30 a.m.  We've been doing this every morning since August 24th and haven't missed a day yet!  I'm so thankful for good friends that build me up and are a positive influence in my life.  I also love the fresh air that we breathe and the beauties of the sunrise that we get to experience every morning.

Message From President Nelson

Friday morning at 11:00 A.M.  President Nelson said he would give a 15 minute message to the world.  He told us that he had been inspired to talk to everyone and this was the message he was supposed to give.

He told us that the remedy for the world crisis was gratitude.  He then invited everyone for the next seven days to turn social media into your own personal gratitude journal.  We are to post every day about what we are grateful for, who we are grateful for and why we are grateful.  At the end of the seven days, see if we don't feel happier and more at peace.  We were to use the hashtag #givethanks.  He went on to tell us that working together we can flood the media with a wave of gratitude that reaches the four corners of the earth.

Then he invited us to unite in thanking God through daily prayer.

Two of his quotes that were my favorite are:

"Counting our blessings is far better than recounting our problems."

"Showing gratitude is a long lasting spiritual prescription."

And - "Prayer brings forth miracles."

Now if I were a media person and knew how in the world to hashtag anything I would get on social media and start putting in what I'm grateful for.  But, because I don't have Mallory around to teach me I will be content with posting what I'm thankful for on my blog.  If any of my grandchildren want to copy and paste anything from here to a social media - be my guest.  

First I would say that I am thankful for a living prophet who guides and directs the affairs of God's church here on the earth.  When I think about the world and all the confusion and heartache that people are experiencing during this pandemic I am reminded of the incident of President Nelson and Elder Wirthlin at General Conference in 2007.  I so remember watching 90 year old elder Wirthlin at the pulpit and he began to waver just a bit.  Immediately President Nelson went to him and steadied his arm and body so that Elder Wirthlin could finish his talk.  I remember tears falling down my cheeks as I watched President Nelson comfort and sustain this great man.  

While we may not physically feel President Nelson's hand on our arm, we can feel him steadying our hearts,

I testify to all that we do have a living prophet on the earth today and that God is still speaking and reminding us to . . . . "Be still and know that I am God."

I'm also grateful that he sealed Neal and I in marriage for eternity.  

Sunday Thoughts

 Mallory posted this picture of her and Emmi on Veterans Day.  I love this picture and feel the love that these two sisters have for each other.  

I believe this time for Emmi has been a tough one.  She has been in Georgia since COVID-19 hit and things were shut down.  She has been entirely on her own with no church meetings to attend on Sundays and friends to meet and hang out with.  We are ending the 9th month of this pandemic.  Her example of resilience and the courage to stand firm in the gospel and her beliefs has been a testimony to me.  

Our lesson today in Gospel Doctrine was on the brother of Jared.  I couldn't help but think of Emmi's challenges during this long and lonely time for her.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said:

"The brother of Jared may not have had great belief in himself, but his belief in God was unprecedented.  In that, there is hope for us all.  His faith was without doubt or limit.  He showed us that ordinary people with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity."

A Surprise from Mindy

 I got a text from Mindy asking me if I had anything delivered to me.  I told her I had not and she said to check my porch just in case.  So I did and there was nothing there.  Then I got a text from a flower delivery who said they had a delivery for me but couldn't get through the gate and needed the gate code.  I told them they were at Farm Hill and that he needed to come around the corner and enter our complex from 1300 East.  But, he never showed up.  The next day I got about three or four calls from the floral place getting my address and directions on how to get there.  I chuckled because I suspect Mindy probably called them and gave them the "what for" for not getting the arrangement delivered.  She felt bad because she wanted it to be a complete surprise.  The arrangement came the next morning and it was beautiful!  Along with the floral arrangement was attached this note.  

 A beautiful cornucopia filled with gorgeous fall colored flowers.  It is beautiful and certainly made me feel thankful for a very thoughtful daughter-in-law.  I love that Mindy has made it a point to keep complete contact with the family and to be a part of any celebrations that are planned.  Thank you Mindy, for the gorgeous arrangement.  What a beautiful setting for our Thanksgiving table - even though there may only be Neal and I.  I can look at it and it will remind me of family and love and all I have to be thankful for.

Getting Ready For Christmas

The year before Mallory went on her mission, I put up the tree before Thanksgiving because she was leaving for Tennessee on November 1st.  I wanted her to have a taste of the Christmas Holiday before she left.  What I found out was I really liked having sharing the decorations of Thanksgiving and Christmas and by setting things up before Thanksgiving we can actually enjoy the spirit of the holidays all that much longer.  Ever since then I've made it a habit of setting up Christmas on Veterans Day.  That is a holiday for the county.  This year veterans day landed on a Wednesday so I took Thursday and Friday off and have enjoyed a nice long weekend.  Neal and I pulled down the Christmas Tree for one last year.  We have two rows of lights that will not work on the tree and it is not fixable.  The tree is 19 years old and Neal finally admitted that it was time to get rid of it.  We did go look at threes at Modern Display but Neal wasn't quite ready to buy on for this year.  We will go back the day after Christmas and get one a bit smaller and one that we can actually lift down and put away by ourselves.  We spent the day getting the house all decked out for the holidays and it is nice to have that done.  We don't know what the holidays are going to look like this year but it is looking more and more like the pandemic will keep us from not only gathering for Thanksgiving but not gathering for Christmas either.  Hard year for families that like to get together for good food, conversation, catching up and games.

A cute winter picture of Lightyear and Brinkley on a winter walk.  Notice the snow boots on Brinkley.

Neal working diligently for 4 hours trying to replace lights and get the tree to light up, but to no avail.  It was after spending all that time and having no luck is when he admitted that it was time to put the tree in the nearest dumpster after this year.  

The camel, bear, elephant and Santa are four handmade decorations made for me by my boss.  He has given me one each year for the past 4 years.  I'm anxious to see what he comes up this year.

Working on decorating the tree.

The little hedgehog ornament is hung in honor of Derek.

This last picture shouldn't be here but I don't, for the life of me know how to delete it.  You will see it on my next blog where it should be!