Rainbows and Rules

 Lynda Ann sent me this picture of a rainbow that formed across the sky as she was driving into work.  I just love that Heavenly Father created rainbows and that I can see them and thank Him every time I get to see one.  Yup, that is what I want to be in charge of when I die.  I hope there is a rainbow in the sky the day I leave this earth.  It would be the perfect climax to my life. 

I read this quote from Sandra Bullock and I LOVE it.  It is great Sunday thought, even though it isn't Sunday!  To see a rainbow always makes me smile and dance a little :-)

"The Rule is you have to dance a little bit in the morning before you leave the house because it changes the way you walk out in the world."

School Begins

 Every year, Jamie takes pictures of her girls on their first day of school.  She sent me two darling pictures of Peyton and Lexi.  Peyton is in 10th grade this year and Lexi will begin her first year of college at the Fresno City College.  Hard to believe that the girls are that old.  Jordyn Lyn will begin her 3rd year at Fresno State College (I think that is the name of the college).  She will be living away from home this year.  Jamie and Tucker are beginning to feel the pangs of their little ones leaving the nest.  I will post the picture of Jordyn Lyn when Jamie sends it to me.  

Scofield

Neal and I spent another fun weekend at Scofield.  Nice that Ron and Judy usually invite us to join them at their cabin.  It is really nice and always fun to be there.  They announced that they have decided to sell their St. George condo.  Judy said it costs them about $12,000+ a year to keep it and for what little they use it, it doesn't seem economical for them.  I'm sure it will sell very fast.  They are going to sell it furnished and Judy and Ron do nothing but the very best.  So everything in there is top dollar furniture.  Back to Scofield.  We didn't golf this time.  Mostly hung out at the cabin, ate great food and played bridge and watched movies.  Very relaxing.  We did make one trip into Price to have our ear doctor check Neal's hearing aid.  It wasn't working.  Ryan was able to fix it and he also checked mine and everything is good.  He met us at his office and it was his day off.  So, I slipped him a hundred dollars.  How very nice of him to take time from his day off to meet us.  We went to Scofield on Thursday afternoon and came home early Monday morning.  Weather was perfect.  Even had a downpour and thunder.  Loved it.

Snapped a picture of Neal, Judy and Ron at the top of the hill checking out their phones.  We have to walk up to the top of the hill each day to get any messages or make any needed phone calls.  

One of Judy's famous tomato pies and salad to go with it.

Lila Mae

 Lila Mae was back in the hospital last week and has decided that she is not going to do the Chemo treatments anymore.  She prefers to just live out what time she has left with more quality of life and feeling good.  They brought her home and the next day she wanted to get her hair cut and styled.  She is already feeling better after have 3 pints of blood and is even talking about going back to work.  This is a picture they took after she got back from the salon.  

I swear there is no way to rotate pictures.  Very annoying.  But, she looks great, even sideways!

Couple More Photos

 Judy just sent me these two pictures that she took of me and Neal.  This was on my birthday and Judy had a delicious dinner along with her best china and silver.  

Judy is an amazing cook!!

Derek in Yangshuo, Guilin

 Not even going to try and pronounce that name.  He sent us 4 pictures but I only have one transferred to my computer.  I will add them when I get them from my phone.

Great picture, Dee!!

Brock turns 16

 Ahhh to be sweet sixteen again.  However, I have no desire to go back and repeat my journey.  I'm very, very happy with where I am right now.  I'll just turn the "sweet sixteen" phrase over to all my grandchildren who are reaching that age and getting their drivers license.  

Maren invited Neal and I out to her home for dinner on Sunday to celebrate my birthday and Brocks.  We had a delicious steak dinner along with funeral potatoes and fruit.  Greg cooked the steaks to perfection.  After dinner we wandered around Maren's yard to see how all the plants are doing.  She and Greg have worked hard on the outside of their home.  Together they have made it very decorative along with a new fountain that Greg just put in.  He is very creative and I'm always amazed at what he is able to create.  

We sat outside for about an hour just visiting about Maren and Greg's work issues.  Maren is applying for a new job with lifeflight and Greg is having some issues with Delta.  Hopefully Maren will get this new job and Greg will be happy with Delta.  Lots up in the air right now for both of them.  All the kids were there and it was fun to be with them.  Just before we came home Maren had cake and ice cream and we sang happy birthday to Brock.  Very fun day.  And Maren gave me a present from her and Tucker.  Gift cards for Talbots.  I shall be using them soon as Talbots is having their big end of the summer sale.  Thanks everyone.

This was a knit hat that Boston gave Brock for his birthday.  There is a story behind the hat but none of us were let in on the secret between the boys.  

Maren bought candles that have a flame the color of the candle.  Very fun.

You can see the blue, pink, purple, yellow and green flames.  

This is the gazebo that Greg put up and anchored into the cement.  We were amazed at how cool it was sitting out there.  Greg also built the gas fire place.  Like I've said before, not sure there isn't anything he can't build if he puts his mind to it.  

A very fun and relaxing Sunday afternoon.  Thanks, Maren and Greg, for the invite.  

78 and Still Young!!!!

 I just had my 78th birthday and don't feel a day over 30!  Honestly.  I have been so blessed with excellent health and I acknowledge that when I say my daily prayers.  My friend, Mindy Leetham, and I walk at least three miles every morning, Monday through Thursday.  Even in the winter months you will find us out walking all bundled up.  The only thing that we won't walk in is if it is snowing, windy or lightening.  We watch the weather closely.  

I had a text from Maren, Lyndsy and Derek, Jamie, Jeff and Mallory.  A call from Tucker, Lynda Ann, Andrew and Emmi even called me from Lisbon, Portugal.  Thanks to all of you for reaching out and wishing me a happy birthday.  Andrew said that he would sing happy birthday to me but decided it was best that he just said it rather than sing it.  I don't know, but maybe a rendition of happy birthday from Andrew might have been an exciting experience.  Maybe next year?

The day was spent golfing with Ron and Judy, playing bridge and Judy fixing a delicious birthday dinner.  It was such a fun and relaxing day and the weather was perfect.  I love having a summer birthday, but then I guess that is why I love summer so much!

Lynda Ann gave me a beautiful book called Everyday Disciples by Taylor Ricks.  I've already read half of it and have loved it.  I would highly recommend it.  I will probably be using some of the quotes from the book on my Sunday thoughts.  So much good material to think about and to apply in my life.  Thank you Annie.

When we got home from Ron and Judy's, these flowers and candy were sitting on our front porch.  They were from the California Maxfields.  Thank you Tucker, Jamie, Jordyn Lyn, Lexi and Peyton.  The flowers are beautiful and the candy delicious!!

Thanks to all my family who called or text to wish me a happy day.  Love you all.

Sewing Update

 A lot has been done of this project and I still have hours left to do but, it is coming along nicely.  Can't wait to get it finished, framed and hung in my office!

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."