New Years Resolutions - I don't make them. I don't feel motivated to make resolitons until April. When I listen to General Conference then I make my resolutions and I re-evaluate them again in October. Somehow that seems more doable to me and can stay more motivated - especially since my husband listens to General Conference in the car whenever he is driving plus we read it as our couple scripture study from cover to cover.
Snow storms in Rhode Island make me laugh. You would think they never get them! We have been expecting 6-8 inches of snow today and we are under a winter storm warning. That is all fine and good but that warning went up last night. The snow isn't even expected until noon today! People go into an absolute dither whenever it snows here but it doesn't keep people off the roads. Plus they don't know how to plow here. They don't scrape the roads so there is always at least an inch of snow on the road that ALWAYS turns to slush then ice. It isn't the snow that is bad to drive in it is actually the next day when the slush turns into ice! Plus if we have too many snow storms then the unions actually will not allow the plows to run once the contract is up. This happened a couple of years ago. The cities were willing to pay overtime but the unions wouldn't allow it. They might this year with the tough economic times but I can't imagine the policy has changed if that is what is holding them back. I expect Clyde home any minute. I don't think they will be working long with a storm warning in effect.
I have the most fun grandchildren in the world. The fun part is that my daughters' let my grandchildren choose the gifts they give me. Because of this I now have two collections. One is WillowTree figurines. Carlye Anne is the one that usually gets me one of those. My other collection was started by Noah but has been added onto by my other grandchildren and daughters' and that is Webkinz. The thing that makes this one so fun is getting onto each others sites and taking care of them for each other plus we can send cyber-gifts and letters to each other whenever we want. At first I wondered why Noah thought this was so much fun but now I play it every day for myself and usually am on with a grandchild or two during that time. It keeps us in touch. I also have a kind of box collection because of the Pfiesters. Carlye Anne gave me a WillowTree box and Nathanael has given me another little box. That may not sound like much but because of that box I am now in possession of a Santa Claus box. Someone saw those two boxes together and assumed I must love boxes - so I may be on the way to a third collection that I never expected - a collection of boxes.
For those of you that are in on the joke - we will be celebrating the New Year as we always do - with Cherry 7-Up and watching the original KING KONG. Future note - don't ever ask your father what he does for a tradition.
As I do face the New Year I am grateful for my family. I am also grateful to mostly be pain free. Now if I can just get my stamina back so I can go back to the temple. I guess if I had a New Year's resolution - that would be it - to be able to go to the temple and be useful there again.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
No Monday Hero
Today I am foregoing Monday's heroes because it is Clyde's and my 36th wedding anniversary. Wow! Has it been that long? A little over 37 years ago I was flying home to Germany and all the way from the airport, Marianne was telling me about this 'guy named Clyde'. She wanted me to promise I would leave him alone. I didn't promise but assured her I wouldn't be interested in anyone named Clyde. Ten days later that 'guy named Clyde' and I were engaged. To balance it out we were engaged for a year for many reasons - the biggest one being he was a recent convert to the Church and couldn't take me to the temple for another year. I know for a fact if we had not married in the temple we would not be married today. Those covenants are what kept us going. To return to the temple over and over and basically relive my wedding day any time I want has been the greatest blessing of my life. There are some aspects of my wedding day I am grateful I have not had to live over and over though.
Because we were married on the 29th of December - in those days the temples shut down for Christmas. Clyde and I had gone to the Provo Temple the day before. I will not go into detail here but to give you an inkling I was number 202 on the brides list for that day and I got there at 7:00 in ther morning. There were 25 people to a locker! It was wild. The next day it was blizzard conditions in Manti and people could not get there. The roads were freezing and it was treacherous. The Manti Temple is at the top of a hill. Dad and Clyde dropped me off and I actually slid under the car the roads was so slick - great start to the day. Clyde grabbed me as was literally half way under the car. We got into the temple. The temple president and his wife with a handful of people that could walk from Manti were the only people in the temple. It was literally just our family. The Stake President and the Temple President had both been inspired to tell us to do a session before we were sealed. After the fiasco of the day before I am not sure we would have ever attended the temple again. But to do a session literally with just the family is a memory I will always cherish. My Aunt Lou was with me and had been an Ordinance Worker in the Manti Temple for many years before moving to Salt Lake and becoming an Ordinance Worker in the Salt Lake Temple. I think because there were so few of us and I was the only bride I ended up with 3 escorts - Mom, Grandma Tuttle and Aunt Lou. They were all three whispering things in my ear all through the session about the Manti Temple and about the session itself. I learned so much that day. I am still grateful for the lessons I had that day.
My Grandfather was supposed to be a witness at my wedding but he never got there. Instead my old bishop - Ferrin Mangleson was the other witness with my father. I had been quite close to him so that was nice. Very few people got to my actual sealing but it was still special. When Clyde and I exchanged rings, I had to give him my father's ring. His ring was still coming from Virginia (it didn't arrive for another week and he lost it 4 years later).
Our reception is still talked about. When we moved back to Ephraim 25 years after we were married, people would come up to Clyde and introduce themselves with the preface, "I was at your reception. I remember it because we couldn't leave after we got there." That was true. People arrived early in fact in hopes that they would beat the storm and ended up staying until after midnight when the storm finally broke. It was an interesting reception because there were not all that many people there but none of us could go anywhere. There was an area with elderly people having a great time. There was another area with people Mom and Dad's age and then there was another area with my friends. We might have had 100 people there and they ate enough food for 300 because they were trapped. It was quite the party. We really did have a good time. Because of the snow storm, Clyde and I could not go to Salt Lake for the first night of our honeymoon. We ended up staying at the only hotel in Ephraim at the time. We were surrounded by everyone from our wedding that was stranded in Ephraim and the walls were thin. It made for an interesting evening. One of my bridesmaids would bang on the wall periodically during the night and yell, "Hey, what is going on in there!" When I saw her later I pretended I hadn't heard her so she would never do anything like that again. I told her maybe she was keeping someone else awake.
Clyde and I have had our ups and downs. Fortunately there have been far more ups than downs. We have been comitted to the marriage and for the most part worked hard to make it work. The last few years have been the pay-off. We currently have 9 of the most beautiful grandchildren that anyone has every been blessed with. I always knew that I had 4 of the most beautiful daughters in the world (my sister also has 4 beautiful daughters that are like my daughters so there are 8 of the most beautiful daughters in the world right there). When our daughters started giving us grandchildren I have been startled every time by their beauty and wonderful personalities. All I can say as I start this New Year is that I am one of the most blessed women on the planet.
I need to also point out that our oldest daughter did the sweetest thing for us on our anniversary. She gave us our first grandchild - Carlye Anne - who turns 8 today. Happy Birthday Carlye!
Because we were married on the 29th of December - in those days the temples shut down for Christmas. Clyde and I had gone to the Provo Temple the day before. I will not go into detail here but to give you an inkling I was number 202 on the brides list for that day and I got there at 7:00 in ther morning. There were 25 people to a locker! It was wild. The next day it was blizzard conditions in Manti and people could not get there. The roads were freezing and it was treacherous. The Manti Temple is at the top of a hill. Dad and Clyde dropped me off and I actually slid under the car the roads was so slick - great start to the day. Clyde grabbed me as was literally half way under the car. We got into the temple. The temple president and his wife with a handful of people that could walk from Manti were the only people in the temple. It was literally just our family. The Stake President and the Temple President had both been inspired to tell us to do a session before we were sealed. After the fiasco of the day before I am not sure we would have ever attended the temple again. But to do a session literally with just the family is a memory I will always cherish. My Aunt Lou was with me and had been an Ordinance Worker in the Manti Temple for many years before moving to Salt Lake and becoming an Ordinance Worker in the Salt Lake Temple. I think because there were so few of us and I was the only bride I ended up with 3 escorts - Mom, Grandma Tuttle and Aunt Lou. They were all three whispering things in my ear all through the session about the Manti Temple and about the session itself. I learned so much that day. I am still grateful for the lessons I had that day.
My Grandfather was supposed to be a witness at my wedding but he never got there. Instead my old bishop - Ferrin Mangleson was the other witness with my father. I had been quite close to him so that was nice. Very few people got to my actual sealing but it was still special. When Clyde and I exchanged rings, I had to give him my father's ring. His ring was still coming from Virginia (it didn't arrive for another week and he lost it 4 years later).
Our reception is still talked about. When we moved back to Ephraim 25 years after we were married, people would come up to Clyde and introduce themselves with the preface, "I was at your reception. I remember it because we couldn't leave after we got there." That was true. People arrived early in fact in hopes that they would beat the storm and ended up staying until after midnight when the storm finally broke. It was an interesting reception because there were not all that many people there but none of us could go anywhere. There was an area with elderly people having a great time. There was another area with people Mom and Dad's age and then there was another area with my friends. We might have had 100 people there and they ate enough food for 300 because they were trapped. It was quite the party. We really did have a good time. Because of the snow storm, Clyde and I could not go to Salt Lake for the first night of our honeymoon. We ended up staying at the only hotel in Ephraim at the time. We were surrounded by everyone from our wedding that was stranded in Ephraim and the walls were thin. It made for an interesting evening. One of my bridesmaids would bang on the wall periodically during the night and yell, "Hey, what is going on in there!" When I saw her later I pretended I hadn't heard her so she would never do anything like that again. I told her maybe she was keeping someone else awake.
Clyde and I have had our ups and downs. Fortunately there have been far more ups than downs. We have been comitted to the marriage and for the most part worked hard to make it work. The last few years have been the pay-off. We currently have 9 of the most beautiful grandchildren that anyone has every been blessed with. I always knew that I had 4 of the most beautiful daughters in the world (my sister also has 4 beautiful daughters that are like my daughters so there are 8 of the most beautiful daughters in the world right there). When our daughters started giving us grandchildren I have been startled every time by their beauty and wonderful personalities. All I can say as I start this New Year is that I am one of the most blessed women on the planet.
I need to also point out that our oldest daughter did the sweetest thing for us on our anniversary. She gave us our first grandchild - Carlye Anne - who turns 8 today. Happy Birthday Carlye!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Aebleskivers, Advent and Christmas Games
Last night we went over to the Halversons to make Aebleskivers. It turned out that one of the other families that were there, the mother, Nicole, had grown up having Aebleskivers at her grandmother's house in Manti at holidays. She was in tears as she helped me make them because it brought back such wonderful memories. The other fun thing about Nicole and her family and the Halverson's is that we all celebrate Advent. Nicole served her mission in Austria plus her family is German. Her father still has family in Germany. The Halverson's have been back from Germany 18 months now. A family the Halverson's knew really well over there, sent them a 'care' package of Lebkucken, Stollen and a variety of Haribo candies. I ended up with one of the loaves of Stollen and I am in heaven. I had a cup of Ovaltine and a piece of Stollen and it was wonderful this morning (I know I am weird, but it is a wonderful part of my memories).
I should say something about the dynamics of the group that was there last night. There was Clyde and me - the grandparents. The Halverson's and Jubecks are early 40's and late 30's with their children from 8-14. Then there was the Child family. Cassidy and Christine are Pam and Chris' age. They had their two daughters, 4 and 14 months. After everyone filled up on Aebleskivers, hot chocolate or juice and sausages, we then played the Christmas game that my sister, Marianne has been perfecting for the last 3 or 4 years. We played it for about an hour and laughed so hard our sides hurt by the time we finished. It was a very fun evening. With the singing, the scriptures and the thoughtful questions in the game it really made you think about what Christmas is about. Then there were silly parts that broke the more serious things up. It was a wonderful evening. To make matters even better, I kept having deja' vu the whole evening, so I knew I was supposed to be there and we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. It was wonderful
I am grateful for the love of our Savior and a kind and loving Heavenly Father, who sent His Son to earth. We have much to be grateful for at this season of the year. May the Lord bless all of you.
I should say something about the dynamics of the group that was there last night. There was Clyde and me - the grandparents. The Halverson's and Jubecks are early 40's and late 30's with their children from 8-14. Then there was the Child family. Cassidy and Christine are Pam and Chris' age. They had their two daughters, 4 and 14 months. After everyone filled up on Aebleskivers, hot chocolate or juice and sausages, we then played the Christmas game that my sister, Marianne has been perfecting for the last 3 or 4 years. We played it for about an hour and laughed so hard our sides hurt by the time we finished. It was a very fun evening. With the singing, the scriptures and the thoughtful questions in the game it really made you think about what Christmas is about. Then there were silly parts that broke the more serious things up. It was a wonderful evening. To make matters even better, I kept having deja' vu the whole evening, so I knew I was supposed to be there and we were doing what we were supposed to be doing. It was wonderful
I am grateful for the love of our Savior and a kind and loving Heavenly Father, who sent His Son to earth. We have much to be grateful for at this season of the year. May the Lord bless all of you.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Monday's Hero
I seriously thought about writing about Santa Claus today but decided that I had better write about someone that is in my everyday life. Today my heroine is Karyn Halverson. She is the mother to my 'adopted grandchildren' and an Army wife. Her husband has served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Scott was a bishop in Germany while he was deployed to Afghanistan, so Karyn was the bishop's wife with a long-distance bishop. That must have been really hard. Plus it was a bi-lingual ward to boot! Karyn is one of those people that can do anything. I am sure there are times she wishes she would say no but she doesn't and she is there for everything. She supports her 3 children in all of their extra-curricular activities and then fulfills her Church responsiblities. I know for a fact her family comes first in her life. They are very secure in their love from her. She is a stand-in babysitter for mother's that need to fulfill responsibilities but have little ones that need to stay home. Since the minute Karyn has walked into the Newport Ward she has been my hero. I have learned a lot from her plus we have a lot in common because of our mutual long stays in Germany. We both have white lights on our Christmas trees, we each have an Advent Krantz (but she makes hers each year out of an evergreen wreath) and we celebrate St. Nicholas Day with our family. These are traditions that will go on and on in both our families. Plus we both believe in Santa Claus.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Christmas in Germany
I was so good about writing memories and then I stopped. I have been thinking a lot about my Christmas's in Germany when I was younger. I guess because it gets dark here so early and the weather is so dreary. Somehow that didn't bother me there. Maybe because I was in school all day. I have carried on so many of the traditions of my childhood there. I have all white lights on my tree because of that. Germans didn't put colored lights on their trees. The white lights signified candlelight and starlight and even sunlight - in other words it was more natural than colored lights on your tree. Heidi has blogged about Advent so I won't go into that but it is a very important part of our family's Christmas. St. Nicholas coming on the eve of December 6 is important to us. Our family puts out their shoes and gets little treats and presents on the Eve of the Feast of St. Nicholas. I think my love of Christmas came because of the love of Christmas and the simplicity of it then and there. It had only 15 years since WWII was over when we first went over and so things were still on the comeback. I am sure my Christmas memory is much different from someone's now. At that time family traditions were still essential to what Christmas was all about. In my mind that is still what Christmas should be. I think that is why I have such a hard time when it is just Clyde and me. I have to find a family to focus on or it doesn't work but that family has to have a few of our traditions or be willing to accept our traditions for the day at least. However I have found that as we have shared our traditions we convert more and more people. Next year Clyde and I are going to have to find an Aebleskiver pan so we can give one to the Halverson's before they leave the area. It has been fun going over their several times during the Christmas season and making Aebleskivers with them but I think that is one tradition they will be more than willing to carry on. It has been more fun because they celebrate St. Nicholas and Advent. To not have to explain why we do something is kind of nice.
The other thing I realized as I was watching Polar Express the other evening with Taylor Halverson is that I can still hear the bell. I do believe in Santa and always have. No one will or can EVER take that away from me. I know that he is real and living. To not have Santa during the holiday season would be very heartbreaking indeed.
The other thing I realized as I was watching Polar Express the other evening with Taylor Halverson is that I can still hear the bell. I do believe in Santa and always have. No one will or can EVER take that away from me. I know that he is real and living. To not have Santa during the holiday season would be very heartbreaking indeed.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Monday's Hero
This week is once again a heroine. My Aunt Norma is one of my favorite people in all the world. She is to me a combination, Aunt, sister, mother and best friend. We have had this relationship since I was a baby. When Norma would come to visit from the time I can remember, my whole world would be better. When things have not gone well for me I have turned to Norma first and she has let me cry on her shoulder, helped me face the world and look at things realistically. I am so grateful for her.
When our daughters were really little, Norma and her younger three children were in our ward. It was wonderful! We always sat on a the same center pew with Clyde on one end and Chris Allen (Norma's second son and middle child) usually on the other end. The girls would just go from adult to adult and were rarely taken out. If for some reason their father had to take them out they knew they were in BIG trouble. One stake conference, Clyde and I thought we could handle the girls by ourselves in the choir. That was the infamous conference when Clyde had to carry Heather out and as they were leaving Heather yelled, "Popi, save me!" as my father was speaking at the pulpit as stake president. The whole congregation laughed and loved it but it didn't help Heather's cause. The next stake conference the Allens took the girls and things went much better.
While we lived in San Antonio, every morning at 9:00 Norma would call me or I would call Norma and we would visit for a few minutes. I loved that time and it started my day off right. Now when we call each other - we pick up where we left off and our phone calls are long because we have so much catching up to do. I dearly love My Aunt Norma and I am so grateful she is a part of my life. She will always be one of my lifes heroes!
When our daughters were really little, Norma and her younger three children were in our ward. It was wonderful! We always sat on a the same center pew with Clyde on one end and Chris Allen (Norma's second son and middle child) usually on the other end. The girls would just go from adult to adult and were rarely taken out. If for some reason their father had to take them out they knew they were in BIG trouble. One stake conference, Clyde and I thought we could handle the girls by ourselves in the choir. That was the infamous conference when Clyde had to carry Heather out and as they were leaving Heather yelled, "Popi, save me!" as my father was speaking at the pulpit as stake president. The whole congregation laughed and loved it but it didn't help Heather's cause. The next stake conference the Allens took the girls and things went much better.
While we lived in San Antonio, every morning at 9:00 Norma would call me or I would call Norma and we would visit for a few minutes. I loved that time and it started my day off right. Now when we call each other - we pick up where we left off and our phone calls are long because we have so much catching up to do. I dearly love My Aunt Norma and I am so grateful she is a part of my life. She will always be one of my lifes heroes!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Book Review
Several years ago Heidi gave me the book, The Autobiography of Santa Claus As told to Jeff Guin. I have enjoyed it so much that last year I bought The Great Santa Search and How Mrs. Santa Saved Christmas by the same author. Each book is told in 24 chapters - one for each day before Christmas. I have started reading The Autobiography... every year and then another Christmas book. These are wonderful books. The historical facts in them are really interesting and fun. I am a history buff anyway so they are really a fun read to me. The story of Santa is great besides. I am starting to get more in the Christmas Spirit as I read these books. Next year I am starting earlier.
The other thing I have decided that has helped with my Christmas Spirit is reading the Ensign. I forget every year how that helps with the Spirit of the Season until I start my reading. What a blessing that is. But then we are blessed to have anything more than the Bible to read. For many years that is all any family had -if they had that. I look at my walls of books and think how truly blessed we are to have so many choices just in our home.
The other thing I have decided that has helped with my Christmas Spirit is reading the Ensign. I forget every year how that helps with the Spirit of the Season until I start my reading. What a blessing that is. But then we are blessed to have anything more than the Bible to read. For many years that is all any family had -if they had that. I look at my walls of books and think how truly blessed we are to have so many choices just in our home.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Monday's Hero - MaryAnn Kohl
Today is MaryAnn's Birthday - so like last week this makes this weeks heroine a 'no-brainer.' MaryAnn Kohl has been my friend since we moved to Rhode Island 5 1/2 years ago. Her husband Gary was the first person to greet me in the new ward and she was the second. It is usually that way. If someone new appears and we don't know a name or how long they are going to be here we go and ask the Kohl's because they more than likely met them upon entering the chapel.
MaryAnn and I cemented our friendship when we worked together in the Relief Society Presidency together. She was the first counselor and I was the second. Then Clyde and I were called as Temple Ordinance Workers and deliberately chose Friday evenings so we could attend the same evening as the Kohl's. It has made a wonderful experience even more joyous.
MaryAnn is the mother of 8 wonderful children. I have to come to love her children, daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws and grandchildren by reading their blogs and tracking them on the internet. Plus MaryAnn has wonderful 'grandma' stories to share with me. I have been included in planning of 4 of the Kohl weddings and that has been really fun to share.
MaryAnn's biggest claim to fame outside of her family is her love of family history. Currently she and Gary are regional family history representatives. They go in with this new Family Search and teach it and help people understand it better. She is also the primary substitute secretary for fulltime secretaries at the Boston Temple. She is has a part-time responsibilty at the temple but with her filling in as secretary she can usually take care of her part-time office responsibility then too. If she can't she just goes in early on a Friday before her temple shift in the evening and does it. There are many Fridays that she works from early in the morning until 10:00 when we, as Ordinance Workers can go home (actually later if we have had to run an extra session) and then she has had to be back at the temple at 7:30 the next morning. It takes at least 1hour 30 minutes to drive to the temple (on a very good day!) so it makes for a very hectic couple of days for MaryAnn on those weekends.
MaryAnn is also our nursery leader. Because of her regional calling they have been trying to release her but for some reason people think the nursery is the worst calling in the Church and also feel that they can say no to that calling when they would never dream of saying no to something else. Or better yet, we get assistants called for her and they never come to help. As with every other ward - our nursery is our biggest class though not as large as most wards.
I thank the Lord daily for my friendship of MaryAnn. She has truly been one of the greatest blessings of Rhode Island.
I hate making this so long but I have to add quick little note. This last Saturday I went over to get Ashley to help me decorate the tree. She was running a fever and so sick she had forgotten I was coming (which is saying a lot as to how sick she was!) I spoke with Karyn and asked if I could have Taylor instead. She wondered at my sanity because how could an 8-year-old help? Taylor was amazing. She decorated the tree beautifully. It is a little bottom heavy and there are some limbs where there 3-5 ornaments and other limbs where there are none, but I am not changing it. It is great and because of a cold front that was coming through my arthritis was so bad I could hardly move. The best part was when I took out the little Hallmark village. I thought she was going to die of sheer delight! She carefully unwrapped each little house/shop and examined it and then she set them out. Last year Clyde got tired of people picking them up and knocking 4 or 5 down in the process, so we set them up on 2 large lazy Susan's now so you can see into the backs and the fronts all face in. This will work great for maybe 1 or 2 more and then we will be right back to having to stick a few around other places. I have 22 now! Anyway - Taylor was a joy and at the perfect age because she is sitting on the fence. Since everyone knows that I believe in Santa - Karyn new she would be safe with me. She wants this to go as long as she can since this is their youngest and really probably the last year Taylor will really believe.
MaryAnn and I cemented our friendship when we worked together in the Relief Society Presidency together. She was the first counselor and I was the second. Then Clyde and I were called as Temple Ordinance Workers and deliberately chose Friday evenings so we could attend the same evening as the Kohl's. It has made a wonderful experience even more joyous.
MaryAnn is the mother of 8 wonderful children. I have to come to love her children, daughter-in-laws, son-in-laws and grandchildren by reading their blogs and tracking them on the internet. Plus MaryAnn has wonderful 'grandma' stories to share with me. I have been included in planning of 4 of the Kohl weddings and that has been really fun to share.
MaryAnn's biggest claim to fame outside of her family is her love of family history. Currently she and Gary are regional family history representatives. They go in with this new Family Search and teach it and help people understand it better. She is also the primary substitute secretary for fulltime secretaries at the Boston Temple. She is has a part-time responsibilty at the temple but with her filling in as secretary she can usually take care of her part-time office responsibility then too. If she can't she just goes in early on a Friday before her temple shift in the evening and does it. There are many Fridays that she works from early in the morning until 10:00 when we, as Ordinance Workers can go home (actually later if we have had to run an extra session) and then she has had to be back at the temple at 7:30 the next morning. It takes at least 1hour 30 minutes to drive to the temple (on a very good day!) so it makes for a very hectic couple of days for MaryAnn on those weekends.
MaryAnn is also our nursery leader. Because of her regional calling they have been trying to release her but for some reason people think the nursery is the worst calling in the Church and also feel that they can say no to that calling when they would never dream of saying no to something else. Or better yet, we get assistants called for her and they never come to help. As with every other ward - our nursery is our biggest class though not as large as most wards.
I thank the Lord daily for my friendship of MaryAnn. She has truly been one of the greatest blessings of Rhode Island.
I hate making this so long but I have to add quick little note. This last Saturday I went over to get Ashley to help me decorate the tree. She was running a fever and so sick she had forgotten I was coming (which is saying a lot as to how sick she was!) I spoke with Karyn and asked if I could have Taylor instead. She wondered at my sanity because how could an 8-year-old help? Taylor was amazing. She decorated the tree beautifully. It is a little bottom heavy and there are some limbs where there 3-5 ornaments and other limbs where there are none, but I am not changing it. It is great and because of a cold front that was coming through my arthritis was so bad I could hardly move. The best part was when I took out the little Hallmark village. I thought she was going to die of sheer delight! She carefully unwrapped each little house/shop and examined it and then she set them out. Last year Clyde got tired of people picking them up and knocking 4 or 5 down in the process, so we set them up on 2 large lazy Susan's now so you can see into the backs and the fronts all face in. This will work great for maybe 1 or 2 more and then we will be right back to having to stick a few around other places. I have 22 now! Anyway - Taylor was a joy and at the perfect age because she is sitting on the fence. Since everyone knows that I believe in Santa - Karyn new she would be safe with me. She wants this to go as long as she can since this is their youngest and really probably the last year Taylor will really believe.
Friday, December 5, 2008
The Christmas Book
Every year I put together a Christmas Book for family and friends. It is put together with lots of love and takes me a considerable amount of time. I need Clyde's help in order to get this done but for some reason this year it been like pulling teeth to get him to help me. I am wondering if it is worth it. Do people even care if I do this book? Do they read it? Or should I find something else to give in the future? I guess this is a little like Tinkerbell when we clap to make her live. I need to know if this is worth going on with. If people want me to continue then I will with or without Clyde's help. I just need to know.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Christmas Questions
I liked this on Heidi's blog so I am answering her questions - though many answers are the same as hers.
1. Gift wrap or gift bags? - It really depends on the gift. Wrapping is so much more fun but the odd sized gift really fits better in a bag.
2. Real tree or artificial ? - I am very allergic to pine trees so it has to be an artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree? Tradition in our family was to put the tree up right after Thanksgiving or on Heidi's birthday. This year will be latest I have put the tree up in almost 30 years.
4. Do you like eggnog? Yes but it has to be cut - 1/3 eggnog to 2/3 milk. My Aunt Norma has a fabulous recipe that I have used a couple of times with eggnog and ice cream and whole cream - not fattening at all but OH SO GOOD!
5. Favorite gift as a child? A little doll that I still have. I named her Baby Carrie originally but that upset my grandmother (Carrie Myrl). She went by Myrl and hated the name Carrie. For some reason my mother wasn't too thrilled with the name either. I ended up calling her Dolly. I obviously still love the name Carrie because I would never have named our oldest daughter that if I hadn't thought it was a beautiful name.
6. Hardest person to buy for? My parents - especially my dad and my husband.
7. Easiest person to buy for? I will lump that into all of my grandchildren and then my daughters'.
8. Do I have a Nativity Scene? Several that I keep up all year and several more that come out just at Christmas.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both
10. Worst Gift you ever received? It's Christmas - there can't be a bad gift at Christmas! Coal is a good gift at Christmas time.
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? My all time favorite movie is the "Bishop's Wife" which is a great Christmas movie. I love the Muppet Christmas Carol, a Christmas Visitor (which has been renamed) and others.
12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Gift? Yes, but not at Christmas time and only once that I can think of.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In January.
14. Favorite things to eat for lunch on Christmas? Ham, potato casserole and exotic fruit salad.
15. Lights on tree? Yes - white
16 - Favorite Christmas Carol? - A German Carol, "Ihr Kinderlein Kommet" - loosely translated it means, Oh Come Little Children. That is my most favorite carol and then the others - any other Christmas Carol is #2.
17. Travel or stay at home for Christmas? For several years we traveled at Christmas and then my husband was called as bishop of our ward. Now we stay at home because of the needs of the people and tithing settlement. It is kind of bittersweet. I love being with the ward members but I desperately miss the family and having Christmas with grandchildren.
18 - Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yes and thanks to having watched and having family members be in the play 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer', I can even name lesser reindeer. Even know which one is the 'Baptist!'
19. Angel or star for your tree topper? My tree topper is either a snowflake or a Santa.
20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? If we knew the girls' were getting pajamas then they opened those on Christmas Eve. All others were opened on Christmas morning.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crowds! It also seems to be a time when people blatantly say, "Gimme" as if they deserve something for nothing. I am not talking about Salvation Army but others. I cannot believe the people that call or come to the door asking for stuff during this season. It just aggravates me because about 90% of the time they are scams and not really who they are representing. Did you know that most charities do not solicit during this time of year because they know they will probably be turned down? If someone calls you or comes to your door - call the charity they are representing (the headquarters) and find out if they are legit. 'Tis the Season for scamming and stealing.
22. Favorite ornament? Oh, Wow! I have a tree of them. I love my Santa ornaments and my ornaments from Germany. I love my Hummel ornaments. I love my ornaments and I can't choose one over the other.
23. Favorite Christmas Dinner? Ham, rolls, potato casserole, exotic fruit salad
24. Favorite Christmas Breakfast: Aebelskivers with whipped cream and either cinnamon or strawberry jam.
25. What do I want for Christmas? The impossible. I want all of our children and grandchildren to be under the same roof and celebrating together. I hope that one day that will happen.
1. Gift wrap or gift bags? - It really depends on the gift. Wrapping is so much more fun but the odd sized gift really fits better in a bag.
2. Real tree or artificial ? - I am very allergic to pine trees so it has to be an artificial.
3. When do you put up the tree? Tradition in our family was to put the tree up right after Thanksgiving or on Heidi's birthday. This year will be latest I have put the tree up in almost 30 years.
4. Do you like eggnog? Yes but it has to be cut - 1/3 eggnog to 2/3 milk. My Aunt Norma has a fabulous recipe that I have used a couple of times with eggnog and ice cream and whole cream - not fattening at all but OH SO GOOD!
5. Favorite gift as a child? A little doll that I still have. I named her Baby Carrie originally but that upset my grandmother (Carrie Myrl). She went by Myrl and hated the name Carrie. For some reason my mother wasn't too thrilled with the name either. I ended up calling her Dolly. I obviously still love the name Carrie because I would never have named our oldest daughter that if I hadn't thought it was a beautiful name.
6. Hardest person to buy for? My parents - especially my dad and my husband.
7. Easiest person to buy for? I will lump that into all of my grandchildren and then my daughters'.
8. Do I have a Nativity Scene? Several that I keep up all year and several more that come out just at Christmas.
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both
10. Worst Gift you ever received? It's Christmas - there can't be a bad gift at Christmas! Coal is a good gift at Christmas time.
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? My all time favorite movie is the "Bishop's Wife" which is a great Christmas movie. I love the Muppet Christmas Carol, a Christmas Visitor (which has been renamed) and others.
12. Have you ever recycled a Christmas Gift? Yes, but not at Christmas time and only once that I can think of.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In January.
14. Favorite things to eat for lunch on Christmas? Ham, potato casserole and exotic fruit salad.
15. Lights on tree? Yes - white
16 - Favorite Christmas Carol? - A German Carol, "Ihr Kinderlein Kommet" - loosely translated it means, Oh Come Little Children. That is my most favorite carol and then the others - any other Christmas Carol is #2.
17. Travel or stay at home for Christmas? For several years we traveled at Christmas and then my husband was called as bishop of our ward. Now we stay at home because of the needs of the people and tithing settlement. It is kind of bittersweet. I love being with the ward members but I desperately miss the family and having Christmas with grandchildren.
18 - Can you name Santa's reindeer? Yes and thanks to having watched and having family members be in the play 'Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer', I can even name lesser reindeer. Even know which one is the 'Baptist!'
19. Angel or star for your tree topper? My tree topper is either a snowflake or a Santa.
20. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? If we knew the girls' were getting pajamas then they opened those on Christmas Eve. All others were opened on Christmas morning.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? The crowds! It also seems to be a time when people blatantly say, "Gimme" as if they deserve something for nothing. I am not talking about Salvation Army but others. I cannot believe the people that call or come to the door asking for stuff during this season. It just aggravates me because about 90% of the time they are scams and not really who they are representing. Did you know that most charities do not solicit during this time of year because they know they will probably be turned down? If someone calls you or comes to your door - call the charity they are representing (the headquarters) and find out if they are legit. 'Tis the Season for scamming and stealing.
22. Favorite ornament? Oh, Wow! I have a tree of them. I love my Santa ornaments and my ornaments from Germany. I love my Hummel ornaments. I love my ornaments and I can't choose one over the other.
23. Favorite Christmas Dinner? Ham, rolls, potato casserole, exotic fruit salad
24. Favorite Christmas Breakfast: Aebelskivers with whipped cream and either cinnamon or strawberry jam.
25. What do I want for Christmas? The impossible. I want all of our children and grandchildren to be under the same roof and celebrating together. I hope that one day that will happen.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Time and Place
What a difference a place makes. I was thinking about an incident that happened in Texas in the early 90's. We were living in Kerrville, Texas at the time and I was going to school and still teaching seminary. I don't know if I was coming home from a final or from a seminary meeting late at night by myself but it was raining hard until Boerne and then it got really foggy - like hard to see foggy. I was seriously thinking about turning around and staying at my sister's in San Antonio, when suddenly a big white 'Texas' sized pickup truck with foglights passed me and settled in at a reasonable distance in front of me as if to guide me. Almost immediately the exact same make and model was behind me but with their low-beams on. They kept me safely cradled from just outside of Boerne until my turnoff in Kerrville (where miraculously the fog was not as bad). I was content to stay between them and they seemed happy to let me stay where I was. If that had happened here I would have been so spooked I would have turned off at the nearest exit and called the police. I think if it happened in Texas today, I would still be content to let them direct me. It is just the difference of the place and the people in them. Maybe I am too naive about Texans and have a fanciful idea about them. I hope not. Since I doubt I will be in that situation again it doesn't matter. Those two trucks will always be my 'angel trucks'. I am grateful to the phantom drivers for getting me home that night. I have other experiences where drivers and remarkably usually trucks have helped me and guided me in bad weather in Texas. I will always be grateful to them. But then 'pick-up truck' drivers in Texas are different than in other states. A truck is usually a necessity in Texas and not a status symbol. Therefore the people that drive them are usually people that are quick to help and salt of the earth. I love Texas and I love Texans.
I was talking to someone that had recenlty visited Texas from Rhode Island. They had never been out of New England before and I was anxious for their report on Texans. They told me that Texans were way too friendly! They wished that people in Texas did what people in New England did and left everyone alone! I thought it was sad that she was visiting such a wonderful place and all she wanted was to be left alone. For you Texans - don't change. Stay friendly and don't ever leave anyone alone. They may not know it but we need people like you!
I was talking to someone that had recenlty visited Texas from Rhode Island. They had never been out of New England before and I was anxious for their report on Texans. They told me that Texans were way too friendly! They wished that people in Texas did what people in New England did and left everyone alone! I thought it was sad that she was visiting such a wonderful place and all she wanted was to be left alone. For you Texans - don't change. Stay friendly and don't ever leave anyone alone. They may not know it but we need people like you!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Book Review
I am combining my book review with a movie review. I love Stephanie Meyer's book "Twilight" and the others that went with it. As with most people Twilight was my favorite book but it kept me wanting more. I am not so sure that Stephanie was too heartbroken when her latest book in the series was leaked to the internet. I think she was getting tired of it.
The day before Thanksgiving, Pam and I went to see the movied 'Twilight'. I went with no expectations because I have been disappointed too many times before. I didn't read the book before we went because I didn't want to compare too closely. I wanted it to be a new experience and it was. I enjoyed myself. I thought it was funny that when 'Edward' appeared - all the girls in the theater screamed. That made Pam and me laugh. There were some disappointing things that were left out of the book but here is what I found out.
1. Bella is portrayed as someone that trips over the flowers in the linoleum in the book. It turns out that they did try and do that for the movie but they pulled out all of the parts because they came off cartoonish and diminished from the movie rather than enhanced Bella's character. Whether this is the fault of the actress or the direction given - I don't know. Too bad someone like Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts couldn't have played Bella. I know they are too old but they can play klutzy and get away with it.
2. There is a part where Robert Pattinson (Edward) plays the piano. It is beautiful. That is actually him playing the piano.
3. I was disappointed that the Cullens' didn't have bigger parts in the movie. Alice in particular should have had a much bigger role than she did. Rosalie took center stage in this movie instead and in the book her part is not all the big in comparison to Alice's. The Cullens' parts mostly ended up on the editing room floor. They had to cut and it ended up being the scenes that didn't affect the absulutely main line of the story. As with Harry Potter or any large book you have to realize it is either a revised movie or a mini-series.
I am glad it made enough to prove that a sequel can be made. I was leary of Robert Pattinson as Edward but he pulled it off. In fact the characters were all really well portrayed but I have to say that the best portrayals were the 'wandering' vampires. They were exactly as I pictured them - always. My other little peeve was that if they hadn't spent so much time with scenery they could have kept some time in with other story lines - but it does work well.
I learned yesterday that the house in Cleveland, Ohio where they filmed "The Christmas Story" is now a national landmark. It was dedicated for the 25th anniversary. I can't believe it has been 25 years. Well now the city that Forks was based on is also and national landmark because of 'Twilight.' Interesting what a movie will do for you.
Yes the books are about vampires. No they are not about vampires in the sense that Dracula is. It is truly a book of good versus evil and how people face those decisions in their everyday lives. If you haven't read the books - read them. You will be in for a wonderful adventure.
The day before Thanksgiving, Pam and I went to see the movied 'Twilight'. I went with no expectations because I have been disappointed too many times before. I didn't read the book before we went because I didn't want to compare too closely. I wanted it to be a new experience and it was. I enjoyed myself. I thought it was funny that when 'Edward' appeared - all the girls in the theater screamed. That made Pam and me laugh. There were some disappointing things that were left out of the book but here is what I found out.
1. Bella is portrayed as someone that trips over the flowers in the linoleum in the book. It turns out that they did try and do that for the movie but they pulled out all of the parts because they came off cartoonish and diminished from the movie rather than enhanced Bella's character. Whether this is the fault of the actress or the direction given - I don't know. Too bad someone like Sandra Bullock or Julia Roberts couldn't have played Bella. I know they are too old but they can play klutzy and get away with it.
2. There is a part where Robert Pattinson (Edward) plays the piano. It is beautiful. That is actually him playing the piano.
3. I was disappointed that the Cullens' didn't have bigger parts in the movie. Alice in particular should have had a much bigger role than she did. Rosalie took center stage in this movie instead and in the book her part is not all the big in comparison to Alice's. The Cullens' parts mostly ended up on the editing room floor. They had to cut and it ended up being the scenes that didn't affect the absulutely main line of the story. As with Harry Potter or any large book you have to realize it is either a revised movie or a mini-series.
I am glad it made enough to prove that a sequel can be made. I was leary of Robert Pattinson as Edward but he pulled it off. In fact the characters were all really well portrayed but I have to say that the best portrayals were the 'wandering' vampires. They were exactly as I pictured them - always. My other little peeve was that if they hadn't spent so much time with scenery they could have kept some time in with other story lines - but it does work well.
I learned yesterday that the house in Cleveland, Ohio where they filmed "The Christmas Story" is now a national landmark. It was dedicated for the 25th anniversary. I can't believe it has been 25 years. Well now the city that Forks was based on is also and national landmark because of 'Twilight.' Interesting what a movie will do for you.
Yes the books are about vampires. No they are not about vampires in the sense that Dracula is. It is truly a book of good versus evil and how people face those decisions in their everyday lives. If you haven't read the books - read them. You will be in for a wonderful adventure.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday's Heroine - Our daughter Heidi
Today is Heidi's birthday so what better heroine than her. Heidi's was an easy delivery. My mother didn't believe I was 'hurting' enough to be having a baby and wouldn't take me to the hospital. Dr. Forks finally called and told my mom to bring me in. I arrived at the Hospital and 20 minutes later I was holding Heidi in my arms. Mom even said that I would be sent home and shouldn't be messing up a hospital bed. When I delivered Heidi the Dr wanted me to call Mom and say, "See - it wasn't a waste of time!" from the delivery room but we decided we could wait a few minutes. The funny thing about that evening is that Dad and Omi had wanted me to go to the symphony with them. I had the baby before they came home from the symphony.
Heidi has always been that easy going. She slept through the night really early and really tried hard not be any trouble. She was a good student and now she is a good wife and good mother (as all our daughers' are). I really am amazed at what incredible mothers we have raised.
Heidi is not afraid to try new things. She analyzes the situation and sometimes with fear and trepidation she steps out into the unknown but she does it. I am always amazed how she overcomes her fears and does things she doesn't want to do or things that frighten her. Other people might run away from the challenge but Heidi faces them. I am proud to be the mother of Heidi Noel Bailey Bahlmann.
Heidi has always been that easy going. She slept through the night really early and really tried hard not be any trouble. She was a good student and now she is a good wife and good mother (as all our daughers' are). I really am amazed at what incredible mothers we have raised.
Heidi is not afraid to try new things. She analyzes the situation and sometimes with fear and trepidation she steps out into the unknown but she does it. I am always amazed how she overcomes her fears and does things she doesn't want to do or things that frighten her. Other people might run away from the challenge but Heidi faces them. I am proud to be the mother of Heidi Noel Bailey Bahlmann.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Christmas Music and Movies
I am a Christmas junkie. My family knows it but I have to keep it under control because I am truly married to a Scrooge. How this worked out I don't know. When I was little I would get Christmas albums out and listen to them any time of the year I felt I needed too. No one scolded me or questioned my sanity. After I got married I was actually scolded by Clyde when I pulled out a Christmas album in March and listened to it. So after that it had to be on the sly. This worked out fine until I had children that were old enough to tattle. Then I had to be really careful when I listened to the music or I once again I would be told that Christmas music was for December and December only. Thank heaven by this time we had given birth to Heidi, so at least the Christmas Season could start on her birthday December 1. Before that it had to wait for my Aunt Norma's birthday because the was family tradition as to when to put the tree up (so basically anytime after December 10 though that really wasn't Norma's birthday). My mother didn't even wait that long and it was her sister (at least once she had an artificial tree). I don't want to make Clyde sound like he is the meanest person it the world or really anti-Christmas, because he isn't. Part of it is his childhood and part of it is that he is so OCD that everything must be in its place and Christmas out of context just makes him nuts. But back to my story.
Then we got a VCR. I could not only listen to music whenever I wanted to I could watch movies whenever I wanted too. I must admit that when I was really down nothing makes me to this day feel better faster than a Christmas movie. I have several favorites and 1 is my all time favorite movie. My most favorite movie of all time is The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant, Lorretta Young, and David Niven. I love that movie - every minute of it. They made a remake of it with The Preacher's Wife which just does not capture the beauty of the original movie. I like the Preacher's Wife but it will never rank as high as the Bishop's Wife does in my book. Funny thing - people that have told me about what a fabulous movie the Preacher's Wife is and then I give them The Bishop's Wife - are alway converted to the original.
My other favorite Christmas movie was one Debbie Cannon told me about 20 years ago from the Disney Channel. This was when everyone was enamored with Australia because of Crocodile Dundee and The Man From Snowy River. This movie is a made for TV movie called A Christmas Visitor where a little boy named Ned mistakes a vagabond for Father Christmas. It is a delightful movie. I would love to find that one on DVD because the video I taped off of TV 20 years ago is getting very worn out. I doubt I will ever find it though. It starred Dee Wallace Stone. I think that was one of her last movies she ever made. Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire is another movie that I love but you can truly actually get away with that one year round. The first Christmas movie I remember ever seeing was White Christmas sent out on a re-release when I was 10 and so was it. I thought it was the most beautiful movie I had ever seen. Funny thing - I fell in love with Danny Kaye. I thought he looked the best of anyone in the picture. But then I had already fallen in love with him because of his music from Hans Christian Andersen.
I love the clay-mation TV specials and so the last couple of years I have started collecting those on DVD. Hopefully soon they will come out with my favorite, The Life and Times of Santa, written by Frank L. Baum of Wizard of Oz fame. It is an interesting version of the story of Santa Claus. I also would like to have the DVD version of Nestor the Long-eared donkey. About 6 years ago I saw a collection of the Charlie Brown specials for $10. I thought I would see it again on DVD but never have. Now they are $20 for one. Until they group them together for a good price I will just patiently watch them on tv or find them on the computer.
I am not sure what even triggered this blog. Music and movies are one my favortie aspects of Christmas. I guess it doesn't diminish the fact that they are special even if I watch or listen to them periodically during the year. Maybe it makes them more special because I know they are there to pick me up whenever I need them. How fun is that?
Then we got a VCR. I could not only listen to music whenever I wanted to I could watch movies whenever I wanted too. I must admit that when I was really down nothing makes me to this day feel better faster than a Christmas movie. I have several favorites and 1 is my all time favorite movie. My most favorite movie of all time is The Bishop's Wife with Cary Grant, Lorretta Young, and David Niven. I love that movie - every minute of it. They made a remake of it with The Preacher's Wife which just does not capture the beauty of the original movie. I like the Preacher's Wife but it will never rank as high as the Bishop's Wife does in my book. Funny thing - people that have told me about what a fabulous movie the Preacher's Wife is and then I give them The Bishop's Wife - are alway converted to the original.
My other favorite Christmas movie was one Debbie Cannon told me about 20 years ago from the Disney Channel. This was when everyone was enamored with Australia because of Crocodile Dundee and The Man From Snowy River. This movie is a made for TV movie called A Christmas Visitor where a little boy named Ned mistakes a vagabond for Father Christmas. It is a delightful movie. I would love to find that one on DVD because the video I taped off of TV 20 years ago is getting very worn out. I doubt I will ever find it though. It starred Dee Wallace Stone. I think that was one of her last movies she ever made. Holiday Inn with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire is another movie that I love but you can truly actually get away with that one year round. The first Christmas movie I remember ever seeing was White Christmas sent out on a re-release when I was 10 and so was it. I thought it was the most beautiful movie I had ever seen. Funny thing - I fell in love with Danny Kaye. I thought he looked the best of anyone in the picture. But then I had already fallen in love with him because of his music from Hans Christian Andersen.
I love the clay-mation TV specials and so the last couple of years I have started collecting those on DVD. Hopefully soon they will come out with my favorite, The Life and Times of Santa, written by Frank L. Baum of Wizard of Oz fame. It is an interesting version of the story of Santa Claus. I also would like to have the DVD version of Nestor the Long-eared donkey. About 6 years ago I saw a collection of the Charlie Brown specials for $10. I thought I would see it again on DVD but never have. Now they are $20 for one. Until they group them together for a good price I will just patiently watch them on tv or find them on the computer.
I am not sure what even triggered this blog. Music and movies are one my favortie aspects of Christmas. I guess it doesn't diminish the fact that they are special even if I watch or listen to them periodically during the year. Maybe it makes them more special because I know they are there to pick me up whenever I need them. How fun is that?
Monday, November 17, 2008
My Hero
I know I have written about my dad before but I had to write again this week because last week was his birthday. I can honestly say that my father has been my hero longer than any person on this earth. I have hero worshipped him from the moment I laid eyes on him. How do I know? Because I can't imagine my feelings were any different then than they are now - 55+ years later. My earliest memory of my dad is seeing the light go on in the morning. That was my signal that he needed me to go and help him study. To this day, when we are visiting and I see the light go on in the morning, I still have the urge to go and just be with Dad. It was my time to curl up on his lap and fall back to sleep but it was my special time with Dad.
We have had a lot times when we have just been the two of us. I went to Berlin, Germany with Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa Brugger. Mom was too sick to go and they had already made the reservations. Dad took me and I felt so grown up. I wasn't even 10 yet. That was my longest trip alone with Dad but it was so memorable.
When we were living in Denver, in order for me to attend Seminary before school, I had to attend another ward's. Dad and I drove together every morning and then onto Smiley Jr. High School. I loved that time with Dad. It was quite a miserable school experience (and seminary experience too) but I loved every morning with Dad.
I desperately missed Dad when he was in Korea. Mom and I went through that phase that many mothers and daughters go through where they don't get along. I am not sure I did it because I thought I should or we were like oil and water right then because we are really so much alike. I hope it is because we are so much alike. At that this point in my life I would find that a wonderful compliment.
When Dad came home, whenever Dad had a speaking assignment with the High Council or in the Stake Presidency, I would tag along. I met a lot of wonderful people in the stake that way and had more one on one time with Dad.
I guess the funniest one on one time I had with Dad was when Clyde and I lived in El Paso. I was all by myself and really sick with the flu. Dad was concerned that I was that sick and alone (Clyde was going to be gone for over a month). He had me fly to San Antonio and stay. After a couple of days I was not getting better. I was constantly queasy. Finally he took me to Brook Army Medical Center and under the name of my brother, Robert Maynard Brugger, they ran a pregnancy test. It turned out I was pregnant and put on bed rest because I was high risk. Marianne was graduating from BYU and so I was all alone in Mom and Dad's house for a couple of weeks (they did have a friend of mine come and stay nights in case something happened to me or the pregnancy.) I finally left 4 months later when they gave me the all clear and every one was confident I was not going to miscarry that pregnancy. I didn't and have Carianne to show for it.
The last one 0n one time Dad and I really had was the day we went and picked up Doreen's wedding ring set. I am so happy for Dad and Doreen and that they have each other. It hurts so much to think that I cannot just pop over and spend the day with my dad. But no matter what, he will always be my greatest hero. I guess every little girl hero worships their father to some extent and they should. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to send me as a daughter to my father.
We have had a lot times when we have just been the two of us. I went to Berlin, Germany with Dad, and Grandma and Grandpa Brugger. Mom was too sick to go and they had already made the reservations. Dad took me and I felt so grown up. I wasn't even 10 yet. That was my longest trip alone with Dad but it was so memorable.
When we were living in Denver, in order for me to attend Seminary before school, I had to attend another ward's. Dad and I drove together every morning and then onto Smiley Jr. High School. I loved that time with Dad. It was quite a miserable school experience (and seminary experience too) but I loved every morning with Dad.
I desperately missed Dad when he was in Korea. Mom and I went through that phase that many mothers and daughters go through where they don't get along. I am not sure I did it because I thought I should or we were like oil and water right then because we are really so much alike. I hope it is because we are so much alike. At that this point in my life I would find that a wonderful compliment.
When Dad came home, whenever Dad had a speaking assignment with the High Council or in the Stake Presidency, I would tag along. I met a lot of wonderful people in the stake that way and had more one on one time with Dad.
I guess the funniest one on one time I had with Dad was when Clyde and I lived in El Paso. I was all by myself and really sick with the flu. Dad was concerned that I was that sick and alone (Clyde was going to be gone for over a month). He had me fly to San Antonio and stay. After a couple of days I was not getting better. I was constantly queasy. Finally he took me to Brook Army Medical Center and under the name of my brother, Robert Maynard Brugger, they ran a pregnancy test. It turned out I was pregnant and put on bed rest because I was high risk. Marianne was graduating from BYU and so I was all alone in Mom and Dad's house for a couple of weeks (they did have a friend of mine come and stay nights in case something happened to me or the pregnancy.) I finally left 4 months later when they gave me the all clear and every one was confident I was not going to miscarry that pregnancy. I didn't and have Carianne to show for it.
The last one 0n one time Dad and I really had was the day we went and picked up Doreen's wedding ring set. I am so happy for Dad and Doreen and that they have each other. It hurts so much to think that I cannot just pop over and spend the day with my dad. But no matter what, he will always be my greatest hero. I guess every little girl hero worships their father to some extent and they should. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to send me as a daughter to my father.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Tagged
1 minute ago I was getting packages to mail to Heather and Heidi.
1 month ago I was going to physical therapy with Joe for my leg.
1 year ago I was getting my Christmas Book ready because we were going to be with Pam and Chris for the last week of November (much like this year).
3 years ago I was getting my Christmas book ready.
4 years ago - I was getting ready to go to Carianne's to spend time with her after Noah's birth.
5 years ago - our first Autumn in Rhode Island. We spend Vetern's day at Plymouth Plantation.
7 years ago - I was trying to help Doreen get things ready for Bob and Dena's wedding.
10 years ago - I was living in a house I loved, in a ward I loved, in a community I loved surrounded by loving family. It doesn't get better than that. Unfortunately I was having major health problems that were playing with my mental and physical health. It would almost 4 more years before we figure out what whas going on and how to fix it. Fortunately I had Dr. Nilsson to help me get through it all.
1 month ago I was going to physical therapy with Joe for my leg.
1 year ago I was getting my Christmas Book ready because we were going to be with Pam and Chris for the last week of November (much like this year).
3 years ago I was getting my Christmas book ready.
4 years ago - I was getting ready to go to Carianne's to spend time with her after Noah's birth.
5 years ago - our first Autumn in Rhode Island. We spend Vetern's day at Plymouth Plantation.
7 years ago - I was trying to help Doreen get things ready for Bob and Dena's wedding.
10 years ago - I was living in a house I loved, in a ward I loved, in a community I loved surrounded by loving family. It doesn't get better than that. Unfortunately I was having major health problems that were playing with my mental and physical health. It would almost 4 more years before we figure out what whas going on and how to fix it. Fortunately I had Dr. Nilsson to help me get through it all.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
I was tagged
This is my 6th picture in my 6th folder on this computer. It is a picture of my niece Julianna on her mission in Uruguay in the Montevideo Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She will be there for about 7 more months. She has grown in amazing ways thus far on her mission. I wish I could share her letters and emails with you here but that is not feasible. I am proud of all of my nieces and nephews. But I am closest to my Dittmar nieces. Our families truly just meld from on family to the next. My sister is 'Grandma' to my grandchildren and in truth when we get together the grandchildren have a hard time telling which one is Marianne and which one is me. I love my Dittmar nieces as much as I love my own daughters. We have practically raised our families as one. Now they are all in Utah with the exception of Julianna.I was having a pity party the other day. I was feeling sad that I don't get to live closer than 10 hours to any of my grandchildren. Then I thought of my own grandparents but in particular my Grandma Sarah or Omi. She never lived close to any of her daughters after they left home except for short stints when a husband was on a 'hardship' tour or during Aunt Norma's divorce. But that was just a few years in all. Aunt Alice Anne was in California and sometimes didn't make it to Utah for several years. We had many years when we were overseas that we didn't get to see our Utah family. Once Grandpa Tuttle died though, then Omi would come and stay for extended visits. That was fun. But that wasn't until I was a JR in High School. I truly spent most of my childhood with just summer visits in Manti. I am still surprised how close Omi and I always were. The best years I had were the years I was at Snow and then Clyde and I were at BYU. We made sure we would go and visit Omi at least 1 weekend a month when she was in town. I loved seeing her. She has always been an important part of my life - but then she was my grandmother. I have decided that even though she was in my life for such short spans she still had a great impact. I have got to figure out how she did it because obviously in that respect my life is mimicking hers. I am never going to be in close proximity to any of our grandchildren and I need to quit feeling sorry for myself about it. What I need to do is find ways to have a positive impact on each of their lives and let them know that I am always here for them.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Monday Heroes
On December 18th Chad Jenks leaves the area. It will make me very sad. I guess I have adopted him in a long line of 'sons' that I have picked up through the ages. I am really going to miss him. I have worried about him, laughed with him and listened to his beautiful organ and piano music as he has studied law at Roger Williams University for the last 2 1/2 years. Now he is graduating, early I might add after attending school year around. He has finally decided to settle in Boise, Idaho. Because he is single and 30, he is hoping that out West he will find the woman of his dreams. I do too, he deserves that. He has been so busy concentrating on his mission, his bachelor's and Master's degree in music (his emphasis is organ) and now his double degree in law and an MBA he has put his dating life on the back burner. Plus there really hasn't been anyone to date here. He has tried having long-distance relationships but they have all fizzled. I hope and pray 'she' appears soon after he is settled in Idaho. He deserves it.
My other hero turned 1 on Saturday. Why would Kaitlin be my heros? Because last year she started in this life at just over 3 pound! They had to take her by C-section so that her mother would survive. But it has turned out that Kaitlin is one strong willed little girl. Most preemies are 'slow' to devlelop. I bet if we put her next to our grandson Luke (who will be one at the end of the month) the two of them would be pretty close. Kaitlin is far ahead of the babies born in January (when she was due). She walks, she is trying to form words and she is very opinionated. She has become the whole wards 'baby' because we were all fasting and praying so hard for her for so long. Obviously prayers are answered. David and Trish are incredible parents to this little girl but she did 99% of it on her own. These may be two odd heroes but heroes come in all shapes, sizes and ages.
On an incredibly exciting note, after I don't know how many years, I got to see Elise Cannon! She and her friend (my friend too because of her parents) Jessica Smith came to our ward for Sacrament Meeting. To make it even better it was the Primary Program so Clyde and I were able to sit by them! We had so much fun. Hopefully next time our visit will be longer but just the hour and a half we spent together yesterday was wonderful. I love seeing Jessica anytime. To see Elise again was just beyond words!
My other hero turned 1 on Saturday. Why would Kaitlin be my heros? Because last year she started in this life at just over 3 pound! They had to take her by C-section so that her mother would survive. But it has turned out that Kaitlin is one strong willed little girl. Most preemies are 'slow' to devlelop. I bet if we put her next to our grandson Luke (who will be one at the end of the month) the two of them would be pretty close. Kaitlin is far ahead of the babies born in January (when she was due). She walks, she is trying to form words and she is very opinionated. She has become the whole wards 'baby' because we were all fasting and praying so hard for her for so long. Obviously prayers are answered. David and Trish are incredible parents to this little girl but she did 99% of it on her own. These may be two odd heroes but heroes come in all shapes, sizes and ages.
On an incredibly exciting note, after I don't know how many years, I got to see Elise Cannon! She and her friend (my friend too because of her parents) Jessica Smith came to our ward for Sacrament Meeting. To make it even better it was the Primary Program so Clyde and I were able to sit by them! We had so much fun. Hopefully next time our visit will be longer but just the hour and a half we spent together yesterday was wonderful. I love seeing Jessica anytime. To see Elise again was just beyond words!
Friday, November 7, 2008
Sunny Days
I love sunshine - so much so that I nicknamed our oldest daughter Sunshine. (It helped that she has always been such a positive person and the name stuck because of that). For the last 4 days there has not been a glimmer of sun in the area. I am not sure I would know the sun if I saw it at this point. I think that this is one of the reasons I have a hard time with the New England winters. It isn't the snow and it isn't the cold even - it is the lack of sun. This 'girl' who has spent the majority of her life in the Western US where there is an abundance of sun has a hard time not seeing the sun every day. I can go 1 or even 2 days but we will probably not see the sun for at least 2 more days at least - which will make it 6 days since the sun shone in total. Anyone with Seasonal Affective Disorder in this part of the world will start feeling symptoms during November. November is the darkest and dreariest month of the year here. I need to find me a 'happy' lightbulb and put it in our dining room lamp. That should be just enough time each day to keep my spirits up.
Hopefully the sun will shine soon. In the meantime I am going to go and read a book about somewhere Southern, warm and sunny.
Hopefully the sun will shine soon. In the meantime I am going to go and read a book about somewhere Southern, warm and sunny.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
I Almost Didn't Get to Vote
Can you imagine what it is like to show up to vote - knowing you are registered and be told you aren't there? To be told you can't vote? That happened to me. I have voted absentee for the last two elections because of my traveling to Vegas 2 years ago to be with Heather and our Girls' gathering last March so I missed the Rhode Island Primary. I went and gave my name and was not to be found. Clyde's name was there. I was told I could vote for the President but nothing else. There were some local issues that I was quite passionate about that I wanted to vote on even more than president - believe it or not. So I protested and said I had to be somewhere in the system. For sympathy and because I was afraid I would be standing in lines for a while I did bring my cane (turned out to be a good thing for a number of reasons). They started looking for me - offered me chairs and eventually found me at #38 and not at 26 Harbor Village. They had moved Clyde but not me. By moving we had moved precincts. I tried to let them let me go two blocks over to the library and vote but NO! I had to fill out paperwork and forms galore. Finally 45 minutes after Clyde finished voting I was finally able to get in line to vote. Was it worth it? Yes. But it was a very weird exprience. Hopefully next time I will vote without a glitch (or absentee again).
I'm feeling left out
Every blog I have read for the last two days but 1 has been about politics. Every phone call that has come to the apartment has been about politics. I am tired of it. It is time to move on and accept what has taken place. It is time to pray for the new administration, support the new canditates and start badgering senators and representatives to make sure that any promises they made you want them to keep - they do or things you don't agree with - they know about that too. If there is going to be real change in this country it will be through Congress and not through the President. Will a Democrat heavy Congress give a Democrat President everything he wants? Not necessarily. It hasn't worked that way before and once the glamour of the first African-American in office wears off it could be that none of his promises come about. The Democrats were so proud of Jimmy Carter. It was a Democrat heavy Congress when he was in too. Our economic times and gas prices were all over the place. We were in trouble for most of the 4 years because nothing was decided the whole time. Now, however the President does have the right to veto partial bills. He did not have that power during Carter's time. Our country is in a mess. We need to be supportive - just like the 12th Article of Faith says.
Before the election I wrote one email privately to someone. We were on opposite sides of the political poles but I was glad that they expressed their points of veiw to me. They obviously read things differently than I did but that does not make them a bad person. Knowing them, they read far more than I did about things. I have only the internet and TV to rely on. They have magazines, newspapers and the internet. I know that their research into their candidate was probably a much broader search than mine ever was. Once I read their point of view, to be honest I was almost convinced to switch. It was not a charismatic email - just the facts.
We live in a country of freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom to think the way we want too. We believe in free-agency in the Church. That right was exercised on Tuesday. No matter who you voted for - it was the right candidate for you. Now is the time for us to rally together and make this one of the greatest eras in US history.
Before the election I wrote one email privately to someone. We were on opposite sides of the political poles but I was glad that they expressed their points of veiw to me. They obviously read things differently than I did but that does not make them a bad person. Knowing them, they read far more than I did about things. I have only the internet and TV to rely on. They have magazines, newspapers and the internet. I know that their research into their candidate was probably a much broader search than mine ever was. Once I read their point of view, to be honest I was almost convinced to switch. It was not a charismatic email - just the facts.
We live in a country of freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom to think the way we want too. We believe in free-agency in the Church. That right was exercised on Tuesday. No matter who you voted for - it was the right candidate for you. Now is the time for us to rally together and make this one of the greatest eras in US history.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Flip of the Coin
Everyone that knows me knows that I am pro-life. I still get melancholy this time of year because our first child would have been born now. My miscarriage was at over 4 months so this would have been our son. It is always a hard time of the year for me. But that is not what I want to write about. I was talking to my physical therapist one of the last weeks that I was there. His wife had a miscarriage last year and on the date that the baby should have been born she received a card from a pro-life group saying "If you hadn't chosen to abort this baby - you would be holding a living child in your arms today." Because the medical records had used the medical term abort and the DR had neglected to put 'natural' in front of her miscarriage, Joe's wife received a letter that devastated her. She still is having a hard time recovering from this because she ended up having surgery and they will not be having anymore children naturally. How cruel was tha? All because someone invaded private medical records and misconstrued information. To me - these people are just as bad for the mental cruelty they have inflicted as the pro-abortion people have inflicted on others. I have meant to write about this for some time but I have had so many people call me today and tell me how wonderful pro-life people are. Just because you are pro-life doesn't make you a nice person - obviously.
Monday, November 3, 2008
My Heroes - The Mello Family
I was going to wait and do Jennifer closer to her birthday - which is December - but decided it just cannot wait any longer. Since we first moved here Jennifer and her two sons' Cody and Devon have been and important part of our 'Newport' family. Cody and Devon have been very close to us and Jennifer has been a very good friend. The first Christmas we were here she invited us over to her house and there we were able to really get to know her husband and boys father, Dana. He is now truly one of our favorite people in the area. The thing about the Mello family is they are there to help you when you don't even think they are aware of the need. When we first moved here Jennifer was the Primary President. When Clyde was made bishop it didn't take him long to call her to be the Relief Society President. She thought she was exempt because her husband isn't a member of the Church. Thank Heavens' that is not the case because she has become Clyde's third counselor. Jennifer knows more about what is happening in the ward than I think Clyde does. She gets into people's homes in a way that he never could. She is truly amazing.
Dana is a wonderful father and husband. He is also an incredible chef! He make some of the best jambalaya that I have ever eaten! On the other hand anything Dana cooks and brings to a ward function is usually the first thing gone because it is always the best tasting thing there. He is currently one of the Boy Scout leaders for his son's troop. Dana is a friend that I am so grateful to have made here in Newport.
Cody and Devon are a cross between sons and grandsons I guess. Clyde and I both love them dearly. They are some of the neatest young men you will ever come across. Cody is 15 and Devon is 13. Cody and I have kind of handshake tussle thing that we do every Sunday but Devon and I hug each other every Sunday and tell each other we love each other. We have for 5+ years. I wasn't going to hug him the first Sunday I came back from my surgery because Devon had hurt his collar bone. He grabbed me and gave me a one armed hug and told me he loved me and had missed me. It doesn't get much better than that. These young men are going to grow up to be some of the greatest men I will ever have the privilege of ever meeting one day. Mark my words.
Dana is a wonderful father and husband. He is also an incredible chef! He make some of the best jambalaya that I have ever eaten! On the other hand anything Dana cooks and brings to a ward function is usually the first thing gone because it is always the best tasting thing there. He is currently one of the Boy Scout leaders for his son's troop. Dana is a friend that I am so grateful to have made here in Newport.
Cody and Devon are a cross between sons and grandsons I guess. Clyde and I both love them dearly. They are some of the neatest young men you will ever come across. Cody is 15 and Devon is 13. Cody and I have kind of handshake tussle thing that we do every Sunday but Devon and I hug each other every Sunday and tell each other we love each other. We have for 5+ years. I wasn't going to hug him the first Sunday I came back from my surgery because Devon had hurt his collar bone. He grabbed me and gave me a one armed hug and told me he loved me and had missed me. It doesn't get much better than that. These young men are going to grow up to be some of the greatest men I will ever have the privilege of ever meeting one day. Mark my words.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Book Review
Today I want to write about Natalie S. Bober. She wrote a book about Abigail Adams that I read last summer. She didn't interject her opinions, she just used letters and journals of Abigail to let Abigail tell her own story. As I have read other works of Natalie's, I have noted she works the same way. I just finished reading Thomas Jefferson, Drafstmans of a Nation by Natalie. The reason I read it was because I was watching a Ken Burns special on President Thomas Jefferson and he had Natalie Bober on as one of the authorities. I suddenly started noticing her more and more on PBS specials about famous people. She apparently has caught other peoples attention for her honest approach to her subject matter. I highly recommend her writing because she lets the protaganist tell the story.
As I have been reading so much lately I have gravitated back to what our daughters' called 'Grandma's trashy novels'. Mom loved Danielle Steele novels and looked forward to the new ones. I have not read a Danielle Steele novel since Mom's death. It wasn't because I didn't like them I just didn't have anyone to give them to me anymore. The other day someone did. I have 8 years of novels to catch up on now. I thoroughly enjoy her story telling. It is not near the trash that most adult authors go for nowadays. I found it quite refreshing. I think I will read her more often.
As I have been reading so much lately I have gravitated back to what our daughters' called 'Grandma's trashy novels'. Mom loved Danielle Steele novels and looked forward to the new ones. I have not read a Danielle Steele novel since Mom's death. It wasn't because I didn't like them I just didn't have anyone to give them to me anymore. The other day someone did. I have 8 years of novels to catch up on now. I thoroughly enjoy her story telling. It is not near the trash that most adult authors go for nowadays. I found it quite refreshing. I think I will read her more often.
Monday, October 27, 2008
My heroes
Today is a tribute to our daughters' mother-in-laws. I really like them all and I think that if I lived in an area where I had a chance to develop the friendship with anyone of them - we would end up being very good friends. Since Pat Pfiester was the first one in the family, she and I have the longest relationship. She has been nothing but kind and gracious from the moment I first met her. There is something about Texas women that makes them both strong and sweet. How you can get that combination and still keep your femininity is baffling to anyone else but in Texas it works. That describes Pat. I don't know the others nearly as well. It seems that when I go to Texas I ended up staying for such long periods of time - especially when Carianne was threatening to lose both Noah and Nathanael to miscarriage that Pat and I ended up very close. We were fighting for our babies lives. But that does not diminish the other mother-in-laws. When I was with Heather because she was so morning sick, Carolyn (and Larry) came down several times to check on Heather and Bella, even though Brandon was in Kuwait. As soon as Pam went into labor, Kelly was booking her flight to be with Pam and Chris because she knew I couldn't be there. I will always be grateful to her for that. Shirley has always been closer in proximity to the Bahlmann's so they know her better than me. Each family has a grandma that dotes on them when the other is busy. I am very grateful for that. We are lucky to have the family that we have - full of loving grandmothers.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Trunk or Treat
Last night was our ward's Trunk or Treat with a Chili Cook-off (I won third place but I rigged it - trying not to win at all!). Yesterday afternoon Scott Halverson called to tell us that Josh had pneumonia. Karyn (this wife and obviously Ashley, Josh and Taylor's mom) is in Utah fussing over her new nephew. The Halverson's have a unique situation in that all of the grandparents but one grandmother have passed away - hence how Clyde and I were adopted as the surrogate grandparents. We were just there to fuss over them. I knew Ashley had Homecoming so we offered to pick up Taylor and bring her the Ward party. When Scott told Taylor that Grandma Bailey wanted to come and get her - Taylor jumped at the chance to come with us. She was cute at the party too. She stuck pretty close to Clyde or me. She was very careful about telling us where she was and who she was with. We had a really good time together - but then we always do.
The Chili Cook-off was a last minute thing for me. Clyde told me I needed to enter my Mother's Chili because I was the bishop's wife. I made the whole recipe and filled our huge crock-pot up. I hadn't signed up so every time the came to mine (we were voting by cheering) I booed really loud. There were 9 chili pots in all. A non-member's won (I screamed the loudest for his because I wanted him to win. I told everyone to cheer for him - even people that hadn't tasted it.) With someone as loud as me and the other people I had cheering for Dana - he had to win. I almost got second until I told the cheering to stop for me. They wouldn't when it came to the 3rd place prize. In fact they told me that my pot should have taken first. I know Mom's Chili is the best. I don't need a prize but for self-esteem purposes - some of the other people there would have really gone a long ways with a ribbon.
Trunk or treat was fun. As usual we didn't give candy. This year we gave light sticks. Bracelets for the girls and 6 inch sticks for the boys. Pretty soon everyone had a stick and bracelets. They love those! They came to our car first so they could have the lights for the rest of cars (even though they didn't need them). Taylor went trick or treating with a bucket for herself and then went for Josh. They actually gave her more candy for Josh. She explained why she was going around twice.
This morning I went and picked up Ashley and Taylor for Church. I took a few movies for Scott and Josh to watch togther for the next few days. I thought I would be able to leave right after Relief Society but the people that were supposed to do the lunch for the Military Students didn't follow through. My assistant, Celeste Bremer and I, were frantically pulling stuff out of the freezer, and then I had to come home and clean out our crisper for a salad. Fortunately Celeste had brought two pies (we had 14 today). We always keep a couple of lasagnas in the freezer for emergencies. I was thinking the other day that they had been in there for more than 6 months and we needed to use them. Today was the day. We will replenish them for next time. We actually have several of the students that give money to 'other' on the tithing slip - they are so grateful for this service we provide. A couple of the students had their Drill Sargeants find out about out lunches and are now no longer allowed to stay. What is interesting is that we have a Navy psyciatrist that attends our ward. Her husband is not a member but is one of the chaplains. They are looking into what they can do so those young men can enjoy the fellowship with the other students after Church.
Taylor and Ashley stayed with me and helped and then left when Clyde and I left instead of going with the many families that offered to give them a ride home. Part of that was they wanted to ride in our new car! This is the first week that I have stayed for the whole block and attended Relief Society since my surgery. I was going to anyway but hadn't intended to have to say for 7 hours! I am kind of sore tonight but I think I will be OK. I love being a grandma - real or surrogate. I am lucky to have my true grandchildren and then those that willing to adopt me. I will take grandchildren anyway I can get them! Life is good.
The Chili Cook-off was a last minute thing for me. Clyde told me I needed to enter my Mother's Chili because I was the bishop's wife. I made the whole recipe and filled our huge crock-pot up. I hadn't signed up so every time the came to mine (we were voting by cheering) I booed really loud. There were 9 chili pots in all. A non-member's won (I screamed the loudest for his because I wanted him to win. I told everyone to cheer for him - even people that hadn't tasted it.) With someone as loud as me and the other people I had cheering for Dana - he had to win. I almost got second until I told the cheering to stop for me. They wouldn't when it came to the 3rd place prize. In fact they told me that my pot should have taken first. I know Mom's Chili is the best. I don't need a prize but for self-esteem purposes - some of the other people there would have really gone a long ways with a ribbon.
Trunk or treat was fun. As usual we didn't give candy. This year we gave light sticks. Bracelets for the girls and 6 inch sticks for the boys. Pretty soon everyone had a stick and bracelets. They love those! They came to our car first so they could have the lights for the rest of cars (even though they didn't need them). Taylor went trick or treating with a bucket for herself and then went for Josh. They actually gave her more candy for Josh. She explained why she was going around twice.
This morning I went and picked up Ashley and Taylor for Church. I took a few movies for Scott and Josh to watch togther for the next few days. I thought I would be able to leave right after Relief Society but the people that were supposed to do the lunch for the Military Students didn't follow through. My assistant, Celeste Bremer and I, were frantically pulling stuff out of the freezer, and then I had to come home and clean out our crisper for a salad. Fortunately Celeste had brought two pies (we had 14 today). We always keep a couple of lasagnas in the freezer for emergencies. I was thinking the other day that they had been in there for more than 6 months and we needed to use them. Today was the day. We will replenish them for next time. We actually have several of the students that give money to 'other' on the tithing slip - they are so grateful for this service we provide. A couple of the students had their Drill Sargeants find out about out lunches and are now no longer allowed to stay. What is interesting is that we have a Navy psyciatrist that attends our ward. Her husband is not a member but is one of the chaplains. They are looking into what they can do so those young men can enjoy the fellowship with the other students after Church.
Taylor and Ashley stayed with me and helped and then left when Clyde and I left instead of going with the many families that offered to give them a ride home. Part of that was they wanted to ride in our new car! This is the first week that I have stayed for the whole block and attended Relief Society since my surgery. I was going to anyway but hadn't intended to have to say for 7 hours! I am kind of sore tonight but I think I will be OK. I love being a grandma - real or surrogate. I am lucky to have my true grandchildren and then those that willing to adopt me. I will take grandchildren anyway I can get them! Life is good.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Book Review
I love Edith Pattou! She is a great writer. I fell in love with her writing when I read East by her. Pam had given it to me to read during my recovery. I read it very quickly because I couldn't put it down! This week I ordered from our library system her, Hero's Song. I was not disappointed. I had been reading Eragon and Eldest while I was waiting for this to come in because the YM and YW had been talking about how much they loved it. I like this so much better. It is a well written story and kept my interest much better. I truly cannot wait to read Fire Arrow. I have ordered it and am waiting for the library to call and tell me that it is in.
Another fun series that I have thoroughly enjoyed is Nancy Atherton's 'Aunt Dimity' books. The catch to these fluffy mysteries is that Aunt Dimity speaks to the protaganist through a diary. It takes place in England and is really a fun read. I really do read a lot of mysteries don't I? I love how they are so improbable and fun. My favorite thing to do on Tuesday afternoons is to watch our local PBS station. They have been running the whole Miss Marple series of Agatha Christie and that has been an absolute delight. The woman that plays Miss Marple in these 2005-2007 renditions is exactly how I envisioned Miss Marple when I was a young girl and had never seen a movie to have my mind made up. She truly is a sweet, British aunt that you would go and visit.
I know that I usually write my book review on Tuesday but yesterday got away from me with finishing Hero's Song, Miss Marple and the Newport Genealogy Society last night.
Another fun series that I have thoroughly enjoyed is Nancy Atherton's 'Aunt Dimity' books. The catch to these fluffy mysteries is that Aunt Dimity speaks to the protaganist through a diary. It takes place in England and is really a fun read. I really do read a lot of mysteries don't I? I love how they are so improbable and fun. My favorite thing to do on Tuesday afternoons is to watch our local PBS station. They have been running the whole Miss Marple series of Agatha Christie and that has been an absolute delight. The woman that plays Miss Marple in these 2005-2007 renditions is exactly how I envisioned Miss Marple when I was a young girl and had never seen a movie to have my mind made up. She truly is a sweet, British aunt that you would go and visit.
I know that I usually write my book review on Tuesday but yesterday got away from me with finishing Hero's Song, Miss Marple and the Newport Genealogy Society last night.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday Heroes
This week I have two heroes again. The first one is Carianne since she turns 31 years old tomorrow. I dreamed and waited 5 years for her birth and was so thrilled when she came into our lives. As with her sisters' she is loved and cherished. I am so proud of her and the mother she has become. She is an amazing daughter, wife, sister and mother.
The second hero is my physical therapist Joe. Today I graduated from having to visit him twice a week and to be honest there is a little part of me that is going to miss him. I am grateful to him for teaching me well enough that now I am able to be on my own. I have the tools to progress so that now, as long as I do my exercises every day, I will be pain free and quickly heal to 100% from my surgery. I will always be thankful for Joe and what he has taught me. Hopefully it will be a very long time before I have to visit him professionally again.
The second hero is my physical therapist Joe. Today I graduated from having to visit him twice a week and to be honest there is a little part of me that is going to miss him. I am grateful to him for teaching me well enough that now I am able to be on my own. I have the tools to progress so that now, as long as I do my exercises every day, I will be pain free and quickly heal to 100% from my surgery. I will always be thankful for Joe and what he has taught me. Hopefully it will be a very long time before I have to visit him professionally again.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Memory - Bynx
Why would I write a memory about a cat we all remember? Last night I was with the Girls' Achievement Class and two of the girls are sisters. They have 6 cats because of the mice in and outside of the their house. Two cats are for inside and the other 4 stay outside and catch the rodents that roam the countryside. Emma and Sara said that they don't even have to feed the outside cats because they catch enough mice and rats. I laughed and told them the probably are being fed by other people like Bynx. They were fascinated about our cat really belonging to the neighborhood. The thing that the whole class loved the most was that Bynz only came in the house if their was a rodent to capture. She would race in, catch it and leave. She never came in otherwise. It took us a while to figure out what she was up to when she would come in but she would be standing at the door with a dead mouse in her mouth every time.
The girls' also thought it was funny when Bynx had her kittens and we gave them away. 2 of the kittens we gave away within 4 houses of where we lived, one next door and the other to Hayden. One day Bynx came home with the kitten hanging from her mouth (banging against the sidewalk) all the way from Hayden's house. She did that several times. Hayden finally gave up trying to keep her. The only kitten that successfully stayed away from Bynx as a matter of fact was Matt and Jill Neilson's 'Tinkerbell' and that was because they made her a strictly indoor cat.
She had a sweet disposition. We had a hard time naming her and one day Jason Brugger was down visiting. He insisted that her name was Bynx and so it stayed forever more. We just left her to fend for herself when we left Ephraim and we are sure she was fine. I am sure she has passed on by now - she was 9 years old about when we left. She would disappear for weeks at a time and I think people would try and make a house cat out her. It wouldn't have lasted long. She loved being outside and free but she always returned to us at some point.
The other thing I would like to write about is a comic strip I read clear last Sunday. It was Funky Winkerbean. In it they were talking about how life has all kinds of twists and turns and wouldn't it be nice if we had a GPS to guide us. I have thought about that and I am so grateful that I do have a GPS - the Holy Ghost. When I listen to the promptings of the Spirit the twists and turns of life don't take me by surprise and life is so much happier. It is truly the GPS that guides me in everything I do. The Lord has blessed us greatly by giving the Spirit to us. We just have to listen and heed the prompting. The more we listen the easier it is to hear. We are truly a blessed people.
The girls' also thought it was funny when Bynx had her kittens and we gave them away. 2 of the kittens we gave away within 4 houses of where we lived, one next door and the other to Hayden. One day Bynx came home with the kitten hanging from her mouth (banging against the sidewalk) all the way from Hayden's house. She did that several times. Hayden finally gave up trying to keep her. The only kitten that successfully stayed away from Bynx as a matter of fact was Matt and Jill Neilson's 'Tinkerbell' and that was because they made her a strictly indoor cat.
She had a sweet disposition. We had a hard time naming her and one day Jason Brugger was down visiting. He insisted that her name was Bynx and so it stayed forever more. We just left her to fend for herself when we left Ephraim and we are sure she was fine. I am sure she has passed on by now - she was 9 years old about when we left. She would disappear for weeks at a time and I think people would try and make a house cat out her. It wouldn't have lasted long. She loved being outside and free but she always returned to us at some point.
The other thing I would like to write about is a comic strip I read clear last Sunday. It was Funky Winkerbean. In it they were talking about how life has all kinds of twists and turns and wouldn't it be nice if we had a GPS to guide us. I have thought about that and I am so grateful that I do have a GPS - the Holy Ghost. When I listen to the promptings of the Spirit the twists and turns of life don't take me by surprise and life is so much happier. It is truly the GPS that guides me in everything I do. The Lord has blessed us greatly by giving the Spirit to us. We just have to listen and heed the prompting. The more we listen the easier it is to hear. We are truly a blessed people.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Voting
Yesterday as I was reading Elise's blog about voting or not voting I realized that Carl made my decision very simple for me last spring. He pointed out the candidates were split on pro-life and abortion. He could not in good conscience ever vote for anyone that was not pr0-life - it was against everything he stood for. He is right.
As I have watched the debates and listened to the political commentary on the election it has reminded me of High School elections. When kids would be running for student body president they would promise things like longer lunch hours and shorter school days but you knew they couldn't do one thing about it. The people we need to look at it is the Congressional people running . And when you really examine it -it isn't Bush that has gotten us into this financial mess - it is Congress with their porkbarreling. The most vocal Senator about the things is a senator from Massachusetts. As I have examined what he has been up to he actually has holdings in some of the failed banks! This is something that is so WRONG but things like this go on all the time up here. I am sure that if you looked into other congressional people there are similar things going on (especially politians in the Northeast). Of course we have to shore up wall street! By doing that we are lining the pockets of our politicians. That isn't Bush's fault it is just a corrupt system that we have let happen. It is the senators and state reps that you really need to make sure about when you vote this year. They make more decisions than the President ever makes. The most prestigious decision the president will make will be a new judge for the Supreme Court - maybe - and in truth Congress has the final say about that. The rest truly rides on the shoulders of Congress.
Rhode Island spends more yearly on their roads than any other state in the union but the system is so corrupt that it is also the state the has the least repairs on its roads in the union! People know this and they just look the other way. We have unions and other organizations that get their palms greased until there is no money left for the actual work. Our senators are busy trying to get the federal government to pay for our roads! Why should you pay for our corrupt mismanagement? But things like this go on all the time.
My advice is vote with your conscience. But as for me - like Carl pointed out - the vote for president was easy. They are both a bit like snake oil salesmen and I am not enomored with either one but the issues are clear.
As I have watched the debates and listened to the political commentary on the election it has reminded me of High School elections. When kids would be running for student body president they would promise things like longer lunch hours and shorter school days but you knew they couldn't do one thing about it. The people we need to look at it is the Congressional people running . And when you really examine it -it isn't Bush that has gotten us into this financial mess - it is Congress with their porkbarreling. The most vocal Senator about the things is a senator from Massachusetts. As I have examined what he has been up to he actually has holdings in some of the failed banks! This is something that is so WRONG but things like this go on all the time up here. I am sure that if you looked into other congressional people there are similar things going on (especially politians in the Northeast). Of course we have to shore up wall street! By doing that we are lining the pockets of our politicians. That isn't Bush's fault it is just a corrupt system that we have let happen. It is the senators and state reps that you really need to make sure about when you vote this year. They make more decisions than the President ever makes. The most prestigious decision the president will make will be a new judge for the Supreme Court - maybe - and in truth Congress has the final say about that. The rest truly rides on the shoulders of Congress.
Rhode Island spends more yearly on their roads than any other state in the union but the system is so corrupt that it is also the state the has the least repairs on its roads in the union! People know this and they just look the other way. We have unions and other organizations that get their palms greased until there is no money left for the actual work. Our senators are busy trying to get the federal government to pay for our roads! Why should you pay for our corrupt mismanagement? But things like this go on all the time.
My advice is vote with your conscience. But as for me - like Carl pointed out - the vote for president was easy. They are both a bit like snake oil salesmen and I am not enomored with either one but the issues are clear.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Tuesday Book Review
While I was recovering my friend Jennifer Mello brought me over a bag with 20 books. I have never had such a good time in my life. She was rather surprised when I had returned them all in less than 2 1/2 weeks but there were some very thought provoking reading in that pile and I had read them all. It wasn't all light and fluff. Surprisingly of the 20 books I had only read 1 and that had been just prior to the surgery. It turns out that Jennifer and I have surprising similar tastes. I even read books that I would never have otherwise. Here are two of them.
The Covenant by Naomia Ragen: This is a book of present day Israel and Palestine and the turmoil that is going on there. It is about a kidnapping of a family. The twist is the 'covenant'. A group of women that had survived the concentration camp during WWII and how they resolved this issue. It ends realistically but not too tragically. It was beautifully written and as I stated before, something I would have never read had Jennifer not had it in her bag.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon and Lucia Graves. Jennifer and I think that Carlos wrote it in Spanish and Lucia translated it into English. This is a story of a boy whose family is one that is trusted to 'keep' the books of Spain. He becomes possessed with the book he has been given and tries to find other copies only to discover that his is the only one. It too ends in a realistic but not too tragic way - especially since it is during the Spanish War and uprising. This one was a surprising one. I give a book 40 pages and then if I am not enamored with it I will put it down. I had to give this one about 120 and then I couldn't put it down! The thing is - the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking, Andy and Chris would love this book. I never think things like that. I usually think that about our daughters. But I really think this is a book they might like to look into sometime. Maybe read it in the orginal Spanish. It might be more of a challenge but wouldn't it mean more? It probably has things in the Spanish that were lost in translation. That could very well be why I kept thinking that this would be a book they might like. Plus the boy was not a hero in the knight in shining armor sense. He was just a curious person who needed to know more and things happened because of this.
The Covenant by Naomia Ragen: This is a book of present day Israel and Palestine and the turmoil that is going on there. It is about a kidnapping of a family. The twist is the 'covenant'. A group of women that had survived the concentration camp during WWII and how they resolved this issue. It ends realistically but not too tragically. It was beautifully written and as I stated before, something I would have never read had Jennifer not had it in her bag.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruis Zafon and Lucia Graves. Jennifer and I think that Carlos wrote it in Spanish and Lucia translated it into English. This is a story of a boy whose family is one that is trusted to 'keep' the books of Spain. He becomes possessed with the book he has been given and tries to find other copies only to discover that his is the only one. It too ends in a realistic but not too tragic way - especially since it is during the Spanish War and uprising. This one was a surprising one. I give a book 40 pages and then if I am not enamored with it I will put it down. I had to give this one about 120 and then I couldn't put it down! The thing is - the whole time I was reading it I kept thinking, Andy and Chris would love this book. I never think things like that. I usually think that about our daughters. But I really think this is a book they might like to look into sometime. Maybe read it in the orginal Spanish. It might be more of a challenge but wouldn't it mean more? It probably has things in the Spanish that were lost in translation. That could very well be why I kept thinking that this would be a book they might like. Plus the boy was not a hero in the knight in shining armor sense. He was just a curious person who needed to know more and things happened because of this.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday's Hero
I have been thinking a lot about today's hero and once again I have two. The first once is my niece Julianna Dittmar. She is currently on a mission in Uruguay for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is an amazing young woman and always has been but as I have been reading her letters the last 9 months, I am astonished at how much she has grown. She is a dynamic and energetic missionary. She wants so badly to serve the Lord and do all the things that He wants her to do. On top of being a missionary, she is also the Young Women's leader for their little branch. She is truly spreading her wings and flying high.
My other hero is Lucille Mueller. She has been my friend since we very first moved to Kerrville. She has always been there for me as an individual and us as a family as has her husband, Harold. Life has not been very easy for her but for the most part Lucille has looked on it with optimism and joy. When others were too busy to care, Lucille was there and has always been there. She truly knows what a friend is and more than that what a Sister in Zion is all about.
My other hero is Lucille Mueller. She has been my friend since we very first moved to Kerrville. She has always been there for me as an individual and us as a family as has her husband, Harold. Life has not been very easy for her but for the most part Lucille has looked on it with optimism and joy. When others were too busy to care, Lucille was there and has always been there. She truly knows what a friend is and more than that what a Sister in Zion is all about.
Friday, October 10, 2008
A Swiss Memory
When I was growing up we lived in Germany for two of Dad's tours in the Army. The second time we were in Germany and our first summer back we decided to camp in the Black Forest of Germany. This was a region that we really hadn't ever been in before and we were really quite excited about going. Dad set the tent up in a light drizzle and then it rained and rained and rained. It rained so bad that even though Dad had trenched the tent properly, underneath the tent, it was so muddy it was like walking through several inches of mud but your feet stayed dry. Mom and Dad were concerned we might rupture the floor so we had to stay on the cots unless absolutely necessary. The final straw was Dad dropped a paring knife on the floor of the tent. Then every time someone walked there was a little fountain of water squirting up! Dad looked at us and said, "Does everyone have their passport?" We all did and he had his so we packed up our soaking wet tent and loaded up our white Ford Comet Station wagon (I think it was a 1961 and this was 1969 - we called it Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and we headed for Switzerland.
This is the summer we found the camping spot in Interlocken Switzerland that we would stay at every time we went back from then on. It was just at the base of the Jungfrau mountain and it was beautiful. The owners spoke broken English but it was the German part of Switzerland so we got along quite well. The owners took us into their family to the point that they even invited us into their home for home cooked cheese fondue (truly the best cheese fondue I have ever tasted and it was all from scratch - Marianne and I helped make it). They got us tickets to the "William Tell Pageant" an outdoor panorama of the retelling of how William Tell freed the Swiss and told us the sites to see. From then on - whenever we had any free time Switzerland was our choice to and this was the campsite we stayed at.
The next summer Bob had gone back to the States to work on our uncles farm. Marianne and I read in the tent and shopped at the little store for fresh brotchen and grape juice (or whatever fresh juice she had that day) and fresh cheese for our lunch. She also had some fresh goodies for our dessert. That was the summer I read REBECCA by Daphen DuMaurier and was so caught up in that book. It was a fun summer. Mom and Dad were able to go the temple several times because the Temple in Bern wasn't that far away. I am not sure what Marianne read but in the afternoons when Mom and Dad came back, we would go hiking and wandering around the area. That was also the year that Dad took us up the the Jungfrau. I laid on the side of mountain for over and hour and watched avalanches falling from this side of the Jungfrau. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
One of our other favorite destinations was Trummelbach Falls. This is truly indescribable. They are so fast and furious that they have cut deep into the side of the mountain. A tree that gets caught up in the falls at the top is ground to nothing by the time it hits the bottom. You would think there would be debris and twigs at the bottom of the falls where it meets the river - there is nothing - just a fast moving river. It is an amazing and truly breathtaking site.
What brought back this memory. I watched a PBS special on the trains of Switzerland. The one the other day was the one of the Jungfrau. I envy my sister, Marianne, because she and her husband were able to go back this last year and see some of our favorite sites. Switzerland will always have a soft spot in our hearts. Maybe it is because our 'Brugger' ancestors came from Switzerland.
This is the summer we found the camping spot in Interlocken Switzerland that we would stay at every time we went back from then on. It was just at the base of the Jungfrau mountain and it was beautiful. The owners spoke broken English but it was the German part of Switzerland so we got along quite well. The owners took us into their family to the point that they even invited us into their home for home cooked cheese fondue (truly the best cheese fondue I have ever tasted and it was all from scratch - Marianne and I helped make it). They got us tickets to the "William Tell Pageant" an outdoor panorama of the retelling of how William Tell freed the Swiss and told us the sites to see. From then on - whenever we had any free time Switzerland was our choice to and this was the campsite we stayed at.
The next summer Bob had gone back to the States to work on our uncles farm. Marianne and I read in the tent and shopped at the little store for fresh brotchen and grape juice (or whatever fresh juice she had that day) and fresh cheese for our lunch. She also had some fresh goodies for our dessert. That was the summer I read REBECCA by Daphen DuMaurier and was so caught up in that book. It was a fun summer. Mom and Dad were able to go the temple several times because the Temple in Bern wasn't that far away. I am not sure what Marianne read but in the afternoons when Mom and Dad came back, we would go hiking and wandering around the area. That was also the year that Dad took us up the the Jungfrau. I laid on the side of mountain for over and hour and watched avalanches falling from this side of the Jungfrau. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
One of our other favorite destinations was Trummelbach Falls. This is truly indescribable. They are so fast and furious that they have cut deep into the side of the mountain. A tree that gets caught up in the falls at the top is ground to nothing by the time it hits the bottom. You would think there would be debris and twigs at the bottom of the falls where it meets the river - there is nothing - just a fast moving river. It is an amazing and truly breathtaking site.
What brought back this memory. I watched a PBS special on the trains of Switzerland. The one the other day was the one of the Jungfrau. I envy my sister, Marianne, because she and her husband were able to go back this last year and see some of our favorite sites. Switzerland will always have a soft spot in our hearts. Maybe it is because our 'Brugger' ancestors came from Switzerland.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Turesday Book Review
When I was in the first grade I was so far ahead of the rest of the class I was driving my teacher crazy. Finally one day out of desperation she handed me "The Bobbsey Twins". I loved it! I loved it so much I finished it in just a few days. So my dad took me to the bookstore on post and let me choose another. It was 50 cents. By the time I kind of grew out the Bobbsey Twins I had quite a collection. I then moved on to the Cherry Ames, Student Nurse - and read that series. When I was between second and third grade I found Anne of Green Gables. It was years before I found the whole series but I found the first 3 books that summer and devoured them. I couldn't believe anything could be so beautifully written. I guess because that was written by someone at the turn of the century, suddenly people thought I was ready for things by Dickens and Jane Austen. I wasn't. In fact because my teachers tried to force them on me too young I was turned off of them for many years. I am a person that has to find things on my own terms. When I do I embrace it wholeheartedly. If I am forced to do something - I will do it but only as far as I have to in order to squeak by. I have tried hard to overcome this quirk but it is there.
The current book that I have read I really recommend is "East" by Edith Pattou. It is a fantasy and fairy tale that both Clyde and I thoroughly enjoyed. Clyde is not a reader but even he found time to read this book. It was a book you just could not put down. It is written in different voices - which is not all that uncommon - but the way she did was really well done. Each person told their story beautifully. Apparently it is quite a popular book. As I have spoken with people about it, I am finding it is on reading lists for Middle Schools and the reading lists for libraries as well.
The current book that I have read I really recommend is "East" by Edith Pattou. It is a fantasy and fairy tale that both Clyde and I thoroughly enjoyed. Clyde is not a reader but even he found time to read this book. It was a book you just could not put down. It is written in different voices - which is not all that uncommon - but the way she did was really well done. Each person told their story beautifully. Apparently it is quite a popular book. As I have spoken with people about it, I am finding it is on reading lists for Middle Schools and the reading lists for libraries as well.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday's Heroes
This weekend was conference. I could pick a handful of heroes from the speakers because I have many favorites but I am going to pick a new hero. I know very little about her but I am always impressed. Her name is Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. Last year when she spoke at the Women's Conference she took me by surprise. I did not expect a sister from Central America and was blown away by her talk. This year I was ready for her -I thought. Once again I was blown away by her talk and then she spoke in General Conference. It was amazing. She is very unassuming in the typical Hispanic way but such a spiritual dynamo. She is utterly amazing in my book. I just had to mention her.
My real hero this week probably should have been the first hero I started with. It is my husband and sweetheart, Clyde Bailey. We have been married for almost 36 years but have been in each others lives for almost 37 years. From the moment I set eyes on him, the Spirit whispered to me that he was the one for me. That is why when things were rough and some were actually counseling me to bail on our marriage - I knew I shouldn't. The Lord had been in on our decision from the very beginning and if He wanted us together that bad then we needed to work things out so we could stay together. One of the things the Elder Russell M. Nelson said in his talk yesterday is that marriage is made up of two imperfect people. That is the case of This marriage in spades. But we have found our stride and we are happier than we have ever been.
I have stated this before but I am amazed (well not that amazed) at what a kind and compassionate bishop Clyde is. It has taken him a long time to get to this point in his life. We have several high maintenance people in our ward. They would drive me nuts but Clyde and our Relief Society President, Jennifer Mello have untold patience with them. They are the right people in the right places at the right time. Isn't it amazing how the Lord knows what he is doing?
The last month - up until just a few days ago - Clyde has been responsible for being bishop, his daily job and taking care of me. He has done a wonderful job. I have been extremely impressed with his meals and the sweet way he has taken care of me. It is time for me to take over again but I pushed to hard on Saturday and have been paying for it with bad pain in my leg ever since. I keep thinking I am further along in my recovery than I am. They said 6 weeks and I would be 75% I want it to be a month and 100%!
I am grateful for my husband. I am grateful for following the prompting of the Spirit and marrying him in the temple. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ because that has kept us together. We are not perfect but we have it pretty great. Hopefully soon things will completely be back to normal and I won't be sound asleep before he comes to bed and still asleep when he leaves in the morning. I need to start being a better wife and getting up for him at least.
My real hero this week probably should have been the first hero I started with. It is my husband and sweetheart, Clyde Bailey. We have been married for almost 36 years but have been in each others lives for almost 37 years. From the moment I set eyes on him, the Spirit whispered to me that he was the one for me. That is why when things were rough and some were actually counseling me to bail on our marriage - I knew I shouldn't. The Lord had been in on our decision from the very beginning and if He wanted us together that bad then we needed to work things out so we could stay together. One of the things the Elder Russell M. Nelson said in his talk yesterday is that marriage is made up of two imperfect people. That is the case of This marriage in spades. But we have found our stride and we are happier than we have ever been.
I have stated this before but I am amazed (well not that amazed) at what a kind and compassionate bishop Clyde is. It has taken him a long time to get to this point in his life. We have several high maintenance people in our ward. They would drive me nuts but Clyde and our Relief Society President, Jennifer Mello have untold patience with them. They are the right people in the right places at the right time. Isn't it amazing how the Lord knows what he is doing?
The last month - up until just a few days ago - Clyde has been responsible for being bishop, his daily job and taking care of me. He has done a wonderful job. I have been extremely impressed with his meals and the sweet way he has taken care of me. It is time for me to take over again but I pushed to hard on Saturday and have been paying for it with bad pain in my leg ever since. I keep thinking I am further along in my recovery than I am. They said 6 weeks and I would be 75% I want it to be a month and 100%!
I am grateful for my husband. I am grateful for following the prompting of the Spirit and marrying him in the temple. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ because that has kept us together. We are not perfect but we have it pretty great. Hopefully soon things will completely be back to normal and I won't be sound asleep before he comes to bed and still asleep when he leaves in the morning. I need to start being a better wife and getting up for him at least.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Popi
My dad was named Popi by Carianne (our oldest child) when she was a baby. Her first words were Hi, Mama, Da and then suddenly Popi and it was meant for her grandfather. It stuck. The spelling came about because of my parents' maid, Leola. She addressed a gift for Christmas with the spelling and it stuck. In Spanish and Portuguese 'Papi' is and endearing term for Daddy or grandpa. I didn't know that until years later but I always thought it was interesting how our Hispanic friends in San Antonio never thought it was an unusual name while our Anglo friends did. Well, Duh! It is part of their culture.
All of our daughters' friends have called Dad, Popi. The funniest story I have ever heard was one my sister, Marianne told me. Juli Anna and Elise, I hope I have it somewhat right. Anna Osmond had been one of our daughters' really good friends in Ephraim (and like another daughter to me). Elise had been one of the family growing up in San Antonio as a child. Apparently they knew each other at BYU-Hawaii. When Elise was getting ready to go on her mission she mentioned that Popi was coming to her farewell. Anna said, "You know Popi?!" And so they did. One from her early childhood and other from her teens. The funny thing about this story is that they were so sure it was the right Popi and it was.
One of the lessons that my father - Popi - has taught me from a little girl is that we are always setting an example. Whether it is a good example or a bad example - someone is always watching us even when we are not aware. So what is wrong with always trying to set a good example - it isn't that hard? So many times I have had people come and tell me a story as simple as the one above - about my own life - where we simply crossed paths with mutual friends. What kind of example was I setting? I don't sit and worry about it but I do hope I have never hurt 'Popi's' good name.
All of our daughters' friends have called Dad, Popi. The funniest story I have ever heard was one my sister, Marianne told me. Juli Anna and Elise, I hope I have it somewhat right. Anna Osmond had been one of our daughters' really good friends in Ephraim (and like another daughter to me). Elise had been one of the family growing up in San Antonio as a child. Apparently they knew each other at BYU-Hawaii. When Elise was getting ready to go on her mission she mentioned that Popi was coming to her farewell. Anna said, "You know Popi?!" And so they did. One from her early childhood and other from her teens. The funny thing about this story is that they were so sure it was the right Popi and it was.
One of the lessons that my father - Popi - has taught me from a little girl is that we are always setting an example. Whether it is a good example or a bad example - someone is always watching us even when we are not aware. So what is wrong with always trying to set a good example - it isn't that hard? So many times I have had people come and tell me a story as simple as the one above - about my own life - where we simply crossed paths with mutual friends. What kind of example was I setting? I don't sit and worry about it but I do hope I have never hurt 'Popi's' good name.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Memory - My Parents
This isn't a specific memory. When I was growing up I knew I had the best parents in the world. I felt sorry for other people for not having my parents - especially my dad. Even my cousins I felt sorry for because they didn't luck out and get the better sibling. Then I got older and thought other people thought that way about their parents. I was really astonished to find out that very few do. I know of no one that felt their parents were superior to anyone else's at any point in their lives. It wasn't something my parents told me. It wasn't something my parent even instilled in me - this was an observation I came to all on my own. So finally when I was a young mother I realized for me I did have the best parents in the world - for me. There wasn't anything cocky about it but just a plain fact. I have always been grateful that I have had the parents that I have had. There were times I have had a hard time with my mother but then when I was able to start to read the symptoms of her illness I would realize that when she became snippy she was coming out of remission and we were in for a battle again. Unfortunately it took me a long time to read that sign and there were many years of hurt feelings because of that. I know now that if she had some control over it those words would have never happened. After Mom's death I found out my dad and I tried to protect each other. We would see the flare-ups start and so we would try and sheild each other so the other wouldn't be hurt. I love Dad more for protecting me.
I know that I was not nearly as good a mother to our daughters' as my mother was to my siblings and me. I am hoping that I can measure up and be as good a grandmother as my Omi Tuttle was to me and my mother was to our daughters' on her healthy days. If I can do half as well then I will know I am a success in this life. My whole life I have wanted to be 3 things, a wife, mother and a grandmother. I have accomplished these goals - the last one with the help of our daughters' and their husbands! I am lucky that in these life desires I can keep growing - they are not the end-all of all desires once they are attained.
I know that I was not nearly as good a mother to our daughters' as my mother was to my siblings and me. I am hoping that I can measure up and be as good a grandmother as my Omi Tuttle was to me and my mother was to our daughters' on her healthy days. If I can do half as well then I will know I am a success in this life. My whole life I have wanted to be 3 things, a wife, mother and a grandmother. I have accomplished these goals - the last one with the help of our daughters' and their husbands! I am lucky that in these life desires I can keep growing - they are not the end-all of all desires once they are attained.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Favorite Books
I am a reader. I have read books my whole life. I was an English major in college with a double minor of literature and American History. I had started out in Elementary Education with the intent of working with reading problems but the University I went to didn't have the best program in the world for that. So I switched so I could teach secondary education and share my love of books. Because I read so much I thought I should share some books every week. In the last month, since my surgery I have read 1 or 2 a day plus that 3 I read at Pam's - that's 30+ books I could discuss right there. I won't today but I have plenty of ammunition for Tuesday's Book Review.
My most favorite book of all time is Mrs. Mike. It is about a young woman that goes from Boston to Canada and marries a 'Canadian Mountie'. It was the first adult novel/biography I ever read. I was going into the 5th grade when my father gave it to me. Originally I was to get $1 if I finished it (big bucks in those days!). When I finished it, I told Dad that I didn't want to be paid for that book. I wanted it to be mine. I have read it at least once a year since and sometimes more. As I was analyzing why I realized that the reason I would pull it out so much when I was younger was we moved so frequently. This was a reliable friend that was always there. When lonliness was overwhelming, this book comforted me and in fact still does.
I belong to a book group here on the island (sounds like I live someplace exotic. I don't). We are constantly reading books about war and devastation. I have finally quit reading them. I don't like them and don't have to read them. Just because Oprah suggests them doesn't mean I have to read them. They may be the most beautifully written books on the planet but they are not my kind of read. I am not in school anymore and I am not required to read things for assignment. I am a stick in the mud sometimes but I don't have to have depressing thoughts because of reading something I didn't want to in the first place. I will say that occasionally the book group has has read some gripping books that I have been grateful to read. Last month we read 1,000 White Women - a fictional tale of what it would have been like if Thomas Jefferson had honored the request of an Indian Chief to send white women to the Native Americans. It was interesting. I can't say I am better person for reading it but it was a bit like 'Dances with Wolves'. There is no way it could end happily.
I am grateful to the authors everywhere in all genres. I am always amazed at what delights each new book brings to me.
My most favorite book of all time is Mrs. Mike. It is about a young woman that goes from Boston to Canada and marries a 'Canadian Mountie'. It was the first adult novel/biography I ever read. I was going into the 5th grade when my father gave it to me. Originally I was to get $1 if I finished it (big bucks in those days!). When I finished it, I told Dad that I didn't want to be paid for that book. I wanted it to be mine. I have read it at least once a year since and sometimes more. As I was analyzing why I realized that the reason I would pull it out so much when I was younger was we moved so frequently. This was a reliable friend that was always there. When lonliness was overwhelming, this book comforted me and in fact still does.
I belong to a book group here on the island (sounds like I live someplace exotic. I don't). We are constantly reading books about war and devastation. I have finally quit reading them. I don't like them and don't have to read them. Just because Oprah suggests them doesn't mean I have to read them. They may be the most beautifully written books on the planet but they are not my kind of read. I am not in school anymore and I am not required to read things for assignment. I am a stick in the mud sometimes but I don't have to have depressing thoughts because of reading something I didn't want to in the first place. I will say that occasionally the book group has has read some gripping books that I have been grateful to read. Last month we read 1,000 White Women - a fictional tale of what it would have been like if Thomas Jefferson had honored the request of an Indian Chief to send white women to the Native Americans. It was interesting. I can't say I am better person for reading it but it was a bit like 'Dances with Wolves'. There is no way it could end happily.
I am grateful to the authors everywhere in all genres. I am always amazed at what delights each new book brings to me.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday's Hero
Todays heroine is an amazing woman. Her name is Rosanne Keeler. She is the stake Primary President, teaches science classes at the local college and has raised an amazing family. She is one of those mothers that even though one or two of her children have not stayed faithful to the gospel - she knows she is not a failure as a mother. Her husband is my husband's first counselor in the bishopric. Rosanne has been one of my closest friends since we moved here. These are a few facts about Rosanne but not what makes her heroic. Rosanne is one of the most Christlike people I know. When we discuss being a true Christian and doing for others - this is the woman whose example you would want to follow. The thing is she is one of those 'stealth' do gooders and few people know how much good she does. I will not embarrass her by listing things that I am aware that I have been told in confidence but yesterday as a sister bore her testimony she told of something that Rosanne did that I can tell. This is SO Rosanne.
Becky Workman's husband Adam has been deployed to Iraq for a year. This is their first separation and Becky has been handling it quite well but really hasn't known what to ask for. She has 5 children between 11 and 1. For the most part the kids are well behaved but as those of us with children know - 24/7 with kids underfoot can be detrimental to anyone's mental health. Rosanne called Becky up and told her that she would come over and babysit Becky's children from 2:00 until after the Women's Broadcast on Saturday (that would be after 9:30 pm our time). Becky took her up on it. Becky was able to get shopping done that she needed to do and when I saw her at the Womens' Broadcast she just seemed free. No wonder. She had the best babysitter in the ward! The thing is that no one else but Rosannne would have thought of something like that. Such a simple but beautiful act of service. The Lord is smiling on her because while we were being preached to about doing acts of kindness and service, Rosanne was setting the example.
Several times when I couldn't drive to my phyical therapy, Rosanne was there to take me. She doesn't live that close and physical therapy is even farther away. She is just an amazing woman.
So this is my tribute to my hero/heroine this week. Rosanne is a person that if I followed her example I would truly be a better person.
Becky Workman's husband Adam has been deployed to Iraq for a year. This is their first separation and Becky has been handling it quite well but really hasn't known what to ask for. She has 5 children between 11 and 1. For the most part the kids are well behaved but as those of us with children know - 24/7 with kids underfoot can be detrimental to anyone's mental health. Rosanne called Becky up and told her that she would come over and babysit Becky's children from 2:00 until after the Women's Broadcast on Saturday (that would be after 9:30 pm our time). Becky took her up on it. Becky was able to get shopping done that she needed to do and when I saw her at the Womens' Broadcast she just seemed free. No wonder. She had the best babysitter in the ward! The thing is that no one else but Rosannne would have thought of something like that. Such a simple but beautiful act of service. The Lord is smiling on her because while we were being preached to about doing acts of kindness and service, Rosanne was setting the example.
Several times when I couldn't drive to my phyical therapy, Rosanne was there to take me. She doesn't live that close and physical therapy is even farther away. She is just an amazing woman.
So this is my tribute to my hero/heroine this week. Rosanne is a person that if I followed her example I would truly be a better person.
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