Happy Birthday Julianna and Dena!

This picture was taken days after Dane was born and about a week after Thomas was born.  They are focusing on Marianne's camera, not on me.  I am lucky I have this picture since we wiped out our computer about this time.  Anyway, Happy Birthday to you Julianna.  Your Unker Clyde has been walking around today telling everyone that today is Happy Juliannuary!  Then he has to explain.  We love you and are very proud of you.


Today is also my sister-in-law, Dena Brugger's birthday.  I think it is wonderful that two of my favorite people share a birthday.  I guess this is one way to get me to blog!

Happy Birthday Marianne!

My mother, Carolyn Brugger, with my sister, Marianne and my brother Bob.  This was taken the day my brother was given his name and a blessing in our Church.  Behind my mother was one of 2 air conditioners we had in the house.  There was one in the living room and one in my parents room upstairs.  They did a pretty good job of cooling most all of the house as I recall.  I was comfortable but then when this picture was taken I was 5 years old!

Left to right, my sister's husband - Frank Dittmar, my sister Marianne Dittmar, my step-mother Doreen Brugger, my father Archie Brugger, me and Clyde.  This picture was taken on the 4th of July this last summer at Marianne's house.


Today is my sister Marianne Brugger Dittmar's birthday.  Marianne has been my best friend my whole life.  We have had each other when we moved all those time growing up and we always knew we could rely on each other.  Our daughter's are really extensions of our own family's.  We love each other's daughters as our own.  We have been taken for twins most of our life.  In fact just a few years ago, someone thought I had moved back to Utah!  I am not as kind as my sister or as quiet.  She is much more Christlike and has always been one of my heroes.  I have spent most of my life in her shadow because she is light years ahead of me spiritually and in so many other ways.  I am so grateful she is my sister.  She has kept me balanced and anchored when I have needed her.  The Lord truly blessed our house when Marianne was born.  I love you, Marianne.

The Peach Keeper

I have not done a book review in months but my daughter Pam got me hooked on Sarah Addison Allen's books this summer.  I have been waiting for my copy of The Peach Keeper all summer long and finally received it Thursday.  I had a hard time wrapping my head around one of the main female characters being named Paxton simply because growing up one of my male friends had that name, but pretty soon it fit her and went with the flow.  Ms. Allen's books grab me and hold me to the end - which is what I love about reading them.  They are mysteries but not so caught up in the mystery that they are even considered that genre.  It is really a book of friendship, service and love but more than that Christlike friendship, service and love.  It just takes the novel for everyone to figure out that life is happier when you serve in a  Christlike way.  I think that is why I liked this book so much- it ended on such an upbeat and beautiful note.

First Day of Seminary

This morning at 6 a.m., we started seminary for the year.  The course of study is the Old Testament.  The Church gives only a selected part as mandatory reading but a special award if anyone chooses to read it through in its entirety. I wonder if anyone in my class will choose too?

The dynamic is a little different.  Three replaced three, so we are right at the same number we had last year but one less young man.  It looks like it will be an excellent year - as always.  The Church has amazing young people and they really do seem to shine in Early Morning Seminary.

Tropical Storm Lee

I  am currently sitting here with my head pounding from a sinus headache.  My allergies are so bad from all of the mold from Hurricane Irene and now Tropical Storm Lee.  Hurricane Katia is brewing off the coast and though we won't get the full force of her, we may get a bit of rain along with waves and rip tides.  Why are we getting all of this weather and Texas is literally burning up?!  Every rain drop that falls here, I wish it was falling on Texas - anywhere!