Odds and Ends, and Odds

Hellooo! How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was great! (See previous posts) The above picture gives you a little window into living with Mark. 'Nuff said. ;) Yesterday, Mark had some errands to run, so he dropped me off at D.I. to look around. Of course, I went straight for the toy aisle. They must have had Bishop's night and sent out what wasn't taken, because the store was really full! There were a gazillion naked Barbies that I, being the compulsive gatherer that I am, put back in their proper bins, arms, legs, and hair straightened and tidy. This drives Mark crazy, but I enjoyed it, and an elderly male employee thanked me for doing it. That really made my morning! I managed to find a few treasures, such as a MARY ENGLEBREIT bulletin board! It was hiding under a bunch of wooden craft projects, just waiting for li'l ole me...how sweet was that?! Then, Ben and Linda stopped by on their way home from Bancroft. Linda and I made plans to get together, with all our STUFF, to make Christmas cards. How fun! (Sorry...I was so excited to see them and I forgot to take pictures :/) They said Buddy and Jewel are doing well, and they are in a HUGE pasture by the house, about a mile long, and can run full out, to their hearts' content. Linda rode Buddy and Ben rode Jewel, then 2 of Linda's brothers worked with Jewel on yielding her head (she's a bit rusty). Sometime they're going to pack them into the hills, to give them experience. Isn't that a dream come true? Linda said they are kind of like 'their' horses now, yet we get to go ride them, too. Awesome! Phillip is at Fort Bragg, N.C., for a week of equipping, etc., before heading off to Iraq. He's says it's scary, yet exciting. He has one friend from Basic that will be shipping out with him. Hard to believe that Phillip is just-turned eighteen and helping fight a war overseas. Sheesh! Where did the time go? (Sunrise, Sunset...) Seth is quieter than normal lately. I told him it's the tryptophan, but maybe it's just 'jet lag' from his visit to Justin's. Seth helped with the kids alot when they were here, taking them out to see the neighbor's goats and such. Thanks, Seth! I had more to say, but I can't remember what it was - maybe I'll add more later on. Right now, my blog is acting up a bit, so I'll close for now. (See? I started on Odd, and now this is the End, and I'm Ending on my own mixed up thoughts - Odd!)

Yay!

It's Thanksgiving Weekend! One of my favorite times of the year! And I'm posting...finally. But I have an excuse, 'cause I've had a chest cold, and I've been either resting or having fun, as in going to the Twilight movie with loved ones, who either liked it or loved it. (I'm a proud member of the latter group, for each of two viewings so far!)

First, I saw it with Mark, last Friday. Then the girls and I went on Wednesday. And on Thursday they came over with their families and we ate, talked, and watched old home videos courtesy of Megan, while the kids ran around, played with toys, ate some regular food, then popcorn and marshmallows, cried, laughed, and ran some more. It was hilarious!

Haley and Dallin came early and helped us get ready for the big day Each family brought some delicioso food to add to the feast! Lainie helps decorate Anya isn't so sure about this Lainie's crazy stockings Some of the beautiful decorations Megan arranged for us Audrey and Alaina on Grandma's lap (good picture of me - that's the kind I love :) Melinda and Haley holding babies and watching home videos Alex pauses to give Grandma a closeup Aiden chills with Dad One of the two tables full of dinner I love this shot that shows how blue Lainie's eyes are The other table full...Everyone looks happy! Dallin played outside with the kids...Look at Audrey's cute stockings! Tristan's turn with the popcorn bucket Okay, these three shots are of all the 'girlies' that were there Leto wondering who's going to clean up all these toys (our guests did - Thanks!)

Ideas About...

Our home during remodeling, without the porch railing . . . Still, isn't it a cutie?

Yesterday afternoon, Megan and her children, and Sara and TJ's Alyssa, came over to decorate for Christmas. The kids played on the little table in the family room, we played Christmas music, and we basked in the warmth of the gas fireplace. Yay! They also watched My Neighbor Totoro, a Myazaki(sp?) animated movie that is so gentle - it's a little gem! And then they half-way watched part of the Wizard of Oz. By that evening, the tree was up (not quite finished - pics later) and the place was Christmas-y and toasty warm! After some French toast, courtesy of Grandpa Doc, we used Megan's projector to watch Get Smart. It was immediately obvious that the kids were too tired and fussy by that juncture, so we sent the movie home with Megan and called it a night. While they were here, I couldn't help thinking about the fact that this house actually has 500 sq. feet more on one floor than our last home (there, the second floor was inaccessible to me). You can be in one part of this house and never know that the other parts exist. I love that! Also, we have a bigger yard, an apple tree, a fenced pasture, and a quiet, country-atmosphere neighborhood, with goats and horses and cows all around us. People grow gardens with huge pumpkins, and no one bothers your stuff here. That's important! We also have 2 full bathrooms, an extra bedroom, a craft room, and a big front porch. It's a relatively small house; it's just planned well. Oh, and it has so much southern sunshine and light, and a great view of the mountains! I just want to express my gratitude for our little, snug, older home. It has its quirks and its mysteries. It has a history. It's in an older neighborhood - and that's part of its charm (even if the basement was leaking yesterday, due to some little rubber hose from nowhere that is no longer being used...yes, we're crossing our fingers that it's not important!). I'm really grateful that this house holds our kids, grandkids, family, and friends. It gives us a place to have Family Home Evenings. It gives us a place to have fun and talk to each other while the kids play, Or...To play with the kids while the grownups talk! ;) And it gives us a place to gather at the table and give thanks. And I think that's something wondrous to be thankful for. P.S. I'm so grateful for Megan's help. I can't believe how much she got done, and how magical it makes the house feel. Thanks, Megan and Little Elf-Helpers! You did a great job!

Sunday Past, with the Peeps

So, Last Sunday:

"The Campbell Kids Embark on a Wild Adventure at the Circus!"

Grandpa Doc, do you see that?! It's a circus!

Hey, Tristan already found the ferocious sleeping tiger!

Leto is very afraid!

"Don't Look. Just tell me, is she still taking pictures?" Oh, that's what he's afraid of...that he'll have to pose. Now why would he worry about that?

Oh...

The famous circus tattoo artist at work! Lanie inspects a docile-seeming panther...She fearlessly grabs hold of her tail!

Uh oh...docile-seeming, but Moody! Drat that tricky panther! She embarrassed me in front of all my fans!

Oh well, let's go see what's over here... Hey! It's Melinda the Ballerina! And look behind her - That's Tristan taking Leto for a three-foot walk! Carefully, Alex soothes the unpredictable she-cat. He goes through a repertoire of tricks.

And then he tops it off with the death-defying 'Lips to the Forehead' trick! Ta Daaa!

Back to Tristan and Leto... They make it to the couch just before Leto collapses from exhaustion

Good time for a Tootsie Pop Break

Hmm...this looks like a good seat...

Does it seem to you like this seat's getting higher?

No words It's time to move on...

At Last, Lanie finds her true calling and decides to join the circus Wild West act!

"Happy Trails to You..."

Happiness Is...

Snuggling under the covers, Farm animals next door, Sitting in the sunlight doing crossword puzzles, At least two grandchildren on my lap, Watching old movies and smelling spray starch, Learning something new, Captain Moroni's letter to Pahoran, President and Sister Hinckley, together forever, The crackling of a wood fire in the night, Family, Rocks, old houses, stories, And stretching.

Some Thoughts I Want to Share

Elder Eyring, being 'Knighted' with President Hinckley's Cane

I just want my family to know that, as I joke about things that happen to me, I'm not just grinning and bearing things - I feel lucky enough to have someone that loves me and family members that are loving and the blessings of faith and experience to know that whatever happens, it's a new experience and an adventure. Does that make sense? I don't want you guys having some feeling of dread about getting older because of my experiences. Things have definitely gotten better the older I get. I have more perspective and more confidence in myself. So don't think I've had some awful life and I'm just determined to be happy anyway. I joke about it in that way, but, seriously, I have the things that I value most lavished upon me! (That reminds me of the blog, "Seriously So Blessed.") Okay...now on to what's been happening: Friday night Mark and I went to see Quantum of Solace, which is best enjoyed as the followup story to Casino Royale and not as a separate movie. It's shorter and more one-dimensional, but then, it takes place just an hour after the first movie leaves off. Also, the camera work in the action scenes is jerky, and it's hard to follow what's happening in the story. That said, I still liked it, because Judith Dench and Daniel Craig are so good in it. I expect their next venture will be more satisfying, and I want to keep up. Don't take this as a pass on the movie; you need to look it up for yourself, because I'm notorious for not remembering things, and later everyone gets mad at me for steering them wrong! :/ Saturday, bright and early, Mark took me to Relief Society Super Saturday at the church, but I'd only signed up to make one thing, so was there a really brief time and then left with Mark again. Great opportunity! I had him drop me off at Sierra's Crafts, which was great fun. I was there for hours, looking around to my heart's content. I missed seeing Megan and Brooks and the grandchildren, when they came over so Mark could help them replace their brake pads, and that was a little sad, but at least I had all that time to see what's new - and boy, is there new stuff! It's rather overwhelming when you don't see things come out gradually, over time. There are so many gizmos and ready-made things, it takes a lot of the creativity out of the process of making things, imho. I try and avoid those things, because I like to be more inventive and original. So many of my most satisfying creations were the result of figuring out how to express myself, without a clear medium or method. Making things in that way feels much more like art to me. :) Since I don't have any new photos, I'll add one of my favorite photos from a past Conference - look for it up at the top, since the computer won't let me move it down here. Enjoy!

Sandy's Address

Okay, here it is... Phillip Cripe c/o Sandy and Jessie H. 381 Mint Lane Ozark, Mo. 65721 And, for any lurkers out there, this is for packages for Pvt. Cripe, a military guy going to Iraq to risk his life for all of us! So you are welcome to join in, in sending him wonderful cookies, cards, and surprises! Okay? Thanks, everyone!

Great Video for Star Wars Fans

Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4 or if that doesn't work, look up a capella tribute to john williams on youtube. You'll love it!

Phillip Departure Pending...the end of this month...Very Soon!!!

Well, it's late Wednesday night, and if you know me, you know I was watching ANTM and Stylista (which I don't like as much as ANTM, but it's still interesting). I've also been watching youtube videos that teach all kinds of art techniques that I've always wanted to learn. Who knew?! So I have been playing today. Yesterday, Megan took me to the dentist, for my consultation. They basically said the same thing, and then they took impressions of my teeth for my 'falsies.' Shhh...Don't tell anyone! Megan and I went to Porter's, which is near Dr. Harris' office - that was fun! Then, since we missed Ben and Linda, we stopped by Melinda's and she invited us to dine with them. Danny made wonderful pork chops, and they had delicious salad, and peaches, too. Yum! That really hit the spot, and was such a nice break for Anya, Audrey, and us, before driving back to Pocatello. It was fun to catch the kids in a quiet mood, too, just having their supper. It was a nice, quick visit. Thanks, Danny and Melinda! Also, we put our loose change together and got a pattern for several old-fashioned aprons, just like my mom and grandma used to wear! We're all so excited to pick out material (when we can afford it) and make aprons! I want to embroider mine. :) ALERT ***If you'd like to send something to Phillip for Thanksgiving, before he ships out to Iraq on the 28th of this month (not far away at all), please mail things to Sandy and Jessie's house, okay? At least that's what he's told me before. After he goes to Iraq, I'll post his new address for you to send him things. I know it would mean a lot to him, especially when he sees the other guys getting things. Please remember him in your prayers, too. Thanks. Contact me if you need Sandy and Jessie's address. It's Mint Lane in Ozark, Mo., but I can't be sure of the house number. It's in my address book, which I can't see right now...so I'll put it up tomorrow.*** We're going to decorate for Christmas asap, so we'll have it ready for Thanksgiving. If you can't come, come the day after or whenever you want! Okay? And anyone is welcome to come help decorate. Phillip, if you're reading this, we miss you, especially this time of year, and we appreciate that you're serving your country in the military. We love you! Okay, well, I've got a tummy ache (from cocoa!), so I'll write more tomorrow. 'Bye!

Roskelly Giveaway

Just a quick reminder--At camilleroskelley.typepad.com there is a fantastic giveaway! Check it out!

Conversations

If you want to read about yourself (Megan, Melinda, and Haley), go to conversationswithacupcake.blogspot.com, and look in the comments. I wrote about Mark and you, and my wonderful family. Unfortunately, I had to limit my specific comments to four people, so I couldn't gush on and on, but still, it was fun!

Trip to I.F. and Haley's, plus Caleb's Call Yesterday

Megan, with the Campbells' Kittlelitty Melinda and Danny's Homey-House - DetailHaley and Dallin's Awesome Apartment Melinda, Wearing Her Living Ornaments A Charming Campbell Kitchen Corner Alaina's Fabulous Fishy Lips Face! Amazin' Alex, 'Checking Out the Pages...' (With Audrey and Aiden Working Background!) The Adorable Anya Gets Comfy Wednesday, Megan and children took me to I.F. for Book Club, which I hadn't read (Orson Scott Card's Past Watch). It was great to see all the Ladies of the Club. Towards the end, we talked about politics, which is always interesting. I love our group, and it's fun to get to know people I've never met and read books I never would have (plus, have yummy refreshments like Maria's pies and ice cream!). In between, we got to play with these little hooligans: Who's the Gorgeous Girlie?Audrey and Aiden Join their Krazy Kousins!All That Reading Works Up a Powerful Thirst!Tender-Hearted Tristan, Taming his Toy (Kitty) Caleb's Call... Yesterday we got a call from Aunt Sandy (my sis), and Caleb got his mission call - He's going to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada! That's right by Prince Edward Island and all the Anne of Green Gables sites! Congratulations, Caleb! Also, last night we went on a little excursion to the ER, prompted by a sudden drop in my blood pressure, due to fighting a dental infection. I'll almost for sure get all my upper teeth pulled, even though they seem perfectly normal! How strange...But it's an opportunity to show that I'll find the humor in any situation. Hellooo, Choppers!