Free Softlips Pearl

At Walgreen's thru Saturday 12/3 Limit one - Cost is $2 and you get that back at the register! Also, Kattie stopped in for a while yesterday - we watched some goofy tv and talked. It was fun! My aide and I straightened and cleaned that a.m., and Mark and I watched Larkrise to Candleford(?) last night; it's a tv series set in Victorian England. I told Mark that that is how my Grandma Wakefield/Gray raised me (I visited with her often, in her different apts.), and I love that genteel atmosphere. So, that's about it for yesterday. A wonderful, peaceful day! How was yours? (This a.m. it is snowing so much that there was a whiteout. Wow November's going out with a bang!) xoxoxo

This Past Thanksgiving Weekend

Hello! Thank you for your comments, and Merry Christmas to you too, Bonnie! We had a nice Thanksgiving at Danny and Melinda's. Everyone brought food or contributed money to the feast. Seth and Justin, Linda and Ben and Josh, Haley and Dallin and Hunter and we were there, although Haley and Dallin had to come later on. It was a nice, quiet meal, as I recall. The kids were cute as usual, and baby Irelyn's hair continues to get redder and redder. Alaina is growing noticeably taller and Emme is looking more like a toddler than a baby. Her face is so piquant, if that's the right word. Very sober most of the time, and looking like a little orphan. It's so funny. Hunter's hair is longer and curly too. Very handsome on him. Josh talks quite a bit and is a little man, like Ben was, lol. That night at about 11 p.m., Haley got me and we ran by Wal Mart, then went to Macey's and Target. The lines were soooooooooo long! And the people were very nice! She picked up boots and Hunter toys and a couple of other things, and I got a soft, cuddly blanket, mainly. We had tons of fun, and stayed out till 3:00 a.m. or so. Mostly we just waited in 2 lines, tho. : ) The weather was windy and cold and Haley had trouble getting her trunk open; therefore, she froze. Maybe that's why people were so happy in line - at least they were warm! A tiny little aide at Mark's work got something grabbed from her by a strange man. He pushed her, grabbed the gadget, and then ran away. She ran after him, caught him by the collar, and kicked him in the seat. So funny! And, btw, she got her gadget from him too. Good job!! Sunday we went to church and Mark gave the S.S. lesson on John, the first 3 chapters. His lesson was wonderful, and so was Relief Society's on repentance. Today has been fairly quiet. Saturday I attended Eleta's bday. gathering here - she's my very good friend. It was her 80th birthday! I got her a couple of small things and made her a card which she really liked, 'cause it had cats all over it (she loves cats and has a tuxedo cat named Cricket). This a.m. I went to the dentist/dentite (our joke name for dentist) and he needs to do more filling or pulling, it's up to us. Either one is very expensive. We'll see... We love the red down-alternative comforter we got Friday, when Mark and I went out to the store. It was a really good price and it's so lightweight and comfortable. Goes just great with our apt.! Hope you all are well and strong and being gud! lol xoxoxo

Newsletter to You

Italicize the "You," because this is just for us to share. Usually this time of the year prompts me to write a family newsletter that I save, but never get mailed. It kind of sums up our year and how the family's doing. With us, it mainly focuses on the "kids" getting schooling or jobs, marriages, and the birth of babies, besides Mark's career highlights and my health low-lights, lol. The main reason I type one up, though, is just to get a sense of where we are and where we are heading. This past year (and maybe this December!) brought the birth of two darling little girls into the family, a job and location change for Mark, a location and job change for Seth, deployment halfway around the world for Phillip, a new career path for Ben, and Linda expecting a little sister for Josh, ajob change (a comin' one of these days) for Justin, Kattie's marriage and new work with Mark, and Dallin finishing up his degree and looking around the country at job opportunities. Whew! People have moved (thank you for your help!!) and we've all been pretty well, for the most part. I think we've all felt blessed. But what I am most happy about and want to write to you about is a more all-encompassing blessing that I have noticed and been so grateful for. It's a settling, an acceptance and an acknowledging of effort as an accomplishment to ourselves. I've seen an over-arching faith in Heavenly Father's timetable and plan, regardless of what threatens the world or us individually, and a strength and flexibility and grateful peace and enjoyment in our lives, rather than fear or over-analysis or over-planning. My own testimony has been added to in an indefinable way. I don't wonder whether we are happy or good so much anymore. I just know that God is good and loving and that we are surrounded by blessings I feel more aware of the veiled world around us and I sense the support of family members on the other side. I feel their overwhelming joy. I mentioned something in my last post, and that was the opportunity we have to serve one another. That is a great thing that is unique to this existence, in that it will never be more meaningful. Every little thing we do, every word of encouragement and every small moment of teaching, thoughtfulness or understanding that we offer, has a real and lasting impact in this world and in the eternities. Those moments should be accompanied by a sound of resonating thunder. They are that important. You know, so much of what Jesus did and taught, His greatest lessons, were accomplished in small moments, often occurring on His way to something important. Funny how that worked. He always stopped when the Spirit told Him to He always listened He always felt such love for the creations of His own hand. He walked the earth with reverence and power. This Christmas, let us be aware of the real glory of Jesus Christ and why He came to earth: That we might have joy. Bless you! xoxoxo

I'm Thankful For...

Mark Our family Dreams The magic of Heavenly Father's plan Food Heat The sun Flowers Fireplaces The Atonement and repentance Learning Beautiful music Beautiful movies Funny movies Friends Horses Furry, soft animals Oceans, rivers, and streams Hot chocolate Cold chocolate Antibiotics Computers Ginger Snaps Soup Watermelon Deer Cougars Fish (to catch, mostly) Grass Maple Trees 7 month olds Books Drawing, art, creating Our opportunities to help each other Holidays Stationery, smooth pens, and all the accoutrements of correspondence Letters in the mail Packages in the mail Toys and games Christmas lights White Christmases Paths through the woods The scriptures Colors My state and country My ancestors Stories and Readers of my blog! Bless You! xoxoxo

Busy Wednesday

This a.m. I have a dr. appt., and then I need to get to work! If Mark will get our Christmas "decorates" out, we could put them up; in the meantime there is plenty to do, more de-cluttering and cleaning (always in process), cards, artwork, etc. Mark bought the food for Thursday's cooking. It's kind of exciting when you hear the bustle of the grocery bags, isn't it?

Mark and I are really, really enjoying our little fireplace/heater thing - I need to name it something: how about Toddy? It makes you feel the way a hot toddy should, although mind you, I can't say from personal experience! That seems about right. We watched So I Married an Ax Murderer last night. It's so silly. : ) My favorite line is, "Come, let us dance like Children of the Night!" (This, uttered while Mike Myers is in his Sprockets mode, my favorite.) And all the "Hede!" outbursts from his Scottish dad. I wonder if MM was imitating his rl Scottish dad. Anyway, it's awesomely quoteable. It's cold here! I guess we live in Idaho. lol Stay warm and safe where you are, and Happy Thanksgiving early! xoxoxo PS Megan, could you help me put some crossed candy canes up on my header? Thx!

Picture Pause

While I'm typing Tut is on my lap interfering. He reaches his paw up to remind me to pet him. Tut is the epitome of entitlement. I titled this post "Picture Pause" because the site is being funny about loading pics again; if I wait to post until it's better, I won't ever get a post up! I just got back from having two molars pulled today. I go back for more stuff later, but I'll deal with (and pay for) that later. Basically, I need to get my teeth in the best possible shape and keep them that way (duh!). I inherited these weak English teeth, and that, plus diabetes, makes me very prone to problems. I do very well at brushing and flossing, and now that I have an electric toothbrush it's so much easier. It is worth it to buy one, if you haven't. Also, floss picks make flossing much simpler. I'm sure all this will help my overall health. So that's what's been going on with me. We are going to Melinda and Danny's for Thanksgiving this year, with people assigned food to bring. Mark has green bean casserole, rolls, gravy, fruit salad, dressing, and chocolate pie, I think. It's fun having traditional food, year after year. We always fix a lot and eat very little, but we live on the leftovers to make up for the expense. Right? At the Redwood house, we stored leftovers in our garage. Maybe we'll have to put them in our car this year, if we have any. I looove leftover fruit salad, with cherries, mandarin oranges, grapes, pineapples, and other fruit, plus whipped cream. I feel for Phillip, out in Afghanistan. We miss you, Phillip! Stay safe! We had a great visit with him, when he took his leave in October. He paid for Megan and Sabriel to visit us at the same time, and we got some great family pictures. I'll keep trying to post them. One thing we did while he was here was have a Halloween party at Danny and Melinda's. The Darringtons from down the street were there, as well as West Virginia friends and the whole Fam Damily. We all were in costume, and there was chili and Mark's hot chocolate, freshly-made cider from Kattie and Ben's, and tons of rice crispie treats, salsa, chips, and so on. We played a fun and engaging game where one person stands in the center and says something they've never done. Then, everyone who has done that thing gets up and switches chairs, while the person in the center does so also. One person is minus a chair and becomes the next to say what hasn't been done. Phillip was so grown up and personable this time, and he actually wore his Army fatigues on the trip home (the first time I've seen him in uniform!). He flew for 29 hours straight to get home (with a one-day layover in Kabul (?)). Anyway, he was up a long time! It was great to meet Sabriel, who is so Far Side-ish and squishy and pretty and pleasant. I miss holding her, but at least we have Irelyn and Emme to hold. Soon Ben and Linda will have a little sister for Josh, Bethany (I believe), named after a literary character. Babies everwhere! I'm loving seeing all the "kids" growing up. Aiden actually calls me sometimes, to ask me questions or talk. That's so amazing to me that he is his own little person now. Gables had their Halloween party, with trick-or-treating down the halls (Gables provided the candy that was distributed). They also had a great meal, a fishing pond, a cakewalk for little prizes, and a tossing game. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the staff really took part. It felt just like the old Gables that night. We also had a talent show here, and handmade items and collections were on display at the side of the room. Alex sang "Oklahoma" in a cowboy costume and "White Christmas" in a Santa one. Ben sang some little songs with Josh, only Josh passed on the singing. And Ben and Linda sang one duet. There were other singers and piano and accordion players, and Mark graced us by reciting two of his own poems, to be posted here later on (they were humorous, of course). The best part was the warm apple pie with ice cream, topped with a butterscotch sauce. Yummy! Irelyn was blessed, but I wasn't able to attend. :( I finally found a great doctor, right here in IF, Dr. Harris. That is why I'm getting various problems checked into and attended to. I'll get my hearing checked as soon as I get a chance, and the ritter rac surgery. You're probably wondering how Mark is holding on. . .let me tell you, just barely! No, he's doing well, other than some pain in his feet. We have both cut back on our eating, which ain't that easy to do at The Gables! Seth is looking for an apt., and he's been working and saving up for that. So glad our sons are growing up into solid and honest men. They are growing brains! Leto is here with us and doing great. He and Tut have their little routines which are so funny. Leto is really smart and well-behaved here. The residents don't see him often, which probably accounts for their loving him. Mark and I got ourselves the best Christmas present! It's already here, and I can't wait to show you. It's like a little woodstove, but it's actually a heater, with pretend wood embers and flames. It looks soooo realistic, and it's so comforting. It makes this apt. feel homey and bright. It's in a dark red, which goes with our color scheme, and has adjustable settings for both heat and flame. You can have them going separately or together. Now you know we're getting old, when we're so excited about a heater! But really, the effect it creates makes you feel like you are sitting near a warm fire. Makes winter seem so much nicer! I think I'll post this for now and write more later on. Please post comments if you read this; they are much appreciated!! With much love. . .xoxoxo

Kattie and Ben Wedding Pics Part I

Okay, let's try this again Please scroll to the bottom and see pictures in reverse : )

Bishop Baird officiated He gave some beautiful and touching words for the couple And here are the happy Mr. and Mrs. Young!

The ring ceremony was delayed while someone ran into the house to get the ring for Ben We all laughed

Some of their lovely decor

Cooper and Wes They're so cute!

Sandy, Kattie, Natasha and Tamathy

Aren't they a charming couple?

Sandy, Kattie and I all went to get our nails done Kattie got a foot massage and pedicure, as well Sandy left her taped-up glasses there, but we retrieved them Then she put some flashy zebra-striped electrical tape on them And it looked like that was part of the frame For the wedding, she wore glasses that weren't broken She just couldn't see thru them very well That's Sandy!

Howdy

I am still here, just burnt out because of all the problems I had w/my blog, esp. pictures. Please pardon my absence, and I'll try and work back into doing this. Lots of love! xoxoxo

I Have Ritter Racks!

That's what Mark used to call Easter eggs when he was little. He asked for them for Christmas, but his family couldn't figure out what he was saying. Isn't that cute? Anyway, that's his joke name now for cataracts. Yes, I found out yesterday that my eyesight, which has been getting worse this past month, can be improved! Hallelujah. I thought I was stuck with it. I'm excited to get them removed some time soon. They do it surgically, but keep you awake if possible. Kind of scary, but interesting, too. Wonder how much better I'll be able to see? Love You, and will try again to post what I wrote and then lost earlier. That's so frustrating, isn't it? :/ xoxoxo