Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful week.

Monday morning we loaded the car and Tom, Mom and I drove to Jonathan and Kristy's in Iowa.  We had a beautiful drive.  We started with a cool morning.  About Springfield, light reflected off sparkling frost on trees and ground.  Then we started to see a skiff of snow. It gradually grew to thick drifts of snow.  But the roads were all clear, the sun was out and it was beautiful!

The temperature also dropped as we traveled north. It went from the 20's to the teens and ended up at 7 degrees at Jonathan's.  That night it dropped to -15!  We stayed inside!

We watched children play.  We made food and ate it.  We chatted and visited.  We even all sat around and read books one evening.  We played games. 

Christmas Eve we had Bethlehem night where we sat on the floor, dressed in Biblical costumes and ate the kinds of foods Jesus and Mary might have eaten.  We ate by candle light and it felt special.

When all the presents were under the tree, there was a tremendous amount of loot.  It was well received!

 

Kristy wanted a cake to celebrate Jesus's birthday.  But no one really likes cakes.  So we made a cheese cake.  Tom made pumpkin and pecan pies.  They were great to gnosh on for the next several days.  The kids were so enamored with their gingerbread houses and other candy, they left the good deserts to us.

We helped the kids make gingerbread houses.  Tom helped them put together some of their Christmas gifts.  Mom helped Kristy organize her recipe book.  Mom read to the children. They were willing listeners!  I was impressed with how well she did.  She fit right in.  Probably she was exhausted by the end of the trip, but she looked great!

It warmed up as the week progressed and actually got into the mid 30's.  We visited the sheep and helped milk the cow.  We petted Isabelle's new rabbit she got for Christmas.

We bought a queen, high air mattress for the trip and expected to be quite comfortable.  Alas. It had a leak.  Tom found it and patched it and we had a good night's sleep.  Then, either the patch didn't hold, or there was another leak as we kept awaking in a sling.  The last night I bailed out and slept on the couch.  There was such a dip in the air mattress, I didn't think Tom was in there!  We called the company and hope to send it back.  Sigh.

Saturday morning we left about ten am and drove Mom to the Kansas City airport. Wow!  It was crowded!  But age and wheelchairs have their privilege. A porter came and checked Mom's luggage and whisked her past the security line to a faster check through.

Tom and I drove the rest of the way home and got back before 7 pm.  It was a great trip.

Mom's Here!

 

Our merry Christmas tree and decorations.

 

Last Sunday I drove to Little Rock for a meeting with the two other people involved in this Living Benefits of Dividend Paying Whole Life Insurance book I'm working on.  Mark was just there from New York for 24 hours.  So we worked Sunday afternoon and most all day Monday.

When Becky took Mark to the airport, I stayed behind and started writing some of what we'd discussed.  Then I left about 5 pm to go and get Mom from the airport.  Her flight was just a little delayed.  Counting in a stop for dinner, we got home about 11 pm.  It was a long day.

Most of the snow had melted. It wasn't until we got closer to Mountain Home that we could see some by the edge of the road or on the slant of the hills.  The roads were all clear.

While we were gone, Tom finished painting the ceiling and the new beam.  He also painted most of the family room walls just to freshen them up.  You can see the beam behind the ceiling light.

Tuesday Mom and I listened to a phone call about becoming a private investor and holding a mortgage note on houses that will be flipped.  I'd been following this company for about 3 years and decided to use some of the money from my St. Louis property to test the waters. They pay a 10% annual return paid monthly on an 18 month note. At the end of that time, or if the house sells earlier, you get your principal back.

One of the ward families suddenly got a job in Oregon.  While he's a realtor, their house was not in a condition to sell.  So Tom spent several days over there power washing and fixing things. It seems he's been extra busy doing bishop and service things this week.

Thursday we took the day and went to Crystal Bridges.  It was a pleasant drive and the museum is really lovely.  It's fun to look at all the paintings and sculptures.  Some I'd love to have hanging in my house.  Others... not so much.  I wonder at times what qualifies as great art.

It seemed a longer drive home.  Tom will say that's because we drove all the way through Eureka Springs looking for a restaurant... only to have it be at the other end of the loop (as Tom said it was) and closed for the season.  But we found an okay Chinese place further down the road.

I have done a little writing.  Not as much marketing as I should have. And some learning-- both about writing and about options.

Friday a storm moved into the area.  It was all rain and thunder-- about 2.5 inches over the course of the two days.  We mostly stayed in, but went out for some last minute shopping.  Mom and I have had fun chatting and cooking.  It's a delight to have her here.  I hope she has kept warm.

Sunday we had our Christmas Program.  The music was lovely and the narration heart warming.  While we were sitting on the stand minutes before the program began, the chorister asked if I would lead the congregational hymns.  Sure. Why not?  It felt a bit like Kenya. Be ready for anything. Anytime.

Still Cold



 

It's still cold here.  Still snow on the ground.  From Thursday the 5th until Wednesday the 11th I don't think it got above freezing.  Lovely to look at. Not so much fun to be out in.

 



 

It was interesting.  When the sun shown, it was delightful. But on the days it was overcast and dreary, I felt much less productive.  I just wanted to sleep or snuggle by the fire.

 

I did talk Tom into going to look at houses on Monday.  Two that we thought were interesting-- actually 3 were under contract by the time we got out to look.  The two we looked at were ho-hum.  Then we looked at a house that was to be auctioned off at Auction.com. It was a nice house with good potential, starting bid price: $15,000.  But.  BUT.  They offered no guarantees.  I needed to get a preliminary title report on my own.  If I bid and won. It was mine-- good, bad or indifferent.

 

Having suffered from one bad title, this worried me.  So I called and started a title search. I waited to bid until I got it. It went up to $25,000.  I really didn't want to go higher than that.  It closed at $30,000.  A great price.  It didn't meet the minimum-- but sometimes they accept a lower offer.  It will be interesting to see if  the bank accepts that offer.  Good learning experience.

 

Thursday we went to Silver Dollar City with another couple from the church.  We watched  two plays-- A Christmas Carol and It's a wonderful Life.  We enjoyed the lights and the Christmas parade of lights.

 

 The blur is a lighted "train" float. in the parade.

We are looking forward to all the family visits and company for Christmas.  I pick up Mom on Monday.  We'll see Jonathan and Kristy Christmas week.  Miranda and Deborah and their families will come at the New Year.

Two Worlds!

The weather this week has been so different, it feels like we've been in two worlds.  The week started off warm- with the weather about 65 during the day.

Monday we had Empty Nesters-- our family home evening group for the older childless or those who have flown the coop. Someone said, "We're all over 50 here... or well over." But there was actually a wife who was younger than 50. Still.  Some have been married 50 years.  It was a nice Christmas celebration.

We wanted to get some Christmas shopping done.  And we had free tickets to see the Brett Family Singers.  So Tuesday we headed for Branson.  It wasn't too crowded.  We had a lovely time at the show.  Here are pictures of their tribute to vets.

Then hit a number of stores and found gifts for Tom and our chosen family. Of course we had to stop and sample at Harry and Davids.  Then we came home in time for Tom to do Tithing Settlement and for me to listen to my Circle of Success call.

Circle of Success is an AWAI copywriting mentorship. I'm finding it helpful.  I've hit a slow spot in my copywriting.  It's been nice as it's given me a chance to focus on family and holidays. It's not so nice in that I bring in less income.  But I've also been using the time to market and move some of my projects forward.

We'd finally made the decision to take out the post in the downstairs room. It looked odd. And it limited our furniture arrangements.  So Ray came over and started to work on Wednesday. He's fast. Sliced the sheet rock from the ceiling and the wall. Moved the electric switch from the center post are relocated it to the wall. Then he put in a temporary supporting post and removed the wooden post. He got materials and built the beam-- all on Wednesday. Thursday Tom and I helped him put the beam in place and he got the first drywall mud and tape on it before the storm got bad.

Tom had covered the furniture.  But we had not realized the saw that cut the drywall would spread dust everywhere. I was upstairs and suddenly a puff of dust came through the heat vent.  The intake is in the downstairs right were he was working.  We turned it off and aired out the down stairs.  But had an amazing layer of dust on EVERYTHING!

Wednesday we prepared for the coming storm.  They predicted ice on Thursday then freezing rain and sleet followed by snow on Friday.  They were right.  Tom ran some errands early Thursday morning and we went to Walmart in the sleet. It wasn't bad with the 4 wheel drive truck.  Then we hunkered down.. and cleaned up the dust from our remodel.

Note- the willow is really weeping!  See how high the snow is on the bricks of the fountain?

Road before and after snow plow.

With nothing to do but stay in side, somehow, I got on Realtor.com. Did you know there are repos here selling for $22,500- 27,000?  Some are even 3 bdrm 2 bath!  And I can't even go look at them!!!  Oh the agony.

Friday it was simply lovely.  Thick snow fell all morning long. We had about 4 inches of sleet and snow from Thursday, and another 5 inches on Friday.  Tom and I traipsed around a bit. I shoveled the chicken cage so they wouldn't have to get their little feet cold. (not the run.)  They seem to be doing fine.  Still laying  about 8 eggs a day.  We kept the fire going and watched Eureka that night.  I got Tom hooked on it.  Friday night the temperature dropped to about 4 degrees.

I signed up for an options course that had a lot of homework.  I was very excited about it.  This is the first class I've taken that said: This is what you buy.  This is when you buy. This is how you buy.  This is why you buy.  This is how much you buy.  These are the indicators it's time to get out of the trade.  These are your choices when a trade goes south. Here are the things you don't mess with and here's why.  Probably the most effective 10 hours I've spent on this subject.   I got the recording and I probably need to listen to it a few more times.

Our Ward Christmas dinner was postponed from this Saturday to next.  And Sunday meetings were canceled.  Still, Tom went over to the church about 2pm Saturday to work at clearing the walks.  A member needed a ride to work on Sunday (She's a nurse) so Tom drove out into the sticks south of Flippin to find her house.  He called to say he was headed home.  I'm thinking from the church. He's thinking from Flippin.  I can't understand why it's taking him 40 minutes to get home and imagining him in a ditch someplace.  The roads are not good. But he went slow and safe.

Today he went to a meeting the missionaries were holding with a few young men who sometimes work on Sundays. (Most everything is still closed here)   Tom said 75% of the roads are 75% ice. He thinks canceling church was a good idea.  The weather may stay below freezing for the next few days, but only slight chances of more precipitation.

The only down side is that our Internet has been EXTREMELY slow. I think it may be that everyone else is also on the Internet. Don't know. But we've been reduced to dial-up speed for most of the days. Not fun. I suppose if all the trials of the world were judged... low Internet speed would have to rank pretty close to the bottom.  I'm so spoiled.

I am grateful for the beauty around us. I'm thankful we have food and warmth and a snug house.  I'm grateful we are strong enough to be out and shoveling snow. I'm glad our friends are weathering the storm well.  We are blessed.

Home Safe and Sound

This was a good week.  I really enjoyed my stay at Deborah and Ian's house.  Simon is a cute baby and happy as long as he's fed and held.  He actually sleeps very well in the mornings.  Noise, commotion. movement... nothing bothers him when he wants to sleep.

Christopher, Samantha, Steven, and Sarah are all very helpful and show a lot of love toward each other and toward Simon.

 Christopher

 It was so cute to see Ian playing a video game and Christopher right next to him with the tablet, imitating him.

Sarah was engrossed in reading Tangled. Sweet to see.

I've done a lot more dishwashing, dishwasher loading and emptying, laundry, picking up toys, and cooking in the past two months. It's hard work!  And then I realize... I get to go home to just the two of us.  My daughters and daughter-in-law do this every day, week in and week out.  I compliment them on their capabilities and dedication to their families.

Ian and Deborah introduced me to a Netflix series: Eureka.  It has 5 seasons. I came in on season 4, but I want to go back to the beginning. I think you'd like it.  I also got to watch Iron Man 3 while I was there. Fortunately there was a bit of a break in my work and I could relax and enjoy more.

Tom, for his part, conducted a funeral Monday morning.  It was the husband of some good friends.  He was in poor health and I'm sure he's happy to be released, but it's still sad to see the hole it leaves in a family when a father and husband dies.

He left about 4 in the afternoon amidst sleet and rain to head south to Andy and Kera's house.  He hit some dense fog and pretty steady rain, but arrived there safe and sound about 11pm.  He enjoyed visiting with the grown ups, playing with the grandchildren, and eating tasty food. 

The grandchildren really enjoyed the trampoline; please note their fashionable attire.

And what does the Fox family do so well?  They like to eat, especially when there is great food to be eaten as demonstrated by Katie and Riley.

This is a rare shot of Marian.

 

 

 It's Turkey Sandwich time for Miranda and Callie!

 

 

 It wouldn't be a family holiday gathering without pies - there was a total of 19 of them!!  Thank you!  Marian is patiently waiting for her slices that Miranda is cutting for her.

 

 

 

 Alex is glad to have his uncle Andy hold him so he can get a peek at the yummy goodness Riley is so enjoying.

Camden is demonstrating the proper way to eat pie for his younger brother Ethan, who does not seem too interested at this time.

 

 

 And what do you do when you are filled with all those delicious goodies?  Check out Andy, Dan, Matthew and Kera.

More relaxing time with the family.

Callie having fun with Ethan.

And no visit to family would be complete without some work project, and this trip was no different.  With the help of Dan and others, this shed was mostly sided; unfortunately, I failed to get a mostly completed picture!

The before picture.

Delaney modeling her tutu in front of the partially completed shed siding project.

Tom left Thursday-- Thanksgiving morning-- to drive to Little Rock and pick me up at the airport. I got in about 2:30 and we headed home from there. We stopped in Mountain View for some groceries and for supper.  Walmart was gearing up for their sales and was pretty mobbed.  Fortunately we arrived about 1/2 hour before the sales and so didn't have to wait in line to check out.

As we drove through the town, many food places were closed.  We saw a Pizza Inn and thought good-- salad and pizza buffet sounded good.  Alas. It was bare bones.   From a menu.  And they didn't have salad, soup, baked potatoes, or bread sticks.  But they did have pizza.  I guess that's what we wanted.

We arrived home to find the chickens safe and alive, the house warm enough, and a very comfortable, familiar bed. Ahhh.

Friday was our "Thanksgiving."  We had invited 7 other people over for dinner.  So we did the typical turkey thing.  Fortunately some were bringing yams, salad, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pie.  So I just made two other pies (apple and pumpkin),  stuffing, turkey, gravy, and green beans.

Tom helped with the chopping of veggies for the stuffing, the pumpkin pie and the table setting.  He said, "You aren't stressed!"  Must have been a mistake, but indeed it felt relaxed.

Then the three single ladies didn't show up.  One was called into work.  One hurt her back.  The other?  Just didn't answer phone or door.  So we were 6.  Three couples.  But we had lively conversation and tasty dinner.

In the afternoon we took advantage of the sales to buy some Christmas deals.  Not a lot... but some.

Saturday Tom left to take the youth to the St. Louis Temple so he was gone all day.  I should have been very productive... but I'm not sure I was.  I took a neighbor shopping and got Christmas Letter paper for myself and a water warmer for the chickens.  They got their Christmas present early.  Now I can feel confident their water won't freeze.

Today I enjoyed Choir practice.  I love singing Christmas songs.  We had the new Stake President Jones visit our ward, so I got a chance to meet him.  It was a good testimony meeting and good classes.

I wrote my Kenyan's who are on missions as I do each Sunday. A young woman is putting together a missionary recipe book, and so I sent her some recipes to use.

Stake Conference

Tom writes:

This has been an interesting weekend. It was a rare insight into the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the authorized use of priesthood keys to make major changes in the organization of the Church in our area.   A new stake was created from four other existing stakes, three missions and two temple districts. In addition to the calling of a stake president and two counselors for this newly created stake, this action also necessitated the reorganization of one of the effected stake presidencies.  And the inspired process for calling these six brethren involved only a few hours.

I was one of those invited to be interviewed Friday evening by two Seventies authorized by the First Presidency as they sought to prayerfully select the person God had prepared to be called as the stake president of the newly created stake. This required a four hour round trip for a short visit with these two inspired priesthood holders. Shortly afterwards I was released to go home.  

This process was repeated the next day for the second stake that was being reorganized. It wasn’t until today’s session of stake conference that we knew who the Lord had selected, when the names were presented for our sustaining vote.  As Elder Southward, one of the visiting Seventy, stated,  the mind and will of God has been done today.  As the names were announced, there was that comforting feeling to me that reaffirmed that these men were indeed called of God.  The work of our Savior continues to roll forward as Daniel prophesied; he truly is hastening his work in this area. 

Mountain Home is now part of the West Plains Stake, the newest stake (at least for today) in the world.  It is an exciting time to be part of this great work and see the Church grow.  Yes we will be affected by this growth since this is a smaller stake and more of our members may be called to serve in stake callings, but what a great opportunity for us to grow.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is led by a prophet today and is a church of continuing revelation!

New Baby Reck

Monday morning I finished up some odds and ends.  I got the last packing done.  At noon, Tom and I headed for Little Rock to put me on the plane to Deborah's.

Tom has been trying to get his tractor up and running. He's tried a lot of different things to get the tractor running smoothly.  This last issue is going back to the first one-- a needle valve that keeps clogging.  He thought he might be able to get a part in the Little Rock area, but they had to order it.  So he just dropped me off and headed back.

Had an uneventful flight and Deborah picked me up.  Tuesday I got reacquainted with the grandchildren.  Christopher welcomed me... which was nice.  I figured, as the youngest, he'd feel the most displaced with the new baby. I learned where the pre-school was and the store.  And the things in the kitchen.

Wednesday Deborah and Ian left very early.  I got the kids off to school.  As I was picking up Samantha at 12:30ish,  I got a text from Deborah that she was at 7cm... and opted for an epidural.  About 12:40 text: 9 cm.   Baby born 1:05. Boy. 7lbs 15.6 oz.  And 20 inches long.  They named him Simon James Reck.

That afternoon, after the kids got home from school, we drove over to see Deborah, Simon, and Ian. The kids were well behaved.  They were happy to see Mom and excited to hold Simon.  Each got a turn to hold the baby.  Even Christopher got to hold Simon while sitting on Ian's lap.  They all looked so cute loving the baby.

We came home, had a quick dinner and off to bed.  Thursday was similar-- Ian left early for school.  Kids all off to school (except Christopher). I made a quick run to Smith's for apples and almonds, then picked Samantha up at 12:30.  Sarah and Steven get home a little before 4 pm.  We had dinner.  They played like banshees for a bit of the evening.  To settle them down, I called Deborah and had them visit with her by phone.

Friday, Samatha had no preschool.  But we had "Parents and Pastries" at Sarah and Steven's school. So we all walked over about 8am.  We read books together until 8:30 or so. Then we went into the cafeteria where we had donuts and milk. Then Sarah and Steven went off to choral practice and we walked back home.  I love it that the church is across the street and the elementary school is a block away.  It makes it so convenient!

The kids just had a half day on Friday.  Shortly after they got home, Deborah came home with baby Simon.   He is a cute thing.  He often opens his eyes and just looks around.  You can tell he's trying to figure things out.

Saturday the kids and I cleaned house-- or at least picked up and dust mopped.  Sarah changed the sheets on the beds. I did laundry.  It's been a bit cold-- ice in the puddles.  But it warmed up and the kids played outside on Saturday.  We ordered Pizza for lunch.  Deborah had a coupon about to expire for a free one.  It was tasty.

Shortly before dinner, Ian's Mom Deb and her exchange student Simone arrived from Portland.  She'd had the car checked out before she left-- tires off, brakes checked.  Just as the came into town, the car started acting poorly.  Ian went to check the car and found only two bolts holding one tire on.  Two of the pins had also broken off. Ian will take the car in Monday.  Eryn, Ian's sister came over to rescue them and take them to her house (where they'd planned to go.)

We practiced the "loaves and fishes" and invited them to dinner.  All ate and there was still leftovers.  Then it was Saturday baths and bed.

Saturday night, Simon seemed to be awake more than he was asleep.  We went off to church and let Deborah and Simon sleep.  Apparently he's a good sleeper during the day. When we came home from church, she fed him and then they both slept again.  The kids played with dominoes and other games while I wrote to missionaries.

Now it's time to fix dinner.

Life in the Fast Lane

When I started this week, it looked to be totally crazy.  I wrote down all I had to do and it seemed impossible to get it all done.  Saturday we had an assignment to clean the Kansas City Temple. It's such a long drive, Tom wanted to go on Friday and spend the night.  Should I go, or let him go with someone else?

I decided to go.  I suggested we leave about noon, so I could work in the morning.  Then take in an evening session.  I could work Saturday morning while Tom took in a session, then we'd do two together, a few initiatories, and clean at the end of the day.  I felt even better about this decision when we learned of the 12 slots needed from our ward, only 4 were going... and that included Tom and I.

So I jumped into the week working to finish both newsletters. I didn't know if I'd have new assignments from the web designers. I emailed, and they said, not yet!  Hurray!! I acted responsibly, but had no responsibilities. That was good news. I could move on to other things.

I also had deadlines on Spec assignments from the AWAI Bootcamp.  Then I learned that with most all of them I could just send samples.  So I spent a day updating my website and directed them there. The one that I needed to write out, I'd done some research on, so while it might not be my best work, it was pretty good... and it's DONE and send off.

We went and did our visiting teaching. I got a raindrop treatment. I taught institute, and did seminary supervisor stuff with a new teacher and encouraged my teachers to fill out the reports.  We listed our eggs for sale on the trading post... but didn't sell any. We do need to find a market for that.

I learned how to cancel our LLC that's in Missouri that we don't' need any more now that the houses are sold.  Tom and I have listened to Options Animal and worked on our learning there.  I also listened to a few webinars on copywriting.

I worked on three chapters for the book and am down to the last few chapters for the first review-- excepting the case studies which aren't written yet.  And I got my weekly executive coaching blog done.

By the time we were ready to leave for the temple I felt like I'd cleaned my plate off, and might have to look for work to do!  It truly was a miracle.

Tom spent much of the week trying to beat the leaves into submission.  He started raking.  Then moved to the mower.  He could make about half a circle  around the yard before having to empty the catcher and start again.  It made an amazing difference.

 (After we went to the temple, we came home to find the wind had swept a 10'x20'x2' high pile in front of the garage.  Ah, the "downer" of fall.)

Mid week was bitter cold-- below freezing.  Then, as we drove to the temple the temperature rose.  Had a nice evening session and took some pictures of the temple all lit up.  By morning the weather moved into the 70's.  Tom left early for the session and I got some work done.  He came back, after having checked the schedule.  We needed to be there a half hour earlier!  Fortunately I was all packed and ready.

We weren't sure we'd have time for lunch, so we made egg salad sandwiches and headed over. It was such a joy to be in the temple.  I'm so glad I committed to go. We finished with sessions and cleaning by about 5pm and started the 5 hour drive home.

Ages ago, Jonathan gave us some CD's with a zillion talks on mp3 format.  For years, we didn't have an mp3 player.  Now the car does (well, and the computer) so we spend the time listening to all these talks.  It's great because each speaker has his or her own topic, voice tone. and cadence. So each is a change of pace.  I can't say it makes the time go faster... but it makes it go.  We got home about 10:20.  In bed by 11pm.

Today Tom left about 7:30 am.  He got home about 1:45 in time to do the Bishop's Youth Discussion.  Then he took one of the youth and went home teaching.  Got home about 5:30.  I fixed a quick dinner.  He was on the phone by 5:30 making calls, then left at 7 to visit a brother whose father just died unexpectedly.  Such is the life of a bishop.

Family and home

We started the week singing church hymns together as siblings plus Mom. It was delightful! Then we listened to alphorns.  And finally we packed.

Monday we breakfasted and made lunches. Except for the pickles.  The ones in my hand one minute... and on the floor the next.  I think we got up all the glass.  The smell?  Well, it was a fair trade.  The place smelled strongly of bleach when we first got there.

Cynthia, Sally, and I drove home in one car, and Steve, Mom and Tom drove in another.  Sue and Steve took their car back to Brentwood.  We hugged them tightly good-bye. We wish them well on their mission... and it will be a long time before we see them again.

We had a nice visit on the way back and took turns driving.  We got back only a little sooner than Mom and her group. We did some laundry.  That evening, we went out to the best Chinese food I think I've ever eaten! My tummy was so happy.  Then we stopped for a last shopping at Trader Joe's before leaving California.

Steve took us to the airport bright and early.  We had a three hour layover, so the trip took all day. We got to North West Arkansas airport about 8:30pm and home about 11:30.  We went from summer to deep fall. The trees are still full of lovely leaves and daytime temperatures are not bad. But the nights are nippy.  We've enjoyed the fireplace.

Wednesday I dove into my writing.  I really felt blessed to be able to nearly finish my newsletters.  They went much more quickly now that the template is in place. And I'd tried to write some of the article on the plane. I'm still revising chapters for the Infinite Banking book. I THINK we are making progress. Wednesday night I taught institute class. Tom was busy with his Bishop things.

Thursday Tom and I went out shopping and running errands. I got some work done. In the evening we went to a play put on by the Junior High.  One of the church kids was in it.  It was surprisingly well done. The props were impressive.  It was a musical and we could hear all the words. The play, called "Into the Woods" revolved around fairy tale characters. Our member played Little Red Ridinghood. We also met Rapunzel, Jack-- of beanstalk fame, his mother, and his cow.  The cow stole the show.  Fun antics while others were saying their lines.

Friday we went to take another look at a house we may want to buy and flip.  We've never done that before.  So we're trying to evaluate what it will cost to fix, what we might get when we flip it, and what we can afford to pay for it. It really looks solidly built.  But we can't get a second opinion on the possible sale price because another Realtor won't look at it til we own it.  A recent appraisal and the tax records offer a favorable price.  So this week we may be making an offer.

Saturday Tom had two baptisms to attend. One in West Plains and one here in Mountain Home.  I had a meeting in Branson for seminary training.  I took the car... Tom drove the truck.  I had a great meeting.  Not a lot of attendees, but good dialogue, good teaching and learning.  This was my last training before the stake splits.  Who knows what I will be doing three weeks from now.

In the evening I was able to chat with Bobby Rice about infinite banking, our insurance policies, and the book I'm writing for them.  It was an educational call.

When we got home, I decided to start a lemonade cleanse.  I've had some rashes on my body that the essential oils were not knocking out.  Since the liver is the first line of defense, and the skin is the second way of getting rid of toxins, I thought I'd do this for a week.  It's a little tough, but better than I'd expected.  I don't know that the rash is disappearing, but I'm shedding a few pounds.

Today we had 5 new people moving into the ward.  That's always nice. Got to visit with some of them. The stake president visited... one last time for him to make that 2+ hour drive.  He's such a good man.

Hope you all are doing well.

Las Vegas

Sandy started the week out with her mom. She flew in Saturday evening from her copy writing training in Florida.  Tom drove to 'Walmart International' airport in Bentonville Tuesday morning to join them, arriving without incident that evening.  We spent the next two days relaxing, visiting, dining with family, and attacking the list of honey dos.  Aunt Ruth invited us to join her and daughter Sheryl for dinner Thursday at the Towers; I had to borrow a coat since it was formal dining.  We had a delightful time of enjoyable conversation and food. 

Friday morning, we arose early so we could meet Sally at the Newport Beach Temple for the 8:30 session.  Normally we drive 5 hours to get to the Kansas City Temple, so we could not pass up the opportunity to attend a temple only 20 minutes away.  As always, it was great to enjoy the spirit that accompanies this work!

We rushed home to change, load the car, and hit the road for Las Vegas.  However, when we arrived at the house, Grandma informed us that long time friends from Switzerland had just arrived in the US and would be stopping by for a short visit.  We took a photo of us and Hans and Kristy Spring before we all left.

We did have a good visit and were not delayed too long.  But since it was lunch time, we just had to stop at 'In and Out' burger before leaving the LA area.  Sandy drove up with Cynthia and left just before us, while Grandma, Sally and I drove up in Grandma's car.  Beautiful scenery and a good drive, until we got to the Las Vegas traffic.  Love that rush hour, bumper to bumper, slow crawl traffic.

Sue and Steve arrived earlier from Utah and picked up the other Steve at the airport and Cynthia was able to pick up keys at the Polo Towers, where we are all staying while we were still stuck in traffic.  A last minute decision sent us to the Hofbrauhouse prior to our arrival at the hotel and we all arrived about the same time for a delicious German meal of wurst, sauerkraut, red cabbage followed by apple strudel.  Then back to our lodgings, where the wise thing to have done was to get a good night's sleep, but we choose to visit.

 Standing in front of the Ballegio talking tree.  Below-- some of the treats at the patisserie.

Saturday morning we slept in and then gathered to walk to Bellagio's for breakfast.  After a decadent breakfast of blueberry muffins, yogurt, cinnamon roll, chocolate croissant, and almond croissant we strolled back to the hotel.  No reunion would be complete without puzzles, and there were two that beckoned most of us to spend time seeking the right place for each of those pieces. 

After a tummy loving dinner of taco salad and chocolate chip laden brownies Sandy and I walked the 'strip' at night.  We stopped at the M & M store; if they can put M & M on it, they sell it!  Mugs, pencils, stickers, PJs, pillows and lots more.  You could get any color of  M & M's and have them personalized (Initials, etc) for a small fortune.  Or, for only $12.99 a pound, you could get any color or combination thereof.  We passed on all the above.  We also walked to the 'Aria' resort casino - a huge complex.  They have a magnificent fountain out front - we referred to it as a fireworks fountain.  There were multiple high power fountains that changed angles with a variety of sequences with different colored spot lights that from a distance, really looked like a fireworks display.  And behind that, was a captivating water wall.  Amazing what a vivid imagination can do with water.

This morning we attended the Hacienda Ward down the road from where we are staying.  Very friendly and welcoming.  Good testimonies. Sally and Susan went with Mom and Cynthia to an Episcopal service after Sacrament meeting. Good music there, I understand.

 Singing together.  And alphorn playing.

In the afternoon we sat around and sang for several hours.  We almost got through all the hymns before Tom heated up the spaghetti dinner Sally brought.  Yumm again. We visited and created a family medical history.  On the whole we're a pretty healthy family.

In the evening Sue and Steve serenaded us with the alphorns. They placed the ends of the alphorns out on the balcony of the 15th story of the Polo Towers.  I'm sure they were serenading all of the Las Vegas Strip for a half a mile.  It certainly was an improvement over some of the other music, sirens and motorcycle reeving.