A Good Christmas

On Friday family arrived!  Dan and the children were first.  Then Miranda and Dan and Andy and Kera and kids carpooled over from Tulsa. Tom and I had gone out to do a little shopping, so we didn't get to see the joyful reunion of Camden and Dan.  Actually, I think Camden was still sleeping and not all that ready to face being away and seeing Dan after about 2 weeks of not having him around.  However, I definitely became the bottom of the pecking order.  My hugs, which had been so welcome to sooth all ills were suddenly repulsive.  Yes, repulsed with great volume and the push-away-arm.  That's okay.  We got snuggling time while Miranda was gone.  He's a smart boy.  He knows when he's got to be happy with Grandma's lovings and when he doesn't.

The weather was chilly, but sunny.  So the kids raced outside to the zip line and the woods to play.  They returned when hands got too cold.  For dinner we'd prepared a ham and some lovely potatoes.  Alas, the potatoes took too long to cook, so we had to make do with delicious garlic beans instead.. and a few pies-- pumpkin, pecan, and french silk.

Saturday the women spent most of the day in the kitchen: dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, more pies: apple, blueberry, key lime, lemon meringue, chocolate chess-- Rebecca says we made 19 pies all totaled of 9 different varieties.  We cooked yams and turkey and stuffing... and most even took a break mid-day to go thrift store shopping.  Tom took many of the grand-kids out to collect fallen wood and then build a bonfire.  They came in to snag some marshmallows to burn... er... roast.  There was the traditional last minute wrapping and amidst it all 12 giggling, laughing, screaming, crying children.  Below: A cute moment with Camden and Rylee.

 We invited Barbara to dinner and ate about 5.  We digested for a bit,  and a variety of kids got bathed in the early evening.  Then we had the Christmas Story read about 7pm and the Bombider Christmas story from "Christmas Stories I Love."  And we sang some carols.  No one seemed to be ready for bed, but we stuffed a few in.  Put the rest of the kids in front of a Christmas movie, and the adults went to play 5 crowns.  At way to late-- we put gifts under the tree and went to bed.

The sleeping arrangements were...er... cozy.  Rebecca had her entire family of 7 plus maybe a borrowed kid in the suite.  Miranda and Dan and Camden took the lower bedroom.  Andy and Kera filled the office with themselves plus 2 kids.  We bedded down with Aaron and Emma on our floor.  And Grandma had the small bedroom.  I think no one slept in the living room or family room.  Actually... I'm not sure how much anyone slept anywhere at all.  We got up a little after 6 on Christmas day.

Some of us went to Church about 9am for choir practice.  Kera and Dan came along as they were singing O Holy Night in Sacrament.  It was a lovely service.  Lots of singing of Christmas Hymns.  The reading of the Christmas Story from the Bible.  Some people talking about Christmases they remembered best. And our sweet Bishop gave a short message.  The Choir sang one song, Dan and Kera sang, and there was lots of congregational singing.

Tom had to stay back and count tithing, so by the time WE got home, the kids were well past ready to eat and some to nap.  We still dragged them outside for pictures, then ate-- leftovers and pie!-- and put the little ones down for naps.  Then we gathered around the tree for what Rebecca calls "the loot-fest!"  I think all were delighted with their gifts!  Rebecca had bought some balls that vibrated and swirled colors and played rap music... well something that might be considered music.  They were a hit with the little kids.  Camden wanted to hold it all during the picture taking.  It would shake his whole arms!  We were really glad there was an off switch.  The noise got a bit wearing. Joshua got a camcorder that he's had much fun with.  He's taken videos of him careening down the zip-line.  Not sure how I feel about a one-handed zip.  Rylee got a  stroller and shopping cart. Charlotte had a doll.  They had great fun sharing toys and pushing them around the house.  Charlotte filled her cart with her gifts and pushed it all over.

Some settled down with books.  Adults visited, napped, ate, chatted and ate some more.   Tom took us all for a walk to the pond and around the fields.  Maybe it worked of a slice or two of pie.  In the evening, we pulled out our new Dominoes game and had fun.  Kera won with 21 points compared to the rest of us with over 100 each!

Today we slept in a little.  Kera and Andy packed up and were gone by about 10am.  We kept Nathan back to be a worker and earn money for scout camp this summer.  By noon, Miranda, Dan, Camden and Dan White left.  They drove Dan White to Tulsa to fly home.  He couldn't miss work.  Rebecca will stay to play for another week or so.  Dan will pin on Major at the first of the year.  We are proud of him!

So the house is a little quieter.  But we are having a single mom and her two kids over for dinner and Family Home Evening tonight.  Don't need to worry about desserts.  We still have parts of 6 pies.  Oh.  Tom called on the way home from picking her up.  Can we feed two more?  Sure.  And indeed, as with the loaves and the fishes, we had enough.  But now.... I be tired.

The Best Gift

I loved that Christmas was on Sunday this year.  It helped me think about the great gifts we've been given.   The Savior's atonement was a priceless gift that allows us to repent and give us the opportunity to return and live with our Heavenly Father after this life.  God gave us the gift of this earth and all the things on it.  He gave us the gift of life, of food and clothing, of air to breathe and of families.

We have been given the gift of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of the scriptures that tell how to live a happy life so we can return to him.  The Lord gifts us with love, peace, joy, and happiness.  He's given us his example of how to live to be happy.

Even if we never exchanged one gift under the tree, we have had such extraordinary gifts bestowed on us!  How nice that at this Christmas time we can remember the great gifts given to us by our Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

We had a great visit with Rebecca and Dan's children.  They are good kids.  Rebecca and Dan came home Sunday morning.  They had a fun time on the cruise.  They loved the food and the friendliness of the servers and stewards.  They enjoyed the cave tubing and the snorkeling... and the shopping.  They didn't enjoy the encouragements to part them from their money at every turn.

The children were delighted to have Mom and Dad back home.  However they were super busy.  Dan had some Christmas projects to do, and Rebecca had laundry and packing to do.  She also needed to make dinner for Wednesday when friends would be visiting... but she wouldn't be there.

I was going to get an annual pass for the car at the base... when I happened to look at my ID card.  I knew it was going to need to be renewed.... AKKK.  I saw it had expired 3 days earlier.  So I didn't risk going for the car pass.  I did, however, go off base for some shopping and they let me back on with it.

Tuesday we left early (8:13)  Our goal was 8am.  We got the older kids off to school and Rebecca, Delaney, Rylee, Miranda, Camden and I headed north.  Our goal was to pick up Grandma Marion at the Little Rock airport at about 4pm.  And that time was cutting it close.  It got even closer when we had several stops on the way.   Then it didn't matter.  Mom called to say her plane was delayed.  We got to the airport about 4:30.  The plane was supposed to have arrived by then.... but it hadn't even taken off.  Mechanical problems.... then refueling... then crew change.  She finally arrived at 7:30.

We had a late dinner at McAlesters... a nice restaurant in Conway, and headed home.  I drove these last 3 hours.  I figured I knew the roads best.  All went well until the last 45 minutes when Camden was just done!  Then Rylee yacked up all her dinner.  We pulled over, found the binkee, cleaned up the mess and drove home anticipating with great eagerness the end of the trip.  We arrived about midnight.

Wednesday was mostly recuperation day.  Tom and I went to look at the progress of the Main St house.  And we closed on the 1111 Church St house.  We checked it before picking up the papers from Lender's title.  It looked just the same.  We didn't remember a water spot on the living room ceiling... but it seemed dry.  Hmm.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.  We did a little Christmas shopping.  Rebecca was Santa's Helper and baked mini-muffins, cookies and Muddy Buddies for the Young men and women who were going caroling that night.  The Bishopric agreed to make the refreshments... I think that translated into the Bishop and his helpers.

About noon Miranda left to go back to Oklahoma to Dan and a wedding.  However, she left Camden here.  We though there might be much sadness, but actually, he's done very well.  He and Rylee are playing much better together here.  Perhaps it's because neither of them own the toys.  Everyone slept well last night.

Tomorrow the hordes descend-- Andy and family.  Dan and the rest of the children. Miranda and Dan.  Oh what fun!   I love Christmas.

We've been doing a lot of walking this week.  Here are two of the little ones in the double stroller.  They'd be happy in the stroller for a bit and then want to walk.

 I don't know if I enjoyed it all hat much doing hair for my children... but I really enjoy putting the kids hair up each day.  This day Rylee pulled out her "pony" so Miranda decided to put it back in for her.  Her hair falls into her face and unless you want food mingled in the hair, it needs to be put back.  So Miranda put this ponytail into her hair.... and it would not curl over!  It looked like a whale spout!  We laughed and laughed.  I guess if Miranda has a girl, she'll have to learn hair ponies... if not, I guess it doesn't matter.

 Friday we did some house cleaning in the morning.  We left about 11:00 to go to the commissary.  Too late!  It was HOT.  The kids had a fun time in the "play" shopping cart and didn't even ask to get out and walk.  Camden didn't have a melt down until he couldn't put things on the check out counter.  Then we stuffed everything into the strollers and walked home.  Eggs were on the bottom.  As we crunched over some rough ground... I wondered.  But they all arrived home safely.

 The kids have been well behaved.  They've stopped their computer time when we asked, gone to bed when asked.  They haven't complained about food.  They've even gotten out the door to school on time every day.  I was especially impressed on Saturday with the good help they gave.  I came down about 7am and everyone was up except Rylee.  We made Dutch Baby and by 8am kids were busy cleaning their rooms and the house.  They vacuumed, washed floors and baseboard.  They shook rugs and swept.  When they were done with one job, they'd come and ask if there was anything else to do.  By 9am we were DONE!

So we went off to the park.  It was colder than yesterday.  Hmm.  We should have worn longer pants!  The breeze was cutting, but when the sun came out, it felt warmer.  A good time was had by all.  It was a fantastic park!  They had several "merry-go-round" kinds of toys.  This one swung easily.  Guess who climbed up the highest first?

Once Camden saw the big kids having fun on this round-i-round, he wanted to ride it, too.  He hung on and just grinned and grinned.  It was tilted, so the push up was slow... then he'd sale down and around.

 Camden and Rylee loved this rocking horse.  Rylee could climb on it herself and so she'd go off and on, then run over to swing for a while.  I think she is following her sister Marian.  She has no fear of heights and would climb on everything.

 I looked across the park and found her climbing this 8' climbing wall. AKKK!  But she made it to the top, and then crawled through the red tube... to the next crawling tube... to the steps... and down.   There were many slides, but they had water on them.  This time, we were closer when she started climbing.  Good Grief!  She's just a little over 2 years old!

 The park had more variety of climbing things than I'd ever seen.  We snacked and then played some more and came home about 11:30.  Wow.  Hard to believe that by this time tomorrow, Rebecca and Dan will be home.

I have really appreciated Miranda being here.  It's so much easier to tag team.  One cooks. One cleans up.  One starts laundry.  One folds it... or folds part and the other takes over.  One hugs one kid... the other hugs another.  Miranda is the favorite I think.  Marian asks her to put her to bed.  The kids beg for the "Tickle Monster" to come visit.  Our only flaw has been not thawing sufficiently all the delicious dinners Rebecca left for us.  About 2:30 today we looked at tonight's dinner.  "Crockpot for 6-8 hours."  Hmmm.  Nope.  Don't want to eat at 8.  Guess we'll clean up the left-overs.

Babysitting the grandees

We've had fun with the little munchkins!  It's been great to have Miranda here, too.  We get to visit, help each other, take turns changing diapers, putting kids to bed, making meals... and even coming to the ends of our ropes.

These kids are just so dang cute.  Today we went to see Santa at the Housing Office-- and do tree lighting, and eat hot dogs and nacho chips and cookies. They had a Navy brass ensemble there playing Christmas carols.   The moment Delaney heard music starting, she stood at attention, and put her hand over her heart.  Then she recognized it wasn't the Star Spangled Banner or what they play when they retire the colors and she moved on.  I thought how many adults don't have a clue as to how to show respect for our flag and our country.... and here is a 4 year old, who does.

When we went to the Library on Monday, the kids had fun climbing the "castle" and hanging out the windows.

Then they listened to stories and did a craft.  Toward the end of the craft an alarm went off.  WHONKKK!  WHONKKK! Lights flashed. "MMMUMBLE MMMUMBLE MMMUMBLE ..OUT OF THE LIBRARY...MUMBLE MUMBLE PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO EXIT."  What?  What?  It wasn't until we were almost outside that I caught that they were saying fire alarm.  We stood there a minute with the crowd gathered outside-- including missionaries who had been in the process of emailing home.  We decided to leave about the time the fire trucks arrived.  Delaney was quite concerned about the library.  She was afraid it would not be there.  We assured her it was likely a practice drill or something else but not a fire.  We went on to Ross to shop.  And on the way back, we checked out the library.  It was still standing, and no smoke, but Delaney and Rylee were not convinced.  Rylee still says, "Loud noise.  Library!"

We've gone for walks on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Today it was foggy.  We pushed the three children in the two strollers.  Part of the time they rode.  Part of the time they walked.  And occasionally we just stopped to watch things-- an egret scratching in the shallow water and catching breakfast.  A scoop shovel digging in the drainage ditch, some jets taking off, some funny trucks passing.  It's always a bit unnerving keeping the children out of harm's way as they walk.  But they seem to be getting better at hanging on to the strollers rather than wandering into the streets.

Today we went to the thrift store and Miranda found some maternity pants and some lidded cups for Camden.  As we were checking out, they said tomorrow all clothing was 1/2 priced.  We may have to go back!

New Orleans

I’m having a hard time remembering what happened the first part of the week.  I know I was feeling like the year was practically over.  Tom and I did some shopping and then spent an evening wrapping presents.  We had not had the opportunity to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional on Sunday as Tom was doing tithing settlement and other stuff.  So we listened to it for Family Home Evening.  Monday we also awoke to snow!  It had snowed just a bit on Saturday but Monday morning had maybe a 1/2 inch on the ground.  When we walked… it was a bit icy.  And by afternoon the snow had melted except in the shadows.

 Tuesday the Relief Society had their “in to lunch bunch.”  It used to be an out-to-lunch bunch, but then they decided some sisters might not be able to afford to buy lunch, so the in-to-lunch meets at the church and people can bring a sack lunch, buy and bring, or bring a dish to share.  It’s fun to sit and visit with the sisters.

On Wednesday Miranda came to visit.  I spent part of the day figuring out what needed to be done still on the Church street house closing.  I had to sign a form that allowed Equity Trust to sign the closing documents and then get it to Lender’s Title so they could send it when the closing documents.

Thursday Miranda went to visit Sarah Simpson and I went visiting teaching and went to some holiday receptions. The spread put on by Edward Jones at the country club far out shown the cookies and punch at Liberty Bank.  But it was nice that both of them wanted to show customer appreciation. Thursday we packed and got ready to leave on Friday.

Friday Miranda and Camden and I drove to New Orleans.  The drive actually went well.  We had fog at the beginning of the trip and with the winding roads, Miranda decided she was better off without her breakfast.  Camden was very well behaved.  He slept.  He was mostly happy.  We stopped at a Burger King with a playground and he was very pleased with himself going down the slide…over… and over… an over.  About nightfall we made it to New Orleans and the low fuel light came on in the middle of the city.   Yuck!  This is the first time I’ve been truly happy with “Jack” our GPS.  He guided us to a gas station and back onto the freeway with a minimum of delay.  And gas was actually pretty cheap there. It was nice to finally get to Rebecca’s house. 

It’s a lovely house!  It has nice high ceilings and lots of space… although Rebecca might differ.  Rebecca was busy packing and Dan and Joshua were at a camp out.  Saturday morning Dan and Rebecca went to a fun 5 k race.  We got the kids ready and walked to the finish line to cheer them to the end.  It was fun to cheer for the runners—those we knew and those we didn’t know.  It was chilly, but fun to walk over.  Joshua led the way.  The two youngest were in the stroller.  Marian and Delaney rode their scooters.  Dan and Rebecca both got trophies.  

 The kids pulled names for “door prizes” and Rebecca got a carry bag with a water bottle and cap, as well.  Most of the rest of the day we kind of lazed around.  As we walked home, we saw this lovely large bird… that I was only able to get a fuzzy shot of.

Today we found our way to church and then about 1:40 I took Dan and Rebecca to the pier for their cruise.  We’d done mapquest so got there with only a wrong turn or two.  Coming back, Jack was again helpful.  Either he or I made a mistake and got on the 90 going the wrong way, but Jack guided me around and back on the right way within a mile.  The kids are doing well.  I think we’ll survive the week.

December!

Whatever the calendar says, I believe it is officially winter.  It is fireplace time and warm glove time and bare trees time.  Tom spent a good part of the week beating the leaves into submission.  We raked pies from where they stacked up in the front garden.  He mowed the yard and then raked leaves from the fence-line and shredded them with the mower, then burned them.  It’s nice to see a clean yard… but it does look bare.  Few leaves on the trees, none on the ground… feels like winter.

We’ve been having fun watching the progress on our Main Street House.  Ray doesn’t let grass grow under his feet.  While it’s exciting for us, once much of this is done… it just looks right… you don’t see what had been there before.  He sheet rocked over a huge opening in the wall… now we have a wall.  He sheet rocked the ceiling so it’s no longer wooden slats.  Then the windows came in and he replaced three windows with better ones (two larger, one smaller) and put in a small window in the upstairs back wall.  The weathered wood, peeling paint exterior windows got painted and now they just look—as they should.  Certainly the exterior of the house looks a lot less seedy.  It will look better once there’s water to power wash the mold off the siding.  Ray framed and sheet rocked the lower bath.  It looks really good.  And framed in the upper bath and two closets.  We are ready to have the foam insulation guy come and then the entire top can be sheet rocked.  The heating and Air conditioning is in. So progress is being made.  But we really don't want to start using the heat while the house is so "leaky".  Once the windows are calked with a second coat of paint, and the windows washed, the storm windows can go back up.  But they can't be painted in freezing weather... our forecast for the week.

We finally got power to the Church St house and all the electrical works. All the water works, except for a slow sink drain.  They wanted to just leave the heat on until closing, (fine by us) but it needed gas…. So they turned the gas on and the heater works, the stove works, the water heater works… but the water heater’s vent is not up to code.  We may choose to get a new water heater.

I made the plunge.  Got a domain name, a web hosting site, and started a website. I’m not thrilled with it, but I’m teaching myself I don’t need perfection.  I need something started, and then I can work to improve it.  The site is www.writing4income.com  I signed up to make cookies for our Nativity display at the stake center.  They needed them by Friday.  But we were going to the temple all day on Thursday so I made them Wednesday and we munched on the extras on the trip to the temple.  It was a great trip.  Many people brought family names so we did all the ordinances including sealing several large families together.

We got out Christmas decorations on Monday.  Got the tree up on Tuesday.  And had a mess in the house until Saturday when I finally finished decorating the tree and setting things out in the house.  We need to finish wrapping things and get that room neater.  I wrote a Christmas letter.  Might be nice if it actually got sent out, too.  Maybe that’s a project for this week. 

Morning Walk

We are so enjoying our morning walks.  Now we walk with gloves and a snood to keep the ears warm.  We wanted to show you what we saw as we walked.  These were from about a week ago.

We go out our drive and walk up our paved road for a bit, then turn on this gravel road.

We have a herd of deer we check out each day-- about a half dozen of them.

 Here is an occasional stream.   You can tell we've had rain. It chuckles along happily.

 We pass some pretty houses.

 We get to the dead end of the road (It turns into a driveway) and walk back.  Here are the deer again.

 Here is the walk down our road.

 And some of the last of the vibrant fall foliage.

 And my handsome hubby!

Thanksgiving Week

 It seemed like there was a headlong rush to get ready to leave for Jonathan and Kristy’s for Thanksgiving.  Saturday we went window shopping for items for the Main St. house.  Then Tom went to church for the youth dance.  Sunday after normal services we had the Bishop’s Youth Discussion (BYD) at our house.  I’d fixed congo squares for refreshments on Saturday--- then Tom brought home left over cake and chocolate dipping and pretzels and crackers to dip into it.  After BYD he went home teaching, then back to church for Tithing Settlement.

Monday we did laundry and packed and I showed our contractor the stuff we wanted for the Main St. house.  We decided on 18” tile for the kitchen and bathroom floors and also the countertop in the kitchen... and the tub surround.  We’d planned on a fiberglass insert for tub and surround.  But the place we normally get them cheap… was out!  Each other place was expensive… or more expensive.  So that made tile a better prospect.  And I was delighted that the contractor suggested it, so I didn’t have to.  That evening we had a couple over for dinner.  Linda lost her husband to a sudden heart attack about 2 years ago.  She met Dennis and theirs was the first wedding Tom performed.  We enjoyed getting to know Dennis better and learning how they met.  It’s like watching young kids.  They are so delighted with each other!

Monday afternoon, Tom says, “I can’t find my wallet.”  Hmm.  We look in all the usual places.  I ask, are they in your old pants pocket?  The one that just went into the laundry.  He checked.  Not there.   Apparently the wallet fell out of the pocket before inspection.  It’s amazing how well things are preserved, even after going through the wash cycle.  The drying cycle:

We got a pretty early start on Tuesday for our trip to Iowa.  Keeping with tradition, we stopped at a junk yard to try to find a part for the Toyota.  For Christmas I asked that the center console lid hinge be fixed.  The darn top slides off and is very annoying! We looked for the Kansas City temple on the way up, too.  The GPS and I are having issues.  I thought, how fun to go to 5 guys for lunch on the way up.  Tom asked it to search for 5 Guys and it found one right off 35.  Sounded good.   Tom was on the phone when the turn off came.  Seemed way too early to me.  And 8 miles??? But I thought we’d eat earlier.  No.  The 8 miles was just to the first turn! We drive up the east side of Kansas City and the one I remembered was on the north east side.  Apparently there’s a second one on the South West side—a good half hour off the freeway. GRRR.  Then after we drive all this time the chirpy little voice says, “You are now at 5 Guys on the right.”  But there IS no F Guys on the right!  We drive around the two blocks of shopping centers with the GPS saying: “Recalculating.”  Did you know you can plot your course with a dotted line on the GPS?  Ours looked a lot like the Family Circus cartoon where the kid runs all over the place.  How can you give up when you’ve already squandered so much time searching for it?  We finally found it on the LEFT side of the road.  We got to Jonathan and Kristy’s about an hour later than we planned, but it worked out fine.  They were just getting back from gymnastics. I had a fun time cuddling Zachery.

We had a relaxed and enjoyable time there.  It’s so fun to see the kids and how they are growing.  We saw Isabelle’s pigeons—including the trick pigeons that tumble and roll.  She was feeding the neighbors two Border Collie puppies and we tumbled and played with them.  The new baby heifer was delivered and we got to know her.  She’s a cute little thing.  And we collected eggs.  We had a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner.  They’d invited another family over and that added to the fun.  We played games some nights and watched a movie on their big screen. Isabelle made brownies all by her self and then gifted some to us for our trip home.

 We also shared a 24 hour virus.  It had started with David and progressed to Miriam by the time we got there.  One by one we were felled by the puke-bug.  Jonathan and I held out to the bitter end.  One good thing—no one was sick on Thanksgiving Day.  Another blessing: It’s the first time I’ve lost weight over that holiday!  I was a sluggard at taking pictures while we were there, so I made them pose the early morning before we left-- mostly still in PJ's

 On the way home, we did detour to see the nearly completed temple.

 When we left Mountain Home, it was at the tail end of fall.  The weather was still warmish and there were leaves on some trees.  We went north to winter with no leaves on the trees, although it wasn’t all that cold there either.  They were predicting possible snow flurries the day we left.  We drove through sprinkles and rain most of the way home and found our leaves nearly gone.  And the temperature has dropped and we’ll have freezing weather the next few days.  Last night, after we got home, we picked all the tomatoes and beans.  This morning I went out and picked all the lettuce to take to church and give away.  It certainly is more enticing to stay inside when the wind bites your face and hands.

I’ve decided that rather than be panicked by all the things that need to be done before Christmas and worrying about what might not get done—I’m going to enjoy!  I will take joy in each thing that gets accomplished.  I’ll cut myself some slack if it doesn’t all get done.  I will remember the real reason for the season and know that I’m loved even if my house is not spotless or Christmas cards don’t arrive on time… er… at least I think that’s true….

A Time to be Thankful

November is a delightful month.  It it a time to see the changes around us and reflect on the blessings we have.  It began with fall colors.  Then the wind blustered through and most branches are bare.  We get to see the bones of the trees-- the strength that supports the fritter of leaves.  As we give thanks to God for all of the many blessing we have-- we remember our support as well.

This seemed to be the week for the internet webinars.  I've been working on my copywriting skills and wanting to build a website to promote myself, and also some blogs to build into a revenue stream.  While on the internet, I've come across a lot of people who say they can help me make big bucks fast, and then have lots of time for fun.  Sounds a lot like a free lunch. Still, as I've listened to their free stuff, I've learned a some useful things. One thing they said was when you're beginning copywriting, you want to be the one-eyed man among the blind.  Choose the markets that are in such need of your help you're confident you can do great things for them.  I've found some sites where I think, "This is a terrible site.  I can do better than this."  That's the place to start.  Not competing with the glitz of the high-priced companies.  I think it would be fun to write for Rich Dad sometime.

It's been fun to watch our house on Main Street take shape.  The trash is out.  The contractor has roughed in the  bathrooms, closets, took down a wall, roughed in a wall.  The electrical has been traced, and the heat and AC is in the process of being installed.  We learned most of the windows have pulleys attached and the kitchen floor and walls have the cabinet positions outlined.  We went looking for tub and surround, vanities, medicine cabinets, kitchen cabinets, and light fixtures.  The contractor will then follow later to purchase and install.  It is exciting to see things move ahead.

On the Church St house, Tom mentioned that there were not master breakers in the electric box, so we could not inspect the electrical.  The selling agent verified... hmm.. they were there... what happened to them?  So it looks like they will have to replace the entire electrical box, as that one was outdated.  So our inspection will be delayed, but I think we're getting a new electric box.  The final contract was signed by Fannie Mae.  Interesting.  We could not initial a simple $500 change to the price-- it had to be an entire NEW contract.  But after WE signed and initialed everything and sent it to them, they made a pen change. And it's totally okay that they changed the contract after we'd signed it.  Our government at work.

Tomatoes survived freezing nights and it should be warm for the next 10 days.  This is the last time I'll cover the beans or tomatoes.  We've moved the chickens into the garden, but fenced off the part that still has things growing that we care about.  They seem happy there, scratching and pecking.  I like my little hens.  Two keep laying eggs.  The silly Americana has quit for the winter, I think.   The Red Rocks may not be as pretty, but they are good producers-- probably a lesson here, too.

This afternoon Tom has Bishops Youth Discussion at our house.  Saturday we had the stake dance at our ward.  Everyone was pleased that many of the youth from Springfield made the drive down here.  I guess we aren't leading that exciting a life... but it seems pretty interesting day by day.

Joy

The other day I realized that Joy is our gift to God.  When we feel joy, we give God joy, too.  The scriptures say that Jesus feels all our sorrows and our pains.  He knows what we go through so he can be the best judge possible, and also he took all our pains and sorrows and afflictions on us through the atonement.  So, if we choose misery, crankiness, unhappiness-- Jesus takes those sorrows on himself.  Then, if we choose to feel joy, we DON'T give him the sorrow.  We lighten his burden.

Also, I think, Gratitude is a gift to God.  How much happiness do we feel when others appreciate us?  Are we not made in Heavenly Father's image?  I expect he feels joy with our gratitude, too.  And, of course, we are commanded to be thankful in all things.  I used to feel it was to help us remember our dependence on God, and I'm sure that's true.  But I like to feel that my Thanks helps to make God a little happier, too.

We've been told that all things belong to God.  They are His gift to us.  And I appreciate that.   The only thing we have that is truly ours, is our WILL.  I always thought that meant that when we give our will to God, we are choosing to be obedient.  We are choosing to want the things God wants for us.  I've decided Joy and Gratitude are sub-heading of "our will."  God does want us to be Grateful and to have Joy.  I just never thought of it this way before.  And I thought I'd share.

Windy Week-

We have had such odd weather.  The beginning part of the week was nippy and chilly!  It felt like winter and we bundled up.  We even had to cover the tomatoes and beans as Wednesday it was to get down close to freezing.  Didn't.  Fortunately I was lazy and didn't uncover the plants because Thursday night-- that was supposed to be 35-- ended up with frost on the ground.  The few uncovered tomato and bean leaves shriveled in the chill.  It started warming Friday with the highest temperatures at about 8pm... and continued warming today.  It's sunny, breezy and delightful out today-- like a lovely summer day.  I'm enjoying it, though!  I had to warm in front of a fire for a few nights.

What have we done this week?  I have no idea.  Monday night we had the "empty nesters" Family Home Evening at our house.  We have a possibility of  15-16 couples... too many to fit comfortably in our house.  Fortunately we had 9 couples come and it was nice.  I spent all day cleaning and fixing refreshments.  I made the cheesecake I love from She Cooks By Ear cookbook.  It serves like 16 or so, so I can't make it just for us.  We'd be Blimps.  We have one sister who's allergic to sugar so I tried to come up with some things she could eat-- apple slices, grapes, cheese cubes, as well as veggies.  Did you know there's sugar in onion soup mix?  And I couldn't find an un-sugared recipe on line. We also had crackers, Harry and David dip... and of course, chocolate brownies. (Tom is famous for his Chocolate Tooth.)

Tom seldom sits still.  He's been doing odd jobs with the rentals this week.  We have one house that just seems to invite being a jungle.  You hack it back and it soon charges forth with new growth.  So this was the week for the hacking. The electrician got the upgraded service to the new Main St. house and power should come back on Monday so next week the heat and Air will go in there and the contractor will start some things.  We've been going back and forth with Sue and Steve and Fannie Mae about this little Church St. house.  We came to an agreement only $500 more than our low offer.  As Susie says, "You could buy this house with a credit card!"  We had a 2.5 inches of rain the first part of the week and went to check the water stains on the ceiling there.  Still dry!  Good news!  That means the problems have been fixed.  We checked over the house again.  I'm very pleased.  It's a snug little thing.

Thursday was a Rich Day seminar that I viewed online. I like listening to him as I learn things and it motivates me to move forward.  I don't agree with everything he says, and I suppose time will tell which of us is right.  I continue to work on my copywriting.  I'm about through my first course and will begin working on the second.  I just have to finish my last homework project.  Here's the hard thing.  As I learn something new, I get excited and say, Hey! I can do that.  Here are ideas that could work!  And then I learn another aspect of copywriting and I go off thinking about that tangent.  Sometimes it means I need to learn more before I can move forward.  Sometimes I just need to take the time to do it.  And, I think I need to get started, even if it's not perfect... it's started.

We had a new family move into the ward-- a mom and two teenagers.  They seem very nice.  We had them over for dinner Friday night.  They moved here in an RV and are living in it while they look for a house to buy.  However, they don't have laundry facilities and the shower is lacking.  So they showered and did laundry while they were here, too.  The mom has a couple of patents and so we saw her website.  Adam, you'd appreciate this.  It's a root extractor-- if a root of a tooth breaks off during an extraction, typically they have to take a pick down the side and try to leverage it out.  The pressure on the jaw can damage the nerves or the bone.  This device screws into the root like a screwdriver in a cork and just pops it out.  It saves dentists hours of struggling with it, and the patient lots of pain.  I was impressed.

We have a ward member who bought an old house to remodel.  The more they got into it-- the worse it was!  I can't believe it.  By the time he's done, everything will be replaced-- floor joists, floors, inside walls, second floor walls, joists, floors, entire new roof including rafters and trusses.  We stopped by on our way to Stake conference.  It was bare from the top of the first floor on up.  Tom went over on Saturday to help put up the second floor joists and flooring. Next comes walls and trusses.  Mostly it's just these two good ol' boys working on the house.  The are both named David, so Tom calls them "Dave squared."

Saturday was an outreach into the community.  The Ward planned a Thanksgiving dinner and invited the widows, the poor, and those in our three homeless shelters.  This is the first year the dinner has not been for ward members (except those above).  I drove two widows there and they enjoyed a great meal.  There were enough leftovers, most of the church "help" got to eat, too.

Today is fast Sunday.  Right now it seems to be going pretty slow.  Church was good and my primary class went well.  Some of them give the sweetest prayers!

I'm looking out the window at our green pasture splashed with sunlight and the russet leaves shimmering in the wind and am glad to be here.

A Temple Wedding

Here’s a bit of background.  Tom and I have worked with some twins in our ward for about 14 years—as seminary teachers, Young Women leaders, institute teachers, etc.  They had oxygen deprivation at birth and so their social skills were lacking and the family seemed to have an unusual way of functioning. However, through the years we saw growth and maturity.  One twin went away for a few years, had friends who guided her and helped her learn social skills,and she found someone to love.  They prepared to go to the temple.

The other twin and best friend had wanted to go to the temple.  Now they had a goal.  They wanted to be qualified to go to the temple sealing.  So a few weeks ago, they went to the temple and took out their own endowments.  On Monday Tom and I drove to Miranda and Dan’s.  Tuesday we went to the Oklahoma City Temple for a session and a lovely wedding!  Wednesday we returned home.

 While at Miranda and Dan’s I had a great chance to visit and play with Camden—who is very cute, by the way.  Miranda and I even went to ½ of ½ and I found two nice blouses. Tom dove into what he does best! He tacked down the carpet in the closet, laid linoleum in both bathrooms, patched some drywall, replaced baseboard, and installed a vanity and some beadboard wainscoting.  Dan was there to paint, cut, help—and a lot got done.  The house looked good even before we got there.  It was hard to believe all the carpets had been folded back and lots of drilling had taken place.  The piers were in.  The house was stable—essentially they paid big bucks…. And not much VISIBLE to show for it.  But since a house rests on its foundation, I guess it was important.  It was so much fun to visit with them.   I am blessed with great kids!  And great in-laws!

 I am working to start working as a copywriter.  I spoke with the co-owner of Gift-Tiques—a very unique gift shop – because we sat next to each other at the web course we took.  I had some ideas I thought could fulfill her goals for the store.  On Thursday evening they were having a Christmas celebration—food, great displays, sale, etc.  I went to take pictures and to interview some of the customers to see why they shopped there.  People came from over an hour’s drive to attend.  It’s such an enthusiastic, loving, uplifting place, I can see why people want to shop there.  And they had great food!  I hope to start blogging for them.  She wants to start after Christmas.  I think the Christmas season is a great time to advertise.  We’ll see.

Thursday we also closed on Tom’s house on Main Street.  It’s the one that needs a lot of work.  The day before, we learned our contractor had fallen and cracked some ribs.  So the rehab will likely be pushed back a bit.  I guess that makes it less painful that our electrician, who was supposed to begin on Thursday called to say we needed to changed the electric into our name before they’d disconnect at the power pole (to upgrade the service.)  Of course, since it’s Entergy, it takes 3 days to disconnect, and another 3 days to reconnect.  So essentially, there’s a week to recuperate built in.  But I’m thinking…. Duh…. Didn’t you know that, electrician?  Ah well.

Funny thing, Sue and Steve and I are also offering on a little two bedroom one bath.  It had been on the market a little bit.  We coordinated back and forth for a bit, and we finally put in the offer on Friday.  As our realtor was handing over a lowball offer, the selling agent said, “I think they just lowered the price.”  They had!!  To just about our offering price.  WOW!  But of course, we had to then lower OUR offer.  Isn’t it Aunt Ruth’s mantra, “Never Pay Full Price!”?  So I actually think we might GET this house!  So then I had to transfer funds to my Roth IRA and figure out how I could come up with the earnest money they wanted as soon as they asked for it. 

And with my new calling as Stake Seminary Supervisor, I was supposed to collect figures for the month of October by the 3^rd of November.  So that meant emails and phone calls… and more phone calls.   And we were having an in-service meeting on Saturday afternoon just before Stake Conference.  I needed to make some refreshments for that—although thankfully, I didn’t have to do the lesson.  I made a new recipe of pumpkin muffins with raisins and nuts that was delicious, and Tom made the great chocolate chip muffins. I had also been asked to speak at the Saturday evening session of Stake Conference on serving a mission and encouraging others to serve a mission.  The problem was it could ONLY be 10 minutes long!  I would write and prune… and prune some more and reshape and revise.  It took much longer than I thought. 

Saturday morning I spend a lot of time finishing the report and working on my talk, and a little bit of time packing—as we were spending the night in Springfield.  Then we went to the Ring Ceremony/reception of the new bride and groom.  This was important as Tom was officiating at the ring ceremony.   It was unconventional and absolutely lovely! The bride and groom both spoke of the romance, the love they felt for each other and the joy of wedding in the temple.  The best man and maid of honor both spoke of the strengths of the bride and groom.  I think all of us in the room were in tears by the end.  Our hearts pray for many years of happiness for them both.

We had time to grab a plate of reception food before driving to Springfield.  The scenery was splendid!  The fall colors were out in their vibrant reds, oranges, russets, and browns.  The sun reflected off the hillsides and forests in spectacular color. It was a blustery day and leaves skittered across the roads.  That evening was daylight savings turn back.  Now it gets dark so early, it seems like winter is here!

Tom and I both had meetings at 4pm.  Then his went until nearly 7pm—when the evening session of Stake Conference began.  It was mostly about missionary work.  I ended up eliminating more of my talk for time’s sake… but it seemed to be well received.  I hope it does help people to decide to go on a mission.  It’s such a great experience!

We spent the night with the Petersen’s.  He was our former stake president and they are warm, generous people.  They had two sons and their families over after conference and we sat around a wood burning stove for the next couple hours—mostly talking about gospel topics.  Today—Sunday—we had another good session of conference with the Temple President and matron addressing us and many of the speakers talking about the blessings of the temple.  It’s always fun to look around and see familiar faces.

I’m just really bad with names.  I decided to take pictures of my Seminary teachers so I can attach a face to a name.  We had an uneventful drive home.  Now I’m writing this and Tom is out visiting people.  We hope you all have a great week.

Home

Monday night Cynthia and Jim came to dinner.  It's always so nice to visit with them.  They had plans for the rest of the week, so that was the last day I saw them.

I had such a nice visit with Mom, I hated to come home.  She spoiled me and pampered me and I loved it! Tuesday we went to lunch at a very nice new restaurant... and only got turned around once (poor directions on their part.)  But we made it and enjoyed some great Italian food.

We watched the nightly news.  We talked.  We took walks in the mornings. Sometimes we just worked parallel things.  I worked on my copywriting course.  I certainly know a lot more than I did a few months ago.  And, I'm good at this stuff! Mom painted-- here you see the flamingo she's working on.  She's good, too!

Mom drove me to the plane on Thursday about noon.  I had uneventful flights and go a lot of reading done.  Tom picked me up in St. Louis at 10:30 pm.  Late for him as he'd had a busy week and had to drive the 4.5 hours that day.  But not so late for me since it was only 8:30 California time.  Tom sanded the hardwood floors in Deborah's house, finished the painting and the trim work, and it looks lovely.  We drove out to see it together on Saturday.

We spent Thursday night in St. Louis and joined our ward family at the temple on Friday.  I went from balmy to blustery, but it was good to see fall.  The leaves were spectacular!  It was great to be in the temple with so many friends.  I think there were about 57 members of our ward there--- plus one deacon who helped out tremendously in the baptistery.  We returned home just about dark and our chickens were fine and all was well.

Saturday I settled in a bit and Tom along with other priesthood brothers helped an elderly sister move.  While we heard the "Trunk or Treat" night at the church was a rousing success, we opted for a quiet night at home.

Today was church.  I really enjoy the little ones in primary.  They are so cute!  And sometimes.... sometimes they listen, and learn, and absorb truths!  It's delightful to see their minds at work!  Tom took in the computer and used the last hour to show how to access all the information on lds.org-- the ward calender, changing your personal information or uploading your picture, the ward list of members.  Finding a church near you.  the scriptures and scripture notebook, the general conference talks and Ensign, New Era, and Friend magazines, church music, ldsyouth.org with videos just for them and a place to sign in and personalize their Duty to God or Young Women Personal Progress programs.  Until we were researching on Saturday, I didn't know you could find the other ward members on a map and get directions to their house.  I didn't know you could keep a scripture journal and transfer to it scriptures, parts of talks or articles, and also make notes.  There are so many ways it assists one.  I had a substitute for my primary class last week, and so didn't have my manual.  I just downloaded the lesson from the lds.org.

And now we head into another busy week.  Will it slow down to normal?  Note likely.  This IS the new normal!

Sunday!

I've been having a great time with Mom.  Friday Mom had a balance class.  She went to her class and I walked up the hill from Polly's to gate 10 and back.  Good exercise.  We looked at a few shops.  I visited Salvation Army.  Mom got a lovely fall table cloth and napkins to decorate her dining room for Thanksgiving.  We came home to a late lunch and had Olive Garden leftovers for dinner.

Saturday Mom and I took a walk in the morning.  The trees here are so lovely.  I am in awe at the variety of tree bark.  We have eucalyptus trees with a molting beige bark and some that peal layer upon layer of bark so it almost looks as if the tree will shed its entire skin.  We have black craggy bark of pine trees and gray fissioned bark of some kind of weepy tree with seed nodes along each small branch.  There is something to be said for the eternal summer here.  Agapanthis and lantana spread their colors.  Roses bloom red and yellow. We pass a thicket where enthusiastic seeds of pines and some small leafed trees have been allowed to flourish.  If not checked the whole hillside will become forest.  The mornings bring fog.  I've been waking up early--5:30-6 and so have a chance to see daylight ease through the thick gray mass that drapes over and hides the hills, the houses and the fence line that's mere feet from the house.  Gradually the dark lightens to brighter gray, and about mid-morning the sun breaks through and shreds the last wisps of fog.

Saturday Mom spent time painting.  I spent time cleaning up my inbox on the computer and organizing files.  It's been leisurely and delightful.  In the evening we went to Cynthia and Jim's for dinner. My sister and husband, Sally and Steve, joined us and my cousin, Sherrill and Aunt Ruth also came.  We had lively conversations.  We even amiably covered politics and religion-- quite a feat since we have many divergent views.  We had a chance to catch up on how others were spending time, jobs, and children.  It is awesome to have good family!

I did plan to take pictures of family... and even tree bark... so the blogs would not be so visually boring.  But #1. I forgot to take pictures.  #2. I forgot to bring the cord to transfer pictures from camera to computer.  Sorry.

Today we picked up a friend of Mom's and went to her Bible study.  Had a good discussion of John 15.  Had a chance to visit with Cynthia and Jim and then had service from 11-12.  As always, the music is delightful.  A children's choir sang and I was reminded of when we lived in San Diego-- I was likely between 4 and 7.  I think all of us kids sang in the children's choir.  We had choir robes. Oh, I was so proud to wear that robe and sing with a big group in front of the church.  Although I think I was glad to be one of many. I think that was when I first began singing.

After church we had lunch with Cynthia and Jim.   Then came home and rested.  Hope your Sabbath was delightful, too.

Visiting Mom

Monday November 17 Tom and I drove to St. Louis.  We visited our property manager there and looked at possible places to purchase houses.  I love the houses in St. Louis!  It was cold and rainy-- the kind of day to snuggle inside... and we finally went to a hotel and did so.

I wanted to print off my boarding pass, but didn't have a computer.  So we went looking for a Kinkos... but didn't find it.  At last we found a UPS store, just minutes before it closed. The nice manager let me print off my pass at his computer.  Kudos for UPS!  He didn't even charge me.

Tuesday morning we went to the temple.  It's always great to go there!  Then Tom took me to the airport and he headed back home.  I had an uneventful flight to Orange County and Cynthia and Jim picked me up.  Mom and I have had a great time visiting.  She's doing well.

Wednesday we went to her Presbyterian Women's luncheon.  She had a meeting ahead of that, so I took material to read and ended up chatting with a Messianic Jew who is joining their congregation.   It was a Hat Day, so many of the women wore hats.  One was from Thailand and quite intricate.  Another was worn by a 104 year old Scottish woman, complete with crown. She'd made it for the Daughters of the British Empire gathering to celebrate the royal wedding.  While the food was delicious, the most exciting event of the meeting was that Mom was awarded Honorary Life Membership in Presbyterian Women! They said wonderfully nice things about her.... all of it true!

Thursday I drove with Cynthia up to Downtown LA.  We left at 6:30 (ugh!) but we had an enjoyable time chatting all the way up and back!  And we didn't miss turns or exits... came close...but made them.  We had a little breakfast and then Cynthia parked me at the Biltmore Hotel lobby-- a gorgeous place-- while she went into the Jewelry district to work on her case.  I spent time working on my copywriting and information marketing courses.  Lots of good stuff there.  My head is overflowing with ideas! Now to implement them.

About lunch time, we headed to Sally's and met her for lunch.  Ate at a little Mexican place.  I know it was authentic because almost everything was in Spanish!  And the food was delicious.  Of course the conversation was the most satisfying.  Then we went to visit Cousin Walt.  He is not happy in the Rehab Center.  He hurts.  He can't do the rehab.  People don't take care of him properly.  It's a difficult place for him right now.  But it was fun to see him perk up when we got talking about copywriting and he recalled the fun he'd had writing about the moon landing and revising a book for some doctors.  I think the love of learning and sharing what one learns must come through the genes.

That night Mom and I went to Olive Garden with Pat.  Pat's health is not so good, but she was happy we dragged her out of her house and to dinner.... well, we encouraged her.  She did her own shuffling.

The weather has been cooler here.  I expected a little warmer.  It IS warmer mid-day... but the rest of the time, I'm grateful for long sleeves and sometimes a jacket.  I don't think the capris I brought will see the light of day.  It's nice to be here with Mom.

Still Alive

I'm so sorry I've been slothful about blogging.  It is true that our life is much less exciting now.  However, if you miss African excitement, I suggest you read some of the missionary blogs that are linked below.  It always makes me nostalgic to read them.

We came back from the Young Living convention with lots of ideas.. and then promptly got caught up in all the stuff to do here.  Rebecca's and Deborah's houses became empty and there was "deferred maintenance" to be done on them.  Tom is disgusted at how they treated the carpets.  They needed to be changed out in both houses.  A new carpet guy in town has some carpet guaranteed not to stain.  We're going to try that.  But in Deborah's house, there's hardwood floor, so Tom will refinish that next week.  There was also painting, new screens, drywall to fix, yards to clean up and other stuff.  The good news is the the property management called to say, "Are you done with Rebecca's house?.." "Well, er, mostly... okay, yes."   "Good!  Someone wants to move in tomorrow."  Tom hopes to be done with Deborah's house by the end of next week.

A few things have slowed down the repairs.  On Saturday October 1 we went to Branson.  Tom had wanted to do some clothes shopping since he left many of his clothes back in Kenya. Saturday and Sunday we watched General Conference, but there was still plenty of time to shop on Monday and Tuesday. We rejected an "Owner update" (read sales pitch).  Tom said, why flagellate myself?  But we agreed to a 15 minute survey-(read 45 minute mini sales pitch) at the timeshare.  We'd actually decided we like the points idea, but we don't like the big maintenance fees. So we went to the office where we purchased our re-sale time share, and traded our Diamond Resort floating week for  points at Whyndham.  It's not a lot of points, but I hope it will be enough to do as we want.  We do enjoy being pampered at the time shares.

General Conference was fantastic!  I loved listening to the talks.  Here are a few of the insights I got.
* Consistently read the Book of Mormon for an added measure of the spirit.
* Scriptures can help with both physical and spiritual healing.
* Seek for wisdom, not power, and you will have all the power you are wise enough to use.
* If you listen to and follow the Holy Ghost you will be protected and shielded from the attacks of the adversary.  You will be remarkably blessed!
* The Lord uses a scale different from the wold to weigh the worth of souls.
* We need to use time wisely.  The Lord will want an accounting.  Use your time to match your goals-- master time.  Poor use of time is close cousin to idleness.
I need to continue reviewing my notes for more things I need to remember.

I have been working pretty diligently on my copywriting course.  It's really like a college course and I'm learning a lot. I'm trying to stay focused, but there are SO MANY applications!  I'm learning about web sites and blogs and how to monetize them and how to help clients find and keep customers using them and other social media. I'm learning persuasive writing and some of the steps to turning features into benefits and writing headlines that are useful, unique, urgent, and ultra-specific.  I'm learning that people decide things on an emotional level and then use reason to rationalize the decision.  They are very clear about not taking on a client if you don't believe in their business.  You need to be real and honest.

I went to visit a boutique shop.  I'd sat next to the woman who owned it at the web seminar I went to.  I knew she wanted to go on the web, but was overwhelmed and afraid to do so.  So I visited her and presented the idea for a blog that promoted products from her boutique. I think I will end up doing that for her.  But that also means setting up a domain name for her and a hosting site and importing WordPress and learning to run it..and...and....  And so I have been reading up a lot on that, too.  I need to for the web sites I'd like to run as well.  I also am focusing on the infomercial side as they have a great need for copywriting.  I could have applied for a freelance blogging job taking a dog and going to dog friendly places around the country and writing about it.  Sounded fun... but I guess I shouldn't leave my husband for a dog for 3 months.

And I went to look at a cheap little house that could be fixed up and be profitable.  I wanted to buy it, but didn't have enough money in my IRA.  So I tried to get a loan, but no bank wants to loan just a little amount and it has to be a "non-recourse" loan.  So I'm looking now for someone who wants to buy half a house for under $20,000.  Should return 8-10%. Of course, it's likely they'd reject my low offer anyway.  But I never say die until the last stone is turned over.

Our chickens are laying enough eggs to feed us.  Our garden finally is producing tomatoes and lettuce. And the beans and peas are flowering.  I think the beets are growing too, but those are harder to see.  We've had lows of 45-55 and highs mostly in the 70's.  The trees are turning color and it's beautiful here now.  We had much needed rain and all the plants are happy.  The mums are blooming-- and even our roses are enjoying the cooler weather.  It is a good time to be alive.

Young Living Convention

Monday we left early to go to Disney World.  We listened to books on tape on the way down and the time flew by.  I sometimes get disgusted with the melodramatics of both Chris Heimerdinger's characters and his reading, but ultimately right triumphed.

We spent the night in Marianna, a small town in the Florida Panhandle and got to our resort about 2pm on Tuesday.  Kathy had helped us out with the Wynham Bonnet Creek resort, and I have to say it was excellent.  We were pampered.  The room was great.  We had free shuttle to the Disney resorts and the lagoon and pools were really beautiful.

After we checked in, we headed over to Epcot.  It was fun to wander around and see the sights.  We tried our hand at creating our own ride.  It was cool to see these mechanical arms implementing the movements of the bobsled.  Epcot seemed to be filled with places to eat and places to separate you from your money-- all kinds of stuff to buy.  We really didn't have a high interest in either.  Maybe it's left over from Kenya, but it looked like a lot of stuff to me.We stayed for the fireworks-- which were amazing-- and got back to the room about 10 pm.

Wednesday we went to Disney's Hollywood.  I think I liked this place the best.   They had fun rides and good shows.  We watched the action feature where we saw cars spinning and sliding and performing almost like a synchronized ballet.  Very impressive.  We also got our picture taken in front of Micky's Hat.

Here is Tom in front of the Car's topiary.  We also took a ride on a "test track" that was a not-too-scary kind of rollercoaster ride.  When we went to Animal Kingdom on Thursday, we went on a crazy Mt. Kilimanjaro rollercoaster ride that was terrifying enough for me.  I'm thinking, "I'm too old for this!"  And my body agreed. (Tom was okay with it though!)

 The Animal Kingdom had this tree with 300 animals carved into it.

 I really didn't think I'd be that impressed with the Animal Kingdom since we'd been to visit the real thing.  However, if you can't afford a trip to Kenya, Disney's Animal Kingdom isn't bad.  Their Safari ride gives you a sense of being on a genuine safari,  And they had several other walking tours that brought you past interesting animals. The hippos never had water this clear in Kenya!

 Nor did we see watusi cattle there.

 And I have to admit, I didn't sit with a frog there either!

 However, the Kenyans would have been overwhelmed, astonished, blown-away, at the prices their wood carvings brought.  Giraffes about the size we bought for $3.50 were selling for $65!  They did have the rolled paper beads there--- for $25 or so, instead of the $2 we paid.  I hope some of the money is going back to Africa to help the people there.

I really wanted to go to Disney World.  Every since I went to Epcot with Miranda in 1966 (I think) for the FIRST robotics competition, I've wanted to go back.  I'm glad I did.  We had fun holding hands and walking.  We saw neat stuff and took great rides.  I'm glad I went.   And I don't feel a great urgency to return.  Maybe I just needed to check it off my bucket list.  Maybe fuddy-duddiness has set in.

The Young Living convention began on Thursday night with a reception at Epcot.  Then on Friday and Saturday we had great speakers and good information given.  We learned the value of enzymes, and that one of the great things about Frankincense is that it digests the cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells alone (unlike Sandalwood that destroys both.)  We saw the results of testing done to see if Frankincense distilled at 75degrees for 24 hours had more effective properties than frankincense distilled at 100 degrees. (The 100 degrees was more effective.)  I was impressed at the thoroughness of the study to see what kind of distillation produces the very most effective oils.  Most distilleries distill at high temps for 2 hours and call it good.  I had a wonderful session on Essential Oils and animal care from a Veterinarian.  And they have a new "tea" out that seems very effective at weight loss.

 The convention was smaller than the one in Utah.  So I had a chance to go and say "hi" to Mary  Young, wife of Gary Young and co-founder of Young Living.  She was very gracious.

 We really had a wonderfully relaxing time.  For one of the first times, we could have stayed away longer.  We were almost sad to come home.  We learned a lot and were motivated to do better.  Sunday we drove to church in the Orlando area, and then drove to the outskirts of Birmingham.  We got home Tuesday late afternoon.

Tom jumped back into being Bishop.... actually we were a little remiss.  We didn't check our home voice mail messages until we were returning home.  Maybe that's why we had such a relaxing time!

Now that we're home, I have been diligent at spending the mornings on my copy-writing course.  We've been walking.  Tom Mowed the yard.  The chickens are laying eggs.  And I picked some baby lettuce from the garden.

I guess we are indeed, back home.