Santa Didn't Bring Any Snowshoes

We lost power in the afternoon and the power stayed off for close to five hours. I had a ham in the oven and rolls rising. The oven turned off, even though it's gas (probably an electric ignition?). I suppose we could have manually turned on the gas in the oven w/a match, but didn't want to try, so ended up cooking some canned soup on the stove top. I have to say that having the power off was the best part of the day, at least for me. It brought the family, for the most part, together. The boys and I played Uno for a couple hours by candlelight. It was fun and everyone was laughing. Guess who does not do well during a power outage? Rafael. He doesn't like to play games, so didn't join us. He doesn't like to read, which is what I later did. He gets really antsy when he can't watch TV, which is what he does all day, so he definitely would not do well in a cabin.

We got snow for Christmas, lots of snow, the kind of snow that keeps you from going anywhere. It's a good thing it was Christmas and we were planning on staying in. Here's a shot of Jared building a bit of a snow fort from the pile of snow shoveled off the driveway, and that's Victor in the red coat throwing a snowball at me.
All in all, it was a truly memorable, white Christmas. I loved it!!

Christmas Eve

We're busy getting ready for an evening w/the family. Jared made gingerbread men and did a terrific job of decorating. It's nice when you can turn your son loose in the kitchen and go back to work (yes, I'm trying to get some jobs typed). V's friend came over and gave him a new beanie just when I was snapping these kitchen shots. We've had lots of neighborhood gifts coming this past week and especially today, plus we've been out delivering J's rice crispy treats to his friends. I also had some RS angels that have been sitting on my counter for the past two weeks. Jared helped me get those delivered and off my shoulder (huge sigh of relief).

Give R a call. He's feeling a little down, I can tell.

We're going to have what has evolved from a Bethlehem dinner into a fingerfood dinner tonight We've usually done this on New Year's Eve, as we're generally out of town on Christmas Eve.

Santa has been really good to me this year and has brought me a head cold. I think I'll soak in a hot tub w/a good book (am reading Host by Stephanie Meyer of Twilight fame) and get to bed early tonight.

Gotta Get a Picture For the Christmas Card

Weeks ago: Look through the pictures taken through the year. Yikes. There is not one picture with all five of us looking anywhere in the same direction. Gotta get a picture for the Christmas card. Mention such to family. Get funny look, like "good luck trying to get us together." Hmmm.

Last Sunday: Tried to get everyone together for a picture before church, but w/meetings and teenagers who sleep, sleep, sleep....then hubby who changes clothes immediately upon getting home, and visits, and ..... no picture taken.

Last Wednesday: Getting desperate and am no longer suggesting times, but giving orders. Picked up T from work at 6 p.m. Hurry and get cleaned up 'cause we're going to take a picture. Push him towards the shower (he works at a car/tire store and he comes home embedded in rubber and grease). Tell R to grab the camera tripod and get it set up. Too much trouble to coordinate clothing, so figure that we'll set the camera for black and white and that'll just have to suffice. R can't remember how to do the black and white setting, so I find the manual and read the instructions. What? It didn't work?

Boys: "Mom, we have to leave for mutual now."

M: "Wait, just one more picture. Go ahead and take it. Forget about the black and white setting. We just need ONE picture."

Husband looks at the screen, the itsy, bitsy screen, and said we got the picture. Good. Deed done. Husband and two boys head off to mutual. I take our ancient (only three years old) digital camera w/the itsy, bitsy screen, remove the memory card, pop the same into computer and bring up the picture. Yikes. Son #3 has eyes shut. How can this be? You closed your eyes on purpose? Are you crazy? Note: M still has camera manual in hand in picture. This same manual gets thrown at son #3 for purposely closing his eyes. By the time sons #1 and #2 come in from BB practice later that night, son #3 and R are in bed, so do I go ahead and use this picture or delay another day?

Thursday: Everyone is home for a few minutes. Quick, grab the camera and let's take a picture.

R: Okay everyone put on a black shirt.

M: Forget about a black shirt. I'm pretty sure I can choose the black and white options at the store when I develop the pictures.

R is very adamant about wearing black.

M: "I don't have a black shirt."

R: "What about the one you wore yesterday?"

M: "It's in the laundry."

R: "Go get it on."

M: "But my hair is pulled up and I look 'frumpy."

R: "Go change your shirt and forget about the hair."

Boys: "We have to leave NOW for BB."

Bottom line: We took one picture, only one, w/mom in a dirty, black shirt and boys needing to be out the door.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

And Still Another View From My Desk

It's 8:30 in the morning, a gray winter day, a very light snow falling when picture was taken, but in the few minutes when I snapped the picture and am keying in this message, the snow has turned to big flakes and is really starting to come down. It is the perfect day to stay inside before a fire, curl up with a good book and drink hot chocolate, that is in my "wish-it-could-be-so day." However, my reality world says to hurry and get a shower, as I have a presidency meeting and just found out that the teacher Sunday is on death bed watch w/her father. She's a lovely person and we would do anything for her, so now we need to rethink Sunday's lesson, plus hammer out the 2009 budget and schedule, etc. I just made an appt. for Tony to see the doc this afternoon, as he has a fluke day home--no work or school--and has had a weird arm rash for a while. Plus I have errands to run and work to do....so no fire and book today. Dang.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas....

I Sit and I Ponder the Beauties

Okay, the last post had a beautiful sunrise picture and I was sitting and working while looking out my window and I soooo love seeing the blue sky against the snow-covered mountains. They're majestic. I'll have to post a picture some day when it's so gray outside that you can't even see the mountains; that is called an inversion--really ugly, contributes to depression. The sunshine definitely contributes to elevated attitude.

It's mid afternoon and 30 degrees outside. The shine on the street is not melted snow; it's ice. We will be down to about 15 degrees tonight. Brrrr. Go ahead and laugh you palm-tree residents!!

Ask my boys what happens when you take the car and go play on the snow-covered streets before the plow goes through. Fortunately, the play resulted in only a broken rim.

Welcome To A New Day

It's a gorgeous morning, great way to start a new day, a new week. Have been working here at the desk and keeping my eye on the sunrise. I feel good, happy, rested this morning, so this glorious sunrise is a total bonus. My desk is piled high with papers and I'm overdue to pay bills, so I need to get busy and be productive.

And this is why you don't wear flip flops in Utah in December

We made it through the lottery for tickets for the Christmas program. Way worth braving the winter storm on the way home. On the right is the nativity floating on the reflection pond before the temple. On the way back to the car, I grabbed a quick shot of the Beehive House. It was bitterly cold w/a bit of wind to whip up the snow. Brrrr. The boys were STARVING (well, so was I), so we ended up going to Hires (a local favorite) for a burger, getting home at midnight. I feel that Christmas is officially right around the corner--nothing like going to Temple Square shoulder to shoulder w/others looking at the twinkling lights, oohing and aahing, hearing the beautiful music to put one in the season's mood, plus a little white on the ground doesn't hurt either.

Uncle Jackson W. Moffitt

My Uncle Jack died, hence my parents' visit from Arizona for yesterday's funeral. He was married to my mom's older sister, Valaine. He was a favorite of mine. His life had been greatly decreased these past years w/Parkinson's disease, but I have great memories of him...tall (6 feet 5 inches), sharp intellect, generous, encouraging, quietly unassuming, enormously proud of his four sons and their families. Everyone loved him. He grew up in Orangeville, Utah, and was an only child; his mother never married--such scandal then. He served in the Army Engineers in the Philippines and New Guinea. He later became a mining engineer....loved the outdoors....known for his beautiful and immaculately-laid out beds (as only an exacting engineer could be). I'm so glad that he has passed on, but look forward to getting a hug from him in the future. He was laid to rest in a cemetery high on the east bench with full military honors during a heavy snowstorm. It was so cold, but I was greatly impressed by the honor guard. They were in dress uniforms w/o winter coats and stood at attention from the moment the first car arrived until the ceremony was completed, never wincing at the cold snow landing on their faces.

December 7 = My Parents' 52nd Anniversary

Late Sunday afternoon, we had my niece and nephew come join us for dinner to celebrate my parents' 52nd anniversary. Jeana and her husband Vaughn, plus their little girl, Mylie. Also, Nathan and his wife Rozie, plus their three boys, Jonathan, Sam and Luke. Dinner was at 4 p.m. to accommodate church schedules. Nathan came separately from work (Air Force), grabbed a shower and some borrowed scrubs from R, as he had been sprayed with tear gas (training exercise). It was fun to visit, and then we sent everyone home, as we went to a viewing.

Joe and Maxine

My parents made an unplanned trip north, arriving Saturday. They had invited us, my brother, Joe (he's my little brother by two years, but is a big guy), and his wife, Maxine, to join them for dinner at the Olive Garden, my mom's favorite restaurant. We had a 5 p.m. tithing settlement and in the meantime Joe went over to get on the waiting list (2 hours), so we ended up back at my house w/some takeout. Joe and Maxine have been living in Colorado, both working in the oil fields, but they're now temporarily unemployed. Joe just recently had rotator cuff shoulder. They went back to Colorado Sunday to pick up their trailers, but may be heading soon to another work location. R, V and J had been camping at Crystal Hot Springs since the night before (two hours north of us) w/the YM from our ward. It was a really warm weekend, really nice weather, so they stayed and swam Saturday morning even though a lot of the boys came back hours earlier. They got back in time to unpack and shower before tithing settlement.

My Son, the Tire Guy

This is my son, Tony, my eldest, 18, a senior. He works part time at American Car Care just down the road. He noticed that this tire was a bit low and thought there might be a slow leak, so he had me bring it in where he took it off, checked for any leaks and certified that it's now good to go. This is a great job for him as he's able to work around his school schedule. He's off by 6 p.m. on week days, 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday is closed (his boss is a stake president).

I've been decorating for the season

Jared and I took one of my friends to the Festival of the Trees which is a huge production here in the valley. Jared was the photographer and so I just had to show you a couple of my favorite unique trees--obviously the golf tree, since it has such an appeal to so many of my guys, plus this glass tree. Alan and Karen Ashton, think owners of Thanksgiving Point, original owner of WordPerfect, commissioned a local artist to create this hand-blown glass tree, plus the glass boxes to the side which look like wrapped Christmas presents, plus artificial trees with hand-blown glass ornaments.... There are 800 trees, half full size, plus gingerbread houses, door ornaments, handmade gifts, etc., etc. Because of the volunteerism, every penny goes to benefit Primary Children's Hospital, last year bringing in $1,600,000. Unbelievable!! My counselor and her family did a missionary tree; that's the main reason I went. We're thinking of doing a tree next year, not the Gonzalez family, but the RS. Anyway, I'm really tired and have LOTS of typing so have to get up early. Bye.

Did some cleaning--but dang not my house

Went on an assignment. Was told we'd be cleaning the Conference Center, but instead ended up over at the old Tabernacle. Spent a few hours mopping (the entire balcony is wood and only the aisles on the main floor are carpeted) and dusting. There was an organ tuner working on the pipes, plus the spotlights were down getting ready for the upcoming Christmas programs, also the Christmas deco was being put up. Every once in a while we'd be asked to stop and a missionary would give the acoustic demonstration to a tour (the building is amazing--you can hear a pin drop clear in the back). Anyway, we cleaned and got it ready for Elder Wirthlin's funeral. I keep hearing his voice from last conference "come what may and love it." That's my motto for the day. We have an enrichment meeting tonight, and my leader called me on my way to this assignment saying that the two turkeys put in the church's fridge last Wednesday were still 75% frozen, so she ended up going out and purchasing two fresh turkeys, as our turkey cooker didn't have time to do a quick thaw. Remember: Come what may and love it.

Day of Thanksgiving--for food!!

Oh glorious Thanksgiving--a day of one of the seven sins--gluttony. Victor started the day off w/the annual Turkey Bowl. Fortunately, he survived w/o any battle wounds. I spent the day cooking. One good thing about having dinner w/the immediate family is lots of leftovers, but the bad thing is you get to do all the food prep yourself, which means starting the day before w/the pies and relish. This year I tried something new, soaking the turkey in a brine solution. It's supposed to promote juiciness and I have to say it was a success. We went as a family in the late afternoon to the new James Bond film Quantum Solace, good but not as good as the previous Casino Royale.

The next morning I hit the stores for Black Friday starting at 4 a.m. Yes, I know it's crazy, but it's kind of a high. Tony pretty much spent the night keeping his buddy, Derek, company. Derek was #1 in line at Office Depot for a heavily discounted laptop. In order to get that cherished laptop, Derek camped out for 12 hours.

November 22: The Elves are out

When it became obviously sad that the Cougars were going to be defeated, plus Erica wasn't into the game (more like a book), we girls headed out for a little shopping at Gardner Village. So much fun, plus Erica won a quilted wall hanging. Now that's the way to end a very full and very fun November 22.

November 22: BYU vs. Utah

It was THEE biggest game of the year and the cable was out for the first third of the game. Unbelievable. Anyway, three very RED boys were gloating by the victory which now has the 12-0 Utes headed to the Sugar Bowl versus Alabama, or at least that's the prediction.

November 22: Rafael aka Alex turns 50

The big guy turned 50 today. We celebrated by watching the game, eating carne asade and enjoying a wonderful, but very BLUE, ice cream cake. "You know, I don't really feel 50." That's the attitude.

Nov. 22: Twilight hits the theater

It's the Twilight phenon. Just in case you're of the male sex or not the parent of a teenage girl, you may not know about the Twilight series--it's a romance between a mortal and a vampire. The first movie from book hit the theaters and it was huge, $70 million for the weekend. Erica and I both read the book and we gave the movie a thumbs up, except that Edward's hair was way too "poufy." It's not a gory, blood-letting, action vampire movie that males would love, but a story-driven movie, which was just fine w/me.

The Holy War

Jared heads off to school this gorgeous fall morning and as you can see he's wear Ute red. His brothers have turned him to the dark side. The "Holy War" is tomorrow and it's fun to see the kids head off to school in either blue or red. Rafael put up blue Christmas lights last night, which really got Victor's attention. The Utes are favored to win, as they are ranked nationally #8 at 11-0 and BYU is ranked #16 at 10-1. Hmmmm?

Report Card Day

Jared just got home from school, 7th grade at South Hills Middle School (SHMS), and got a 4.0 plus no tardies. He's been working hard, as academics are not easy for him. Hope he can keep up the motivation as the years pass and classes get harder with no re-takes. He's a great kid. Love that smile. He's headed out with his fellow Scouters here in a few minutes to deliver flyers around the neighborhood that he put together. He's working on a merit badge so needs service hours. The flyers are to inform the neighborhood that the youth (combined mutual) will be going around Wednesday and collecting for a food drive for the Food Bank. Jared and Victor are outside right now kicking the ball around with Tyler, the nextdoor kid, enjoying the sunshine and warmth. It's 59 degrees (unseasonably warm) and so they're outside in short-sleeved shirts. It's way lovely.

Another book down

Just finished this book, actually a few days ago, and am into another one. I would recommend this book. It's a modern take on the Ruth/Naomi story from the bible. This is not written by a LDS author, but definitely a faith-based person, so no need to worry about language, etc. Ruth and Naomi go on quite a road trip and I loved the ending in a courtroom involving Ruth and Bo (Boaz)--would love to see it played out on the big screen.

boys are hungry

Tony's friend, Aaron, came over after church and Tony made one of his favorites, migas, which is torn tortillas cooked in oil then eggs are added and scrambled w/cheese. It's a hip stretcher, but these are teenage boys, so who cares about calories.

What--pumpkins still out?

Okay, okay. I know that the rest of you got your pumpkin heads put away last week, but today I promise to put to bed Mr. and Mrs. Bones. We had a lovely, may I repeat L-O-V-E-L-Y Halloween last week. It was unseasonably warm. The kids AND PARENTS were out without coats and a few even in a short-sleeve shirt. I personally didn't even have on a jacket, just a long-sleeved shirt, SO NICE. We gave out our traditional hot chocolate, although we also provided water (now that was a first) for those who preferred. We also had the fire pit going, although no one really needed the fire for warmth this year. Weird!! I always enjoy putting out the lawn chairs and visiting w/the trick-or-treaters. I roasted a hot dog and had a smore or two. I should have grabbed a camera (maybe next year) so that I could post the headless horseman. Literally, we had someone come by on a horse, yes a real horse (there are some in our area who have horses) carrying its head. It was waaaayyy cool.

Winter has officially arrived!!

We had a winter storm this past week and the flowers got buried. So sad.

Victor loves to golf

Here's a picture of Victor (he's on the right) this past week being recognized at a golf banquet. He and the kid in the middle, a senior, both made region first team. He loves to golf and hates that it's now winter and time to put his beloved clubs away for a few months. Victor is 16 and a sophomore, so he has a couple years to improve. He's dying to get a job 'cause he hates being broke (join the crowd). I told him that he has to wait until February when he can apply at the local course, that way he can have a few bucks in his pocket and course privileges. Anyway, he had a great season (although I think there are a few tournaments come spring?). He played at the #2 position on the team of 18, going to 10 tournaments and the state championship (only 6 from the team went to state) which was really hard for school, since these events were held during school days. This was a building year with a new coach, Eric Bland. Per yesterday's newspaper article:

Bland said he's not just trying to build a team; he's trying to build a program. He's already let his team know that only 12 players will be walking away from next year's tryouts. "I took on so many this year because I wanted to see what potential was there, but next year will be tougher."

Victor grabbed the camera and snapped some pictures last night. It was pizza night. Jared is the master!!

Friday, November 7, 2008

Just read my last posts. I have a really boring life when I blog about what I spent at the grocery store. I just pulled some emails--Tony has skipped seminary three times this week. I try this and I try that, but he's....oh well.

We have winter. It snowed a couple days ago, a real wet snow. It was a challenge to get the driveway shoveled. Guess you can tell who did the work. I still have Mr. and Mrs. Bones sitting outside on my porch. Maybe tomorrow they can get put away for the season.

RS keeps my hopping--something every day. I like my job because...and I'm not so crazy about my job because.... I really think there should be a law against making a working mom also a RS president. I'm feeling a little guilty because on Tuesday I was in the middle of kitchen baking and saw on the caller ID that Amy (she's an old, bed-ridden lady who gets neglected by her daughter and I want to personally strangle her daughter and family right now, but that's another story) was calling, which meant that she needed me to come get her out of bed, into her wheelchair and to the bathroom. I ignored the call, the whole time thinking I'm probably going to go to hell for this, hoping that she would call someone else. I just didn't want to do compassionate service right then. The next morning she had a mini stroke. Sue, one of the ladies in the ward, just called to say that she has left Amy who should be okay until her daughter gets home, but I'll call Amy w/i the hour and see if she needs some assistance--just to check on her.

Tony should be calling for a ride here in about 45 minures. My work is out of TAT. Groceries sit on the counter waiting to be put away and there's laundry calling for some attention. Just another Friday.

One of my friends called to ask if I am going to adult seminary tonight. I told I was, so it's a good thing she called, otherwise I might have talked myself into staying home.

Okay, enough for now.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (Election Day)

Just went and voted. No problem, no wait. It's raining outside right now. Dang. I was going to go for a walk after I pick up Tony later this morning 'cause it wasn't supposed to start raining until this evening, but it's definitely raining and will turn to snow tonight. First real taste of winter.

I'm so proud of myself--kept some rain checks and finally Albertson's got in some stock, so got my 10 bags of Hershey's milk chocolate for 70 cents each and a bunch (like eight) whole chickens for 69 cents a pound. I put two chickens in the crock pot to cook so that I can later separate out the meat and save some stock for the freezer. This having to live a little more frugally takes time and a mom being at home.

Went to V's golf banquet last night--actually it was a dessert table. He did really well this past season. He and one other golfer from the team placed first-team all region. He got a little medal and he's supposed to get a certificate that the school will present to him (maybe at a sports banquet later in the year?). I just gave him a check this morning for $100 to purchase the team bag, as he'll continue to play for the next two years. R took a couple pics so maybe later I'll get a picture posted.

November 3, 2008

My first day blogging. I've read two people's blogs in the past few days and now it's time to become a blogger myself, like I have time!! Actually I was attending Gospel Essential's class yesterday and somehow we ended up talking about diaries and I had to admit it's hit and miss for me, mostly miss. But we'll give this a shot.

Called an old friend yesterday, Robin, to say happy birthday and found out that she's undergoing treatment for colon cancer. Wow, what a shock. Obviously it has been a while since we've chatted--gets you thinking.