The Wondrous Gift of Christmas

Jared, my best bud, and I made it to the Conference Center last night for the yearly Christmas program, this year entitled The Wondrous Gift of Christmas. R was on call and T and V went to the Jazz vs. Lakers game (Jazz won!), so just the two of us went. It was soooooooo good. My cousin was going to join us, but ended up not going. Our seats were right in the front section on the floor, though to the side, but what a thrill. Featured guest was Natalie Cole and I have to say that she has gained a new fan. She has eight (count that eight) Grammys and truly has a rich voice. Also featured was David McCullough, twice a Pulitzer Prize winner, also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom award, author of 1776 and John Adams.... Anyway, he was narrator and those two were so very gracious and warm. You add the Morm Tab, orchestra, bells, dancers. I can see now why these tickets are so valued, and to think I've made it through the lottery process two years in a row. What luck!! I was smiles the whole night.

It was so crowded downtown last night: 20,000+ at the Conference Center plus the Jazz game, plus those who went to see the lights on Temple Square, music events in the Assembly Hall, also the Nutcracker at Capitol Theater.... We took the Trax and it was quite a trip to get home. Fortunately, the rain didn't start until we got off the Trax which started turning to snow as we arrived home. This morning was a total mess, heavy snow and slipping and sliding because of the slush/ice underneath.

I heard "Margaret" while cued up to get into the Conference Center, turned around and saw someone waving at me who obviously knew me. I have to be honest as I was clueless. "Hi. How are you?," said I thinking "who are you?" She turned to her friend and said, "Margaret Nelson was my roommate in college." Ahh, yes. Now I remembered. She remembered my full name w/o any hesitation and I had to ask her name. I'm kicking myself. Fact: I had put up her homemade Christmas stocking just yesterday, the same one that she made for me all those years ago and it's such a treasure. It is hand knit (no pattern) with my name and Buon Natale, plus a Christmas tree covered in ornaments. I love that stocking. I think she went to Bolivia? on her mission and it seems like she was taught how to knit by the native ladies. They taught her well because she works magic with a pair of knitting needles. Anyway, I quickly got her phone number as we headed in the building and now we can do a reconnect. She also mentioned a former roommate, Nancy, whom I've tried to find in the past. Oh BTW her name is Susan Isom. Both Susan and Nancy never married, though I thought Nancy may have. Men can be such jerks. These are two exceptional ladies--college educated, returned missionaries, attractive, valiant in the gospel. I haven't seen or heard from Susan since college. She was in our aparment for only a couple quarters, then graduated, moved away and went to work. She majored in music therapy, but it turns out that after 10 years of that she moved into another direction and currently runs a nonprofits organization. I'll find out more when we connect.

The last time I remember being w/Nancy was shortly after I married. We both took a Saturday and went skiing. That seems like another life.

I'm feeling a bit drained tonight, probably getting to bed at midnight and getting up and out the door early . Good news: I get to sleep in. Bishop announced this morning that early meetings will start at 8 a.m. come the new year, and I only need to do that twice a month. I love my Bishopric. They are great men and I know that they meet early every week. Okay, it's off to the bathtub with a good book.

It's Cold When...

You have to go out 15 minutes before time to leave to warm up the vehicle enough to be able to scrape the windows (and this was at 4 p.m. after the sun had been out all afternoon). I'd forgotten what a pain it is in the winter to have outside vehicles. I have my parents' Suburban right now so it doesn't get parked in the garage. Poor baby.

When this chunk of yuck that the van accumulated while driving Victor to school this morning came off in the garage and has stayed pretty much frozen for the entire day.

The thermometer is below freezing--and that's with the sun being out all afternoon! Tonight's low is predicted to be close to ZERO.

The good news? It looks like Christmas outside. It is so gorgeous right now with that clean layer of white everywhere. It doesn't hurt that I'm listening to Mannheim Steimroller Christmas as I record my thoughts.

I hear a cup of HOT chocolate calling my name. Catch you at next entry.

First Week of December

So a few musings:

Hmmm?? Well it's my parents' anniversary today and Pearl Harbor Day. Who gets married on Pearl Harbor Day? My parents were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They tell me that it was a frigidly cold day and because of a huge snowstorm many of the invited guests could not get over Soldier Summit to attend. That's kind of sad. Actually, that's really sad, but you move on, right? None of my father's family could attend the actual wedding ceremony. They had to stay in the foyer of the temple and I can just see my Grandmother Nelson in tears. She went through the temple many years later, actually a couple decades, when the policy was such that women could go solo while still married.

Last Tuesday was the RS Christmas dinner/program. Really good. Very elegant. Sister Janice Nielsen and her married three daughters came and sang songs and talked about tradition. Oh yes, as RS Prez I closed the evening. Not my favorite thing to do, but it turned out just fine. We as a presidency hustled and got our sisters' Christmas done and passed out at the end of the program. Whew. Now, just have to get it out to those sisters who didn't show and those sisters who didn't pick up for their VTees. But in all, it was very well attended.

Thursday I had a stake RS Presidency Forum. Heard about how some of the other wards already have their assigned 2010 humanitarian projects outlined and have gathered monetary donations. We're having a switch at the first of the year w/our committee, so have put this on hold. Now I'm thinking we're going to be playing catch up. I need a vacation.

Friday was our ward Christmas party. Poor Chandra, our activities chair, has three on her committee and not one made it to the party. She had beautiful deco (hanging winter blue and white Chinese lanterns) which she had her HTers put up the night before. Really gorgeous. And she had her VTers help her w/the food. When I realized her plight, I volunteered, so did a turkey, baked a bag of potatoes and made a side dish. Well worth the work, as it was so nice not to be in charge but to simply show up and enjoy. Helped w/cleanup and gathered leftovers to take to a couple families later that night.

Again, the weekend highlights are listed on separate posts.

I need to run errands today to various parts of the valley. We got snow over the night, several inches, so I think I'll give it a few more hours for the roads to clear, although it's supposed to snow off and on today. Better drive slowly. There was a huge accident Friday night, actually accidents all over the place, but this particular accident was closer to Tooele on I-80. Involved several semis and 30 other vehicles, lots of people w/injuries, but a hard time getting emergency crews in and out because of the horrendous ice conditions. Not good.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Ahh, sweet Christmas spirit. We made it through the lottery process and got tickets to go in person to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Do you see three men seated in the front right. That's right, the First Presidency.

The good news!!!! We all FIVE went. Thank you Tony.

And afterward I steered my little group of five through the crowds to get a few pictures. Such moaning and groaning. You would think my boys had come straight from the equator and had never experienced snow and cold before. Yes, it was cold (probably 15 degrees at this point), but all I was feeling was the warmth from the program and enjoying the lights. Some day I'm going to adopt myself into a new family.

But all my pushing and prodding worked. Look, here's a picture of the five of us.

And another picture. It's a Christmas miracle!

Thank you Jesus.

Festival of the Trees

Ahh, where to begin to explain this amazing festival? Well it's a bunch of people who decorate trees and then they're bought by other people (who obviously have lots of money). The purchase prices are not posted, but I know a lady who decorated a tree (was on the simple side, probably not more than $200 total in supplies including tree, reinforced stand, add'l chair, etc.), and she sold it for $900. There are trees of all sizes including small table toppers, also wreaths, quilts, gingerbread houses, handmade gifts, sweets....

Okay, not everything is a tree. Here's an example of the door wreaths, which in this case includes the handmade mantle and deco. Gorgeous. This is when I fall asleep imaging that money is not an object, I have a to-die-for house and I go and purchase my holiday deco at the festival and have it all delivered and set up. Don't you have dreams like that?


Oh, and here's just another example of the beauty and elegance of so many of these trees.

ah, yes. These people you know.

Here's my friend Sue. Jared and I took her last year for the first time, as she had never been, had never even heard of this event. Are you crazy? You've lived here how long? She was totally amazed and joined us again this year. Where else can you be amazed with your jaw dropped for hours for only $4, well unless you buy a hot-from-the-oven cinnamon roll (or scone in my case). Oh, and don't forget the sweet shop for a homemade something or the other (of course, all handmade and donated for the benefit of the festival).

Then there are those whacked-out trees, which I personally love, like this upside-down Frightmare Before Christmas themed tree. Sue just shakes her head, "I don't get it."

There are always team trees. There were definitely more "Ute" trees than "Cougar" trees this year. I also saw a Bronco tree, which Tony would have liked. Victor told me to look for the Riverton tree because he had made suckers in his foods class. Never did find the tree, so I don't know if the suckers were attached to the tree or simply donated to the sweet shop. Sorry bud.

And the darling gingerbread houses!! I took pictures and then more pictures. But which to post? Should I go with the huge, need-10-weightlifters-to-carry house, or the elegant Victorian or the Eskimo igloo? I decided on this darling Up house.

FACTS:

Every single penny goes to the charity of Primary Children's Hospital.

Approximately 90,000 people attend over a four-day period raising a total of 1.4 million bucks from last year's event. Does that give you an idea of the enormity of this very successful event?

Holiday Weekend

I'm slapping myself for not grabbing the camera and taking a few pictures...and it's so easy w/a point-and-shoot digital!!

So a quick review. Parents came into town on Wednesday and we all went to dinner at Buca de Beppo and then off to the Conference Center Theater for Savior of the World, a musical play about the life of Christ. Very well done, very professional and very appropriate for the holiday season.

Thursday was turkey day starting w/the ward's annual turkey bowl. I understand that the Gonzalez boys were responsible for 9 interceptions including one by Jared. He certainly came home w/a smile on his face. It was a gorgeous day, plenty of sunshine. I was up busy starting on holiday meal preparations. R got called out and was gone for nearly seven hours, but we pushed back dinner just a bit so that he could join us. I went w/mom and dad later afternoon to see Jeana and her new baby boy, Evan. Jeana had delivered Tuesday and got home from the hospital Thursday morning. We didn't stay long as it looked like she was tired, plus she got two carloads of company, so we headed back to the house. My dad was driving and I honestly don't know how we didn't get in a major accident. I think the guardian angels were doing double time. It shook my dad up so much that he decided not to drive up to visit Val, which had been the earlier plan. I offered to drive my parents, but they decided to stay home. R had been called out again and didn't get home until 11 p.m.

Ah, Black Friday. I was up at 3:30 to hit the JC Penney 4 a.m. opening. R decided that he would go out, too. Unbelievable. He has never done that. Anyway, because I chatted w/R I got away a bit later, but I got some clothing items at Penneys and then headed to RC Willey to get in line for the 8 a.m. opening. R went to the 5 a.m. opening at Target, got J's coveted iPod Touch and some DVDs. He then joined me later at RC Willey. Was kind of nice to have a bit of company. It was a really cold morning. I had him bring me over another blanket as I was cold--clear skies meant for colder temps. Anyway, was close enough in the line that we both got our $25 gift certificates and I got the voucher for a $50 iPod Nano which I'm going to load w/songs and give to my parents for Christmas. (and no my parents don't read my blog so no ruining their Christmas surprises). Oh ya, we got some cheap DVD player and the movie Up, both for $10. Sure, some say that getting up early and standing in line in the freezing cold isn't worth the doorbuster deals, but I say it's only once a year and I personally quite enjoy the planning and execution. Anyway, Dad likes to listen to my iPod, which I hardly use, so I should just give him mine...but for $50 he can have his own. R bought the flat screen for downstairs that he has been wanting. It will be delivered this week.

Finally, Saturday. Got a good night's sleep, which I so desperately needed. I was so tired Friday night that I could not make myself get dressed and out the door to a wedding reception which I really wanted to attend. Anyway, Saturday was great. Worked in the morning, ran errands in the afternoon and watched the huge rivalray season-ending game of BYU vs. Utah which once again went down to a close game with BYU winning by a touchdown over a field goal in overtime. Here's my one-and-only picture of the weekend activities of the game meal. Dang, the picture won't paste in here. See picture above. Let's just say R is ecstatic about the blue win, but I have some very sad red-loving boys. In fact, one of V's friends came over last night and spray painted the lawn with the letters BYU and the final score. LOL.

Now it's Sunday morning and the house is quiet. I have no early-morning meetings but R is long gone, got called out. BTW: He went the whole 12 hours yesterday of call being able to stay home and enjoy the day including the big game. I hate it when I have the chance to sleep in and I can't make it past 6 a.m. Maybe it's because I'm such a morning person, actually got up Monday morning at 3 a.m. (yuck, had to finish work by 7 a.m. and get J to the orthodontist in Murray by 8). Anyway, that's why I'm up and blogging. Probably should be reading my scriptures and getting into the spirit of the day----

New Moon

Finally got to go see the newest movie in the Twilight series, which has been such a phenom, huge numbers everywhere, but especially here in Utah where the author, Stephanie Meyers, is a BYU alum. Even though it's a young adult novel about the love triangle among Bella, the human; Edward, the vampire; and Jake, the werewolf, it has grabbed my attention. Loved the books and almost wish I hadn't given them away. I'm in the mood for a re-read. Can't wait for the next movie to come out, which won't be until June-ish.

Concert #3

Although I didn't get a picture of the half-time show, Jared reminded that this is the third day of music entertainment--the BYU Marching Band. Efrain asked us to join him at the football game against Air Force, which BYU won.

These two St. George, live-in-warm boys, Efrain and his very tall and very handsome son Matthew, could not get comfortable despite multiple layers and four-inch thick gloves. I felt sorry for them. They left just after the beginning of the fourth quarter, to go to Cabella's they said, but I think just needed a reason to get out of the cold.

Victor, yes the one wearing red, was a good sport. Although he would rather have a root canal than attend a "Y" game, he went because it was his b-day present to his dad. We all went out for b-day dinner at La Frontera after the game. It was great to visit w/Efrain and Matthew.

Concert #2

On Friday, November 20, my parents, Jared and I went to Mahler's Symphony #2 in C Minor, the "Resurrection," conducted by Keith Lockhart of the Utah Symphony and Mormon Tab w/guest Nancy Maultsby, mezzo-soprano of the Washington National Opera. What a treat! The program was opened by remarks from President Eyring who is on the board of O.C. Tanner (the company who underwrote the program), also in attendance Pres. Uchdorf and Elder Nelson. The program was held in the historic Tabernacle. Jared clearly liked the program the night previous better, but was a good sport, actually a really good sport.

Concert #1

Thursday, November 19, I took my favorite date, Jared, to the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert at Abravanel Hall in downtown SL. What a fun evening, great concert, terrific music.

At the end of the evening we got our CD signed by these very nice musicians. I felt like their gratitude at our attendance was genuine.

I'm Losing It

Took a close look and tell me what these two objects have in common...go ahead.

Let's see, they're both earrings. Good.

They're both French drop backs (I think that's the correct term). Good.

They're both made out of stone, one torquoise and the other a brown stone (I'm such a gemologist).

They both somewhat similarly shaped, one is an oblong bear and the other is, well, just oblong.

Oh ya, I wore them yesterday, all day, around lots of people, in and out of the house, shopping, meetings, RS stuff, VTing...and not one person said anything about my mismatched earrings. I had a good laugh in the mirror when I took them off.

The Best Winter

Back in the mid 80s I had an unforgetable winter, working and living in Park City during the ski season. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, unseasonably warm, me in my T-shirt walking next to the tourist from Florida in a coat, obviously too nice of a day to waste at home watching my boys watch TV, so up the mountain I went. I took a few pictures that bring back memories, so follow through on my reminiscing.


The restored Egyptian Theater was where I watched theee premiere of a movie (can't remember the name) during the indie film festival, Robert Redford's pet project called the Sundance Film Festival. We, some winter friends of mine, walked up and purchased tickets to the film and walked right in. We were feted to stirring discourses by the director and producer, also a few words from an actor or two. I do remember that Robert Duvall had a cameo in this movie. These indie people show their movies hoping that the big movie moguls will take notice and buy. I saw a few other movies around the theaters of town during this one-week festival. Now days people camp out overnight (in Salt Lake, too cold in PC) to get tickets to what has become a premiere festival, or is it just that the Hollywooders wearing their black designer clothes like to get out of the Southern California warmth and drink a hot chocolate where the snow flies? It's grown so large that the locals flee town during the time when the Hollywood designer-wearing people move in.

Scrooge's was a restaurant where I bused tables a couple nights a week for a some play money in my pocket. The owner looked like Santa, portly w/a white beard. He fished during the summer and worked seven days a week during the winter with never a day off. There was no paperwork, no taxes taken out and given to Uncle Sam (I wonder now, hmm??). Anyway, every night he would hand me cash for my time. He worked me hard, but paid me well. Now this is a fancy schmanzee restaurant, unlike the down-home restaurant that guaranteed good food and a lively evening (there was a bar). I remember that I had to wear either red pants or black pants in keeping w/the Christmas theme. There was always a Christmas tree in the corner. It was fun. One of the dishwashers became a bud. He even encouraged me down a black run. I was so not a black run skiier, but we did ski over and watch the World Cup from an upper hilltop advantage. That was fun. How else would a little country girl from Castle Dale have watched a World Cup? This building is on the historic register, over 100 years old, was previously a grocery store.

The banner says that this mining town that went to sleep in the 50s, almost to die completely, was reawakened in the 60s by the growing popularity of winter sports--anyway it appears that PC is celebrating w/125 candles on the cake. I think the miners were here before PC was legally established. As I turned the corner from PC earlier in the day to drive the few miles up to Deer Valley, I went through the section that Marva, the cook, told me was previously the red light district of town (Marva is an old timer, seemed old to me even back then). Anyway, the old wooden houses are now gone and million dollar condos are sitting on the very ground where the those ladies of night had to put up with stinky (at least I'm hoping they took a bath, donned some clean clothese and got shave before entertaining the ladies) men who just got paid.

Just a side view of PC. This is the PC that I love, nothing fancy. Notice the wooden stairs up the hillside. These stairs are all over the place. What do expect when a town is built on uneven ground? What else do you notice? NO SNOW, except for a few patches in the shade. This does not bode well, especially considering the fact that PC always hosts the first World Cup event of the ski season, which will be after Thanksgiving. Better break out the snow blowers and make some snow.

Was driving down the street and liked this shot, so took a quick shot through the window. Stay at this hotel and you can catch the lift from the foyer.

Ah, I called this place home for six months. It was the second lodge built in PC and is right at the foot of the slopes. It was not a fancy, schmanzy place when I worked there and it appears that it hasn't changed much. It was clean and homey. There were TVs, but no phones in the rooms, only a pay phone at each floor's landing. There was also a no-frills dorm type area on the first floor where money-strapped skiers would plunk down a few bucks for a mattress on a bunk bed (I think there were four to six bunk beds per section), a locker and shower facilities. Every night the owner would build a fire in the foyer. There was a round fire pit (think 60s movies) and we'd sit around and chat. Met lots of people that winter from all over the nation, the world even. I was finishing my student teaching at the high school in Price, wanted something temporary because I was planning a big summer vacation and didn't want to be tied down, was reading the BYU newspaper in the library and saw an ad. Turns out the owners are LDS and were recruiting LDS girls. Sign me up. I was one of the first to arrive, had my own room on the top floor (pays to arrive early). My job was to help Marva, the cook, with breakfast. I then had rooms to clean which took the remainder of the morning, but I was usually finished noonish and off to the slopes I went. I worked ten days straight, had a day off by the floater. My pay was $60 a week, room and board, and a season ski pass. Worked for me. I had no expenses, only needed some gas for my little red Toyota Corolla and some play money in my pocket. I banked the rest.

Close by the Chateau (my home) was the old PC high school, then sitting unused, but fortunately has been renovated and is now the town's library. There's a big open grassy field to the side of this high school and in front of the Chateau which will always be open area by law, so that's good. My grandfather Jones worked on the construction of this school when he was just a young guy, I'm guessing maybe late 1910s??

And this little beauty, which was my second place of love in PC, the library, was just down the road from where I lived. I went several times a week to check out books and read the periodicals. This library housed quite the art collection. Previously it was the miners' hospital. Speaking of reading, check out the thepioneerwoman.com. Just discovered it last week. Go down to the bottom and click on love story. I don't currently have a book to read and I've been totally immersed in this story. Too much fun.

End of memory lane. This was previously the Snowflake Inn, half way between PC and the Canyons Ski area, is now some type of school. Anyway, this is where R and I honeymooned for a couple nights before heading to CA.

The Navajos at Deer Valley

Deer Valley is a prestigious resort up a side canyon from Park City, frequently ranked #1 in the nation, where the rich, and I mean deep-pocket rich, come to ski. Too bothered to carry your skis to the lift? Don't worry someone will take care of that for you, probably blow your nose, too. Got the idea? Okay, so I can't afford to even think about skiing here, but I can take a few bucks and support the Navajos as they come to show and sell their beautiful rugs. I knew I couldn't afford a rug (the one I really liked was $5000), but I had a $20 in my pocket which bought me earrings.

Wanted to take some pics, but asked a volunteer. Yes, if you buy one of their rugs.

Okay, I'll just pull a media picture from the net. Aren't these ladies beautiful? They're tiny, like talk to my belly-button tiny. Their art is giant. These elders live in remote locales in Arizona, sometimes w/o modern conveniences, and this money from selling their craft is vital to the family. One lady held up her hand showing five fingers (didn't speak English). Only $5? Her granddaughter asked for $10. I gave her my $20.


One of the volunteers was going around w/a big bag full of reading glasses making sure that these ladies got a pair or two. They would just nod their head at whatever was given to them as the volunteer tried to get them the right power. I had to laugh because later when I made my rounds they were wearing their reading glasses, working their wares and not one had taken the sticker off the lens.

It creeps, it crawls

Ooh yuck. Wish someone would finish eating the last of the spiders (someone has been nibbling). These were really fun Halloween treats made of crunched pretzels and melted chocolate and peanut butter.

Wish someone would come make dinner. Is there a dinner fairy floating around?? Any chance that fairy will land at my house?? Oh well, I guess it's going to be open the fridge and find yourself something to eat. I made roast yesterday, very tender top sirloin, so there's plenty left. I met a friend at Cafe Rio, so I'm going to have the other half of my salad for dinner.

Why is it on Friday nights my eyes are tired and 6 p.m. feels like it's time to take a shower and get ready for bed? I'd say that I'm getting older, but hey I don't feel that old. Maybe it's just a mental aspect that it's the end of the work week--what? My work week doesn't end on Friday night.

Gosh, it's been such a beautifully gorgeous week, almost breaking temperatures the last couple days w/the windows open. I'd love to have this continue for a while...well maybe not. It's good to have the snow = water.

Night of Goblins and Spooks

Saturday, October 31, turned out to be an awesome Halloween night. After a very heavy snowfall earlier in the week and frigid weather right up through Friday, Saturday dawned gorgeous and it was a warm and windless night, perfect for the tricker-treaters. I love Halloween. Actually, I just enjoy visiting with those who come around. We have had the tradition probably since we moved to Riverton to set up a fire for folks to warm their bodies and grab a cup of hot chocolate. The neighborhood kids are growing up and there aren't as many kids who come around anymore, but still enough to make it fun. Here's a picture of Jared with his friend, Landon, as they came in with their stash, a BIG bag of candy. Jared by this point was no longer donning his cloak, hat was off and wand put away, but he had a good time. There are those who ban their children from tricker-treating after they leave elementary school, but my rule is as long as you dress and are polite (which all the kids, big and small, were) then you're welcome to play. I didn't get a picture of Victor as he swooped in w/his Jayson mask and two carloads of teenage boys. They had hot chocolate and raided the fridge. Tony was at the University of Utah football game.

I took lots of pictures this year, but interestingly it's the teenager pictures that really grabbed a spot here including one of the girls from the ward and I have no idea who her zombie friends are, but don't these girls look great!!

I have no idea who these girls are, but I loved their costumes of Thing 1 and Thing 2 plus Bam-Bam and Pebbles. Very clever.

Ah, nothing like sitting in a chair. We always have hot dogs on Halloween roasted over the fire pit. Might as well since we're spending the evening outside.

It's Wednesday, Mid-Week

It feels and looks like winter outside with a very wet snow fall yesterday. What snow didn't melt (on the grass only) isn't going anywhere today due to the cold temperatures and no sunshine. I was glad that R didn't have to drive up and down the canyon w/this storm. He had his first day at the new Riverton Hospital. When I pried him for details, he said that he had a formal tour, gave opinions on some instruments to be ordered, had some training, but didn't do a whole lot. I guess there was a mock run-through the day previous and they're trying to work out the kinks before next week's official opening w/real patients. He's back at TOSH today.

I went out to move the garbage cans to the curb this morning and told J that it would be wise to put on a coat, gloves and even a beanie. He went to the bus stop in a windbreaker and nothing else. I hope his hands (was carrying a book and clarinet case) froze so that he'll personally decide to dress a little more appropriate for winter. hmm?? Must be a teenager.

I had a class/tour of a health food store yesterday. Was very interesting and lots of fun. I even stayed and picked up a few items. I like nuts in general and there was a machine that takes almonds and crushes them on the spot into almond butter w/nothing else--no salt, sugar...anyway, I really like it. Can't wait to try cashew butter.

Get to go get a color job today. That's always a treat to come home w/the gray covered and it feels soooooo good to have someone else wash my hair, plus I get to sit and visit w/my hair lady. She works out of her basement and we can chat girl stuff.

Okay, got to back to work for a bit.

Last Soccer Game of Fall

Jared had his last soccer game of the fall season this past Saturday. We split soccer so half is played in the fall and the second half in the spring. This fall has been perfect. Every Saturday we have had beautiful weather. This past Saturday was intermitten sun and clouds with a bit of a breeze, which meant it was too chilly to sit without a jacket. Jared has enjoyed playing with his team. There are five boys in the neighborhood who play on this team. This is J and his good friend, Landon, walking off the field.

I'm glad that soccer is finished because the bad weather is upon us. Mother Nature hasn't decided whether she wants to send snow flakes or simply rain, so it's kind of a slush going on outside right now. I got the last of the potatoes dug from the garden Saturday, but I still need to get the last of the squash gathered and in.

Keep the Squeaks to a Minimum

Last night was SHMS's fall concert featuring Jared's orchestra. This is Jared's second year of playing in the school orchestra and he surprised me last year by stating that he wanted to try out for a chair in this year's orchestra. I'm glad that he enjoys music. In him I have an ally. He's actually holding the same clarinet that I played way back when (made of wood, unlike today's plastic instruments), although it had to undergo a major overhaul this past summer to get it into tip-top playing condition.

Regional Conference Sunday

We had regional conference today and a few notes:

Pres. Costa conducted and spoke about a living prophet, that he gained his testimony as an investigator over 14 hours of reading from the JS pamphlet one paragraph at a time, pondering that paragraph and praying, then moving on to the next paragraph. Note to self: Occasionally take time to savor the scriptures/Ensign. From my patriarchal blessing: "Spend time in sincere meditation that proper interpretation will come unto thee in answer to thy prayers." I hustle through church reading assignments to get them done, frequently in record time, but what do I get from the reading when I rush? I'm just trying to get a tally mark in my to-do list.

Sister Matsumori: Having grown up here in the valley, she has members living in the "mission field" who remark how easy we have it here, close to many temples, w/i walking distance to the church building, can walk to do VTing.... However, Sister Matsumori said that not all is easy being in this valley. In fact, it's easy to get lost in the midst of Mormonism, easy to not create a personal testimony because the Gospel is everywhere prevalent here. The examples set by parents in the home will benefit our children and their direction. Note to self: Don't give up.

President Chamberlain, Jordan River Temple President: He talked about his 33-year-old mission president who was the most vibrant person he'd met. This was back in 1958. This president taught him how to be a missionary. The president interviewed him and gave him a temple recommend stating that this recommend would be his most important possession and to use it regularly. He then turned and reported to his former mission president, Pres. Monson, that he has gone monthly and even more often lately to the temple and testified of the blessings received. Note to self: Schedule regular temple visits (waiting for an open time just doesn't happen). I went yesterday morning and that was a good time--was alert and the temple session at 8 a.m. was full, even w/two new temples in the valley.

President Child, President of the Salt Lake Temple: Didn't write anything down (lights were off and I could put down scribbles in my notebook, but couldn't really see what I was writing), but I remember Pres. Child stating that my love for my children would increase w/temple attendance.

Elder Robert D. Hales: Testified that President Monson is caring and loving. He also emphasized that obedience is not limiting like the world thinks but allows for freedom.

President Monson: The prophet, in his gentle manner of stories and poems, taught of rescue and saving. He said that an inactive soul needs to have his fear taken away and to be shown the way to return. That is accomplished when eternal possibilities are explained and shown in such a way that desire is ignited and that ignition comes from a neighbor/friend. The catalyst is genuine love. Note to self: The sister missionaries want a list of my nonmember friends. I truly can't think of any nonmember "friends." I have acquaintances, but I don't know that they would classify me as a friend. They wouldn't classify me as a friend because I wave in their direction, but don't take the time to visit and socialize. I suck (hate that word so why did I use it?) as a friend.

A Walk? up Provo Canyon

Yesterday, Saturday, was an absolutely gorgeous day and I had no work (unbelievable). I wanted to sing for joy (and will probably cry in a couple weeks when I get my meager paycheck). I announced in the morning to my hubby that I wnated to go for a ride and see the fall leaves. R announced that the canyon leaves peaked two weeks ago. Not to be deterred, I still wanted to go for a ride/hike and told him I'd be going so would he care to join me. Obedient husband that he is, he made the choice to join me and we went up Provo Canyon, turned off at Vivian Park (where the Heber Creeper Train stops/starts), drove up the canyon several miles and stopped at a park (complete w/grass, pavilions, etc.). We found an off-vehicle road and starting walking, walking, walking. It was good for me to get out and walk.

I liked this picture because it shows the snow-capped mountains in the back and on the return trip saw deer in the meadow. We also had hunters walking, riding bikes and even horses pass us on their way down as we hiked up the road. Run Bambi run!!

Fortunately we had one son who consented to join us. I think the offer of eating out after the hike was the enticing factor. V and T declined; they had a better offer to the Sky Box (sports restaurant) at the Gateway in Salt Lake where they watched the Utes football game

We crossed a few bridges and even went up the mountain on a trail to a spring. The air was crisp, the sky was clear and I was happy to get out of the house!!

The Witches are Out

I love Gardner Village at any time of the year, but Halloween is tops. The witches, all quirky and whimsical, are out casting their spells.

This witch obviously had a bit too much of the brew and misjudged her landing spot.

This is one of my favorites, caught reading the paper in the loo.