Wednesday Warblings

We did get the 30-degree temperature drop and w/it water from Heaven. What I want is some comfort liquid--a hot chocolate since I'm sitting at the desk still dressed for summer.

I ended up making four batches of zucchini bread Monday and threw out tons more grated zuchhini--enough already. R picked tomatoes yesterday and is taking them to a friend at work. I don't want any. It may freeze tonight.

V shot an 85 yesterday at Wasatch, not a good score, but still the best on his team. It was very windy and everyone's scores were up. State tournament starts Monday. He's one of six from his team who qualifies. His goal is to make the cut to the second day. I'd love for him to do that. No, I mean I would really love for him to make that cut. He has decided not to go w/the Priests on their campout this UEA weekend. He says that he has to stay home and practice, that the six players are going to the state tournament course Friday and he definitely has to go since he's team captain. I really wanted him to go to hike Jacob Hamblin's Arch w/his dad and the rest of the gang. Plus, I'm taking J to Bryce Canyon which will leave T and V home alone from Thursday morning until Saturday afternoon. I'm not terribly comfortable w/that, but have no choice.

Have way tons to do today. Am leaving here in a few minutes for presidency mtg. Need to go over early and check computer about records for a new sister. Have been typing and will type as much as I can today, since I'll be playing tomorrow w/very little typing.

Just noticed that I have a RC Willey voucher card w/$35 on it that will expire Friday. Since R and I will both be gone tomorrow morning, I suppose we had better mosey out tonight and see if we can buy something. An expired card would be like throwing away perfectly good money. Certainly don't want to do that.

Started The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown's latest book that just came out. I'm a big fan of Dan Brown--think da Vinci Code. I wanted to like the book more at the beginning, but I've hit the half-way point and I'm having a hard time putting it down. It kept me up last night for a bit, and I really needed to sleep. I am having to put the book out of sight so as not be distracted by it today as there's just too much to do to sit and read. I finished The Undaunted last week. That's Gerald Lund's latest book. I was really looking forward to it. It's about the San Juan Mission (think Four Corners area and Hole in the Rock fame). I'm familiar w/this event, as my great-grandmother, Margaret Ann MacElprang (yes, my namesake) was 6 years old at the time, plus I had read about this expedition in years past and we had traveled as a family to the Hole in the Rock a couple years ago. I'm not a fan of Gerald Lund because he moves tooooo slowly. I read the first book of the Work and the Glory years ago, and stopped at book one. I was 300 pages into this book and the conference to announce the mission and call the missionaries still had not occurred. Am glad to have finished the book, have a deep appreciation for those pioneers, and am especially grateful that it was one book, albeit tons of pages, and not a series.

Monday Musings

Yes, yes there are still no pictures, but how about a few comments?

So it's absolutely gorgeous outside, but need to enjoy because Wednesday we're going to take a 30-degree drop and supposedly as much as a foot of snow will come to the mountains, possibly a frost here in the valley.

Jared complained about the smell on the front porch as he came home from school the other day. Yes, I could smell it, too, thinking that maybe some bulbs sitting on the porch had gotten wet and were molding. Went out today and dumped the bulbs and washed out a container w/some sitting water. The smell was there, even stronger than the other day. Ah, ha!! It's called five big dogs next door w/lots of doo-doo on the lawn (the hired doodoo-picker-upper hasn't been around for a while), lots of sunshine, and a gentle breeze blowing in my direction. It's so bad that I had to go shut the window. Gag.

The youth in our stake (not unlike other stakes) is losing youth. There has been a singles branch and the stake has followed church policy of 21+ w/18-20 attending home wards. The branch has met in our building for the past couple years and it's pitiful to see the attendance--really sad. Anyway, due to new directives for local leaders to implement program to better meet local needs, and through much thought and prayer, Pres. Nielsen (love the man) has directed that local youth 18+ who have graduated from high school will now attend the singles branch, possibly even combine w/the neighboring stake if need be for adequate numbers. I already knew about this and T has been attending the singles branch anyway for the last couple weeks (9 a.m. ward versus 1 p.m. branch hmmm?? ). This will be effective next Sunday. Thought about going ahead and making some VTing changes, as that needs to be done in the next couple days, but I think I'll wait for until the end of October, as I'm hearing some dissenting views and "they can't make me go." It'll be interesting to watch. I'm all for it, plus Pres. Nielsen talked about obedience and promised blessings.

I thought General RS conference Saturday was wonderful, really wonderful. It was a shot in the arm that I needed. We had a meal before the broadcast and a really good turnout, probably the most I have ever seen. Every seat in the chapel was filled, and that was w/bringing in portable chairs and having everyone fill in, finally opening the back and seating more sisters. We have a new stake RS presidency, brand new for the past month, and I think theyir PR work has been terrific. I'm excited to work w/them.

R interviewed last week w/the new hospital being built here in Riverton and to open by November. He's been driving to PC (Park City) three and four times a week for the past couple weeks and the commute is a killer, plus winter is coming, although it seems like he has had one day off every week, which has meant downtime and usually golf. I suggested this new hospital a couple months ago and now he's thinking it's a good idea. I'm a bit worried that he waited too long to get on the bandwagon. Hopefully he'll hear a positive response soon.

Okay, the first batch of zucchini bread is out of the oven and I need to go start another.

Went to dig up some potatoes today and the two plants I dug had tiny potatoes. Hmm?? I guess that's what happens when you neglect the garden. Those two plants were enough to provide tonight's dinner, though, and then some. Picked an OVERGROWN zucchini and grated it for zucchini bread. I've already made one batch and it looks like there are several batches more coming from the one zucchini. What else do you do w/overgrown zuchini?? Mostly I just toss them and let them return back to Mother Earth.

It's Fall--yes, yes, YES

No pictures--am getting lazy, but just wanted to say that it's my favorite time of year. The day temperatures are pretty much perfect and it cools down at night, way down, even having to close some windows at night (40 last night), but not my bedroom window. I love to sleep in cool temperatures w/the room fan going. Sleep is so much better right now!!

The boys? Oh, the same. Victor and Jared are in school, V being really busy right now w/golf and had a match yesterday at Glenmoor which means he's gone from school half the day and doesn't get home until after dark. He's discouraged about his team as his coach is a "slacker," therefore the team suffers and he individually. He's getting ready for state tournament which is right around the corner. It's PT conferences starting tonight, so I'll be busy. J has an orthodontist appt. at 4:30 in Murray and I have a provident living activity group at the church at 7:00, so am trying to squeeze in an hour at least at the high school in between. Tomorrow night I'll catch J's PT conference as I won't be around Thursday night. T is working, watching TV otherwise. He was ordained an Elder on Sunday, so that's good news, actually excellent news.

Work? Same old, same old. It was really slow a month ago, probably the slowest my account has been in a year at least, maybe two. I was a bit worried as the paychecks were down, way, way down. I should have enjoyed the down time because I'm back to wishing I had some free time to play house.

RS? That never slows down. I feel like I don't have the time to really devote to it, but I do the best I can. I use email w/the Bishop and he gets back to me w/i 24 hours. Had a sister call yesterday to say her husband was just laid off and she's requesting a food order. I had to nicely tell her to hold the horses and I'll let the Bishop know and get his okay and direction. I'll be in the home today for an assessment and to do a "perishable foods" order, as this is a family that has food storage.

My biggest accomplishment recently? I canned two boxes of pears Friday, and that was after doing my "paid job." Started in the afternoon and watched a couple movies while I peeled pears (they're so darn time consuming, but my favorite food and the pears I got were soooooooo wonderful). Stayed up late and finished processing Saturday. R so graciously told me as he headed out the door w/V to go to the driving range not to worry about dinner. The fridge was full of food--only have to dish and heat in the microwave. I gave him the "if looks could kill" with pear juice dripping down to my elbows and told him that fixing his dinner was not my top priority, in fact not on the agenda at all. It was a bit chilly in the house that night.

Am looking forward to? Jared and I are going to Bryce Canyon over UEA weekend, which is right around the corner. R and V are going w/the Priests to Escalante to hike. Jared mentioned a few weeks ago that he is doing a big project on a national park, drew out Bryce Canyon and asked if he's ever been there. Felt the big guilt come on as we have not been there as a family since he was just a toddler, so on the spur of the moment I asked him if he would like to go. He loved the idea and I would love to get away from the house. Dang, if the boys get to play then why can't I? Of course, I have to take the laptop and work, but working at a different venue is way better than working at home. I've encouraged T to join us or better yet his brother and dad, but he says that he would rather stay home and work.

Okay, it's time to get off and do something productive, paid productive that is.

Jared Turns 14

Yesterday, Sunday, my little guy turned a big 14. There were no fireworks, just a quiet family celebration--welcome to being grown up. I think he was a little disappointed because there was no party w/friends. Maybe next year I can send him off with a friend or two to play?? Anyway, the night before we went to his choice of Cafe Rio (I felt like it was my celebration with getting out of the kitchen). It was a lovely night and we sat ourside to eat. I always fix the boys their breakfast choice. Fortunately, Jared chose something very doable--sweet rolls and Orange Julius. I got up at 5:30 and pulled out the bag of thawed rolls, put them on the pan to warm and rise a bit and got a cake in the oven, set the table for a celebration, did a little RS stuff, quietly dressed and managed to be out of the house before 7:30 (everyone still asleep) w/hot rolls out of the oven, oh and cut-up cantaloupe and Orange Julius in the fridge ready to be blender pulsed. Was rather proud of my efficient early morn and Jared was grateful when we finally met up later in church.

Jared was advanced in the Priesthood (that was cool to have happen on his birthday) and I was touched as the Bishop had Victor stand in the circle. Jared bore a lovely testimony. He's a great kid (oops youth). He wants to be valiant and that warms my soul.

We all ate leftover Cafe Rio after church and then I had some visits, but returned and played some boardgames w/Jared. We ate a light dinner and then R, V and I went to the trek fireside, didn't get home until 9 p.m. (Jared was bummed that it took so long). However, we gathered together and sang him the birthday song and ate his favorite cake. I felt like a dunce, as I could only find half his present (had stashed too well, or I'm losing my mind??), so he only got some teenage snacks, but today I found the DVDs, which he is now watching. Yes, it's true that we're behind and don't have the latest and greatest Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix, but now it's in J's collection and he's happy.

Today we got some rain (yes, after many weeks of very dry weather). In fact, it's cool enough that I turned on the oven--went and got some Papa Murphy Pizza after I dropped off V and his friend at the golf course. I love the smell of rain. It's only Monday, but pizza tonight--don't want to cook. I'm a bit run down. I had to get up 4:30 this morning to finish up Friday's dictation and then drove a sister to a doctor's appointment.

Look at that grin. Oh, I just paid off the braces this past week. That right there is reason to smile.

What's Small and Comes From Singapore?

Jared, my sweet Jared, has been on a quest for the last couple months to find a certain toy and locally has had no success. I don't really get it, but then I'm just an old "fogey." Anyway, he has discovered eBay and has bid a few times, finally getting his bid accepted. After weeks of anticipation, his special whatever, I think it's called a digimon??, came, having traveled all the way from Singapore. After carefully removing several layers of packaging, but keeping the way-cool stamps, he has his latest and greatest.

Speaking of Jared, he now has a late start on Friday, being able to sleep in two extra hours, but this morning had to get up extra early as it is 9/11 (aka Patriot Day) and do flags, his last time as a Deacon. At 6 a.m. it is still dark outside, but the flags throughout the neighborhood are up and flying (well, not really flying as it's so still outside with no discernible breeze). He didn't go back to bed, is in his room playing with this new gadget.

Utah Territorial Statehouse

After a couple rounds of golf, we met my parents (after they finished their missionary shift at Cove Fort) for a late lunch in Fillmore then send my parents back home to rest and we went to the Utah Territorial Statehouse. U.S. President Fillmore appointed Pres. Brigham Young to be the governor or the Utah Territory, which at that time had significantly larger boundaries than today's state, so BY decided on a central location to build w/the $20,000 sent from the nation. Of course, the town that sprang up around the courthouse was named Fillmore. Construction occurred in the mid-1850s, but because $20,000 wasn't much the building was kept small (the U.S. wasn't crazy about the Utah Territory and was very stingy in sending money this way). Only a few legislative sessions occurred in this building, as it's location was central, but not amenable to success. There was little to no population base here because this was desert w/poor farming/ranching possibilities because of the scarcity of water. The center of government was shortly thereafter moved to the populated area of SLC.

I don't remeber ever visiting this place, although may have as a child. I was a bit disappointed. There isn't much here. This is a picture of the top floor. The middle floor had some rooms which now is a museum, but it isn't much of a museum, a few artifacts w/poor informational charts and the basement houses the same. At least I can say that I have visited Utah's first state park, so designated in the 1920s.

Labor Day Golf

Okay it's Labor Day and we're away from home so what's on the agenda, well golf OF COURSE!! We went to the golf course in Fillmore and played two 9-hole rounds. I walked the first round w/the boys and took care of camera duty. It was a beautiful morning and was really nice to get out and walk, but I have to admit that I was bored. These Gonzalez boys don't say a lot--I thought there would be some friendly banter. I took my clues and kept my mouth shut and stayed inobtrusive in the background. R was very supportive and positive toward J and I appreciated that. Jared does just fine, hits the ball straight down the fairway, but doesn't have the power swings that his brothers have, so it takes him more hits. He had fun and that's the game is all about. I witnessed clubs shoved into the bags after a not-so-successful swing and even a broken club. Didn't say anything, but just kept on walking. I opted to spend the second round w/a book.

Cove Fort

The heart of the home, back then and now, is where mom spends her time, although in my case I have to say that I'm trying to spend less and less time in the kitchen, slowly trying to wean my family from the idea that I'm the chief cook. Actually, I love to cook and bake, but on my schedule!!

My dDad is explaining outside the blacksmith shop about Mormon hobbles.

Hardwood trees from the East, black something, not native to Utah. I probably should have paid more attention to the tour and not taking of pictures??

Drove down to Cove Fort (a little north of Beaver, Utah) yesterday afternoon. Silly me, but I didn't get a group picture and this is the only picture where both of my parents, Elder and Sister Nelson, are looking into the camera. Cove Fort was built by President Hickley's grandparents. His father, Ira, was born and raised at the fort. At one time, there were 140ish Mormon forts (every settlement had one), but most were built of wood and are no longer standing. This is the only Mormon Fort built of rock that is still standing.