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.

I Have No Pumpkin on my Porch, ee gads

No pumpkins? Well, let's go get some. Ethan didn't like having his picture taken at this particular moment.

Climbing on tractors? Well, that's much more fun.

There was a corn maze which fortunately was simple enough that I was able to navigate my way through.

Ethan still was not cooperating for the picture. You have to aim and shoot quickly to even get him in the picture.

Life of a 4-Year-Old

I'd like to say that this very cute boy is mine, but I can only claim him as my nephew. He's gorgeous and he's welcome anytime he wants a change of scenery. Ethan and I got to spend a couple hours in downtown Salt Lake together--just the two of us, no mom to distract him from my full attention. What I learned, or had forgotten, is that little boys like big toys that dig holes and lift things. Through this construction window we counted SIX cranes working on the City Creek Project. I think I read in the paper recently that this project has hit "hump" day and is now on the downside of completion.

Little guys can always find something at McD to satisfy a hungry tummy.

This little guy does not like to dress up. It took huge encouragement to don the simplest costume available at the Church History Museum and I learned that I have to take a quick picture because that smile is soon in the next room.

Ethan likes babies. He was drawn back several times to the Nursery exhibit where he could take care of the little people. He rocked the babies and made sure that they didn't go hungry.

Oh, and Ethan has a wonderful family. He's lucky to have them. Of course, he doesn't know that yet, but some day.... His big brothers, Aaron and Jake, are headed off on missions leaving Ethan to have full attention of mom and dad. Again, there's always a welcome invite to come visit Aunt Margaret. She has decided that she likes this little guy.

Friday Frolics

So it has been a week since I was down at Bryce Canyon w/J. Wish I could return. That was a lot of fun.

There's plenty of sunshine outside, although it's a bit on the nippy side. I'm dressed so ridulous. Am sitting here in shorts, but sporting a sweater. No wonder my legs are chilled. All the tender plants froze last week, so no more tomatoes. Don't know whether to cheer or cry. I had previously picked a bunch of tomatoes and made them into tomato soup last night. I thought it was good, but it appears that my family isn't into tomato soup.

The sister missionaries are coming for dinner tonight. They eat at 5 p.m., so we'll have to see how much of the family we have available at that time. One of the sisters has a gluten intolerance, which means I need to rethink the menu.

It's been a busy week for RS. One sister was in a MVA, but she's recovering well--nothing broken thank goodness. I took her some soup Tuesday. She's such a go-go bunny that it's hard for her to sit still and heal. Actually, I've had three sisters in MVAs during the past week. One actually rolled her family's truck four times off Bangerter, but no serious physical damage to her, again thank goodness. She must have a very busy guardian angel as she's getting married w/i the week and being in a full body cast would have made for more memories than wanted. Another sister's husband had surgery, donated a kidney. Turns out the donor has quite the recovery, one week in the hospital and a month at home before returning to work. Also, we had an enrichment night and an assignment at the Bishops Storehouse. After passing the sign-up sheet through the Priesthood, I first saw the sheet after church meetings and w/last week's general conference...well, anyone we sent out an email requesting help. The time slots not covered were at an ugly time: 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. Anyway, I looked at my work load and thought there is no way I can give that much time, but then there's no way I cannot help, so I compromised and went over from 4 to 6:30. Am glad I went, spent most of my time at the checkout counter. It's good to see this program in use--plenty of people in need. There was one last couple in the store after the 6:30 close time and the husband, so kind, came over and asked for some help reading what was written on the bottom. The RS president had written for a few clothing items including a woman's parka. Parka was an unfamiliar word, so I explained that it's a coat and went to the rack to help this pregnant sister try on coats. They both had heavy accents (I guessed Eastern European) and limited English. Turns out she's from Pisa, Italy, and he was from Spain. They were so cute, young. I was embarrassed that I can't speak the Italian language any more--understand some, yes, but speak it, no. That's what comes from 30 years of nonusage.

Victor had his state golf tourney both Monday and Tuesday--missed both days of school (which wasn't a displeasure for him). He made his goal of making the second day, not because he shot low enough to qualify as an individual, but his team surprisingly enough qualified as a team, beating out even Bingham who was the region champ and Copper Hills who took second in region to Riverton's third. The upset over Bingham was huge!! He was a happy kid Monday night. Monday's match was in freezing weather (I think the high was around 50) and at one time play had to be stopped because of inability to see due to sleet. R was finished by late morning Tuesday and T also was finished by mid morning due to slow work, so they both went and caught the last of the tourney Tuesday. Tony posted the final hole's putt on his Facebook. I don't know how to copy that image and put here, so...you'll have to check him out at tonygonzo277@hotmail.com

Oh yes, it was my anniversary yesterday. 21 years. We will celebrate tomorrow when we have some free time. I told R that he's in charge, as I did the footwork and prep last year. He can make the celebratory decision this year.

Speaking of R, he will have a job change at the end of the month. The new Riverton Hospital will be opening November and he will be working there three days a week and at TOSH two days a week, at least for now. He formally gave his two-week notice yesterday. Lately he has been driving to Park City (no more surgeries in Heber) up to four days a week. That means really early mornings and w/the winter around the corner.... Well, anyway I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I think it's a good thing, a really good thing, to have him working so close to home. The downside is that he's no longer w/the team that he has been working w/for over 20 years and now will be working general surgery with unknown staffing, plus we will be seeing less money on the income statement. Seems like we're always stretching the buck and now it will have to stretch even more, but if he can be happy w/this new change the stretch won't be that much of a sacrifice.

Enough already, I have laundry calling my name and reports to be typed.

Bryce Canyon

I have found the perfect travel companion, my son Jared. While R was off backpacking w/the Priests in the Escalante area, just down the road from Bryce, over UEA weekend, J and I went to Bryce Canyon. He mentioned a few weeks ago that he had a report to do on this national park, so I decided that we should go. We haven't been there since he was too little to remember. We did not camp (I'm so past that when possible, plus Bryce is at a high elevation and it gets very cold this time of the year, mid teens the nights we were there), so we stayed at Ruby's Inn immediately outside the park. We arrived Thursday early afternoon and spent the rest of the day starting at the far end and working our way back, stopping at each lookout and taking the shorter hikes located in this area.

This is at the far end of the park at an elevation over 9000 feet. We hiked up to the top

lookout.

Jared was so excited wherever he looked, appropriately ooing and aahing. He took lots of pictures.

Here's one of the side canyons the second day in the park (Friday). Although it's a bit hard to see, there are two natural bridges in this photo. I had thrown in some old hiking boots into the trunk of the car, had forgotten that they were not the most comfortable the last time I worn them, anyway had left my regular shoes in the hotel room and had walked out in my socks, changing once in the park into hiking socks and the boots. The boots felt tight at the get-go (should have then gone back to the hotel, but figured that I'd be okay. Anyway, I have to remember that 20 years, lots of extra weight makes for a foot size change and I was definitely feeling it by the time we got to the canyon floor during a 3-1/2-mile hike. I stopped and added two Band-Aids to the heels, but still had a slow climb out, as with every step I could feel the blisters. J was soooo patient. He could not have been better. He took my hand and walked w/me. I had to stop lots, not only because of the ascent but especially because of the quarter-size blisters. Ouch.

Jared decided that he didn't like the canyon floor, as it seemed more like a forest and he gets plenty of that w/Scout camps. He liked being in the midst of the formations the most.

I made him go w/me to the dinner/show Friday night. He groaned, but he survived. This was a really good show, professional group called the Bar G Wranglers. They had plenty of variety and lots of funny bits, so I would highly recommend it.