Art Museum Visit

This week we have made time to attend the temple as often as we could because it has been designated as Stake Temple Week. The Stake President encouraged members of wards to present their family names and have all the stake participate in getting the work done. That was the reason Rick was asked to make a box to organize the use of the family cards. We've had the opportunity to go by ourselves one evening and then go with three other couples last night.

On Monday we had a get together with other couples in our Empty Nester Family Home Evening group. We went to the BYU Museum of Art and saw some beautiful murals by Minerva Teichert. Although I have always enjoyed her art work I was particularly impressed with the way she provides a finish to her artwork with a hand drawn border. So if you see a scene with some early pioneers the border may contain buffalo, dutch ovens hanging over an open fire, and such. There were many murals on display I hadn't seen before and it was a pleasant surprise to see everything from Book of Mormon scenes, to early pioneer scenes, to Indians on the plains, etc. You may have seen some of her artwork in the Ensign. I listened to a discussion of her work by her daughter on the BYU channel the other day. It made the trip down to see the collection well worth it because I had an idea of how some of her pictures came to be. She didn't have a studio but used her family room, which was quite confined. She had to drape the bulk of the canvas to one side while she was working on a section of mural. She would look through binoculars with the big end to her eyes, making what was close look far away, so she could get the proper perspective. Imagine that.

I believe my favorite was her rendition of the first vision. This picture also had a border drawn around it and the farther away from the picture you stepped the more impressive it became because the colors she used created such a warmth. I don't believe a picture could do justice to being able to see the actual work. It was a piece I kept going back to look at because it had so much to offer. I say that because in another area of the museum there were masterpieces that one could just stroll by.

Cate is trying something new with the Lehi Children's Choir for their summer program. In the past the program consisted of singing, a little narration, and a few solo's. She attended a seminar that gave her some great ideas, as well as hands on product to do little mini-theatre. So the children are doing a mini-play with speaking parts, choreography, and lots of songs. Plus they have costumes and I have been helping with that. We created hats that resemble acorns and squirrel tails. Cate decided fur would make a great tail. Oh, my. After cutting out 11 of them she had fur flying everywhere and a vacuum full of wisps of fur. Now I'll have fur flying in my sewing room for a while while I put them together. They will have a hanger in the tail to give it form and a ribbon also sewn into the tail to tie it around the child's waist. No more fur!!!

Heidi has seen all the practices and she said it's the most incredible thing ever for the children. Even Jayce sings around the house and is looking forward to the part he plays in the production. Cate is having someone come and professionally record it and then make a DVD available to the parents. The production happens while I am in Germany and it seems so odd not to be available to help as I have been in the past, but I'll be able to see the DVD.

I spoke with Christina today and she is glad to be all moved and getting things put away in their new home in Murray. Brian is off to a training in Nevada but will start hanging pictures and things the minute he gets home. Wouldn't you know right off the bat their dishwasher broke. Oh well. They were planning on replacing the appliances because the kitchen had been recently remodeled but the old appliances hadn't been replaced. She said there is lots for them to do, but all very manageable things. There's a tree to cut down, windows to replace, painting to do, and blinds to buy. It will mean a lot of Saturday projects but they are anxious to make this home their own. It's much closer to work and that means Brian gets an extra hour of sleep.

Christina said she'd love for me to find a nutcracker for their fireplace mantel which extends almost the length of the wall. Do they make Fireman Nutcrackers?????

After listening to the nightly news about the recession we are or are not in, I find that I can pretty much see a trend by the height of work in my box. Lots of invoices means we are buying product and product is being purchased from us. When the pile goes down it means the phones aren't ringing and we aren't moving product. Recently the trend has been quiet phones. The company is tightening it's belt by announcing there will be no summer party, which costs the company about $12,000, and that will represent a substantial savings. Overtime, which pays time and a half, is being monitored very carefully. But we are considering hiring a driver to move product from our Salt Lake location to Colorado instead of using a common carrier. The company anticipates that our new location in Aurora will be about the size of the Salt Lake office at some point in time, maybe even bigger! Colorado is a big market. Right now they have a little more than a dozen employees while we have at least 90. Even though Salt Lake carries a greater variety of products than Colorado that is starting to slowly change. They are trying to get a cabinet division up and running.

Sage Advice

We went to see Grandma Whittaker again last night at the care center. We were taking bad news with us because the caregiver we had been so excited about that was going to give grandma one on one care decided to opt out of the arrangement. It was have been the perfect solution to our concern about her care, but we are committed to keep looking. As we visited she was anxious to find out about when she could leave. Oh, that's the hardest part...we keep leaving her.

She is always so appreciative of our visits and the concern we show for her well being. She is so glad to have a "good son" who holds her hand and reads her stories. But as we left she said several times, "Oh dear, my advice is not to get old." She did remarkably well for those twenty some odd years she was on her own after her husband died. We stopped by her house tonight to get a few things to take with us on our visit and it was odd to have everything so dark and quiet. We know we have a good twenty years before we are in her position but it helps us see our own frailties even now. We are determined to do what we can while we can.

I had occasion to read more of the information I received from Aunt Phyllis (who is 80) about the Jackman side of the family. She was kind enough to photo copy pages from her scrapbook that detail the family tree and some history behind those family members. I'll bring of copy of the information with me so you can enjoy it as well. It's nice to get a picture of where you came from and who those amazing ancestors were.

I hope that you and Tricia will let Jeffrey and I stay in his room when I come for my visit. I don't want his schedule to be disrupted and I'd appreciate the company. I confirmed my seat assignment today and I've dusted off my passport. Funny how I am so looking forward to coming over there and at the same time you are looking forward to coming back here. There's something philosophical in that. Could I bring you a Wendy's something???

I had a stake meeting where we talked about the needs of the nursery and staffing issues. I bragged about our ward not having a problem with no shows, everyone seems so committed. That Sunday it was Sister .....'s turn to do the lesson and I was the support teacher. (We do a rotation schedule with our teachers where one Sunday a team is on and the next Sunday they are off. That means they can go to class and be with adults every other week. It works so well that Rick wanted to be a part of that schedule, so because I'm the Nursery Leader I'm there every Sunday while the rotation schedule works for everyone else.) I still brought my bag, had my lesson plan and activity, and thought how silly I was to lug it around. Wouldn't you know, the teacher did a no show. No phone call, no inkling of a problem, just a no show. So the primary secretary asked in the Sunday School class who would like to come and help me and my neighbor came to my assistance. She was bright and smiling and full of support. It was a great way to get to know my neighbor better and the children were fine. But now I know how disconcerting it can be to count on someone and be disappointed, especially if you come unprepared. Ah, life.

22 days and counting....