MY TABLE IS SPREAD
Wouldn't you know I would choose to start blogging when I have limited use of my hands! As I prepared to run a small errand to the neighbor's little did I know my life would turn upside down. Luckily Rick decided to go with me because before I knew it I was face down on the pavement with two broken wrists due to my feet getting tangled in some wire strung across the sidewalk.

Fast forward three weeks and what an experience it has been. I went back to work within a day of the accident. Picture two red arms and only typing and paperwork staring at me. Someone at work has been assigned to do the bulk of the input after I have prepared and coded it. I still run, match, and stuff the checks and do payroll. Quite a feat I believe.

Several days after the accident some good friends came over with dinner and stayed to enjoy the meal with us. As we prepared to eat I looked around the table and these words sprang into my mind, "...in the midst of affliction my table is spread" and realized that although it was a trying time I still felt so grateful. And the rest of the line from "The Lord is my Sheperd" is "with blessings unmeasured my cup runneth over." Truly, a new understanding washed over me of how your burdens can be lightened even though you still must carry the burden.

I have learned more about service these last few weeks because it has become such a personal experience. I don't believe I'll view being of service in quite the same way. I plan on being there, which is what matters most.

A Talented Neighbor

My neighbor, Cate Stambaugh, invited me to the "Spring Fling" for her children's choir. Wow! In the beginning years of her choir she only had them sing, but she took a great course up at the University of Utah and learned that there is more interest if they get to do more. And the course provided her with ideas on how to accomplish that.

So they get to sing AND dance AND have speaking parts in a mini-broadway production for their spring fling. The scripts are pre-written and this year she used "S-Cool" for the older choir (9-14 yrs) which is about school, studying, and falling in love. For the younger choir (6-8 yrs) she chose "Bugz" and the costumes were so fun. The lead was dressed in black, with a pillow tucked in her back, dirty socks tied around her waist and a pair of shoes dangling from her neck. She was a stink bug, and she was the cutest little thing. There was a "fruit fly" with a colorful wrap around skirt and a bandana with flower and fruit in her hair. The boys were all dressed up in camoflauge with antenna protruding from their helmets and they were all carrying guns, because they were the army ants.

What a grand opportunity for the children to participate in something so fun. She has about 40 students and they were all involved. Lots of them are my neighbors and I loved every minute of seeing them perform.

The winter performance is more structured and they perform in choir robes. This was just plain fun. Next year I'll have to make myself available so I can be a part of the fun instead of just watching. She has the magic that brings out the talent in these kids and it just keeps getting better from year to year.

I Love You Everyday

I had some real quality "grandma time" with Jeffrey Robert this week. Thanks Tricia! I can't begin to tell you the fun we had together and how great it felt to just hold him close. He was a bit shy to begin with, but no tears were shed when I drove off with him and without his mom! We played at the park near our home, went for a long walk (not stroller ride, but walk!) around the block, and played with the neighbors and their toys. He was pretty taken with the Razor scooters. I was surprised when he picked one up, placed one foot on the scooter and started trying to scoot with the other. We stroked dogs, spotted planes in the sky, put pennies in the "bus bank", read stories, sang songs, put puzzles together and more. He even hugged me tight around the neck and let me sing about half a dozen songs to him while in the rocking chair.

When it was time for him to leave Grandpa and I loaded up his new birthday puzzle vehicles, his back pack, and his blanket. As he sat in his car seat ready to go home I gave him his birthday card and told him how much we loved him. He held the card all the way back.

At the end of the card I used a sentiment that I happened on as I read a story by Mitch Albom several years ago. The story was about a son being able to go back and see his mom one more time, seeking her help and guidance, even though she had died. One thing she had always done for him was to write notes of encouragement and counsel. She ended every note with "I love you everyday."

Every note to Jeffrey ends the same way.

Such a Nice Word

We have some of the nicest neighbors in the world. Next door lives the Duncan family, a family of nine. We love having these children in our home because they are so well mannered and pleasant to be around. They come over all the time and we read stories. Yesterday little Abby was on her bicycle with training wheels and she fell right in our front yard on the rocks in the curb! Her training wheels kept coming unbolted and she would tip over. I asked her if Rick could look at her bike and fix it for her. She agreed and so he took it into the garage and tightened the bolts. Later that night the doorbell rang and Abby (who is two) and her older sister Katie (who is six) were there looking for Rick. Abby handed him an envelope and inside was the cutest note,"Thank you for fixing Abby bike" signed Abbey, with two smiley faces. Rick just melted. It made what had been a ho-hum day for him into something special.

Oh, thank you is such a nice word.

How Can It Have Been So Long?

As Mother's Day approaches my mind flashes back to last year and the emotion that surrounded the day. Rick's mother had just passed away (she was a month shy of being 90)and as he was dealing with the funeral arrangements I was boarding a plane to Germany. I was going to "hand deliver" the anniversary gift that Cory was surprising Tricia with. We had joked about not trusting it to the mail, considering the last electronic item we mailed disappeared and it took FOREVER to get the claim processed and the money back! Plus it was Jeffrey's first birthday and Mother's Day all tucked into the time I was going to be there.

It turned out to be such a memorable trip. Not only was the weather incredible but the sites we visited in Germany and Austria were beyond description. We strolled through an open merchandise market in Austria, leaned over a hedge to catch a glimpse of a centuries old cemetery in Bertchesgarten, kinked my neck looking up at the cathedrals in Nuremburg, enjoyed a spur of the moment picnic overlooking a site so "German" that it still plays on Rick's screensaver, and the list goes on and on. It was an experience I knew I wouldn't have the chance to repeat.

Brian and Chris were such a support to Rick during that painful week and it was greatly appreciated. And now a whole year later how all our lives have changed.

I heard a talk given by Teryl Givens at BYU and from his message I took a sentence I found so significant I have it framed in my office. It says, "The choices we make are the purest expression of who we are and what we love." As I reflect on the meaning of those few words I realize how important even my smallest choices are and as I get older I realize that those choices revolve around family and my love for them.

May you choose well.

Great Meeting!

It's not really my story, but it needs telling. Several days ago the missionaries were anticipating going to a Regional meeting that would feature Elder Bednar. In their excitement they mentioned to Rick that they needed a ride to the meeting. Because one of the three Elders was a District Leader and would be going early, leaving the others to find their own way there, Rick decided he could afford a day off and not only drive them to the meeting but hopefully get to hear the message. Success, his ploy worked and because he went dressed for the part he got in!!!

He said it was a most memorable meeting and mostly because he didn't follow a specific outline and just talk for those two hours. He read them a scripture regarding meeting together and having the spirit of the Lord with them because they were on his errand. His message was basically to help them understand because they were on the Lord's errand they could anticipate having the Holy Ghost to attend them. They just needed to learn to listen and to move out of the way. He fielded questions from the Elders and Rick said he handled each of their questions with interest and insight. As the meeting was winding down Elder Bednar asked them to pack up everything, get it zipped up and put away, then he would conclude with his testimony. Then after the song and prayer the Elders would be invited row by row to come up and have a few moments to shake hands and meet face to face. Rick said it was so impressive that once he began his testimony how peaceful it was because the focus was where it needed to be. It was several hours well spent at the feet of an apostle and Rick was so glad he could be there and learn. As we talked with the Elders later that evening they felt the same.

While at the meeting Rick had occasion to see the last Elders that were living with us, Elder Hitchins and Elder Trubey. They are now both Zone Leaders, and said things have gone well for them. Elder Hitchins said the home he moved into after leaving us in Orem didn't last long. They had to find other accommodations because the husband passed away.

Not a day goes by that when something happens to those Elders' living with us I don't think of either Brian or Cory. I hope to be able to make a small difference in their lives as I hope someone did for Brian and Cory. Serving a mission can be an an incredibly hard thing to do and I appreciate more and more their sacrifice and determination.

Still the Lady in Red

Our past Stake President and recently returned Mission President of the Ventura, California area, President Ellsworth, came by with his wife for Sunday dinner. As we were sitting across the table from this unassuming couple and participating in small talk I kept telling myself it was alright, they are just like us. Our discussion focused mostly on the missionaries staying in our basement. It was a delight to be able to share some fun stories and experiences we have had. He said when he was a missionary he served in Chile and saw his mission president maybe twice. That meant he didn't know how to conduct a personal interview and so came to this calling a bit untrained. But he soon learned what needed to be done. Then they shared a few stories about "their" missionaries.

Because he is not retirement age President Ellsworth, who had left a booming construction business in the hands of his partner, was hoping to come back and pick up where he left off. But because of the economy the bottom has pretty much dropped out of the construction industry so he is now facing some serious choices. But they both remain optimistic about being able to revive the business and are anxious to jump in and give it their best shot.

Saturday was an exciting day. Rick asked if I would go with him to a car dealership. He'd picked out a few cars he wanted me to look at. We'd been talking about getting a smaller car with good gas mileage. Although my car has been running well the mileage is getting up there and the few repairs that are needed would be a spendy. The motor for the fan wasn't working right (which affects the heating and cooling)and the mechanic quoted almost $800 to fix it. So he thought we should transition to a newer car because I still have several years of commuting ahead. He picked out two nice cars and it wasn't hard to pick the one that seemed to be the best value. After the paper work was drawn up and we were walking out the door the just washed and detailed car I had picked was parked next to a wine colored sporty Pontiac GT. Hmmm. After checking the sticker price I discovered it wasn't much more than the one we were buying and it had some pretty cool features. The tires had chrome hubcaps rather than plastic, the steering wheel was wrapped leather, the seats were nicer upholstery, etc. And the color! Well, needless to say they had to scrap the paperwork and begin again. So I'm now the proud owner of a wine colored sporty 2008 Pontiac GT. This means car payments begin again but that's the lot of a working woman.

One More Missionary

Can you believe we now have three missionaries staying downstairs? It's true. And to make it even crazier the third missionary, Elder Holt, is from DRAPER! His call was to Mexico on a Spanish speaking mission and he has been in the MTC the requisite time learning the language. Evidently there has been a serious hold up on visa's and everyone asking for entry into Mexico has to have a personal interview with someone in authority in the Mexican government. The process of getting missionaries in has slowed to a trickle. But since missionaries are still coming into the MTC room must be made. So I believe about 20 missionaries have been assigned to the Spanish speaking missionaries in the Utah mission. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to be so close to home. Elder Holt already ran into someone he went to school with and she had a hard time understanding how he could be serving in Lehi of all places.

He's quite the impressive missionary and it's been fun to have them all come upstairs at the end of the day and just visit for a little while. Talk about a good example...Elder Holt makes sure his bedding is folded and carefully positioned atop his air mattress every morning. His clothes are hanging from a pole stretched between two storage shelves and he seems to be adapting.

Water has been an issue because for the last week we've had clear indications that the water heater is ready to die. The flow of water has been substantially decreased because we keep getting lime caught in the faucet filters. Enough that every day we have had to clean the filters just to be able to wash your hands in the bathroom or do dishes. So Rick bought a 50 gallon water heater and is planning on installing it on Saturday. Then we can all have hot water when we shower, yeah!

We heard from Jill Heaps and the doctors are pushing for a bone marrow transplant for Emily in a big way. The big question is do they go to California to have it done or go to Primary Children's in Salt Lake. Already the little neighbor boy asked Emily if she would be taking medicine to make her hair fall out. Luckily Jill was within earshot and could answer her questions about it. Unfortunately she had to tell her that Caleb was right, her hair would fall out. But everyone would still love her just as much, because they love her not her hair. This experience will be a lot different for Emily because she is old enough to understand what is happening. I'm so glad that Matt and Jill are her parents. They seem to have the skills to navigate through this frightening experience.

Rinda Christensen and I took over a traveling bag for Jill and inside was the money we had earned from our little fund raising venture. She and I made cookies (oatmeal, chocolate chip, raisin filled, and almond crunch)and we packaged them in sealed cello bags. I brought them to work and every package sold! Can I tell you how great it was to fill an envelope with travel money for Jill. We're thinking of doing cinnamon rolls next time. I can't imagine an easier sell that the smell of fresh baking rolls (because we have an oven in our company kitchen)waifing through the air, especially around breakfast time. We'll have to see how that goes.

Miss Emily

I had a long chat with Jill Heaps several days ago and it appears that her youngest daughter Emily will be needing a bone marrow transplant, and soon. They sent lots of test information to a doctor in California and are waiting to hear his recommendation. She had a transplant when she was several months old but it has stopped providing what it was originally intended to provide. The doctors have been watching her progress very carefully and are now starting to sound alarms. To top things off she has stopped growing. So many things point to transplant that as a family they are now determining where it should happen instead of if. Several years ago Rick coordinated the completion of their basement at no cost to them to see if it would make a difference in Emily's health...and it did.

The most likely place is California because the doctor who seems to know the most about Emily's type of illness resides there. The process will take at least two months because they will be doing a series of tests, doing chemo to eradicate what little immune system she now has, and then the bone marrow transplant. Follow up will take place at Primary Children's here in Salt Lake.

Rinda Christensen, a neighbor down the street from the Heaps family, and I got together and baked almost seven dozen cookies, packaged them in two's in cello bags, and I brought them to work in a big basket to sell. It's our idea to provide Jill with some traveling money. Whether it's California or Salt Lake the money it takes to come and go will be sorely needed. We anticipated about $80 for our trouble and received over $100 in donations. Yeah for a good cause! We may be doing this again in a month or so, but it's a great start to help an incredible family. My surprise was when several people paid more than necessary for the cookies and said "keep the difference" because it's for a good cause.

Happy Feet

In the nursery we have discovered that if we sprinkle songs throughout the lesson time the children's attention span is lengthened and we can keep them interested. So there are songs to get ready for the lesson, songs during the lesson, and fun songs after the lesson. One of my favorite songs is "Happy Feet". I have a pair of striped socks that I put on my hands that fit up to my elbows and as I sing the song I touch the children with the socks. The words are: "I have two happy little feet to take me where I go. They hop me and they skip me, and make a noise I know. But in my Heavenly Father's house so softly do they fall, that though I walk you can not hear my little feet at all." At the very end I whisper the words so they understand about being reverent. Sunday we went to the home of one of our little nursery children, Ayala Hamblin, to give her mom a duck towel for the new baby they are expecting. Amy asked if I sing a song about feet. Umm, yes. Does it have something to do with socks? Umm, yes. She had Ayala (who's two) go downstairs and get her special sock and had her sing the song. She got it word for word, down to the part where you whisper the ending! Nursery rocks! These little children are listening and learning and even liking it. Yeah.

CONCERT IN THE PARK

For a Family Home Evening with our Empty Nester's group we went to Brigham Young Historic Park last night and heard the Utah Nat'l Guard 23rd Army Band. It was quite the program. You would think we would just hear patriotic music, but we were thrilled to hear the "Instep" Barbershop Quartet from the band sing "Ghost Chickens in the Sky" a silly take off of "Ghost Riders in the Sky". We laughed and laughed it was so cleverly done. There was seating for approx 200 people as well as blanket room in the back. I've never been to the park which is kitty corner to the Conference Center. There is a small replica of a grist mill wheel that moves the water in a small pond. I didn't get to investigate too much but it looks like they have concrete areas where you can sit and picnic. We may come again because the venue looks pretty interesting and the price is right, free!

On July 11 they are having "Kindred Voices" who sing Celtic folk songs and original music from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England. Every Tuesday and Friday during June, July, and August they present concerts. I am thinking on August 12 we should make a return visit. The program features "The Other Three Tenors" billed as a lighthearted musical parody of the world's most famous tenor trio.

Just as we were leaving the concert Rick got a call from the Elders, who had locked themselves out of the house. We have a key safe on the door frame to the basement that requires a code and the key drops out; that way you never have to carry the key. Unfortunately they left the key on the window sill the last time they went in instead of putting it back. They entertained themselves at the Duncan's until we arrived home almost 45 minutes later. The irony was the front door had been left unlocked, which we didn't realize until we got home, and they could have just walked in!

It's going to be a hot 4th of July. Considering gas prices and the heat maybe we'll just celebrate in the neighbor's kiddie pool.

Remembering

Rick, Marilyn, John, Diane, and I spent Saturday afternoon at Grandma Whittaker's house. Because there is a potential buyer it's important that we start going through things to sort out what we want and to,sadly, dispose of the rest.

It was kind of quiet as we began to collect the things we had given her over the years. It made sense to do that first and then we can see what is left and determine who has an interest.

I came away with some items for both Tricia and Christina. I hope they are things that will be worth keeping.

Rick and I now have a few keepsakes that graced his parents home for so long. We have the barometer, a clock, a gold leaf of the Salt Lake Temple in a frame, and some book ends. I have an etched glass sectioned platter that they received as a wedding gift. Diane said she saw work like that done in Scotland and it's quite a unique piece. I wish I knew more about it. The most exciting thing to me was to get the "real" silverware. It is so beautiful and I'm putting it in the drawer and using it everyday. I know that years ago the thought was to bring it out only when you were serving guests, but the one I love the most sits across the table from me everyday. I had her patio furniture recovered several years ago so we have that as well. It hurts my heart to believe that you can spend a lifetime collecting things and find that they are items not necessarily wanted by anyone else.

As we were getting ready to leave Diane spotted two lovely figurines that Rick's previous wife Karen had hand painted. Rick is going to box them up and send a note with them to his daughter Leslie. We think we have a current address (his ex-wife won't confirm or deny). Our hope is that she responds in a positive way to his thoughtful gesture.

A Surprise Wedding

I have your attention, right? A surprise wedding. Who could it be? Well, Marilyn headed to Thailand to see her son Jeff and we all thought it was for a vacation. No, it was really for a Thai wedding. He has been gone several years, first working in Iraq, and now in Kuwait for a contractor of computer services. He will continue to be with them through next year. When his contract is up he and his bride may go to Australia or ... who knows. Marilyn said they are coming home for Christmas so we can meet Ammy. We learned of the wedding after Marilyn returned. I'm glad she could be there for such an important event. She said it was a large wedding with a lot of unexpected features. She came back six pounds lighter and anxious for his future. She has her doubts that Jeff will ever return to the United States. I guess only time will tell. My, don't our lives change.

Yesterday I went to a delicatessen on State Street for lunch. They have unusual items for sell that they bring over from Europe. It is mostly Italian food items, but I did notice some Kinder eggs. I picked one up thinking I might get a few for Heidi's boys until I noticed the price. What I paid less than .50 for in Germany was $2.25 here. Wow, now that's inflation.

Steve and Deidre have invited Rick and me to go with them in August for their Whittaker Family vacation to a place in Idaho called Stone Fly Lodge. The lodge is all ours for the week and there will be fishing, kayaking, biking, and hiking at our leisure. We'll be cooking our own meals and each family is invited to provide a dinner. My plan is to do CHICKEN TACO FETTICINE. I hope I can make it taste like Tricia's because hers was sooooo good.

Just a bit of local news...there was an accident at Bonneville Junior High. A boy was spotted up on the roof by a soccer coach, and because he knew he had been seen he turned and ran. Unfortunately he fell through a sky light almost 40 feet down to the gym floor and was killed. What a sad turn of events for what he must have thought was just some great fun. When we are young little do we know the price we may have to pay for our poor choices. While I lived in Brigham there was a boy in our neighborhood trying to get his kite down from a power line with a long pole. Bad choice; he was electrocuted. The friends that were with him had all taken turns trying to get it down and he was the one who paid the price because he connected with the line. Oh, the things some of us have missed by the skin of our teeth.

Here's hoping all your choices today are wise ones!

Looking Back

My sister turned 60 last week and we had a family party at her house. It was fun to reflect back on things that have happened over the course of the years. I remember when we lived in Midvale during the 50's and mom had a three wheeled Harley that she would crank up in the winter. It took about three or four cranks to get it going, but once it got started she would slowly drive around the block and there were kids at every door, ready with their sleds. The first person had a rope to hang on to, but all the others would just grab the heels of the person in front. We had quite a long line of kids as she circled the block and it was so much fun. Unfortunately everyone didn't see it as just good fun and she was instructed by the police not to pull us anymore. There were a lot of sad faces on Cornell Drive when we heard the news.

The missionaries have been a delight. They are careful to put things away and clean up after themselves. I do their laundry and it feels good to wash and fold their clothes, knowing their shirts will be white and their slacks mended as they tend to their service. I think I enjoy the evening the most because I can hear them downstairs laughing and talking with each other. I so miss the noise that comes with young men in our home and now it is back again!

Elder Orton is from Florida and Elder Tueller is from Texas. Elder Orton was out shoe shopping yesterday, it was his year mark and more than time to replace his worn out shoes. A woman happened to see him trying on shoes and volunteered to buy them for him, on the condition he got exactly what he wanted. He ended up getting a real nice pair of Doc Marten's as well as some new socks, with more socks on the way.

I remember seeing missionaries in the grocery store when Brian had first gone out, and I started to cry because I was hoping that someone in Venezuela was thinking the same thing I was ... I wonder what I can do for these young men so far away from home. I admit when I see young men in our ward that remind me of either Cory or Brian I pay particular attention to them; to see what they do, how they talk to their wives, how they treat their children.

We are planning on going to the Ward camp out that will take place this Friday and Saturday. It's up American Fork Canyon so there should be families who can come up and enjoy the community meal without having to spend the night. It's fun to get together in an informal setting and just enjoy each other's company. I plan on roasting lots of marshmallows! We went up to check out the campsite and it was pretty chilly. Glad we have a trailer with a heater.

Shelly Beatty (my neighbor) and I are going to get together on Wednesday to plan our own little fund raiser. The plan is to provide Heritage Care Center (the facility Grandma Whittaker was in while in American Fork) with some new bedding. That was something I noticed they were lacking and our hope is that we can provide them with something that can help quite a few of their residents. We will begin with a dollar amount in mind, determine how much we are willing to invest, see who can help sponsor our cause, etc. We already have an idea of sorts to work with so I'm anxious to see where we can go with it. I keep thinking of the positive experience I had with the first fund raiser for the Literacy Center when we took $50 dollars, saw a $500 profit and then with matching funds from Wal-Mart changed it to $1,000.00 I'm not sure if we can do quite the same, but it will be worth the effort.

I read the post by Tricia which included the remarks by Margaret Nadauld about Women of God. I was so impressed by her remarks that I posted the quote here at work so I can look at it often. Thanks!

Dry Sandwiches

While sitting here at work eating my dry sandwich and drinking a V-8 I couldn't help but reflect back on a delicious lunch we had on the outskirts of Bertchesgaden. We stopped at a little market, purchased some rolls, meat, cheese, drinks, and a bag of sweets. Then as we were driving we saw a large open field and decided to stop. We spread out a blanket and had an impromptu picnic with this as our view. Wow and wow.

Rick actually has this picture as his screen saver and it is even more beautiful on a larger scale. Oh, I have such wonderful memories to reflect back on. It was the best.

MORE VACATION SHOTS

WELCOME TO GERMANY!


I'm not sure the role the May pole plays in the community, but Cory and I were surprised when we realized that instead of a tree being secured atop a tall pole it is actually a tall tree that has its bark stripped and only the tree top is left. It must certainly be a way each community identifies who they are and their history, hence the flags. They are fun to spot as you travel through the countryside. We were sitting beside this one in Eschenbach and decided to snap a shot pointing upwards. It must take some doing to find the right tree, prepare all the attachments and then get it into the city square without damaging surrounding buildings.




I peeked over a city wall while in Bertchesgaden, Germany, and saw this well preserved cemetary. Oh, I wanted to walk through it and touch some of the markers. It was quiet and so inviting. It's quite remarkable the part this little city played in World War II, considering Hitler had his private retreat, The Eagle's Nest, not far from here. The walls holding back the hillside beside the road were so old and the houses built on the side of the mountain were so picturesque. We liked this city so much we visited it twice! Okay, I admit the shopping brought us back for the second visit. Tricia found a traditional dress that she couldn't pass up and I found some great scarves, cards, and a decorative plate.




As we were strolling down the market street in Salzburg, Austria, we could identify each shop by the ornamentation on the side of the building. There were fashionable clothing shops, gift shops, restaurants, and book shops. And when I looked up and saw the golden arches I couldn't believe they could really be in this chic spot. There is something perverse and wrong to find something so new and over marketed like a McDonald's being on the same street as the birth place of Mozart. Go figure. There are lots of side streets that break off to the right and left and offer quiet places to shop or eat. It's a remarkable city that sits right at the base of a huge rock mountain wall. We actually parked IN the mountain.

We had so much fun!

There and Back

My thanks to Tricia and Cory for all the wonderful places we were able to see while I was in Germany. Jeffrey was my back seat buddy and he sure is a great little traveler.

This picture was taken while in Rothenburg. We were on our way to do the Night Watchman tour; a clever way to be introduced to the city and its history. The weather was beautiful and the city is such a wonderful mix of old and new. It's a great place to wander because you keep seeing new things. Last time I was in the city it was a cold December evening and Cory and I walked along the top of the wall. I could imagine people from the 1300's walking that same wall. The tour leads you through a gate and close to a wall that drops dramatically to the valley floor. Because of the way we came into the city you don't immediately recognize how high you are. I'm glad I got a picture travel guide to the city because all of the photographs truly depict what you see.

While we were in Salzburg, Austria, we stopped in a children's park to give Jeffrey some down time. Sitting in a stroller can get a little confining so we took advantage of the fun playground. After some swing time, a little teeter tottering, and then crawling on the lawn he was ready to go some more.





This lichen covered tree was in front of a guest house/farm close to Bertchesgaden, Germany. There was a beautiful river flowing in front of the farm, around it was a vast field of green, and in the back was a sharp rise to a forest and steep mountains. Can you imagine spending your life living in a scene from a postcard? The entire time we were driving through the country I was stunned by the beauty of everything we saw.

Cory and Tricia kept on going and going, willing to pack in all the sightseeing we could and it was definitely the trip of a lifetime!

While back in the States Rick was saying his final goodbye to his mom as her funeral was days after I left for Germany. The neighbors were so good to him and Brian was certainly thoughtful during the time I was gone. Brian served with Rick and other family members as pall bearers. What a sweet tribute to such a fine woman. I hope to hear the audio of the service as soon as it comes from the mortuary. To believe that she lived twenty years beyond her husbands passing says much for her ability to do for herself. It was only the last several months that time finally caught up with her.

Home Again

Yesterday the family moved Grandma Whittaker back home. It took a day or two of preparation and there was great anticipation that she would be glad to be back in familiar surroundings. Sadly, she didn't recognize that she was home when she got there! However, we feel it's the best thing to have her in a controlled environment. At the nursing facility it was hard to get some individual attention because everyone there has such a pressing need.

Because the situation with Rick's mom has been so critical it's been heavy on his mind to notify his children of their grandmother's condition. He has tried many times over the years to communicate with them and establish a relationship but they are not interested. I hope there will come a time when they recognize how much he cares and will let him in.

I went to Brian's last night and got a tour of their home in Murray. It's an older home that they have great plans to remodel. The kitchen has been modernized and that's a plus. It has three bedrooms and a basement that has a finished family room. It's in a quiet cul-de-sac and appears to be a neighborhood with older residents because on both sides the neighbors are retired. One has a garden that takes up half his yard and I'm sure Brian will want to be fast friends with him. It looks like their yard had a garden at one time but it needs some work. I was surprised to learn that Brian still works part-time for Saratoga Springs Fire Department. Only the young can fit so many things on their plate.

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....