Farewell 2008

This year has been one of mixed blessings. On the positive side is our Mission at Martin's Cove. There are so many blessings, including some very spiritual experiences, wonderful opportunities, wonderful people who became like family to us, and another chance to enjoy the high plains of Wyoming. It was hard to leave (especially for p-S.) Our family is growing, and in that growth are many opportunities to be with them and enjoy their participation in their interests: Rylee(15) playing on Wilson High's golf team, Cassidy's(13) progress in school, Camryn(10) playing Little League baseball and basketball for Whaley Park, Hudson's(8) Soccer teams (with Drew as his coach) Devyn(5) and Peyton(2) growing less shy, Sabrina(8) and her track season winning long jump and distance runs and then really taking off in Cross Country winning every event and qualifying for Jr. Olympics (in a Division above he acutal age)
Tabitha(5) swimming with her amazing smile visible the whole time she is in the water, and Charlee(1) walking and dazzling us all with her cheesey smile. We are blessed to be near and part of their lives, to support them and sometimes transport them in their activities.
On the negative side, of course, is the mysterious "infection" that knocked Bob for a loop in October. Even it is a blessing, as a wake up call to us to be more aware and vigilant about our health as we grow older (ugh!) Bob will continue to recover in 2009 as we work to reach our goal of returning to Mormon Handcart Historic Sites in June, to serve our 4th Mission! We think it is a worthy goal, one worth fighting for, even though some people may have doubts about our ablity to serve. It is hard to leave home, but we think the example we set is important and helps us to grow in the gospel.
We'll see what we can do for the Lord and for others in 2009. We are determined to make it a Great year!
So farewell, adieu, adios to 2008 a memorable year for us--and hello, bonjour, buenos dias to 2009, a year we can shape to our lives.

A Busy Week

The week was busy, finishing up shopping (no...I'm not a procrastinator--much) wrapping (warning to family, don't come by the house without calling first) and getting the groceries for our Christmas feasts: traditional Christmas Eve Prime Rib dinner, Christmas morning breakfast, and Christmas dinner (Honeybaked Ham--WOW what a line to get into the store!)Bob had plenty of chances to go for a ride and finally, he had the chance to drive for the first time since mid-October. We made it with no incidents. We were able to drop by some friends homes to see their decorations, visit with other friends and even play a little Quiddler.
Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with family was wonderful--I especially enjoyed Tabita and her first guitar (sorry, Amy & Gian--it just screamed her name when I first saw it).
Our little tree came down on December 26, so we can use the kitchen table again, but the rest of the decor will remain until after January 1.
Yesterday, we went to 10th Ward because Gian was speaking. Naturally, he did a great job. It was fun to sit with family and observe their Ward in action. Yesterday afternoon we attended the Memorial Service for our friend Mary LaBarba who died way too young from a very invasive cancer. It was an interesting service done at the Grand which is where the American Catholic Church meets. Then our weekly "dinner at nana's", minus the table cloths (placemats, instead) and fancy settings. It's just good to be together! We are so blessed.
Whoopie! Tonight we are going out for dinner with the Millers (first time since October 13!) that's progress!
Regrets: Sunday dinner was not one Hudson likes (sorry, I didn't know--) but he didn't complain, Tigger ate Peyton's ice cream drumstick (he knows Peyton likes to share)
Blessings: family, friends, education, my knowledge about eternal blessings
Make it a GREAT day!

Phew! We Did It!

Everything is finally completed,(I think) and we have only to wait for 6pm Christmas Eve dinner. There may be something forgotten; if so it's all my fault--can't blame anything on Bob this year! He continues to get better each day, so we are blessed. Every doctor's visit we have ends with a comment about how critically ill he was. (I didn't really grasp that at the time, but looking back it was bad!) We are so fortunate to have the Priesthood to call upon when we need help. Next year will be better!!! We wish you all the blessings you need, and all the enjoyment of family and friends as the Holiday gathering begins. Merry Christmas!

Rainy Days and Progress

Yesterday it rained most of the day. It gave us the chance to go a few things around here. We put a fire in the livingroom fireplace early in the morning and settled in for the day. Amy-Sue, Gian, and Charlee stopped by and brought us some man-made logs for the fireplace, because we are running out of wood. They were on a shopping outing, so they visited a while, then went on their way. We are so lucky to have our family close. Drew came by to get our "big" tree since we have a little (real) tree in the kitchen this year. Again, so great to have family around.
I found the Christmas cards, and they are done! The line at the post office was fast-moving, and it is a great feeling to have them in the mail. (One year I sent New Year's cards, hmmmmm!)
I made some treats for the neighbors, and wrapped them. They were easy and fun, and I'm ready to deliver them when the rain stops.
We did deliver some to one of my visiting teaching sisters, and Bob went with me, so we all had a nice visit on a rainy day. (Bob will go anywhere with me, just to get out of the house. He just sits in the car and waits for me while I shop. Pressure's on me to not dilly-dally around, though--but he never complains.) We finished the day with our usual games of gin rummy while the fire simmered on (wet wood, lasts a long time).
Bob is getting around without using the walker and that is progress! We even went out to dinner at Islands Grill on Tuesday night! They told him it would be six weeks before he could walk without it, but determination is a wonderful motivator. He tells me that today he will go into the grocery store with me to chose the Prime Rib for Christmas Eve Dinner. (hmmm, Prime Rib is a wonderful motivator, too.)

Blessings: family, friends, faith, sense of humor
Regrets: that more shopping needs to be don
Make it a GREAT day!

Time Marches On

We are still in recovery mode here, but things are going well! Each time we visit a doctor (which is way too often for me) we get good news that Bob's problems are clearing up and he is doing well. He is to the point where he mostly walks without a walker, around the house, to the car, to the corner. He has "cabin fever" so bad, he begs to go with me to run errands and shop even though he still has to sit in the car while I go into the stores because he wears out before I am finished. So we spend part of the day driving around, and we go out at night to enjoy the Christmas lights. Thanks to help from "the kids" our Christmas shopping is moving along, the tree is purchased (Bob sat in the car, I'd hold up a tree, he'd give thumbs up or down until we agreed) and decorated. (Pictures will follow--when my "techno-savvy" girls, Amy-Sue and Tiff can help me.) Still have cards to address, but I'm nearly started. Although we have missed the Christmas parties, we are so blessed to have family close, and wonderful friends to visit us and feed us, fill in for me at the ALLB Thrift Shop, and check up on us. It is very hard for me to accept these outpourings of assistance but I have been counseled not to deny others blessings, and then to pass them on when I have the chances. This has definitely been a wake-up-call for us and caused us to focus on our blessings (which are plentious). It has been fun to "Pay It Ahead" at the drive-thrus, but I have to drive off in a rush so I can become annonymous--that is hard to do in my car--I don't want to get caught, by the recipient or by the police.
Make it a great day--smile at everyone, they'll smile back almost every time.
Now, where did I put those Christmas cards???

Oh No! It's December, already..Where did November go?

I guess I know where November went, but time marches on and I am ready to decorate for the Christmas Holidays. So, on Thanksgiving Gian and Amy-Sue got out the lights and hung them for us AND took down all the boxes of decorations and put them in the Scrapbook room. I have sworn to downsize, but how can I get rid of all these treasures??? Look out Assistance League and D.I. here they come (I hope). Getting decorations up may be easier this year since I will be home more--however, helping Bob when he needs it detracts me and makes me lose my focus. "What was I doing, before. . ." ? "Should I really get rid of this..."? Decisions, Decisions!
I love this time of year!!!
Thanks Gian and Amy-Sue for the help and Tiff and Drew for picking up a few things I need.
What would we do without our family? Now, what was I doing before I was ... Focus on the season. Make it a great day!

An Attitude of Gratitude

We have many things to be thankful for this year. Our family, who helps when help it needed; even when they have other things to do--Thanks Drew for coming out the other evening to keep Dad company while I went to Ralphs for food for Thanksgiving dinner, Thanks Gian and Amy-Sue for volunteering to put up our Christmas lights and get the many Christmas decorations boxes down from the rafters, and thanks to our neighbors Jim and Manuel who check on us daily and take time to visit with Bob. Thanks to friends who call and visit--it sure breaks the monotony. Thanks to Heavenly Father for the blessings he continues to pour out, especially our Mission this year at Martin's Cove, and the Priesthood power of healing--albeit very slow. Thanks for doctors who are in "practice" and try very hard to get it right. For our home in this wonderful part of the world. We are blessed and we are trying to focus on that right now.
Make it a great day!

He's Home!

Bob came home yesterday, and boy was he happy. When I arrived at the rehab shortly after 9:30 am., he was dressed, and awaiting his release. All that was left was one last blood test result and, of course, the paperwork. Finally, about noon the paperwork arrived and we were finally out of there! After 23 days of hospitalization of one kind or another can you just imagine the feeling of riding in a car, in a upright position, seeing sights that mean more now than ever.
We are blessed to have next door neighbors who planned their day so they could be there to help me get Bob in the house and up the stairs (one step, stop, breathe deep, one step. . .) to the bedroom. Tigger, the old (14yrs) golden retriever followed along. (It's almost has hard for him as it is for Bob). Later, after a little rest, Bob was able to make it down both flights of stairs and then relax in the family room. We are on the mend and SO SO SO SO GRATEFUL. Fun to have family come by last night to welcome him home--they have all been so supportive. Thanks to friends who visited in the hospitals, and especially to Irv Miller who built a new railing by our front porch; so Bob, or anyone else who needs it, has some support getting up the steps to the porch and front door. It's great to have him home, even though it means more work for me for a while.
Blessings: Bob is home, priesthood blessings, family, friends, sense of humor, doctors
Regrets: misgivings about Bob's abilities, impatience, few things that didn't get done
Promises: upward and onward, positive attitude,
I'm putting on my "complaint free" bracelet and I will try my hardest not to have to switch it back and forth .
Love y'all, and, Make it a great day!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow. . .

Tomorrow is the day! I took down all the decor I had put up in Bob's "room", cleaned out the drawers , brought home the extra clothes--we are ready to go. One parting blood test tomorrow morning and then we bust him out of Country Villa! Our new matress arrived today, so it is ready and waiting for him to finish recovery in comfort. Four weeks is a long time to be sick!
Gratitude for: God's healing powers, family and friends who have been so supportive, a sense of humor
Regrets: I left a few things not done, I've missed some things I wanted to be a part of
It was a great day!

Departure Date Update

Bob's departure from the rehab facility has been set now for Friday the 21st. He is getting his strength back, slowly and the other tests are looking good. He will be soooooo glad to get home!
It will be 4 weeks of hospital time and we hope that will be it!!!
Blessings: skilled physical therapists, friends, family,
Regrets: patience is still an issue for me, some things still not finished
Make it a great day!

Maybe Wednesday

The DOCTOR was in today and said, "Maybe Wednesday you can go home" to Bob, and that made his day! Also, the cathater (spell check,please) was taken out today! Two small steps toward freedom. Of course, my job is just beginning.....
Blessings: friends who come to call at a not so great place and come to my assistance when I've done all I can, family who love and support us
Regrets: my impatience (with the patient--heh heh), things on my "to do" list that aren't done
Promise: I will try harder to organize myself and do every needful thing

Progress!!

Today Bob walked about 100 yards, using a walker, followed closely by a wheelchair,and with the physical therapist holding on to the back of his pants, and without any rest stops. That is progress, even though it may sound pitiful to you, we are excited to see strength returning and most of the problems caused by "the infection" have disappeared. It is amazing to us what havoc can be brought on by an "infection". There is some hope that he may come home early next week--dependent on strength and blood thinner issues.
Blessings: faith in the Priesthood, diligent hard work, trained people to help, and of course family and friends who visit and help the time pass a little faster
Regrets: I have neglected obligations, I miss teaching at Carden, I haven't made some contacts I should have
Love you all and thanks for the prayers !!

It is getting better, I think!

I can see Bob is feeling a little better, and he really wants out of the rehab/physical therapy "PIT" right now!!! Unfortunately, the most recent doctor has laid down the law to him, and until his heart, white cell count, and strength are all restored to normal he is staying at the PIT. Hopefully for this week. . .or both he and I will go crazy. But tonight he was up to playing Gin Rummy--and beat me; and when I put the cards away he said he wanted to continue the game.
Shoot! He often beats me at Gin Rummy, now even when he is sick... No fair!
Today I taught the Primary class I share ( with Stephanie Given ) for the first time since I was called. There are eleven boys and one girl in the class, and they are a super group. (Could you imagine what it would be like if they were wild---?) Can't say I'm thrilled to be in Primary, but it is only for a few months, until we head for Martin's Cove again--contingent on Bob's recovery, of course.
So, things are finally looking up!
Blessings: a great Primary class, Bob's recovering, family and friends, the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Regrets: I should have continued to play Gin Rummy with Bob (maybe he would have fallen asleep and I could have beat him--heh heh--) I am being careless with my own eating and sleeping, recent neglect of some of my friends who need some cheering up
Promise: I will do better!

It's Tomorrow

It's not. (better) I'm not good at this illness business.....I've got a lot to learn.
Blessings: family, faith, sense of humor
Regrets: lack of patience, lack of knowledge
For you--make it a great day! I'll try harder.

"Things are lookin' up

After one week (7 days!) in CCU Bob was moved to a regular room yesterday. Most of the "wires and hoses" are out of him. Now, after being sick for two weeks, he needs physical therapy to help him get his strength back. ( one dang thing after another!) So today he was moved to Country Villa, a rehab facility/nursing home in Seal Beach so he can get the therapy and strength he needs to come home. Oh, he did not want to go there, ( "I just want to go home..") but it happened. He is very sad to be there, but the harder he works the quicker he can come home--that is the incentive. Prayers, faith, hard work, positive attitude!!!
Blessings: Family, friends, medical knowledge, rehab close to home
Regrets: Having to send him to a rehab facility
Tomorrow WILL be a better day!!!

Day by Day. . . Inch By Inch

Yesterday was terrible. Today is better. What is the difference? In my mind it lies in faith in God and faith in the Priesthood. When Bob was first sick Drew and Gian gave him a Priesthood blessing and even though he didn't get better, I was able to cope with the situation and listen to guidance and make decisions. Last night, after 5 days in CCU I called for another blessing based on the difference of the situation. I believe that one blessing for a problem is all you should get, but when Bob got worse yesterday I lost my optomistic attitude and crept away to cry. Then I decided to ask Brothers Johnson and Miller to administer to him, and within 30 minutes they were there. What a blessing that is and how grateful I am to them.
Now you may call the rest of this story coincidence, but I believe in the power of the Priesthood:
Not long after I left the hospital last night, Dr. John Ingram arrived in Bob's room to assess his condition. John Ingram was a student/athlete of Bob's when he taught at Hughes Jr. High in around 1959-60. Now he is Dr. John Ingram, Urologist, assigned to Bob's case. Call it what you want, I believe Heavenly Father heard the plea for help and sent the best around.
Today, Bob is soooooo much better, it truly is a blessing. We look forward to tomorrow being even better as assessments are made that will put down this "infection" that is running rampant through his body. Tomorrow WILL be a BETTER DAY!
Blessings: Family, Priesthood, Faith, Friends,
Regrets: That I am not more inquisitive, that I may rely too heavily on my children when they already have a full plate, that I am so impatient

Since we have been in CCU I have made the acquaintance of two families going through worse struggles than I am. Sadly, tonight both families lost their loved ones who were so very sick.
It was very touching to me to watch them as they left the hospital for the last time, within
minutes of each other. I was able to give one lady a hug as she left. I'll probably never see her again, but I shared a very poignant moment with her tonight, and she is in my prayers.

Boy this is a morbid post. No more until I can be more uplifting!!!!

Too Much Happening

I'm slacking on my posts and use of the photos, but my mind isn't there right now. I hope I remember what to do when I finally take the time. Right now, Bob is in the CCU at Los Alamitos Hospital fighting an infection no one has named. His heartbeat was racing and irregular and that is what they are treating first. SOOOO I am spending a lot of time sitting with him.
I am so thankful for Amy-Sue and Drew and Gian and Tiff for being my support. I know it is very hard for them to pick up the slack and I know I am blessed with a family close at hand and friends who are so caring and supportive. Time to go get dressed for another day. More later..

Thursday Trippin'

Thursday was the last day of "Visitation" at Carden Whittier School, and since the students go home (or out to lunch) with their parents after the morning classes, and since my visitation classes were afternoon classes ( so all gone by noon); I decided to save the school some money and cancel my one morning class and stay home. Then we decided to venture out to the Inland Empire and do a few errands. We borrowed Amy-Sue and Gian's Durango so we could take a folding ladder to be fixed--it folds so neatly for carrying in the RV, but had gotten bent so it wouldn't lock well (not safe!!! to be 6 ft. up on, especially in the Wyoming wind).
We found Global Products Logistics, Inc. in Claremont or Upland and they were soooooo nice. Fixed the problem, chatted for a little while and left us feeling that it was worth the trip.
For me the best was yet to come. We travelled on to Rancho Cucamonga to the brand new Tai Pan Trading Co. store. It is really, really, really something! I have been in a lot of stores, but this is the biggest and best home decor store I have ever seen. It is worth the day trip, gasoline, traffic, etc. I didn't buy too much, because CUW Boutique and Luncheon is Saturday and I am saving my money for that, but I know what I saw, and I will be comparing items and prices, in anticipation of my next trip....Amy-Sue and Tiff, can you say "Girls' Day Out?"
When I could finally extract myself from that store, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed for Bass Pro Shop, which is "eye candy" for Bob. It is a lot like Cabela's--very fun to look around, but nothing I want to buy. (What???) Then we headed for home along the nasty old 91 Freeway, but just ahead of the crowd. Surely it was our day! Thanks Amy-Sue for the Urban Assault Vehicle--glad you and the girls liked the HHR.
Blessings: Safety of travel, Kindness of business owners, Talents of many decorators, Patience of Bob (while I shopped, he sat)
Regrets: Tai Pan Trading Co is too far away (hmmmm, or maybe that is a blessing in disguise),
lack of will power (or is it "won"t" power?)

Where did that week go?

Here it is Sunday again...where does the time go? Well, Monday we went to the RV Show at the Fairplex in Pomona. We were disappointed with the lack of vendors. Not a good year to sell RVs, that's for sure. We got home in time to go to the "Pumpkin Run" sponsored by Lakewood Parks and Rec at Del Valle Park. Our friends the Millers met us there to root for Sabrina, and yipee, SHE WON! Out to dinner with the Millers and back to our house to play a couple of rounds of Quiddler. Tuesday, it was Curves, then Carden School, and prepare for "Visitation Days" next week. We met Billy & Shelly and kids at Dairy Queen--yum yum! Wednesday, Curves, Carden School, and when I arrived home the RV was there ready to be packed for an outing with the "Just 4 Fun,341" Holiday Rambler club. Shelly came over to cut my hair--what a relief! Thursday, finish packing (no time for Curves, boooo), Carden School (I'm ready for Visitation, yeaaaaa) and home to leave for the outing. Weather is great, RV is running good, traffic moving well, we are blessed. Arrive at Camp Pendleton's Del Mar Beach around 5:45.

We toured the Rancho Santa Margarita Adobe on Camp Pendleton--it is interesting and well preserved. As usual, too much good food, lots of visiting, and enjoyment of the beach and the sound of breaking waves to put you to sleep, and rolling huge amphibians and tanks to wake you up. Home now, Sunday dinner with Amy-Sue, Gian, Sabrina, Tabitha, and Charlee--the Ashcrafts are hosting the monthly "Hardey Party", so we will miss them today.

So the week goes....now I'll try a picture or two------

Oh! I think I did it....Thanks Amy...

Picture 1 Sabrina with her pumpkin Picture 2 Rancho Santa Margarita (not really the pic I wanted, but ... Picture 3 Me sitting in a chair that 6 US Presidents have actually sat in Picture 4 Tank

Blessings: FAMILY opportunities taken

Regrets; Tigger is old and can't get in the RV, very sad

My cute little red-head

This is me learning how to put pictures on my blog...just bear with me!

P.S. The cute red-head is Tabitha Del Bello, our 5 year-old granddaughter.

Sunday Already?

I love that church doesn't start until 11:00! Gives me time to set the table, and get food prepared for dinner and wrap the BD gifts. Testimony meeting--I sure don't know a lot of people in the ward yet!
However, when I ask some people I do know "Who is that?" they don't know either--guess we have some work to do! Practice for the Primary Program today, which we will not be here for (because we are going on an outing with our RV group and won't get home in time).
Del Bellos arrive after Sabrina ran in a Cross Country race at Laguna Niguel and placed third (probably would have done better, but she took a "superman" fall and got up and finished the race). Southern California Running Wild (the track team) took first, though and so she got a small trophy for third and the team got a trophy for first! Yeah Running Wild!!!
Ashcrafts arrive (yeah, the cousins are here, let the chaos and fun begin). Dinner, yum yum,everyone loves spaghetti! The time has come for BD presents:
Charlee (one year old in July) a pink, ride-on pony that makes noise and plays music
Tabitha (five years old in September) a Fancy Nancy doll (so Tabitha tells me she dreamed she would get a Fancy Nancy doll)
Amy-Sue (36 years old in August) a blue tooth so she can talk to me while she drives
Early goodbyes--its a school nite-- Now the house is sooooo quiet .
Blessings: FAMILY, church,living close to each other, talents
Regrets: Not being here for the real birthdates, (but I don't regret the Mission)

Saturday Matters

Get up and get going..all the things I've put off, it's time to do 'em. C'mon Bob, let's get going.
Off to Lowe's for some flowers to replace all the dead ones I threw away Monday. Into WalMart for a gift for Amy-Sue's BD which we will finally celebrate at Sunday dinner, along with Charlee's BD and Tabitha's BD. On to Aaron Bros. for liquid nonwaterproof ink so I can fill my calligrapher's ink cartridges at school. Look out Ralphs, here I come--food for the Sunday triple BD feast (Spaghetti, Bread with Clearman's spread, Green Salad, Brownies and Ice Cream) the Del Bello girls' choices. Home, put away groceries (not my favorite chore) and have a bite to eat.
OOOps time for Hudson's soccer game. (Drew is the coach--proving that you don't have to play the sport to coach it) Hoooooooray--the "Serpents" won---Way to Go. Get those flowers in the ground. Phew! This old lady is tired. Watch the Boise State game on TV--HOOOOOOray, they won! Bake some Brownies for tomorrow. Plop, into bed.
Blessings: children and grandchildren, energy, living near shopping areas (hmmmm is that really a blessing?) Bob's company on my errands
Regrets: still don't have the photo skills, haven't connected with a couple of friends that are
heavy on my mind

Friday Fun

Started out doing some house cleaning and more laundry (does it ever end?) Then lunch and time to go to the Assistance League Thrift Shop for my monthly assignment. When I first started at the thrift shop, I wasn't very excited about it; but I now find myself looking forward to the second Friday of the month. The ladies I work with are fun and interesting and we have a great time; the customers are really nice; and I like to look at all the neat "stuff" we have for sale. I didn't buy anything this time, but I do have my eye on a couple of things (which probably won't be there next month--but if they are, they are meant for me). We always go out for dinner after I finish work--El Zarape which is one of our favorites. Took a drive over to Vet's Stadium to peek in the fence at the Poly football game score (they were winning as usual) then home for our own challenge--gin rummy. I lost again. Tomorrow I WILL plant some flowers...really. Make it a great day!
Blessings: being a volunteer, meeting new people, family, good food
Regrets: I didn't buy that adorable snowman cookie jar, I didn't contact a Missionary Sister who has been heavy on my mind (pay attention to the spirit!)

Thursday Thoughts

Begin the day at Curves, then home to get ready for the day, and off to Carden Whittier School. Call the PressTelegram newspaper and register my feelings about their choice of glorifing four convicted murderers on the front page of the paper! Off to school. Classes today were fun, especially the calligraphers (8th graders) who are really doing well. Home to relax and make dinner (yes, 2 days in a row). Bob is off to a Boy Scout training of some kind, and I use the time to catch up on laundry, talk on the phone, and do a little computer browsing. Bob is home early--cause he's had more Scout training than most folks--with another badge to sew on his uniform shirt, that says "Trained" (yes, he is!) Play a little gin rummy--he wins, as usual.
Off to bed and FINISH my book--Finally! Another day of my life.
Blessings: family, time to myself, love of reading, love of teaching
Regrets: time wasting,

Mid-Week Wednesday

Start out with Curves--great way to start the day
Home, get ready, off to school. This is my busiest day at school--4 classes, and next week's prep.
Stop at Target on the way home to get birthday gifts for the Del Bellos that we missed while we were on our Mission. (Darn those summer birthdays!)
Bob calls and says if I hurry I can see Rylee playing in a golf match at Recreation Park--so I hurry. What fun to actually watch her play!
Dinner at home.(what?)
Visit with our neighbor, then a surprise visit from a friend that we have been trying to find.
He's alive and well, and it was so good to see him and talk to him.
Blessings: Grandchildren, "old" friends, Missions
Regrets: I am technologically challenged and don't know how to put pictures into these blogs--YET. Help! I need a lesson!
Make it a great day!

Quick Tuesday

Off to Curves to start my day. Home, get ready, go...arrive at Carden Whittier, and get my supplies ready for classes. Today: 4th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade. The children were great today, especially the 8th grade Calligraphers! Home from school, we have a 4:30 appointment with our CPA to try to straighten out the hitch with the IRS (lol). Wait another week. Amy-Sue calls "what are you doing for dinner?" We meet them at Sizzler--fun. I'm tired... Off to bed, to read (I'm almost finished with Breaking Dawn) and sleep! Maybe I'll finish tomorrow. This may seem boring to you, but it is my life and I LOVE IT (but not the IRS part)!

Monday Monday

Full morning, addressing envelopes for the Orthodontic Clinic (Assistance League), and then my first meeting with the Kids On the Block puppeteers. I am sooooooo excited, I love these puppets and the service provided. Dinner with our friends Joan and Irvan, and a couple of games of Quiddler to round out the evening.
Blessings: having good friends, and family who will count on us when they think they are in a bind
Regret: I "shined off" getting flowers for the front yard. Too much of a procrastinator! And, I didn't go to Curves.

My Life--An idea to try

I recently read an idea that challenged anyone to blog for a week about their daily life. I thought about it all week, but didn't act upon the challenge--so I decided to try it this week.
I will start with Sunday and always be a day behind, since I usually blog in the early morning.
Sunday was Bob's Birthday, and also Conference. Normally we watch Conference on our TV, but this was our opportunity to see Sabrina (age 8) run in a Cross Country Track Meet at Mt. SAC.
We got there as the competitors were walking the course, which appeared to have a very big hill as part of it--come to find out, her age category didn't have to go up the big hill, but the course was hillier than any other she has run. (She has run in 2 other meets, and won both of them.) Ready for the race to start, about 50 runners in her event, off to a good start, see her at the top of a hill ( in second place) see her pass by us (in second place) see her head for the final straight-away (in second place) see her pour on the speed (in first place, barely) see her move out, SEE HER WIN! Yeah, I'm a proud Nana. She is a natural runner, and she loves it!
Left Mt. SAC and went to visit Bob's 96 year old aunt Marie. She is in an assisted living place in Chino--and she is very glad we are home from our Mission. Drive home to finish making dinner for the family (which is an every Sunday thing). Family arrives, we eat and celebrate Bob's Birthday and he uses his new barbecue to cook tri-tip for our dinner We chat, kids play, everyone goes home--cause it is a school night. The Ashcrafts took home Thunder and Lightening (their tortoises--goodbye reptiles) and Bob and I finished our evening, as we usually do, with a game of gin rummy--and he won, as he usually does.
Blessings--our family, each and every one of them, and all they do for each other.
Regrets--we missed seeing Conference, but the Ensign will be here soon, and we can read the talks.

Where Did the Time Go?

Well, we are home from our mission, and I did not post one time while we were there. I wish I could blame that on lack of time, or lack of access to a line, but truly it was some of both and a lot of lack of confidence. At my "advanced age" I find that I'm a lot less "techno-savvy" than I would like to be. With my family's assistance, I am moving forward and will eventually post some pictures and events that happened while we were at Martin's Cove. For right now, suffice it to say we loved our mission there--the Elders and Sisters we served with (all 45 couples ); the Directors, Elder and Sister Longson; the trekkers; the stories; the work, even cleaning the restrooms; the antelope, deer, bunnies, but NOT THE SNAKES; the daily doses of spirituality, and, for me, the Bluegrass Band! We get asked if we are glad to be home. Bob says
yes, but I say nothing because, while I love my family and our times together, I miss the Cove and the spirituality there. It is like living in a bubble and then the bubble bursts and we are back to the bombardment of reality.
So, I am back to teaching three days a week at Carden Whittier School. I am, once again, the Art Resource teacher. I love it at Carden--if I didn't I would not continue. Combine that with
Assistance League and trying to update our house, we can keep busy.
I will get another lesson on doing the blog thing--with pictures. Then, watch out!!!!
Make it a great day!

Try again. . .

We have been called to serve a mission at the Mormon Handcart Historic Site at Martins Cove. I think this might be a good way to keep family and friends informed about our activities and adventures in the high plains of Wyoming. Tiff even suggested that the blogs can be made into a bound book when we return, thus saving me hours of scrapbooking time. This may not work however, because we are not sure we can communicate via cell phone and may not have any connection for the laptop. If that is the case, we'll resort to one blog per week when we go to Casper for groceries, etc.

We will be living in our motorhome, which has been fine for our other missions. This time the mission is only 3 months long--June, July, and August. I assume we will be home before school starts; which will be good for me since my job as the art resource teacher at Carden Whittier will be waiting for me.

While we are gone Drew and Tiffany and the 6 jolly grandkids will move in with Tigger (the 13 year old golden retriever) and keep him company. Amy-Sue and Gian did this for our other 2 missions, so now the Ashcraft clan is going to hold down our fort. We are so grateful for both families, we couldn't do it without their support. We will miss 5 birthdays and one baptism and we don't like that, but sacrifice is part of the mission experience so we'll have lots of Sunday birthday dinners to make up when we return.

We have real testimonies of Senior Missions! Life changing experiences occur and a whole lot of learning takes place. Blessings Blessings Blessings.

Enough for now. . .next time I will try adding a photo! Make it a great day! p-S.

I'm just learning

Here I am just starting out with this blogging stuff, at the ripe old age of ...well never mind. Any way, Amy-Sue is helping me .