Todd's mom Debby is in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and gave us tickets to Sunday's performance of Music and the Spoken Word. Riley, Todd, Amy and I got to go and see that plus a mini-concert similar to the ones they performed the previous three nights. It was magnificent! (And sitting next to Amy and Todd after five months apart was a treat too!)
There were several things that touched my heart. One is the way you feel the Spirit through music. What a beautiful gift music is! The choir, the orchestra, the guest tenor Nathan Gunn and the cool people with the bells (I want to be one of those people!) all added to the magic of the night. I don't remember the production's final song but it ended on such a crescendo that my heart was bursting with happiness. It was amazing.
Another thing that impressed me was Jane Seymour, the narrator for the night. She read her scripted parts and told the wonderful story of Good King Wenceslas. I've sung this song at Christmas but have never understood the story. As the choir sang and Jane narrated, the words to the song were on large screens so it was easy to follow along:
Good King Wenceslas looked out,
On the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even;
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Tho' the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gath'ring winter fuel.
"Hither, page, and stand by me,
If thou know'st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence,
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine,
When we bear them thither."
Page and monarch, forth they went,
Forth they went together;
Thro' the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather.
"Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
Mark my footsteps, good my page;
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.
The message is of giving and receiving blessings in return - perfect for Christmas but one we should remember every day, not just during this season. Before Jane gave this reading she gave an impromptu speech about her feelings of being a part of the choir's production and how she loves Christmas but being a part of this made it so much better - that she felt something as she participated. What she felt was the Spirit and knowing that she will carry that with her is such an amazing blessing for her as well as a missionary tool, for her and others she will tell. Anyone who has ever felt the Spirit through word or song, especially in such a powerful way, cannot deny it. She pointed out to the audience that the choir, orchestra and many others are volunteers. She was amazed at that yet it is a wonderful common trait in LDS members to do just that, give of our time and talents.
The tickets to the event were free so much of the production had no cost attached. Yet there are those who are paid - the production crew who have these jobs to support their families. And there would have been cost for the grand decorations - the banners, castle scenes and costumes. So the Church puts on this magnificent production (and many others) to bring joy to people and have the Spirit enter their hearts through music and thoughtful words. I'm glad I live here and have access to these kinds of events and I'm thankful to Debby for giving us the tickets. The events of that morning gave me good things to think about for a long time. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A few of my favorite things
This time of year brings mixed feelings for me but luckily the positive feelings outweigh the negative. Here are a few of my favorite things:
1) The smell of a live tree. I get kidded about having a live tree since I am all for environmentalism. I've even told Riley we could get a fake tree but he doesn't like that idea. So we buy a real tree. The thing that brings me the most joy is the smell. I love walking into my living room and having that smell. It reminds me of my childhood and of being in the woods with my dad. If we are ever driving through a pine forest, I roll the window down to breathe in the smell. Heaven.
2) Christmas lights. I don't care what color they are although I am partial to white. I love the twinkles, I love the brilliancy, I love the way it makes the night look different. Do we put them on our house? No. But I do love looking at other people's. And with our tree in the sunroom windows it always looks cheerful and bright against the darkness outside.
3) Thinking of what to buy people I love. I've scaled back a lot in the past few years. I think a few well-chosen, thoughtful gifts are enough. Kids don't need 20 things to open - they will only remember a few anyway so make them meaningful and long lasting, not plastic junk or dollar store crud. Then, with list in hand, I head out to stores or get online (see number 4) to find those special gifts.
4) Online shopping - what a wonderful invention! Surf, click, buy, open door, pick up box. LOVE it.
5) Food and baking - this starts before Thanksgiving when I start making pies. I don't make pecan pies very often but at Thanksgiving and Christmas they are a comfort food. So are jam thumbprints, pretzel/rolo turtles, and anything with chocolate - especially toffee! Mmmmm, my favorite.
6) Wearing Christmas-y things. Many years ago I had some pretty cheesy sweaters, vests and jewelry - you know the ones with big lightbulbs and lots of hanging ornaments. Someone could probably borrow those things now for "ugly Christmas sweater" parties. I even had a red and green sequined bow tie I wore. Laugh. Now, I have a few beloved Christmas pins - one is a silver Nativity scene, very small and precious; several are angels and one is my grandma Wheeler's Santa pin - antique with a soft white beard. I am careful with that one because it is old. I wear them with nice, plain white or red sweaters. In this case, less is more. My opinion. Others can wear what they want and I will smile.
7) I like how kind people are at this time of year. People in lines are a little nicer to each other, clerks greet customers more and wear elf and Santa hats, I get fun letters and cards in the mail, I get gifts from unexpected people (and I've learned to just say thank you and enjoy them, I don't have to stress about giving them a gift).
8) Christmas music. I am an "after Thanksgiving" listener. When I finally do turn on the Christmas music, I find joy in the words, melodies and messages. When else during the year can you hear "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me," or a lively version of "Sleigh Ride" - my personal favorite, on the radio? Christmas songs are joyful, you can understand the words and sing along. And most renditions are beautiful. Except that grandma/reindeer song.
9) Traditions - I love our family traditions: videotaping Riley bringing in the Christmas tree, making our favorite foods, stuffing Christmas stockings for my kids (still), making peppernuts with friends, reading the Christmas story on Christmas eve, eating ebilskivers on Christmas morning, playing a new family game, watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and so many others.
10) Snow. I love looking out the window in the morning to see new fallen snow. It's so quiet and makes everything look clean. And even though I like warm weather over cold, I like different aspects of winter - especially the definite changes from one season to the next.
And, last but not least, I love what this season represents - the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. What an amazing plan to send a tiny baby to earth - to learn, grow, teach and carry out his Father's plan. I have a deep abiding love for my elder brother and his mission on this earth. It's not a fairy tale or fable, it's not a conjured up story, it's reality. And keeping that in the forefront of my mind means I will have Christmas with me all the year through, not just this month.
Merry Christmas friends and family! If you read this, leave a comment on what some of your favorite things are during this season!
1) The smell of a live tree. I get kidded about having a live tree since I am all for environmentalism. I've even told Riley we could get a fake tree but he doesn't like that idea. So we buy a real tree. The thing that brings me the most joy is the smell. I love walking into my living room and having that smell. It reminds me of my childhood and of being in the woods with my dad. If we are ever driving through a pine forest, I roll the window down to breathe in the smell. Heaven.
2) Christmas lights. I don't care what color they are although I am partial to white. I love the twinkles, I love the brilliancy, I love the way it makes the night look different. Do we put them on our house? No. But I do love looking at other people's. And with our tree in the sunroom windows it always looks cheerful and bright against the darkness outside.
3) Thinking of what to buy people I love. I've scaled back a lot in the past few years. I think a few well-chosen, thoughtful gifts are enough. Kids don't need 20 things to open - they will only remember a few anyway so make them meaningful and long lasting, not plastic junk or dollar store crud. Then, with list in hand, I head out to stores or get online (see number 4) to find those special gifts.
4) Online shopping - what a wonderful invention! Surf, click, buy, open door, pick up box. LOVE it.
5) Food and baking - this starts before Thanksgiving when I start making pies. I don't make pecan pies very often but at Thanksgiving and Christmas they are a comfort food. So are jam thumbprints, pretzel/rolo turtles, and anything with chocolate - especially toffee! Mmmmm, my favorite.
6) Wearing Christmas-y things. Many years ago I had some pretty cheesy sweaters, vests and jewelry - you know the ones with big lightbulbs and lots of hanging ornaments. Someone could probably borrow those things now for "ugly Christmas sweater" parties. I even had a red and green sequined bow tie I wore. Laugh. Now, I have a few beloved Christmas pins - one is a silver Nativity scene, very small and precious; several are angels and one is my grandma Wheeler's Santa pin - antique with a soft white beard. I am careful with that one because it is old. I wear them with nice, plain white or red sweaters. In this case, less is more. My opinion. Others can wear what they want and I will smile.
7) I like how kind people are at this time of year. People in lines are a little nicer to each other, clerks greet customers more and wear elf and Santa hats, I get fun letters and cards in the mail, I get gifts from unexpected people (and I've learned to just say thank you and enjoy them, I don't have to stress about giving them a gift).
8) Christmas music. I am an "after Thanksgiving" listener. When I finally do turn on the Christmas music, I find joy in the words, melodies and messages. When else during the year can you hear "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me," or a lively version of "Sleigh Ride" - my personal favorite, on the radio? Christmas songs are joyful, you can understand the words and sing along. And most renditions are beautiful. Except that grandma/reindeer song.
9) Traditions - I love our family traditions: videotaping Riley bringing in the Christmas tree, making our favorite foods, stuffing Christmas stockings for my kids (still), making peppernuts with friends, reading the Christmas story on Christmas eve, eating ebilskivers on Christmas morning, playing a new family game, watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and so many others.
10) Snow. I love looking out the window in the morning to see new fallen snow. It's so quiet and makes everything look clean. And even though I like warm weather over cold, I like different aspects of winter - especially the definite changes from one season to the next.
And, last but not least, I love what this season represents - the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ. What an amazing plan to send a tiny baby to earth - to learn, grow, teach and carry out his Father's plan. I have a deep abiding love for my elder brother and his mission on this earth. It's not a fairy tale or fable, it's not a conjured up story, it's reality. And keeping that in the forefront of my mind means I will have Christmas with me all the year through, not just this month.
Merry Christmas friends and family! If you read this, leave a comment on what some of your favorite things are during this season!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thanksgiving thoughts 2011
I'm baking pies today. I have the bread for the dressing ready. All of tomorrow's meal ingredients are in the fridge or on the counter. The table cloth and decorations are ready for the table. The rolls are ready to be picked up at Shirley's this afternoon. And the house will get cleaned today, well, presentable enough for guests tomorrow.
Before the real hubbub hits where I am actually doing the things on the to-do list, I want to list some things I am thankful for this year, in no particular order.
My mom. I love my 82-year-old mother. She has suffered some life setbacks the last three years but she is still here, still happy and still a joy to be around.
Riley. He is my best friend, my anchor, my favorite person to spend time with, my sweetheart and eternal date. He makes me laugh, holds me when I cry, makes life interesting and sees things in the world I don't see unless he points them out. He truly has a sense of wonder.
My children. I love being a mom. I love the memories I have of each of my children as they've made their way through life. They are remarkable people with gifts of intelligence, humor and love.
The gospel of Jesus Christ. The older I get the more I love the teachings of my Savior. I have a believing heart and know that even though we don't have all the answers here, we will someday and I will remain true and faithful so I can receive all the blessings that are in my personal little box on a shelf in heaven's closet.
My sister, or sissy. We have lots of memories during my lifetime. I'm glad I had an older sister to play with, borrow clothes from, laugh with and love. We've been through hard times and good times together, each making us stronger women. She is my friend.
My brothers. Although they live in different states, we talk or email several times a month. They check in to see if I am still sane. They offer support and listen to my occasional rants. Each holds a different place in my heart with different memories through my life. I love each of them.
My brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, my nieces and nephews and their kids. I love being an aunt and great aunt to so many cute kids! I love that some live nearby but that others stop through on their way to someplace else or that we keep in touch by social network or snail mail. My life is blessed by each of them.
My job. I love working at The Daily Universe at BYU. It's so fun to work with bright, young minds. It's wonderful to feel the spirit of each student as they decide what to do with their lives. I have more than 500 new friends from my years in the newsroom - some just brushed my life for a moment, others have become lifelong friends. And my co-workers are easy-going, helpful, humorous people who I enjoy being around. I'm blessed to have a job, or another home, to go to every day.
Food. I love food. I love it so much there's more of me to love these days. Sigh. I love the pecan pies that just came out of the oven and the pumpkin pies that are baking now. I love turkey and dressing. I love sweet pickles and rolls. I don't love vegetables but I like them and will eat them because I know they are good for me. I love bagels, strawberry jam, Hawaiian pizza, enchiladas, chocolate, licorice, ice cream, taco salad and omelets. I love eating out. I love when people feed me. I love potlucks. And most of all, I love eating good food with friends. Maybe that's why I love food so much - it's not really the food itself but the venue and company that goes along with it.
My home. We've lived in this home for more than 12 years now - the longest we've ever lived in any home. We've owned two homes during our marriage (not counting the mobile home which I loved too) and as soon as I walked into both of them, I knew they would be ours. I loved our Texas home on Bill Hughes Road where we lived from 1992-1999. This home in Provo, though, is probably where we'll spend the rest of our days. I love the airiness of the kitchen, living room and sunroom. I think it's an inviting place, a great house to host parties. Eleven years ago we hosted Thanksgiving the day after my dad's funeral. We had 36 people that year! And the kitchen opens up onto a patio where we've had birthdays, graduation parties, barbecues, scout and young women activities, neighborhood get-togethers and more. Riley and I enjoy our TV room with the 52" TV and dual recliners - some gifts we gave ourselves the past few years. I like our Tahitian-themed bedroom and my Wizard of Oz kitchen. Our walls are adorned with mementos of travels to Taiwan, Mongolia, Sweden, Denmark, Paris, Argentina, Australia and Tahiti. Whether there is a group of 36 or just me, I enjoy being in my house.
Memories - I am thankful for so many wonderful memories. I love my childhood - it was magical. I loved being a teen-ager and the friends I had in high school. Kelly and I played a few shenanigans back then and we still reminisce and laugh. I'm grateful for friends I made at college - we get together with a group from our days in the early '80s at USU twice a year. We lived in Provo from 1983-1988 and made wonderful friends in Rivergrove 3rd ward - another group I call once a year or so to have lunch and catch up with. Our years in California and Texas brought more friends into our lives, especially our 10 years in Texas. I have memories of meals shared, trips taken, traditions started, church events and our children growing up with good lifelong friends made in Texas, some at my old job at Purchase Power. Even the years here brought new faces and fun to my life - girl's camp, our neighborhood, having family nearby, having friends who are really more like family nearby, getting reacquainted with my great aunts and cousins and those I've worked with at Canyon Crest Elementary and BYU. My cup floweth over!
I could probably write many more paragraphs about other things I am thankful for - having an organized mind (could be a curse too ...); loving to make indelible, sometimes crazy memories; being able to make things happen (like the SHS band playing for my mom's 80th birthday); winning contests; my dad who I miss; warm jammies; Riley's amazing job and our opportunities to travel the world; being close to mountains and desert; knowing I'll be a grandma in 2012! So many blessings, so many things to be thankful for.
Now for that to-do list ...
Before the real hubbub hits where I am actually doing the things on the to-do list, I want to list some things I am thankful for this year, in no particular order.
My mom. I love my 82-year-old mother. She has suffered some life setbacks the last three years but she is still here, still happy and still a joy to be around.
Riley. He is my best friend, my anchor, my favorite person to spend time with, my sweetheart and eternal date. He makes me laugh, holds me when I cry, makes life interesting and sees things in the world I don't see unless he points them out. He truly has a sense of wonder.
My children. I love being a mom. I love the memories I have of each of my children as they've made their way through life. They are remarkable people with gifts of intelligence, humor and love.
The gospel of Jesus Christ. The older I get the more I love the teachings of my Savior. I have a believing heart and know that even though we don't have all the answers here, we will someday and I will remain true and faithful so I can receive all the blessings that are in my personal little box on a shelf in heaven's closet.
My sister, or sissy. We have lots of memories during my lifetime. I'm glad I had an older sister to play with, borrow clothes from, laugh with and love. We've been through hard times and good times together, each making us stronger women. She is my friend.
My brothers. Although they live in different states, we talk or email several times a month. They check in to see if I am still sane. They offer support and listen to my occasional rants. Each holds a different place in my heart with different memories through my life. I love each of them.
My brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, my nieces and nephews and their kids. I love being an aunt and great aunt to so many cute kids! I love that some live nearby but that others stop through on their way to someplace else or that we keep in touch by social network or snail mail. My life is blessed by each of them.
My job. I love working at The Daily Universe at BYU. It's so fun to work with bright, young minds. It's wonderful to feel the spirit of each student as they decide what to do with their lives. I have more than 500 new friends from my years in the newsroom - some just brushed my life for a moment, others have become lifelong friends. And my co-workers are easy-going, helpful, humorous people who I enjoy being around. I'm blessed to have a job, or another home, to go to every day.
Food. I love food. I love it so much there's more of me to love these days. Sigh. I love the pecan pies that just came out of the oven and the pumpkin pies that are baking now. I love turkey and dressing. I love sweet pickles and rolls. I don't love vegetables but I like them and will eat them because I know they are good for me. I love bagels, strawberry jam, Hawaiian pizza, enchiladas, chocolate, licorice, ice cream, taco salad and omelets. I love eating out. I love when people feed me. I love potlucks. And most of all, I love eating good food with friends. Maybe that's why I love food so much - it's not really the food itself but the venue and company that goes along with it.
My home. We've lived in this home for more than 12 years now - the longest we've ever lived in any home. We've owned two homes during our marriage (not counting the mobile home which I loved too) and as soon as I walked into both of them, I knew they would be ours. I loved our Texas home on Bill Hughes Road where we lived from 1992-1999. This home in Provo, though, is probably where we'll spend the rest of our days. I love the airiness of the kitchen, living room and sunroom. I think it's an inviting place, a great house to host parties. Eleven years ago we hosted Thanksgiving the day after my dad's funeral. We had 36 people that year! And the kitchen opens up onto a patio where we've had birthdays, graduation parties, barbecues, scout and young women activities, neighborhood get-togethers and more. Riley and I enjoy our TV room with the 52" TV and dual recliners - some gifts we gave ourselves the past few years. I like our Tahitian-themed bedroom and my Wizard of Oz kitchen. Our walls are adorned with mementos of travels to Taiwan, Mongolia, Sweden, Denmark, Paris, Argentina, Australia and Tahiti. Whether there is a group of 36 or just me, I enjoy being in my house.
Memories - I am thankful for so many wonderful memories. I love my childhood - it was magical. I loved being a teen-ager and the friends I had in high school. Kelly and I played a few shenanigans back then and we still reminisce and laugh. I'm grateful for friends I made at college - we get together with a group from our days in the early '80s at USU twice a year. We lived in Provo from 1983-1988 and made wonderful friends in Rivergrove 3rd ward - another group I call once a year or so to have lunch and catch up with. Our years in California and Texas brought more friends into our lives, especially our 10 years in Texas. I have memories of meals shared, trips taken, traditions started, church events and our children growing up with good lifelong friends made in Texas, some at my old job at Purchase Power. Even the years here brought new faces and fun to my life - girl's camp, our neighborhood, having family nearby, having friends who are really more like family nearby, getting reacquainted with my great aunts and cousins and those I've worked with at Canyon Crest Elementary and BYU. My cup floweth over!
I could probably write many more paragraphs about other things I am thankful for - having an organized mind (could be a curse too ...); loving to make indelible, sometimes crazy memories; being able to make things happen (like the SHS band playing for my mom's 80th birthday); winning contests; my dad who I miss; warm jammies; Riley's amazing job and our opportunities to travel the world; being close to mountains and desert; knowing I'll be a grandma in 2012! So many blessings, so many things to be thankful for.
Now for that to-do list ...
Friday, November 4, 2011
A prophet in person
I don't go to the BYU devotionals very often. I usually watch them in the newsroom on a big screen TV. Riley goes every week (unless it is some dance thing) and sits in the same area. He saved me a seat this past Tuesday so I could be in the same room with our prophet, Thomas S. Monson. While I was still quite a ways away from him, I could feel his spirit. I could feel the Spirit. In a room that large with probably 20,000 people, I could still feel the Spirit. It was uplifting.
President Monson is a jovial man. He tells stories. He must have hundreds of stories, some of which we've heard several times. Tuesday he told three stories I've never heard before. One was of a man who went to Oxford to continue his education. He decided he wanted to read the Book of Mormon again to know for sure it was true. He had read it seven times before, all at the request of someone else - seminary teacher, mission president, etc. This time it was his decision. His schedule was busy but he decided to devote an hour from 11 p.m. to midnight every day to reading the Book of Mormon. He lived in a drafty, cold building built in the 1400s and had just a small space heater in his room. He would kneel in prayer before reading and after, to ask about the truthfulness of the book. He said as he neared the end of 2nd Nephi, he got the most encompassing, warm feeling in his room. He was overcome with a realization the book was true. He received an answer to his prayers.
Another story told of a Catholic woman who used to be a Morman basher. She wrote President Monson to make him aware of two wonderful LDS men who cared for her sister as she lost her husband. The neighbors of this sister brought in meals and the men cared for the man who was dying. She was amazed at the love and care these men gave her sister's husband and commended our church.
The third story was about a young missionary serving in Canada. He grew ill and had to have surgery. He was placed in a hospital ward with six beds, one man to each bed. As he laid in his bed he taught the other five men about the gospel. On surgery day, the young missionary was taken away. A hospital worker brought breakfast in to the remaining five men. One by one they said they weren't eating that day or they weren't hungry. The woman stood before them, hands on hips, and asked what was going on. The men responded they had been taught by the young man about prayer and fasting and were fasting for him as he had surgery. The young man survived the operation.
I love our prophet. I love his gentle ways, his faith promoting stories and his love for all people, not just Latter-day Saints. He leads the Church on earth and receives guidance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us all be better people, to be more Christ-like, to be good stewards of this earth and most importantly, to return to our Father.
Being in the same room with a modern day prophet helped my testimony grow. I'm glad I made the effort to actually be in the building that day.
President Monson is a jovial man. He tells stories. He must have hundreds of stories, some of which we've heard several times. Tuesday he told three stories I've never heard before. One was of a man who went to Oxford to continue his education. He decided he wanted to read the Book of Mormon again to know for sure it was true. He had read it seven times before, all at the request of someone else - seminary teacher, mission president, etc. This time it was his decision. His schedule was busy but he decided to devote an hour from 11 p.m. to midnight every day to reading the Book of Mormon. He lived in a drafty, cold building built in the 1400s and had just a small space heater in his room. He would kneel in prayer before reading and after, to ask about the truthfulness of the book. He said as he neared the end of 2nd Nephi, he got the most encompassing, warm feeling in his room. He was overcome with a realization the book was true. He received an answer to his prayers.
Another story told of a Catholic woman who used to be a Morman basher. She wrote President Monson to make him aware of two wonderful LDS men who cared for her sister as she lost her husband. The neighbors of this sister brought in meals and the men cared for the man who was dying. She was amazed at the love and care these men gave her sister's husband and commended our church.
The third story was about a young missionary serving in Canada. He grew ill and had to have surgery. He was placed in a hospital ward with six beds, one man to each bed. As he laid in his bed he taught the other five men about the gospel. On surgery day, the young missionary was taken away. A hospital worker brought breakfast in to the remaining five men. One by one they said they weren't eating that day or they weren't hungry. The woman stood before them, hands on hips, and asked what was going on. The men responded they had been taught by the young man about prayer and fasting and were fasting for him as he had surgery. The young man survived the operation.
I love our prophet. I love his gentle ways, his faith promoting stories and his love for all people, not just Latter-day Saints. He leads the Church on earth and receives guidance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to help us all be better people, to be more Christ-like, to be good stewards of this earth and most importantly, to return to our Father.
Being in the same room with a modern day prophet helped my testimony grow. I'm glad I made the effort to actually be in the building that day.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Wheeler Family Reunion 2011
The 17th Wheeler Family Reunion
July 29 - 31, 2011
Wheeler cabin, sawmill, ranch, Pinon Cove, Grandpa’s place
Greeted by a “BELL OUT OF ORDER, PLEASE KNOCK” sign and the ugly remains of a witch who got squashed by the cabin, all the Young in Heart came together for the latest Wheeler Family Reunion.
The weekend began with dinner from Kaye and the flying monkeys: ham from Uncle Henry’s pigs, corn on the cob from the Scarecrow’s cornfield (he never could keep the crows away), Tinman Hearts of Romaine salad with Poppyseed dressing, twisted taters, green melted witch punch and for dessert - crullers - “here, can’t work on an empty stomach, have some crullers” - Aunt Em.
We gathered Friday night, visited, hugged and played games - Chinese checkers and nertz, of course. That evening we got a visit from Josh Wheeler and bride-to-be Kensie Brown who stopped on their way to Washington. It was a quick visit but at least we all got to give our nod of approval (which Josh needed, of course) to his choice of companion. We also had to warn Kensie of the craziness she was marrying in to, but it was too late - she was already clued in. Big time.
Saturday morning Paul and the beautiful people of Emerald City created Emerald’s Diner for breakfast - cubes of lovely green jeweled melon, scrambled monkey brains, Toto doggie treat sausages, the most delicious poppy field yummy bread ever and liquid courage. It started off a memorable day.
The Astlings arrived and many wanted to hear Lisa’s story of her harrowing four-wheeler accident a few weeks before. As Lisa told the details of her accident and the many amazing miracles that came into play for her rescue, tears flowed and a huge group hug entailed. We are happy she wasn’t hurt worse than she was and that the little girls Jara and Tessa, weren’t hurt much at all. And we’re glad Jed has superhuman strength and came to her rescue!
Then it was off for Oz-related games and fun!
Kathy and Paul mixed up the group in an “Over the Rainbow” color game where the color blue was yelled out a lot so the Mead girls could chase Devin and the Astling boys.
Kaye had an Oz competition where teams had to build a scarecrow, throw Over the Rainbow colored balls into tubs, put an Oz puzzle together, and dress a good witch (Sabryna) and a bad witch (Julia) and carry them to their thrones. The winners got Smarties for having the brains of the Scarecrow and the runners-up received Sour patch candies for having the courage of the Lion.
Grandma provided midday snacks of ‘Dorothy’s red chews’ (licorice), monkey eyeballs (grapes), a yellow brick road (cheese and crackers) with haunted forest greenery (broccoli and peas), and yellow brick road mix (trail mix).
Grandma’s Over the Rainbow fishing pond was a hit several times with kids and adults fishing for fluffy purses, eyeball glasses, whirly bird sky toys, punch balls and more.
During the weekend we had Steph and Dell’s puppies at the cabin, lizards galore and even a rattlesnake Riley caught and showed to the interested yet cautious masses. Puppies, lizards and rattlesnakes, OH MY!
Since several birthdays were taking place during the reunion a lovely hot air balloon cake was made and presented to DJ and Julia, complete with the birthday song and a BIG surprise - a silly string salute to celebrate birthdays but also to initiate Ju into the family. Bwa ha ha.
DJ was also begging to get a little bit wet so Jan obliged. It didn’t start the humongous water fight of years past, thank goodness, just got DJ a bit soggy.
There was an Oz coloring contest where participants could choose to color Dorothy, her sidekicks or the Wicked Witch of the West. As usual there were strange entries (the lion with nun chucks) but in the end Emma’s picture of the Tinman finally finding true love beat out all the rest. She received a large Lollipop Kid giant lollipop.
Brandy gave grandma a lovely pedicure and Ju had fun painting glittery pictures on anyone who wanted one.
Riley, Jason and Dell worked to fix the front porch rock which was teetering a bit and Riley and Mark fixed two beds upstairs that only people grandpa Poulson's height could use because of the foot boards. Now the beds are higher and tall folks can sleep in them!
A few gunslingers headed over to the woodshed to show off some shooting skills. They all did so well everyone returned.
During the afternoon groups of family members gathered in areas around the cabin and yard to color, catch up, share stories, watch twins Chase and Chloe roll around, throw colored balls, run through the sprinklers and enjoy each other’s company. While there’s tons of fun at a Wheeler Family Reunion it’s these precious moments where we get to reconnect that are most treasured.
Brett and the Winkie guards fixed a delicious meal for dinner. If we had known exactly what we were eating we might have stolen Emma’s sucker. We had lion balls with witch’s hair (spaghetti and meatballs), scarecrow salad, Winkie soldier sweat, yellow bricks, Munchkin turds (really quite tasty), Flying Monkey dandruff (I think it was Brett’s actually), and Tinman oil.
The Wheeler Reunion skits were memorable for the strange twists each group gave to how the Wizard of Oz might have turned out if the Wheeler family had skewed the original script. With light showers and darkness looming outside the skits were held in the dining area after a bit of furniture relocation.
Kaye and the flying monkeys produced a rap worthy of signing to Atlantic records with a 30-line synchronized, hip-hop version of the whole movie. The flying monkeys were almost as frightening as the real ones but a little bored with the whole thing, wanting, in the end, dinner, a new shirt and to just go play nertz.
The Paul Wheeler family’s version had an evil Tinman trying to chop Dorothy in half at the sawmill because he was jealous she would miss Scarecrow more than him and he should have asked for social etiquette instead of a heart which made him feel jealousy and rage! Dorothy, luckily, was able to get back home before she lost her head.
The Brett Wheeler bunch had a group therapy session where Auntie Em tried to get to the bottom of each person’s character flaws. There was a bare-chested Tinman hitting on Glinda, a large rear-ended Wicked Witch, a Wizard with a lantern growth, a funky scarecrow, a bored Dorothy and more.
The Gray/Mead families provided an entertaining fashion show with Mr. Jorge (Hor-hay) describing each lovely Wizard of Oz fashion piece including a dramatic lion, a Wal-Mart greeter Glinda, an errant goose, a teen Dorothy and other Oz characters taking the runway to strut their lovely Oz fashions.
Between acts a few Wizard of Odds troupe members provided entertainment.
Marc and Ju performed an interpretive dance number to Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Marc and DJ leg wrestled. I’m pretty sure DJ’s strength had melted earlier in the day when Jan got him wet so Marc was declared the winner.
The grand finale was, of course, grandma Wheeler and her moral to the story. Dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West grandma introduced us to several animals who helped Dorothy find her way home to her auntie Em - first, a repeating toucan who hollered “Auntie Em, Auntie Em,” a flying monkey who wanted to screech rather than fly and finally a not-so-cowaradly lion who Aweem-o-wayed his way into our hearts. These friends helped Dorothy find her way home. The moral to grandma’s story was that her home is always open to all her family. To help drive that point home she sang a beautiful song called “Always” which, thanks to Marc and Brett, can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTkSRw72ROk
I'll be loving you, oh always
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand Always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when I'll be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
With a love that's true always.
When the things you've planned
Need a helping hand,
I will understand Always.
Always.
Days may not be fair always,
That's when I'll be there always.
Not for just an hour,
Not for just a day,
Not for just a year,
But always.
No matter where we roam, grandma will love us, always.
The last activity of the night, before a final game of nertz, was an Oz trivia family feud contest, provided by the Mead/Gray families. Wheeler family members were pitted against each other in a duel of Oz wits. A sample question was “How did they make the horse change colors?” Only true Oz aficionados know the answer to that one! And of course, Kaye won.
Breakfast Sunday was by Jan and the munchkins: We had a yellow brick road made of Twinkies, Wicked Witch of the East eyeballs, heart of the Tinman, Courageous Lion pieces, straw chunks from the Scarecrow, Home Sweet Home juice and Witch’s earwax. Or Brett’s - couldn’t tell.
Those who stayed to the very end got to beat the crap out of Toto. Or a piñata that looked a lot like Toto. That was the final event before we all packed up into our individual hot air balloons and broomsticks and flew back over the Oz landscape to everywhere west, south and north of Kansas because as we all know, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
Before flying off everyone pitched in to help clean the cabin from top to bottom which was very appreciated. Many hands make light work!
A roster of family members who were at the reunion for either a short time or from beginning to end: Brett, Gayle, Emma, DJ, Anissa, Ethan, Addison, Austin, Marc, Julia and Josh Wheeler and Kensie Brown; Paul and Kathy Wheeler, Mark, Lisa, Spencer, DJ and James Astling; Loni, Devin, Tessa, Chase and Chloe Watson; Jan and McKade Gray, Teighlor Hart, Dell, Stephnie, Sabryna, Mychigan, Daisy, Ryver and Sawyer Mead; Riley, Kaye, Jason and Brandy Nelson and grandma Sherry Wheeler.
The next Wheeler Family Reunion will most likely be July 26-28, 2013. Who will be in charge? We’ll have to look into the witch’s crystal ball to see … better be ready … it might be YOU!
See my facebook page for many more reunion pictures!!
See my facebook page for many more reunion pictures!!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
GRANDMA/GRANDPA!!!
I've waited a week to let the news settle in. We're going to be grandparents! I could say, "it's about time," or "finally" but I really just want to say "HOORAY!" Parenthood shouldn't be rushed, so I guess grandparenthood shouldn't either. It should come when everyone's ready - especially little person who is learning on the other side, getting ready for his/her grand entrance which will probably be late April/early May.
Jason and Brandy have said their little person will be named Pork Ramen or Gorthag. I will love PR or G. They will ride in grandpa's wheelbarrow in the backyard. They will help me make cookies and we'll eat them in the swing on the patio. They will walk outside with grandpa and find bugs, rocks and sticks. They will stomp on eggshells in the compost. We'll read books and snuggle and he/she will love the Wizard of Oz, hot fudge sundaes, ebilskivers, the cats, the turtles, Betty Morgan's yummy brownies, Sharks and Alligators and Here Comes the Oxcart.
Time to stockpile diapers, teeny clothes, patience and love. We're ready for something new and exciting!
Jason and Brandy have said their little person will be named Pork Ramen or Gorthag. I will love PR or G. They will ride in grandpa's wheelbarrow in the backyard. They will help me make cookies and we'll eat them in the swing on the patio. They will walk outside with grandpa and find bugs, rocks and sticks. They will stomp on eggshells in the compost. We'll read books and snuggle and he/she will love the Wizard of Oz, hot fudge sundaes, ebilskivers, the cats, the turtles, Betty Morgan's yummy brownies, Sharks and Alligators and Here Comes the Oxcart.
Time to stockpile diapers, teeny clothes, patience and love. We're ready for something new and exciting!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Skippers
The Skippers of the '80s: We used to go for the all-you-can-eat because we were poor; one of our kids spilling their root beer (can't remember which one); taking Winston and Aileen. I think she spilled her root beer once too. Meeting my mom and dad for birthdays; my dad eating all the fish he could eat because it was "healthy." Funny thing - he fished but would never eat what he caught, but he'd pig out at Skippers. Skippers was on State Street in Provo across from DI. The Skippers now: on state street in Orem, still all-you-can-eat but we don't because ... hmmm, maybe we aren't so poor and don't need to cram it all in? Great chowder, great fish, so-so fries. We skip the root beer and have water. We ate there for our 25th wedding anniversary. We are big spenders.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Visiting the UK
Alert: This is long! And I'll add pictures later!
Riley and I returned last night from another trip of a lifetime - this time to England and Wales. I love to travel and see new things - I can now look at a map of England and Wales and know that it is about two hours to get from Wales to London, that the Thames River in London has lots of cool sites along it, that there are wonderful sites filled with history and I know where Stonehenge is, what it looks like and that thousands of people pour into that area every day. It's not a solitary experience.
We started in London on August 13th, arriving in the morning. It took three hours to get to the London Centre where John and Karla Bennion are conducting the BYU fall study abroad group starting next week. John suggested we rest for an hour, then stay awake until evening. We did this and headed out walking through Kensington Gardens, eating sandwiches for lunch, finding Magnum Bars (ice cream - way yummy) and ending up at Big Ben near the Thames. We spent several hours wandering, seeing the theater district, 10 Downing Street, Parliament and other London sites. We had a nice dinner made at home that night and hit the sack.
Our friends Tamela and Tiffany Blake arrived from Provo in the middle of the night with no luggage. Tamela spent the morning on the phone with the airlines while Tiffany went with us to the Victoria and Albert museum. We spent time there then met up with Tamela at church. She had received their luggage and had a skirt for Tiffany to change into. Church was interesting. They talked a lot about the riots which had recently occurred. They were puzzled and astounded such things could happen in their neighborhoods, with crimes committed by youth, mothers and businessmen, so they say. It disturbed their normal lives. After church we met up with John, Karla and son Chris Bennion and more friends from our ward Annie and Alex Grow. We all went to a pub for some good English food. The food wasn't so great but it was really fun to be with such a great group of people! We had fun visiting, then found Magnum bars again, then went to the Centre to talk for several more hours. The Grows live in Cambridge for now, both at school.
They left us and we all headed back to the Centre. We all slept easily and were ready the next morning, Monday, for many adventures. Tamela, Tiffany, Riley and I met up with Susan, Sophie and Cameron Christensen, friends of the Blakes who live in a Sherwood Hills ward near us. Their son Ross is one of Riley's TAs. We all bought London Passes which gave us entrance into many sites we saw over the next few days. With this group we visited The Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Kew Gardens (with John too), took a Thames River cruise and saw many other places Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We went to a play at the Globe on Monday night with the Blakes and Bennions - the Mysteries which detailed Bible stories. It was well-done and interesting. We all ate dinner at Wagamama's before the play. Tuesday night Riley and I ventured out alone to eat dinner and see Les Mis at the Queen's Theatre. I thought it was fabulous. Riley liked the Globe play better. One day Riley went to the Natural History Museum while the rest went to Kensington Palace for a tour.
Wednesday night we took the Bennions to dinner at an Indian restaurant to say thank you for hosting us. John and Karla are so knowledgeable about London - I had lost my Rick Steves tour book on the plane coming in but they were even better with all their ideas of what to see and do. In fact, because Tamela organized each day's activities, I was less stressed and enjoyed things more. I'll have to take her along on future trips!
Thursday Riley and I played adventurers. We took the tube (subway) to a car rental and picked up our car - they upgraded us to a Volvo with a GPS and a sunroof. It was a bigger car than Riley wanted, especially for parking, but we got along OK after our initial nervousness (and me nearly having a heart attack) about driving on the other side of the road! He was in the right side of the car, shifting with his left hand, driving on the left side. The driving part of the trip was not relaxing - I was navigating with a map book, the GPS and road signs. Riley was trying not to get us killed and make the right exit out of roundabouts. The first day was a little hairy, we yelled at each other a few times, laughed about it later, and made it over very narrow roads to Charles Darwin's house where we spent five hours touring the house and grounds. Riley loved this place especially as he holds Darwin in great esteem. We continued on, going the wrong way for a while then turning around, to the London Temple. We got checked in and left to find food which ended up being our favorite meal of the trip. We ate at the Red Barn - Riley had a lamb steak and I had mushroom stuffed chicken - it was a delicious, relaxing meal after harried driving.
Friday morning we did the 9 a.m. temple session - they only have one every hour. Since we were only one of two couples in the session we were asked to be the witness couple which we have not been since Taiwan. It was wonderful to be in the temple - very comforting and quiet. And it was fun to hear British English - I love the accent. After the session we spent time in the celestial room, pondering and giving thanks for so many things. I feel very blessed to have the life I have and Riley as my eternal companion. I'm not sure I deserve all I have but I am grateful.
We walked the temple grounds for an hour taking pictures, Riley catching robber flies, enjoying the calm. We decided to eat lunch in the temple cafeteria then left for our next adventure. Getting in the car each time I had to take a minute to get the maps and book ready, think about where we were heading, then give Riley directions. We headed south to Portsmouth, not stopping anywhere because you never really know how long it would take to get from one place to another. So we made it into Portsmouth about 3:30 p.m. I tried to follow the map instructions but couldn't tell where our hotel was so we just drove along the edge of the ocean. The road ended in a roadblock near a burned down building and the last building before the road block was our hotel - a miracle, really! We parked in the car park behind the hotel, got checked in and left to explore.
We walked across to the ocean and sat on the quarter sized rocks, not sand, for a bit before heading to the pier to walk and see things there. I took pictures of people fishing and some mackerel a man caught. We walked back in from the pier and looked at the burned building. There was a sign about the police thinking it was arson, asking for the public's help. I asked an older woman with a walker what had happened. She and her husband live nearby and she told of the building burning a few weeks earlier. We ended up walking and talking with Gordon and Millie Hodgson for about 40 minutes down the boardwalk. It was fun to listen to their British accents and they told stories of their lives and living in Portsmouth. We took a picture together and parted ways. I think part of the fun of going somewhere is meeting new people, even if they only touch for lives for a short time. I will remember these two fondly as a good memory of Portsmouth, England. We bought groceries and found a Turkish diner to have a lamp doner. We spoke with Rez, the store owner, who told us about escaping Iran in the '80s. He said he had Mormon friends (because that came up after we said we were from Utah) in Utah and he might go visit sometime. I took a picture of him and Riley.
We watched the sunset from our hotel room that night while talking to Amy on video chat. She had been sick and in the hospital in Cambodia. I was glad she got the help she needed but got a little emotional thinking I was so far away from her and unable to help. I was glad I was prompted to put her name on the temple prayer roll that morning!
Saturday we tried to get out quickly because we had a big day ahead of us. We ate a free breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I liked our Best Western Royal Beach hotel because it provided free parking, free breakfast and free Internet. (I don't like Marriott because they don't.) We got out of town all right and were a little more comfortable navigating and driving to Salisbury where we saw the tallest cathedral in Europe and one of the original Magna Cartas. It was beautiful. The cathedral was beautiful and we liked walking the streets of Salisbury. We left and went next to Old Sarum, a 5,000 year old castle site. It was pouring outside so we stayed in the car to eat bread, cheese and apples for lunch. Then, each with an umbrella, we walked to Old Sarum and toured the site. One interesting part was the intact toilet for the king - only he could use it. It was a big walled-in pit that, when the king left the castle, had to be cleaned out by someone lowered into it. Yuck. England does a great job maintaining historical sites. And they have a Heritage Pass you can buy to allow you entrance. It saves money if you visit more than a couple of sites and we did. The Darwin house, Old Sarum and Stonehenge were the three we visited on the pass although there were many others we could have.
We drove from there to Stonehenge but got in a big traffic jam that lost us an hour of time. We thought it was cars getting to Stonehenge but it was traffic on another road. We toured this site for a couple of hours, listening to the audio tour, walking the perimeter again without it, taking pictures and talking. There were thousands of other people there - a site in the middle of farmland with sheep in adjoining fields. It's nice to see lots of people are interested in history. And Stonehenge is amazing and baffling. How did the people 5,000 years ago get those huge, heavy stones in place? No one knows for sure. We also visited Woodhenge and Avebury Stones, sites similar to Stonehenge. There were less people at these sites and we liked that.
We decided to skip the town of Bath and get to Bristol for the night since it was getting late. In Bristol we got lost on a dead-end street, got back to one Marriott to get directions to our Marriott. The streets in these port towns are crazy and hard to figure out. The young man at the first Marriott told us to "turn left past the Fangdons" which is what Riley wrote down. They were actually fountains which were about two feet high so you couldn't see them. But we found our hotel, got checked in and went walking. We decided to head to the water and because it was Saturday night, the area was brimming with partying people. I took pictures of a rainbow in the sunset and a group of men who were dressed like leprechauns at the other end of the rainbow. Where was the pot of gold? We found it in an Italian restaurant where we ate delicious pizza and spaghetti with shrimp. It was a nice meal and we sat window front with a view of the restaurant and street.
I didn't get on the Internet that night because it cost a fortune. Plus it cost $25 to park there and there was no free breakfast. I don't like Marriott - they don't treat their customers as well as other places. But the room was nice and we slept easily because we were getting worn out with all the travel.
Sunday we left Bristol and drove on the motorway (freeway) to Wales. We paid a toll going in and Riley asked if the toll person could make change for us coming out. She said, "you only need to pay going in, love, not coming out." I love how polite people are. Wales ended up being one of our favorite places of the whole trip. The drive up the Wye River Valley was green and beautiful. We stopped in Tinturn to see the Tinturn Abbey, a dilapidated cathedral that is a historical site. It was cool, calm and less peopled than the previous day. We looked in the gift shop and decided not to tour the inside of the abbey but took pictures of the outside.
We left Tinturn and continued up the valley road to Monmouth where we turned around to go back down the road. The whole drive was on a narrow road, as usual, with many roundabouts, as usual, but we were more confident in driving now. You still couldn't let your guard down or do without the map book but we were less nervous. We stopped at two places on that drive - one was for a walk through the forest to the Eagle's Nest, a climb that took us to an overlook of the valley, the Severn and into England. It was magnificent. We loved the quiet, cool walk that morning, a Sunday morning - perfect for the day. We only passed a few other people on our walk. We also stopped at a swap meet in Chepstow where we ate chips, a pork roll sandwich, Welsh cakes and doughnuts. Then it was back across the bridge out of Wales. We continued on the Motorway, me taking pictures of odd road signs, to the turnoff for Bath and spent an hour or so walking the streets of Bath, seeing the Circus and Crescent and pump house. It reminded us of Jackson Hole or Park City - tourists and locals leisurely enjoying the sunny day. Our favorite spot was on the river looking at the Pulteney Bridge on the Avon River - very nice. We continued on the motorway all the way back to our hotel near the airport in Hounslow, near London. We were tired. We walked to a pub - the Three Magpies. We had pretty good food, not the best of the trip, but good enough. We slept easily again - really worn out.
Monday we had time to re-pack everything for the flight home. We ate the last of our clementines and apples and bread. We took some last pictures near our car then returned our car to the rental place. I was amazed we had made it without any problems to the car. A shuttle took us to the airport and we spent several hours going through security, spending our last pounds, eating and waiting. The flight home was nice - I tried to stay awake so I could sleep Monday night. Coming into Atlanta the ride got bumpy and I got queasy but was ok. We had to hurry from that flight, through passport check and customs with our luggage to re-check the luggage and make our next flight. They were already boarding when we got to the next gate. We flew from Atlanta to Salt Lake without any problems and made it safely home in our truck driving on the right side of the road.
What a trip! I love thinking of where we went, who we played with, new friends we met, food we ate, the sites we saw and the feelings I had at various times. I love to travel to capture these new memories but I also love returning home to the familiar routine I have here. It was good to see our cats and the house was in good shape, thanks to Duncan McKay. And I can now drive comfortably and breathe at the same time.
Riley and I returned last night from another trip of a lifetime - this time to England and Wales. I love to travel and see new things - I can now look at a map of England and Wales and know that it is about two hours to get from Wales to London, that the Thames River in London has lots of cool sites along it, that there are wonderful sites filled with history and I know where Stonehenge is, what it looks like and that thousands of people pour into that area every day. It's not a solitary experience.
We started in London on August 13th, arriving in the morning. It took three hours to get to the London Centre where John and Karla Bennion are conducting the BYU fall study abroad group starting next week. John suggested we rest for an hour, then stay awake until evening. We did this and headed out walking through Kensington Gardens, eating sandwiches for lunch, finding Magnum Bars (ice cream - way yummy) and ending up at Big Ben near the Thames. We spent several hours wandering, seeing the theater district, 10 Downing Street, Parliament and other London sites. We had a nice dinner made at home that night and hit the sack.
Our friends Tamela and Tiffany Blake arrived from Provo in the middle of the night with no luggage. Tamela spent the morning on the phone with the airlines while Tiffany went with us to the Victoria and Albert museum. We spent time there then met up with Tamela at church. She had received their luggage and had a skirt for Tiffany to change into. Church was interesting. They talked a lot about the riots which had recently occurred. They were puzzled and astounded such things could happen in their neighborhoods, with crimes committed by youth, mothers and businessmen, so they say. It disturbed their normal lives. After church we met up with John, Karla and son Chris Bennion and more friends from our ward Annie and Alex Grow. We all went to a pub for some good English food. The food wasn't so great but it was really fun to be with such a great group of people! We had fun visiting, then found Magnum bars again, then went to the Centre to talk for several more hours. The Grows live in Cambridge for now, both at school.
They left us and we all headed back to the Centre. We all slept easily and were ready the next morning, Monday, for many adventures. Tamela, Tiffany, Riley and I met up with Susan, Sophie and Cameron Christensen, friends of the Blakes who live in a Sherwood Hills ward near us. Their son Ross is one of Riley's TAs. We all bought London Passes which gave us entrance into many sites we saw over the next few days. With this group we visited The Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Kew Gardens (with John too), took a Thames River cruise and saw many other places Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. We went to a play at the Globe on Monday night with the Blakes and Bennions - the Mysteries which detailed Bible stories. It was well-done and interesting. We all ate dinner at Wagamama's before the play. Tuesday night Riley and I ventured out alone to eat dinner and see Les Mis at the Queen's Theatre. I thought it was fabulous. Riley liked the Globe play better. One day Riley went to the Natural History Museum while the rest went to Kensington Palace for a tour.
Wednesday night we took the Bennions to dinner at an Indian restaurant to say thank you for hosting us. John and Karla are so knowledgeable about London - I had lost my Rick Steves tour book on the plane coming in but they were even better with all their ideas of what to see and do. In fact, because Tamela organized each day's activities, I was less stressed and enjoyed things more. I'll have to take her along on future trips!
Thursday Riley and I played adventurers. We took the tube (subway) to a car rental and picked up our car - they upgraded us to a Volvo with a GPS and a sunroof. It was a bigger car than Riley wanted, especially for parking, but we got along OK after our initial nervousness (and me nearly having a heart attack) about driving on the other side of the road! He was in the right side of the car, shifting with his left hand, driving on the left side. The driving part of the trip was not relaxing - I was navigating with a map book, the GPS and road signs. Riley was trying not to get us killed and make the right exit out of roundabouts. The first day was a little hairy, we yelled at each other a few times, laughed about it later, and made it over very narrow roads to Charles Darwin's house where we spent five hours touring the house and grounds. Riley loved this place especially as he holds Darwin in great esteem. We continued on, going the wrong way for a while then turning around, to the London Temple. We got checked in and left to find food which ended up being our favorite meal of the trip. We ate at the Red Barn - Riley had a lamb steak and I had mushroom stuffed chicken - it was a delicious, relaxing meal after harried driving.
Friday morning we did the 9 a.m. temple session - they only have one every hour. Since we were only one of two couples in the session we were asked to be the witness couple which we have not been since Taiwan. It was wonderful to be in the temple - very comforting and quiet. And it was fun to hear British English - I love the accent. After the session we spent time in the celestial room, pondering and giving thanks for so many things. I feel very blessed to have the life I have and Riley as my eternal companion. I'm not sure I deserve all I have but I am grateful.
We walked the temple grounds for an hour taking pictures, Riley catching robber flies, enjoying the calm. We decided to eat lunch in the temple cafeteria then left for our next adventure. Getting in the car each time I had to take a minute to get the maps and book ready, think about where we were heading, then give Riley directions. We headed south to Portsmouth, not stopping anywhere because you never really know how long it would take to get from one place to another. So we made it into Portsmouth about 3:30 p.m. I tried to follow the map instructions but couldn't tell where our hotel was so we just drove along the edge of the ocean. The road ended in a roadblock near a burned down building and the last building before the road block was our hotel - a miracle, really! We parked in the car park behind the hotel, got checked in and left to explore.
We walked across to the ocean and sat on the quarter sized rocks, not sand, for a bit before heading to the pier to walk and see things there. I took pictures of people fishing and some mackerel a man caught. We walked back in from the pier and looked at the burned building. There was a sign about the police thinking it was arson, asking for the public's help. I asked an older woman with a walker what had happened. She and her husband live nearby and she told of the building burning a few weeks earlier. We ended up walking and talking with Gordon and Millie Hodgson for about 40 minutes down the boardwalk. It was fun to listen to their British accents and they told stories of their lives and living in Portsmouth. We took a picture together and parted ways. I think part of the fun of going somewhere is meeting new people, even if they only touch for lives for a short time. I will remember these two fondly as a good memory of Portsmouth, England. We bought groceries and found a Turkish diner to have a lamp doner. We spoke with Rez, the store owner, who told us about escaping Iran in the '80s. He said he had Mormon friends (because that came up after we said we were from Utah) in Utah and he might go visit sometime. I took a picture of him and Riley.
We watched the sunset from our hotel room that night while talking to Amy on video chat. She had been sick and in the hospital in Cambodia. I was glad she got the help she needed but got a little emotional thinking I was so far away from her and unable to help. I was glad I was prompted to put her name on the temple prayer roll that morning!
Saturday we tried to get out quickly because we had a big day ahead of us. We ate a free breakfast in the hotel restaurant. I liked our Best Western Royal Beach hotel because it provided free parking, free breakfast and free Internet. (I don't like Marriott because they don't.) We got out of town all right and were a little more comfortable navigating and driving to Salisbury where we saw the tallest cathedral in Europe and one of the original Magna Cartas. It was beautiful. The cathedral was beautiful and we liked walking the streets of Salisbury. We left and went next to Old Sarum, a 5,000 year old castle site. It was pouring outside so we stayed in the car to eat bread, cheese and apples for lunch. Then, each with an umbrella, we walked to Old Sarum and toured the site. One interesting part was the intact toilet for the king - only he could use it. It was a big walled-in pit that, when the king left the castle, had to be cleaned out by someone lowered into it. Yuck. England does a great job maintaining historical sites. And they have a Heritage Pass you can buy to allow you entrance. It saves money if you visit more than a couple of sites and we did. The Darwin house, Old Sarum and Stonehenge were the three we visited on the pass although there were many others we could have.
We drove from there to Stonehenge but got in a big traffic jam that lost us an hour of time. We thought it was cars getting to Stonehenge but it was traffic on another road. We toured this site for a couple of hours, listening to the audio tour, walking the perimeter again without it, taking pictures and talking. There were thousands of other people there - a site in the middle of farmland with sheep in adjoining fields. It's nice to see lots of people are interested in history. And Stonehenge is amazing and baffling. How did the people 5,000 years ago get those huge, heavy stones in place? No one knows for sure. We also visited Woodhenge and Avebury Stones, sites similar to Stonehenge. There were less people at these sites and we liked that.
We decided to skip the town of Bath and get to Bristol for the night since it was getting late. In Bristol we got lost on a dead-end street, got back to one Marriott to get directions to our Marriott. The streets in these port towns are crazy and hard to figure out. The young man at the first Marriott told us to "turn left past the Fangdons" which is what Riley wrote down. They were actually fountains which were about two feet high so you couldn't see them. But we found our hotel, got checked in and went walking. We decided to head to the water and because it was Saturday night, the area was brimming with partying people. I took pictures of a rainbow in the sunset and a group of men who were dressed like leprechauns at the other end of the rainbow. Where was the pot of gold? We found it in an Italian restaurant where we ate delicious pizza and spaghetti with shrimp. It was a nice meal and we sat window front with a view of the restaurant and street.
I didn't get on the Internet that night because it cost a fortune. Plus it cost $25 to park there and there was no free breakfast. I don't like Marriott - they don't treat their customers as well as other places. But the room was nice and we slept easily because we were getting worn out with all the travel.
Sunday we left Bristol and drove on the motorway (freeway) to Wales. We paid a toll going in and Riley asked if the toll person could make change for us coming out. She said, "you only need to pay going in, love, not coming out." I love how polite people are. Wales ended up being one of our favorite places of the whole trip. The drive up the Wye River Valley was green and beautiful. We stopped in Tinturn to see the Tinturn Abbey, a dilapidated cathedral that is a historical site. It was cool, calm and less peopled than the previous day. We looked in the gift shop and decided not to tour the inside of the abbey but took pictures of the outside.
We left Tinturn and continued up the valley road to Monmouth where we turned around to go back down the road. The whole drive was on a narrow road, as usual, with many roundabouts, as usual, but we were more confident in driving now. You still couldn't let your guard down or do without the map book but we were less nervous. We stopped at two places on that drive - one was for a walk through the forest to the Eagle's Nest, a climb that took us to an overlook of the valley, the Severn and into England. It was magnificent. We loved the quiet, cool walk that morning, a Sunday morning - perfect for the day. We only passed a few other people on our walk. We also stopped at a swap meet in Chepstow where we ate chips, a pork roll sandwich, Welsh cakes and doughnuts. Then it was back across the bridge out of Wales. We continued on the Motorway, me taking pictures of odd road signs, to the turnoff for Bath and spent an hour or so walking the streets of Bath, seeing the Circus and Crescent and pump house. It reminded us of Jackson Hole or Park City - tourists and locals leisurely enjoying the sunny day. Our favorite spot was on the river looking at the Pulteney Bridge on the Avon River - very nice. We continued on the motorway all the way back to our hotel near the airport in Hounslow, near London. We were tired. We walked to a pub - the Three Magpies. We had pretty good food, not the best of the trip, but good enough. We slept easily again - really worn out.
Monday we had time to re-pack everything for the flight home. We ate the last of our clementines and apples and bread. We took some last pictures near our car then returned our car to the rental place. I was amazed we had made it without any problems to the car. A shuttle took us to the airport and we spent several hours going through security, spending our last pounds, eating and waiting. The flight home was nice - I tried to stay awake so I could sleep Monday night. Coming into Atlanta the ride got bumpy and I got queasy but was ok. We had to hurry from that flight, through passport check and customs with our luggage to re-check the luggage and make our next flight. They were already boarding when we got to the next gate. We flew from Atlanta to Salt Lake without any problems and made it safely home in our truck driving on the right side of the road.
What a trip! I love thinking of where we went, who we played with, new friends we met, food we ate, the sites we saw and the feelings I had at various times. I love to travel to capture these new memories but I also love returning home to the familiar routine I have here. It was good to see our cats and the house was in good shape, thanks to Duncan McKay. And I can now drive comfortably and breathe at the same time.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
My little bird flies the coop
Today my littlest bird flies the coop. About as far as a person can go. Amy and Todd leave today for Cambodia. They will be in LA for a couple of days and will actually be in the Seoul, South Korea airport the SAME day as Riley but they won't see each other. He is coming back from Mongolia and has a five-hour layover there but they don't get there until after he leaves. He won't see her for four months.
This will be the first time Amy and I have been away from each other longer than three weeks. It's only three months. It's only three months. But still, that's a long time when I've come to depend on Amy for laughs, giggles, crazy faces, a strange doll hiding in my sock drawer, meows, texts, shoulder gnaws, dinners out, talking on the lawn at grandma's with the neighbor's dogs licking her toes and about a thousand other things. She's taking her Wonder Woman attitude (not the underwear, I think it's in a box somewhere) from 3-year-old Amy to the other side of the world.
When Jason left on his mission, I had a hard time emotionally. I knew he was doing what he needed to do, but Taiwan was an awful long way for him to go. I kept an unwashed shirt of his in a zip-loc bag so I could smell "him" when I was missing him a lot. It helped. (I don't care if anyone thinks that's crazy, it helped.) When you have a missionary out you are strengthened by Heavenly Father so the "missing" isn't so bad. It was the same with Andrea who left for 18 months on her mission. I missed her terribly. I didn't know how I would live without her smile, her fun guitar songs, her lively personality. But I did. Two of the best days in my life were reuniting with Jason in the mission home in Taiwan and running down the long driveway at the mission home in Argentina to experience a group hug with Andrea and Amy as Riley took pictures. Back with my kids again. The gap was closed.
Now the gap opens. Todd is shooting a documentary about orphans. They will live in the orphanage with the kids. They will meet the king of Cambodia. They might meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - also part of the documentary. They will eat Cambodian food. Amy will teach art and English to little people. What an adventure!
And they will be able to video chat, I hope. Something we couldn't do with Jason or Andrea. I video chat with Riley in Mongolia and it helps but I still know there's a half a world between us. And yet, I want her to go. This is the first great adventure of their lifetime. I'm sure there will be many, seeing as how Todd is going to be a famous international film director. I want her to love the people there, to endear herself with the kids, to teach them as they teach her. I want her to savor the foods, the sights, the sounds and the way of life. One thing I've learned about travel is there is a big, wonderful world beyond Provo, Utah. Like Austin, Texas and San Francisco and Maupiti. And all these places make up the experiences of our life and introduced new beloved friends to our lives. So it will happen for Todd and Amy. They will be a part of Cambodia. It's only three months.
This will be the first time Amy and I have been away from each other longer than three weeks. It's only three months. It's only three months. But still, that's a long time when I've come to depend on Amy for laughs, giggles, crazy faces, a strange doll hiding in my sock drawer, meows, texts, shoulder gnaws, dinners out, talking on the lawn at grandma's with the neighbor's dogs licking her toes and about a thousand other things. She's taking her Wonder Woman attitude (not the underwear, I think it's in a box somewhere) from 3-year-old Amy to the other side of the world.
When Jason left on his mission, I had a hard time emotionally. I knew he was doing what he needed to do, but Taiwan was an awful long way for him to go. I kept an unwashed shirt of his in a zip-loc bag so I could smell "him" when I was missing him a lot. It helped. (I don't care if anyone thinks that's crazy, it helped.) When you have a missionary out you are strengthened by Heavenly Father so the "missing" isn't so bad. It was the same with Andrea who left for 18 months on her mission. I missed her terribly. I didn't know how I would live without her smile, her fun guitar songs, her lively personality. But I did. Two of the best days in my life were reuniting with Jason in the mission home in Taiwan and running down the long driveway at the mission home in Argentina to experience a group hug with Andrea and Amy as Riley took pictures. Back with my kids again. The gap was closed.
Now the gap opens. Todd is shooting a documentary about orphans. They will live in the orphanage with the kids. They will meet the king of Cambodia. They might meet Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - also part of the documentary. They will eat Cambodian food. Amy will teach art and English to little people. What an adventure!
And they will be able to video chat, I hope. Something we couldn't do with Jason or Andrea. I video chat with Riley in Mongolia and it helps but I still know there's a half a world between us. And yet, I want her to go. This is the first great adventure of their lifetime. I'm sure there will be many, seeing as how Todd is going to be a famous international film director. I want her to love the people there, to endear herself with the kids, to teach them as they teach her. I want her to savor the foods, the sights, the sounds and the way of life. One thing I've learned about travel is there is a big, wonderful world beyond Provo, Utah. Like Austin, Texas and San Francisco and Maupiti. And all these places make up the experiences of our life and introduced new beloved friends to our lives. So it will happen for Todd and Amy. They will be a part of Cambodia. It's only three months.
Update on list for July
Riley gets home this Thursday so I still have time to do a few of these. Updates on my to-do list for July:
1) Go to the temple once a week - going tomorrow. Didn't do - The Provo Temple closed two days after I went the first time. I guess I could have gone to the Timpanogos Temple. Guess I could go this week ...
2) Start my book (on winning contests) - I have a list and the beginning. Hmmm. Could have done better on this ...
3) File the paperwork. I hate paperwork. DONE!
4) Put shelf liners in my cupboards (thanks Tamara). DONE!
5) Catch up on ironing. Did this tonight. DONE!
6) Clean out the storeroom - not really clean it OUT, just tidy it up. DONE!
7) Get the Tomb Room back in shape for guests. Amy helped with this and I've almost got it finished. DONE!
8) Eat better and exercise more. Hmmm. Well, I have been walking a couple times a week and weeding the garden - that counts, right? And I did walk 5 miles yesterday with Andrea. Now my hips and feet are paying for it. Eating better? Mostly. I could have lost a few pounds while Riley was gone. But I didn't. Oh well. I am eating more fruits and less candy now.
9) Keep the garden watered and weeded. I'm most proud about this. Every year when Riley is gone I weed twice - once halfway through his trip and once the day before he gets home. After weeding every few days this time, I've realized it's easier to knock out a few weeds than spend hours working at tons of them. Made me think about other crud in life - don't get so deep in negative things that it takes a lot of work to get out. Weed out the mistakes and sins before they pile up. I know. Profound.
10) Finish a project at work. Not done - but closer to getting done. Hopefully it will be done this week.
11) Get family reunion things ready. Hooray - I've done a lot on this. The theme is Wizard of Oz and I've planned some FUN stuff. I got lots of Oz stuff ready this weekend and I've been to the cabin three times to water and clean. My sister went last time and helped so the place is spiffy!
I am a goal setter. A list writer. It helps me to have it in ink so I can look at it and think about how to get it done. With Riley gone I've had a lot of alone time so things should be easier to do. Yet, I procrastinate some things. Looking at my list it seems I can do the tangible, mundane things but when it comes to "me" time - exercise, my book or going to the temple, I put those things last. I need to change that.
1) Go to the temple once a week - going tomorrow. Didn't do - The Provo Temple closed two days after I went the first time. I guess I could have gone to the Timpanogos Temple. Guess I could go this week ...
2) Start my book (on winning contests) - I have a list and the beginning. Hmmm. Could have done better on this ...
3) File the paperwork. I hate paperwork. DONE!
4) Put shelf liners in my cupboards (thanks Tamara). DONE!
5) Catch up on ironing. Did this tonight. DONE!
6) Clean out the storeroom - not really clean it OUT, just tidy it up. DONE!
7) Get the Tomb Room back in shape for guests. Amy helped with this and I've almost got it finished. DONE!
8) Eat better and exercise more. Hmmm. Well, I have been walking a couple times a week and weeding the garden - that counts, right? And I did walk 5 miles yesterday with Andrea. Now my hips and feet are paying for it. Eating better? Mostly. I could have lost a few pounds while Riley was gone. But I didn't. Oh well. I am eating more fruits and less candy now.
9) Keep the garden watered and weeded. I'm most proud about this. Every year when Riley is gone I weed twice - once halfway through his trip and once the day before he gets home. After weeding every few days this time, I've realized it's easier to knock out a few weeds than spend hours working at tons of them. Made me think about other crud in life - don't get so deep in negative things that it takes a lot of work to get out. Weed out the mistakes and sins before they pile up. I know. Profound.
10) Finish a project at work. Not done - but closer to getting done. Hopefully it will be done this week.
11) Get family reunion things ready. Hooray - I've done a lot on this. The theme is Wizard of Oz and I've planned some FUN stuff. I got lots of Oz stuff ready this weekend and I've been to the cabin three times to water and clean. My sister went last time and helped so the place is spiffy!
I am a goal setter. A list writer. It helps me to have it in ink so I can look at it and think about how to get it done. With Riley gone I've had a lot of alone time so things should be easier to do. Yet, I procrastinate some things. Looking at my list it seems I can do the tangible, mundane things but when it comes to "me" time - exercise, my book or going to the temple, I put those things last. I need to change that.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Riley on the other side of the world
This is the sixth year Riley has gone to Mongolia for a month. It's usually the whole month of July. I miss him. He left Monday and I was OK the first couple of nights - working Monday, at camp Tuesday, exhausted Wednesday from no sleep at camp. I have plenty to do (I'm going to make a list, wait for it ...) but it's just not fun having him gone. Like the Jerry McGuire movie, he completes me. Corny, but true.
I decided to make some goals for while he's gone:
1) Go to the temple once a week - going tomorrow.
2) Start my book (on winning contests) - I have a list and the beginning.
3) File the paperwork. I hate paperwork.
4) Put shelf liners in my cupboards (thanks Tamara).
5) Catch up on ironing. Did this tonight.
6) Clean out the storeroom - not really clean it OUT, just tidy it up.
7) Get the Tomb Room back in shape for guests. Amy helped with this and I've almost got it finished.
8) Eat better and exercise more.
9) Keep the garden watered and weeded.
10) Finish a project at work.
11) Get family reunion things ready.
I'll probably have to come up with some more goals since I've almost finished a couple. Plus I have fun people to play with this month and I'm sure I'll be needed at mom's. I just don't like not talking to Riley. I have to wait until July 10th or 11th to hear from him now since he's out in the middle of nowhere. Be safe and come home. That should be an easy goal for him.
I decided to make some goals for while he's gone:
1) Go to the temple once a week - going tomorrow.
2) Start my book (on winning contests) - I have a list and the beginning.
3) File the paperwork. I hate paperwork.
4) Put shelf liners in my cupboards (thanks Tamara).
5) Catch up on ironing. Did this tonight.
6) Clean out the storeroom - not really clean it OUT, just tidy it up.
7) Get the Tomb Room back in shape for guests. Amy helped with this and I've almost got it finished.
8) Eat better and exercise more.
9) Keep the garden watered and weeded.
10) Finish a project at work.
11) Get family reunion things ready.
I'll probably have to come up with some more goals since I've almost finished a couple. Plus I have fun people to play with this month and I'm sure I'll be needed at mom's. I just don't like not talking to Riley. I have to wait until July 10th or 11th to hear from him now since he's out in the middle of nowhere. Be safe and come home. That should be an easy goal for him.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
After the hubbub
It's funny to think the hubbub of April is over. Or that it's ever over. There's more coming this weekend - family staying here, hopefully a birthday party for two Parkers, Amy and Todd's reception, a dinner with my brother's family on Sunday. I guess I like hubbubs. I like quiet times too but I feel most content and satisfied after experiencing a get-together or tackling a bunch of jobs in a couple days' time.
I like lists. I like writing things down, looking forward to getting them done and crossing them off when completed. I'm antsy. I can't sit still for too long. When there is a to-do list I have something to fill my time - I study the list, find something to accomplish and get 'er done.
I love memories. I love looking forward to creating them. I love being in the middle of creating them and I love thinking back on them.
My list these days include more hubbub - getting ready for it, planning each event, listing what needs to be done. And then the memories will come.
I like lists. I like writing things down, looking forward to getting them done and crossing them off when completed. I'm antsy. I can't sit still for too long. When there is a to-do list I have something to fill my time - I study the list, find something to accomplish and get 'er done.
I love memories. I love looking forward to creating them. I love being in the middle of creating them and I love thinking back on them.
My list these days include more hubbub - getting ready for it, planning each event, listing what needs to be done. And then the memories will come.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The craziest month
April 2011
1. Coming back from Hawaii (yeah, that's a tough one).
2. Two funerals - family member and friend
3. Jason's 30th birthday and my birthday
4. Taxes due
5. Hiring a new staff at the DU
6. Winter semester ends at the DU, grades are due, semester end details
7. Spring semester starts, hire new staff and train them, train new reporters, do all semester start-up details
8. Graduation for Todd and Amy
9. A graduation brunch for Todd, Amy and Andrea
10. Jason and Brandy flying in
11. A bridal shower luncheon for Amy
12. Baby blessings
13. Taking care of my mom while her caregivers are away (graduation/wedding weekend)
14. Cleaning the little apartment for Todd and Amy to move into. Freecycling two couches, a file cabinet, a bed and other items.
15. Taking stuff to DI from our house/mom's house
16. Taking mom/grandma to two doctors - one for headaches, one for foot problem
17. Easter breakfast with out of town Wheeler kids
18. Easter dinner at Todd's mom's
19. WEDDING!
20. Wedding luncheon
21. Putting Jason and Brandy back on a plane
22. End of semester award ceremony for my students/DU employees
23. Yearly scholarship lunch with comms students
24. End of year award ceremony for Todd
25. Yearly Bean Museum women's luncheon
26. Cleaning mom/grandma's yard for ward to haul stuff off
27. Making wedding reception invitation list, graduation brunch invitation list, bridal shower invitation list
28. Doing food for grad brunch, bridal shower, Easter breakfast
29. Serving in the nursery, helping in the Primary, going to regional camp Shalom meetings
30. Going to the temple
31. Taking care of mom/grandma
32. Taking care of regular life at the Nelson house
33. Getting Andrea's car fixed
34. Trying to get dent in our car fixed
35. Getting garden ready to plant
36. Visiting doctor for several health issues
37. Visiting teaching my two young women
38. Little Lincoln's FIRST birthday - party, party, party!
39. Reserving a rubber room at the state mental hospital
I will not only survive, I will enjoy this month and make wonderful memories to think back on!
1. Coming back from Hawaii (yeah, that's a tough one).
2. Two funerals - family member and friend
3. Jason's 30th birthday and my birthday
4. Taxes due
5. Hiring a new staff at the DU
6. Winter semester ends at the DU, grades are due, semester end details
7. Spring semester starts, hire new staff and train them, train new reporters, do all semester start-up details
8. Graduation for Todd and Amy
9. A graduation brunch for Todd, Amy and Andrea
10. Jason and Brandy flying in
11. A bridal shower luncheon for Amy
12. Baby blessings
13. Taking care of my mom while her caregivers are away (graduation/wedding weekend)
14. Cleaning the little apartment for Todd and Amy to move into. Freecycling two couches, a file cabinet, a bed and other items.
15. Taking stuff to DI from our house/mom's house
16. Taking mom/grandma to two doctors - one for headaches, one for foot problem
17. Easter breakfast with out of town Wheeler kids
18. Easter dinner at Todd's mom's
19. WEDDING!
20. Wedding luncheon
21. Putting Jason and Brandy back on a plane
22. End of semester award ceremony for my students/DU employees
23. Yearly scholarship lunch with comms students
24. End of year award ceremony for Todd
25. Yearly Bean Museum women's luncheon
26. Cleaning mom/grandma's yard for ward to haul stuff off
27. Making wedding reception invitation list, graduation brunch invitation list, bridal shower invitation list
28. Doing food for grad brunch, bridal shower, Easter breakfast
29. Serving in the nursery, helping in the Primary, going to regional camp Shalom meetings
30. Going to the temple
31. Taking care of mom/grandma
32. Taking care of regular life at the Nelson house
33. Getting Andrea's car fixed
34. Trying to get dent in our car fixed
35. Getting garden ready to plant
36. Visiting doctor for several health issues
37. Visiting teaching my two young women
38. Little Lincoln's FIRST birthday - party, party, party!
39. Reserving a rubber room at the state mental hospital
I will not only survive, I will enjoy this month and make wonderful memories to think back on!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Really over the rainbow!
Riley and I are in Hawaii. Or on Hawaii, to be exact. We are on the big island of Hawaii for nine days. We only have four days left. Time flies when you're in paradise. We've seen at least six rainbows since we've been here. Real ones. All the license plates have them too but I'm only counting the ones that rise up from the island into the clouds, some with colors more intense than others.
We've seen many other things while we've been here - whales and dolphins in the ocean, turtles and dolphins in the hotel's lagoon, mongeese (plural of mongoose) - little ferret-like animals that look at you and scurry away, wild turkeys and skinny feral cats who have wonky eyes and might want to kill you. We've seen para-sailers, surfers, yachts and kayaks. And helicopters - which we will go up in on Saturday. I'm a little nervous about this but I will swallow my nervousness, take a Dramamine and hope for the best.
We have four days left - we are going to see a lot more of this island and hopefully see a rainbow as we head east, back to our other end of the rainbow.
We've seen many other things while we've been here - whales and dolphins in the ocean, turtles and dolphins in the hotel's lagoon, mongeese (plural of mongoose) - little ferret-like animals that look at you and scurry away, wild turkeys and skinny feral cats who have wonky eyes and might want to kill you. We've seen para-sailers, surfers, yachts and kayaks. And helicopters - which we will go up in on Saturday. I'm a little nervous about this but I will swallow my nervousness, take a Dramamine and hope for the best.
We have four days left - we are going to see a lot more of this island and hopefully see a rainbow as we head east, back to our other end of the rainbow.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Riley at the speed limit
Riley is 55 today. I met him when he was 23. He was kind of skinny, kind of nerdy and wore Chukkah boots. Within 10 months of meeting Riley, I married him. That was not the plan when I moved to Logan in the fall of 1979 but Heavenly Father had other ideas. He knew Riley would be my perfect match. Thirty-two years later I wholeheartedly agree. I told him the other day I could probably count on one hand (OK, maybe one hand and a couple more fingers) how many times I've been mad at him. We just get along. We value each other's perspective. We trust each other. We allow each other to be and do whatever we choose, a part of that trust. We don't keep score. If something needs to be done, it gets done. Sometimes he unloads the dishwasher or mends a shirt. Sometimes I take the trash cans to the curb or fix a loose hinge. Yet we know we can ask each other for help and we'll get it.
Today I'm thankful for Winston and Aileen Nelson, Riley's parents. Thank you for bringing Riley into the world. Thank you Heavenly Father for setting us up (it's a long story but He really did). Thank you Riley for the best 32 years. I gave Riley a pair of Chukkah boots for his birthday today. I hope he wanders the earth in them for the next 32 years. And we have all of eternity after that.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Randomness
Random things that have made my life interesting lately:
1) I love Riley. I decided to give him a word puzzle to figure out for Valentine's. Each day for 10 days in his lunch I gave him a word on a purple heart. The words were "of," "heart," "my," "only," etc. On the 10th day he had all the words. I had taped a big white paper in his office that said "Dear Riley" at the top and "Love, Kaye" at the bottom. He had to put the purple hearts in the middle and figure it out. After a bit of figuring he got it: "Of all people on earth, only you hold my heart." We also just celebrated our engagement anniversary - 31 years ago on Feb. 7 Riley asked me to marry him. I usually work on Monday nights but I switched so I could fix us a nice dinner which we ate by candlelight in the sunroom. Our tradition is that I hand him my rings, he asks me to marry him, I say yes and he slips my rings back on. Then we watched a movie together. I like keeping our love alive by doing crazy, thoughtful things.
2) My niece Loni and her husband Matt had twins - a boy and a girl - Chase and Chloe. I haven't seen them yet but it starts an adventure for them that I experienced firsthand. I love being a twin. Kelly and I had such a fun childhood - we never lacked for a friend. I hope Chase and Chloe will be as close as we were.
3) My great-aunt Madge died last week. I probably knew her when I was a little kid but I hadn't had any contact with her for years. About four years ago I was interested in hearing stories about my Wheeler grandparents and great-grandparents. My uncle Kent Wheeler, my dad's brother, told me to talk to Bea, Madge and Shirley, my great-aunts. My mom, Kent, Shirley and I drove to Salt Lake and picked up Bea, then drove to Madge's in Ogden where we had a nice lunch and spent the afternoon listening to them talk about childhood memories. I used a recorder to record their stories and took pictures. I've kept in touch with these wonderful ladies and love them dearly. Bea is now 100, almost 101. Madge was 97 and Shirley is about 88. I'm so glad I was able to connect with them, hear stories of my ancestors and have them in my life right now.
4) We have tickets for Hawaii! Riley has meetings on the big island the end of March and I'm going with. We hope to see lava from volcanoes, waterfalls and whales off the coast. It will be a welcome break in the middle of winter, although by then it might even be spring.
5) We have new members of the family - the Smith family. Todd's mom Debby, siblings and others are quickly becoming part of us and we already love them, as we do Todd. Amy picked an amazing guy and he comes with a wonderful family. We were strangers just a few months ago and now we are knitting our families together.
6) Our bishop said something on Sunday that was helpful to me. He said adversity and happiness are not mutually exclusive. We can have both. I have to compartmentalize the things that cause me grief and deal with them when I can, probably because I'd rather focus on what brings happiness to my life. I'm glad the good outweighs the bad.
1) I love Riley. I decided to give him a word puzzle to figure out for Valentine's. Each day for 10 days in his lunch I gave him a word on a purple heart. The words were "of," "heart," "my," "only," etc. On the 10th day he had all the words. I had taped a big white paper in his office that said "Dear Riley" at the top and "Love, Kaye" at the bottom. He had to put the purple hearts in the middle and figure it out. After a bit of figuring he got it: "Of all people on earth, only you hold my heart." We also just celebrated our engagement anniversary - 31 years ago on Feb. 7 Riley asked me to marry him. I usually work on Monday nights but I switched so I could fix us a nice dinner which we ate by candlelight in the sunroom. Our tradition is that I hand him my rings, he asks me to marry him, I say yes and he slips my rings back on. Then we watched a movie together. I like keeping our love alive by doing crazy, thoughtful things.
2) My niece Loni and her husband Matt had twins - a boy and a girl - Chase and Chloe. I haven't seen them yet but it starts an adventure for them that I experienced firsthand. I love being a twin. Kelly and I had such a fun childhood - we never lacked for a friend. I hope Chase and Chloe will be as close as we were.
3) My great-aunt Madge died last week. I probably knew her when I was a little kid but I hadn't had any contact with her for years. About four years ago I was interested in hearing stories about my Wheeler grandparents and great-grandparents. My uncle Kent Wheeler, my dad's brother, told me to talk to Bea, Madge and Shirley, my great-aunts. My mom, Kent, Shirley and I drove to Salt Lake and picked up Bea, then drove to Madge's in Ogden where we had a nice lunch and spent the afternoon listening to them talk about childhood memories. I used a recorder to record their stories and took pictures. I've kept in touch with these wonderful ladies and love them dearly. Bea is now 100, almost 101. Madge was 97 and Shirley is about 88. I'm so glad I was able to connect with them, hear stories of my ancestors and have them in my life right now.
4) We have tickets for Hawaii! Riley has meetings on the big island the end of March and I'm going with. We hope to see lava from volcanoes, waterfalls and whales off the coast. It will be a welcome break in the middle of winter, although by then it might even be spring.
5) We have new members of the family - the Smith family. Todd's mom Debby, siblings and others are quickly becoming part of us and we already love them, as we do Todd. Amy picked an amazing guy and he comes with a wonderful family. We were strangers just a few months ago and now we are knitting our families together.
6) Our bishop said something on Sunday that was helpful to me. He said adversity and happiness are not mutually exclusive. We can have both. I have to compartmentalize the things that cause me grief and deal with them when I can, probably because I'd rather focus on what brings happiness to my life. I'm glad the good outweighs the bad.
Friday, January 21, 2011
New Year's resolutions
I only have two:
1) Waste less food. That means cooking less, eating up leftovers before they go bad and making use of things like the ends of celery.
2) Write one thank-you note every week. Find someone during the week who has touched me in some way and thank them in a hand-written, snail mail note.
OK, one more. I want to add pictures to my blog. We'll see how that goes.
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