Christmas

I love Christmas! I love decorating the house, including (this year) three trees in the house and two outside. (I must admit, Bob does NOT like lugging 25+ boxes out of the attic for me to empty and send back up, only to have to bring them back down 3 weeks later to repack, and then return to the attic. But he's a good sport) I love the smells of pine and cinnamon. I love to wrap presents. I love to have people over. I love to cook a big meal and watch people enjoy it. I love to watch my children and their spouses and children play and visit and have fun together. I love singing in the Messiah, which we have done almost every year since we moved here, plus several times in years before that in other places. I love directing the choir and learning Christmas music. I love telling the Christmas story to Primary children. I love helping Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts make presents to take home. I love the snow! So glad I live in Utah where Christmas can be white.

This year was especially enjoyable. We celebrated the weekend before, so the kids could have real Christmas with their own families or in-laws. Most of the kids came down Saturday night. We ate then played games until late - everyone participated. Sunday James and Cami came in time to join the rest of us at church. Our choir sang two numbers, and the Primary sang. Karen and Jeffrey came that afternoon, and we opened presents while dinner finished, then ate. It was such a blessing to be together. We sorely missed Anne, Mike and their three growing kids. I can't wait for February when I get to go see them and spoil them rotten!

There were three little ones here - Hudson, 2, Lilly, 18 mo, and Adaliah, 10 months. AND next year we are adding Mary and Aaron's baby boy in March, Ned and Kim's baby in June, and James and Cami's baby in July. I am so excited! Of course that means I need to knit 3 more Christmas stockings next year!!

I missed not having children old enough to act out the nativity story. I think we can pull it off next year, maybe - at least a short version. We had to end having our grown children do it - although they were willing- the year David put on a long, white yarn beard and a sombrero and declared he was Paco the Sheepherder.

I love my family. I love the Savior, whose birth we celebrate at this time. I love my life and who I am and what I have become and who I am becoming. I love my wonderful Bob, who is my very breath and being. I love what I have to share with others, and that I have the means and time to so. My life has been so blessed.

Out My Window

There are so many things I should be doing right now. I have a house full of Christmas that isn't put up yet. I have a couple of Christmas project unfinished, and one of Mom's actually. But I have a cold and skipped Sacrament meeting yesterday to come home and go back to bed. I feel better, but still ucky. So...
Out my window in the winter....

I was really cross when my neighbors planted two globe willow trees exactly over the fence from my grape vines. I knew they would eventually grow huge and shade them until after noon. I was right. But in the winter they are perfect for watching the birds hang out in the morning, waiting for Bob to put the bird seed out. There are aspens in the yard, and telephone wires. The doves - 20-30 of them some days - wait and watch. Once Bob is inside, they descend. All at once. The flat feeder with sunflower seeds , which comfortably will allow 6-8 birds to eat at once, has 12-15 in three layers! They land on top of each other and work their way down until the ones on the bottom have had enough (meaning enough pushing and wiggling - not enough food) and fly off a ways. Then, back they come and land on top of their friends, like otherwise refined women at a bargain sale.

Then, before long, a flock of pinion jays zoom into the yard and take over. Their noise and brash behavior is more like young men rushing for seats at a rugby match. They dive in and out, pushing the others off the feeders. They hang off the smaller feeders, trying to get what they can of the small seed. They pretty much inhale everything. Occasionally they will get there before the doves. When that happens, the doves must be content with what the small birds drop onto the deck, although they still stop at the platform feeder hoping to find something left behind.

The smaller birds - juncos, house wrens, Cassin's finch, etc- hide in the wild rose bush, where there are still some leaves and rose hips. They patiently wait. When the ruckus is over, they politely take their turns with the seed and thistle.

I think if Bob filled the feeders 3 times a day, they would eat it all every day.

Although it is cold outside, the sky today is blue and white. The sun has dried up the melting snow. The leaves under the fruit trees are wet, matted and molding. The remains of flowering plants, that really should be cut down before the next snow (but probably won't be), look like skeletons. The grass is still green, holding on to the moisture from the last snow. I love the winter.

"This is the day which the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Inside there is bean and ham soup bubbling in the crock pot. The gas fireplace in the kitchen is warm and inviting. If my Christmas was up, it would be perfect. Okay. I guess I better get to it. Thanks for sharing my ramblings.

On Recognition

I won't say I'm not happy about it. It would sound like a lie. It would be a lie. I am very happy about it. To have someone value what you have done and are doing is a great thing. But, I also have to say that I didn't do what I do because I thought some day I would be recognized in some wonderful way for it. I did it because I love doing it!
Natalie Portman said "Awards are so unnecessary, because I think we get so much out of our work just by doing it. The work is a reward in itself." I agree with her.

Friday, Oct 22 I received a beautiful medal as one of 12 "Influential Women in Scouting" for the Utah National Parks Council. It was the first time they had made this kind of recognition, and are planning to continue recognizing women who have made a difference in their sphere of influence in Scouting. I was kind of embarrassed, but very happy. Most of my children and their spouses were able to attend. I was also surprised and happy that my bishop, George Richardson, a member of the Stake Presidency, Mike Barclay, and member of the high counsel, Steve Johnson had come to support me and Arla Otten, who also is in our stake and was recognized.

The other item concerns an article published in the Scouting Magazine that is sent to all registered adults in Scouting. In August or July, I responded to a question about discipline in meetings, and mentioned that I had been a den leader for 25 years. I got a phone call from the magazine. The editor of "What I Have Learned" section talked to me, and said "You know it is unusual for someone to be a den leader for 25 years!" He asked if I would be willing to be interviewed and spotlighted in a future Scouting Magazine. We exchanged email questions and answers. They sent a photographer from Park City to take pictures, and last Saturday I got an advance copy of the magazine - and the article was there. Monday, it came in the mail to everyone. www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/1011/d-wivl.html

I was glad they chose the picture of me and the kids. There were some nice ones taken of just me, but - well, it's all about the kids.

That being said, sometimes working with kids is hard. No doubt about it. Some days they don't come. Some days they are hyper and can't stay focused. Some days they are moody and uncooperative. Some days they are so eager to learn and love everything you do. I can't tell you why it is different because there are as many reasons as there are kids. But I do know that the boy or girl that is having trouble, needs Scouting the most. They may be the hardest to work with, but they are worth the effort. I wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps me stretching and trying to find ways to involve and motivate them. It makes me try harder. It makes me be more organized. It makes me a better leader, and a better, more patient person.

Autumn Musings

IT'S FALL. Finally, the air as turned chilly and the leaves are turning color. The lawn is about through growing, and I got my sweaters out. Fall has it's own joys and beauties, but for me it means getting ready for the holidays and birthday seasons to come.
We had our Fall Family Birthday party on Saturday. It was fun to have everyone (except Anne and her family) together - watching the grandkids play and siblings sharing news and stories and getting to know each other better as adults.
Thoughts now turn to Thanksgiving and gratitude, Christmas and giving, our anniversary and our family. I am so blessed. Everything I could have dreamed of for my life has come to pass - and more. True and lasting love and affection, support and comfort from my good husband. Seven children who continually amaze me and impress me with what they are doing, learning, becoming. They are so wonderful. I won't pretend that there weren't days that I wondered if they would survive their youth - but they all have - and with flying colors. I love to watch the way those with children are raising them - with love and encouragement and joy at every milestone. I love that they, all but the youngest ones, know me and like to talk to me on the phone or come visit. Lily spent a week with us while Mary was recuperating from appendix surgery and Aaron was sick. She knows and loves us and is comfortable here with us. As these young ones get older they, too, can spend time at "Camp Grandma" . I love being a Grams.
As the air gets colder and the days turn gray and brown, my heart gets warmer, and glows with the light of love.

On Loosing Weight
I am overweight. Technically, I am obese. I lost all my "baby fat" after child #4, then gained continually after the next three, then added another 60 pounds. I know how to loose weight. I have been successful before. I have many reasons to loose weight - I am predisposed for diabetes, for instance. My knees are not going to take having me carrying the equivalent of 4 fully loaded backpacks around with me for much longer. My problem is, I really like food. I like the tastes, the textures, the smells. And, I have a hard time with self control when it comes to food.
However. Four and a half weeks ago something happened. Bob had a dream. Now, he often has dreams and "feelings" about things, and I have learned to listen. In his dream, we were asked to serve a mission, but we couldn't go because I couldn't get around. I was too heavy. I really want to go on a mission someday. So does Bob. We actually got a call from SLC when Rebekah was still in high school asking US how close we were to being able to serve. Some doctors, when they retire, want to do ANYTHING but medicine, but so far, Bob is anxious to serve medically, and there are so many opportunities to do just that.
So. I started the next day. I found a cool free website that makes recording what I eat and my activities fun, with graphs and charts and lots of ways to set a goal and track it. It is at www.fitday.com and I began the adventure. My first goal is to loose 50 pounds by Dec. 31. That's 2.75 pounds a week, or a little less than 1/2 lb. a day. Bob said that was okay. I am taking Meridia (expensive, but effective) as an appetite suppressant.
I am trying to be consistent in a water aerobics class at Snow College, but have had to miss several times because of being out of town, etc. It is really good to be able to exercise without my knees hurting.
In 4 1/2 weeks, I have lost 14 pounds. That is close to 3 pounds a week. Some days I eat more calories than I should, but not by much. Some days, like today, I get almost no exercise at all. But I am not going to quit this time. It is too important, and it is time.
No one will be able to tell for some time. Fourteen pounds is such a small percentage of my total body weight that it is nearly impossible to see. BUT, Bob handed me his briefcase that he loaded to 14 pounds and handed it to me. It was HEAVY. That is what I am NOT carrying right now.
I am going to do this. I am going to disappear before your very eyes. I am going to get healthy enough to hike with Bob, play with my grandchildren, serve a mission, and maybe avoid some of the consequences I am facing right now. I can do this.

Reflections of a Mother and Grandmother

Monday, May 10, 2010
I wanted to describe the feelings I had while watching my oldest Grandchild, Caleb, be baptized May 1st in Seattle. Actually, even in the hours before, watching the love that surrounded he and his cousin was amazing. I could see that great effort had been made by everyone involved to make this day special for them. Peace was the dominant emotion. At least it appeared that way.

Caleb was very excited, a little shy/overcome by all the attention, but to the core - happy. His sisters were tickled and excited. Anne and Mike were glowing. I was so glad to be there. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."

I have great joy in my children and my grandchildren. My children have grown into young men and women of integrity and compassion. All of them have made me so proud. Each of them have their own struggles and their own gifts. They are unique and wonderful. They have chosen well their paths in life, and have fallen in love with wonderful spouses that fit so perfectly into our family. They are still growing and learning and becoming, but they are all facing the right direction and moving forward.

I wondered, long ago, what the draw would be -what strings would attach me to grandchildren. Having adopted a son, I should have known that you definitely don't have to deliver a child to bond eternally with it. I have done that already. And so it has been. As I have held these little ones in my arms, loved and cuddled, teased and changed, kissed and played, they have become a part of me, a part of my heart. I delight to hear of each milestone, see the candid photos and hear their little voices on the phone - even those who don't talk yet. I love that they smile when they hear my voice. I am so glad that some of them are within reach when I get lonely for them, and that we have the ability to bring closer those that are far away.

I am blessed.

On a lighter note = birds are returning. Black headed grosbeak, American Goldfinches, and new visitor (where is my bird book!!) have joined the winter stalwarts. Spring is finally here.

So, here are the last two rooms.
#4 Asia


Bob went on his mission to Japan. Ned went to Thailand. Mary spent 5 months in China. We have had both Japanese and Korean exchanged students. We have LOTS of oriental things. Of course, the whole theme behind the oriental look is simplicity - no clutter- so we will have to rotate our treasures around. Also, Christmas is a Christian holiday, and there are very few Christians in Asia, so we added some red and green accents. The quilt is two sided. This green side is a piece of silk Mary brought me from China. The other side is blue and white. The small wooden shoes are ones sent to us when I was 4 or 5 from distant cousins who were living in Japan at the time. The sword, small Buddhist shrine, and funny little round men, and the doll, Bob brought or sent home. The green painting was painted by a Philippine wife of a doctor at Ft. Ord. The Samurai warrior Bob and I bought when we went to Japan in 1982. The large fan Ned brought from Thailand. We had the floor raised, and the futon mattress is set into the floor - it is very comfortable. The screens are velcro'd to the walls over the windows so they can be taken off easily in case the windows are needed. (Fire escape)

#5, The ideas for this started with the huge bedroom upstairs, and it was going to be a 1930 children's room with several beds of white iron, antique dressers, lots of dolls and toys on shelves. But we decided to make the larger room into a hobby room for Bob and I, so we used the smallest bedroom of all, and the closet, to make a very small 1930's room, with not very antique furnishings.


The day bed was Karen's, and there is a trundle underneath so two can sleep in here (if you don't want to open the door). There are two quilts on it now that I made. The Yo-yo quilt is an antique style, with small,gathered circles tacked together at the edges. The top quilt is a pastel log cabin design. Many of the dolls are my girls, and I bought several at DI to fill in. We took everything out of the closet and made it a play room for the grandkids. The pictures are aquired by purchase and gifts from family, the silouettes are of my kids in 1988 when we went to Disneyland. The tall doll with the peacock Mary made when she was in Middle School with a Girl Scout leader. Still some things I'd like to do in here, but it can wait.

So, now you've seen it! Come and visit!

May 4, 2010
Lots to talk about, catch up on, and post. But first, I have promised pictures of my theme bedroom re-d0s, so I am going to again try to post them.

First. Red and white Victorian. Remember, the video was taken at Christmastime.


The furniture was Bob's moms. I had the chair recovered. The pictures are mostly from Bob's stepdad (Cleon)'s first wife's family, as is the blessing gown. The picture of the nurses is a graduating class from University of Utah, and one of them is Dr. Lee Thurston (past local dentist)'s mother. Helen Thurston gave Bob the photo. The doll is my mother's, dressed in clothes Betty Schultz game me that were hand made for her when she was a little girl. Red duvet bed cover I made. The pieced red and white quilt I quilted by hand, but the top I bought at a yard sale for $10. It is all hand pieced. Crocheted pillow cases were among Bob's mom's things, but not sure who did them.

Second. The Hobbit Room - Samwise Gamgee's guest room.


I studied the beginning and end of the "Lord of the Ring" trilogy to make this room as close to the interior of Bilbo's home as possible, including wall coloring, paneling, parquet floor, rug and furnishings. Pictures throughout the room are from calendars in the 1970's, painted by Tim and Greg Hilderbrandt. I kept them all these years. The bureau and bed were originally Bob's mom's, but we have had the bureau for years. The mirror stand we bought in Georgia - it is handmade. The feather quill pen is created from a crow feather and ball point pen. The basin and ewer, and the pot the flowers are in were created especially for the room by our potter friend, Joe Bennion, to look like the pottery in "Lord of the Rings" . The trunk was a gift from the Hedilius's. The cradle was built by Blane Christensen for James, and all the kids used it. The antique books are all mine and Bob's - freed up lots of bookshelf space in the library! The quilt I made from wool, using the earth tones for the Hobbit's love of farming, and appliqued vines and blossoms. I even "darned" a couple of spots so it looked worn. The bed quilt under the top layer I also made. The candle sconces, sword, wreaths, dried flowers, rock samples, etc. added for effect.

Number 3. Africa


The painting was found deserted in the basement David was renting in SL and the landlord said to throw it out. So he brought it home. Nativity set I sent for - made in Kenya. Animals and plants for effect. The small wooden ones I bought in Kenya and brought home. The 4 foot giraffe I bought locally, actually. The quilt I made from fabric I bought here, but it reminded me of exactly how things were there. The night stand is an old suitcase. The "hideously ugly monkey lamp" I bought locally, as well as the rattan screen I am using for a head board. The photo of the baptism I took the last Sunday in Katali branch. Mike Turner is in the center looking on. I plan to eventually replace the hokey animal pictures with ones I took in Kenya.

Numbers 4 and 5 next installment.