The Spirit has been very close lately. My partner Deb lost her mother-in-law recently. It has been hard to watch her husband Tom go through this loss. I met friends of his family at the funeral held in a beautiful little church in Maryland that has been there for over 200 years.
After an amazing weekend of conference, we helped with the funeral lunch for Joyce Racey's father. It was a blessing to serve a dear friend that way. Joyce was RS president before me, and I truly love her.
The same day that Br. Stockham passed we had the terrible news that a new wife and very young woman died suddenly. James Randall lost Jamie, and her funeral was Friday. Ed had spent time with James when he had some very bad health issues.
Then on Friday Ed learned that another dear man he has been home teaching lost his wife. This has been a time to truly focus on the blessings of the temple as we watched these families go through so much .
It is time for some joy.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
More updates
My last entry caught up with "where in the world has gramma been?" But there were a few other events during the past 10 months that absorbed time and energy.
In April I had the mixed blessing of meeting more of my mother's family at the interment of my Uncle Richard in Webster, NY. He had passed over the winter, but the ground was frozen and he couldn't be buried until after the thaw. Dad drove up with me, but had to leave from Rochester before the actual service because of a scheduled trip. We met up with Mom and David, my youngest brother, and my other uncle and godfather Tom for dinner Friday night. Then Saturday I met my Aunt Nikki and her sons, cousins I had never known. What a treat to learn about my uncle, a firefighter, through their eyes. It was a kick to have David introduce me as his big sister, and I loved the time together with a loving family. As usual, I took no pictures--I really have to change that.
We also helped with Shelley's wedding (VT/HT) in June. It was beautiful. I am so happy for her.
After I was released, my new calling was to be a Primary teacher. But with all my travelling, that was going to be really hard on a permanent class. So I have been a substitute, but only for a couple of times. It has been a long break. I still write letters for RS, but only have 2 sisters to actually see.
In April I had the mixed blessing of meeting more of my mother's family at the interment of my Uncle Richard in Webster, NY. He had passed over the winter, but the ground was frozen and he couldn't be buried until after the thaw. Dad drove up with me, but had to leave from Rochester before the actual service because of a scheduled trip. We met up with Mom and David, my youngest brother, and my other uncle and godfather Tom for dinner Friday night. Then Saturday I met my Aunt Nikki and her sons, cousins I had never known. What a treat to learn about my uncle, a firefighter, through their eyes. It was a kick to have David introduce me as his big sister, and I loved the time together with a loving family. As usual, I took no pictures--I really have to change that.
We also helped with Shelley's wedding (VT/HT) in June. It was beautiful. I am so happy for her.
After I was released, my new calling was to be a Primary teacher. But with all my travelling, that was going to be really hard on a permanent class. So I have been a substitute, but only for a couple of times. It has been a long break. I still write letters for RS, but only have 2 sisters to actually see.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
The Blog Patrol is watching
Last weekend I received a notification that I was about to lose my blogging and Facebook rights because of inactivity. Seriously, Ken let me know I was waaaay behind in contributing to either, so I am repenting and updating today. I know myself and resolutions, so I make no promises ;)
Let's just work backwards by significant weekends, and by the end I may be excused for not taking time to post.
9/29 -- Spent the day with my friend/business partner Deb Curtis at the Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival in Harper's Ferry, WV, where we manned a booth selling our quilted products. My first quilt sale!!
9/24-25 -- Enjoyed a visit from Ken and Jay. Julie, et al, here for dinner with the uncles. Wonderful time and stories.
9/15-17 -- At Monticello for Mars' American Heritage Chocolate participation in the annual Heritage Harvest Festival event. Loved helping and touring the Jefferson home. Beautiful grounds.
8/24-26 -- Weekend at Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house south of Pittsburg. Discovered Fort Necessity and the National Road. I love history!!
8/17-19 -- Weekend at Tricia and Dan's returning Courtney and Jonah after a week at our house. Love the hugs.
8/4-6 -- Chico for a beautiful baby blessing and family gathering at Es and Bill's. Wonderful to see them, Giselle, Kennan, Austin, Lynn and family, and Tom. We really loved seeing the new house and handing over a quilt of love.
7/27-29 -- Weekend in New York City hosting the daughter of a friend of Ed's in Equador. She is an intern with Mars. We stayed at the Algonquin with Matilda the Cat, did a chocolate shop hop in Manhattan, saw the musical Memphis, went to the Manhattan First Ward, and loved seeing old and making new friends.
7/21-22 -- Enjoyed Dallin's Eagle Court of Honor and Taylor's YW Recognition. What terrific examples of growing up well. Brought Julie's kids with us because I was babysitting them for the weekend while Julie went to a conference.
7/13-16 -- Visit to Mesa for Aidan's birthday and ordination. Fun trip to the Science center and great cake decorating!!
6/22-7/8 -- 2nd Hawaiian trip, this time to Kauai. Stumbled into an amazing quilt conference. Took a side trip to Oahu to visit good friends and to enjoy the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Honolulu Hard Rock Cafe.
6/14-17 -- Great trip to LA to see Heather, snuggle Shelby and Cameron and to celebrate our anniversary at Disneyland and Tom's graduation as an MBA from the best school!! Go Bruins!!
5/26-28 -- Quick trip to Las Vegas for The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour at Red Rock Casino. Sound test tickets, seats in center row 8 (closer than Nicholas Cage!), and dancing until we hurt for a week afterwards!! WOW!!
5/20-26 -- week at State College with kids while Justin joined Julie in Paris.
5/13-20 -- week in London with Julie at the British Library and Ilana and me touring everything from the Tower of London to Kensington Gardens and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, including the original Hard Rock Cafe, M&M World, and Lion King at the theatre.
5/4-13 -- more than a week with Lynn, Julie, and Ilana, on a girls' trip to Paris with the best possible tour guide and lots of adventures and good food.
4/20-22 -- To Chico to meet baby Giselle.
4/13-14 -- To Raleigh to cheer for Carter at the Region 8 meet. What an amazing gymnast!!
3/29-4/3 -- To Argentina for Jonah's baptism and a wonderful visit with Debbie and Doug Carter and our shared grandkids. What an awesome trip, including a log to sit on, an endless bar-b-que, amazing food, and tango shoes.
3/11 -- Released as Relief Society President.
3/2-5 -- Cameron's blessing in Redondo Beach.
1/7-1/22 -- The first trip to Hawaii in 2012. Spending time with Bobby and Andy Csaplar, and the adventures I already blogged about.
WHEW!!! And that is why I haven't had time to blog. In the same time period the business, Cat Hollow Quilting, has taken off and I have delivered 108 quilts to satisfied customers. It just gets better from here.
(Note to Ken: am I reinstated??)
Let's just work backwards by significant weekends, and by the end I may be excused for not taking time to post.
9/29 -- Spent the day with my friend/business partner Deb Curtis at the Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival in Harper's Ferry, WV, where we manned a booth selling our quilted products. My first quilt sale!!
9/24-25 -- Enjoyed a visit from Ken and Jay. Julie, et al, here for dinner with the uncles. Wonderful time and stories.
9/15-17 -- At Monticello for Mars' American Heritage Chocolate participation in the annual Heritage Harvest Festival event. Loved helping and touring the Jefferson home. Beautiful grounds.
8/24-26 -- Weekend at Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water house south of Pittsburg. Discovered Fort Necessity and the National Road. I love history!!
8/17-19 -- Weekend at Tricia and Dan's returning Courtney and Jonah after a week at our house. Love the hugs.
8/4-6 -- Chico for a beautiful baby blessing and family gathering at Es and Bill's. Wonderful to see them, Giselle, Kennan, Austin, Lynn and family, and Tom. We really loved seeing the new house and handing over a quilt of love.
7/27-29 -- Weekend in New York City hosting the daughter of a friend of Ed's in Equador. She is an intern with Mars. We stayed at the Algonquin with Matilda the Cat, did a chocolate shop hop in Manhattan, saw the musical Memphis, went to the Manhattan First Ward, and loved seeing old and making new friends.
7/21-22 -- Enjoyed Dallin's Eagle Court of Honor and Taylor's YW Recognition. What terrific examples of growing up well. Brought Julie's kids with us because I was babysitting them for the weekend while Julie went to a conference.
7/13-16 -- Visit to Mesa for Aidan's birthday and ordination. Fun trip to the Science center and great cake decorating!!
6/22-7/8 -- 2nd Hawaiian trip, this time to Kauai. Stumbled into an amazing quilt conference. Took a side trip to Oahu to visit good friends and to enjoy the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Honolulu Hard Rock Cafe.
6/14-17 -- Great trip to LA to see Heather, snuggle Shelby and Cameron and to celebrate our anniversary at Disneyland and Tom's graduation as an MBA from the best school!! Go Bruins!!
5/26-28 -- Quick trip to Las Vegas for The Beach Boys 50th Anniversary Tour at Red Rock Casino. Sound test tickets, seats in center row 8 (closer than Nicholas Cage!), and dancing until we hurt for a week afterwards!! WOW!!
5/20-26 -- week at State College with kids while Justin joined Julie in Paris.
5/13-20 -- week in London with Julie at the British Library and Ilana and me touring everything from the Tower of London to Kensington Gardens and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, including the original Hard Rock Cafe, M&M World, and Lion King at the theatre.
5/4-13 -- more than a week with Lynn, Julie, and Ilana, on a girls' trip to Paris with the best possible tour guide and lots of adventures and good food.
4/20-22 -- To Chico to meet baby Giselle.
4/13-14 -- To Raleigh to cheer for Carter at the Region 8 meet. What an amazing gymnast!!
3/29-4/3 -- To Argentina for Jonah's baptism and a wonderful visit with Debbie and Doug Carter and our shared grandkids. What an awesome trip, including a log to sit on, an endless bar-b-que, amazing food, and tango shoes.
3/11 -- Released as Relief Society President.
3/2-5 -- Cameron's blessing in Redondo Beach.
1/7-1/22 -- The first trip to Hawaii in 2012. Spending time with Bobby and Andy Csaplar, and the adventures I already blogged about.
WHEW!!! And that is why I haven't had time to blog. In the same time period the business, Cat Hollow Quilting, has taken off and I have delivered 108 quilts to satisfied customers. It just gets better from here.
(Note to Ken: am I reinstated??)
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Sharp contrast
Okay, my planning was not the best for our return to PA.
Here is what it looked like the morning we left Maui.
It was about 80 and beautiful.
We flew overnight to LA and then on to Dulles that morning. I had dressed for my afternoon in Hawaii--denim skirt, Hard Rock tee-shirt, zip front sweatshirt, and tennis shoes.
Imagine my surprise when I looked out at the runway as we landed at Dulles and saw SNOW!! As we walked through the airport to get our luggage, there were some puzzled looks and smiles because I was the only woman in the entire airport with bare legs!! They all were dressed appropriately, even the ones who got off our plane. I just want to know who told them!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Surviving Haleakala and other adventures
Can you believe this is us?
Yes, Dad and I blazed down the road to the volcano on Maui!! We were picked up at our hotel at 3 am and rode to the summit of the volcano to observe the sunrise. It was a crunchy 45 degrees with a wind chill of about 30. After waiting an hour for the spectacle, we rode in the van partway down to just outside the national park boundary where we got our helmets and bikes. (Federal law prohibits the ride operators from starting at the summit because of the dangerous conditions and liability issues.)
We started at 6500 feet and coasted 21 miles down to sea level at the town of Pa'ia where we had breakfast and climbed back in the van for the return to the hotel. It was screaming fun!!! I was right behind the guide all the way down and Dad was back in the line of our 8 companions on this adventure. Clearly we were the oldest (65 is the age limit), but we were not the most cautious or the twitchiest. Dad said I was the best of the women because I let it out and stayed at my assigned distance behind the guide (25 feet) the whole way. I often had to ride my brakes to keep from overtaking him. The other women were strung out behind me since we had to ride single file down the two-lane switchback road. They all seemed to stretch the distance between bikes and the leader and I had to slow down for them to catch up. I had a ball and would do it again in a heartbeat. The curves were awesome and the few straightaways allowed me to live up to my high school nickname of "Parnelli".
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