JEFFREY R. HOLLAND FUNERAL

Wednesday, we watched President Holland's funeral on TV. It was a beautiful tribute to such an incredible man. 

We were all moved by his many talks and his counsel. He was such an inspirational man. He will be greatly missed but always quoted and used for spiritual reference.  We went to bed on Bew Years eve to the tune of FIREWORKS GALORE!!  Tony put on his earbuds and slept thru it. I had a really bad coughing spell and a hard time sleeping. The fire works went on for ever it seemed. Unfortunately, I had a bad nights sleep. After two really good nights, I felt like I'd taken a couple of steps backwards in my healing from the flu. Man, hope I'm better by Saturday. 

New Year's day!!  January 1st. 2026!   Today is the 1st day of the rest of my life. Gotta do better this year!!

Taking it easy today and trying to continue healing. Tony finished his puzzle. He said it was a very difficult one. 

I'm trying to finish a blanket for my neighbors who are having a baby girl in the next month. Patrick and Kaitlynn have been such good neighbors. They are having their 1st. Sweet!

Hard at it but ready to call day one to an end.

One more day to heal and then I've got to get back at it. Tony has a sub for Saturday but I have been asked to train a sister as a vei coordinator. The Lord will bless me.

NOT DOING MUCH BUT TRYING TO GET BETTER

Wow, it's been a rough few days since Christmas. Trying to get better but it's been a slow process. Yesterday, I was doing better than Tony so I drove him to the Urgent Care. He wanted to make sure he didn't have pneumonia. While he was being checked, I ran to Walmart and picked up some fresh ginger so I could make another gallon of "Ginger Shot"  I went back to get him and we went to Costco to pick up some prescriptions that the doctor ordered for him. He didn't have pneumonia, but what we both have is Influenza A. We went thru the Chick Fil A drive thru and got a salad and came home. We are supposed to get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids. 

I have been able to finish a book I was reading by Traci Hunter  Abramson. 2nd one of her's that I've read and I really like her writing. Would like  to get more of them.  

I've also been working on gluing some die cuts together. Anything to keep me from being so bored. Gotta keep my hands busy. Between snoozing anyway! Last night, we both took a ginger shot before bed and then I took NyQuil and Tony took Delsym. FINALLY, we both got a decent nights rest !!  I didn't get up till nine o'clock this morning and Tony slept till 10.  He would have slept longer, but Jess called and said they were going to take Lynn back to the doctor. She was having trouble breathing. Tony told him to keep us posted. 

He called us later this afternoon. She has bacterial pneumonia. They were given an antibiotic prescription and then called us this evening and it is helping and she is doing better as well. This has sure been a dozy of a bug. I know it's running rampant throughout the state. 

THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

Just hope the New Year is healthy for us.

A ROUGH START TO THE NEW YEAR COMING UP

Well, the bug has caught up to us. I started getting sick on Christmas day.  By the day after, it was full blown!! Bad cough, runny nose, achey body. Generally just feeling awful. Tony went to the gym on Friday alone. I could tell I wasn't up to working my temple shift on Saturday, and I certainly didn't want to pass it along, so I called Diane Perry. Bless her heart, she subbed for me.

I was keeping tabs on the media because President Holland had been admitted to the hospital.  He did pass Saturday morning early. 

I,m sure he was greeted by President Nelson. and he is now with his beloved wife, Pat, and those who went before. Two very great men right here.  President Nelson & Elder Holland.

Then when Tony got home from the temple, he told me  that our co-worker,  Gary Walker, had passed last Tuesday. He was the sweetest man. He had been sick and wasn't working at the temple for a few weeks but just recently, he was back. So, this was a surprise. I love his wife, Katherine and wonder if she'll continue on our shift. I hope so but understand if she steps down. 

When Tony got home, he said he was wondering if he was catching the bug. As the day progressed, it was confirmed. He's sick now too. He has a temp and so Saturday evening, our Ministering brothers came over and gave us each a Priesthood blessing. We  planned on staying home from church on Sunday because we certainly don't want to pass this along. It's a bad one. 

Tony had finished this puzzle last week and I forgot to post it. Tammy and Chris gave it to him last Christmas. He finally got it done and I love it, so of course, he will frame it for me.

Sunday was interesting!!  I had the Zoom link to watch church . Then I get a text saying that there was a light in the chapel that started on fire and the firemen were  there and the building had been evacuated. WHAT??  The Bishop announced that church was canceled and to have Sacrament at home. Then we got another text saying it was not a fire but a light was smoking and the electricians were coming to fix it. So, the few who did go to church, met in the Relief Society room for Lincoln Hendricks Missionary farewell.  Shantel Bugby sent me this picture. 

Tony and I brought it up on my computer and we watched from the comfort of our living room. It was a fantastic meeting. I was so interested in Lincoln's talk that I neglected to take his picture. This is his dad. Lincoln is going to Argentina and he will do a wonderful job. He is a fantastic young man.  Tony and I are just taking it easy the rest of the day. Tony is running a temperature of 101 so he may go to the doctor tomorrow. I still have a horrible cough but other than that I am feeling a wee bit better. I'm sure it will pass in time.

CHRISTMAS 2025 COME AND GONE IT WAS A LOVELY DAY

Well, plans change and its good we are flexible. We were going to have Christmas dinner at Lynn's with Jess and Diane and they were going to do a ham, beans and stuffing. I said I would cook a turkey, mashed potatoes, & gravy,  cranberries and Jill was bringing the Pretzel salad and Tammy a tossed salad. We had a pumpkin pie as well. Tuesday, when we went to the temple, Diane and Lynn got sick and couldn't finish the things we had planned. They went out to the car the last 45 minutes. We took them home and went and bought Chicken Teriyaki bowls and brought it back to them. Then we left and let them rest. Wednesday, they weren't much better and decided it was best if they didn't have Christmas dinner at Lynns. So I called the kids and told them to come to our home for dinner. Last night, I had a hard time sleeping as my throat was scratchy and this morning I got up with a cough and runny nose.  OH DEAR, too late to cancel so I hoped to feel good enough to entertain and hoped not to spread germs.

We slept in till 8am and then opened our gifts. Tony and I didn't get each other gifts because we bought the shed and new garage door and said "Merry Christmas" to us. lol BUT, Tony wrote me a beautiful letter and it made my day!! Heather sent me this lovely serving tray with a recipe on it (in my Mom's penmanship and her BEAUTIFUL picture)  

I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!

 I was careful as I cooked the turkey, butternut squash, rolls and mashed potatoes.  We tried several times to call Lynn, then Diane and then Jess. No one would answer. We were supposed to exchange food at 1 o'clock. Tony called two different times and then at 1, I called and finally Lynn answered, I told them Tony was coming soon to bring food. He did as Scott and Jill and the 2 kids arrived.  Then before he got back, Chris & Tammy and the 3 kids arrived. Soon Tony was home with green beans and stuffing. No ham. It was fine. The turkey was only 9 pounds but we had enough and even some to take down to Yeti. 

We enjoyed dinner together.  We were planning on Claire and Lincoln and Mostyn too, but they didn't come.

We were all able to sit at the table but we would have put the 2 little boys at the island if needed. We had a good dinner and a great visit!

It was good I had a turkey in my freezer and we cleaned it up. So glad the girls brought delicious salads and we had all the fixins to boot. It was so fun to have Hawkins with us as he has been away at school in Pocatello. 

After dinner, we got out the games. The kids are so sweet to indulge us old fogies in a game of GOLF. 

Hawkins wasn't going to play but he did take over for little Tony when his dad took him home to get his go cart he got for Christmas.

It was fun! 

I was the lucky winner which is a shocker. Little Tony was doing really well and Hawkins did great after he took over for him.

BUT, I won!!  lol

Tony showed us his little motor car.

It even has a radio.

Katelynn took a spin on it too!

We came back in to finish our game and Corbin came and showed us his lego car he had put together. He had one more to do so went back to the living room to work on it.

When the games were over, the kids left to go spend some time with Jill's family.  So glad they made it over. 

Then Chris & Tammy left. I was getting dark and had started to rain so I quickly got a porch picture of them. 

It was a fun day and we all enjoyed ourselves. I cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to rest. I made myself a hot chocolate and am hoping I can kick this cold quickly!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! 

I LOVE MY FAMILY SO MUCH!

SUCH A BUSY TIME OF YEAR

 Saturday, we got up at 4am.  Served our shift in the temple. Several of us sister's brought goodies and shared some Christmas Spirit. It was fun.  It was a beautiful day but started to rain, which we need.

I love being in this beautiful place. So much peace from the world.!

We got home and basically relaxed before we went to the movie with the Poulsen's. Tony finished his puzzle and I crocheted. Then off to see the wizard.....not really but we did go to Wicked For Good.  Not impressed. I am so disappointed in Disney. We got home fairly late and got ready for bed. After getting up at 4am, we were tired!

Sunday, we went to choir practice and then we had another Christmas program. The Primary children sang! SO ADORABLE!! Then Sister Bugby sang OH HOLY NIGHT! She has a great voice and really brought the spirit. The Bishop was our speaker and he did a wonderful job. Our Bishop is so tender hearted and he cries easily but it was so spiritual and he really helped us feel the true meaning of Christmas. It was a GREAT meeting.

Church was only an hour, so we came home and I prepared a Quiche for dinner with some fruit.  

Lona helped Lynn order a new dress on line when she was here for her sister's funeral. She wanted a picture of Lynn in it when it came. SO, I took a picture of Lynn in her new dress and we sent it to Lona.

I invited Liz for dinner as well as Bunny McDougal. Sister McDougal lives with her son and daughter in law. They had to leave town as Johanna's grandmother had passed and they went to her funeral. I didn't want Bunny to be alone so invited her as well. BUT, as it turned out Bunny decided not to come because she has a hard time getting around (she has a walker) and she had another son who was coming over at 5. SO, it was just the four of us.

Afterwards, we watched 3 Christmas specials in the living room and Liz said she thoroughly enjoyed being with us and it felt so cozy and Christmasy.  I had Tony take a picture of us.

I am definitely going on a crash diet after the holidays. It is so hard this time of year AS EVERYBODY brings goodies over. My fault too because I make them as well and I EAT THEM!!  

BIG PROBLEM!!

Liz left after the Christmas videos and then we three played Golf. Then at 4, Brother Dickerson came by and visited with us.....and brought a loaf of bread!  Better than all the goodies we have been getting. lol  However while he was here, the Jarrett's came over and brought a tin of cookies and Almond Roca.  I CAN'T WIN!! After he left, it was time to go to the Christmas Sing A Long at the Stake Center. We figured it would be an hour tops. It ended up lasting a good 2 and 1/2 hours. They sang every song in the book....literally! It was way too long but we still enjoyed ourselves.

Then at 4, Brother Dickerson came by and visited with us.....and brought a loaf of bread!  Better than all the goodies we have been getting. lol  However while he was here, the Jarrett's came over and brought a tin of cookies and Almond Roca.  I CAN'T WIN!!  

After he left, it was time to go to the Christmas Sing A Long at the Stake Center. We figured it would be an hour tops. It ended up lasting a good 2 and 1/2 hours. They sang every song in the book....literally! It was way too long but we still enjoyed ourselves. There was a ward singing the opening song and they needed men. Tony went up and sang with them. SWEET!~ 

When I got home, I used AI and embellished Liz and I BIG TIME!!

It was so fun. Time for bed.

IT MIGHT BE A WHITE CHRISTMAS AND MAYBE NOT

When we got out of the gym on Thursday, it was snowing. LIGHTLY!  It didn't last long however and melted shortly after 

it came down.

I worked in my computer room, organizing and cleaning and Tony did the same in his office.  Then we went downstairs and I made some potato soup (which was totally disgusting) and we watched three Christmas movies. 2 before I left for Book Club. ELF and THE GRINCH (live action, not cartoon) Then I left for Kylnn's.

There were nine of us who showed up. Klynn's home is gorgeous!!  We always have book club at her home in December because she has such a beautiful home and it is decorated to the hilt.

She has her Christmas Village up, and her shelves are full of snowmen of every size!

She normally has three full size Christmas Trees up but this year she only (ONLY, LOL) put up two!

And they are so beautiful!!

We didn't have a specific book this month. We were all supposed to come with a favorite Christmas story or a favorite Christmas book or poem. Effie, read a short story, Joyce Glaettlie's granddaughter told a favorite Christmas memory, Joyce told about THREE Christmas books she read. Lynn told about her Christmas doll and The Christmas Box. Jenni read a true miracle story (which I want a copy of) and then it was my turn.

I started by telling them that we stopped at Chick Fil A on Tuesday after the temple and how I saw Santa. Then I told them I wrote a Poem and I read it! lol

I was a hit. I had to admit that I used AI so couldn't take all the credit.

BUT, I was a hit!!  LOL

We had a wonderful dessert and then I took Lynn home. Tony and I watched CHRISTMAS JARS when I got home and then hit the sack. We got to the gym this morning, and walked our four miles.  One of the men who walks and talks to us told us to get a gift out of the box on the coat rack. He said his wife made them.

It was a cute plastic canvas mouse with a kiss in it's mouth and two Kisses in the bag (which we ate on the way home) with this sweet Christmas message. I love it.

Then Tony and I went to Costco and got a salad, some nuts, prescriptions and milk and cream. After going home and putting the stuff away, I got my Christmas packages for Pat and we drove out to her home to exchange gifts. She is so sweet! She had a cheese, cracker and meat tray to share with us and then after we ate the snacks, we opened our gifts.  It was so fun! She's a great friend!

Tony took our picture before we left. 

I love this woman. She is such a great friend. She has the best personality and is really really funny! 

AND talk about GENEROUS!! 

She gave me lotions, creams,  (multiples) earrings, candy, a gift certificate to CHICK FIL A and dryer beads. She was happy with the gifts I gave her too. We visited for a good hour and then came home. I had to make a treat to take to the Temple tomorrow.

So I made Caramel Popcorn and spread it on parchment paper to dry.

Now I'm crocheting and Tony finished his puzzle,

Tammy and Chris gave it to him last year. 

Now he's working on one Jill gave him.

The man loves his puzzles!! I'm headed to the shower and then we'll watch a Christmas movie before bed. It's been a good day!