I'M DONE!!

It's been  busy few days! I wanted to get my Christmas up but wanted to wait till the Mary Kay party I had for Jill was over. SO, I started Thursday after we got home from the gym.  Tony helped me bring in all the tubs of Holiday decor. AND I started putting things up! I worked on things Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. At 4PM Tony and I had to go to Leadership meetings at the Stake House. We were at those till 6 PM and then we had an hour to come home, pick up Lynn and Joyce for the Saturday evening session from 7 to 9. We were so tired when we got home we went to bed. We got up this morning and we decided to watch the Sunday session on Zoom.  It was great. Tony was able to get Joyce on her computer to watch it and he went over to help Lynn get on her computer but she has so much garbage on her phone that she ended up coming over here to watch it. We were going to eat at her house today but since she was here, we ate at my house.  After dinner we watched 

COME FOLLOW UP and then headed over to Lynn's. We watched the BSU game that we missed yesterday. Since we already knew the outcome, we didn't get to upset about what was going on. 

We came home this evening and I finished decorating the tree. It has taken me several days and a lot of hours but I am done and a Happy Camper now! I gave a lot of stuff away to two gals in the ward and I still have way too much! lol

LIT!~

NOT LIT!~

The house is lit up and pretty cozy!!

IT'S COMING ALONG!!

Tony and I went to the gym this morning to do our walk and weights. He did 4 miles and I did 3. I was able to walk longer cuz I had Pat and Rena to visit with. lol It's a lot easier when ya have friends to talk to. Then we did our weights and the place was packed!! It was hard to get a machine without waiting for a while! Anyway, we finished and we came home and I got right to it. Tony had to go to his Mom's to help her with her computer. I was going to put up my village but hadn't found the batting and the styrofoam pieces that I use to lift some of my village up to make different levels. SO, I started putting up my wreaths. Easy Peasy!!

I also found my wooden words that I put above the doors.

I was going to get rid of things I don't need BUT dang it's hard!! I unpacked my Santa's I made years ago and I thought about giving them up but I decided to keep them and get rid of my even BIGGER Santa and Snowman that I was putting on the front porch.

Another wreath! It's all Santa's so I put the Santa word above it!

In unpacking the wreaths and a few other tubs, I found the batting and styrofoam pieces so I finally got the village up!

I told Tony I don't know how many more years I'll be able to do this. I'm getting old and my balance isn't all that great. I almost fell twice while putting this up! SCARY!!

I also got my GREG OLSEN Nativity put up.

I do LOVE Love love my village!!

Lastly, I got my lanterns up. I had taken out the batteries so they wouldn't get old and burst so Tony helped me put them in!

 AND WHALA!~

Once I finished, I went up to clean up and get ready to go out to dinner. We were taking the Jarretts out to pay them back for taking care of our mail and garbage while we were in Florida! We know they like APPLEBEE'S and we wanted to see what they had done in the remodel so that's where we went.

They are such good neighbors and we enjoy their company!

We  all had Lime Chicken and a salad. It was good but I wasn't able to eat all mine. Guess I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. We have Stake Conference tomorrow so it's gonna be a busy night. Meetings start at 4 and we won't be done till 9. There will be 1 hour off from 6 to 7. Jill is coming over in the morning to bring the orders and pick up one more. Laura is coming to pick up her order and I hope to get some more Christmas up. I should be done soon and then I can start baking and making cheeseballs and some candy. 

TIS THE SEASON!~

TEMPLE, PARTY, BABY & CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Yesterday, we went to the Boise Temple because Meridian is closed for 2 weeks for cleaning. It's always nice to be back in the Boise Temple. Semi small and compact. Besides, thats where Tony and I were married and it's always wonderful to go back and reminisce. 

It was windy and cold when we went in. I saw Brother  and Sister Gregory which was nice. They were serving on the morning shift. It was good to see them. We did an endowment each and then we did two hours of sealings. Brother Luekenga was our sealer. He and his wife used to be in our Stake till we were put in the new Ridgeview Stake. It was nice to see both of them as well. He was a great sealer. We had one couple in our 1st hour and 2 in our 2nd hour so we didn't get as many ordinances done as we wanted but he was so steady and so we still got 54 sealings done ourselves. GREAT!~

It had been raining while we were in the temple. We sure need it. We were going to go to the Deseret Book and get the new SAINT'S book but we just didn't have time. So we hurried over to 

CHUCK A RAMA to eat dinner and then we headed home. Tony dropped Lynn off and I went in to get my cookies baked and my jalapeno poppers and Fiesta Dip made. Tony took Joyce to WINCO to get some pills and pick me up some ROTEL for the Fiesta Dip. Jill showed up at 5:30 and got her things set up. Jorjette came 1st, then Joyce and then Terri & Jenni. I couldn't get a hold of Lynn so Tony (bless his heart) went over and found her asleep. She hadn't turned her phone back on after the temple. Anyway, the party was fun. I got an outside order from a gal in the ward and then Jenni had a wish list that her husband is supposed to fill. Lynn and I placed an order and then I gave a catalog to my friend, Pat Stone, at the gym today. It wasn't a real successful party but at least I did my part and I'm done now. Thank goodness!!  It wasn't totally hopeless!!lol I should have taken pictures but I got too involved in the party. By the way, the Fiesta dip was a BIG success!  The gals wanted the recipe. YAY for me!!

After the gym today, Tony helped me get all my Christmas tubs out of the garage. He is such a wonderful help to me!! I don't know how I'd get all this done without him!!  When we finished, he went up to clean up for the electricians luncheon. It was going to be at The Golden Corral and I didn't want to go. I'd eaten at a buffet yesterday, gained a wee bit of weight, so I didn't want to repeat it,  AND I wanted to get my Christmas started. Besides, Jill was coming over with Lincoln for a visit. I managed to get my BIG Nativity up before they showed up. Lincoln was asleep when they got here so I held him for a while and let him sleep. When he did wake up, he was pretty interested in all the stuff around the house.

He has grown so much from the last time I saw him. He's getting chunky legs and chubby cheeks!!

And his hair is such a crackup!! This side is thick and seriously course  for baby hair!! I guess  Claire shave his head a while back because it was so uneven. He's gonna have a nice head of hair when it all comes in.

We took him into the back room to see the Christmas tree. He was sure enthralled with it.

He's an adorable baby!!

Jill fed him and then got him ready to go see his mommy! Claire was working at the St. Al's in Nampa and was getting off at 1:30 and Jill was meeting her at the hospital parking lot.

Jill got him all bundled up and in his car seat so I took a picture of him out on the porch with good lighting!

It was so fun to see him again. He's a little doll! After they left, I got back to decorating. 

I got my COKE TREE put up as well as my 2nd Nativity. Then I cleared the top of  the entertainment center in the back room and then Tony helped me get all my village down from the closet in the back room. Then I decided I needed to get my Ginger Drink made because we finished the last batch this morning. It is such a time consuming drink to make so once I finally got that done and then I was too tired to do any more. At least I got a good start on it and will work on it again tomorrow after the gym. We have a dinner date with the Jarrett's tomorrow evening so we'll see if I can at least get the village up. I plan on having it all done before Thanksgiving.

I THINK IT'S HOPELESS!

We got up this morning and picked up Joyce and then we had Lynn follow us to Les Schwab so her tires could be rotated. Then the four of us went to the gym to walk.  While I was there, I got a text from Jill asking if I knew how many were going to be at the

 "MARY KAY PARTY" tomorrow night.  Unfortunately, I have only had 2 yes's and then one of them text me just before I heard from Jill, saying she didn't realize it was a Mary Kay party so she's not interested. :(  Jill asked if I would contact them all again today and remind them. So, after the gym, we took Lynn to the hearing aid place to see about getting something to help keep her aids in. Then we took her home and took Joyce to Walgreens to pick up a medication. She wanted to walk home so Tony and I went to COSTCO to pick up my medication. Tony bought me a new Christmas tree while we were there. I am so excited!! I'm definitely putting up Christmas on Thursday!! Tomorrow night I am having the party for Jill. I can't believe it!! I have asked 70 people and only ONE committed to come. I am having Lynn and Joyce come so I don't look like a total failure! I know they won't buy anything but I just need some heads to show up!! EVERYONE has other things to do or they just don't want to come. I will be so glad to get this out of my hair!! I feel bad, but I can only do what I can do!!  We came home and I made pork taco's for dinner. Then I came upstairs to send out a reminder to everyone to see if they would let me know if they could or couldn't come. So far, those who have responded are a NO! It will be interesting to see what happens. 

Tony went out to clean up the leaves in the front yard and I pulled out the flowers in the pots. He cut back some more flowers in the berm. It looks good! He then went to Joyce's to fix an outlet.

I got out my BIG nativity and put it under my

"JESUS TREE". 

I also got a sister to teach Relief Society on the 24th of this month. I had asked two before I finally got the 3rd one to say yes! Glad to have that done before our meeting tonight. I'll be so glad to get this party over and done with. I'm not a very good person to throw a party I guess. Hope Jill isn't too disappointed!

BUSY WEEKEND

It was a busy weekend. We served at the temple Saturday morning. Got finished around 11:30 and Tony took me to lunch at Chick Fil A because Stillman was picking us up at 3 to go to the BSU game.  I was a bit worried about getting cold but I was toasty!! I had on my velvet pants and jacket with a hood. I'd put leggings underneath and also a long armed underwear on top. I had wool sock and boots and Stillman had a nice warm coat of Michelle's he let me wear as well. I had a BSU scarf and Tony had put a heat pack on my back and WOW, did that ever help!! Warm gloves & I was good!

Scott came over before the game started and I got to get a picture with him! He and Jill sit on the end zone that you see behind us.

SANTA BSU was there. Stillman asked me if I told him what I wanted for Christmas! lol  I did not!!   :(

Jordan, Stillman, Tony and me!!  It was a fun night. Although, it wasn't a very pretty win....BUT we did win!! Grateful for that! We got home around 10PM. After getting up at 4:30, we were both so tired. It was my turn for Sunday dinner and I was going to make waffles but I was too tired to make up the batter.

So Sunday after church, I came home and made a quiche and fresh fruit! It turned out so good!!

AND, it's  pretty dish!! I was surprised! Both Lynn and Joyce had 2nds!!  SHOCK!!  I have 2 pieces left over, which we'll eat for dinner today! I am so proud of myself!! I have been trying really hard to cut back and I've lost 10 pounds so far.  40 more to go and I'll really be happy with myself!!  I want to put up my Christmas so bad but I decided to wait till Thursday because I am having a 

MARY KAY party for Jill on Wednesday night and I didn't want all that out till after the party!  I'll really be busy Thursday!!  When the lady's left, I made some ice-box cookies that I can cook Wednesday after we get home from the temple.  I'll also serve a Mexican corn dip with chips and some taco pin wheels. Hope I get some women here. I invited 68 and so far only know of two who are coming. YIKES!!  Jill will be disappointed. Hope more will come !

THURSDAY, TEMPLE DAY!~

Jess had a work assignment in Nampa today so they came to town last night. Diane was able to go to the temple with us and it was great having her along!

It was nice because we were able to do an endowment each (5 total) and then we did two hours of sealings. We got 73 sealings. It's so awesome to be able to accomplish so much!

After we finished up, we went to THE HABIT for lupper! While we were there, Scott called and asked what I was doing. I told him we'd been to the temple and were now eating. Soon, who should appear but Scott!! It was nice that we got to visit with him too. 

Good Day!  We went home and Diane came in to see all my shells! Then they took off and I got all my invites to Jill's

 MARY KAY PARTY

 I sent out 65 of them!! Not sure I'll have a very big turnout but I will try. I've already had several say "NO" but one yes so far! lol

After I got done, I went down stairs and worked on word search while Tony worked on temple names. Then when he finished, we picked up Joyce and went to Lynn's to play games.

Me and Diane (she won)

Tony, Lynn and Joyce. Tony came in 2nd, me third, Joyce 4th and Lynn last. It was fun! Time to call it a day! I want to start on my Christmas decor tomorrow!! We'll see!

BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS!

I am feeling so much better now and have been getting my strength back. I finally did weights again today at the gym. As well as my walking and elliptical. It felt good. I am feeding the Sister Missionaries tonight and have asked Robin over again. She called me this morning and said her back was really hurting (and I thought she was going to cancel) BUT then she asked if I'd ever had a Pumpkin Dump cake !! I told her no and she said she is making it for tonight. I was thrilled, cuz now I don't have to make a dessert!!

 YAY!! GO ROBIN!~

After getting home from the gym, Tony started to pull dead shrubs out of the yard. So grateful for him! I came in and started dinner.

I am making Taco Soup! I LOVE SOUP WEATHER!!

I am also roasting the tomatoes I got from my neighbor. I will freeze them after I run them through the food processor. Then one of these days I'm going to make Roasted Tomato, basil soup!  Now to clean up and get ready for company!

Tony trimmed a lot off the Cherry tree and I can actually see Joyce's house out my front window again!!  He's bundling up all the branches for garbage day tomorrow! It looks GREAT!

He also got the flowers pulled from the garden as well as the basil. It all looks so much better.  He finished, came in and showered and was ready to eat when the Sister's and Robin arrived. We had a nice dinner and visit and then Tony took off to go on his visits. The Sister's talked to Robin and I about faith and then they checked out all the shells! They were so impressed! lol  It was fun. After they left, Robin picked out a movie to watch. MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE. However, we didn't get finished before she was uncomfortable and wanted to go home. So Tony and I finished watching it alone. I'd forgotten it and wasn't happy with the ending! Too sad! lol

It was a GREAT DAY!~