IT'S A GOOD LIFE

It has been another busy week and now that the weather is getting warm, it's gonna be non-stop!! Of course, Monday, we did the gym thing and then celebrated with Mom Norton for her 94th birthday. Tuesday was our temple day. Starting by picking up Lynn and Diana Brown at 8:45am and ending at 2PM in the afternoon. It was such a productive day serving our ancestor's, so it was great!  Tuesday night was Relief Society and it was our yearly "PAINT NIGHT"... I'm terrible and didn't do any better on this one than I did on any of the others. Jon, my son in law will get another canvas to paint over and make something worthwhile. lol

We did an ocean sunset scene. My palm trees look like "FEATHER DUSTERS" ... LOL  BUT, check out some of the other sisters work!

I was really impressed with some of them!! These Palm trees look great!!  I need to start over!!!  But I won't! lol

This is Beanna Edge. Now married, and I don't know her last name. She came with her mom, and used to be one of my Young Women when I was Young Woman President.  So cute!

Val Jorgensen used to be another of my Young women. She's still in the ward and is a school teacher now. She did a mountain scene and did a great job!

Sister Wilson did a mountain scene as well and did a great job!!

I love this one!! Beautiful all the way around!!

JoHanna and I sat together and we had the best time laughing at ourselves and our master pieces! lol

Daniela and her mother, Chabuka sat with us as well. Daniela added birds and stars and a hammock on her painting. It was a fun night and a GREAT turnout. After putting up all the tables and chairs (thanks for the help from Val Jorgensen) and some other sisters, but mostly Val, I came home and went to bed. Dead tired!

We went to the gym, Wednesday morning, walked our 4 miles and Pat gave me this beautiful pot and the stand. She said she wasn't using it anymore and wanted me to have it. I put the plant (she gave me when Joyce died) in it and I love it higher!!

It really looks nice!

Even Tony said it looks better than just sitting on the floor. It's been a very healthy plant in this location so I hope it continues to thrive.  We ate a quick breakfast and then I had my yearly eye appointment. My eyesight is horrible! I have 3 cataracts in my left eye (I didn't even know there were different kinds) and one in the right. She said I needed to get them removed so they are making an appointment for me to meet with Dr, Barrett from Hollingshead.  Not sure when they will remove them but she said I will be amazed at how well I can see when they are taken out. YAY!! We went straight from the appointment to Robin's to put her "CAT HOUSE"  lol together.

It took us awhile and Tony did most of it but I helped some when I made some suggestion's he didn't see. He told me "good job" Laverne.  lol He also hung a beveled glass thing she wanted hy=ung up and then we came home and ate a quick lunch before heading out to do yard work. Yes, it's that time of year!!

We cleaned out the berm in the front yard and cut back bushes, pulled weeds etc! Tony blew off all the leaves and whatnot and I mowed it up.  My cherry tree is budding out!

We moved to the back yard and did the same. A lot more trees and bushes in the back to trim and clean up!  WHAT A JOB!! It's gonna be a dry summer, because we didn't get a lot of snow so we are cutting back on planting. We pulled up the raised garden too and I have a bunch of carrots to give to Pat for her rabbits. Not sure they will be good to eat. Maybe!  

I cleaned out my flower pots and then mowed the back yard. We were both so stiff and sore when we came in. The temp was 81 and beautiful outside. We showered and got ready for bed. Watched an episode of NCIS Origin and then came up to read our scriptures and go to bed. It's a good life! 

GOD IS GREAT!~

LYNN TURNS NINETY FOUR TODAY

Last night,Tony finished this puzzle and he's already started on another. A  2000 piece Star Wars one. 

That should take him some time....  lol

We went to the gym this morning and I walked with Pat. We always have so much to talk about and thoroughly enjoy one another's company. After we finished we went to Walmart to find a thumb drive to put the pictures of Gary Popes funeral on, so I can present it to his wife, Janet. MAN, WERE THEY EXPENSIVE!!

I've never seen thumb drives go for so much money! One was three hundred and something!! The cheapest was around 40 dollars.   I did pick up a skein of yarn. I would have gotten more but they only had one in the colors I wanted,SO, I'll check the other Walmart on Garrity soon. We came home and Tony ordered a thumb drive off Amazon for $10.  It will be here tomorrow and I'll download the pictures I took, and take it to Janet with a sympathy card. At 2:45, we picked up Lynn, and took her to TEXAS ROADHOUSE for her birthday. She turned 94 today!

She and Tony split a full rack of ribs and two sides. I got a 6 ounce steak and 2 sides. We also got a BLOOMIN ONION for an appetizer. I gave my green beans to Tony after I'd had a couple of bites. Then he gave me some of the corn they had. It was good and Lynn was happy to have a good dinner.

I took a picture of Tony and his mom after we'd eaten. Lynn is exactly 20 years older than her son.  Then a lady and her husband were leaving and she offered to take one of the three of us. 

After leaving TEXAS ROADHOUSE, we took Lynn to COLDSTONE for some ice-cream. She and Tony split the FOUNDER'S FAVORITE and I got a drink. I think she enjoyed celebrating a 2nd time. (We celebrated on Saturday night in a joint birthday party) and she is going to celebrate again in Utah in a few weeks. She said she got several phone calls today and so she feels pretty good. We brought her home and now I'm finishing up laundry (I washed our sheets) and Tony just left to put Lynn's washer & dryer into her downstairs bathroom. Yeti is home from work and helping him. We were asked to set up tables and chairs for tomorrow nights Relief Society activity so I asked Tony if he and Yeti would do it after they get the washer & dryer job done. He said they would. Now I'm going up to put my bed back together. That's a job all on it's own.   A BIG OOPS!!  While I was upstairs, putting the sheets back on my bed and taking a shower, I had my phone on the charger down stairs in the living room. Tony tried to call me to tell me he needed help, as Yeti had to go to a singles activity and couldn't help with the table and chairs. By the time I got to the church, he had all the tables set up and I just helped with the chairs. 

SORRY ABOUT THAT!! 

I swear, it's always something.  But, it's done and I'll have to be the one to take down tomorrow night after the activity. A couple of the younger sisters help but 90% of us are my age, so there's that!!

TUESDAY THRU FRIDAY HAS BEEN BUSY

Tuesday, Tony and I subbed at the temple for the Stringham's. We started at 7am and worked till 11am. Then we did Initiatory. I was only able to do 5 but Tony was able to do 10. We then did an endowment and left a little after 2. We went to CHICK FIL A for lunch and then came home. I got out a bunch of scrap paper and some word dies and started cutting. I got a lot cut. Words like love, hope, hugs, birthday, thanks, happy, you,  etc. Then I had to untangle them and place them in separate containers. I should have been a little smarter and done that from the beginning. lol

I'm now gluing about 5 of each word together to make a thick word that will stand out on a card. That's gonna take some time, but it gives me something to do while watching TV.  At least until I get more yarn to crochet. lol 

I was expecting Chris and Norma to come back through Nampa, on their way home from Bellingham. I was in contact with Chris and  he was thinking they would arrive around 9 or so Wednesday night. I got busy and made 17 breakfast burritos, and a batch of peanut butter cookies. I figured they might be hungry when they arrived. WELL, it wasn't to be. Chris got a hold of me later and said they let the kids sleep in while he and Norma looked at a place where she might start her business. Then found out the Susquehanna pass was closed, due to a bad storm and several slide off's and crashes. They were rerouted through Portland and he said don't wait up for us. He thought they might have to stop somewhere before they got to Nampa.  As it was, we went to bed and got up at 6am to go to the gym.  I looked at my watch and there was a text from Chris. They got to Nampa at 2:30 in the morning. I felt so bad that they didn't come and stay but they didn't want to wake us up, so I let them sleep till he called me. They came over at around 10 am and I was at least able to feed them breakfast before they took off. Scott was able to come by as well, so those 17 burritos  came in handy. That and some fruit and fresh grape juice, made a good breakfast.

It was so good to seem them again.

I still had three left over and we gave them to Lynn so she could eat them when she needed a quick meal.

I got out the cookies and bagged up a bunch of them to take on the road.  Ari wanted to do a picture like the one I have on my watermelon wall, but with a cookie. lol Mau said he will have to get a picture of him eating watermelon so he can be on my wall too. I told him, I would love that and I need updated ones of all my grandkids. They are growing so fast!

I sure love this sweet couple!! It will be great to have 

them somewhat closer.

They stayed about an hour and then we quickly took some pictures in the yard before they headed to Utah.

 CHRIS AND SCOTT

After the kids left, Tony and I went on a visit with the Elder's.  It was a short one and then we came home and I went back to cutting dies and gluing some together. Tony had visits to go on in the evening.  Thursday was the Electricians luncheon and they were going to meet at the SUNRISE CAFE in Caldwell but we didn't go as we wanted to spend time with the kids. Don't get to see them very often. Later in the afternoon, we went to a viewing at Zeyer's funeral home for Brother Pope. He passed away last Sunday. In the evening, I picked up Lynn and Tammy and we went to the Stake House to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast. It was so good. I gave the opening prayer and then we heard from the General RS Presidency and Elder Quentin Cook. We had cake afterwards and then home to bed. 

Friday morning, (today) Tony had to take Lynn to an eye doctor appointment at 8:45am. So, Pat was good enough to wait to go to the gym till we finished. Lynn has  macular degeneration in one eye and both eyes are cloudy. It was a visit to find out her problem and we are waiting to hear when they are going to do a procedure to clear it up as best they can.  After the gym, we came home, changed clothes and went to the graveside service for Gary Pope.

It was a Military Service with the guns, a bugle and the servicemen and women in attendance.  

It was very emotional as they gave Janet Pope the flag. So much respect and precision as they did the folding and presenting. It reminded me of my dad's service. After it was over, we went home, changed again and headed to pick up Lynn and take her to COSTCO to get some eye vites that the doctor recommended. We ate a quick lunch there before we shopped and then, walked through the store picking up some items. Took her home, came home and showered and now we are getting ready to read our scriptures and turn in.

We have to get up at 4am to be to the temple for an early prayer meeting help for all coordinators at 5:30. GOODNIGHT!

GOD IS GOOD!

 

MONDAY

Monday was another beautiful day. The sun was shining and my daffodils are loving this weather. I know I've said it before, but I seriously need to get out and clean the beds!!  I'm sure there are some peonies coming up under that crap I need to clean up! lol

I just hope that all those buds actually bloom. They haven't  in the past!!  I put potash on them last fall so here's hoping!!  Monday, I did some house cleaning and laundry and then I got busy cutting out word dies with a ton of scrap paper. I got quite a few done before we had to leave for Scotlyn's spring choir concert.  I seem to get my times mixed up a lot these days. We picked up Lynn and got to the school at 5:30 and find out it didn't start till 6:30..... lol  We sat in the car and visited till we saw Scotlyn going in. 

So, Tony took a picture of 

"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST"  

She's the prettiest singer at Ridgeview.

Scott got some good pictures with his phone and he sent them to me after the concert.

This is Scotlyn and her friend, Gracie.

The concert was really good. One more this year and then she graduates!!  WOW, my grandkids are growing up so fast and that means I'm getting old fast!! 

And I'm looking it. 

I got a quick picture of Jill, Scotlyn and Scott before walking Lynn up the isle of the auditorium. We went out to the car and the wind had come up and it was cold!!  Tony was already waiting in the car because he had to go to the bathroom on the last couple of songs. A girl had a soda and she accidently dropped it and it blew up all over our car. It was funny! I thought it had rained while we were in the school.  We went to the car wash but it was closed so we had to wait.

We went home after dropping off Lynn and showered quickly and hit the sack. We had to get up at 5 because we were subbing for the Stringham's at the temple. Tony didn't sleep well and I honestly didn't think I did, but I got an 89 so guess I did better than I thought. lol

I did feel pretty achy when I got up. I had my back worked on this week but with all the die cutting I was doing, my back started aching again. This cartoon is apropos. 

I love to serve in the temple and it was wonderful being there today. I love meeting the other ordinance workers on other shifts and helping the patrons who come. We stayed after our shift and did Intiatory and an endowment for ourselves.  We stopped at FREDDY'S on the way home and grabbed a bite to eat. Then to Lynn's to empty her trash and check out the tile in her bathroom. It will be grouted tomorrow and then Tony will set the toilet again. Now we are home watching THE VOICE and guess what?  I'm cutting out dies again! lol

It's been a great day! 

GOD IS GOOD!

FAMILY FUN

YEP!! we forgot all about the time change last night. We went to bed around 10:30 and knowing the kids were thinking about being here at noon, I slept in till 8am. I got up and looked at my texts and found out Chris and Norma were on the road and thought they'd be at our house at 9am!  WHAT!!  lol  time to hustle!

He said they were going to stop by BSU so he could show the family but wouldn't be there long.

A little while later we got a text from Chris saying he had to pull over and take a power nap and the arrival time was now 10:30 or 10:45.

Later,  we got this picture and Chris saying they were passing by Meridian. I was on pins and needles. So excited to see them all. I was standing by the window and as soon as they pulled in, I ran out to greet them. HUG'S ALL AROUND!

Soon after they arrived, Scott pulls up, then Traci and Andrew. Then Jill and Scotlyn. We had a great visit and a lot of laughs! Tony came home between choir practice and Sacrament meeting and was able to say hi and give some hugs before he went back to church. Around noon, we ate chicken salad sandwiches, pasta salad and chips and continued to visit. It was WONDERFUL! I'm excited about Chris and Norma being closer. It will be so awesome. Not sure when they'll get moved, but at least it's in the works. 

I got a picture of all the kids as they were getting ready to leave. I had to laugh at Mau. It is such a beautiful day but he was wrapped up in a coat and a hat like it was freezing outside. 

Jill took one of me with the family. I was going to stand by Scotlyn but they told me to get in the middle. So I squatted so as not to block Norma. It's been over two years since we've seen them and I can't believe how tall the kids have gotten. I'm anxious to see pictures from Heather, as they stayed with her last night. 

Hated to see them drive off, but am looking forward to them coming back on Wednesday when they travel back to Texas. It was around 1:30 when all of them took off. 

Traci and Andrew were the last to leave and I'd never seen Andrew's vehicle so I told him I was going to take a picture of him when he drove off. It was such a wonderful day and I am so grateful for the time spent with my kids. I love them ALL so much.

GOD IS GOOD!~

EXCITING WEEKEND

I had a horrible sleep last night. Tony too for that matter. He ate fried rice and spring rolls and I ate spring rolls. That was the only thing we ate that was in common. Anyway, we both had bubbly stomachs and horrible gas. (I know TMI !!) But, it was a bad night to sleep nonetheless. It makes it difficult when we get up at 4:30 am for our temple shift. It was a regular day but we were officiators for the 10 am session. I had to concentrate really hard to stay alert but we both managed. Being the officiators in the 10am shift puts us out later than usual. We got out around 11:30. The lady that gave me the chair and ottoman last week said that the sister that was going to take the desk, decided she didn't have room for it. SO, guess who got it!! YEAH, Nancy said I could have it.  I was so excited! I'd seen a picture of it and it was gorgeous! After we got to the car, we drove back to Nancy's house and picked it up. 

I got a different view of the temple when we drove back from Nancy's house. 

It looked like it was about to rain and was pretty overcast but by the time we got back to Nampa, the sun was out and it was 65 degrees outside. We changed our clothes and then moved the dest into the house. 

Isn't it gorgeous!!  I absolutely love it. I really don't have a good spot for it but I did put it in the back room. 

I also got a new ottoman at Costco yesterday. The green one was broken for the 2nd time and Tony suggested we get this one. I wish it were green or at least a darker color, but it's not so it will have to do. 

It opens up for storage and can also be used as trays on the top when they are turned over.  I like it!  After getting things situated ,Tony went to his mother's to help her with some things she was having trouble with. 

I got busy making  chicken salad for croissant sandwiches. and a macaroni salad. I have chips and croissants as well.  Chris, Norma, Tristan, Ari and Mau will be here tomorrow. I'm hoping they'll be able to stay long enough to eat a quick bite and a short visit.  I've invited Scott & family and Traci and family as well. We all want to see Chris & family!!  They are headed to Bellingham to check it out and then will be back through on Wednesday on their way home. They should be at Heather's soon. They were in Moab when we were on our way home from the temple. I am so excited to see them all.  

IT'S BEEN A GREAT DAY! 

GOD IS GOOD!~