Road Caravan

Duff and I in the Denali, Mike and Christine following in the truck.

Drive, drive, drive. Cloud cover for most of the entire trip. Lots of wind through the desert.

Saw a bad accident in Utah near Spanish Fork. One car roll-over. Emergency vehicles had just arrived and they were pulling people out of the overturned car on the side of the highway and working on them. One of those scenes that gives you a sick stomach and has you praying for whoever it is that they will be okay.

Dropped Mike off at his apartment. Adrianne was so excited for him to be home. Duff had to go up and give her a sweatshirt he got her: Friends Don't Let Friends Go To The U of U. Hahahaha! She was such a good sport! (She went to the U for a while...)

Got home and Shaun had the house spiffed up and the kitchen clean. That is always such a nice feeling to come home to a clean house. Thanks, Shaun.

Happy Birthday Leslie

Happy Birthday to my 'baby' cousin, Leslie! You cutie patootie!

Happy Birthday To You--
Happy Birthday To You--

Happy Birthday Dear Leslie--

Happy Birthday To YOU!

And many more.......

Cougar Victory for the Opener!

I just love this poster! We got several of them at one of the dinners for the Coaches Circle we went to and it is all over Provo. Don't you think it is cool? We put one in the middle of our Duffy Doings bulletin board at the cabin and then have family pictures all around it. Yes, we are fanatics.

We went to the first home game opener for the mighty Cougs today. The game started at 4pm. We had to leave Midway by 1:30 to be there by 2pm so we could eat in the Cougar Club tent, watch the warm up drills and so Duff could walk around and 'get the feel' of the game going! All four of us, Duff, Me, Christine, and Mike were dressed in our cougar blue, white, and gold/tan. This year I added a BYU bag/purse for game day. I found it at Bed Bath and Beyond. It opens up square and is vinyl on the inside with little drainage holes for leaking beverages I guess. It has pockets on the outside. My wallet, visor, and sunglasses fit great inside with room to spare. In the pockets on the outside I have sunscreen, chapstick with spf, gum, the tickets and wristbands, and my phone. Much less bulky than my regular purse and loaded with spirit!

Bob Davis, Christine, and Duff. Bob and Barbara are dear friends of ours from our Westminster days. Bob and Duff share an equal, avid, fanatical love of BYU sports, especially football. Here we live fairly close to them in SoCal but see them more often in Utah at the games! HaHa! Our tickets used to be together, but this year for some reason they aren't. Today they had yummy ribs, carving stations for sandwiches, chicken breasts, salad bar, corn on the cobb to die for, fruit bar, and the traditional white chocolate and milk chocolate fountains with every dippable you can think of. The famous BYU fudge, and these delicious strawberry shortcake things that I would love the recipe for. A sugar/shortbread cookie with whip cream on top and then smothered with sliced strawberries. Man, I could have had them ALL.

Bob and Barb's youngest daughter, Dana and her hubby Chase. They just got married in May. I remember when she was born!

I had to get a picture of this: we were eating, visiting, and watching the Utah/Michigan game on the tv's, and all of a sudden the drums start, and I whirl around to see that part of the Cougar Marching Band had come in and was playing for us. "Rise and Shout, The Cougars Are Out!" Oooo, we're getting pumped!

The view from our seats this year. We are a little farther north about the 35 yard line, but down about 30 rows. Good seats. When they tackle, you hear the grunts and groans! I don't think I mentioned yet how bloomin' HOT it was. Some were saying over 100* still at 4pm. Christine looked over at me during the 2nd quarter and asked if I was okay. A few minutes later, Duff did the same thing. Truth be told, I was really hot and had started to breathe a little faster. We were all sweating bullets. I finally couldn't take it anymore and got up to go to the restroom. By the time I got there, I almost fainted! I got some cold water on my face, neck, and hands, and started to drink, drink. Is that what getting dehydrated is like???? I decided to go to the tent where it is air conditioned. I must have looked a sight because when I walked in the door a man looked at me and said, "Oh, you'll do much better in here!" Once I grabbed a bottled water and sat down I noticed as I looked around that the place was FULL. I guess lots of others needed an escape from the heat too!

All of a sudden Barb and Dana walked in and came over to join me. They were hot, red, and sweaty too. We grabbed more water and some 1/2 time popcorn with hot dogs and brats and relaxed. It had been a long first half. Lots of injuries. The guys and Christine arrived, got their snacks, and more water. By the time I went back at the 3rd quarter (under cloud cover now, I might add--thank goodness) I had had 4 bottled waters one right after the other and didn't have to use the tinkletorium until 10pm.

The final score: BYU --41 NIU--17. Go Cougars! Off to Washington next week. Final note: when I left for the restroom earlier in the game, I was surprised to find that the ladies room includes benches and upholstered chairs for nursing moms! and changing tables! I nodded to myself and thought, 'yes, only at BYU!' (Where were they when I had my babies????)

Friday Fun

We woke up to a phone call from the Geek Squad from Best Buy telling us that they would be here in 30 minutes to install the new tv in the family room. We threw on some clothes, brushed our teeth, and ate a quick breakfast. Mike and Christine were still 'sawing logs'.

Jason arrived, and made quick work of getting everything set up perfectly. We are not handy-men in our family, so it always pays to have someone else do it! WOW! Duff and Mike did a superb job with their selection. It fits perfectly in the entertainment center and I can hardly believe the picture it has. I remember when tv's were only black and white pictures and everytime you wanted to change the channel you had to get up and turn the knob. There was no such thing as a remote or channel surfing. We had 'rabbit ears' for an antenna and thought we were pretty happening when we got an antenna for the roof! Now we use cable and dish. Oh technology is a wonderful thing.

Next we got a call from the Koellikers letting us know that they were rolling into town to help their newlyweds get moved in and settled and we offered to have them stay with us instead of going all the way to Kim's cousin in Ogden since they just had to spend tomorrow back in Provo again. They are on their way right now with Matthew and Dani because they can't get into their apartment until Monday. What a bummer for them! They are driving back on Sunday too, so we will try and connect and caravan with them as well. It somehow makes the drive quicker to do that. Brett and Duff have similar driving styles, which makes it easy.

Off to make sure the rooms are ready! and get ready for bed myself. After Swiss Days today too, we are pooped.

Swiss Days

Today is the opening day of SWISS DAYS . We love Swiss Days. People come from far and near to enjoy Swiss Day and what a celebration it has become! Through rain or shine, wind or calm, hot or cold, the celebration goes on and people continue to come to enjoy it's uniqueness and atmosphere. If I understand it correctly, it began as a way for the Swiss saints who settled Midway to raise money for the missionary fund. They put stands together to sell their craft and hand goods and the food of their heritage.

Today, it still goes to many great causes. First and foremost it funds the next year's Swiss Days. Beyond that it goes to community projects, donations to local city and commnity events, and still towards the support of the LDS missionaries who cannot afford to support their own missions.

SWISS DAYS FUN FACTS

Swiss Days hosts the largest craft show west of the Mississippi River. Applicants are screened by the Midway Boosters, sponsor of Swiss Days.

Swiss Days was born as a local harvest festival in 1947 known as Midway Harvest Festival.

During the 70's an advertising campaign with KSL radio began bringing tourists to the event. Most booths were filled with local wares.

As more people came, more vendors were interested in a booth on the square. In the 80's the Midway Boosters began requiring applications to secure a booth on the square which applied to everyone, including locals.

Today 200 booths are carefully selected from about three to four hundred applicants each year. At one time the booths numbered nearly 250. Due to congestion on Midway Town Square the number was cut back.

Volunteer workers are calculated by the number of Swiss Days hats given away to each willing participant. In 2007 approximately 3500 hats were given to workers who made scone dough, manned a booth, collected garbage, or many other tasks that keep Swiss Days running smooth. And that's just during Swiss Days!

Hundreds of hands work behind the scenes long before the event begins. Food is a big part of Swiss Days. Traditional foods part of the event since its inception include BBQ Beef, Knockwurst sandwiches, bratzlies, and Swiss Bread. This work is done by volunteers under the supervision of food handlers from Wasatch County Health Department.

Saurkraut is pounded out in July. Young adults in the area pound out 62 five gallon buckets full of sauerkraut to use in food booths.

Bratzlies are made in July, at one bakers dozen (13) of bratzlies per package. 29,700 packages equals 381,000 individual bratzlies cookies and that doesn't include the over-browned ones that workers take home to their families!

Swiss Bread and C innamon Rolls are baked in August the week before the festival. Over 1700 loaves of Swiss Bread and 700 cinnamon rolls are baked for the popular Relief Society booth. Be early--the bread is usually gone by each afternoon. Half the loaves are sold on Friday, the other half on Saturday. (This is TRUE. The bread is to die for. It is a braided loaf that you slice yourself. It is awesome as toast and french toast too!)

The traditional Saturday dinner takes 2000 pounds of beef and feeds about 2500 people. It's the most popular of the Swiss Days meals afternoon BBQ .

This year, Duff and I were asked to be booth judges! What an honor! We checked in on Friday morning with the Information Booth and got our judging sheet. We went up and down all the aisles to each booth judging on appearance, Swiss theme, and then the other criteria was the quality of the booth goods. Gosh, it was harder than I thought. Everything is hand-crafted, which means to me that all the vendors did their best work. After a while we got the hang of it. We had to be very discreet so the vendors didn't know we were judging. Some saw us writing after we left their booths and had been talking to them and asking questions.

We spent a good half of the day there. By the time we got back, we were EXHAUSTED, and took off our shoes and layed down on the couch and napped! It is amazing how it all gets set up by the ward youth groups on their mutual nights during the week, and after it closes at 8pm on Saturday evening, it comes down in record time. When you go to church on Sunday--you would never know it had happened, except that the grass is smashed!

Another year down. The countdown to next year has begun!

Happy Birthday Daddo

I just want to make a note that today is the birthday of my grandfather, Kurt Abramowski. He passed away on March 17, 1973, but I still remember him and the fun times we had. He had a big infectious German laugh throwing his head back while he did it. He loved FOOD and relished a good meal. He had a great appreciation for music. He had a beautiful voice and led many choirs. I still remember his white conductors baton!

He struggled with his bowed legs and bunnions on his feet. He would buy so many pairs of shoes looking for something to give relief to his feet. He was a 'fine' dresser. Casual or dressy, he was always classy. Bald, with a bit of gray around the sides! Short. And he LOVED his family.

Was he perfect? No. But he fixed his errors and always maintained his love for the gospel.

Love you, Daddo.

Back Down The Canyon....

Well, after two days at home, we headed back down the canyon. We just HAD to go to the BYU Bookstore before all the kids and their parents got into town. Boy were we surprised how crowded it was already. We should have gone a few days ago. Oh well.

We got our new BYU football outfits for this season. Shirts, hats, socks, etc. When you live with a BYU sports fanatic it goes with the territory. At one point when we lived in Westminster, our house was blue, gray and white, and our car was blue. Yeah, I know what you're thinking. What can I say. It worked!

Headed over to Natalie and Robert's place. They have got a lot more done in and around classes and homework. Natalie is organized and Robert does whatever she asks him to. Good Robert! Good new husband! He had all the boxes broken down and folded into their vacuum cleaner box already to put in a dumpster. Nicely done!

Then we decided to have an early dinner at Tucano's. They met us there and we got a table practically right away. They've added some new things to the menu. You really have to have a strategy when you go there, otherwise you are so full you are miserable. They have good creme brulee for dessert. I sure wish I could make a good one. I haven't got the knack yet. Anybody have a good recipe for it?

OH! But before we left, the doorbell rang. Who rings our doorbell in the mountains? Only someone we know is coming. Hmmmm. Who could it be? Aha! It was the cabinets being delivered for the game room! Boy were we excited! That wasn't supposed to happen for 2 more weeks! What a treat that we got to be there to see them all before installation! (which will now be in two weeks). They are amazing. Duff and I sat on the wall of the north driveway and watched them unload the truck. It was lots of fun guessing what went where.

No pictures yet, Jamie. The floor is almost done with installation, but so dusty and a picture wouldn't do it justice. Pretty soon, though.

Cross-Stitching

I've been cross-stitching today. I'm making the pillow covers for Christmas presents for Duff's family. Every year I make a new holiday/season cover for their display pillow. This year is March/St.Patrick's Day. I usually enlist the girl's help at Thanksgiving time, but I thought this year I would get a head start while I could. I picked them up at the stitchery store at Gardner Village last week.

Here is what they look like finished. Pretty cute, huh?

Reading

I have read two books while I have been here. I read Breaking Dawn and loved it! I think Stephenie Meyer did a great job with it.

Next I read a book that a friend lent me. It is called Stolen Innocence, by Elissa Wall. It is about the girl who pressed charges against Warren Jeffs. Wow. What a story. I could hardly put it down. It was a great read and I learned a lot about her courage. I would recommend it.

Other than that, we are watering trees, sitting on the deck, napping, and enjoying the peace and quiet.

The Closer

Okay. I have always been into 'who-done-it' books and shows. I love a good mystery to solve. I quickly got hooked on the TNT show The Closer with Kyra Sedgewick. I've always liked her anyway. My girls are into this program too. So while Duff and Mike headed back to Provo to make a final decision on the tv for the family room, Christine and I settled in and cozied up on the couch with Darla for another new episode! Christine is good at making predictions and quite often is right on with solving it.

Earlier in the day we went down the canyon to run some errands and stop over at Natalie and Robert's to see what we could do to help. They had a good first day of school. The law school starts a whole week earlier than everybody else. Homework already for them. Went to Costco to look at their tv's. Liked them a lot, but didn't realize they were kind of expensive. It's Costco, right? So we headed over to Best Buy and had much better luck. We just didn't have the right measurements we needed. Darn.

Next, over to Knee Shorts. We have to take advantage of this kind of shopping while we can! Duff and Mike got some great shorts, Christine got some great cami's and tops for school, and Mike found a BYU t-shirt for Adrianne.

Back up for dinner from Dairy Keen with a scrumptious peach/raspberry shake and then home. After dinner, the guys decided to head back to Best Buy with the complete measurements of the cabinet for the tv.

Gosh, it's so peaceful here up on top of the mountain. Last night we sat on the deck and watched the sunset until the last speck of light was gone. It was absolutely quiet with just a breeze coming from the south. I could have fallen asleep in the deck chair. Ahhhhh.

Yes, I'm Still Here!

Oh, I can hardly believe it's been a week or so! Natalie flew 'home' to socal last Friday morning because none of us thought through enough the rest of her packing up to move situation. She and I spent the next two days repacking all their wedding gifts, consolidating things in boxes, labeling, and dividing into rooms all their things. WHAT A JOB! I had forgotten how involved moving really is.

We 'cleaned up' and went to Matthew K.'s wedding reception that Saturday evening. A darling couple. The reception was in the Gardner's backyard and literally there wasn't even standing room, so we all decided to head out and grab some dinner at Wahoo's for some authentic fish tacos. Apparently many others that had gone to the reception had the same idea and so we had a good time visiting with everyone at the restaurant that we would have otherwise been visiting with at the reception.

Sunday morning we got the truck loaded and used absolutely every inch of available space inside and out. Duff and Brett K. covered it over with a good tarp and bungy cords and Natalie, Darla, and I were finally ready to head on out. As with most trips, we left later than we had planned, but it turned out okay.

We had a very nice drive. I just set the cruise control and we hummed along. Got great gas mileage--went all the way from home to St. George on one tank with some to spare. Hallelujah--we debated on whether to stop in Vegas for one last chance at In-N-Out and decided that we were making such great time and weren't really hungry yet that we would keep going. But when we got to St. G, were thrilled to discover that they now have one in Washington off the very same exit that we use to get to our property!

Got to Jennifer's to pick up Christine around 9pm (she had been there for the week visiting and hanging out with her cousin, Taylor). Surprise! Another of my cousins, Leslie (from Twin Falls, ID) was down, so we had a GREAT and long OVERDUE visit. The 3 of us just picked right up where we left off and made the most of the next hour, before the girls and I headed up the canyon for the cabin.

Funny thing: As soon as we pulled into the south driveway and turned off the motor, Darla hopped right out, ran inside, went straight to where we keep her dish and stood there anxiously looking at us like " well we're here, please get me something to drink!" Then she ran into our room to her kennel and barked until I opened it and she could get all her 'babies' out and then ran all over the place playing. She knows this place and likes it too.

Truly--I don't think I realized how tired I am. For 3 days I literally did practically nothing. I slept, sat, watched the Olympics, read, etc. I kept thinking--get up and do something. Then I went over things in my mind: 3 weddings in a year, Duff's mom passing away, my parents health, church callings, Duff's struggling business in this economy, and Shaun's illness ever present with some difficult turns lately, and I felt the spirit tell me that this time is a gift to regroup, rest a bit, and to do things in wisdom and order. Wearying yourself in well doing is important, and now is a season to balance that out.

When I let that sink in, I could feel myself relax. By Friday night I could feel strength returning. Yesterday I felt much better. I finally grocery shopped (I got really creative with what we had here in the cupboards and freezer!), cleaned out the south garage so we could park in it (it had been the storage unit for all Robert, Natalie, and Shaun's college stuff), watered trees, walked with the dog, and deep cleaned the kitchen, took all the trash down to the dumpsters. It felt sooo good.

Duff, Mike, and Christine stopped in Provo at Natalie and Robert's with all the rest of their gifts,
unloaded, and headed up the canyon. That was one of the best sounds in the world when they honked as they turned the last switchback and came up the street! Darla and I ran out to greet them and we all fell into each other's arms, hugging, laughing, and crying to be together. There is nothing like FAMILY. It's been quite a week for all of us. Which brings me to this:

To each and every ONE of you--Dad and I LOVE you all so much. Each of you is unique and special. Something is missing when we are all not together. This life takes us in many directions where that is not always possible, but let's make a promise to each other that we will do WHATEVER it takes so we will be together forever. Sometimes in this life things seem difficult, but the real tragedy would be not being together eternally. We can make it!

Happy Birthday Meredith!

Happy Birthday To You,

Happy Birthday To You,

Happy Birthday Dear Meredith,

Happy Birthday To YOU!!!

We wish you the best birthday even though we can't be there to celebrate with you! Wow, 21! A great age! Enjoy your party this weekend. Let me know when you open your present! You are a great daughter-in-law and we love you very much. Thanks for being part of our family.

Wednesday

More of the same. Nats and Robert down in Provo getting settled.

The contractor was here prepping the game room for the new floor installation. Nicole was also here. I asked both of them to meet me here at noon to go over a final calendar for completion. This has drug on longer than we have wanted. It went well and we are all on the same page. Even with a little padding, the finish date is set for October 18th. Realistically, that may not happen in the world of construction, so we shall see. But I am optimistic. We really needed a bathroom down there! If the finished product will be as cool as the paint job than it's going to be awesome! The floor will be done next Monday. It is a floating cork floor. Looks pretty nice!

I took Christine to the airport so she could fly home for school registration tomorrow. While I was down that way I found myself drawn to Gardner Village, of course! I was able to walk around on my own time meter and visit shops. I picked up some cross-stitch projects, a couple of small framed items for the new shelves here, and some bakery items from the Naborhood Bakery to bring back here. I sat and watched the ducks in the stream. It was early evening and gorgeous. A great treat to relax and ponder. I've been wondering why and how we get so busy that we don't do more of that. It is a good thing. I had a fine drive back to the cabin, where we warmed up some leftovers for dinner and watched the Olympics.

(Subliminal message: Shaun, I love you...)

Tuesday

Today was a lot like yesterday. Christine is in a MUCH better place. Wow, I have my daughter back instead of someone/thing else! Oh, growing up.

Nats and Robert took the truck and met some friends at their apartment to unload everything. Natalie heard back from the financial aid department and she is good to go with her tuition. That is a relief for them. Robert should hear shortly on his. That way their loans will go more in the living expense category instead of tuition.

I had a horrible headache yesterday. Today that is gone, but I'm still so out of it. Christine and I did some tidying up and took on the task of getting the trees watered. For many years, they had not been taken care of very well--very minimally if at all. You can see where many were lost and just cut off at the base. It makes me sad. So little by little we are getting the landscaping back in shape. Last year we cleared out a ton of scrub oak that had just been running amuck. The trees have space now and are beginning to thrive. We had a LOT of new growth this year and they look 'happy'. My family thinks I'm nuts, but I go out and talk to them and touch them and take care of them. They may be skeptical, but I believe it's working! Haha! Their branches point up and out now and are more full. The quakies leaves just dance in the breeze. Okay, maybe I am nuts! In all the scrub oak clearing, we found some little groves of Maples that we didn't realize were there. They are just thriving. Lush and full this year and we have discovered some new ones starting. Such a different landscaping than at home in CA. I enjoy the difference and the blessing to experience both.

I found some Tilapia in the freezer, so I cooked that up for dinner. Had canned green beans from the food storage. Not a favorite with the family, but I love them. Made some noodles and dressed them up with some butter and a little parsley, thyme, salt and pepper. Not a bad dinner for no grocery shopping.

More Olympics. Track and field has started this week. Some people don't like that as much as the swimming and gymnastics. I love the energy of a good race. I love the hurdles. My brother ran track in high school and I so enjoyed going to his meets. He did the hurdles and relays. So that part of the summer olympics takes me back to those happy times. I've really become a couch potato with the Olympics this time. Go USA!

Monday

Too dang pooped to do a thing! Guess it's a 'sign' of starting to get a little older. Dang it!

Really didn't do much of anything. Last night I parked in the garage and left the truck loaded. No reason to unload everything just to pack it up again. We just pulled out our very small pieces of luggage very carefully from the back seat of the cab. We had no room to pack much personal things. ( I will be doing laundry regularly...) Christine sat inbetween Nats and I in the front seat with her small suitcase behind her head on top of everything else in the back of the cab. It was late and she fell asleep with her head on my shoulder. Ahhh, love those moments. She can be so 13, and then so little girl again. There's nothing like a mom, I guess.

Natalie and Robert took care of externship paperwork, financial aid paperwork, and went to buy all their books and sell back last years books. They went to the law school where there are a lot of 1L's who started today with orientations, etc., who were more than happy to purchase the books at a much reduced price than they could get them from the bookstore. Very smart on Robert's part, because he and Nats got more money for them than if they would have sold them back to the bookstore. And newlyweds need money!

Christine slept until noon. Jenn warned me that she and Taylor basically ran at full speed everyday and didn't get much sleep. I remember those summer fun filled times! So I just let her sleep. Last night when we got here, she lost it. She didn't know which end was up, she was crying, loved everyone, hated everyone, wasn't going to sleep in her bed, only on the couch, and then finally ended up with me in my room. She was a much different gal today after a good sleep. Much happier! Whew! After all that, she still took a nap on the couch and fell asleep at 8pm. I've tried to move her to the bed, but I can't even rouse her, so I'll just let her stay there. She made some amazing chocolate chip cookies earlier tonight. She is really getting good in the kitchen.

I'm going to watch the news and then more Olympics. I'm tired, but not sleepy, if that makes any sense at all. I can't seem to do much. Why?

On The Road Again--

Duff, Josh, and Brett K. packed up the truck, tied it all down and Natalie, Darla, and I set off. Darla, true to form, was not to be denied going. What a dog. I sure hope we have a say in being together with them in heaven! Brett was returning lots of the items Kim borrowed for the groom's dinner on Friday and his timing worked out great for us. An extra pair of hands was helpful.

It was a nice drive. Nats and I listened to music and talked. Sometimes we were just quiet enjoying the silence and scenery. We got the tail end of a nice little storm just past St. George that was so refreshing. I have always loved summer monsoonal storms. They rush in, do their thing, and rush back out leaving a sense of cleanliness and freshness and often a beautiful rainbow.

When we got to Jennifer and Shane's to pick up Christine, my cousin Leslie, was there from Twin. Gosh, it was sooo good to see her and hug, laugh, talk with her. One think I have to say, even though most of my cousins on both sides live far from each other, when we get together no matter how much time has passed, we just pick right up where we left off. That is the POWER OF FAMILY.

It is always a treat to be in Midway. There is something about this valley that is magical, healing so to speak. When we get here it like taking a deep breath and blowing it out in a huge sigh. Ahhhhhh. Peaceful.

Now starts the Newell moving!

Congratulations, Matthew and Dani--

Woo Hoo, it's finally here. The last wedding of the summer! Matthew and Dani married in the San Diego Temple.

You look so happy and we send all our love and best wishes for a lifetime and eternity of happiness. May all your dreams come true!

(The reception was nice, but WAY too crowded. There wasn't even standing room in their backyard, so we greeted the happy couple and made a unanimous decision to go to Wahoo's for dinner. A lot of other people had the same idea and so we had a nice visit with many there at the restaurant instead of at the reception. Since we have 2 more Duffy weddings sometime in the future we will log that away and remember that if you have a backyard reception make sure you have enough space for the guests. Josh and Meredith are packed and leave for Arizona in the morning. It was wonderful having them here. I know they are grateful, but ready to be back in their own place. Funny how that goes. I have to say that they were great house guests for the summer. Meredith did a lot of last minute little 'daily' things that helped me so much with the wedding. And we got a great new chicken enchilada recipe! Their cooking night was Wednesdays and they made some delish dishes. One more year, Josh! Good job. We are proud of you both.)

More Time

I really am alive, but sooo busy....it will be good when school starts and we get back to that wonderful thing called a routine/schedule!

Be patient until I can catch up!

( Natalie flew home this morning. I picked her up in Long Beach bright and early. We headed home and dug in with the repacking, consolidating, labeling, and dividing by room all their wedding gifts and her personal and hope chest belongings. What a job. I had forgotten. Poor Robert is at the cabin all by his lonesome and counting down the minutes till she returns. Ah, newlyweds! I think we can get quite a bit of it in the truck, with Duff bringing a significant part of the rest. There are just some things that they will have to get during the fall as we make football trips to Provo. It is still crazy to see all the generosity of our friends and family, plus from the open house in Sacramento. I wonder if we should have rented a U-Haul instead. Oh well.

Matthew and Dani's wedding is tomorrow. We are happy for them.)

School Shopping

Today was the day! Back To School Clothes Shopping. I will say it again: I am NOT a shopper! I shop when I need something and have a pretty good idea of where to get it. I go and get it and come home. I'm a window shopper very minimally and am not driven by the shopping 'bug'. So I have to gear up for days like today.

Christine and I made a goal to be at the store by 11am. Darla had to go for her yearly shots this morning and because she has developed an allergy reaction to them, we have to take her in first thing in the morning, given benadryl first and then the shots and then they have to keep her 1/2 a day for observation. Last year she almost died. We got her to the vet truly in the 'nick of time'. So our plan was to be done in time to pick her back up on the way home.

We did some online shopping yesterday from Layers sale items. We decided we would add bermudas and jeans and shoes from Tilly's today with our coupons we got in the mail. She circled all the things she wanted to try on from the mail flyer and we were ready to go!

We had a lot of fun. She could take 6 things in the dressing room at a time, so we would hand the keepers and the go backs to each other deciding on how each piece could be used together and with other outfits. She did really well. She was very aware of what was modest and yet fashionable. On the drive home she 'taught' me all about fashion 'social suicide'. HaHa! Eighth grade is a big year, you know!

One of the best parts was our timing. We got there and got a front parking spot, and literally NO ONE was in the store! How did we manage that? My kind of shopping! We picked up a very drowsy Darla and headed home. Smiles all around!

Christine 'invited' me to help her go through all her drawers and closet! Another great mother/daughter time today! Do you remember doing that with your new school clothes and clothes from Christmas??? Cleaning everything out. It is such a good feeling.

She made all her YW calls and then a pan of brownies for their activity tonight and now she is off for that and I am watching the Olympics. I have to admit: we stay up until midnight every night watching them. Go USA!

Happy Birthday Denise

Happy Birthday !

Today is my cousin Denise's birthday. Have a great day and we send our love and best wishes for your dreams to come true as you blow out your candles!

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Dear Denise,

Happy Birthday TO YOU!

(okay, I totally don't know what happened to the multi-colored greeting, but it kind of looks unique so I'm gonna keep it!)

Thought For Today

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul---We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things."

"More and more the world is filled with chaos and confusion. Messages surround us which contradict all that we hold dear---enticing us to turn from that which is 'virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy' (Article of Faith 1:13) and embrace the thinking which often prevails outside the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, when our families are united in purpose, and an atmosphere of peace and love prevails, home becomes a sanctuary from the world. (President Monson)

"When we are tired or ill or discouraged, how sweet the comfort of being able to turn homeward. We are blessed to belong and to have a place in the family circle" . (Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, February 9, 2008, p. 29).

GO AMERICAN SWIMMING!

I hope no one missed this amazing swimming relay race! We were watching it at 11:30pm last night unfold for us on TV. The men's 400 freestyle relay. Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak swam their 'everythings' out of control to win but a smidgen of a second over France. Garrett Weber-Gale and Michael Phelps shouting in complete joy and unbelief as they saw the clock declare the US the victors.

The relay team: Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps, and Garrett Weber-Gale with the American Flag.

The finish came in the very last second of the race probably by a fingertip. When France and the US made the final flip for the last lap, France was ahead by a body length. Jason Lezak powered up, swam close to the lane line, and caught him with only a few strokes to spare.

What a moment!

(subliminal message: I love you, Shaun)

08.08.08 Olympicsl

Today is the opening ceremony and the beginning of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The Chinese find a lot of symbolism with numerology, so the Games began on 08-08-08 at 08:08 p.m.! The number 8 is a symbol of prosperity and luck for them. Pretty interesting, huh? They opening ceremony was so spectacular that the media have been evaluating it as something that will quite possibly never be able to be duplicated! They were amazing. The Chinese truly put eveything into it.

I have always been an Olympic junkie. I cannot get enough of all the events. I like them all. Lately, especially when I am in a crowd of any kind, my mind turns to the fact that we are all God's children. I marvel at His greatness and endless capacity, His love for each of us. I look at others and think, "They are my sister/brother." I am in awe of this. So I've been thinking that a lot while I've been watching the Games the last couple of days. I wonder sometimes what He is thinking when He looks down at them.

So, here's to the 2008 Summer Games!

Gold Medals All Around

Talk about tired! I think it is finally hitting me that the summer is almost gone and we have passed through the wedding and most of the things on our summer calendar that required lots of energy.

Duff was up and out early as usual for a Sunday morning. Christine and I slept in, then I got the roast in the oven. I wanted to duplicate my Aunt's meal from last week--I've just had that in my mind! Then out the door to pick up the Waller boys for church.

We left our meetings early and headed down to Mike and Adrianne's ward to hear Adrianne speak in Sacrament Meeting. She did a FABULOUS job. Her talk was very well thought out and written with just the right balance of doctrine, scriptures, and stories to illustrate the points. If mothers-in-law have any right to 'bust our buttons' I was doing just that. I was thinking on the drive home, how blessed we are that she and Mike found each other and she is part of our family.

We have been watching the Olympics. Go USA! I love the medals ceremonies. Just like the olympians, in my book, Adrianne got a Gold Medal today too!

Takes Me Back

I have to write this down so I don't forget it. As I mentioned before, while we were in northern California we stayed with my Auntie Ann. She had a delicious roast beef, mashed potato dinner waiting for us when we got there after a day of being on the road. As we sat down to eat, I was instantly taken back to when I was a little girl and my family would go to my grandparents duplex on 21st street in Manhattan Beach. This was such a fun house. I associate lots of warm fuzzy feelings with going there, one of which is my grandma's roast beef dinners on Sunday. The food from my grandmother's kitchen made you feel loved, safe, happy.

She always served broccoli with cheese sauce with her roast beef, and true to form decades later, my aunt does the same thing! I haven't had broccili with cheese sauce in forever, and it was an instant transport to back to those childhood days.

When my grandma passed away, my aunt got her Franciscanware Apple Dishes. We always ate on these at Mamo Myrna's and we ate on them that night. Another trip down the lane of wonderful memories. I have always loved these plates. So much so, that I have often considered getting some for my own home. I think they are timeless and classy.

I'm sure Auntie Ann had no idea the feelings these two things would bring to me and I never mentioned it to her, but am grateful for the simple, silent happy experience it was.

( We went to the Newell's this morning to watch the kids open their gifts. Again, people are so kind and generous. Since it was around noon when we finished, Tammie served some of the extra dessert from last night. My favorite is this one that was kind of like a fruit cobbler. I asked her for the recipe and she is going to send it to me. It was amazing, and there is fruit so it's healthy, right? And Auntie Ann wouldn't let us leave without a big breakfast of cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns.

Then we were on the road for home. It's really not too bad of a drive. Mike and Adrianne stayed at the house and took care of Darla and the garden and the flower pots. They did a good job and even had dinner hot and ready for us when we got home. I've been trying to make some headway with Breaking Dawn and am about 1/2 way through now. I'm liking it.)

08-08-08

You don't see something like the date above very often!

We are safely in the Sacramento area and having a great time with my Auntie Ann and her family. We are staying with her while we are in town. She is my father's sister. I have seen every one of my cousins who are in town and their spouses and children today! Duff golfed with Frank this morning at 8am and had a really good time. We lunched at a fun sandwich shop called Jersey Mike's and it was every bit as delicious as they told us. There was a nice delta breeze coming through from San Francisco so we sat outside to eat and visit, visit, visit.

My cousin, Jeff, has a 15 year old son who as Christine would say is a 'hottie', and Jake has been over at his grandma's most of the time! Chris brought up a friend from home with her, Addy, and they have been having fun with Jake playing Skip-Bo and watching AFV and getting to know each other. They have been swimming in Auntie Ann's pool too.

It's time to get ready for the Open House, so I'll sign off for now. I do have my camera this time, and I am taking pictures which I will add when I get home tomorrow.

Loving and Missing You All--

(journal: The open house was wonderful. Mark and Tammie did a very nice job transforming their backyard into a beautiful haven for greeting guests and visiting. It ended up being a gorgeous night--not too hot for August--and we loved meeting Robert's friends and family. We got to also see my dad's brother, Bob and his wife, Kay, as well Danny and Vickie Jenks who I grew up with in Torrance! Talk about a small world. Then too were our long time friends from our early BYU days, Mark and Judy McKinney. They are the kind of friends that no matter how long you are apart, as soon as you get together it is like no time has passed between visits. After the open house clean up, they had us over for some take-out P.F.Changs and to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony. I don't really know how much of that we truly watched because we did so much visiting. Good think I dvr'd it before we left!)

Batman--Another Perspective

This was in my email this morning. A review of The Dark Knight which I mentioned I didn't really care for. But after reading this, I see it in a different way. What do you think????

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
The Dark Knight is a Powerful Morality TaleBy Jonathan Decker

(Note: The following contains potential plot spoilers for those who have not yet seen the film).
All Photos Copyright Stephen Vaughan/Warner Bros. Pictures.

Quite the contrary to Don Feder's take on The Dark Knight, I found the film to be a riveting moral drama whose hero inspires audiences to hold fast to their values and not make ethical compromises. The movie is dark, to be certain, and definitely not for children; however, the use of darkness can be effective when its purpose is to let the light shine through, as this film does brilliantly. The Joker seems metaphorical for the devil, a being for whom bringing misery to others is the only source of pleasure. And yes, just like in the real world, even the very elect can fall, as is the case with Harvey Dent.

However the film is upliftingly full of virtuous heroes who stand against evil. Take Bruce Wayne/Batman, for example. While The Joker is indeed an “agent of chaos,” who devilishly appeals to the “natural man” instincts of Wayne , the fact that the latter does not give in to the serpent's temptation and refuses to become a killer speaks volumes to the film's favor.
While many Hollywood heroes casually and callously dispense bullets and vengeance, Batman is refreshingly hesitant to take a life. Furthermore, the hero puts himself in great danger to protect innocent people, and is willing to give up his own freedom in order to save human lives. He specifically risks his life for a man who is out to ruin him; in doing so, Bruce Wayne gives a fine example of “love your enemies, do good to them that hate you” (Matthew 5:44-45). Furthermore, the powerhouse finale finds Batman making great self-sacrifice to maintain the integrity of Harvey Dent, a man victimized into madness by the Joker. The hero willingly allows himself to be falsely accused, hated, and hunted in order to protect the people and restore their hope.

Bruce Wayne/Batman isn't the only moral hero of the film. What of Commissioner Gordon, a family man whose commitment to his wife, to his children, and to saving lives provides another layer of humanity to the film? His desperate cry of “We have to save Harvey ! I… have to save Harvey !” gives us a man dedicated to redeeming a friend who has lost his soul. Gordon is a character who is penitent for his mistakes, who upholds the law, and who loves his family. These are virtues seldom found in Hollywood productions, and they are to be applauded.
What of the boat passengers (including criminals) who, in a powerful scene, selflessly refuse to take the lives of others to save themselves? Do they not exemplify the great love, spoken of by the Savior, of offering one's own life for another? What of Lucius Fox, a man of principle, dedicated to the freedom and agency of the people? What of the character of Alfred? The loyal butler encourages Bruce to “be the outcast and make the right choice” declaring (as did Mormon, Moroni , and Joseph Smith) the importance of standing for correct principles even if we are alone in doing so.

The Dark Knight is a dark film, but it is also a fantastically moral film, with positive messages about our nature. The portrayal of violence is clearly divided between the evil, who kill and destroy, and the good, who use force when necessary for self-defense or defense of the innocent. The Joker is sadistic and selfish, and he believes the rest of the world to be so; Batman believes in the inherent goodness of humanity. The moral climax of the film comes when The Joker waits for the terrified citizens of Gotham to turn on each other, only to be shocked when, instead, they band together and follow their consciences. Seeing The Joker's puzzled expression, Batman states: “What did you expect, that they were all like you? You're alone. This city is full of people ready to believe in good.”

.... I feel that it is one of the most morally-centered films of recent times, one whose theme might be summarized as: “Evil exists in the world, and it is seductive and at times seems insurmountable. Standing for the right often requires courage, sacrifice, steadfastness, and the willingness to endure loneliness.”

The world is growing worse, and the Joker reflects that madness. However, in resisting him Batman provides a deeply virtuous protagonist who inspires us to not compromise our values. Ironically, it is the Joker who describes the hero best, when he asks Batman, with a fascinating mixture of shock, disgust, and begrudging respect, “You truly are incorruptible, aren't you?” The Dark Knight provides us with a hero worth rooting for.

Errands

Yesterday Natalie and I ran a bunch of errands to exchange duplicate gifts, mail thank you cards, exchange stamps at the post office, etc. Josh and Meredith spent the day at Disneyland since Josh finished work on Monday. They take off for the Shakespeare Festival later this week and then will head to the cabin on Sunday. While at Downtown Disney, they went to the Lego Store and Josh got a Star Wars kit--he was ALWAYS a Lego kid. Lots and lots of projects and building. It was pretty big and intricate, but after working most of the day, he finished it.

Today, Duff and I spent some time with one of Shaun's doctors, and then grabbed some In-N-Out for lunch. Natalie and Robert packed up some more of her room and left for No. California to get ready for the open house. It was kind of fun to send off the newlyweds in their packed up car getting ready to start their new life together!

Adrianne speaks in church on Sunday. She is nervous, but they were over last night and she had her MAC with her finishing up her talk, and had me go over it. It is very well thought out and written. We will be back in time from the open house to go and hear her give it. I know she will do a great job. She and Mike are co-den leaders in their cubbing program. When I was a den leader, once upon a time, it was probably one of the best callings I have ever had! There is something energizing and wonderful about 8-10 year old boys and their zest for life.

I've been a flake and not had the camera out at all. I'll try to do better! Just been so busy and I think about taking a picture after the moment has passed!

Josh and Mere's day for dinner. They made yummy chicken enchiladas, big mexican salad and sweet corn cake. Not only was it good, but it looked like it came from a restaurant all plated up! The Food Network would have given the colors and textures a thumbs up.

(subliminal message: Shaun, you are loved...)

Italy vs. Holland

Story to remember:

I lived my whole life planning to go to Holland. Since I was a child I dreamed of what it would be like to walk along the dykes and waterways, visit the tulip gardens, the windmills, wooden shoes, the blue and white dishware, the bakeries and pasteries and food of the Netherlands. I cut out pictures from magazines, read books, studied maps, and carved out a very detailed plan for the time there.

The time finally came. My preparations were going as dreamt of and planned. All my studying was paying off. My itinerary was set and I had envisioned it so many times that it would go off without a hitch. I boarded the plane and settled in for the anticipated ride.

As we landed, the pilot came on over the loudspeaker and announced that there had been a change of plans and instead of landing in Holland we had now arrived in Italy as our destination! What?? No! This cannot be! I was not prepared for Italy! I didn't want to be in Italy! I was supposed to be in Holland!

I had no way to get to Holland. I must make the best of my time and money now in Italy. I slowly began to find that there were amazing things in Italy. I learned a lot about a different culture, foods, landscape, scenery, history. As time went by, I started to realize that this detour was just as exciting and exhilarating as my anticipated journey to Holland and I would have totally missed it if I had been in charge.

I found that Italy is just as wonderful as Holland, and who would have known, except the Pilot?

PROVIDENT LIVING FOR AUGUST

Hi Family--

Look to the right side-bar for the new food storage this month. We kind of got off track in July with the wedding, but now it's time to get back on board.

This is kind of a fun one, because when you put these away it looks like you have done a lot and it gives you a sense of accomplishment!

After that dang earthquake last week, I feel stronger now than ever that we need to be prepared!

Love You All--

It's All About The One

...more coming soon....

There's No Place Like Home...

...except the cabin. We are home now. Took an evening flight. For about an hour this afternoon I wanted to stay for another day or two. Then real life kicked in and I couldn't wait until I got HOME with my family. The people I love the most in this world. The ones Duff and I brought into this world and the spouses who've joined us.

I sat next to a ten year old little girl on the plane. She was going home. She and her two sisters and mother had been visiting an aunt in A.F. She told me she was so happy that a girl was sitting next to her. She had been worried it might be a 'boy'. She was quite social for a 10 year old. She was anxious to share all about her trip. She was especially fond of a bookmark she got at the SLC visitors center of the Articles of Faith. I asked her if she knew anything about them. She didn't. So we had a really good chat about what they are and why they are important. She was interested in that way that young ones are. I had a book written by President Hinckley about womanhood that I was reading. I noticed she kept looking at the pictures and reading the quotes. I had the strongest yet quietest impression to give her the book. I thought, yeah right. I just got it, I was really liking it, and it had some great quotes I wanted to use on my blog. So I decided that I would wait until the end of the flight and if I was still feeling that 'feeling' I would give her the book.

I totally forgot all about it, until we landed and unbuckled our seat belts to get up. It came to me again so I said to myself, here I go! And I told her I had noticed her admiring my book and would she like to have it? It would be my gift to her to remember her first airplane flight and she could learn more about what God felt about womanhood. Her face lit up and she said she really liked the pictures and some of what she read over my shoulder and she wanted it. Her mother (who was sitting across the aisle from her) was very touched. Sooooo, who knows? I've been trying to be more aware of the promptings I receive and to follow them.

When we stepped off the plane, you could smell the ocean, and feel the humidity. Ahhhh. HOME. Natalie and Robert came to pick us up, and we had a good time visiting with them about their honeymoon trip.

Sad to say: I didn't take ONE picture while we were gone. But I promise some when we go back in a few weeks.

Bethany's Birthday!

Hey Bethans! It's your27th birthday! I soooo remember when you were born! Such a darling little girl to add some leaven to the Duffy brood of boys.

Happy Birthday to You.

Happy Birthday to You,

Happy Birthday Dear Bethany,

Happy Birthday TO YOU!

We love you and the woman you have become. Have a wonderful day!

P.S.--How did Nick do on Peter Pan? hahahahahahaha........ I don't think that will EVER die! Love Ya!

Cabin Company

Today was another day of relaxing. How nice to not have to leave the 'house'.

We did however play host to some pleasant and unexpected company!

First of all, Nicole came up to deliver the lighting for the game room remodel and to check out how it was coming along. We are behind schedule on this. The plan was to have it all done by mid-July. Haha! But all the demo is done and the 'putting the puzzle back together' has started. Pete was here to finish caulking the tongue and groove and has primed everything. The new mouldings look fantastic. The cabinets for the new bathroom, kitchenette, are done and are in 'finish coating' now. They will be delivered in two weeks when the craft hutch for the family room is done so they can deliver them all together. The sliding barn door for the bathroom is done too.

Then the concrete guy can come and make the template for the bathroom counter and sink. We decided to do a concrete one. The sink is built in and is a 'trough'. It is a very rustic look and 'manly' for that area. Duff just thinks we are spiffing it up, which we are, but what he DOESN'T know is that we are making it a total BYU room! (good thing he doesn't read this very often, huh!) A couple walls are going to be navy, the rest neutral tan/goldish, and the mouldings creamy white. The shower in the bathroom has dark blue glass tiles for the trims. I have been collecting some BYU memorabilia to put in it.

I need to find a counted cross stitch pattern for the Y logo and start on that. I did find some BYU fabric and hopefully when school starts I'll get going on a couple of quilts.

Fun note: Nicole and I have been trying to find a dart board set. You would think that would be easy, but I'm looking for one with a BYU outside and a U of U inside! Navy blue darts on a red board. I'm terrible I know, but throwing darts at a U football could be a great stress reliever, don'tcha think! Hahahahaha! I LOVE the color red, and have it many places here, but there is not a smidgen of it in that room anywhere!

Okay--so Nicole was here and Pete the painter was here, and then about 4pmish, there is a knock on the door. Now you have to understand--we don't get random knocks on the door here unless we know someone is coming. Duff answered the door and lo and behold, it was the Hrabiks, Gregsons, and Brewsters from home! They were 'in town' finishing up Aspen Grove and Landon entering the MTC and decided to come by and say hello!

It was a nice surprise and we had a great visit with everyone. Dani and Avery ate watermelon. Sweet Michael wanted to know if I lived here now and how many children I really had because there were so many beds! (some of my primary kiddos) IF ONLY we would have known they were coming we could have bbq'd some burgers and had a party! But they needed to get back to Provo and connect with Lacie. Her birthday is tomorrow and she and Zach just called off their engagement, so family time is important.

Our lovely day is coming to a close. I have some chocolate chippers in the oven and we are going to have a pizzookie and watch the Thomas Crown Affair on tv. Ta-Tah!