Saturday Scene

• Drove the carpool to Road Show practice
• Duff and I walked 2 miles around the lake.
• Grocery shopped.
• Made another banana cream pie. (Since we didn't go to Heather's last night, we ate it.)
• Went to Heather's.

She is doing well, all things considered. All her hair is now gone, but she said it's better that way, because it doesn't itch. The home health nurse was over earlier and removed all of the staples from the incision in the back of her head. Much better with just the stitches and some steri-strips. If she's cold at night, she wears a beanie cap, otherwise she runs hot. She is thrilled to be home, even if it's on the couch. Christine entertained Heather's kids, Scott ran to Costco, and she had a college roommate who flew down for the day from San Francisco to visit with her. Uncle Fred and Aunt Coy were taking a 'break' and Scott was 'holding down the fort' very well with some help from one of his aunts. We didn't go over last night because when I called, they were alone as their own little family. They haven't been able to enjoy that for a while, so since Mike and Adrianne were over, we pulled the pie out and enjoyed it!

• On the way home, we stopped for dinner at Yama Sushi. Nice jazz band going on.
• Warm day today. Looking forward to some rain next week.
• Talked to all of the kids at some point today.
• Natalie and Robert both have jobs for the summer now. He will be working for the Orange County DA's office and she will intern with Eric Luedtke's firm. They are both very happy and excited because most of the 2L's aren't getting any internships this year, and a lot of 3L's aren't leaving law school employed! Tough times.
• Christine is signed up to play spring Lacrosse.
• She is suddenly WAY into the violin. Practicing/playing in her spare time. So we are looking for a private teacher in addition to what she does at school.
• I'm practicing primary songs as I am leading the music 2nd hour. That will be fun!
• Off to bed!

I've Been Thinking About Roles...

"I have a testimony

gained from pondering and studying the scriptures

of a plan of happiness given to us by our

Father in Heaven.

That plan has a part for His daughters.

We have the female half to take care of,

and if we don't do our part,

no one else is going to do it for us.

The half of our Father's plan that creates life,

that nurtures souls, that promotes growth,

that influences everything else was given to US.

We can't delegate it.

We can't pass it off to anyone.

It's ours.

We can refuse it.

We can deny it.

But it's still our part,

and we're accountable for it.

There will come a day

when we will all remember what we knew

before we were born.

We will remember that we fought in a great conflict

for this privilege.

How do we meet this responsibility?

We daily put our energies into the work

that is uniquely ours to do."

--Julie B. Beck

I LOVE this quote. It was part of the visiting teaching message this month. There were several quotes about the divine roles of women, but this was my favorite.

I've been giving this some thought the last couple of weeks. Yesterday when the GE repairman was here, about 1/2 way through his work, he made the comment kind of in the form of a question: "You really do cook, don't you?" Yes, yes I do. I asked him, why? He said that most repairs he does are from faulty parts, abuse, etc. Not that they get 'worn out' from honest cooking. He asked me what that was like to cook almost everyday. It was an interesting conversation. I got to share our views and perspective on family. Why mealtimes are important. He had not given that much thought before.

I've been thinking about when I was growing up. I've been thinking about my own kids. Learning, chores, practicing homemaking skills, housekeepers, take-out food, yard work, gardens, budgeting, needs before wants. Vision. As a mom, I want all my sons to marry women like the quote above. (So far, so good.)I want my daughters to be that woman. I hope for them to be able to balance homemaking skills and nurturing with having fun and being spontaneous. I want to be that woman. Today the world tells women that unless they are out in the world and/or going a million miles an hour that their worth is diminished. Not so.

Men and women's roles are divinely and distinctively different. We contribute differently but equally to the home, family, and society. The YW and YM programs are supposed to be different. Learning different, but equally balancing, perspectives and skills bringing them together during combined activities 'training and practicing' that balance. I'm thankful for the Lord's wisdom.

Appliances--They Work!

Today the parts were finally in and the repairman was here to fix the cooktop and the microwave. We have been limping these appliances along because we keep thinking the kitchen remodel is just around the corner. But with the economy the way it is right now, that is on hold. So instead of the new appliances we thought we were going to put in, we've just fixed the old ones. And they work just like brand new! Woohoo! We don't have to use a lighter or match to turn on the burners and the fan works again now that we can plug the unit in and that 'click, click, click, click' doesn't go 24/7 and drive us all crazy! Old habits die hard, and when I was cooking dinner I kept reaching for the lighter. Oops, don't need that anymore!

Heather is HOME!

Check Cherise's blog for all the detail-details, but Heather came home on Wednesday night! All things considered, she is doing well. I talked to her this morning and she sounds tired, but good, and happy to be out of there! (I don't blame her. It was an okay place, but there's no place like your own home.) She is feeling all right, but still not much appetite. She has to force herself to eat. She loves cream pies, and I asked her if she liked banana cream. She said YES, so I'm making one this afternoon and we will take it up. If it sounds good, then let's get some in her! She needs some strength. The bananas will be good for the potassium she needs.

She couldn't keep anything down for almost 2 weeks, then emergency brain surgery, then in rehab for a week. She needs some calories in her to get her strength back!

One thing I've been so impressed with when I am with Heather--she laughs. She can laugh. Times are tough, but she can balance it with laughter.

Welcome To The World, Little Holly!

I got this from Uncle Joe a few days ago. Kurt and Angie had their baby. They had to take her early because Angie was having some pretty serious complications with a liver disorder brought on by pregnancy. (See Kristin's blog for a full account.) But she is finally here, and they are both finally home, and Angie is on the mend, but it might take her awhile. She could use our prayers. I don't know if Kurt and Angie did this announcement or Uncle Joe, but it's pretty dang clever!

Welcome to the world, little Holly!

H******N PRODUCTION CO.
Announces
MODEL # 4
THE NEW 2009 BABY GIRL
Kurt – Designer and Chief Engineer
Angie – Production Manager
Dr. Kimball Lloyd – Technical Assistant

Model # 4 is 21 ½ inches long
She rolled out of the assembly plant Feb. 21, 2009 at 3:21 A.M.
She will be named Holly Alexa

This Model comes with Double lung power, free squealing,
Streamlined body, new improved knee action,
Throw away seat covers.
Must be seen to be fully appreciated.
Shipping weight 6 lbs. 10 oz.

"Paper" and "Blessings"

On the way home from seeing Heather today, we stopped and picked up Mike and Adrianne's anniversary gift. Traditionally, the first anniversary is about 'paper', so we had their invitation framed for them.

It was really interesting: they prefer more straight lines and we kept trying to add a more simple frame and it was just getting lost. The gal who was helping me thought we should just try something a little more traditional on a lark. Bingo! It worked. Now you notice the invitation and not the frame. Yet it doesn't take away from the style that they like. And for something 'wedding' it adds an 'important' statement. The black is a really nice silk looking mat. It adds a lot.

I learned a lot doing this. I can't wait to see it in their home! I have a stack of our wedding invitations just sitting in a box in the garage. Maybe I should take ours and get it framed too. Hmmm, I'll have to give that some more thought....

Journal: Mike went with us to Heather's care facility while I was getting some training. He was so sweet with her. Her best friend, Carly, was there too and it was nice to get to know her better. We would love to have the same days and work together with Heather. The 3 of us had a pretty fun time doing physical therapy if you can even remotely call physical therapy fun. Well, maybe for us, but not for Heather, although we made her laugh a lot. She worked REALLY hard. Going home is a great motivator! Duff was on 'fanning' and 'towel' duty--keeping her cool and patting her face dry. To see the determination in her is inspiring! Uncle Fred and Hannah, Heather's daughter, were there when we got back to her room. Hannah and Heather were having a 'date' this afternoon. Hannah brought the Kit Kittredge movie. She had a cute bag with some Capri Sun drinks and a ziploc bag full of popcorn they could enjoy, and all her school work to show and tell. How darling is that! It was touching to see the divinity of motherhood in even these less than ideal circumstances. I've thought a lot about the blessing of being an ETERNAL family tonight. What if we didn't have the gospel? What if we didn't have baptism? What if we didn't have the priesthood? What if we didn't have temples? What if we didn't have covenants? An ETERNAL family would not be possible.

OH! How blessed we are!

I borrowed this picture from Cherise's blog. It is of Heather on Sunday doing some of her physical therapy. Yes, she gets her heighth from Uncle Fred's side of the family! And she still has her trademark smile!

I got a call yesterday to be a part of a team to do occupational and physical therapy with her when she comes home. I was honored! I go for training this afternoon up at the care facility. I'm on the hunt for 'all things in any shade of purple', as that is her favorite color. I'm going to go to Target, Wal-mart, and Kohl's and hope to find some warm-up outfits in different shades of purple, preferably with a zipper in the front of the top to make it easier for her to get dressed.

Want to hear something incredibly awesome?

Her ward has come in and done an Extreme Home Makeover on their condo, similar to the tv show! These people are amazing and love them so much! They put in hard wood floors, got them 2 new couches, painted, new cushions for the kitchen chairs, completely redid the master bedroom in all of Heather's favorites. She will be so surprised when she gets home!

New Cookie Recipe/Oreo Cakester Imposter!

We had never had these Oreo Cakesters before. We saw them advertised on tv commercials, and I saw them in the grocery store, but I just don't usually buy these kinds of things. Once in a while, but not on a regular basis. I was trying to think of something different to put in Christine's lunches to jazz them up a bit, and thought I'd try these in the 100 calorie packs. If you've never had them, they taste like an Oreo cookie that is soft and cake-like. It is deep and chewy and chocolately almost like a brownie, and then filled with a lucious creamy filling.

Last year when Gramma Duffy passed away, Christine and I flew in a couple of days after Duff did and he was snowed in at the cabin, so we had dinner at Mike and Julie's and then stayed at Gramma's house. Julie made a very delicious chicken noodle soup (in fact I was converted to the kind of noodle she uses and get them everytime I'm in Utah!), and these cookies. As soon as we tasted the little cakesters, Christine and I both looked at each other and said they taste just like Aunt Julie's cookies!

So we got out the recipe she copied for us, which we have never used yet, and made sure we put the ingredients on the grocery list. She made them on Sunday and I helped her with frosting them. We put them together into sandwiches this time, but Julie just leaves them single and frosts the top. Advantage to that: more frosting per cookie! Either way--these are a winner.

Our finished product. Very, very good! Thanks, Julie!

Soft Oreo Cookies

2 Devils Food Cake mixes

1/2 cup flour

4 eggs

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup shortening

Mix ingredients well. Roll dough into small balls (truffle size). Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350* for 9 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack.

Frosting/Filling

6 oz. cream cheese

6 Tbsp. butter

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter and cream cheese together well. Add vanilla. Mix. Then add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at at time until all incorporated. Spread on bottom side of one cookie and place another cookie on top. OR frost tops only. Store in covered container.

IT'S NOT FAIR--period.

IT'S not fair. It's NOT fair. It's not FAIR. Cancer. It's not fair.

When Duff and I were done at social services this morning, we headed over to see Heather. She has been moved from the hospital to a skilled care facility, close to the hospital, so she can have some occupational and physical therapy to get stronger to go home. She has done pretty good since the surgery she had 10 days ago to remove 2 of the 10 tumors in her brain that were putting so much pressure on her ability to move and have the use of her limbs. This began as breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. How can it do this to the rest of her body? It's not fair.

When we walked in she immediately recognized us and put her arms out to me. I hugged her and kissed her forehead, and she cried. I wiped the tears away with my fingers. She didn't let go of my hand for a long time. She was really good today. She communicated well, talked and carried on a conversation, laughed. You know when we come with Duff there is always laughter! We had a good visit with Scott (her husband) who had a couple of hours for his lunch hour from work, and Uncle Fred who was standing vigil today while Auntie Coy was at the house with Heather's kids. She is completely losing all her hair again, but her color looked good and she hasn't lost her beautiful Heather smile. She has one of the biggest, prettiest smiles. Some friends from church had come by and gave her a manicure and a pedicure. She was stylin'.

Her good friend from their ward, Carly, came by. What a sweet gal. What a GOOD FRIEND. I loved that she brought Heather a little boom-box and a Rocky cd to play when the physical therapist comes in for her workout! How cute is that?!

Then Eric (one of her brothers) came by too! Reunion day at Heather's! Of course tons more laughter now! When you get dad and Eric together, watch out! We had to get on the road by 3:15 to get home in time to pick up the carpool. We will go back later in the week and we are all crossing our fingers and praying that she can soon go home to her own bed!

All that being said, all I could think of the whole way home was how this was soooooo not fair. You know how there are 'good' people? And then there are 'GOOD' people? Well, Heather is one of those 'GOOD' people. It's not fair.

I just had to vent.

Talks and New Changes for Duff

Today has been a fantastic day, but I'm tired and worn out and glad we are at the end of it.

I spoke in sacrament meeting today. It was on Teach Them To Never Be Weary of Good Works, from Alma 37:34. There were 3 youth speakers, me, a ward choir number, and then a bishopric member. The youth speakers were older, and I have to say that they really know how to write a well thought out talk and deliver their message. So Shelby started out perfectly, then James went a touch longer, then Joe went a little longer, then me, and at this point time was running short. The musical number went off without a hitch, by the time Dave got up to speak, time was up. Maybe 3 youth speakers is too many, but we have such a large youth program they have to fit more of them in. Dave did give his full talk and we learned a new side of him than I think most people didn't know! What a funny man. Perhaps it was a well thought out program, but each speaker built on the one before them, and by the end of the meeting it had come full circle.

Off to Sunday School class. Good lesson on the restoration of the priesthood. Then I went to RS for the opening part and then moved to the Beehive class where I did a large portion of the lesson as a guest speaker on Discovering Joy in Discovering and Reaching Your Divine Potential as a Woman in the Gospel.

My testimony has grown today simply from bearing it in the capacity of a messenger. I am grateful for the opportunities, and especially hope the sacrament speaker one doesn't come up again for a few more years!

Duff was sustained and set apart in his new calling. He will be teaching the Strengthening Marriage and Parenting class, and I am the assistant teacher. We will be trained by the stake and then by directors from LDS social services. In fact, we have our first meeting at social services tomorrow morning. This will be exciting new territory. He will be awesome and I'm happy to follow his lead. I will still be the VT coordinator.

Mike and Adrianne were here when we got home, and we got dinner on the table. Pork chops today. Christine made some great cookies. They are like those Oreo cakesters. I'll post the recipe in a day or two. We watched some parts of the Academy Awards. Some were very disappointing with the speeches. It's always botheres me how they bring so much politics into the awards. I did like how they presented the best actor/actress awards by bringing out previous winners to honor the nominees. Nice touch.

Auntie is really sick. She has strep throat really bad. So bad that it is down into her esophagus, pustules and all. She has bronchitis along with it. Gramma and Grampa have been over to help take care of her. She can't even talk to me on the phone when I call to check on how she is doing. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon and she'll start feeling better.

It is hard to believe that it is the last week of February. The time flies by.

Ward Talent Show

I just have to mention the ward talent show we went to tonight. It was without a doubt one of the best things. I had no idea some of these people had these different kinds of talents. The youth were amazing. When did they grow up and learn all these different musical instruments? And singing to boot! The little kids from Primary did such a good job too. Dave D. was a pretty good emcee. Sheila got lots of pictures that I'm sure will be on the hallway bulletin board soon. We didn't do anything but come to support and laugh our hearts out and hoot, holler, whistle, and applaude. I think next year Christine and I should tap dance! I guess we'd have to sign up for lessons first! Hahaha!

Thanks, Martha!

To borrow a phrase from Dr. Seuss:

"This is very big news,

It's important to know,

And that's why I'm bothering telling you so!"

Not really, but I am quite excited about learning this new trick (for me).

Over a year ago, I was watching a 'Martha' episode and she was touting the benefits of being able to make labels with this ptouch machine. Several months later I was in Staples and saw one and thought it would be a great thing to have to re-label all the electrical things at the cabin. We have so many outlets, switches and such and since we don't live there full time, it's frustrating to know which does what. Currently they have little labels on them, but with all the changes, a lot are different now and it would be nice to get the right one the first time.

It has stayed in the original packaging for almost a year. I've just never gotten around to using it. Bad, I know! But as I've been working on some cleaning out and re-organizing, I found several dvd's that we have that for some reason have lost their jackets. How does that happen? I've found some pictures that I printed off and some cardstock that I had in my scrapbook supplies and made a few yesterday. Here are the covers...

...and here are the labels that I made with the ptouch! I just love this thing. AND I figured out most of it myself. Christine did the first part and got it up and running w/0 the directions. Yeah, youth is great. Thank you Chris. She had to point out that she didn't need the directions. And thank you Martha for the endorsement.

Help!

How do I put some music on my blog?

Provident Living For February!

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

I'm very behind in posting this months focus for Provident Living/Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness! So sorry--the trip threw me off. But HERE IT IS!

Canned fruits and vegetables. Again, look to the right and down for the sidebar with the weekly assignments. We'll have to play a little 'catch-up' to get back on track. My error for not getting it on sooner.

You can also go to www.spanalaskasales.com/shop/basic-cfruit.html to get some more ideas to add. This is a sight where you can buy by the case or 1/2 case, but I'm not advocating that. It just gave me LOTS of fresh ideas of things to keep in rotated storage. For instance: cranberry sauce, pumpkin, mandarin oranges, artichoke hearts, beets, spinach, etc.

Our goal for next week starting Monday, is to rearrange the small garage to fit our 2 new water barrels in, rotate the others, and begin a detailed inventory of all of what we have. I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Dad started buying seeds for the garden already. Even if you are in an apartment, please consider growing some things in containers on your patios. There is a nifty upside down tomato pot/hanger that you can hang from an "S" hook and grow some tomatoes, or take a wire tomato cage and put it in a patio pot bottom side up and plant pole beans or cucumbers. They are kind of pretty too for some greenery on your patio!

And speaking of gardening: I've been looking into a composter. Everytime I peel potatoes and put the peelings in the trash I keep thinking about how I could be making my own fertilizer. Wish me luck!

In the meantime: FAM-I-LY! We must do this! Even the smallest effort is better than nothing. Some of you have started and it is motivating so see how quickly it adds up. Keep up the good work!

We love you all--

Mom and Dad

Words Women Use

This came to me in my email from my mom. I'm sure it's going around everywhere, but I got a really good chuckle out of it. In my earlier married days, I'm confident every one of these applied to me. After 32 years, if I'm honest, I still use #2 and #9; on occasion #1 and #3. I'm a work in progree with #5. And I've added '...so much' to #7--genuinely so!

Nine Words Used By Women

(1)Fine:This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2)Five Minutes:If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3)Nothing:This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4)Go Ahead:This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5)Loud Sigh:This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing..... (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6)That's Okay:This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7)Thanks:A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8)Whatever:Is a woman's way of saying &%$#YOU!

(9)Don't worry about it, I got it:Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.

[Journal notes: Most of the day was spent fitting in little things while trying to finish my talk for sacrament meeting on Sunday. I'd do a little something, be thinking, then go to the computer and write it down and then get back up and do a little somthing again. We've lost several dvd cases. Don't ask me how, but they are missing. So I picked up some generic cases at Staples and I've been trying to figure out how to make a paper jacket to slip inside them so we can identify what the movie is. So I've been googling some pictures and experimented today quite by accident with adding lettering on top of the picture! Yay me! I've got a long way to go, but at least I've begun this new, for me, technique. I went to a baby shower tonight for a young gal in the ward who just had their first baby. This baby is so dang cute, even Duff commented how cute she was when they sat in front of us last week at church. We've had 3 new babies born in the last 8 weeks. All precious in pink baby girls. This is big for our ward now, unlike the year when Christine was born and she was baby #20!]

Thank You, Sister Maughan!

Jean Stoddard Maughan

Jean Stoddard Maughan, age 86, a 49-year resident of Palos Verdes Estates, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 13th, 2006. She was on her way to a party with her beloved husband, Gordon, when she was suddenly and swiftly called to the arms of her Heavenly Father. Born Jean Howell Stoddard on May 6, 1922 in La Grande, Oregon, she was the fourth child of David and Mary Stoddard. She spent her childhood in Oregon and her teenage years in both San Clemente and Westwood, CA. She earned her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Brigham Young University in 1943. It was at BYU that she met and fell in love with Gordon Maughan, whom she married on March 29, 1943 in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. In May 1959 they settled into their Palos Verdes Estates home. Jean was a devoted wife and mother to her six children. She spent many years volunteering with the PTA and with the various organizations of her church. She was renowned for her optimism, courage, and strength, for her beautiful smile, kind words, generosity with her money and time, and for her deep and abiding faith in the gospel. She served along with Gordon on a couple's mission to eastern Oregon in 1989 and spent 10 years volunteering in the Los Angeles LDS temple. Her hobbies and interests were various and many. Among them, she was an excellent tennis player, a much sought-after calligrapher, and a lover of fun and inspiring music. She traveled extensively and was an avid swimmer. She loved learning new things and meeting new people. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathryn, and her son, Scott. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Gordon M. Maughan, M.D.; children, Mark (Liza) Maughan of Fountain Valley, CA; Marilyn (Stewart) Crozier of North Richland Hills, TX; Gwendolyn (Douglas) Larsen of West Jordan, UT; Sue (Mike) Smith of Kent, WA; 22 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 from 10 am to 11am, with a memorial service to immediately follow at 11 a.m. at the Palos Verdes Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5845 Crestridge Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Her interment is in the Logan Cemetery in Utah on Saturday, February 21, 2009. If an alternative to flowers is desired, Gordon suggests making a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Jean's name. Jean's belief in Jesus Christ and His glorious plan of happiness and eternal families gives us hope that we can be together again. We who love Jean are so grateful to have had her in our lives and an eventual reunion with her.

[Sister Maughan was very kind to me. Her daughter, Kathy, was a year younger than me, and passed away while we were teenagers by her own hand. It was one of those times in my life that I learned a lot about 'life'. Sister Maughan took me under her wing so to speak and we would go to lunch at Denny's on PCH at the base of the hill. She talked to me about the importance of college and it was because of her encouragement and doing all the groundwork and filling out the application that I got in to BYU. I wrote a 2 paragraph personal statement. That wouldn't cut it nowadays! But that was in 1973. She was so excited when I got accepted! So much of my current life was set on the path because I went to college and I'm extremely grateful for her vision and help to get me there. She's a bit older in the picture, but I'd remember that smile any day! She was always smiling. Thank you Sister Maughan!]

Braces

Christine had her first visit with the orthodontist today! She will be getting her braces in a few weeks. WOW! We learned a lot in that consultation visit: Overbite, which we knew. A few crooked teeth, which we knew. New news is that she has what they call a lateral tongue thrust, which means that when she swallows, her tongue pushes to the sides of her molars pushing those teeth out. Who knew? I guess this is what the dentist was telling us about last time she had her cleaning. So while she has her braces, she will need to go to a speech therapist to learn how to swallow differently. She freaked out when he said that. We were walking out to the car and she told me she "WILL NOT" go to a speech therapist. She talks just fine, swallows just fine and we will be wasting our money to take her to one because she will not get out of the car. (yes, 14 years old...) I dropped her off at road show practice and when I got home Duff called his sister, Jan, who has a masters in speech therapy and practices at LDS hospital. So we got all the scoop from her and it is a no-brainer. A few exercises to practice and it makes all the difference in the world. I think she felt better about it when we told her. We're going to have Jan talk with her. She loves her Aunt Jan.

Oh, and can I just mention: thank goodness for dental insurance!

News Not So Good For Heather...

I talked to Auntie Coy this morning. Things with Heather are NOT good. Cherise is keeping updates on her blog, so click on it to keep up. Her posts are much more complete than me relaying the information. My heart is breaking. Auntie Coy and I cried quite a bit of our conversation.

Pray, pray, pray for them to be strengthened.

(Go to the link under my friends and family bloggers under Cherise and Tristan.)

President's Day 09

We had a nice President's Day today.

It started early, for a holiday! Shaun was out the door at 7:30 for a doctor's appointment at 8. Duff had to be at the dentist at 8, and Darla needed to be at the groomer by 8:30. Three places and two cars meant that I had to be up too. We left Christine to sleep in, and Shaun took one car and I dropped Duff off at the dentist (his first crown!) and then drove to the doggy spa.

Got home and got cleaned up for the day just in time to go back and pick up Duff. He did fine. What? He was supposed to be freaked out, gag during the impressions so that they have to repeat them 3 times while the dentist and his assistant help him do lamaze breathing and rub his back, and cringe at the sound of the drill. Oh, wait that's me! Ha Ha!

As long as he was doing fine, and as long as we were already out, we headed in the pouring rain to Lowe's to get some new undercounter bulbs. How long have they been burned out? And why have we procrastinated making the 10 minute drive to Lowe's to get replacements? Who knows, but now they are fixed. With the holiday and rain, the roads and store were literally like a ghost town. No one was out!

Mike and Adrianne came over mid-day. I did Monday laundry. Duff and Christine went to Borders so she could get some more books to read. That gal has turned into a reading machine! Adrianne embroidered, I finished the hawaiian applique on my square, the boys gamed. Then our bbq went bust because of the rain, so we grilled inside on the grill pan and had a tasty dinner, completed with a cherry pie in George Washington's honor!

FHE and then 24!

Embroidery

Embroidery is one of those dying arts. I'm excited to see that with so much attention to 'vintage' decor and crafting these days, that it is making a come-back! It is this generations return to the country look and lifestyle that my generation did in the 80's I think. "Vintage" takes me back to my grandmothers and gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies! So when Adrianne told me she wanted to learn to embroider and would I teach her, I was 'stoked'! A little nervous too, because that meant I needed to dust off my own embroidery skills so I could. We shopped on Saturday evening for supplies and a project. It was really fun. We ran into a young family who had a 4th grader who needed to embroider a sachet for a school project and they asked us for some help. We were happy to oblige and point them in the right direction. It all came back in a rush to me. Funny how that happens.

Adrianne did a couple of 'practice' projects and just breezed through them. She is a natural at this craft. I freehanded a little bird on a branch that incorporated all the different stitches. When I was learning, it would have taken me all day, but she was done in a jiffy.

She started on her first pillowcase, above. Her stitches are really even and it looks good. The pattern was so cute, I got a set for myself as well!

While at Joann's, she picked up an adorable box to keep her supplies in. I love it!

It has a big zipper all the way around it, fully fabric lined and handles on the sides. And probably the thing that 'sealed the deal' was the price: 14.99! Hello! Snap that thing up!

The 'Moment'

Today was a very busy sabbath. The morning was uneventful. A quiet time--so nice! I got our pepper chicken dinner in the crock-pot and then things started to happen. Phone ringing, people at the door. Yikes, still in my nightgown. Oh well. Who says the sabbath is a day of rest? Well, just a different kind of rest!

All the meetings were good. But for me, the 'moment' was during the congregational hymn between the 2 high council speakers. We were singing How Firm A Foundation. I have always loved that hymn. When I was pre-teen and my parents could no longer afford to pay for piano lessons, I would practice the hymns. This was one that was written in the key of E-flat which for me is an easy key to play in. I would pretend that I was the accompianist, and play it over and over until it was perfect. I had memorized the verses early on. So today I didn't need the hymnbook. The chorister had us stand, which we normally don't do, and I liked that touch. When we got to the 3rd verse, she and I locked eyes and smiled to each other. We've served together in many callings, she's been my visiting teacher, and we've had similar challenges with kids. We've shared some pretty enlarging experiences with each other. It was during the 3rd verse, and I got this pounding in my heart and a physical tingling all over. Aka: the Holy Ghost testifying!

Fear Not! I am with thee,

Oh be not dismayed.

For I am

Thy God

And will still give thee aid.

I'll strengthen thee

Help thee

And cause thee to stand

Upheld

By My righteous, omnipotent hand!

When I read/sing these words with personal emphasis they touch me deeply. That did it for me today.

[I had to leave RS early to take Ruth to her parenting class in Lake Forest. Christine wanted to go with me so she could help take care of baby Gabriel. So I pulled her from the last part of YW. Selfishly I wanted that time with her giving service together. I wanted her to be a part of it. She is good with babies. As it turned out, Gabriel fell asleep on the drive over, so we ended up just sitting with him in the car while Ruth went in. He slept the whole hour and a half. So luckily I had my conference Ensign in my RS bag and did some reading. Christine kept an eye on the baby and listened to some music. I enjoyed the quiet time, she got a little bored toward the end. It generated some good discussion on service. Sometimes it's not the 'grand' thing. Sometimes it can be sacrificial, boring, inconvenient for the giver. BUT oh so large to the recipient. This is God's lesson.]

YES!

I got this in my email this morning from my mom. It is really uplifting and strengthening. It's the kind of message that makes you stand tall, square your shoulders, and reaffirm to yourself: Yes, I signed up for this! Yes, I know who I am! Yes, I need to do better and I will! Yes, God is in the details! Yes, we are a part of something very monumental and GREAT! Watch and then let me know how you are feeling. It is quite motivating.

Memory Making

It was time. Even though I didn't want to. Even though I held out as long as I thought was appropriate. But yesterday was finally Valentine's Day and the blog look had to switch. The Maui look is now a fantastic memory and I made sure to print out that week of pages with the hawaii pictures on the side! But as you can see, we are rockin' quite 'pretty in pink'! However, here is a cute little fish I found in a gift shop that I snapped up. I knew right away I would put him on the shelf in my laundry room so everytime I'm doing the 'deed' I can think of Maui! (fyi: I have a firm opinion about laundry rooms, whether they be in the house or in the garage: make them as pretty as you can because you spend so much of your life in them! I'm telling you--if it's pretty it makes laundry so much happier!)
Since Christine wore this to the dance last night, it's been on my mind doing the memory thing. Here is a front view of the suede hippie vest I made in the 70's. It was 1973. My friend, Sandy, and I wanted one of these soooo badly. But they were a bundle of mula to buy. Her mom had an industrial sewing machine and suggested we make one! Really? Do you think it would work? So we set out to try.

Back view. Double click so you can see the beading. We made up our own pattern and measured, measured. Look at that nice perfect V on the fringe! Top this over a turtleneck and a pair of jeans with boots and we were smokin' hot and the envy of all our friends!

(Notice a little part of the laundry room: I have wallpaper even on the ceiling. It is blue sky with gorgeous clouds. I don't have a window in this room, but it's happy!)

Kristin's Birthday!

I was babysitting. My mom called me and I took it on the wall phone in the yellow kitchen. You were finally here! You cute little thing with the dark curls. And now you are a lovely, talented woman full of talent and love.

Have a very Happy Birthday!

Love You!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Up and ready for the day first thing. Out the door to get Christine to road show practice at 9:45 and then back to the stake center on my way home to work on RS things on the church computer. All visiting teaching companionships, reporting, etc. has to be generated from there. It used to bother me that I couldn't do it on my home computer, but now I look forward to the quiet time in the clerks office. It allows the spirit to flow while I'm working.

Then to Aaron Bros. for Duff's Valentine present. He got an autographed picture of Bronco Mendenhall and the team this week in the mail from the Coaches Circle as an appreciation. So I matted and framed it for him to put in the game room at the cabin. He loved it! I was so happy he was so happy.

Then a couple more errands and visits with some sisters. Got home and Duff and I had our weekly date grocery shopping. Some might think it's weird, but it works for us! We love to market together. It's a good time to talk and visit and just be together. Mike and Adrianne were here when we got back and they had started to make homemade pizza for dinner for everyone. They do a really good job with it. I made a hula pie as best I could. It tasted the same but didn't look as nice as in Maui! I did learn some things I will do differently next time!

Adrianne and I went to Joann's to get some embroidery supplies. She wants to learn how to embroider and asked if I would teach her. We picked out some very simple pillowcases, the flosses, the hoops, needles, etc. She got a cute box to keep her project in. They are coming over on Monday to bbq for the holiday and we will get started. Remember those stitches? Lazy daisy, stem, french knot, satin. She found some vintage patterns online to do some floursack dish towels once she gets the hang of it.

Christine is at the stake dance. She met her friends there. It was a 70's Valentine Dance tonight. She wore the suede fringe 'hippie' vest that I made when I was in high school in the mid-70's! She looked really cute. We got her a little pair of silver heart earrings for Valentine's day so she could wear them to the dance. I just love it when her face lights up!

Waiting till 11 so I can go and pick her up.....

VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sending our love to you all. And sending my love to my sweetie! Thanks for being my Valentine.

Thanks to all my 'other' Valentines too. My children, my children-in-law (who are just like my own children!) my parents, my sisters, my cousins, my friends. You make my world. My life would be incomplete without your love and support. Valentine's Day is about you too!

Happy Birthday Melanie!

We're glad it's your birthday, dear Melanie!

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

To You--

We'll sing you a song for your birthday:

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

TO YOU!

We remember when you were born. 17 years have sure flown by! Have a happy day, honey. Sure do love you!

Thought For The Day....and life

"Remember that ofttimes the wisdom of God appears as foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right."

--Thomas S. Monson

Dare to do right! Dare to be true!

You have a work that no other can do;

Do it so bravely, so kindly, so well,

Angels will hasten the story to tell.

Dare, dare, dare to do right;

Dare, dare, dare to be true,

Dare to be true, dare to be true.

Dare to do right!

Dare to be true!

Other men’s failures can never save you.

Stand by your conscience, your honor, your faith;

Stand like a hero and battle till death.

Dare, dare, dare to do right;

Dare, dare, dare to be true,

Dare to be true, dare to be true.

I have always loved this song from primary. And it fits with President Monson's thought . Notice it says dare to DO right, not dare to BE right. That can get us in to trouble if we think we are always right. But doing right is a whole other thing!

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln.

One of the greatest men that ever lived. There is no doubt that God was in the details of this man as he turned to Him for guidance on how to lead our country. His influence changed the course of a nation preparing the way for the restoration of the gospel. There is a tangible, physical presence that you feel when you go to this memorial.

Happy Birthday, Abraham. It is fitting we take a day off to honor you.

[ journal: busy day. The microwave oven went kaput on Monday. It's 15 years old. I guess it's entitled to have a health issue! Haha! With the economy the way it is we are on hold for our kitchen remodel so we have decided to just fix the appliances that we have been limping along. We had the repair man here for a good portion of the morning assessing and giving us an estimate. When you look at the cost of replacing the range top and microwave the repair cost was very reasonable even if we do go ahead with the remodel at another time. Mike was over for the afternoon and it was good to visit with him. Duff was off with John H. most of the day working on the business plan that the electric company has asked for. It's Thursday, so laundry was on the calendar. On the phone quite a bit with RS things. Made a big pot of clam chowder and a pan of cornbread for dinner. It tasted so good on this cold day.

WHAT IN THE WORLD???? Shaun called this morning and the Black Pearl (the truck) had been broken in to right in the Lanai parking structure during the night!!!! They tried to shoot out the driver's window 7 times, but it didn't work. So they shot out the driver's side back window. There was glass everywhere. They rifled everthing and basically took it all. Fortunately, he took his laptop and wallet with him. But the biggest loss was his ipod and all associated with it. He called the police and waited for them to come. They told him that there is a rash of auto break-ins right now in the college apartments. Last week there were 18 other break ins just in the Lanai parking structure! And last night alone there were 35 break-ins at Provo college apartment complexes! The police were very helpful with information for where he could get the windows fixed today before it started snowing again. I sure hope they catch these guys!]

The Mangle

I was at a point today where I was able to start catching up on ironing! (cue choir) Hallelujah! My bedroom closet is big and I always keep the ironing board set up in there, and the ironing basket has been growing and growing. I made a BIG dent in it. I like to iron in my closet. It is quiet and still. I am alone with myself and my thoughts. It's a good time for good pondering. Plus the smell of the steam and the lavendar spray is intoxicating.

I was doing a lot of napkins and tablecloths from all the holidays. The smell made me go back in time to Westchester at my grandmother's house on Truxton.

She had a little guest room built onto the back of their detached garage. It was affectionately called "the back room". It was such a fun place. A darling little cottage room. I can see it perfectly in my mind. In it, she had a mangle set up. It was a rotary ironing system. Very european. I have no idea where or how she got it. But I would love to sit by her for hours and watch her 'mangle'. It was mesmerizing. She would feed the kitchen towels, tablecloths, and certain types of clothing through it. She had 'sprinkled' them with water from a bowl with a vegetable brush and rolled them up and stacked them so they would stay moist. This insured that they would be steamed just perfectly. They didn't have spray bottles back in the 'olden days'. She made sure the creases were just right. And they would come out smooth and just 'so'. You had to be very careful not to get your fingers in/on it. That thing was HOT! The smell of the heat and steam was memory making. Sometimes we just sat there quietly together. Sometimes we talked about any and everything. Sometimes she would explain to me how and what she was doing and why. Other times I just observed by example. Sometimes we would sing together. In the summertime, it could get a little warm in there, but in the wintertime the heat and steam were so comforting. I never got the 'feeling' that this was a chore. Rather that it was a time to sit and relax.

I saw a 'mangle' in the Williams-Sonoma catalog recently. A beautiful updated version of what my grandmother had. I would love to have one! Not just for the perfect ironing, but to make many more memories with.

[I'm so much better today! Mouth a little sore, but otherwise all better.

We decided not to go to the cabin for the long weekend. This will be the first President's weekend we haven't been in Utah in 20 years I think. But we have done so much traveling in the last 6 months and just coming off a trip it feels nice to just stay home. Nats and Robert are going up so they can have a break from college life for a few days, and Shaun is coming home and will fit in some doctor appointments while he's here.

I'm so proud of him. He is doing really well. Winter in Provo is not his 'cup of tea', but things are going good. School is good. He is disciplined with his studies and is doing great in his classes. One of his psych classes is a tough one with some very controversial subject matters. The professor has pulled him aside a couple of times and thanked him for his comments and thinking outside of the 'box'. She told him that a lot of students in this class get stuck in a finite set of ideas religiously and socially and can't see through/past them and his participation gets them thinking! Goodness knows he's been through plenty to be able to offer different perspectives!]

What A Mouth!

Another appointment at the dentist to finish the crown and some additional work on the other side of my mouth. Soooo, both sides are numb, I have a headache, my jaw hurts, and my eyeballs ache too, I'm chilled, and don't feel good. The good news is I don't have to go back for four more months. It seems as I get older (and also genetics) I build placque more quickly so they want me to come more often to keep track of it for the next year. I spent the morning finishing all the laundry from yesterday, so that is now caught up, and then this afternoon and evening 'resting' off the meds. Duff picked up the call pool today for me. He had a cleaning this morning and found out he has to have a crown now! He'll probably do just fine--he's a toughy!

Sun shining today, but cold out. More rain is expected starting tomorrow night through the weekend.

Looking forward to feeling better tomorrow.

Happy Anniversary to Mike and Adrianne

February 9, 2008

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

You guys made it! One year and a lifetime and eternity to go. You two are an amazing couple, and we love you and are proud of you. A year ago it was the hottest day ever in February. Today it is raining and cold. Such extremes, but you two have stayed even and strong.

Enjoy your evening tonight!

60 Minutes Interview With Captain Sully

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Duff's Release and Home From Maui

We got home last night at 12:30am. Mike picked us up from the airport. It was 46* outside and raining. So we went from 78* to 46* in a matter of hours! I guess that's not as extreme as some people we talked to while we were in Maui. One gal was from Alaska and they figured they were dealing with a 100* difference!!! Makes me shiver! I wonder what it was like for them when they got back home! We met a lot of people from states/countries where they have true/hard winters. Now, going back and forth for them would definitely be a shock to the system! A lot of these couples stay on Maui for 2-4 weeks during this part of the winter. Good way to escape the 'blues'.

All 3 of us slept in. No place to be with our church so late this year. Duff and I are kind of messed up with the time change and his release from the Stake Presidency. Speaking of which:

Duff was released a week ago. We weren't even here for the 'official' release because we were in Hawaii that day. He is totally bummed. He really loved that calling. He's been in various positions on the high council or presidency for almost 8 years now, so I guess it's time. President Brennan told him our bishop has been after him for 6 months or more and finally couldn't put him off any longer. Apparently there is a new calling awaiting him, but we have been gone. Pres. B. wouldn't tell him exactly what it is only that it will include his wife. What? That's me! Oh, what does this mean? I LOVE my calling right now and I haven't been in it for very long! Well, when the Lord calls, we do, so I guess we are in for some changes. It will be very different for him to be home on a Sunday morning. That will be an adjustment for him and for me also because I have my own schedule and routine with him gone.

It was nice to come home from church to my tidied house. Adrianne was awesome and my house was completely clean and tidy when we got home! We had chicken for dinner, which ended up being delicious considering I wasn't able to go to the store last night. We caught up with all the kids by phone and watched a movie with Christine.

Back to LIFE----

Maui--Day 8

I don't even want to say the words: this is our last day here. Can it be a week already? How about 2-3 more days? Where did the time go when you aren't doing much of anything? We've been trying to come up with some kind of employment that would allow someone to live here and enjoy. Duff and Richard are convinced they could waiter at night. You know: work the night shifts and get all the tips, enjoy the days. Haha!

We packed up this morning. Check out time is at 11:30am. Richard went down to the pool early to get in the Hawaiian 'air' up to the last minute. Patti took one last walk on the beach. Duff's back was feeling a little tweaky and with anticipating the long flight, he wanted to stay in and I elected to stay with him, so I sat out on the lanai and read the book I was sure I would finish and hardly read!

We checked out and went to Whaler's Village to get some last minute shopping done. It is a quaint place to dine, shop, get gear for snorkeling, diving, etc.
The ABC store. It is like a convenience store. You can get just about anything here.

Then to Reyn Spooner for a traditional hawaiian shirt for Duff. That was the only thing he wanted. When he lived and worked in Hawaii in 1990-1991 (he was in charge of the B of A mergers with Honolulu Federal, and survived hurricane Iniki, but that's a whole other story!), he loved these shirts. Hawaiian 'white collar' men don't wear dress shirts and ties as we know them. They wear slacks with 'aloha' shirts, which are dress or polo 100% cotton shirts with small hawaiian prints on them and no ties at all.

Next stop, Crazy Shirts. You can get great clothing here. We grabbed a few t-shirts, and looked a lot at everything else. Then we piled in the car and headed for the airport with a quick stop at the brand new Barnes and Noble bookstore on the way. The guys needed some new reading material for the flight home and Patti was looking for some things for J.T.'s kindergarten history presentation on Hawaii that she is helping give.

We watched the whales all the way. So fascinating. I feel kind of attached to them after sharing their ocean for a week. We turned in the car at the rental office and not a moment too soon, because I was starting to get motion 'woozy'. Got out and breathed in that sweet hawaiian air deeply and was better quickly. I made sure I took my dramamine before we got on the plane.

Maui Airport from the sky!

Duff and I were fortunately able to upgrade to first class for the flight home. It was a difficult flight on the way over and he didn't want to repeat that with his back. The Petersons changed their seats as well to up front more and it was easier for them too. I guess on the way over we were just too far back and the seats are terribly close. We will remember that for next time! We all decided we had so much fun we will repeat this same trip next year around this time again! Yahooie! By a fluke we had good timing because by the time we got to the gate, we were all able to board right away and get settled.

Good bye, Maui!

Aloha Oe--

Farewll to thee, one fond embrace, until we meet again!

By: Queen Lili' uokalani

Happy Birthday Sue

Happy Birthday To You--

Happy Birthday To You--

Happy Birthday Dear Susie--

Happy Birthday To YOU!

Hope you hve a great day, dear! I love you!

Aloha from Hawaii!

Maui--Day 7

You should be able to double click to enlarge the pictures to enjoy the pictures. Our beautiful morning view. We are looking west from the condo, so the sun is coming up behind us. Lots of surfers out today.
More surfers waiting for that perfect wave. They come in slow sets and these are small to medium waves, not the monster ones you see in movies or on television.

The Gemini catamaran. It always stayed anchored to the north during the night, so here it is off with her first group for the day. I'd love to try this next time. Since it is Friday and we only have one more day, Patti and I decided to take a walk and do some local sightseeing during the morning. We headed south on the beach walk and took in some inspiring eye-candy.

This is the African Crowned Crane. He and his sweetheart live down the way. They are beautiful birds with an ivory featherless face, bright red wattle, and a spectacular crown of slender golden feathers. They are omnivorus.

Here is the female. I tried so hard to get a shot of their faces, but they move rather quickly! They are extremely graceful.

A magnificent Macaw. The colors were unbelieveable! And he was huge.

Coi pools. Just look at the colors!

This picture totally doesn't do them any justice at all. Okay--I need a new camera and some photography lessons! But it was like having a brilliant rainbow in the water.

Next stop: the Hawaiian Quilt shop. Let me introduce you to Germaine. She is the manager of the store and a hawaiian quilter for the last 20 plus years. Germaine is originally from Pittsburgh, never married or had children of her own. After her parents passed away and she was looking her golden years alone, she decided the snowy winters weren't for her anymore. So she packed up her life and moved to Hawaii to live out the rest of it. She met a local native who introduced her to the art of hawaiian quilting. It was love at first stitch. Here is a project she is working on now for the store. She gives lessons for free, both at the store and after hours. Her love for the craft doesn't care about the money--she just wants it to live on!

Germaine took us on a tour of the store. I think she attached herself to us because we told her we were doing a square of hawaiian quilting during our vacation. Then she found out Patti was a dyed-in-the-wool quilter and that sealed the deal! The quilt above is not a true hawaiian quilt pattern, but all the applique is done in the native way. This hanging quilt is not for sale, but if it was, I would have snapped it up! It tells the history of how hawaiian quilting came to be.

Tapa cloth was the only cloth available to the Hawaiians. They made this cloth from tree bark and it took many days to make and design tapa. It was worn for clothing and used for bedding. The missionaries who came to Hawaii introduced hawaiian roylaty to quilting. The first recorded introduction was in 1820 aboard the Thaddeus. (depicted above) A group of Hawaiian ladies sat on the flooring of the top deck of the ship, dressed only in a traditional wrap skirt of tapa, while the missionary ladies gently showed them the art of quilting. The little boy shown in the back is fanning the royal women.

The very creative, innovative Hawaiians soon developed a unique quilting style that reflected their own culture and traditions.

A sample on one of the walls. You can see how the cream center is all one piece! Unfolded very carefully from the 'snowflake' way of cutting out the pattern. Then all hand appliqued on and then echo quilted around.

Here is another one with what they call a lei border. The hawaiians never use black. There tradition teaches that black is the color of death, and to them death is a spiritual, uplifting event that one wears white to mourn in. White is pure and the color of happiness. And I didn't see anything black anywhere!

A rack of blues and lavenders.

A rack of reds with creams and then mochas. These were amazing. I even noticed that the 3rd one down is breadfruit! Good eye with my novice abilities! The reason that quilters always do the breadfruit pattern first according to legend is to invite and ensure an abundance, that they will always have enough. Breadfruit was one of the staple foods of the Polynesians as they crossed the Pacific. The fruit, the sap and the wood were all used in daily life. Legend traces the origin of Ulu to the god KU, who turns himself into an Ulu tree during a period of starvation so that his wife and children could live on. Pretty interesting, huh?

This is a king sized quilt. Yes! This is all done from one folded pattern. Just try to imagine how that must have looked. Again, it is all hand stitched. The price was $3200.00 That only makes it about 10 cents a square inch! Not very much when you look at it in those terms.

Who knew Hawaii was home to penquins!? Not me, so imagine my surprise when we saw these little buddies! They are in a molting season right now, but just as cute as can be. They just totter along and then dive lightening fast into the water.

Look how cute!

This man is a wood carver. He was making a sea turtle for a little boy standing nearby. See how he holds the wood with his feet and then uses his carving tool and another piece of wood to chisel out the shape. This was very fun to watch. What a talent! He also did the piece to the right.

This blossom fell off a bush and was just laying on a little stone fence. The colors were so beautiful I had to get the picture.

Look at this fun bridge! It is nestled amongst a tropical forest of trees and bushes and spans one of the largest pools. The 'young' girls in us begged for a trip across and the 'older' women in us happily obliged! It was REALLY fun!!!

Yellow Hibiscus. The Hawaii state flower. They are everywhere and you never get tired of them.

Another yellow hibiscus, but with a fuschia/reddish center. Not the state flower because of the center, but I would have voted for this one!

Back to the condo, made some sandwiches and fruit for lunch, and visited. Then down to the water for the afternoon.

After a couple of hours at the pool and some more smoothies and of course macadamia nut cookies (yum-o-licious), we headed for a walk on the beach. It was about 5 pm and couldn't have been more spectacular.

The ocean is warm, soft, firm yet gentle all at the same time.

The clouds were ushering in the evening insuring a divine sunset.

We followed this little sandpiper all the way down the beach. He plays a game of chase with the waves. As they recede he chases them to pick at whatever comes up from the sand they wash over. And when the new wave comes it chases him back up the shore. It was delightful to watch him. They are so light on their feel and sooooo quick.

I was standing in the water mid-thigh and took this picture of a wave just getting ready to break. I will miss the sound of the constancey of the waves breaking on the shore. We always slept with the slider open to our lanai and fell asleep and woke up to that lullaby.

Some little kids made this sandcastle. If you look closely you will see little rocks and pieces of coral that dot the top of it. So creative and precious.

Tiki torches are lit every night. They mark the paths and lend ambience. They are not like the ones we get here from the hardware store or Target with that fuel that is unmistakeable. I wonder what they use.

We decided to go to Whalers Village for our last dinner at Leilani's. I remembered to take a picture of the menu. Everywhere you go, this is how the fresh fish is listed on the menus. The waiter comes to your table and lets you know all the different kinds available that evening. Of course, they have all just been caught at sometime during that very day. Then each restaurant has their own signature way of preparing it, and so you order your fish, and then you order how you want it prepared.

Try it, you'll like it! (remember that phrase...) If you don't think you like fish before you go, you will be converted by the time your trip is done! There are other entrees to order--chicken, beef, pork, but the fish is extraordinary.

And of course, our last serving of Hula Pie!