THE END OF JANUARY ALREADY???

Monday, January 27, 2014

It is flippin' cold!  I could not sleep well last night for the very strong hurricane-type wind that was blowing around the house.  My bedroom pokes out from the side of the house, so the wind shook that room something awful.  It woke me out of a sound sleep, shaking the walls and rattling the windows.

It didn't get about 29 degrees.  By the time I got out of water aerobics it was 20 degrees.  I was hopping up and down trying to get from the building to the van.  And the heater wasn't warming fast enough for me.  It's a short trip home, but I was slapping my hands together or breathing on them.  Then I had to hop from the garage to the house.  Hot chocolate time!

Ken gets so tired Monday evenings.  By then he's worked all Sunday night and on through Monday.  But, thankfully, he has a recliner now.  Here he is using it to it's full effect.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Those bunnies are so hilarious to watch!  Fluffernutter only feeds them in the nesting box and, well, it's getting rather cramped in there.  This last time I was watching.  It was like a boiling box of bunnies (I love alliteration).  They were literally pushing Fluffer up and out of the box trying to feed.  After a while she's had it and jumps out.  Some follow, looking for more.  Some sit in the box for a while wondering, "Where did she go?"

I cleaned the bathroom today and put food back into the bowl for them again.  Fluffer isn't bored anymore...the babies are out and are keeping her busy!  The funny upside to this is that they are all trying to get to the bowl.  Some even like to sit in it as they are eating.  It's a hoot watching everyone try to eat around the sitter.  Here's Tux so adorably eating from the bowl:

I did yoga twice today.  Once in the morning with Analiese and once in the evening with TWO gals instead of one from my water aerobics class. My fame is starting to precede me.  Even my aerobics instructor is thinking about coming.  She is having back issues like mine and knows I use yoga to deal with them.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Oh, it was so hard today telling the kids to come away from the bunnies and do their lessons!  They were sitting on the bathroom floor while the babies would hop and crawl all over and around them.  It was the cutest things and the kids were absolutely enchanted!  Even Fluffer tried to crawl in and around them, wanting in on the fun!

My special fun today was garden planning.  I'd found some free garden planning forms and used them to diagram out my boxes and what I wanted to plant in them.  I also went through my catalogs, choosing what veggie seeds I want to plant.  This is so exciting for me.  In fact, anyone who follows me on Pinterest knows, I am very into gardening now!

I took Analiese with me to water aerobics this evening.  A 4H friend has been going with her mother, so my daughter did too. That didn't go so well.  She found it a little...sedate...for her. She'd rather just swim and play around. That little experiment is over.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

It felt like I spent my whole morning doing Meals on Wheels.  Oh, wait!  I did!  LOL.  I do it once a month (the ladies in Relief Society take turns), taking Analiese with me because she gets upset if she can't go.  We also took a cute young newlywed TDY (temporarily deployed - Air Force lingo) on our rounds so she could see how it worked.  I didn't mind, because with people moving in and out as fast as they do here, it's a chore trying to get to know people.  But it does fill my whole morning.

More garden fun!  I started inserting weed fabric into the boxes.  For those of you worried about me gardening in my crop circle of sand, you will note that it covers the sand.  I will fill it with good garden soil.    You will note in this picture that it doesn't look particularly neat, straight or smooth.  It's not a work of art; it's a dirt box.  The soil will cover it, and the plants will cover that.  Then that'll be something to see!

The babies are one month old today!  They are so much bigger than the wiggle worms they were on the 2nd!

Friday, January 31, 2014

Guess who was up at 4:30 this morning?  Stupid rabbit! Grr!  She'd jumped onto the edge of the bathtub and over the pet gate. After frolicing a bit in the hall (funny, though, she didn't come into our bedroom or Jonathan's), she found she couldn't get back over to her babies and started panicking.  She began scratching at the gate...which woke me up!  I got up to see what the racket was all about and found Fluffer ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE GATE!  I unceremoniously picked her up and tossed her back over the other side (it really wasn't that violent, though I was tempted).  And though I tried to go back to bed and to sleep, nope.  I spent that time in bed figuring out the new cage system I want to install.  I finally gave up and got up.  So now I am tired and trying to figure out when in my busy day I can sneak in a little nap.

I dropped Analiese off at the Sherlock's and Jonathan at the church for his campout, and then I went off to water aerobics.  Then I went home and Ken had dinner ready for me.  We actually had an evening together.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Ken & I got up early to head to the temple.  The drive was nice and uneventful and the session was moving and inspiring.  We didn't hurry home, but had a nice lunch at Macaroni Grill near the temple.  You see, the rule is, if we can eat the food in Altus, we can't have it elsewhere.  Italian food is the one thing Ken & I can agree on.  I had the loveliest butternut tortelluca (it's like ravioli) with panchetta and truffle cream sauce.

But our restful day was at its end.  After a trip to Lawton (for bunny bedding), we went home, picked up our daughter, got the house ready for dinner with the elders and then left for a baptism.  When that was over, we came home and waited for the missionaries to come over and eat dinner.  I think by the time I got dishes done it was about 11 o'clock.

Sunday, February 2, 2014

SNOW DAY!  And how did my kids react?  Were they eager to go out and play in it?  Nope.  The glamour has worn off.

And church was cancelled.  There was about 4 inches in total and it was coming down through most of the morning.   People in here act about snow the way S. CA does about rain - the end of the world! I drove through it cautiously, but there were people out there more hesitant than I!

Because - church or no church - I had a meeting with two other moms about planning a triple Eagle Court of Honor.  For over two hours we discussed what we were going to do for our boys.  It will be nice, but I came away a little sad, because most of the people who help Jonathan in Scouting and all of our family is far away and won't be there.  Still, I will try to make it special for him.  At least, Ken will be there.

OF BUNNIES AND BOXES...

Monday, January 20, 2013

Oh, baby bunnies are so adorable!  Four have jumped out of the box today and it is so funny to see them hopping around on the tile floor.  They are nearly irresistible, you just want to pick them up and snuggle!  Tiny ears, tiny tails, everything!

Kristi & I worked on the box some more today.  We screwed the box into the stakes and started adding on the second layer of wood.  I ran out, though, so I need to go to the hardware store for more.  And, while I remembered to wear work gloves (funny how one nasty splinter will do that to you), I still injured myself.  By the time we finished the last board available, my right thumb was screaming at me.  We massaged it a bit - it hurts just at the base whenever I try to flex it - but it's going to be a long night.  What did I do this time?  It was probably from holding wood to the stakes or vice versa.  Some of those boards are weathered and warped and I had to pull on them.  I was using unusual muscles!

Tuesday, January 21, 2013

They are all out!  Even Pip (though I worry he can't get back into the box)!  And...this is so funny to me...they encircle Fluffer (mom) and try to feed.  She pushes them aside, after all the dairy is closed, but they keep coming back.  She looks so tired - like the mother of seven toddlers - which she is!

I went to the chiropractor.  After forgetting last week I was heartily embarrassed, but pain helped me overcome.  My neck and shoulders were understandably sore, but I really needed him to look at my thumb.  He said I overextended it (obviously) and did some chiro trick - and the pain went away.  Alleluia!

Oh, Pip can get back into the box. For such a scrawny little thing, he's a great jumper.  He jumped out of the box (not just flipped himself over the edge like the others) and over his siblings in front of it.  Way to go!

I wish to thank all of my Facebook friends who recommended brussel sprout recipes to me.  I used my sister-in-law's (Jenna) recipe where I sliced them in half, put them in a buttered skillet, and sprinkled them with garlic salt.  They cooked until the underside was brown and crispy.  My kids and husband all liked it, for a surprising change.  The kids and I ate meatloaf (Ken doesn't like it, so had extra veggies), which Jonathan adores and inhales.  But at least we have a winner for a new veggie.  I had never had them before.

Wednesday, January 22, 2013

Today was a fairly quiet day.  I mean it included going out to the airport and back twice for Jonathan's class, going to water aerobics and then taking the kids to Scouts and Activity Days, doing some yoga with a friend, and then picking them up.  (Okay, Ken did the Scout & Activity Days transporting.  I was very glad he was available to do it and awake enough!)  I do feel there's a lot of back and forth all the time, but nothing's very far in town, so I'm okay with it.

Thursday, January 23, 2013

Cold!  Darn it, it got cold again!  I wouldn't mind that cold so much if it would at least bring a little rain.  Though as cold as it was today (I don't think it hit 30), it would have been snow.  And the wind - it bites!

Oops!  I fell down on my housewifely duties today.  Jonathan & I got involved watching an interesting movie on Netflix and the time ticked away...no dinner.  By the time it was done, we were looking at 6:00 and nothing even started.  Ken suggested going out and Analiese chose Long John Silvers.  Ugh!  I can't eat there anymore.  It's all oily, greasy food, even if they do make good onion rings.  Yes, they have rice (that looks weird), corn (a small wrinkly cob), and green beans (looks like canned to me), but it doesn't really count!  Can't anyone serve a decent salad around here?   Apparently not, because the restaurant that Analiese & I went to for her birthday - the Grapevine Cafe - is closed, and they had some lovely salads.  People didn't like their "new" menu, but I did.  Maybe it was a little too metropolitan and non-greasy for them.  Sorry, but all that fried stuff gives me heartburn and makes me feel bloated.

Here's the babies, 3 weeks old.  Getting them to all stay in one place and not move is a challenge!  They are beyond adorable:

Friday, January 24, 2013

I am really proud of myself.  I bought a present for my husband today.  See, Christmas fizzled, I bought him a belt and not only did he go out and purchase one for himself before Christmas, the one I got was too small.  So today, when I dropped off our old tv at Salvation Army, I saw that they had several recliner chairs.  Not the prettiest of patterns, but they are lazyboys - which is a great brand!  I bought one for him - for $20!!!  It's a vinyl-type with a blue chevron pattern on it and I had to spray it with Febreeze at home a couple of times to get the smoke smell out, but it's great and he loves it!  I lay an afgan over it to keep it from looking so...you know.  But it's cleanable, he has the recliner (he's wanted one for a while and the new ones were outside of our price range) and he is very happy.  He just wants something he can sit in front of the tv on and fall asleep!  Works for me.

Tried a new pizza crust recipe I found on Pinterest.  It only has two ingredients - Greek yogurt and self-rising flour (had to get me some of that).  Prognosis?  No go.  It was very sticky and didn't roll out well, I mainly pushed it on the stone into a weird circle-ish shape.  It baked thin and crisp and was just not fantastic.  I think I'll stay with my old recipe.

Analiese & I worked with her new sewing machine today.  We almost finished her laundry bag project.  We had a little hit and miss (learning how to thread a bobbin a new way, for one), but we got it done.  And she was so happy to able to actually finish a 4H project at home!

Saturday, January 25, 2013

Showed off my baby bunnies to the Dosher's today.  They have babies, too, about a month older than ours.  But ours are bigger...they said so.  Well, Holland Lops (theirs) are a smaller breed.  Still, it was fun to coo over these cute, funny fuzz balls!

My inner carpenter was channeled today.  I bought some lumber for the boxes and some more screws and then went home with Jonathan to finish putting those boxes together.  I even got to use power tools!  It scared Jonathan watching me figure out how to work a skill saw, but I did it.  I even remembered to put on goggles.  Not the best cut you ever saw but it suffices (look, I don't cut well with scissors or knives, either).  Now the cross/plus box is finished and next up is stapling in the weed fabric.  

That didn't happen today, though, because I had to work on dinner for the locusts - I mean, four missionaries!  LOL!  I made chicken pot pie and just doubled it, putting it in a 9x13 pan and laying the pie crust on top.  Not a scrap remains; they (and Jonathan) polished it off.  I wonder what would happen if I made something truly awful?

Sunday, January 26, 2013

Boy oh boy!  Did I ever wish my husband was in Relief Society today!  I was there, in between Rose & Nasly, interpreting as best I could with my iPad in my lap on the church website in Spanish so they could follow along with the Conference talk lesson.  But Nasly (good girl, I'm really proud of her) had a  question.  Which she asked in Spanish.  Which I had to interpret into English.  Then the sisters would respond and I would interpret back.  It is not as easy as it sounds.  To be honest, I think my husband must be a genius.

For one, I wasn't sure I understood her question well enough.  And another thing...everyone spoke so fast with no breaks!  When was I supposed to remember what they said, think about the Spanish words in my head and say them?  Yep, my husband's ability has certainly gone up in my estimation.

I do love that family.  Nasly is so excited to be a member of the church.  I told her today that I am one of her visiting teachers (and what is visiting teaching).  She was happy and wanted to know when she could be one, too.  She also really wants a calling.  She sees that we don't have a full-time RS chorister and wants to know if she can be one.  I talked to the RS president who was so happy!  She's been worried about how to make them feel included.  She's glad I'm there to help and if Nasly wants to lead music, we'll teach her!

JANUARY GARDENING

Monday, January 13, 2014

Analiese & I got up early in the morning (when Jonathan went to Seminary) to take a walk - in the dark - to Missile Park south of us.  There are not many street lights, except on the main streets, and they aren't very bright.  Still, we could see well enough, though it was cold.  NOTE: wear something warmer, with a hood and maybe gloves next time.  I wasn't sure how long it would take us; I'd given us an hour up and back.  We made it there in 15 minutes.  I thought about trying another way back (it was pretty much a straight shot - haha, the road curves - off the road east of us), but knowing how I get lost easily and not seeing any other streets I recognized, we went back the way we came.

Rush-rush-rush.  While I am happy that our friend got a job on base; I am sad that he is no longer available to drive Jonathan home from the airport (I know, I am spoiled).  So now I take and pick up.  Today made it a marathon because...

1. I took him to the airport.

2. I went grocery shopping and took it home to put away.

3. I picked him up (about 2 1/2 hours later).

4. We went right away to Lawton.

And yes!  I got my laundry done too, but not put away.  Some things just stretch it a little.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Okay, I'm starting to think I'm getting too busy.  I totally forgot my chiropractor's appointment today (important), misread three emails, and find myself wondering if I'm understanding everything.

I showed up on someone's front porch because she had advertised an event on email.  I did not see the RSVP.  Nobody had (including me), so she wasn't expecting anyone.  She was gracious about it and talked to me for a little bit, but I was embarrassed.

I only could stay there for 30 minutes, because Jonathan & I went to the Vo-Tech to a  Club Meeting.  Really, we went there to pick up my radio (a gentleman there was programming it and getting me a new rubber duck - yes, that's it's name), but it was interesting because these are the people that monitor the weather during the storm months to help give advance notice on tornadoes.  They will be having a spotter training (learning to spot storms) open to the public next month.  I told Ken because I knew he'd want to go.  He always finds weather fascinating.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

My legs are still a little stiff from Monday, but I went to water aerobics anyway.  I need to get back into my exercise routine.  My knees paid the price, though (they've been worked hard) and my left one, the one I injured on my mission, was swollen and grinding and clicking when I got home.

But, after I took Jonathan to Scouts, I had someone come over for yoga.  She said we could pass (I was on the sofa with an ice pack), but I hadn't done that in a while either, so we took it easy, but did it.  I need my flexibility back (especially if I'm going to keep forgetting chiropractic appointments).

Thursday, January 16, 2014

The babies are two weeks old!  They've opened their eyes and are cute little fluff-balls!  Here's this week's picture:

Don't you want one?  I found out Tuesday at the 4H office (Analiese had Sewing Club) that we can sell them to Atwoods in the spring (I'd give them to 'em!) and they'll sell them to the public for us.  They aren't really show rabbits, but they'll be cute pets (I won't talk about the other use, but it's possible and I won't know!)

We've got them all named now (I know, it's temporary):

Tux - brownish coat with white chin & belly

Pipsqueak "Pip" - tiny, white with black markings

Bruiser - biggest baby, white with grey-ish markings

Crackin' - White with brown, with lightning or crack mark on forehead

Lockheed - Jonathan named it, white with brown, supposed dragon mark on forehead (it's an Avenger's comic thing)

George - as in the monkey, very curious.  White with brown, mark like a lego hand? (think horseshoe) on forehead

Brownie - White with light brown, just a pretty bunny

Friday, January 17, 2014

Okay...one does not generally think of gardening in January.  That is, if you do not like to garden.  Those of us who do know...January is garden dreaming time (at least, in winter areas.  In California, it mean cold weather gardening: lettuce, broccoli, etc.)

My friend Kristi Fletcher came over today with her kids (they did their homeschool lessons side by side with mine) and helped me start up my first box in my grand scheme.  First, we emptied the old sandbox into the crop circle, then smoothed the sand, pulled a few weeds and got to building "The Box."

Yes, for the record, I am ambitious.  I have a plan for my crop circle garden.  Phase one is a t, or a cross (like the red cross shape) or, as Analiese puts it, a plus sign.  I made up my plan, including Ree Drummond's (the Pioneer Woman) plans for box-building.  We made four three sides of a box (4x4), and then connected them to each other in the middle.  In the end, it will be like five 4x4 boxes (the space in the middle counts as one.  We put the stakes  in the strategic places, but ran out of time to level them & attach them to the boxes.  That will be one layer, and then we'll attach another set of boards on top.  We'll staple weed barrier fabric inside them and then comes the soil.  Sounds like a trip to the nursery soon! 

Actually, we can start planting soon, because onions can be started in February.  Next project?  Bunny barn!

Saturday, January 18, 2014

The kids and I went to Quartz Mountain to go to the Eagle searching event.  It was a beautiful morning, sunny and (fairly) warm with no breeze. At the center, about ten does were around us looking for food. Apparently a buck has been following them around, but we didn't see him.

Sue, the naturalist there, had a powerpoint presentation about bald eagles, and then drove around Lake Altus to try and find some.  We saw five (FIVE!!!) sitting on a sand bar on the far side of the lake, some were looking for fish, some were eating a fish they found, and some were fighting over fish.  Most were juveniles, but a couple were mature with the white head and tail feathers.  We couldn't see them without the help of binoculars or the scope Sue had (it was neat!). 

We went to other spots, but didn't really see them.  We did see the water birds landing on the lake and saw a roadrunner right beside the road (hence, the name), though.  And the view was nice.  One time we were on the bridge observation deck by the lodge, which is pretty.  The only sad thing is the water levels.  The lake is down to 20% water capacity, not good.  Sue says we're into year three of the drought and droughts here last 5-7 years.  I'm voting for five, or a very unusually four.

I made a lovely buttermilk chocolate chip bundt cake today for dessert for the missionaries.  It was very moist and tasty, but it did not want to come out of the pan, even though I really sprayed it!  I also made fajitas and thought that I made a lot...maybe even some leftovers.  Nope.  Apparently they really like fajitas.  If it was any indicator, Jonathan had four.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Wow!  Today was actually fairly quiet and uneventful.  The chorister is back, the spanish-speaking family didn't stay past sacrament meeting, and I didn't get asked to do anything beyond my callings.  I could actually listen and learn a few things.

So, other than Skyping with my parents in the evening, nothing unusual happened.  Sorry.  Not much else to say.

BUSY WITH BUNNIES

Monday, January 6, 2014

Oops!  Almost put down 2013.  Habits are hard to break!

I have given myself two projects for each month: an indoor and an outdoor project.  January's outdoor project is prepping my veggie garden area; the indoor project is filing...one of my least favorite activities.  So you can imagine what my dining table looks like at the moment; papers everywhere.  They are in piles, just some of them are not as neatly stacked as others.  Then, too, is the problem of my daughter who just cannot NOT touch things.  Oh, look, I made that!  Oh, can I see that?  I should make her file it all, except she would spend more time oohing and aahing rather than getting work done.

It was a fairly quiet Walmart experience today.  I first put the van in for an oil change while I went shopping.  I met up with my Visiting Teacher who works at Walmart towards the end.  She asked, "Didn't I just hear your name from the auto department?  Is your car okay?"  I ignore most things coming over PA's and you'd think, working there, it'd become white noise to her.  But it was nice to know she cares.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The wiggle worms are getting BIG.  They are starting to sprout fur, too, and are getting some color; that pink skin is white now.  They are filling up the box.  Fluffer is eating all the time, presumably to produce enough milk.  She is also constantly knocking her food bowl over and driving me crazy.

After dropping Jonathan off at the airport, Analiese and I went for my monthly pedicure.  She decided that seafoam green (Ken calls it seasick green) was a perfect New Year's color.  So my toes look gangrenous.  We also went to purchase some fabric for her to make a laundry bag at her next 4H Sewing Club meeting.  She's more excited, now, because it means she can finish it at home on her new sewing machine! 

Our final stop was the jewelers where we'd had her latest charm soldered onto her bracelet.  Actually, she had three put on: the new rabbit charm, a small temple she'd been given, and a "topaz" from a necklace Jonathan gave her a few years back.  So now her bracelet looks like it's filling up - five charms!  I tried to take in an old fine herringbone bracelet for repairs, but they're not sure they can fix it.  It is very delicate and I've yet to find someone who can.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

One of the babies is all black but for a white belly.  Jonathan came up with a name for it: Tux (as in tuxedo).  He's really quite clever with names; if I ever get close to publishing something, I'll let him title it.  I'm not good with titles or names (though I think Fluffernutter is perfect!).

The city is taking down the Christmas lights in the park.  All the rebar candy canes that lined the paths are gone and most of the light displays are lying flat on the ground.  I wonder if it will take as much time to take it down as it did to go up?

Went to water aerobics for the first time in umpteen many weeks.  It felt good (well, the water was cold until I got moving), but my pulse was racing!  I wonder if I will be sore tonight?

Thursday, January 9, 2014

I have more things to do than time to do them.  I've got at least three different things I could do tonight; I'd rather be sleeping.  Why do people schedule things all on the same day?  Also, this is our Family Home Evening night.  Guess I won't be doing that!

I decided to go to the Relief Society activity.  We watched a "chick flick" at another sister's home.  It was a cute movie, and I had a few laughs at it.  Too, they had goodies for us, though I was happy with popcorn.  I'm always happy with popcorn!

The bunny babies are one week old today.  So you can see the growth, here is last week's picture:

Now here is this week.  They are so much bigger and their fur is coming in!  Ken says they are no longer ugly:

There is a tinier one (lying horizontal on the bottom) who we call Pipsqueak, or "Pip" for short.  We don't know if there's a problem, or it's just smaller like it's daddy.  Here's Fluffernutter feeding them, standing up:

Friday, January 10, 2014

I made a big Oops! today.  Apparently the Rabbit Club met last night (not their regular night) instead of today.  Guest speaker or something.  Anyway, I do not always read my emails as closely as I should.  Analiese wasn't happy with me.  Look, I'm getting tired here!

Tonight I was getting ready for bed when I heard a noise in the bathroom.  I decided to check on Fluffer.  She had jumped up on the bucket and into a box on top of them that I had scooped bunny poop into.  It was in a plastic grocery bag and she'd managed to get her head into one of the holes.  It didn't choke her or anything, just frustrated her.  She really needs something to play with.  She's so bored in there.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Marathon day!  Running from here to there...all day long!  It started at 7:00 a.m. (really 6:30, when I had to get up) picking up my baskets.  I got home from there, put away my produce, had a quick shower and breakfast and then took Analiese to the church at 9:00 a.m. for the Primary Meet-Your-Teacher breakfast at the church.  That lasted longer than I anticipated - nearly 11:00, so we couldn't make it to the Home Depot workshop at the Dosher's church.  We got home and Jonathan grabbed some lunch so he could go with me to my garden club meeting at noon.  From there, at 2:30 p.m., I took Jonathan to 4H Lego Robotics (he had gone with me to my meeting so I didn't have to come all the way home).  We left there at about 3:20 so I could go home, bake my dessert, and help Ken with his dumplings for dinner tonight with the missionaries.  WHEW!

The garden club meeting was great!  They know so much!  Greg from SW Nursery came and I grilled him for information.  Also, I had let the RS sisters know and our Pres., one of her counselors, and another sister (Kristi, my friend) came!  I think we doubled their numbers!  We learned what we need to do now to get our garden ready and looked at seed catalogues.  The RS Pres. invited the club pres. to come speak at our February RS meeting.  And my RS friends asked lots of questions, apparently impressed with these fountains of knowledge.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Church was great today!  The spirit was strong during the music in sacrament meeting; we had a great discussion in Sunday School on the pre-existence and the war in Heaven; and the Relief Society lesson fit right into it with a conversation about the nature of God.  The Maldonados stayed for all of the meetings, so Ken was with them in the investigator's Sunday School class, and I translated in Relief Society.  I am so grateful, though, that the church has put the new manual in Spanish on it's app so I could have them read along in Spanish with the lesson!  Technology can sometimes be a great blessing!

It was a warm day today - 75 degrees!  That's unheard of around here.  Still, it was a beautiful day, we didn't need our heaters - or our a/c!  Ken thinks that's a win-win.  It is windy, though, and it gusts around the house...which at night sounds a little spooky!

NEW YEAR - NEW LIFE

Monday, December 30, 2013

It's 8:46 in the morning...and a lovely 15 degrees outside.  No snow.  No ice.  No wind.  Just cold.

There's a lot of people at the Wal-mart Meet-and-Greet today.  A couple were people from church; one of which was slightly humorous.  We were both waiting in line to check out...about 3 or four registers over.  So we're talking over the distance...and eventually over the magazine and gum stands...it was a sight, I imagine.  People were really chatty, too.  Also while in line, this filipino lady kept talking to me about how she was illegally parked in a handicap spot and how she hoped she wouldn't get towed.  This was a consecutive conversation with the gap-o-lines one.  The checker thought I was funny and chatted a bit, too.  The kids wonder why it takes me so long to go shopping...

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

My back refused to let me stay in bed past 5:45 in the morning.  I couldn't hit the shower straightaway, either, because Ken was due to be up at 6 and would need them.  Usually he doesn't need to be in to work until 8, but his co-worker/employee broke her leg on Christmas Eve and so he has to go in early for her, and stay until closing, which is his normal time.  He is a bit grumpy about this, especially since they really need a third person and the company hasn't managed to get them one.  But - surprise - they are going to allow him to interview someone (anyone) for the position - now that they're desperate.  He was supposed to have off a couple of holiday paid days this week, but now doesn't.  Oh well, at least he won't have to work tomorrow.

Jonathan's friend, Howard was over this afternoon.  Howard is part of a big family and I imagine he likes to have a little time away.  They play lots of games - computer and otherwise - and do some pretty crack-me-up stuff with Legos.  Howard is incredibly teasable, one of those funny, quirky personalities that just beg to be messed around with - how can I resist?  He says his family doesn't tease him; they are made of stronger stuff than I am.

Jonathan went back to Howard's house with them because...they are going to BLOW UP their Christmas tree with fireworks.  And all this apparently meets with parental approval.  Their housing section backs up to a field, so maybe that's where the deed will be done.  When they are done, Analiese & I will pick them up and head over to the Doshers' church (really, he's the pastor) and play games with their family and friends.

EXCEPT...Howard's family is very - shall we say - fluid about time.  I was raised, and my family continues the tradition, with an almost Swiss-like stiff concept of time.  On my mission, I would laugh thinking about the conniptions my family would be having if they had to deal with the Hispanic people like I did who also, incidentally, view time much more laxly.   I've had church start half an hour late in a Spanish Branch. Anyway, by 8:30 we hadn't heard from the boys and Analiese was getting anxious, so we dropped by Howard's (on the way to the church anyway) to see if maybe they were ready and we'd all go.  Nope, hadn't done the tree yet, but were supposedly just about to.  We were invited to stay to witness the wooden destruction, but Analiese was in near panic-mode, so Howard's mom said she's drop them off at the church after the blow-up was over.  (By the way, Operation Destruct Christmas was a total flop - the tree neither exploded nor caught on fire)

We were very glad to have gone to the party.  Analiese had fun with Charesa Dosher and a friend, Dorrie, who's in her 4H Sewing Club.  I never played any games, but sat back and talked with a lot of people, included a gent who works for the city's emergency services and is an amateur radio operator (ham).  SIGH  More invitations to do things (though this one is probably more important).  I don't know how anyone could say there is nothing to do in town...I seem to find plenty!

The boys showed up around 9:30 and hooked up with David and Geordie Dosher.  I knew it would be a good/fun combo and they had an awesome time.  At first, since I (like Ebeneezer Scrooge) find a good night's rest more conducive to my health, was going to stay only until 10 and go home and sleep.  But the boys had just got there and Analiese had felt gypped with our late arrival, so we actually stayed past midnight.  Teasingly, the boys suggested starting a game of Risk about 9 minutes before midnight - you should have seen George Dosher's face at that one!  Anyway, we got Howard home and ourselves to our beds just before 1 a.m., which is rare beyond belief for me.  I cherish sleep.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

NOTE: I wrote the year down right.  At least, right now.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions as a whole.  Mainly, because I think goal-setting is an on-going process.  But, too, people tend to act like its a big deal, and then shallowly set it aside.  I need to be serious about what I commit to do...to keep motivated.

Our New Years day was a slow starter...mainly because we were all zombies from the late night before.  But we'd invited people over to come play games in the afternoon, so we couldn't be slugs all day.

In the end, only the Fletcher family came, but we had a good time.  The weather was nice outside, so the kids could go out and run around.  We had finger foods and just noshed most of the time between games.  Ken & I introduced the Fletchers to Careers, a board game I played with my family when I was younger.  We'd found the old 1965 copy of the game in a thrift store years ago.  The box is practically shot, and the cards are getting beat up, but we've scanned the score sheets to the computer, so we can continue playing.  

It was a fairly early night, however, and they left around 8 p.m.  Which was good, because we were all ready to crash.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Today was a totally unexpected day.  But before I talk about the big event, which many of you are juicily waiting for, I better relate events before and between, to set the stage.

Late this morning and into the afternoon, the kids and I went around town for the Altus 4H Rockin' Rabbit Club (this will be ironic, as you will see) to drum up sponsors for the Rabbit show & competition at the Altus Expo Center in February.  We dropped off some letters, got one sponsor and a raffle item, and then I took the kids to lunch.  We had to stop at Walmart where I got a new artificial tree for next year for 75% off!  Finally, still tired from yesterday, we went home.  It was about 1-1:30. 

We walked through the garage and into the storage room, pausing to say "hi" to the rabbits.  Weirdly, Fluffernutter was sitting in the nesting box in her and Alice's cage (normally, they like to perch on top, squished between the box and the top of the cage.  A closer look inside the cage and...babies!  Fluffer had just given birth!  No, we hadn't be expecting it.  Ken had called her fat, but she's big girl (Daddy's a New Zealand) and eats a lot.  But now that we think about it, she and Alice had been pulling out a lot of fur.  It had been bugging me that I was finding Fluffer's fur in Alice's mouth.

We were in shell shock and, I'll admit it, we panicked.  By the way, Jonathan is going to make a funny expectant father.  He was all nervous and insistant we call the Dosher's (they've recently had baby bunnies and know what to do) and helped me bring Fluffer, box and babies into the house to be warmer.  Then we had to (carefully) check the babies to see that all were alive and well.  Seven!  Whoa!  The Dosher's only had four!  What was I going to do with seven?

Fluffer is a very attentive, anxious mommy.  I only touched the babies slightly and with food service gloves on my hands so as not to make them smell like me.  We also had to make sure she had plenty of food and water, because she needs it for milk production.  And no, she's not fat...not anymore!

Texting Ken, he asked if they were ugly.  I replied, no more than his babies were at first.  They have no fur, and their eyes are closed...and they will be for another week and a half.   I am guessing that they are about 4 inches long. They are pink with black splotches at the moment, though one is all black but for a pink belly.  It will be interesting to see what they look like.  And their fur...Twilight (Dad) is a mini Rex with that velvety fur.  If we get one with Fluffer's coloring and Twilight's fur, it will be gorgeous!

Okay, bunnies settled, Jonathan & I went off to an Amateur Radio Emergency Management Meeting, basically to get to know who and what's available in town.  One gentleman is fixing my radio and getting a new antenna, plus programming local stations on it - bless him!  We did learn some interesting things, too.  The one that interested Jonathan the most was the storm watchers; they keep an eye on the radar and weather stations in the spring and post spotters on the outskirts of town to look for unusual weather patterns.  Altus, in itself, is not tornado-prone, due to some weird weather areas here, but is a place where initial patterns can start and make their way north and east.  So I guess it's really important to track weather here.  Jonathan is interested in becoming a spotter.  Mind you, he has plenty on his plate right now - Aviation Mechanics, studying for the ACT, trying to get his driving permit, so we'll see.  Maybe not this year.

So we go home.  We stopped by the cages, again, to see how the other two rabbits are and... HORRORS!  Alice is in her cage...WITH THREE DEAD BABY BUNNIES.  She had been pregnant too and had her babies on the EXACT SAME DAY.  Sadly, we had removed the nesting box and, with nothing to shelter her babies, they died.  Upon closer inspection, we found four more dead ones under the cages.  I imagine they had crawled there looking for a warm place to nestle.

We felt REALLY bad (Jonathan & I did).  After all, she'd been pulling fur, too.  But she had before that and it was only a false pregancy.  Still, I cried and Jonathan got really, really quiet.  We had to have Ken take care of the dead babies.  Analiese thought it was gross, but, luckily (since Alice is her rabbit) didn't get too upset.  Still...Oh My Gosh!  That would have been FOURTEEN babies...all at once!

Friday, January 3, 2014

I slept badly last night.  I did cry a bit more; I felt really bad for Alice, like we'd let her down in not giving her a place for her babies.  But by morning I realized I was grateful (really) not to have had to deal with all those babies.

Fluffernutter's pulled out a lot more fur to line her nest.  She doesn't sit in there with her babies, but watches from far off.  It's an instinct to draw predators away from babies.  She gets very anxious if anyone gets near them.  Jonathan saw her feed them this morning.  Unlike a dog or cat, she doesn't lie down, she stands over them.  They squeak a bit when they're hungry!

Another zombie day so soon after NYE isn't good.  But we had to go and get more rabbit food and a pet gate to put in front of the bathroom door so that the room would stay warmer.  Other than that and my laundry, I was pretty darn lazy.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

The babies are starting to look a little bigger.  If anything, their tummies are fatter...and that's good.  Fluffer is a good mommy.  She does drink a lot of water, though, so I have to watch to keep her water bowl full.  To be honest, she's eating a lot too.  And spilling it everywhere.  I go in there to clean it up at least three times a day.

I tried a new recipe out on the elders and my family tonight - Chicken Alfredo Lasagne Rolls.  They turned out great!  Even Analiese ate them, which is saying something, especially since they had spinach in them.  The alfredo sauce was homemade, which we are beginning to prefer over the jar stuff (never tastes quite right).  I wonder if I can make a bunch of it and freeze it?  Ken would like it with more pepper; I would like to cut back a little on the garlic.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

I am calling the baby bunnies the Wiggle Worms.  They are constantly wriggling all over the box.  First they're in the front, then they move to the side, then they go to the back.  It'll be about a week more before they open their eyes and start getting fur.  

Flippin' cold today.  Artic blast came in...with no precipitation.  I wouldn't mind the cold so much if they skies would drop a little water with it.  There is frost on the ground, in some shady pockets enough to look like a little snow.  And water that was standing in the road last night froze over.  Brr!

Today we were back to our regular church schedule and all of our meetings.  This meant that I was back to business, too.  The ward chorister was still out, so I led music in Sacrament meeting.  Then I started up Sunday School class, quickly ran home to swap the car for the van (so we could take people home from church), and played piano and translated Relief Society into Spanish.  Yep, back to normal.

MAKING MERRY

Monday, December 23, 2013

Well, I roto-rootered my sinus passages today.  Really, I just was following an oil protocol to try and clear up my stuffy & painful sinuses.  Warm water in my neti pot with 2 drops of lavender and 2 drops of tea tree oil.  Ay-yai!  It burned for a good hour and I thought, "What the heck did I just do?"  But I've been clear and free all the rest of today.  I will swear by it, but not swear that it is harmless.  It is strong!

Gave away the last of my Christmas goodies today to the Doshers.  They just moved into their new home on Saturday, so we went to see the new home...and the baby bunnies!  Their Holland Lops just had four babies about 2 weeks ago.  They just opened their eyes on Tuesday and we were told today that it was the first day they've actually been hopping around.  They are so cute - they fit right in the palm of my hand!  In a way, they look like tiny shih-tsu dogs, with rabbit ears.  One was crawling all over Analiese.  Yes, they are trying to get us to take one and, no, I haven't broken down yet.  Where would I put the thing?  Just what I need, another rabbit.  So far, they've named them after Princess Bride characters - Inigo, Fezzig, Wesley & Buttercup.  Regardless of sex, though, because its too early to tell.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

If I was to name today's episode, I'd call it "Mouse Mischief."  Yes, we have a mouse; no it's not a pet, it's a PEST.  The kids kept claiming that they saw something skitter across the bathroom floor at night.  I saw some mouse droppings in the bathroom, near where the rabbits' litter box is at and knew what was up.  Last week I set up a snap trap with a tiny bit of Snickers on it (not a waste of good candy, they really like Snickers).  However, the clever fella managed to get the Snickers off without springing the trap.  So yesterday I bought sticky traps that fold into boxes.  Another tiny bit of Snickers went into the middle of the trap, and it went into the bathroom.

This morning, Jonathan exclaims, "Mom the box is gone!"  Now how the heck could a teeny mouse move that whole box?  I looked all over the bathroom, the box was gone!  I had no idea how it could disappear. I went into the kitchen to tell Ken about it and, by the trashcan in front of the furnace closet, was the mouse!  It's tail was stuck in the box and it was trying to get under the closet door.  When I moved the trashcan to see it better, it darted into the box to hide.  Bad move!  Now it was irrevocably stuck!  It squeaked piteously; Jonathan had a moment of weakness and felt sorry for it.  I knew better; it could bring disease or parasites, primarily to the rabbits, so it had to go.  I had been tempted to offer it to the cats my neighbor feeds on her front porch (mainly because my wicked self wanted to see the cats get stuck with the sticky trap, too), but Ken threw it outside in the dumpster in the alley.  I am not sure that it is the end of the mischief, so I'll put out another trap tonight.  I think they're getting into the house through the water heater closet which is in that bathroom.

The kids are antsy today, that's not a big surprise.  I think they are most excited about seeing their cousins over Skype than anything else.  They hovered around the computer most of the afternoon just waiting.  We did a little "skyping" before dinner, but they had to wait until after our dinner (and the cousins - 2 hours ahead) before we could see each other open presents.  Andy had apparently set something up on my parents' TV so we could see everything going on in the livingroom.  It wasn't quite the same as being there, but still fun.  My kids thought it was funny to write messages on small white boards (backwards) and show them to the camera.  Ken thought it was funny to do weird dances and make faces in the background.  It was still a good idea.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!  I have a sinus infection that is trying to setting into my chest, so I had a bad night of it.  Kids don't want to sleep on Christmas - adults do!  And I couldn't sleep very well.  Trying to make merry while you feel exhausted and flat is a chore.  

Still, with Ken's help, I got up a nice breakfast of skillet hash browns, oven eggs (so easy), english muffins, bacon, juice, eggnog, and sliced pumpkin bread from Grandma Carr.  The favorite by far was the skillet hash browns, and even Jonathan got enough to eat to fill him up!

After clean-up, we had scripture study and a special Christmas Devotional given by Jonathan.  Then it was present time!  Jonathan's favorite gifts were the balaclava (ski mask) and the bacon box.  The bacon box was full of fun things I'd picked up that were bacon themed - I wanted them for a joke - like bacon-flavored popcorn, bacon seasoning, a bacon cookbook, bacon dental floss and bacon lip balm (He said he'd never use THAT on a date!).  Actually, he was pretty happy with all of his gifts, including a book he wanted, a new church shirt and tie, and an air pistol from his grandparents.

Analiese was no less happy.  She received a rabbit charm for her bracelet, a book she had wanted, a Lego figure to replace a lost one, a bracelet loom, and a sewing machine.  She was thrilled about this because she hasn't been able to finish sewing projects at 4H because they meet only once a month and she didn't have a machine.

Ken got See's from my friend, Michele (we ALL know how he loves that), a belt, cologne and body wash that he likes, and a new bluetooth headset since his old one died.  I got an Eagle Scout bumper sticker for my van (Jonathan knew I wanted one), some good books and a pin from Michele, a couple of cute t-shirts from Ken, and a cute essay of advice from Analiese (I'll try and post it sometime, it is really marvelous and she did it all on her own).

Ken smoked a beef roast for our Christmas dinner, which we had with mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, and jello salad.  I also excitedly had found a recipe for Ponche Guatemalteco, which is a warm fruit punch that I haven't had since my mission and felt really good on my irritated throat.  We invited our Honduran friends for dinner and they brought some enchiladas and a gelatina that tasted a bit like flan.  Analiese sat down at the end with Gisela where they chatted and giggled the whole time while Ken & I enjoyed Rosa & Nasly's company.  Jonathan was a little grumpy, mainly, I think, because he didn't understand much of what was going on.  Analiese complained a little, too, but I just told her she needs to study her Spanish harder!

But the best part of our day was going over to the church in the evening to have the baptism for Nasly.  Ken & I had both been asked to speak; I wrote my talk in English the way I wanted it and had Ken translate it for me.  She just glowed after her baptism and bore her testimony so fervently.  I told Ken that while I had wanted to stay home for Christmas this first year in Oklahoma, I now knew why...so we could be a part of Nasly's baptism.  I've really had to grow, dust off my Spanish, and reach out to help her and her family, so I've gained as much from her as she has from us.  Sunday she will be confirmed, and Ken is going to do that.  Elder Vance, the only Spanish-speaking elder here who has worked so hard to teach her and get her ready for baptism, baptized her.  He was pretty happy, himself, to have a White Christmas!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Another bad night of sleep.  Yesterday was not restful enough and the drainage just keeps me from sleeping.  Ken suggested last night that I have a sick day today, and I think he is right.  Analiese isn't doing too great, either, so it's not a bad idea.  Lots of rest, lots of fluids...going through lots of tissues!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Feeling somewhat better.  Enough so to realize that the kids are getting a little antsy.  Time to go out!

Due to lack of familial communication, my children got duplicate sets of books.  So we took one set to a local bookstore to see if they'd at least give us store credit.  They did, which was great.  The downside was, this bookstore is becoming less and less of a bookstore and more of a music/movies/weird collections and paraphenalia store.  Analiese found some My Little Pony stuff to make her happy, but Jonathan had to deal with me and let me have his store credit and give him the dollar amount to spend at Walmart instead.

In between the bookstore and Walmart, we stopped at Atwoods, our favorite Farm/Ranch/Home store.  Jonathan had received a Daisy BB gun for Christmas, but he needed a C02 cartridge and BBs. I knew Atwoods would have them both.

After all that, it was time to head home.  I was tired from the post-illness exertions.  It was time for a nap.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Call me a party poop, but the time has come to take down the tree.  I'm feeling well enough to deal with it.  Plus, we're expecting company for New Years with young kids and I didn't want them getting into my nice stuff.  But, with the water damage to my boxes, I found myself going to Walmart - AGAIN - to get plastic storage boxes.  They're better anyway than cardboard.  I also think we're going to need a new tree next year; ours is looking pretty pathetic.  But we'll wait and see.

My paranoid anxieties have morphed since moving to Oklahoma.  In California, any strange sound in the night was someone trying to break into my home.  Now... Is it a mouse?  

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Another paranoid thought popped up when I awoke early this morning to a very brisk wind.  Will a tree branch break?  Will it fall on the house?  Will it fall on the power lines?

Only one hour of sacrament meeting today.  I think there were less people this week than last.  No one thought to bring bread for the sacrament, so Ken & Jonathan quickly dashed to our house and got our loaf in the fridge (luckily it was an almost-whole one, otherwise the only bread would be frozen!).  I was supposed to lead the congregation in hymn-singing after the one speaker, but he took up the whole time.  That was fine with me.  I don't have much of a voice still anyway.  Or much energy.  Time to go home & take a nap!

BUSY BUSY BUSY

Monday, December 16, 2013

Analiese is sick.  This is a fairly rare occurrence in our household; for the most part, we're fairly healthy (allergies don't count).  Sore throat, headache, mild fever.  And lethargy.  When you know how much she bounces, it's an anomaly to see it otherwise.  Getting her to stop talking and let her throat rest has been a chore in the morning, but this afternoon she was worn out enough to be quiet and - even take a nap!  Still, I don't like to see my babies sick.  Hopefully, it'll just get through her system and go.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Analiese is much better.  Well enough to keep on talkin'...and do her lessons.  She says she hates being sick because it is so boring.  Mom just says "rest" and nothing else.  For an active kid, it's torture.

Took Twilight back to the vet to get weighed to see if he's losing weight.  Nope; he's gaining.  However, now he has ear mites, so I had to get meds for that.  I have to put drops in ALL of the rabbits' ears, because if one gets it, chances are so will the others.  Preventative medicine.

Analiese had a 4H Sewing Club party today.  I don't stay for those; they have plenty of help and heaven knows I'm no seamstress.  But I guess she had a good time and was good at the sewing games - identifying sewing notions and sewing machine parts.  The prizes?  Thread spools & elastic! LOL!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

 My day started out in pain.  I can't even say where it came from.  But my left shoulder blade is in pain, all the way up to my neck and down my arm.  It's a lot like that time a year ago August where I couldn't sleep all night for the pain. And I have so much to do.

Like baking cookies.  First it started that Ken needed cookies for this Friday for the prison employees party.  Okay.  Then, Jonathan's aviation mechanics class is having a luncheon this Friday.  More cookies needed.  Finally, Jonathan announced on Sunday that the youth are going caroling Wednesday (that means today) and that he needed a dozen cookies.

But not sugar cookies, these.  I've had enough of that work.  Instead, I made peanut butter cookies with a snickers mini bar inside them.  Also, I drizzle them with chocolate.  Dreamy!  And I figured I needed to triple my recipe to get enough.  Good thing I didn't quadruple it...I nearly burnt out my mixer's motor with the triple!

After finishing the cookies, my shoulder was screaming and I was exhasted.  I decided to lay down for a bit.  At four, Jonathan woke me up because...I forgot I was supposed to pick up Nasly Maldonado for her baptismal interview at four at the church!  Now, late doesn't mean much to Hispanics, who find time more fluid than us angst-ridden Gringos, so they were fine.  But the elders and their zone leaders were on a time schedule, and still had to get back to Lawton.  It got done...and Nasly is fine & ready for baptism.  Did I tell you I get to speak at her baptism on Baptism?  In Spanish?  On Christmas Day? I think I'll write it in English and have Ken translate it for me rather than me try to do it in Spanish.  Things are gradually coming back to me, but not that much.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

The elders had given me a blessing for my shoulder yesterday and today it feels much better.  Which is good because...guess!  It stars with a b and ends with a y.  And you associate it with bees.  I am beginning to thing I should like to hibernate for the whole month of January.

I delivered meals in town for Meals on Wheels.  I had planned to do it next Thursday, the day after Christmas, but a gal in our ward wanted to switch.  It usually takes me an hour, but I had four more people than usual and I had to drive a little ways south of town to deliver another!  Still, I am beginning to recognize and know some of these people.  And I sure hope they aren't all alone for the holidays.

I am expanding my culinary baking expertise...I am making pumpkin biscotti.  Why?  a) I still have lots of pumpkin, b) Ken had me make baskets for his two co-workers that have mugs and cocoa in them, so why not biscotti to go along? c) why not try something new?  We shall see how they turn out.

Tonight, for Family Home Evening, Ken took us out to dinner and a movie.  We went to Fat Daddy's (I know, what a name!), a place he'd heard was good and wanted to try.  Not exactly a calorie-free zone, however.  He and Jonathan both wanted to try a certain appetizer - chicken fried bacon.  I tried one piece - it was super salty.  But Jonathan (who is a bacon fanatic) was in heaven.  Actually, the food there was very good.  They made their own ranch dressing; I think most of their stuff is made there.  I had a grilled chicken bacon ranch sandwich and it was very tasty.

Afterwards we went to see the 2nd part of The Hobbit.  I was outraged when the movie ended. Okay, so I didn't know they're doing it in three parts! Still, it wasn't liked the book, much.  When they say "based on the book" they mean, LOOSELY based.  It was good; I enjoyed the dragon a lot.  Orlando Bloom as Legolas was different (Legolas is NOT in The Hobbit, the book) because they used some CGI to make him look younger.  It was kind of creepy.  But Martin Freeman was excellent as Bilbo - I really agreed with that casting.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Feeling a little azure blue today.  Maybe because the sky is overcast, the air is cold and the windy is very nippy.  Actually, I am thinking of California, family and friends and Christmastime.  And I'm missing them today, the familiarity of both location and people.  They are posting pictures and talking about the events in their holiday time and I feel so far away from them all.  Most poignant is the fact that my friend and her family were sealed in the Los Angeles temple yesterday and I wasn't there for it.  That hurts.  I am happy for them, I'm proud of how far they've come to get to this point...but I sure wish I could have been there!

Analiese and I went to the local Intermediate school today to see her friend in the band have a Christmas concert. For a bunch of 6th graders, they sounded pretty good.  I hear that they have more kids wanting to join than they have room, so they had to whittle them down to the better and more dedicated students.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

We had our ice storm last night.  It is a weird wonderland out there...rain and ice covering everything.  It was fascinating to look at because icicles hung on anything they could.  I found the car antennas looked really cool - even up to the ball of ice on the top!  Trees, though, didn't have a good time of it.  None of ours lost branches, but I did see some in town.  Power lines don't like the ice much, either, and we lost power for a little time.

My throat is hurting some and I'm developing a cough.  I guess I am joining the others.  Analiese is doing better and Ken is pretty much over his.  My turn.  Good thing I don't have to sing tomorrow!

Sunday, December 22, 2013

I can't say it was a busy busy Sunday, because we only had the first hour today.  But it was funny.  I had to arrange for all the music, which came through, but with only a short talk in the middle, the bishopric ended up asking me to lead hymns for the congregation to sing to fill up the time.  It was neat, though, to see the talents in the ward.  We had not only singing (Analiese did a solo) and piano, but also guitar (Jonathan), harp & glockenspiel!

The missionaries invaded our home shortly after church because we are helping them with Nasly's baptismal program.  It's half English, half Spanish, and had a little tweaking that Ken was able to easily assist with.

The rest of this day has been pretty calm, which is good because my throat is very sore.  I made it through church with the singing (the chorister kind of has to sing), but it's all gone now and I need to rest it.