OF PARTIES AND PECANS

Monday, November 9, 2015
Normal day.  Menu planning.  List making.  Lessons.  Shopping.  Laundry.  Ugh.  Of it all, I hate laundry the worst.  I can't imagine doing it every day like some people do.  Get it done and over for several days and give me a break!

Analiese went shopping with me today to pick out things for her birthday.  Cupcake liners, type of cake, frosting, etc.  And, surrepticiously (or so she thought) to spend that Walmart gift card Aunt Dee gave her!

I bought more paint today, ceiling paint.  I'm hopeful that we can move on to the laundry room this week.  I asked my angel ward brother, Brother Wardo, to come give us a hand with a couple of things in the bathroom.  Taken care of, we can finally put things back together!

Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Today I shall talk about our pecan harvest because, yes, it is plentiful.  This is our third foray into the front yard to pick up pecans and we have now filled our first five-gallon bucket.  I say our first, because there will be at least two more, I am sure.

The big tree in the front is in the process of changing leaf color, going from green to gold (yellow sounded so prosaic).

 It has hundreds, if not thousands of pecans on it.  Yes, it's loaded!  However, I did not water it like I should have through August and September so, those nuts are rather small.  Still good - but small.

Analiese and I take turns using the whisk-on-its-end device or picking them straight off the ground

or, in my case, reaching up to pick them off the tree before they fall.

 You can tell if they're ready, the outer pod casing is shriveled and brown.  If it is still green, it's not ready; not the nut, not the pod.

 In fact, the shells are a little moist if you do.  If some fall while I am prying them out of the pod, no biggie.  Most of them are on the ground anyway.  It's like one of those really hard puzzles, though, where all the colors blend in together.

After a while, my eyes start to swim and ache.  We've only been going out on half-hour jaunts and it's plenty.  Longer than that gives me a headache.

The tree on the side of our house by our driveway is also plentifully loaded...and with bigger nuts. The reason for that is that our neighbor's a/c condensation flows outside to that tree.  The proof is right there!

 The side tree nut is on the left, the big front yard tree is on the right.  Amazing the difference a little water can make!

A lot of the nuts there get smashed when we drive through that area, but the birds love it!  I've seen dozens of them over there picking pieces of nut out of the crushed shells.  Now, Steve (the squirrel) and the bigger birds (blue jays, crows), take the whole nuts.  I generally reserve the nuts in the backyard (not as many, smaller) for them...not that it makes any difference.  They take them from whichever tree.  Cheeky things!

Tonight we had our family celebration for Analiese's birthday.  Ken made chicken and dumplings, a favorite of hers.  Dessert was peppermint drumsticks - yummy.  She opened her family gifts, too.

 A My Little Pony drawing portfolio from her grandparents, 3 pairs of long pants (which she'll need in the cold), and some really fun shark slippers that look like they're eating up her legs!

Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Happy Veterans' Day!  I think more about this day now that I live in a military town.  The Applebees here offers free meals to veterans today and I don't know how they can do it because there are a LOT of veterans here.  For some reason, they like retiring here.  Altus is not exactly Florida, but apparently there's something about it.  There have been people who keep coming back here for training or stationing because...they love Altus!  Must be the people (I think it is).

The kids love today, too, but I don't think it's for so noble a cause.  Jonathan doesn't have classes and Analiese doesn't have lessons.  I don't have Seminary either, so I get to sleep in.  I guess that's not noble, either.

I did do something nice, though.  I made homemade bread.  I promised I would do it for Analiese as a birthday present.  She was happy to have the whole house smell so yummy.  Then we sliced it and toasted it to eat with our scrambled eggs and sausage for dinner.  Sorry store bread, you cannot compete.

The bathroom is nearly done.  Things are all put back together, there's just a few touch-ups on the trim and walls.  Brother Whardo came over this morning for a bit to help Ken install the light fixture (correctly) and re-do the towel bar.  Jonathan had taken down all the wire shelving in the laundry room for me today, so the men had to fit some of the holes (some of the ways they secured things in this house were so WEIRD) that were left in the wall.  Because, yes, next up...paint the laundry room!

Thursday, November 12, 2015
I took a step today that might lead to something...might not.  I went to Lawton to go to Cameron University for their Graduate Preview Night.  That's right.  Thinking about maybe going back to school for my Master's Degree.  I've had it on my mind for a while, and the University had sent me a card about the preview night. I am considering taking a Master of Science in Behavioral Science; to become a Licenced Marriage and Family Therapist.

It's doable, for the most part. I don't need a GRE (I have one, but I don't need it).  I don't need a BS in Psychology (I'm a BA in English), but there would be a little catch-up work.  Even my undergraduate GPA wouldn't be a problem if it was under 3.0, I'd just have to do super-well the first year to prove I could. I could do it, part time, at night, two classes a week.

Two issues stand out.  One is money, but isn't it always?  I grabbed some pamphlets on financial aid. There are scholarships and loans, but whether they apply to me...?  The second is more problematic. The time to get through the program part-time is four-years; that includes the practicum.  So...what if Ken gets a job and we have to move.  This program is for certification in the state of Oklahoma.  If I have to leave?  Also, will the classes tranfer?

So, what am I going to do?  I don't know.  Think, pray.  If I got this done by the time Analiese was done with schooling, at least my part, then I could get to work at lessening Ken's burden. I really don't want him to work himself to death. Plus, with all the constant upheaval of jobs, I just want to see us have some stability and a future.  I think it is time.

Friday, November 13, 2015
I had my monthly Seminary inservice this morning, so I had asked our new sister missionaries to substitute for me.  After the meeting, I went and sat in the back of my class. I was pleased to hear my students say that they had learned so much in Seminary that they thought they would. The sisters said they weren't done learning, that as missionaries they were still learning.  I assured them that it never ended...a lifetime of learning!

I baked cupcakes today for tomorrow's party.  I forgot I had to buy paper goods for the party, too. Dollar Tree is sure handy!  I think I have a handle on tomorrow.  I've tried not to make it too complicated.

Saturday, November 14, 2015
I spent most of the day prepping for Analiese's party with her friends at the Box home on base. Analiese and her friend, Charisa, went with me to the base to have Sister Box let us in.  We started everyone making fondant as soon as they arrived.  Talk about a mess!  I felt really bad about all the powdered sugar and cornstarch that was smeared on the counters.  When we started coloring the fondant, it really got back.  I was biting my nails hoping that the food dye would was off the counter!

But the girls had a great time!  We never got to the games and hurriedly unwrapped presents at the end.  All of our time was spent making and then forming the fondant.  The girls did some really creative stuff with it...making roses, designing Pokemon and LOTR on the cupcakes.  I don't think they minded not getting to everything else planned.  They took their extra fondant home to play with...it's like edible Playdough.

So I'm very tired this evening.  Other than making dinner - an easy skillet pasta thing - I've taken it easy.  I'm done for the day.

Sunday, November 15, 2015
I am very tired today.  I need to stop staying up waiting for Jonathan to come home when he's out with friends on the weekend.  It's just too late for me!

Ken continues to have a headache - has had one for a week now. A friend in our ward just got made our Home Teacher, so I asked him to come over and give Ken a blessing.  He and another brother did.  It's nice to have a HT you can count on!

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO TITLE THIS WEEK

Monday, November 2, 2015
It was a cool foggy morning, to start with.  Even getting out of Seminary in the light, there was a light low fog hanging over the field next to the church.

And the day felt pretty normal.  As I went off to take Analiese to P.E. and go shopping, however, Ken starting painting the bathroom.  Yes, it is pink.  No, I am not unhappy with it.  Yet.  Let the paint dry, and then we'll see.  I think it will still be fabulous.

Tonight's dinner was shredded pork roast in the crockpot.  I only used half of the pork roast last week for the chili, so I put the other 2 lbs of it in the crockpot all day.  I used lots of garlic and rosemary, with some soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper.  It's my signature roast and there's nothing Ken likes more.  Shredded on a Kaiser roll, with a little au jus...heavenly!

Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Don't you just love it when your day starts out right?  I forgot to unplug my phone from it's charger last night, so it wasn't next to me in bed, but in the other room.  So...ten minutes after it started going off, I actually woke up to hear it!  Yep, ten minutes behind in my carefully planned schedule.

Actually, I didn't have a lot of set up for Seminary this morning, so I wasn't in a world of hurt.  I even had time to review a scripture mastery I was memorizing so I could pass it off with my kids today.  This is catch-up week for scripture mastery, so we're all working on things we haven't got down yet.

Analiese and I went outside today in the lovely weather (mid-70's) to pick more pecans.  Goodness, there's a bunch of 'em!  After half a n hour, our bucket was a third of the way full, which doesn't sound like much but collecting pecans is work, with a lot of bending and stooping.  We take a break now and then to pick some still clinging to the tree.  That way, we get to stretch the other way.

Ken touched up the bathroom today.  Still pink.  He also worked on cleaning up and repainting the trim, which needs to dry a bit more before reinstalling.  This evening we're going to Lawton to get a longer towel rack and a new light fixture for the bathroom.  The old one was nice enough, but the stupid light bulbs for it (there are 3 lights) cost nearly $30 a piece!  They're hard to find and those Green-People got it stupidly wrong.  They do NOT last for years (I've been in this house two years and have had to replace them twice) and they're filled with mercury, so disposing them nearly takes a HazMat team.  Better?  Really?  Somebody bought a load of stupid.  Sorry, it's a big beef with me.

It was a looong evening going to Lawton, traveling nearly an hour up and another one back.  First, we had dinner at Firo, a stone-oven pizza place - Yum!  Then we went to Home Depot to get all the things on our list (it had mysteriously grown). Then, since Ken said we were doing well on time, we went to Target (I was looking for cheap incentives for Seminary, but only found a set of cute, pose-able erasers. Ken thought it was ridiculous to go around the store in a cart with one tiny thing in it).   On the way home, he gets a craving for a milkshake, and not just any kind.  We had to go to Braum's for real eggnog ice cream shake for him and a cherry limeade for me (he's such a tempter!).  When we got home, he wanted to put up the new light fixture in the bathroom right away!  By this time, I was so tired.  We got the kids put to bed, I did up their dinner dishes, and he struggled, eventually ending up with one broken glass shade and a short temper.  You can't believe the work it took to get him to stop, calm down, and go to bed.  As he put it, he was going full Aspergers.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Passed off another scripture mastery today - now I'm only one behind!  I am trying to be a good example to the kids.  If my old brain can do it, they certainly can!

But I felt really sorry for the two siblings; they were not feeling well.  Aurora was snuffly yesterday, but today they both dragged into class.  Poor Will was hardly cognizant the whole time.  I told them they didn't have to come to Seminary if they were sick!  Megan was up to the task today, however, of reading and participating.  She carried the class...good girl!

The morning is overcast, rain is forecast for this evening.  It is quite cool and definitely feels like fall. Analiese asked me yesterday why Fall was my favorite season and I said, "The weather cools off!"  Rain is expected tonight.  And we shall be warm & dry!

Thursday, November 5, 2015
I still have a long way to go toward being perfect.  The rain did not come last night, so I figured it wasn't coming (OK weather is fickle that way).  So, I didn't take an umbrella to Seminary.   Guess what happened in the last part of Seminary?  It began to rain - HARD!  I mean, it came down for maybe ten minutes (through the last bit of class, tapering off and ending as we left), but it was so much that Navajoe road was flooded all the way across where I turn off of Broadway and Walnut was halfway there where I turned off of Navajoe (yes, the spelling's right - that's how it's spelled here. One day I'll take a pic and prove it!)  So, I was a leeeeetle wet when I got home.  Weird weather.

And it only got stranger.  By the afternoon, we were in the low 80's.  What was up with  that?  Then, as the sun started to set, the wind picked up and we heard about a tornado warning in Olustee (don't ask me where it is, but it's not too terribly far from us).

So tonight became a soup night.  I made my famous black bean soup that I have to consciously double every time because my family loves it so!  I serve it with oven-baked nachos and top it with sour cream and cilantro.  It's vegetarian, which is a surprise that my family likes it so much, but very hearty.  I can't eat more than one bowl...but Jonathan can!

Friday, November 6, 2015
I always wake Analiese before I go to Seminary, usually pulling her blankets off and tickling her legs.  This morning, I woke her with a "Happy Birthday, Princess," and a hug and kiss on her head. Nice way to start the day!

For her special day, I took her to lunch at Taco Mayo, an Oklahoma Mexican food chain we like here in town.  Then we proceeded to get our annual dual pedicures.  She chose a sparkly sapphire blue, while I had a sea blue.

Saturday, November 7, 2015
Ah, delicious sleep!  I woke shortly after nine, but only to bustle.  Because after I took a shower, I had to take Analiese over to the city gym so she could work at the Concession stand to earn $ for the 4H Food Science club.  Actually, she thinks it's great fun, so it was no burden for her.

Meanwhile, I had to go to Walmart and buy a new microwave.  Yes, we bought a new one when we moved here, but it hasn't done so well.  Yesterday, all the slamming, and programming, and careful manipulating would not get it to start.  And, next to our toaster, we use the microwave a lot.  SIGH. Life has been so expensive lately.

Currently, I am sitting in the hallway, with all the doors closed, watching Alice so Analiese can clean her cage.  We can't leave her here on her own...she pulls up the carpet.  Because of al the work on the house, she hasn't been able to run around much, so today's been a happy day for her, as she binkies and explores.  She rubs her chin over everything, owning it.  So she owns my crocs, and my toes, my jeans, my tablet...

Sunday, November 8, 2015
Today was Stake Conference/Regional Conference.  We left the house at 8 a.m. even though conference didn't start until 10.  But for the sake of a good seat...

It may seem confusing, but we had two meetings because they released our Stake Presidency and called a new one.  The Regional Conference was the original meeting set.  Elder Keetch from the 70 presided over the first meeting.  The other was a broadcast from Salt Lake with Elder Oaks of the Twelve presiding and Elder Robbins of the Presidency of the Seventy conducting (yes, he was Ken's mission president).  Both meetings were great.  I really felt Elder Keetch's talk pertained to our family personally.  Both Elder Robbins & Elder Oaks' talks meshed together for a great message about simple living - physically and spiritually.

We had a little picnic lunch in the parking lot before heading home and then...oh, boy!  For a day of rest, it was a busy one!  Study for Seminary, Skype with Niles in Alaska, Choir Practice....  Between all that and thinking of what I need to get done tomorrow, I feel really tired!

COLOR ME CRAZY

Monday, October 26, 2015
One of my stalwart readers (you know who you are) made the comment that I didn't show any before or after pictures of the roof or ceiling fixes.  To be honest, I was embarrassed by the moldy, falling out ceiling and the fact that it took so long to get it fixed.  So today, I took a few pictures of the work in progress, so you get an idea.

This first part is actually a volunteer boo-boo.  One of them stepped through the ceiling.  At least, they didn't get hurt.  I can't really complain about volunteers.  They are helping me!

This is around the fireplace, which is the worst of the mold and damage.  The chimney outside is covered with uneven rock and it's hard to work around it.  The roofers were supposed to come around today and try to fix it.  They didn't.

Here we are in front of the bathroom in the laundry room.  This is where the sloped ceiling from the original house meets the flat roof of the addition and water was pooling.  We literally had a hole here for several months.  Not anymore.

This is the corner of the bathroom where once a waterfall fell.  There was a hole in the roof. When we found it, we put a piece of plywood covered with a tarp over it to stop Niagara.  But the damaged remained on top and underneath.

Obviously, it's a work in progress.  I'm trying to be optimistic about it.  So today, while shopping, I grabbed some paint chips in the colors I liked.  Powder Pink (top one) is for the bathroom, Blue Cloud (or maybe the Pearl Drop - top and middle) for the laundry room, and Celery Sticks (the top green) for the dining room.

 Now, I can't really justify the laundry room or bathroom, it's pretty much just the ceiling that needs painting.  But the dining room will need painting.  Right now it's two walls darker green, two walls mustard-y, with white trim.  It will look light and lovely in Celery Sticks.  Though, it also probably means that the back door needs painting, because right now it's a weird sort of brushed raspberry.  The paint chip back has coordinating color suggestions.  Maybe I'll use one of them.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Ten Commandments Day in Seminary!  We watched 10 commandments videos (well, we tried), sang a song, did some hand motions, played hopscotch 10 Commandments-style, made a 10 commandments craft, and did a 10 commandments match-up.  Oh, and had chocolate milk and doughnuts.  Sorry, we were so busy having fun I forgot to take pictures.  And the sleepy kids who dragged in today, marched out energized (and a little sugar high).

Ken and Dennis finished repairing and "texturizing" the ceilings in the dining room, laundry and bathroom.  Now it's about clean up and painting.  Ken hates painting and isn't looking forward to it.  I can't handle the dust and clutter.  So I told him that if he'd do the dusty, dirty clean-up, I could handle the painting (I have a secret weapon, though...I've had people volunteer to help me paint!).

Analiese and I went to RS Book Club tonight.  I was technically the hostess, since I was the one sharing and introducing the book, but we had it at the Haines because my house is in no shape for visitors.  We read "The Princess Bride," what a hoot!  It's nearly the same as the movie, mainly in part because William Goldman wrote the book and the screenplay and because he was friends with Rob Reiner, the director.  I did surprise the ladies, though.  They thought he really was abridging a book. Nope, it's all part of the satiric joke.  It was so much fun to talk and laugh about and, yes, you can find book club discussion questions for it online.  Inconceivable!

Oh, and I refuse to be apologetic about parenthetical asides anymore.  I love parentheses and adding quippy, snarky things to my writing.  William Goldman did it hilariously in "The Princess Bride."  So now I feel justified! (Just sayin')

Wednesday, October 28, 2015
It's a windy cold morning.  My students came in looking rather wind-torn,  The stars were out clearly this morning, I could even see the Venus/Mars/Jupiter phenomenon.  Look it up, if you don't know. But it's clear enough to see with the naked eye - even a lousy one like mine!

No breakfast this morning because I (FINALLY) made it to the blood lab and radiology today.  I got home from Seminary, changed clothes, and dashed over.  My doctor's office is next door to the hospital, so both lab and x-ray were close by.  The poor lab gal was having a hard time finding a vein, looking on both arms.  I'd have preferred the left, but got stuck with the right.  Usually, I'm pretty hydrated.  Not this morning, I guess.

This was my first time in the hospital, but directionally-challenged me managed to find radiology by sight.  I guess there's hope for me yet.  I didn't have to wait long, but as I was waiting, Dr. Tran walked by.  I was a little bashful about it because I was supposed to have done this on Monday.  Life happens, things don't always happen...even when the doctor wants them.

Now I'm just tired.  I've come home, had something to eat and fluids, finished up lessons with Analiese and I want to sleep.  I have a VT appointment at noon.  Can I sneak in a little nap?

Today on the roads that the highways run through town (Main & Broadway), we've had some fun-looking wide loads.  One truck had a single windmill blade on it - you know, those gigantic windmills?  I drove past the truck...that thing was long!  It sure gave me the perspective of the size of those things.  Inconceivable!

The second truck was much funnier, in my opinion.  It had a big cotton bale inside it.  And apparently the bales scrape against the bottom of the truck, because the bottom of it was dripping white fluffy stuff.  Too bad I can't use my camera while driving!  Jonathan says I'm irrationally interested in the cotton.  Well, it's like we grow clouds around here!

Ooo!  We have sister missionaries in our ward now.  They just came today.  Yes, we still have the elders, but (understandably) I have a fondness for Herms (hermanas - Spanish - mission slang).  I told them I'd take them to Walmart tomorrow to get groceries (Like I don't have anything to do.  But how could I say no?).  They have to share the pickup with the elders.  Analiese may even want to come along for the ride.

Jonathan wiped down the bathroom walls for me today as I spackled in (I guess putty isn't the right word anymore) holes and cracks.  Ken is still working on getting the outside trim painted white before the next rain storm (due Friday), but wants to do the bathroom next which, yes, has to be done, because the ceiling in there was the wall color.  So I went to Walmart this afternoon to get painting supplies and...pink paint!  Hey, it's not Bubblegum, Fuchsia, or Hot Pink, just a pale pink that will look great with the silver hardware in the bathroom.

Thursday, October 29, 2015
On the way to Seminary, a little cottontail bunny tried to run out into the road.  I swerved a little (quiet, residential street) to miss it and it ran back to the side.  Stay safe, little bunny!  It was tiny, I think it was a youngster.

I almost had a fainting student today.  I should have known how sensitive she was about blood when we talked about the river of blood when we studied the ten plagues of Egypt.  Today, we talked about Moses sprinkling oxen blood on the Israelites as a symbol of their covenant with God.  She got very quiet...and very pale.  It took a little talking it out of her and she was fine by the end of class, but she scared me a little.  We're so removed nowadays from the food we eat and how it's produced, that these things seem foreign, scary or gross to us.  Not so back in history.

This afternoon was fun, taking the new sister missionaries to Walmart.  It surprised them that I ran into two ward members in the store.  What I didn't tell them is that not only did I do that, I also ran into two ladies from water aerobics.  It's not hard to do here!

Also, Analiese and I drove them around town a little, showing them the reservoir and the main streets. Analiese is excited to have sisters here.  To her, they are much cooler than elders!  I agree, but I'm prejudiced.

Friday, October 30, 2015
The rain came as promised...and on time.  Which meant driving to Seminary in it.  I went over today in class, too, argh!  The tabernacle is a lot to talk about.  My two homeschool students say they took a week to study it on their online course.  No wonder!

Last night, the kids and I painted mini pumpkins for the Trunk or Treat at the church tonight.  I had to finish mine this morning because it took forever to dry.  I also found out that, after my daughter's last painting venture for the Fair, she'd let FIVE brushes dry out covered in paint.  Ruined!  I was not happy.  I like to use good brushes and I told her she owes me for them!

Besides the normal daily Friday things, Analiese and I were busy with making chili for the ward party tonight.  This is no ordinary chili, it has no tomato base.  It has tomatillos, poblano chilies, cilantro, black beans, pork and corn.  It is VERY good, much different from your run-of-the-mill chili.  I took a picture of it before they served it at the dinner and it was a good thing, because they ate it up!

After than (and picking up Jonathan), was carving our pumpkin.  Analiese designed it and Jonathan did the carving.  Obviously, she decided to do a rabbit.

And guess who got to be a rabbit for Halloween?  I found rabbit ears and tail at Dollar Tree, so it was very affordable.  I even painted my face a little. Analiese approved.

The party was fun, with at least 8 different kinds of chili, mine being the only non-tomato one.  They had cornbread and chili trimmings and a dessert table.  One sister did a brain cake - how cool!

After dinner they had a costume parade, then games for the kids.  While they did that we adults set up a trick-or-treat alley in a hallway since the rain was off on on.  Then, before closing for the evening, the Activity Days treated us to a dance lesson for Thriller.  Analiese will use any opportunity to dance!

CHAOS

Monday, October 19, 2015
Rise and shine - it's 7 o'clock and two high priests are at my door.  Jonathan let them in, then went into our bedroom to wake Ken and myself (no Seminary today).  Time for us to get up and go to work - Ken with the brethren on the roof, me taking Jonathan to school and clearing out the laundry room with Analiese.

That was all it was today - work, work, work.  Ken on the house, me with moving stuff around into every nook and cranny I could find.  I also went to the laundrymat, worked on my Seminary lesson, picked up Jonathan, and went grocery shopping.  Then I cooked dinner, such as it was (frozen burritos) and served dinner in my living room around the coffee table.

Still, I don't compare my fatigue to Ken's.  He was dirty, tired and hungry.  They'd torn off the old roof and nearly finished the decking.  In the meantime, the electrician finished fixing the power, called the inspector and got the city to turn our power back on.  Let there be light!  I can't tell you how happy that made me!

Tuesday, October 20, 2015
This time I beat all of the builders...I was up at 5:25!  I almost toyed with the idea of arising earlier because of all the preparation I needed for Seminary today, but it was a fleeting temptation.  I like my sleep.

We had our lesson about the Passover today, and my lesson included some of the items involved in the seder (feast).  I set up a table to look nice, like it would for Passover, with a table linen, goblets (of grape juice) and a large white marble platter to hold bitter herbs (parsley), unleavened bread (pita crisps) and "lamb" (jerky).  I also put up two candles (unlit, per church fire insurance), because I know candles are usually included in the celebration.  I also made charoset, an apple and walnut dish, that is part of the traditional Passover, but not part of the Exodus one.  I just did it for fun, to get them in the spirit of things.

We talked about the symbolism of each of the Passover foods, starting with the parsley.  The kids were NOT thrilled to eat it, but did so gamely, as did I.  After a few chews, that stuff gets, well, bitter.  I wouldn't let them get a drink of water, though, because they had to eat the unleavened bread next.  The bread cut the bitterness of the herb.  See, the connection is this: The bitter herbs represent the bitterness of the Israelite bondage in Egypt...and sin.  The unleavened bread represents repentance, which cuts the bitterness of sin.  Get it?

I did not splurge and buy lamb; instead I splurged and bought jerky.  Obviously, the lamb represents Christ, and the blood of the lamb His Atonement.  I also likened the Passover to the Sacrament today, which Christ established in His day on the Passover before His Crucifixion.  I think it will be interesting to ponder on the Passover symbols the next time we take the Sacrament.

My house is a bigger mess than ever, if that can be believed.  Ken thought that the roofer could come tomorrow and start working, but they discovered that one spot where the roof of the original house meets the addition had more dry rot than expected, so that became the big chore of the day.  And the roofer probably won't be able to come before the rain storm expected on Thursday or Friday, so Ken, Bro. Whardo, and the missionaries spent most of the afternoon and into the early evening (before they lost the light) covering the roof with painters plastic (thick, heavy duty) to protect their handiwork.

Still, there's debris in the laundry room and the dining room and I won't even go outside.  I've told Analiese not to go into those areas barefoot - who knows what she could step on!

Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Another surprise; this morning, the roofers came.  We thought they wouldn't be here until next week. We're expecting rain.  But they've been here all day, pounding and using something that smells terrible (like nail polish) and gives me a headache.

And not thinking, I didn't pull out my van and had to ask the guys to move their two trucks and a trailer out of the driveway so I could pick up Jonathan.

It's definitely cotton pickin' time.  All along the highway, the balers are making bales all day long.  The streets are lined with white fluff and I've even seen strands float on the air.  I see these bales and wonder if I jumped on one of them, a) would it hold me, and b) how wonderfully soft would it be?  My party-poop kids say it'd have twigs and stuff in it.  Man, I thought it'd make a great place to take a nap!

Okay, I don't get irked easily, but this afternoon I got a bit hot under the collar.  The workers on my roof today decided they would pick some of my pecans.  Didn't ask, just did.  That was bad enough.  Then, after they had finished my roof, they were out there again, getting more.  On top of that, they took one of my buckets out of my garage and tried to fill it.  I told Ken and he called their boss.  They left soon afterward, leaving my bucket, but I'm sure with a bucketload of pecans.  If they had asked me, I would have said yes.  But they didn't ask; they just took them.  I called them rude, yet Jonathan called them thieves.  I had tried not to be so harsh, but he was right.  I try to be kind and generous; I don't like it when people try and take advantage of me.

Thursday, October 22, 2015
Big old storm and flood warning was issued yesterday.  Serious enough to make us glad to get the roof up yesterday, This morning, leaving for Seminary, it was only sprinkling and the roads looked only damp and there were no puddles.  So much for the storm.

Until I started driving for the church.  I only drive a few miles to the church (less than five minutes) and it starts to come down - heavy.  By the time I pull into the parking lot, it's banging loudly on the car and there's flashing thunder and lightning.  I had to dash (such as I could in my sandals and skirt) to the doors, skirt and bag getting soaked in the process.

It kept up all through Seminary and - trust me - by the time I got home (after another wetting), the first thing I did was check the roof.  Any leaks?  Thank heavens, NONE!  Ken checked later, then Analiese (we've grown a little paranoid), and still nothing.  We're looking high and dry.

Ken's not super-thrilled at his job right now.  He feels like the taskmaster over the slaves - whip them into shape!  I told him that if I were him, I'd ask his boss, "Uh, Pharaoh, what do I do about this Moses guy who keeps telling us to 'Let My people go!'?"  He thought that was pretty funny.  It's what comes of studying in Exodus for Seminary.

Tonight was 4H Rabbit Club meeting.  We had a pizza party, inviting all who helped with the Cotton Pickin' Chili Cook-off, so we had Jonathan come, too.  They had crafts and games for the kids. Analiese loves it when we have Rabbit Club parties, because she gets to play Twister!  It's her favorite game.  Jonathan even played a ring toss game, but then, Dr. Pepper was on the line.  For Ken, I'd made a big pot of chicken noodle soup with veggies.  It smelled so good, I didn't really want to leave for the Rabbit Club and have pizza. There's plenty left over, though, and it will taste even better tomorrow!

Friday, October 23, 2015
Brother Sturges visited Seminary (I didn't have to teach - he did it for me!).  The kids all love him and look up to him.  I don't mind...much.  Hey, I only wish I had his magic to get the kids to listen to me so raptly.  Still, it was great having him.  I enjoyed the visit as much as they did.

House work still going on.  The ceiling and mold damage are being tackled next.  It's a good thing I'm going to the doctor today.  My lungs hurt and breathing deep is hard...and painful.

So, I got shot today.  Well, I got A shot today.  After listening to my lungs, the doctor ordered a chest x-ray (for Monday) and had a nurse give me a shot of a steroid.  So now I have a sore right haunch, to put it delicately.

I got to have my dryer hooked up for a short time today, but it was enough to do laundry.  But by the time I got done with the doctor, picking up Jonathan from school, and making dinner, my sore self didn't want to put my clothes away.  That will have to wait for tomorrow.

Saturday, October 24, 2015
After my appointment yesterday, and through this morning, I thought, "Yes, the doctor wants me to get a chest x-ray on Monday, but, really?   Do I need it?  There's so many other things I have to do on Mondays.  What a hassle!"  Then the men got working on finishing removing molding ceilings, insulation, and parts of walls.  And I could not breathe.

Well, a little.  I got some air, but was gasping.  I finally went outside to take a walk, the wind outside might clear my lungs.  Really, I was a little scared.  I could hardly talk for coughing and gasping.  After my walk, I shut myself in a roof far away from the construction and rested, since I had no more air for exertion (I wonder if all this time I've thought I've been lazy, when really all this fatigue and whatever was just this stuff getting to me?).  Eventually they got the stuff out and put up new stuff and the air was much clearer (with the help of an ionizing air machine thingy).

Dinner's in the crockpot tonight.  When I was able to get close enough to actually be in the kitchen (which is right next to the construction area with only an open doorway between them), I cooked up some macaroni and mixed it with a bunch of cheesy stuff to go into the crockpot.  I told everyone that as they passed through the kitchen, press the stirring button on the top, to keep things mixed. Yes, my crockpot has a stirring mechanism in it (removable for things like roasts).  I have a very cool crockpot.

Analiese and I went outside for a short time to watch the sunset.  It was a little chilly, but the sky was clear and pretty. Being together is always an excuse for her to talk her head off, but it was a special time that we want to repeat.  Just, not too long.  In our flip-flops (we're still Californians), our toes got cold quickly.

Sunday, October 25, 2015
Today was Primary Program Sunday.  They were all very cute, but I had no more babies to participate.  A little bittersweet.  It was fun to watch them, we have some boys who can really belt those songs out!

Breathing a little better today, but still coughing some and am very tired.  More offers of help, though, which I greatly appreciate.  If others can clear out the dust and dirt so that I don't have to, all the better for my overstressed lungs!

As a Sabbath family activity today, the family decided to go walking around the reservoir.  It was a lovely day for it - 69 degrees, bright and sunny.  I didn't need a sweater at all!  However, the meaning of "walk" in our family is apparently up for interpretation.  For Jonathan it meant charging through and getting it over with - he marched ahead of us all.  Analiese and I were strollers who stopped to look at things or just talk (well, that's Analiese).  Ken was somewhere in between.

There were a few Canadian geese, but not the huge numbers that will be coming soon as the yearly migration gets started.  Then it will be quite a sight, because they number in the hundreds...in just one flock!

POWERLESS

Monday, October 12, 2015
It started out a normal Monday: Seminary, laundry, lessons.  Analiese and I went outside for half an hour to pick pecans (yes - that's started already).  The wind started picking up, there'd been a wind advisory on the Weather Channel.  So we worked on math on the computer and started to work on science.

It was really gusting out there...trees bending and swaying, dust flying.  Then, out of the corner of her eye, Analiese sees a flash and a spark...and the lights, the computer, the a/c and the fans all stop. Something has happened to our power.

Because she saw something, I figured I'd better check the backyard.  Oh, what a sight!  Our old dead tree, which sat in the back southwestern corner of our property next to my compost bins, had toppled over onto our fence, taking with it some power lines - ripped right out of our house!

ACK!  I had the presence of mind to take pictures (later to be used for insurance pictures), but I texted Ken and called the city power number.  They could already tell there'd been a cessation of power in our area and, yep, that was us!

They came pretty quickly (so did Ken, he was home in minutes) to survey the situation.  They would take care of the city lines and the part of the tree in the alley,

but the rest was up to us.  Rats!

Enter our ward angel, Brother Dennis Whardo.  He's been working with us on our roof situation (because of course, we can't just deal with one problem at a time) and he came, advised Ken, cut the tree off the fence with his chain saw, brought extension cords to go into our generator (thank Heaven for that bit of insight!), and purchased pickets to replace the ones the tree knocked down (only five - imagine that!).

Laundry became a no-go, at least, not in the house.  My washer locks when it's working, so we had to temporarily plug it into the generator so I could get it open...and my wet stuff out.  I'm very glad the laundromat is only around the corner, because that's where I ended up for the next two hours.

On top of the wind is the dust...and a fire in town.  My lungs ache.  A/C would help.  None here. Jonathan said that at the airport they clocked the wind at 30 knots - that's 50 mph!

We went to dinner as a family that night (I didn't have time to go shopping, the fridge/freezer issue is only temporarily resolved, and both my microwave and stove/oven work on electricity).  Our Family Home Evening was playing games by candlelight, which was actually much more mellow than you'd think.  Everyone has flashlights in each room (one of my other preparedness precautions), because after 7:30, it's dark!  I'm just glad it's not the raging heat of summer (no a/c or fans) and it's not winter (no heat, either).  The timing is just about right, and I'm grateful

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Day two in the dark.  The house is fairly well-lit in the daytime.  Only Analiese's room (no windows), our back bathroom (same) and the kitchen (one teeny-tiny window) are dark.

I have asked Ken if maybe one of his ancestors was an Egyptian tomb-robber and there's some family curse going on.  He thinks it's funny.  It is...to a point.

Dennis came over this morning to help Ken repair the fence.  Ken was surprised how easy it was to do.  We have some pickets that need replacing (time, weather), but they have to wait.

Yesterday, as another miracle of the day, an electrician walked into our backyard and asked Ken if we needed an electrician.  Ken was skeptical at first, until he realized that the man was the same one another ward member had recommended to us.  Good!  Let's get going.  He came back today to check things out and give us an estimate.

The new RS president called today, wanting to know how we are.  She's arranging for meals for us for Thursday and Saturday.  I sincerely hope I don't need help past then!  She thought I was taking it well and was funny.  Honey, it's either laugh or cry.  I've been through so much, I think I'm too tired to cry.  But I am getting just enough crazy to laugh.

Dinner was barbecued hamburgers in the back yard.  Easy and no electricity needed.  Dark night around the candle again, this time just chilling and listening to music.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Temperatures have gone up...into the 90's in the daytime.  A fan has been connected to the generator for the back room.  Analiese and I went over to the church today so she could study there (church has wifi) and in comfort.  I had permission from the bishop to use the kitchen to cook dinner, so I plugged a crockpot in the kitchen.

It was a good thing I took those pictures.  Ken sent them on to the insurance company today.  I hope and pray - since it's a weather-related incident - that they'll pay the majority of the repairs.  We'll see.

The kids and I stayed in the back with the generator on (we've been turning it off at night) until 9:30, hoping and praying that the house would cool off enough so that we could sleep.  Only four windows in our house (and we have many) open.  None of us slept very well.  Jonathan doesn't have school for the rest of the week, but I do have Seminary tomorrow and an inservice on Friday.

Thursday, October 15, 2015
Seminary today was about the 10 Plagues of Egypt.  Three days of darkness, that I could relate.  One of my family's is bringing in dinner on Friday.  I think we'd be okay, but I couldn't tell that sweet face "no."  Gosh, I love these kids!

Electrician is here today, working.  Ken stayed until he had to go to work at Walmart.  The kids and I headed to the library to use their wifi (and a/c) and to check out books.  The kids have been bugging me for a while to go, so off we went.  I took the kids to lunch (still no shopping, not much food in the house), and relieved Ken.

This afternoon, the kids and I went to a friend's house (my egg supplier) to help acclimate their baby chicks to humans.  Unfortunately, our window of time was very small, because 1) we were following her home - she lives out in the country, a 20 minute drive, at 4 o'clock, 2) we had to be back by 5 o'clock because my VT's were coming to bring us dinner.  Basically, 20 minute drive, 20 minute chicks, 20 minute drive.

I've been toying with the idea of chickens (a few), so it was a good learning experience for me.  They were in a tub in their shed with a heat lamp (they need lots of heat when they're little, it's the cold they don't like).  They had three kinds - don't ask me the breeds, I don't go to 4H chicken club (not that that's available).  But they were cute and fluffy.

 Jonathan was done after holding one and Analiese only held two.  I tried to hold as many as I could (not all at once!) in our small time allotment.  Yes, I got peed and poo-ed on, but that's animal life.  They told me it smelled in the shed...not any more than a rabbit cage smells in the summer!

We got home in time (sort of, a couple minutes late), in time to receive our yummy dinner.  Oh, the homemade chicken pot pie (no, I don't have any problems eating chicken after petting baby chicks!) smelled wonderful...tasted that way, too!  Accompanied by rolls, salad and brownies, my kids were full and happy.

We took a quick trip to Walmart following dinner to refill water jugs and cool off before we faced another hot stuffy night in the house.  But just before heading to bed, Ken texted me to tell me a storm was on it's way with lightning & thunder, so we had to put the generator away in the garage and pull the cords in the house.  Stuffier, but I wouldn't let the kids close the windows or we'd suffocate!

Friday, October 16, 2015
Today is my Mommy's birthday.  Just so you know.  She's special to me.  Her card got blown away from the mailbox Monday morning, but luckily we found it and put it in the mail.

No Seminary today, but I had an online inservice with my CES "boss."  I went over to do it at the church where there's electricity and wifi.  It was already starting to sprinkle as I headed out of the house around a quarter to six.  No, I didn't think to bring an umbrella, and by the time I was done and had to go back to the car, it was coming down.  So I got wet.

Downside?  Yep, electrician isn't working on the power today.  I wonder why?  LOL  Some lame excuse, I guess, about electricity and water not mixing.  Maybe he'll be back at it tomorrow, if things have dried off.  Maybe even Sunday, bless his heart.  So now we're looking at power returning on Monday.  Erg.

Today one of my Seminary students brought us dinner.  She really wanted to, and I can't say no to them!  She brought some "tangy chicken", rice. rolls and mini cupcakes.  Everyone really liked it.  I liked not having to worry about another meal.

Saturday, October 17, 2015
Another day, another lesson learned.  Ken didn't realize we had to check the oil level on the generator...now we have no working generator.  I had stayed away from all things mechanical, so I had no idea.  I guess using a generator for 50 hours takes a toll on the oil level.  So, shamefacedly, we had to borrow someone else's generator, if only to keep the fridge and freezer going.

And now we're working on cleaning out the dining room, laundry room, and back bathroom so that next Saturday the ward brethren can come tear the roof off of the extension.  Big heavy pieces of furniture and what-not (like file cabinets and a washer and dryer) will be covered with painter's plastic, but everything else has to go!  I told the kids to get ready for the invasion, because we've got to find a temporary home for all of our stuff in those areas.  Let's hope and pray that this gets done quickly...cuz I know more rain is coming!

Dinner tonight was pizza.  The sister bringing it apologized that she didn't have time to cook.  No apologies needed - my kids adore pizza.  Ken does, too, and on his break he was able to have dinner.  I like that he can do that!

Sunday, October 18, 2015
No electrician.  No power.  Ken says, "Maybe he's keeping the Sabbath?" Yeah, well then why did he say he'd come back Sunday?

The bishop said today, "You've got your power back, right?"  Har-har.  NOPE.

Now, I do happen to know that Altus Power does have guys working on Sunday because I saw them (they wear pink hard hats!) and their truck on our way to church today.

And we had to get our oxen out of the mire today.  Translation: We had to clean out our dining room, bathroom & laundry room.  Why?  So brethren from the ward can come tomorrow, Tuesday and Saturday to deconstruct the flat roof.  After all that's taken off, they'll have to ascertain the underlying damage and fix it.  Then, we call in our roofer, who's going to lay down rubber sheeting, putting flares up the sides of the chimney and to the slanted (original roof) and all that other don't-ask-me-cuz-I-don't-know stuff.  In between all this is supposedly a couple days of rain (goody), so everything's got to be covered.

People are starting to wonder what's up with us.  I keep using the Egyptian tomb robber joke to good effect. I'm not at all certain what the Lord has in store, but at least I know we'll be safe and warm this winter in our house.

TURTLE INVASION (belated)

Monday, October 5, 2015

Seminary today was conference review.  We got to know the new apostles a little better and played a trivia game from questions we all gathered this weekend.  My favorite part was seeing them talk animatedly about their favorite talks and quotes.  One of my students was sick for the weekend and didn't see much, but remembered listening to President Monson.  After listening to his talk, she thought, "I need to be nicer to people."  Yay, inspiration!  Also, the other two were so excited with a couple of talks Sunday afternoon that my sickie commented, "Maybe I need to go back and watch those."  I was thrilled!

Today's surprise weather was rain.  When I left for Seminary it was a little drippy, but stayed steady most of the morning.  There were a few drops here and there in the early afternoon, but the sun came out later.  Still, the weather is cooler...and I love it!

I had Family Home Evening lesson tonight, so I used the trivia cards from Seminary this morning to review with my family.  Some of them complained, "But you took notes!"  And what does that teach you?  LOL  In the end, they appreciated the reminders.  Ken thought I should have rewarded them with chocolate for each answer, but I didn't have any in the house (except my very bitter stuff that I use as a reward for me and only Analiese really likes that), so he went across the street to United to get ice cream to eat with our card game.  I was a good girl, I didn't have any!  To be honest, I didn't want any.  I'm not super-big on ice cream and he likes to get the really sweet and chocolately flavors.  I prefer fruit flavors or, at Christmastime, peppermint!

Tuesday - Thursday, October 6-8, 2015
Not sure what to tell you, these were normal days.  Also, since I'm writing about this nearly a week after they occurred, my memory's getting fuzzy.  Suffice it to say it was full of Seminary, homeschooling, driving kids around, etc.

Friday, October 9, 2015
I get home from Seminary usually about 7:50-8:00 a.m.  I get changed and sometimes do a little stretching, yoga, or go for a walk, depending on the weather.  After I changed from my dress, Analiese called me outside.  In the front yard planter was a turtle!  It was about 5 inches long, with a hard, patterned shell. Picking it up freaked it out, and it's little head, arms and legs started thrashing about.  "You're a frisky thing," I thought.  So I called it Frisky. I had no idea what it was doing there, so I took it inside to Ken to show it to him.  The first thing he said was, "Nope, no pet turtles."  I hadn't intended on keeping it...I think.

Well, in the meantime, Frisky got a short stay in the Bolton Family bathtub, next to Alice's cage.  Alice was completely oblivious to her new bathroom-mate.  I had to keep it there.  I needed to know it's needs and, well, I had to leave it there for Jonathan to see when he got home from school in the afternoon!

It's an ornamental box turtle, native to Oklahoma (Google "turtles of oklahoma").

 You can keep it as a pet, though you can't legally sell them.  But they don't thrive in captivity (and I've had enough dead wildlife around here already) so, after finding out it's main diet is insects and after Jonathan got a good look at her (female box turtles have yellow eyes, males have red), Frisky was whisked to the backyard.  Plenty of bugs there - and safer!  Which was a good thing, because a small pack of dogs came roaming through the front yard later in the day - Frisky was safe!  Later on, we couldn't find her in the yard, but I assumed she hid in some leaves or wandered over to the compost pile where a lot of bugs congregate.

BTW, Analiese does NOT like the name Frisky.  She says it's entirely unsuitable for a turtle.  I said she has no sense of humor.

Saturday, October 10, 2015
This afternoon Analiese and I headed to a local business in Altus - The How-To Palace.  It is owned by the gal who ran our homeschool PE group last year and was Jonathan's public speaking prof at WOSC (She's a real go-getter!)  They hold all kinds of crafting and cooking classes here, for adults and kids alike.  Today was Mom & Me crafts - a pretty carte blanche day of whatever we saw there that we wanted to do.

Analiese found a cute cut-out initial A.  She painted it a dark blue, painted lighter blue dots on it, and glued a blue silk flower on it that she'd glitterized.  It turned out great!

 My craft was a copy of something I'd seen before at their booth at the Cotton Pickin' Chili Cookoff.  It was a pallet-art picture of cotton branch and blossoms.  Compositionally, I'm not thrilled with it.  But the cotton looks good, I think!

We'd definitely go again, we had a great time!

Sunday, October 22, 2015

We're walking out the door, heading for church, when Analiese says, "Look, Mom!  Under the pecan tree!"  Sure enough, in the middle of the front yard, under the tree was...a female ornamental box turtle.  Was this the same Frisky I found on Friday?  Amazingly, did it crawl through a hole in the fence and to the front yard?  Does it like pecans?

I quickly scooped it up, ran it through the house (holding away from my dress so it didn't pee on my Sunday clothes) and put it in the backyard (again?).  Because we were running late for church, we didn't get to follow it's antics, but the next turtle I see in my yard is getting a nail-polish mark on it's back so I know who/what it is!

FALLING IN TO OCTOBER

Monday, September 28, 2015

Same old Monday...shopping, laundry, figuring out my week.  Shopping takes a twist this week as I figure out special things to make our conference weekend more festive, and as I prepare for a special Seminary on Friday.

In fact, I'm busy enough and tired enough that Family Home Evening tonight is a movie from Redbox (Never fear, skinflints!  We had a code for a free movie)

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Ken said Sunday that he wanted to go to the temple today.  So, after making some arrangements for the kids, and after Seminary, we drove up to OKC.  We had lunch - at a Five Guys, no less - and then did a session.

We got home around dinner time and then I left Ken and the kids at home so I could go to the bishop's house for Relief Society Book Club.  They were reading "The Hiding Place," which is a book I've read many, many times.  In fact, Analiese and I had recently read it as we were studying WWII.  I don't know why I do these things, though, because now I'm hosting the October club meeting.  I'm sorry, but I was so excited to suggest the next book.  They wanted something fun and light after the dark subject of this book, so I said, "I've always wanted to read 'The Princess Bride'!"  Everyone's seen the movie, but not read the book.  I guess the idea-maker gets to host the club.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Analiese was in charge of the Young Women's activity for tonight.  She decided to do a "Spa Night."  And asked me to help.  Thank goodness for Pinterest!

She had a lot of activities planned and her leaders weren't sure we'd get it all done, but we did!  They started by making their own sugar scrub and lip gloss to take home.  Those didn't take very long.  Then we played a version of musical chairs, but using nail polish instead.  They'd pass along the different shades of polish to the music and when the music stopped, they had to paint one fingernail that color.  It was actually a lot of fun!

Then they laid on yoga mats on the gym floor, had facial masks painted on, and cucumber slices put on their eyes.  I tell you, their leaders had a great time taking pictures.  The bishop kept coming in to see what they were doing.  He got a kick out of watching them doing silly things.

They ended their night decorating flip flops with fabric strips.  I think they haven't had such a fun time in quite a while.  She sent them home with copies of the "recipes." I told her I was proud of the good job she did.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

It was a fun lesson in Seminary.  We were reading about Joseph in Egypt and interpreting dreams.  There was a little role playing involved, so I decided to do a little dress-up.  Nothing extreme, but enough to make things fun.  I don't know if they were all excited, but it broke up the monotony.

I was supposed to go to lunch with a friend today, but she'd been in a mountain biking accident the day before, so it was no taqueria.  Instead, Analiese and I went to visit her and her daughter with some pizza and companionship.  I get woozy looking at wounds, and her 1 1/2-inch deep wound with ten stitches was disconcerting, to say the least.  But I was glad to help out at least a little.

You can tell fall is in the air.  Things have cooled off considerably, the squirrels are out and about more, the cotton fields are looking fluffy white and...monarch butterflies are everywhere!  Jonathan spotted a bunch in one of our pecan trees.  I see them flying about everywhere!

Friday, October 2, 2015

The day before Conference weekend, and I had a special Seminary planned.  It was all about preparing for conference.  I had found (once again, Thank you, Pinterest!) a FHE lesson about just that.  So...using their example, we built ice cream sundaes to remind us what we need to do to be ready to receive inspiration at conference.  For example, the scoops of ice cream, represented searching, pondering and praying. The kids thought it was great - ice cream for breakfast!  Though I did give a note to the parents, warning them.  Just so they didn't wonder why I was filling their kids with sugar first thing in the morning!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Conference morning!  In Oklahoma, that means the morning session starts at 11:00 a.m.  It is also Cotton Pickin' Chili Cook-off in the town square.  Last year, we helped with the 4H booth, but it meant missing the morning session and I had to catch up before Seminary on Monday.  Me no likee.  This time, the kids and I went to help set up

for the cook-off, took some photos

, and got home in time to watch all of Saturday's conference.  We help plenty at 4H, I don't feel guilty.

Analiese's 4H Food Science club was there, too, with their chili entry. (The Rabbit Club is mainly about fundraising and games for the kids).  This was their first time and Jonathan (of course) helped them by taste-testing and telling them what their chili and salsa lacked.  LOL

Conference, of course, was wonderful.  We have three new Apostles, since we've lost Elder Packer, Elder Perry, and Elder Scott over the course of the last four months.  I thought I recognized two out of the three new Apostles, but come to find out I had the name of one of them wrong.  Then, the one I thought I didn't know - when I saw his picture - I realized I recognized him!  Oh, well.  None of that matters, really.  We'll all be getting to know them better soon enough!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Conference was wonderful again, of course.  The only rough part was watching President Monson struggle during his talk.  I didn't realize he wasn't doing well and watching his voice get softer and raspier as he appeared to shrink down was very unsettling.  It made me sad.

This afternoon was the best session so far, in my opinion.  Elder Nelson was great, Elder Bednar was touching, Elder Durrant of the 70 had the most amazing talk on "Ponderizing."  That's a great new word!  Everyone gave me much to think about.

The rest of the day was prepping for Seminary tomorrow.  It will be a General Conference recap (no ice cream this time, though).  I've got a game, an activity, and a discussion planned.  My notes from Conference go along with me!