GUIDED WEEK

Monday, July 9, 2018
It started out as a regular, old, boring Monday. I worked on laundry, made weekly menu and shopping list. Then I left with Ken to go shopping, but first we had to stop at TB for him to do some paperwork. It was supposed to take a few minutes. Supposed to.

While he waited for an employee to come and finish the papers, we met a young man in the dining area. He is from Ukrainia/Russia and was here to apply to attend USAO. He was such a sweet, eager young man and he was going to stay at TB pretty much all day waiting for his ride. So we invited him to join us for dinner this evening in our home.

This meant a change in my dinner plans. A little extra food at Walmart, a stop at Braum's for ice cream (the best!). It also meant I needed to go home and straighten up a little more than usual. Guest coming!

His name is Viktor, and he's Jonathan's age. He's currently staying in Norman with a friend while he's waiting to hear from USAO. He was working in Russia as a journalist and has already traveled to different parts of the world (Istabul! The North Pole!). He's here to get his bachelor's degree in journalism. He was so fun to have visit; the kids really enjoyed him, too. I told him to keep in touch. It was like having another son!

Tuesday July 10, 2018
Seriously, I cannot get out of my house for one minute without a mosquito attack! My arms and ankles are covered in bites. Between them and my shots, I'm constantly itching! Another reason to seriously dislike summer.

On top of that, I think my top crown in my mouth needs replacing. It's above the one tooth that I've already gone to the dentist about - the one with the infection. I've known that one above has needed replacing for a while now - it's pretty old and wasn't done well in the first place - but now I'm having pain in it, too. Good thing I'm meeting with the endodontist on Thursday!

Wednesday, July 11, 2018
The "Mom" taxi was busy again. Jonathan had work at seven; Analiese had to be at TB at eleven. I spent my home alone time sweeping & mopping. I think I must be a lousy sweeper, though, because I find more stuff on the floor AFTER I mop. It's frustrating.

Water tower near the town cemetery

Analiese had YWs at a member's home this evening where they learned cake decorating. I dropped her off there and then popped over at the church to practice the organ and figure out stops for the hymns on Sunday. I didn't stay long, though, because for some reason the a/c in the chapel doesn't reach the organ. I was dripping sweat and informed the Branch President that I needed a fan up there.

So I went back over to the member's house to hang out with the YW leaders while the girls worked on their cakes.

Analiese and her cake. She learned tonight how to frost a cake properly!

Also, I wanted to test something out...my reaction to their Russian blue cat. It's supposed to be hypoallergenic and, while I know that doesn't always help, in this case their saliva has a different chemical composition than other cats which is where the allergy problems come from. I think I did pretty well, with only a little wheezing at home afterwards. But then, I didn't see or touch the cat, but usually in a house that doesn't matter.

Thursday, July 12, 2018
It was an up and at 'em early morning. My endodontist appointment was in Norman at 7:30 (!), and I had to leave the house an hour before that. I got up at six, intending to take a shower, but Jonathan beat me to it, since he had work. So I covered my horrific hair with a bandanna, loaded up on the deodorant, and left.

I'll say this: the doctor was a competent straight-shooter who let me know all of my options (from repair to extraction) and their chances of success. His office staff were super nice and helpful. But the news wasn't good. He thought there was enough tooth left (!) on the bottom to be able to re-do, but it wasn't a "slam dunk" (his words, not mine). The top tooth also needed redoing, which I figured, but so did the one behind it! Ack! Plus, I have to pay for each one out of pocket - $900-$1200 EACH - and then apply to my insurance for reimbursement. This is just for the internal root canal work, it doesn't even include the crown replacements that the dentist will have to do! Oh, it hurts in so many ways! I told them frankly, this is going to be a loooooong process; we'll do it as we can afford it. I've scheduled the first one for August 1st, the day after we come home from vacation. Not ideal, but considering they wanted to do it the day BEFORE I left, I can live with it.

Pom sits comfortably on my chest, aka the "shelf"

Friday, July 13, 2018
I know that the Lord not only looks out for us, but when we allow Him to use us for good, He will prompt us by His Holy Spirit to help look out for others. Take Viktor, our dinner guest from Monday. I felt God's love for him so strongly that I knew there was more for us to do besides provide him a dinner.

Wednesday, I had the feeling that he needed somewhere to live. It's very expensive to live on the USAO campus, so I asked him about it. He said he'd been looking but hadn't found anything yet. So I spoke to Ken and Jonathan (because it would be his room he'd be sharing) about Viktor staying with us. They both agreed contingent on our property manager and landlady agreeing to the arrangement.

Today, I got their approval. I texted Victor with the good news and he was ecstatic. It seems he had to find another place to live immediately because his friend in Norman was moving to Texas on Sunday. He may have to rough it on our couch for a few days while we arrange space for him in Jonathan's room, but I really know that this was supposed to happen and Ken agrees!

Pretty faces in a neighbor's yard!

Saturday, July 14, 2018
I took both of my children to work this morning, then I went back home to get a few things done and ready myself to leave the house around 9:30. I fueled the van, dropped a sandwich off to Jonathan (he'd left it in the van), and then headed to Altus.

For a funeral. A sad reason to return and visit people, I could not deny "mourning with those who mourn" with a special family who lost their son and brother in a horrific car accident. They had asked me to lead the music during the funeral - I would have done anything for them - and I could barely keep it together as I sat on the stand and watched grief move across their faces. I tried biting my cheek or tongue to stem the flow...but it didn't work.  It was really hard to see!

Between the funeral and the luncheon scheduled at a local hotel, I dropped by the library. My ex-boss/friend wasn't there (out of town), but I did see some co-workers I'd missed on my last visit. It gave me a moment to be away from the heavy emotions before going on to the luncheon. I also stopped by the newly-built Hobby Lobby; apparently the founder of Hobby Lobby is originally from Altus and wanted a store built there!

The luncheon was a little easier, as they focused on celebrating the life, not focusing on him being gone. They had a trivia game about him that had us all laughing and smiling. The lunch part was very nice, too, since Walmart donated a lot of food to the event. The young man had worked for ten years at the Walmart in Altus and was well-loved. The family presented me with a shirt they'd made for the close family members and friends. I felt honored; they are a good, close family that Ken got to know when he first came to Oklahoma. They adore Ken, who had befriended the deceased and had been the home teaching companion to the younger brother. Jonathan and the younger brother got to be close friends, too, when the young man came back from his mission. There's a lot of wonderful history there. I was glad I could do something to be a part of this sad, but necessary and important day.

Sunday, July 15, 2018
Today is Day Two of no anxiety medication. I had too much to talk about yesterday to mention it before. But on Friday, I went to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription, only to find out that it hadn't been filled. Someone made a mistake - the doctor or the pharmacy - whoever did made a mess! The script was written on June 12, with two refills and an expiration date of June 21st! They wouldn't even have let me refill the second that close together, even if I had done it then! They were going to try and contact my old doctor in Altus who wrote the prescription, and I tried calling my new one but their offices were closed Friday.

The main thing is: I'm out of my medication until someone straightens this out (Monday I will be making calls). I am not sure how this is going to affect me for the next few days. I've been taking the citalopram for seven years now!

Vikor moves in today. Jonathan is picking him up in Norman after church. We will have to sit down and talk about expectations. Not that I'm worried or nervous; this is for everyone's benefit.

INDEPENDENCE WEEK

Monday, July 2, 2018
The bushes - crepe myrtle - in front of my house are so "bloomin'" pretty! The blossoms are a bright pink, which makes me happy every time I look at them.

Analiese has the best view of them from her bedroom window. What a cheery way to wake up!

Today, when we went Walmart shopping, I bought an outdoor cushion for my bench on the porch. I've been working on my porch "project" for a time, and this was the last bit. Now we have a pretty, welcoming front porch,

which is a very Southern thing to do!

The sisters came to dinner tonight because Sunday they were afraid they'd receive a transfer call. They wanted a "last" meal with the Bolton's! But no, neither are leaving, at least for six weeks. They have to put up with us for that much longer.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018
I generally do not bake during the summer.  But tomorrow the Branch is having a dessert competition in conjunction with the 4th BBQ, so I decided to make a Samoa bundt cake. It's a chocolate cake with a caramel frosting, toasted coconut, and chocolate and caramel drizzles. Yum, right?

I was going to do it in the morning, before the day heated up too much. But as Analiese and I started, I found that I didn't have enough brown sugar. Jonathan had the car today, so I'd have to wait until he returned from work around three to go get some.

I did, and the afternoon was filled with me baking the cake. Fortune did not decide to follow me...the batter overflowed in the pan and dropped onto my nice new clean oven. My house smelled like burnt cake. When I tried to get it out of the pan - all pretty and bundt-shaped - it fell to pieces. What was I going to do? Then and there, I decided to make another run to the store. Though I wouldn't start on it until morning, I was going to assemble a new (my creation) recipe: Samoa trifle. Needs must.

Wednesday, July 4, 2018
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When life gives you cake in pieces coming out of the pan...you make trifle! My creation was layered thusly: cake, chocolate pudding, crushed coconut caramel cookies, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, coconut-flavored whipped cream, and toasted coconut. Repeat, with halved cookies for garnish. I don't have an "official" trifle dish, so mine mounded up and pretty much overflowed; I had to transport the sticky mess to church on a cookie sheet!

The Branch BBQ was fun, but the day's heat drove us indoors until the sun set. They had games for the little kids on the lawn, while the men grilled meat nearby, but the older and wiser (including myself) availed ourselves of the church a/c until fireworks time. By then, it was a comfortable 73 degrees and rather pleasant.

We saw the majority of the show, though the lower fireworks were blocked by park trees.

Analiese and a friend walked over to the bridge on the pond and watched from there, stating the reflected fireworks were beautiful!

Thursday, July 5, 2018
I'm feeling rather dragged out today. We didn't get home until close to eleven, mainly because we had to wait for the traffic to empty out of the park and surrounding streets. We were in no hurry, we were very comfortable. It was just late.

While I wasn't spectacularly motivated today, I did manage to put things away from yesterday, water plants, and bake (again, ugh) a banana coffeecake this morning for our dinner tonight. After lunch, I found Analiese sacked out on the sofa napping: the girl partied too hard!

Friday, July 6, 2018
I was all by myself this morning. Analiese went with Ken at 6 a.m. to work the TB breakfast shift and I had taken Jonathan to Walgreens where he started at 7 a.m. So...all alone...I took my shots, ate breakfast, did laundry, and wished I could take a nap. Which I can't, not for three hours after my shots. Bummer.

Back and forth: TB to home. Home to Walgreens to the hospital (Analiese had won a gift basket

from the open house she & Ken had gone to last week!) to home. I got very tired of the yo-yo driving. Plus with no a/c, it's not a very comfy ride.

So I let Jonathan drive Analiese & I to the movies tonight. It was his treat; we went to see Ant-Man and the Wasp. It was clever and funny, like other Marvel movies. The ending credits had a clip that had us going "Wow" and setting things up for the 2nd Infinity wars movie. It's not really spoilers. It was a good movie. The only fly in the ointment was one of the (literally) great unwashed who attended. Somebody obviously didn't realize that coming to a public venue in an enclosed room while unbathed and deodorant-less was socially unacceptable. Seriously, it was bad enough for me to want to go vomit on his lap and say, "There, now you smell better!"

Saturday, July 7, 2018
It was another yo-yo day. In between all of the driving, I spent time outside: first, grooming Pom, who's shedding a lot in the heat, and worked some in the garden. Then I got tired of the mosquito attacks and moved inside. There, I vacuumed, put away laundry, did some necessary correspondence, etc.

This evening, with everyone home from work, we drove to Purcell for a Stake Independence Celebration on a member's large ranch. Apparently they do this every year. According to the address on LDS tools and our GPS, after a roller-coaster drive (Oklahoma is NOT flat!) and dirt/gravel roads, we landed in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Nothing there looked remotely familiar and there was no huge crowd of Mormons. We drifted back to the highway, found a place to stop, and contacted some people trying to get directions. Come to find out, it was easier to find and get to than we had anticipated. Besides swarming with people, the ranch hosted several bouncy houses with water,

a carnival ride, a tractor-pulled train, music, food and fireworks! Analiese ran off with her friend from the Branch and the rest of us pitched our chairs and blanket in a shady area

where some of the Branch members had landed. Besides them, I got to see one of my Seminary students and three girls from camp. Ken really enjoyed himself and the fireworks show in a nearby field was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen a show up that close!

Going home, by the way, was much easier than coming.

Sunday, July 8, 2018
We got home and to bed well after eleven, so this morning I was beyond tired. My eyes didn't want to focus on the organ or sheet music and I kept nodding off during the speakers. No, they weren't boring. I spoke up a lot in Sunday School and RS just to keep myself going!

I don't know what it is, but I seem to unload a bunch of stuff at church lately. Today, I had a Frisbee belonging to the sister missionaries that was left behind at the church Wednesday, a DVD & back massager for a sister in the ward to borrow who's had a lot of back pain lately, and some garage sale stickers I found in the house to give to the RS President who's having a big garage sale. No wonder my church bag feels so heavy!

I bet you can guess what I did when I got home.... I grabbed a Lara bar, ate it, drank some water and...zonked out for a couple of hours. I just can't do late nights well anymore!

SUMMER RAIN SUMMER MUGGY

Monday, June 25, 2018
I was going to go walking this morning, but more rain came last night. It was a damp muddy mess outside! So instead of walking, Ken & I went to Lawton to do a Sam's Club run. We were running low on TP and other necessities.

That made me later for those other Monday "quehaceres" (things to do/chores) like laundry. Ken took me to lunch and we did our Walmart grocery shopping. We quickly ran home to put stuff away (and Ken did a little TB errand) because then we headed out to the local college - USAO (University of Science and Arts Oklahoma) in town. A member of our branch is the history head there and was hosting a Civil War Symposium. Ken, Analiese & I attended (later, her EPIC teacher told her she could get history credit for attending if she wrote a paper about it!) and then went to the administration offices to check out the ACT testing schedules and learn about concurrent enrollment. Analiese will only be a sophomore this year, but we're getting her ready to study some at USAO in the fall of her junior year. Not something to put off at the last minute!

After that we came home to have a simple dinner (Jonathan had been at work all day) together and then went to the movies for FHE. We saw the new Incredibles movie. I laughed a lot - which is the sign of a good movie. A few laughs means you mildly entertained me but a lot - that's a good one!  It was - I won't give spoilers, but JackJack is the best in the film!

Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Finally, Analiese and I got out to walk. It was only a short one, though, because I had to be in Norman for an allergy appointment by ten. But, hey, we did it! As it was, leaving the house for our walk, we saw Mr. Stinky nosing around across the road. I said, "Please stay there," but the contrary critter walked across the road

, up to my house, and along the side to the back! Ugh! We did see him a few blocks down later on our walk, but he makes me nervous. One squirt and the neighborhood is pungent for hours - and you can smell it inside and out!

I'm now on vial set three for my allergy shots. Still no idea if it's working - they say you won't see any results (if you even do) until the sixth month. So I guess you could say I'm doing this thing on faith. There have been no indicators from my doctor or allergist that cause me to be suspicious. I know it's not a cure-all and doesn't work for everyone. But trying something new is better than the so-so palliatives I've been taking for years!

Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Analiese's and my walk was postponed until around 9:30 because I'd slept in until nearly eight. I forgot to set an alarm and was up last night late being ill. The day was warmer, walking so late, which only confirms my emphasis on trying to walk as early as possible.  Today is supposed to reach 103 degrees. Too hot!

I went through the beginning of my online Seminary training for this year. Most of the technical remains unchanged, so I don't think it will take up a lot of my time. The spiritual training will - and should - take up the bulk of it. Even if I have been through it before, it never hurts to refresh my memory and spirit. It's the most important thing, anyway.

Thursday, June 28, 2018
It's going to be another hot one today! The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory. Our 8 a.m. walk was already sweaty...ugh!

I had lunch today with a sister in the Branch who has reach out a hand of friendship to me. ASIDE: This is probably an anxiety thing but, what is it that makes people want to befriend me? I can see people being mistaken at first - Ken did puff up my "bio", as it were, before I arrived - but now that I've been here a few months, surely they see there's not that much to me?   Anyway...we had a lovely time and really hit it off. I'm grateful she was willing to take the time to get to know me...and me her!

I had something to do at the church after that, but our lunch appointment had gone late and I had to get Jonathan from work first. It was so terribly hot and no a/c in that car is a killer! Even though I'd just had lunch, I bought some cold water at Walgreens. I had to stay hydrated and cooled down until I could return home to that a/c.

I didn't want to go anywhere else after that. Analiese had to work this evening, so I asked Jonathan to take her. I was not going back out in the heat!

Friday, June 29, 2018
I was supposed to go to Purcell this morning to visit a Seminary student. That got canceled, which made me sad, but also meant I could sleep in.  Good thing, too, because my stomach was bad again last night. It seems like the moment I lie down to sleep, it starts to rumble.

Other than the menial laundry, I spent the majority of my day watching the seminary devotional and working on seminary stuff. I'd apparently missed the devotional when it was initially shown. I worked on some technical issues, too, for things I want to do to prepare for the new school year. Not sure I was successful, but I keep on researching and trying.

Saturday, June 30, 2018
Around 7:30, my phone rang, waking me out of a deep sleep. I didn't get to it in time, but I call him back. Ken: in desperate need of Analiese right away. Jonathan was getting ready himself for work, so I woke up a rather grumpy teen girl and drove them both to work.

I had the house all to myself...whatever should I do? Well, I set up dinner in the crockpot because the missionaries are coming. I did more seminary work, at least as much as the Internet would let me. We've been having issues with that. A shower was nice and I did a little extra grooming in anticipation of the sabbath tomorrow.

I picked up Analiese later and, with Ken following, dropped the car off to Jonathan. Then he drove us home and he sped off to the city and northward for supplies. Apparently last night they had $1000 over their regular sales and were out of a lot of foodstuff. I kept working on dinner and Analiese cleaned cages...until an unexpected thunderstorm dumped a lot of rain and lightning (directly overhead), making for a soggy afternoon and evening. Thankfully, the sister missionaries came in their car; I can't imagine them biking in that weather!

Sunday, July 1, 2018
I awoke to another thunderstorm this morning. Lest you think it brought cooling relief, let me tell you the reality of it: It's a sauna out there. Muggy and warm and no relief at all!

Analiese had a youth meeting this morning, so she left for church early with Ken. I went later when Jonathan dropped me off on the way to Norman for the singles ward. He hasn't been able to go in at least a month, and was very happy he could do so today!

I didn't have to play the organ today. A sister visiting a family in town volunteered. Didn't break my heart!  I hadn't had a chance to practice on the organ at all this week, though I did on the piano at home! I did lead the music in RS, though. That's never a big deal, at least to me. I volunteered to help teach sisters how to lead music and we could take turns, at least in RS, to give them a chance to learn and have more people capable for the future.

After church, Analiese and I took a nap. You'd think Ken would want one most of all, but he didn't. Instead, he went to be really early while I chatted with my CA BFFs and the kids watched old Disney cartoons on YouTube. It was a peaceful way to end our day!

STUFF AND NONSENSE

Monday, June 18, 2018
We had Ken's Fathers' Day "dinner" for lunch today since Jonathan had to work yesterday and this afternoon. We'd been marinating rib-eye steaks in Italian dressing for a week and he grilled them...to perfection. You really ought to try steak (chicken is good, too) that way. It was succulent! He also grilled potatoes, which is my favorite way to eat a baked potato, and I roasted some broccoli in the oven with garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan.

We topped our meal off with the chocolate icebox "cake" that I'd made over the weekend.

It was all so very flavorful and delicious, but we were nap-ready by the end of it. Too bad, I still had grocery shopping for the week to do and laundry. And Jonathan went off to work with a VERY good meal!

Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Obviously, it's summer. While Ken was up early to go to work and I was up answering the call of my bladder, the kids weren't up until at least an hour and a half later than that. Must be nice.

Analiese and I met with her new EPIC teacher for the first time at the library today. Our old one is now a "principal" for EPIC and is actually over this one. So, at least, I can contact him if I'm not satisfied. But the new guy seems to be pretty with it, even if still a little new to the charter school. His strength is math, which is what I need for her.

At this point, with big summer activities calmed for a while, I have to come up with things to keep Analiese occupies. I don't want her spending all of her time on the computer or watching TV. We want to go back to walking, which means not sleeping in so late because I want to walk before the day heats up. I've given her one special assignment already: straighten out the bobbins and spools of thread that got all tangled in our move. I had a difficult time finding things last week when I was working on her trek skirt.

Trying to study scriptures: Jonathan is not helping!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018
I've already messed up the getting-up-and-walking plan. I awoke at 9:30 after a fitful and interrupted night's sleep - the menfolk were up early and were NOT quiet. Analiese wasn't too disappointed, though, because we had a small rainstorm this morning. Convenient.

I made blueberry muffins - and the resulting mess - for our breakfast-for-dinner this morning so as not to have the hassle of doing it during the warmest part of the day. I got flour all over the floor, streusel all over the counters, and fresh, exploding blueberries all over the oven. But by dinnertime, it was all made up for in fabulous, homemade flavor!

The rain, having spent itself out this morning, did not mar the pool party the YW and YM had at a member's home this evening. I went to pick her up, spending an additional hour there chattings, and off-handedly mentioned that my daughter would be the last one out of the pool. She was - she's a veritable fish! She loves to go swimming.

Thursday, June 21, 2018
After taking Jonathan to work this morning at seven, I proceeded to go to Norman to the Institute for a Seminary workshop. We were given our summer "homework" to prepare us for next year's course of study: Doctrine and Covenants. There's so much additional church history information on the Gospel Library app that we need to explore to help enrich our lessons and their studies!

I stayed afterward to confer with the secretary, who is also my technical "consultant" for online seminary. As usual, nothing stays static: I will be the online teacher now for four stakes - Lawton, Norman, OKC, and OKC South. Before you begin to worry about overload, let me tell you some of the parameters and rules we've set down. The class is capped at fifteen and each student much meet ALL of the technical requirements - no more weaseling out of the camera - and they must be diligently attending, reading and doing assignments. We have too many kids on the waiting list who want the opportunity to learn. It's a rigorous (the Church's words, not mine), yet rewarding program and those who dedicate themselves to it should be able to reap the blessings of it! It's not about being snobby or elitist, it's about being fair. The kids who will really dedicate themselves to it should have it. There are other resources available for the others, don't worry.

Friday, June 22, 2018
I had another day of chauffeuring. I took Jonathan to work at a quarter to seven just as a rainstorm began. That continued as an hour later I took Analiese to TB for a short online training while I went across the road to Walmart to get something I needed for dinner. Then I picked her and and we went back home.

She had changed her clothing and we had just finished her daily workbook assignment (for the Seven Habits for teens that I had purchased) when Ken called. He was down people; she was needed for an 11-5 shift. That left me at home alone for a few hours working on laundry and prepping for dinner with the missionaries. And getting a little nap! Then I was back out again to get Jonathan at three.

I asked him to pick up Analiese at five because by then I was in serious dinner-cooking mode. Plus...I was heartily tired of driving like a yo-yo!

I couldn't get a good close-up, but all of these birds sitting on the power lines outside my house are Mississippi kites - a predatory bird related to hawks. For some reason, they like hanging out here! 

Saturday, June 23, 2018
A brief, but powerful, electrical storm accompanied by strong winds knocked our power out in the middle of night. I woke up when Ken's phone rang with TB wanting to know what to do. I felt a headache coming on, took some Tylenol, and went back to bed!

Jonathan took the car to work today, so I hoped Ken didn't need me for a bank change run or Analiese because I had no transportation. Usually, TB lunch hour is when they hurt the most for people, so by 1 p.m. and having had no phone call, I figured we (and they) were fine.

I am using my talents to pet two rabbits at once. If I don't, Alice - the white and black one - will pick on Pom (grey & fluffy)!

We were all home for dinner tonight - a rare occasion. Ken had got home around four and Jonathan was off at five. I had dinner ready shortly thereafter and we actually all sat down together! With us running in all different directions these days, you never know when we will be able to do that!

Sunday, June 24, 2018
Jonathan had to be at work this morning by six, so he took the car. That meant that Analiese and I had to go with Ken to church when he left for his morning meeting around eight-thirty. Analiese just curled up on a pew and took a nap. I wasn't so lucky; my body doesn't cooperate like that. So I just did a little work in my planner and waited for church to begin.

Third hour, during RS, was interesting as we discussed the concept of ministering. I think we came to the conclusion that we should just love each other as Jesus did, serving as we saw needs, and dispensing with any pride, insult, or preconceived notions. I'm starting to feel more like the group: at ease, smiling, joking, and sharing with the other sisters.

Analiese had a YW presidency meeting and Ken had Branch business to do, so we stayed about an hour longer after church as well. Just before we were able to leave, a heavy electrical storm came, accompanied by a downpour. Did I know it was coming? Did I have an umbrella? No! Ken went and pulled the van up closer to the front doors and we made a mad dash, getting wet in the process.

DOMESTICITY

NOTE: I was an extraordinarily lazy person this week. I did not write in my journal, which is where I get the information for my blog. So now (Sunday) I am stuck trying to pull things from memory. Some days, you get what you GET!

Monday, June 11, 2018
Ken spent a good bit of the morning getting the tire on the Honda fixed. Well, that was actually the easy part; Walmart found a nail in the tire. The hard part was getting the spare on the Honda so he could drive it to Walmart. Nice for his day off, huh?

We also had to return the rental car. It was sweet, but expensive. Fun time's over, time to get back to work! We saw the registration was almost up on the van, so we went to the Tag Agency (DMV) to get that fixed before Ken did a quick visit to TB and we went grocery shopping.

The sister missionaries came to dinner tonight. I fixed taco salad, a nice meal for a warm day. I don't assemble it, though, and let everyone choose what they want. Some of the pickier members of my family like it better that way.

Tuesday, June 12, 2018
I've been putting it off, using Girls' Camp as an excuse, but I've run out of time. I HAVE to finish Analiese's skirt for Trek. She leaves on Thursday!

Why the procrastination & trepidation?  I'm am not the world's best seamstress, not even close. I sew very little and haven't touched a machine in a couple of years. Plus, to make this more difficult, I am working without a pattern...even without Pinterest instructions! I saw this pattern to make a pioneer skirt out of a bedsheet on Pinterest, but I couldn't access the website! So I fudged it. I found a flat sheet on clearance at Walmart, did some serious cog-turning thinking, and hobbled together a skirt. How hard could it be?

I had decided that I would use shirring tape instead of elastic for the waistband. In retrospect, that was not a good decision and she had difficulty keeping her skirt up, even with the waist ties. Luckily, she had a second skirt she'd borrowed from someone else and dealt with the one I made the best I could. I managed to get the cutting and the waist and the side seam taken care of today. But it HAS to be done tomorrow!

Tonight was a TB family affair! Ken had the kids inventory the stuff in our back area (now nearly filled to the ceiling with cups, lids, straws, napkins, etc.) while he and I put price stickers on signs for new items coming out this week. He can't pay us for it (well, Analiese could be), but we were promised a free meal.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018
So you know what I did today. I finished the skirt, the ties and the bag for hanging off the waists of the skirt. The ties weren't easy, at least, the turning right side out. But they weren't not as bad as the loop I made for the bag to hang off of a button I sewed on each waistband. It was so tiny, it was nearly impossible to turn right side out. In fact, I redid it once, making it a little wider. As it was, I sat in front of the TV with the fabric in my lap, working it right side out. My hands ached after that!

For the record, I got it done. Not even close to perfect. But I got it done and it fit, sort of. Enough for her to use for one day, I suppose. Not a masterpiece.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

I got up around 6:15 to take Analiese to the TB parking lot where we were meeting with the Altus ward people going on Trek. I am not sure she even gave me a goodbye, just packed her stuff up in their van and left. Sigh. What's the big deal about mothers anyway?

Ken went to work at ten; Jonathan was supposed to be off work but got called in. What was I supposed to do? I drowned my sorrows in housework: I sanitized and cleaned the kitchen sink, swept and mopped the office area, dining room and kitchen, and vacuumed the house. The Queen of Domesticity, I am!

Actually, Jonathan came home about five hours later and we watched a movie and ate TB. Yeah, our payment for Tuesday night. Jonathan tried a couple of the new things; I just stuck with some personal favorites. Though TB gets old...fast.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Another thing to do today that I've been procrastinating - the bathtub needed recaulking. It was coming off and the mildew level was rising...gross! So one of my "while-Analiese-is-at-Trek" plans was to recaulk the tub. Jonathan took off the old caulking and left the rest to me.

That was more "fun" than I expected. For one, I had to clear away extra bits of caulking left behind. And then, the mildew. I was rinsing underneath the edges of the siding over and over just flushing the stuff out. It was really nasty. You'll have to take my word for it because I did not take a picture.

I also decided to use a bleach-and-water mix to spray in those cracks really good to get everything. I don't want to just cover up mildew. I sprayed several times, leaving the bathroom clear for hours to sit (no ventilation, so I wasn't going to stay in there). I eventually decided to leave it overnight to completely dry before caulking it in the morning. 

I made a lemon-blueberry oven pancake for Jonathan and I for dinner tonight. Easy and tasty. After all my bathtub work, I really didn't feel like cooking dinner.

Saturday, June 16, 2018

After breakfast, after my shots, I bearded the lion in it's den. Okay, I caulked the tub. For the first time. In my life.

Of course, I'd read up all about it on Pinterest on several sites. I don't go into new ventures uneducated. I had my gloves, my caulking gun, a damp rag, and a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol (so caulk won't stick to unwanted areas). What a mess! (Good thing I put on my yucky paint clothes.) I put the bead (their terminology) on fairly straight then, with the gloves on, I smoothed it down the best I could. I did pretty well, I think. There was only one tough area, where the siding didn't sit flush with the wall; that took a little creative maneuvering and extra caulk. It's not a professional job, but I don't think it's bad for an amateur. The most important think was that everything was sealed tight. 

It was supposed to only need to set for thirty minutes, but I gave it a couple of hours before Jonathan took a shower for work. It seemed to hold.

Analiese came home (with Ken, they dropped her off at TB and he was still at work) around four-thirty. She was red and tired, but supremely satisfied. She sat down and took off her shoes...and socks. When those came off, a cloud of reddish dust floated up!

Then she remembered...she forgot her trash bag of dirty clothes in the van. That meant a hurried call to the couple and arranged to meet them at a stop on the freeway to collect it. Ken and I left Analiese home to get a shower in my newly caulked tub. It was a twenty minute drive out and back and then a stop to get pizza for dinner. Because there's no energy left in anyone to make dinner. As it was, I still had to go to the kitchen and make dessert for Ken for Fathers' Day: A chocolate-chocolate-chocolate-chocolate-chocolate-chocolate dessert. Seriously. Can't celebrate anything for him without some chocolate; I may have overdone it this time.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

So I told Ken that his Fathers' Day presents were 1) the chocolate dessert and 2) I caulked the tub (so he didn't have to). Well, there was a third: I spoke today in church.

Ken was conducting the meetings for June. He wanted me to speak along with himself. I thought I was going to get out of it because of Stake Conference until he realized he didn't have anyone for Fathers' Day. Lucky me. I haven't spoken in the Branch to date and hadn't minded a bit. But he got me for today and asked me to talk a little bit about our family in way of introduction as well.  So I did, but tried to emphasize Fathers' Day more. I spoke about the need for fathers and how our Father in Heaven is our best example of fatherhood. I think it went okay.

Other than giving him a card, though, we didn't do much celebrating at home, though we got to Skype with my Dad and Mom in California. Ken had some branch ministry errands to do after church and Jonathan had to work this afternoon. Tomorrow, for lunch, we're grilling steaks and potatoes, I'll oven roast broccoli, and we'll have that rich dessert.  It'll be midday because Jonathan has to work again in the afternoon.

Though, Ken did have fun this evening with a snow cone machine that Jonathan purchased for him for Fathers' Day. It's just the goofy, childlike, fun sort of thing that Ken loves. He works so hard, he's due a little fun !

GIRLS'CAMP

Monday, June 4, 2018
This morning I did a last load of laundry for last-minute parking. I took a last allergy shot, too. I won't take another until after camp. My allergist said not to worry about it. It's too much of a hassle, especially since I have to refrigerate the vials.

The ward girls all met at the church at 12:15 and we left at 12:30 for camp. I've never gone such a short distance for girls' camp. It was a little over 30 minutes away!

Most of today - what there was - was settling in, decorating the cabin,

introducing the theme, and picture-taking. The theme is "Strong"

with the scripture coming from Philippians, The song they used came from the church youth theme this year.

I'm in the fourth year cabin with Analiese. We have twenty-one girls, plus the YLees (youth leaders) and five adults. Plus, we're sharing the cabin with the third-years and their leaders, who don't have too many girls.

NOTE: These girls are eating CONSTANTLY. They have brought big containers full of snacks and beauty products. Silly girls!

Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Last night was awful! My neck and back were not happy; the air mattress wasn't as comfortable as I'd hoped it would be. It didn't help that a couple of giggly girls kept whispering for hours after lights out. I tossed and turned and this morning I ache all over!

The girls had a workshop after morning clean up. Talking about "strong," two sisters used rocks to represent strength of faith. Then everyone painted rocks with inspiring messages on them

. The YLees had the girls next, with an intense scripture study of Matthew 26 and the Savior in Gethsemane. They were to read and write down feelings, testimonies, and impressions in their journals.

By noon, I was really feeling it in my back and neck. I got stiffer and the agony grew through KP, fire cooking, and the service project. Finally the YW president said she could see the misery in my eyes and sent me home. I wasn't thrilled, but didn't see how I could continue. I went home, took a nap, cried in the bathtub (pain & sadness) and Ken came home with a burrito and moral support for me. My bed never looked so good!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018
I was up a little before seven. Besides a shower and breakfast, I decided to take my allergy shots since I was home to do it. I didn't want to take everything back with me, but I assembled what I thought I'd need for today. After Jonathan and I chatted for a bit, I drove off back to camp.

My back was still touch-and-go, but I was careful. All the girls in camp were bussed to Elevation - a trampoline, rock-climbing, obstacle course place. The fourth-years told me it was my job to take pictures; I got tired just watching them have fun!

There was more fun tonight as each year presented skits they had created based on the camp theme. I had brought face paint for the fourth-years to use with our skit. They enjoyed figuring out what to do with it.

All of the skits were highly amusing. One of our girls had a blow-up sumo suit that she brings every year and brought down the house!

Another girl acted as an EMT in the skit and had fun making ambulance noises and dragging girls off the stage!

I don't care for driving on country roads in the dark. I am paranoid some deer is going to jump out in front of me. The roads are narrow, too, and have no lighting beyond my headlights. Oh, and the headlights coming from the opposite way. Some of those vehicles were big rigs and huge trucks. The road didn't seem large enough to the both of us. Nerve-wracking! The best thing of the drive was the lightning bugs.

Thursday, June 7, 2018
I was so tired this morning.  I didn't want to get up and dragged my way to camp with a Dr. Pepper step in between. The Elixir of Life was called for today.

It was a damp-ish morning with off-and-on rain and thunder. For the most part, they kept all of the girls in the cabins, the mess hall, and the pavilion in order to keep them dry. The big activity for the morning was a self-defense workshop. The girls were particularly interested to know what to do should someone grab their hair.

Analiese models my bee hat.

After that, the rain began in earnest, marked with lots of lightning and thunder. They ended up keeping all the girls in the mess hall after lunch to do crafts

My hat was very popular!

Cute 4th year!

together until the rain let up...around three p.m. I had to guard the doors to keep them from going out into the wet. Heaven knows I could visualize myself getting struck by lightning and lying in the gravel and mud.

This evening was bishop's night

President Gerlach swinging the girls on the tire swing.

and testimony meeting. Poor Analiese - at one point she left the meeting to go the bathroom, slipped on a muddy floor and coated her shoes, legs and shorts in red, sticky mud. She didn't hurt herself, didn't seem terribly embarrassed, and took it all in stride.

Friday, June 8, 2018
I took Jonathan with me this morning to pick up the ward girls from camp. We got there a little after nine, which didn't please Analiese. She wanted us there earlier; but they didn't even dismiss everyone until after ten. The nice thing was, the drive was very short, and even though everyone was very tired (they last night of camp they all stay up late), they all stayed awake on the way home. I got home to start laundry and assemble a small grocery list for the weekend. However, I found myself nodding off over my notepad!

I did my shopping and managed to stay awake. Analiese went in to work for a couple of hours herself. I didn't want her doing more than that because of camp fatigue. She didn't want my frozen lasagna, though, and came home with a TB burrito. That's okay, Jonathan finished off her portion.

Saturday, June 9, 2018
Ken needed me to go to the bank to get change for TB this morning. He had to wait, though, until the rabbit cages were cleaned. Analiese cleans them, but I have to bunny-sit while she does.

Analiese was supposed to babysit a four-year-old boy while his father went to a stake meeting, but Ken was desperate to have her work. So I watched the boy myself instead. He colored, played with my yoga ball, and smashed potato chips for me for dinner. Luckily, Jonathan came home from work and tossed a ball around with him as I finished putting dinner together. He wasn't sure what to think of Jonathan at first, but when they became playmates, he was fine. Alice, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with an energetic little boy who kept dashing about. I'd brought her out for him to see (Pom's too nervous) but she just spent the entire time hiding under the sofa.

Sunday, June 10, 2018
Jonathan was going to take the Honda to work, but found a rear tire flat.  He ended up taking the van. This meant Analiese and I had to go with Ken to church and wait while he attended his branch presidency meeting.

We had stake conference, but didn't have to go to Norman. The stake broadcasted the session to the other church buildings, which meant we could watch it in Chickasha.

I had my little buddy from yesterday sit next to me. He colored and played on my tablet quietly. But I didn't last the whole time. I'd been sick last night and my stomach started misbehaving during conference. After three trips to the bathroom, I had to have Ken take me home to get medicine and go to bed. I had thought I just had a problem with something I ate yesterday. Do I actually have a stomach bug instead?

CAMP PREP

Monday, May 28, 2018
Analiese finished her online TB training this morning. Ken said he'd never seen anyone do it so quickly and accurately - even with things she hadn't been through yet - even for himself! In fact, he said she probably did better than he did!

I have a slight toothache coming on. A visit to the dentist is probably in order. I really don't have time in the next two weeks to go; so I hope my tooth will behave itself for the time being. (Eye roll here.)

Our grocery shopping trip today had a lot of camp necessities thrown in. All of my sunscreen and insect repellent at home had expired. The stuff doesn't last forever, unfortunately. I tried to get some repellent that doesn't smell so much. Aerosols and perfumes really choke me up!

Tuesday, May 29, 2018
I finished my first set of allergy vials the middle of last week, so I went to Norman this morning to get the second lot. It's a little stronger formula, so I start back at a smaller dosage and build up as I go along.

After a little camp shopping, I made a stop for lunch on the way back home. What happened next I call an OK Experience: I listened to four older men talk about how they get rid of animal pests. One said he took his grandson's BB gun and shot mockingbirds that kept trying to attack him and his wife when they went outside (defending the nest). Then he elaborated on how it was effective keeping cats out of his planters, too! Only in OK! Hilarious!

Overpass in Norman, OK

Just as I was getting ready to assemble dinner and shove it in the oven, Ken texted requesting Analiese to work from 5-10 at TB. She had been looking forward to the recipe I was trying out, so I put it on hold. Jonathan and I had to settle for frozen pizza.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Analiese and I drove nearly two hours to Altus today for a visit. Analiese spent the day at a friend's house from our old ward. I went to the library to see Janet (ex-boss) and the library staff.

It was nice to visit with everyone. I got to see their summer program displays for the new reading program: Libraries Rock! I also met the gal who has replaced me; Janet says she's working well. Then Janet & I went to lunch and had a lot of catch-up time.

The only thing that marred the day was the extreme heat and driving for hours in a car with no air conditioning. We got home totally wrung out and exhausted. But the day wasn't over, Analiese had YW and I had to go to do another lice check. I slipped out for a moment, though, to go to Walmart and get ice cream bars for everyone. I needed cooling off!

Thursday, May 31, 2018
My busy day got busier as decided to make that trip to the dentist. The pain is under a crown with a root canal on the bottom left side. They discovered an infection and are sending me to an endodontist to take care of it. But...it has to wait until after camp. I'll be surviving on Tylenol for pain.

After my appointment, I went home to meet with my co-cabin mom from the branch. We worked on our "goodie bags" for the fourth year girls. They are teal bowls with tissue, a nail polish (in either teal or coral), some Hawaiian punch packets that mix into bottle water, and a hand mirror that reads "you're strong" (from the theme).

We're also giving them leis as they come into the cabin.

The sisters came to dinner and really loved the French Onion Chicken Casserole I made. So did the kids. Jonathan came home from work and gobble up his helping! We also had more ice cream bars, which were greatly appreciated. This heat is a killer!

Friday, June 1, 2018
Analiese had a friend and her brother come over this morning. Along with Jonathan, they spent a few hours playing games and noshing on animal crackers. We also introduced them to the bunnies, which were a big hit. I'm glad she's made a friend in YW here. They have a lot in common and are constantly gabbing about it - drawing, Marvel, manga (anime), etc.

It became a kind of impromptu game day for them. When the friends left, a friend of Jonathan's wanted to Skype and play D&D with them. My kids are bigger nerds that I ever was!

Analiese went to work this evening, so it was just me and Jonathan. We rented "Justice League" from Redbox and had more fun mocking it more than anything else. DC is really a Marvel wannabe. The film was very formulaic, dull plotted, and the jokes fell flat!

Saturday, June 2, 2018
Alice decided to chew on the edges of my journal pages this morning while Analiese was cleaning the cages. I kept moving it further away from her, but the sneaky fur ball kept trying to reach it. Finally, I had to put it up high..try and get that!

I spent the more part of today gathering and packing. Analiese and I are sharing most of our toiletries; there's no need for both of us to carry things. I'll have a few last-minute things to pack Monday morning, but that's it.

I made some banana-coconut muffins this afternoon with ripe bananas I had on hand, They turned out moist and tasty, but were very messy. Lots of crumbs. Sometimes, when we're shopping, Ken wants to buy a muffin mix...but homemade aren't hard and taste so much better!

Sunday, June 3, 2018
I did NOT feel good this morning. My tooth ached, my head ached and - even after a full night's sleep - I felt exhausted. Was I coming down with something?

Ken sent me back to bed. Me: "But I have camp tomorrow." Him: "Exactly!" I slept all three hours that he and Analiese were away at church. And felt like I could sleep more afterwards.

The headache was persistent all day and only dimmed at dinner. Ken had invited the sister missionaries over and we didn't have much in the way of leftovers. But I had the makings of spaghetti in the cupboard, so that's what we had. And more ice cream bars.

Analiese went to the church to see the online fireside with President Nelson and his wife. I think it's so cute (maybe wise, she's a brilliant woman) to include her in so many things. I watched it at home. He is so inspiring and had some great goals for the youth to achieve. I hope they all appreciate how invested he is in them!