Saturday, January 31, 2015

January 30th - Visiting Teaching - Not Quite the Last Day of the Month!

This has been a crazy month for our visiting teaching, but the month is running out, so today we managed to get it done.  Well, I ended up going alone, since my companion called and she is really sick with a bad cold.  With all the stuff going around, she didn't want to spread hers as well.  Since there wasn't enough month left to postpone, I had to do it.

I met one of our sisters at Chic Filet for lunch.  We were there over an hour and had a great visit.  Then I visited a second one at her home.  She has just started back on family history and is taking my Sunday class and she could hardly wait to show me what she had found.  We had planned to visit our third sister earlier, but she called and said that a friend had died and the funeral was this morning.  Fortunately, we have both been in contact with her several times during the month, so she will just be an "other" contact this time.

By the time I got home, I needed a short rest and then I finished up my house chores and spent some time at the computer.  I didn't get any of the to-do piles lowered, however.  \

Bill had an activity with the priest's quorum this evening, so I snuggled up with some popcorn and watched a little Netflix before getting into bed to read. 

Friday, January 30, 2015

January 29th - Art Class

We didn't have art class last week, because of a conflict with Brooks' Joy School.  Today they had a field trip, but Lisa planned to bring Ashby over after the field trip.  For some reason, he did not want to stay at the fire station, so they made it a little earlier than planned.  Either way was fine with me!

We finished our sketch from last time by coloring it in.  Ashby chose to use markers and colored pencils and did a very nice job.  By the time she finished, she had created a whole story about what was happening.  I got a kick out of her telling me how some day she would be a famous artist and make lots of money.  I tried to offer a little reality without bursting her dream.  I think I may have created a monster here!  More power to her, though.  I love her confidence.  Here is the picture of the finished project:






They stayed and had some mac and cheese for lunch and watched some Disney Jr, until it was time to go home for Lisa's piano lessons.  I did enjoy my time with them here.

In between, I managed to get the laundry done and some other things.  I didn't get as much done on my projects as I had hoped, but piece by piece, I keep working!

Bad news for the day was that we had a washer repairman come out to look at the washer, which has been making a considerable amount of noise on the spin cycle.  It turns out that the tub needs to be replaced.  This style washer has a double tub with ball bearings and the bearings have gone bad.  Replacement will be $500 - so it will be just as cheap to just buy a new washer.  We will just keep using this one until it doesn't work, I guess.  So far, it is still working fine, except for the noise!

Thursday, January 29, 2015

January 28th - Wednesday, Family History Day, of Course!

We didn't have any patrons at the family history center this morning, but we both kept ourselves busy - between a little of our own work and just plain chatting!  We did a call in that Phyllis answered, so she was with that patron for quite a while.  We enjoyed the morning, but it is always more fun when we have a patron who actually comes in!

I had enough time to come home and have some lunch and then I headed out to the home of one of the ward members who needed some help.  I have helped her before, but she needed to go over it again.  I think she got a better handle on it this time.  She has one line that we have worked on a lot; I even worked on it myself at home.  It is a complete mystery.  We tried again today, but just can't seem to figure it out.  I will probably try to take some time on my own again.  At least, she has plenty of other things that we found that she can work on.  Plus, I really encouraged her to enter the stories she remembers about her parents and grandparents.  She is the only one left who has those memories and if she doesn't record them, they will be lost.

By the time I got home, for the second time, I was pretty tired.  That meant a little rest time for me.  I didn't nap, but I did relax!  I finally found enough energy to do a few things around the house and then to do a little more on my own computer.  Unfortunately, I didn't get anything done from the to-do piles.  Maybe tomorrow!

January 27th - Just a Tuesday!

This has not been a particularly exciting day to write about - just a routine, stay-at-home, clean up the house, work on the computer kind of day.  I managed to finish another item from the to-do piles, which actually cleared out a pile.  Too bad it wasn't my only pile!  I also spent some time texting with Venett about RootsTech.  We are both getting excited!

Some days just consist of living, I guess.  I was busy all day - well, except for that little rest in the afternoon - but there isn't much to retell!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

January 26th - Lunch with the Kiddos!

I was enjoying my Monday morning - plugging my way through the to-do pile.  Then I was saved by a phone call from Lisa asking if I wanted to meet for lunch at Chili's.  I mean, like, I didn't have to think about that one!

I ran the errand that I had planned to do today on my way to meet them.  We had a fun lunch.  She had coupon that gives a free kids meal with an adult entree, so the kids meals were free.  Their favorite at Chili's is mac and cheese and french fries.  Really nutritious, ha!  Lisa and I got the 2 for $20 meal of fajitas, which meant we also got chips and salsa for an appetizer.  We both chose the pork and it was delicious!  I could only eat half of it, though, so Bill got to have his own fajita for dinner using my leftover.

I had planned to bring the kids over to the house for a little bit, so Lisa could do some shopping, but they both decided they wanted to go with her, so I came on back alone.  I think they were hoping they could talk her into getting a toy at Target, even though she had emphasized that there would be now toys! 

It was a rainy, dreary day so after another couple of hours at the computer, I was tired.  I nestled into the big chair, turned on Netflix, and then fell asleep for a bit.  I did watch Downton Abbey first, though.  I fell asleep during Grantchester.

Later, I finished up another of my to-do projects, so that actually removed a pile from my desk.  Hooray! I may actually see the top of my desk again before the month is over - or not! 

Monday, January 26, 2015

January 25th - Ward Conference

It seemed strange to head off to church this morning without my bag and computer.  Since it was ward conference, there were no regular classes so that meant no family history class to teach.  It was still a great day.  The bishop's talk in sacrament meeting was especially good.  It could easily have been a general conference talk and we both enjoyed it a lot.  The youth sang the "Sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman" song and did a wonderful job.  I noticed more than one damp eye in the congregation.  The stake president was the final speaker, also good.

The Sunday School block was all adults and focused on family history.  At least, if I couldn't teach my class, they talked about the right subject.  It was actually pretty well done.  The Relief Society block had the brand new Stake RS presidency speak.  They were just called a week ago, so this was their first "public appearance." 

Once we got home, I got the stuff all ready for dinner:  steaks and chicken each marinating in different sauces, potatoes ready to bake, fresh green beans snapped and simmering, a frozen dutch apple pie in the oven. 

Then I sat at the computer and did some things from my to-do pile.  I was thrilled to wipe out a couple of things.  I just wish that the pile would actually look smaller when I do a few things!

When the kids got here, we grilled the steak and chicken and had dinner.  Everyone seemed to like it, as they all ate well.  Then the kids played while we chatted for a while.  Finally, after cleaning up, Bill got out the quadcoptor he got this week and they all played with it.  Brooks got the first turn and it was wild.  Good thing it is pretty tough, because it sure did some wild crashes.  Everyone else took a turn flying it, too, and Lisa won as the most in control.  We really got a lot of laughs out of the whole thing, until the battery finally ran out.  Fun family memories.

So, we can chalk up another wonderful Sunday!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

January 24th - Saturday

This has been pretty much a usual Saturday:  a little straightening, a couple of loads of laundry, the usual.  The new Cutco knives we bought arrived yesterday, so I needed to rinse them and get them set up.  I haven't used a knife block in a long time and I really don't have room on the counter, so it meant all sorts of rearranging.  It is still a work in progress, as I am still not happy with it.  I will keep fiddling until I figure it out.

Bill had an estimate this morning, but was home the rest of the day.  When he is home, we tend to be a little lazier than usual.  Considering how lazy I usually am, that means I do almost nothing!  Actually, I did quite a lot at the computer.  I added more slides to my presentation, now that I have learned how to put in pictures and other files.  It is coming together very nicely.  I also figured out how to make a file page public, so I can have sample timelines that the attendees can get to online and just download.  I have been working on that task for a while, too, and today I figured it out, using Google Drive.  So proud of myself!  All that is left is to fine tune the presentation and power point and then prepare some more samples to upload.  Oh, and I also need to prepare a handout.  I am getting there!

Bill got bored by afternoon, so he ran out to do a couple of errands, including the grocery shopping.  That meant I had some things to put away when he got back. 

And that was about the extent of my day.  Another busy day, but hardly worth retelling.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

January 23rd - Rainy Friday, But a Success!

This rain started last night and it is one dreary day.  I thought about just staying in bed all day, but I didn't.  In fact, I got some soup going in the crock pot - a creamy cheesy potato soup.  I also stripped the sheets and got those washed.  Other than a few other routine things around the house, I spent the rest of the day at the computer.  Big surprise!

I am determined to figure out how to do this power point thing, so I searched for tutorials.  I have looked at some before, but this time I ran across a really basic set of videos, obviously meant for someone who knows nothing - and, boy, do I qualify!  They were really good, so I spent a couple of hours watching and taking some notes.  What I had figured out so far was correct, but they added lots of other details.  The big success was that I learned how to add the pictures and charts that I have been struggling with.  Now my presentation is starting to look right.  I have a few more things to add, but now I know how.  Hoorah! 

I spent the rest of my late afternoon and early evening watching some TV and eating my soup.  Yummy!  Bill didn't get home until quite late, so I just watched things from Netflix and relaxed and listened to the rain.  What a dreary - and successful! - day.

Friday, January 23, 2015

January 22nd - Lunch with some of the girls

I had planned on a stay-at-home day today, working on my power point presentation.  Instead, I had a message from my visiting teacher asking if I wanted to join her and some others for lunch at Del Rio.  Well, of course!

She picked me up around 12:30 and we met up with 4 other sisters from the ward.  It was kind of a visiting teaching meeting, since a couple of different VT routes were represented.  It was a lot of fun.  Of course, I was the oldest - that isn't too hard in this ward.  Even so, it is amazing how we can be such a spread of ages and still have so much in common.  It is one of the many blessings of having church friends.

I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to figure out my power point.  I am getting a little discouraged.  I have made the slides that I create from scratch, but I can't seem to get an image, like a picture or a chart, to load in properly.  I can get a link to load, but then I would have to click the link to get the picture.  So, more work to do.  Windows 8 is adding considerably to the problem.  But I will overcome!

Bill went home teaching this evening, so I had some popcorn and watched a little TV to relax.  It has been a good day.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

January 21st - Genealogy Study Group

Today I had to get up and going, as I needed to be to the church by around 9:00 to get things set up for the Genealogy Study Group meeting.  A few other members started arriving early as well, so it didn't take too much to get everything set up.  My biggest responsibility is always the projector and screen and getting the computer hooked up.  All worked well today.

The presentations were all really good, too.  We had 28 in attendance, which is great.  Afterwards, we had the steering committee meeting and have things planned up through the next three months.  I will do the main presentation in February on timelines, which is the presentation I have been working on for the May Family History Fair.  I will also do a book report in May, I think it is.  I do keep busy with that group, but I love it.

By the time I got everything put away, and spent a few minutes trying to help a little in the family history center, it was mid-afternoon when I got home.  I fixed some lunch and rested a little.  Then I had the rest of my daily chores to finish up.  It sure is easier to do those in the morning! 

It was a great day, though, as it always is when we have the genealogy group meeting.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

January 20th - Nothing New Today

Today was just another day of doing just the usual stuff.  I managed to complete the one project and get the last part emailed off.  I have one other email to answer, so I started working on that.  It isn't as involved, so hopefully I will get it ready soon.  The rest of what I did was just a little of this and a little of that.  Nothing exciting enough to write about!


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

January 19th - Another Stay at Home Monday!

I spent most of my day working on family history projects.  I got one part finished and emailed off, so I did accomplish something of value.  I also checked out my project piles to make sure there wasn't something pressing that needed to get done right away.  I have three piles!  That is ridiculous.  Hopefully tomorrow I can finish the last part of the project I worked on today and get that emailed off, too.  Then I can cross that one completely off the list!

I also had one of my ward members call to get some family history help.  She has just started in my Sunday class and was trying to figure out some things that we haven't talked about yet.  We spent a while working through her questions and managed to get them all answered.  Success!

During my lunch break, I watched the latest Downton Abbey episode.  Then later, when I had finally worn myself out, I rested and watched another show.  No nap today, but I did enjoy the rest!

We were supposed to go out to dinner with a ward family and then do some family history for their Family Home Evening.  However, that was called off at the last minute, as their 14 year old daughter was having pains and they were on their way to ER with probably appendicitis.  She is having surgery in the morning.

That meant we just spent a quiet evening at home.  I worked a little more on family history things and then headed in to read for a couple of hours. 

Monday, January 19, 2015

January 18th - New Family History Class Started Today

I was excited that my new class that started today was so well attended.  There were about 15 there!  Two of them were visitors, but hopefully the rest will stick with it.  We will see.  Some of them had come in to the end of the previous class, so they were just continuing.  One of them had taken the class previously and was coming again, with his wife this time.  I was also excited that a sister I visit teach and her husband came.  They have been trying to get back into activity and have had struggles, so it is exciting for them to have a reason to come.  I am looking forward to the class!

When we got home from church, I put dinner together.  We are having chicken Parmesan, spaghetti, fresh broccoli, and garlic bread.  Once it was all ready to put in the oven later, I ate a quick snack, did a few things on the computer, and then was able to take a Sunday afternoon nap!  I love morning church!

When I woke up, it was time to put the chicken in the oven.  At 5:00, I got everything else going and just shortly after, the kids all arrived.  Everyone loved the dinner and we sat around the table for quite a while, just chatting and enjoying ourselves.

Eventually, after cleaning up, we moved into the living room and enjoyed some grand entertainment from Ashby and Brooks.  They were in a running mood tonight, so they played chase, running around and around the loop (living room, to sunroom, to dining room, to kitchen, back to living room.)  Toby even chased them a little, but he seemed to like to chew on a little Elmo stuffed doll more.

It was a wonderful day - just the kind of Sundays I love:  great church meetings, getting to teach family history, fixing a good dinner, taking a nap, and having fun with the kids.  Perfect!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

January 17th - More grandkids Today

I got started on my usual Saturday routine, including getting the last couple of loads of laundry going.  Then, David and Brooks came over to help take down the tree in the front yard.  As a result, my routine Saturday became anything but!

The tree had to come down because the roots are causing problems in the plumbing.  David has taken trees down before, so he came over to make sure it all happened right.  It did, although they had a little scare when they thought it was starting to fall the wrong direction.  Fortunately, it then fell as it was supposed to and all turned out well.  Getting the tree down and all cut up and the front yard cleaned up again took most of the afternoon.

Brooks had hoped that Grandma had bought him something that he saw on You Tube.  I had told him I would not buy it, but he seemed to think that if he got it on his Christmas list, then it would appear somewhere.  He was very disappointed, but he will learn that you don't always get everything you want right when you want it.  We fixed a late breakfast for David and us, since none of us had eaten, and when Brooks got some bacon, his mood turned around.  The magic of bacon!  The rest of the day, he was his happy, busy self.

Mid-afternoon, Lisa and Ashby came over and we all enjoyed sitting outside, watching Daddy and Grandpa doing all that hard work.  It was such a beautiful day!  Once the clean-up was done, the kids got rides in the wheelbarrow, which they loved.  Ashby wants to go faster and faster.  Brooks wants to go slow and no hills.  Such different personalities!

Then Brooks announced that he wanted to be a paleontologist when he grew up and took a hammer and started hunting for dinosaur bones in the yard.  He was so intense and kept announcing what he was finding - a twig, a leaf, a root were all various fossils.

We ordered pizza for dinner and came back in when it started to cool off.  After we ate, Lisa and Brooks headed back home, since she had some things that needed to be done.  Ashby and David hung around a while longer, talking and watching TV.  Ashby actually fell asleep for a while.

What a fun day it was!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

January 16th - Grandkids Day!

I was just getting finished with my shower, having been up for a while and doing some odds and ends, when Lisa called.  Home school group, which usually meets on Friday mornings, had to be cancelled, because of sickness.  Lisa had decided to take the kids up to the children's museum in Gainesville, as they have annual passes and the kids love it.  She was calling me to invite me to go with them.  I gladly accepted the invitation.

On the way up to Gainesville, we stopped at Chic Filet and bought lunches, which we took with us.  The kids ate part of theirs in the car and finished when we got there.  After eating lunch, the kids were crazy to visit each of the rooms and play.  Their favorites included the soda shop, where they both cooked all sorts of food for us.  We loved the old juke box, which we kept loaded (fortunately, it is free!).  They then went different directions, so I was with Ashby.  Over the next couple of hours, we hit the TV studio, the dentist, the vet, the Broadway stage, the bank, and the play room.  Probably some others, too.  Part of the time, we caught up with Brooks at some of the places.  They had a ball!

When I finally got home, it was mid-afternoon.  I had a few things that I hadn't gotten done yet, then I rested a bit.  About 6:00, I headed back over to Lisa's to babysit with the kids while Lisa and David went out.  We had more fun; lots of laughter and running were involved.  The were both in bed and sleeping by around 9:00 and then I just relaxed for the rest of my time.

It has been a fun "grandkids" day!  I didn't get my to do list done, but who cares.  It will still be there tomorrow!

Friday, January 16, 2015

January 15 - Relief Society "Other" Meeting

Let's see - another rainy day, another lazy day!  Well, not really.  Today was art class, so we had a fun morning.  We worked on drawing animals.  After practicing a bit on the white board, Ashby drew a dog and a cat on paper.  Next week we will paint the picture.  She loves to draw and did a really good job.

The rest of the day was pretty routine - 4 loads of laundry took the bulk of that time.  I also had some computer things to work on for Bill, which also took a while.

This evening was RS meeting.  They can't seem to agree on a name for the mid-week, monthly meeting, so they are calling it the "other" meeting.  Anyway, the subject this evening was food storage and some related topics.  They asked me to talk about menu planning, which I did.  I thought it was kind of ironic that they asked me, since I don't plan menus anymore - I hardly even cook!  But, I did have the experience to share from when the kids were young.  I think it was well received.  Even though there were only 12 of us, there was some good discussion.


Thursday, January 15, 2015

January 14th - Still raining, but a better day!

Today was Family History Center day, so I had to get out and I very much enjoyed the morning.  We had a couple of sisters and a daughter come in to tour the center.  They are taking an online genealogy class from BYU-I Pathways and that was one of their assignments.  It doesn't take long to tour the center itself, but once we got on the computer to show them what is available, we were all excited.  One of them has only started and doesn't have a lot, so we went into her Family Search account and were able to find some sources and a bunch of things.  They had to be somewhere else, but she kept saying, "Let's look for this one more thing!"  It is so fun when someone gets so excited.

Bill didn't have a job today, so he was home when I got back home.  He had paid bills and done some other things during the morning.  We took advantage of the day and went to the Mexican restaurant for a late lunch.  Yummy!  Of course, that meant no dinner, since one big meal a day is it for me.

When we got back, we watched a little TV - well, I watched while he napped!  Then it was back to the office to do some more odds and ends.  I am getting irritated with how my piles of things to do just keep getting higher in spite of my working on them.  I think it is time for a redo on my system!

January 13th - Yes, another rainy day!

So today is Tuesday - and it is still raining.  I hate it when normal Georgia winter weather happens!  I ended up staying in all day - again.

I did work quite a while on my power point, trying to figure out how to do some things.  I figured out the slides where I just enter text days ago, but I am still trying to figure out how to add a pdf image, etc.  It is sure a good thing that I don't have to have this ready until May!

I am really not sure what else I did all day - just a little of this and a little of that, I guess.  I was busy all day, but who knows what I was up to.  I am beginning to be concerned about this senility thing!!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

January 12th - What! Not Another Rainy Monday!

Yes, another rainy Monday.  It must be winter in Georgia - or something.  At least it wasn't so cold; in the 40's this morning, instead of 20's.

But, I do get sluggish and lazy on rainy days.  And I was pretty much true to form today.  I watched some TV - the newest episode of Downton Abbey; later the last of the Blue Blood episodes.  In between, I washed sheets and remade the bed and worked on family history.  What else?  I worked on my power point today and figured out a couple more things. 

So, lazy and not terribly productive, but I did cook a big pot of beans using the last of the ham.  They were the perfect end to a rainy day!

Monday, January 12, 2015

January 11th - Good Sunday

As usual, my Sunday was a wonderful day.  I really like being back on the morning schedule, so we can get up and ready and go on to church first thing.  It really does make the whole day a little better. 

Today was the last class in my family history course.  Next week, we start over.  Several of the class members started late, so they will continue on.  We did a brief evaluation of the course, including discussing whether we accomplished the original goals.  Then we spent the rest of the time answering questions.

I had a family history consultants meeting to attend this evening, so we had dinner ready to eat right at 5:00 when the kids got here.  I had baked some pork ribs, baked potatoes, and a mixed veggie.  Very yummy!  They also wanted to do a birthday cake for grandma, but Bill forgot to go out and buy one, so I had to make my own birthday cake.  It was a spice cake with penuche frosting and I don't mind telling you it was mighty good!  We didn't have any birthday candles, so I just used a regular candle (the smallest one I could find) and had that in the middle of the cake.  When I asked Brooks if that looked like 68 candles, he said it did, so I guess it worked.  He loves blowing out candles, so he was my helper, with Ashby on the other side, blowing, too.

My meeting tonight was good.  We had a half hour meeting for the consultants and then a class for any who wanted to stay and for the public.  We had two men from the study group who came for that part.  I was the instructor, talking about finding and linking sources to Family Tree.  I thought it went pretty well. 

By the time I got home, the kids had gone.  Bill said they had a great time.  Ashby and Brooks love to run around the house and they had brought Toby and he loved chasing them.  It must have been quite the sight!  I hate missing Sunday time with them, but sometimes the calling has to come first.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

January 10th - Happy Birthday - to Me!

So, today I turned 68.  I have trying to figure out why 68 suddenly sounds so much older than 67.  I guess it is because I am now closer to 70 than 65.  Whatever!  At least I don't feel any older.

Most of the day was pretty much a standard Saturday.  I had several loads of laundry and a few other odds and ends, but I admit that I didn't bother really doing any serious cleaning.  After all, it is my birthday!  Bill was gone part of the day doing some errands, so I was either working on laundry or doing things on the computer.

In the afternoon, I decided I was really tired, so I took a nice nap.  Well, I read in bed for a bit before I fell asleep.  That really made me feel like I was pampering myself.

We met Lisa and family at Knni House at 5:00 to have dinner.  Japanese steakhouses are always fun and the kids were really excited, too.  And, as always, it was delicious.  We had a good chef so he made it fun, too.  A few days ago, Ashby had said we should have fried rice for my birthday dinner so that is why we ended up there.  And the fried rice was excellent - along with the shrimp, chicken, and filet mignon.

It has been a great birthday.  I like low key and today was just about right.  I got email cards and messages, texts, and FaceBook messages galore.  I talked to my dad and brother on the phone.  It is always nice to be remembered!

Saturday, January 10, 2015

January 9th - Babysitting!

After a pretty normal and routine Friday, we went over to babysit the kids so Lisa and David could have a date night.  We had a lot of fun with them and the puppy.  If the puppy is awake then Ashby is playing with him.  Brooks likes him OK, but doesn't want the puppy anywhere near his dinosaurs!

They were both really good and went to bed when it was time without any problems.  Brooks had to read two books before bed and he chose two books about dinosaurs.  He likes the books that tell the :truth" about dinosaurs, not any of those silly made up stories about dinosaurs doing things like playing sports.  The kid knows everything - it is absolutely amazing.  He was even explaining about the different periods and which things were still alive and which became extinct.  It was a lot of fun being taught by a 4-year-old!

Ashby, on the other hand, just wanted to cuddle when she went to bed.  So, I just lay beside her on the bed and we talked a little.  She also said her prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for the puppy.  Then she explained that she is remembering to thank Him for the puppy every time she says a prayer.  So sweet!


Friday, January 9, 2015

January 8th - Art Class Starts Again!

Today's big event was art class with Ashby.  We haven't had any classes since the beginning of December, so it was fun to get back to it.  We made a snowman picture, working on perspective and using both oil pastels and tempera paint.  It turned out really cute.

They brought the new puppy with them, so I got to cuddle with Toby.  He is so cute.  Ashby is totally in love with him.  She enjoyed doing the art project, but she was anxious to get back down to puppy once she finished.  Often she will do some free time art, but not today.  Toby won out!

The rest of my day was the usual - a couple of loads of laundry, working on family history - the normal routine. 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

January 7th - Family History Day - Glad to be back to normal!

After being closed for the holidays, I was glad that the Family History Center was open today and I got to go to work.  We didn't have any patrons, but I worked on my own things and then got to chatting with my co-worker.  It was fun to be in that rut.

Back home, I worked on my family history some more.  I am trying to finish up the second part of the project I finished earlier.  I didn't get it finished, though.  Everything always takes longer than expected.

In between all the family history, I took a little rest and watched a little TV.  But, for the most part, I had myself glued to the computer.  I think I am obsessed!  But, I love it anyway.


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

January 6th - One Project Completed!

Today was my day to actually work on my pile of projects.  It took me most of the day, but I managed to complete one thing and get it emailed to the person wanting it.  Of course, there are some more things to do for the same person, but at least I got the one part done.  I had told him it would be a couple of days and it took me a couple of weeks!  Oh, well.

I also got a call from the body shop to let us know that the car was finished and we could pick it up anytime.  Bill got home early enough that we were able run over and get it.  They did a really good job on the repair, so we are happy.  The rental was a nice one, but it is still nice to have our own car back.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

January 5th - Trying to Get Organized

My day started on a bright note.  Lisa had a dentist appointment at 8:00.  She had a crown break off on New Year's Eve and needed to have it looked at to help decide what to do next.  David needed to get on to work, so I went over to stay with the kids for a while.  They were just getting up and having breakfast, so we just sat at the counter while they ate and watched Netflix.  They get to watch for a few minutes in the mornings.  Brooks has discovered a new show where robots turn into dinosaurs, or some such things, and he loves it.  So funny!  I was only there for an hour or so and then headed back home.

The house had gotten a bit messy, especially the kitchen, after the weekend, so that is what I had to tackle today.  Everything is now straightened up and the kitchen counters are cleaned off.  Looks much better!  My next project was trying to organize my desk again.  I have so many projects going on that I have piles everywhere!  I cleaned out my cubbies and went through my piles, so at least it all looks better.  I am hoping tomorrow to have the time to actually work on some of the things and to get them out of here.  We will see!

I also took the ham bone and left-over ham pieces and let them simmer for several hours.  I now have enough ham to make some scalloped potatoes and ham for dinner, plus a pot of broth and ham pieces to make beans or something.  It made my house smell good all day!




Monday, January 5, 2015

January 4th - Adjusting to a New Sunday Schedule

Our church meeting time switched to 9:00 today.  I much prefer the morning time, so no complaints on my part.  Most of the youth and quite a few adults like sleeping in and having church in the afternoon.  Not me.  The biggest challenge is to make sure everything is ready before Sunday morning - no more time to put the finishing touches on a lesson, etc.

And it worked great today.  We were up, left on time, got to church so I had time to get the TV out for my class, and were getting seated for the meeting to start.  That was when the counselor in the bishopric sat down beside me and said, "It appears we don't have an organist this morning."  My reply, "You still don't."  But I told I would be happy to play the piano and he almost did cartwheels down the aisle!  So, last minute, no practice, hoping the hymns are easy one, there I am sitting up front at the piano like I own the place.  Fortune was with me and all went well.

The rest of the meetings were good.  I bore my testimony since I was up front anyway.  My class went well.  We are just at a question and answer point, so talk about whatever they want to know.  I logged in to one of the students Family Tree and we were able to work through some problems she was having.  We didn't everything done, but everyone was really into what we did and were excited to see things working right.

When we got home, I put together a casserole with left-over ham.  It turned out really good - noodles, broccoli, ham, cheese sauce.  But, since the kids are now on the afternoon church schedule, we knew they wouldn't make it over before about 5:00.  That meant that since dinner was put together, I had time to take a nap!  The best reason of all for having morning church!

We eventually had dinner and the kids really like the noodles.  It was not a fancy dinner, but we had that a couple of days ago and it was tasty.  Then we hung around for a while, being entertained by Ashby and Brooks and just chatting.  They finally had to leave around 8:00 because of bedtime.

It has been a wonderful 1st Sunday of the new year. 

Sunday, January 4, 2015

January 3rd - Busy Saturday

I had laundry - five loads - to tackle today, so that took a good chunk out of the day.  I also got all the Christmas decorations down.  Well, the nutcrackers are still up on the dividing wall, but they can stay a while. 

In the afternoon, we had a wedding reception to attend.  It was nice and we enjoyed the socializing.  From there, we were back home.  The rest of the day was pretty quiet.  Just the way I like it!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

January 2nd - Back to the Rut?

It doesn't take long for the new year to be just like the old one!  That is not bad - just not new anymore.  Today I did sheets, straightened the house after all the celebrating yesterday, worked on the art class project, plus the usual computer and family history things.  I was even on the phone for a while with a ward member who needed some help. When I got tired, I curled up in the big chair for a while and watched a TV show. 

Sounds pretty routine!  I am sure glad I love my life!

Friday, January 2, 2015

January 1st - First Day of 2015! Hoping the rest of the days of this year are just as good.

I hope that the first day of the year will set the tone for the whole year ahead, as we had a great one. 

The kids came over around noon.  We had already gotten dinner going - ham in the oven, potato salad made, collards and black eyed peas cooking, and rolls rising.  Ashby and Brooks were so excited to open the presents.  We had waited on our gifts with them since they were in Colorado for Christmas.  They get so excited about each gift and it took quite a while to open everything.  They started with their stockings and there weren't interested in opening anything else until they had played a bit with those things.  I think they were happy with their gifts.  I think the favorite for Ashby was Pinkie Pie, a My Little Pony she loves.  Brooks liked the Play Dough cake maker best, but the dragon was a close second!

Once all the presents were opened, we got dinner on the table and had a great time eating together.  The children didn't take long, though, before they were back playing with their toys.  It is fun to see them so happy.  We all then enjoyed sitting around with the TV football game on in the background and chatting and watching the kids.  That casual time is usually the best time.

A little later, we gathered around the table again.  This time we indulged in chocolate fondue.  That was a huge hit!  With all of us!  Of course, all that sugar created an overflow of energy, so the kids ended the day with running round and round, playing with their dad.

They finally gathered up all the goodies and headed back home, but by then it was after 8:00.  Both kids were so tired, they could hardly keep their eyes open.  They had changed into pajamas and I wouldn't be surprised if they were asleep by the time they got home.

Today was a wonderful way to start a new year.  I don't make resolutions as such, but I have some thoughts about how I want this year to go.  Here's hoping that the rest of the year is as wonderful as day one!

Thursday, January 1, 2015

December 31st - New Year's Eve!

I had a bunch of things to get done today - like some laundry, getting potatoes and eggs cooked for potato salad, the rest of the gifts wrapped, etc.  I also rested in between with some family history stuff.  I am trying to help one of the members who has a snag in FamilySearch that we can't figure out.  Hoping the help center will discover what the problem is. 

Late afternoon, we headed over to Lisa's, picking up some pizza and wings on the way.  We had a great time.  The kids were really wound up, so they were very entertaining.  We had our pizza dinner and sat and chatted for a bit, while the kids rode their bikes around and around the living room.  When it got dark, we set off some fireworks on the street in front of the house.  Most of us stayed in the house and watched from the front window.  They both squealed with each one! 

Then the kids blew out candles on a cake to say happy birthday to the new year.  Around 9:00, we did the count down and cheered for new year in.  After all, it was midnight somewhere!  And then we had a dance show.  Both Brooks and Ashby love to dance, although their styles are quite different - LOL!  David dances with them and swings them around, does spins, lifts, etc.  The entertainment lasted for a long time!  Very fun.  Lisa had gotten some sparkling grape juices, so we ended with toasting in the new year.

Eventually, the kids were getting so tired, but refused to slow down, so Bill and I decided it was time to head on home, so they would go to bed.  We had a really fun evening - doing nothing special, but spending it with family.  They can turn anything into a party and we did party this evening!