I noticed that I haven't posted anything on the blog since about April. So what does that say about me? I have been wondering that. I finally decided it just says that I have not been interested in posting anything on the blog. And that is OK - there isn't anything that says I have to be writing things on a regular basis.
However, when I started this, I thought it might be a way to do better about keeping a journal. So, now I have learned that I can't keep a journal regardless of the method I try to use. My life is not all that exciting, and I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to be all that interested in following my daily events. Even so, what happens in my life is interesting to me - so why can't I get myself to record those little things? It must be my chaotic mind!
Today I will write a little. Tomorrow I will do whatever happens to interest me - write or not - doesn't matter. In other words, no big resolutions here! I will do whatever I happen to do and that will be good enough.
Actually, I have had a good time since April. In May my three college roommates came to Atlanta for a week and we had such a ball. When the four of us get together, we start acting just like college freshmen again. It is so fun and so silly that we totally look forward to these get togethers. Bill thinks we are all nuts, but he loved having a houseful of silly girls. (Of course, he stayed away as much as he could.)
They arrived on a Monday, MA's birthday (that is our nickname for roommate #1), so we all went to Provinos for dinner (free meal on your birthday with ID). Lisa and David and kids joined us as well, so we had a great time. Then we squished into the car and Bill drove us out to Stone Mountain. (Joyce aka Joyous and Connie aka Connetra are the other two.) It is beautiful there in the early evening and they had never been there.
On Tuesday, we went up to Helen, walked around, shopped, and had a great lunch (loved teasing our very nice waiter Brad) right on the river. Then we went down to Cleveland to Babyland General Hospital. We had way too much fun there - watched the birth of a baby girl from the cabbage patch and got to name her - Ashbee Brook. (After the grandchildren, you know.) That night Bill grilled plank salmon for dinner - and he did a great job!
Wednesday we went to the temple together. That is always the highlight of our reunions. It is wonderful to all be there in the temple together. We have all had our difficulties in life and it is reassuring to know that at this point in our lives, we are still on the right path. That was followed by lunch at Sweet Tomatoes. Then we had a quiet rest of the day. Joyce had brought all her pictures from the mission that she and her husband had recently completed to Russia. We had loved her weekly emails, but enjoyed the stories and pictures told directly by her even more.
Thursday we headed for Savannah. We were able to stay right in the historic district so we were close to everything. We walked around a little, including along River Street, where we got a light lunch. We had reservations at Lady and Sons Restaurant for a late dinner.
On Friday, we started with a trolley tour, went out to Bona Venture Cemetery, ate at the Pirate House, walked River Street, and had a great time. We were exhausted and spent the evening relaxing.
Saturday morning, we drove out to Tybee Island, so we could put our feet in the Atlantic. On our last reunion, we had been in California, and had put our feet in the Pacific. This somehow made it complete. We took a cute picture of our feet in the waves. That became our trip memorial when we found a cute frame at Old County Buffet that said "Georgia Memories" on it. Then we headed back to Atlanta. It was on the trip home that we found the frame when we stopped at who knows how many Old County Buffets to find them. (Actually, we had found something else, but nobody had four in stock. At the last stop, Joyce found the frames and they were way better than what we had been looking for!)
Sunday, we went to church and enjoyed our final day together. Monday they all went back home. SAD!!! But it was a wonderful week with so many fun memories and laughs and serious talks and everything.
Since then, we have had our annual two week vacation in St. Augustine - great, as always. Now I am in Iowa by myself for a week to visit with Billy and Dad. So it has been a good summer.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter - and the Temple
I have seem to have lost interest in writing on the blog. Perhaps it is because things get busy and it is the easiest thing to let go. In any case, I do want to write a thought or two about what has been keeping me so busy the last while.
After almost two years of renovations, the Atlanta Temple is about to be rededicated - next Sunday May 1st, to be exact. The openhouse ended yesterday. With my public affairs calling, I have been busy with temple openhouse related things since January. The biggest time consumer was preparing for the VIP portion of the openhouse. I had to give some presentations in wards to let the members know what was going to happen. I had to work with the wards in my stake to make sure their special guests were on the mailing list to receive the special invitations. There was a lot of follow-up, etc., as well as worry over whether it was all going to come together.
I felt considerable frustration at times, as things kept changing. I remember saying several times that I knew it would all work out, because it was the Lord's work and He would make it happen in the right way. And -- it did. The VIP openhouse and the general openhouse were both successful, with large turnouts for both. The power of the spirit of the temple touched all.
Bill and I were asked to help out as tour guides on the day our stake had the assignment. We were on the morning shift, so arrived at the temple at 7:00 am. After final training, we were given the chance to take three groups through the temple. It was a wonderful experience to share our love of the temple with others. Many were members, but there were also many who were visitors. All were impressed. The most touching moment came during our first tour. It was early in the morning, so the group was small, about eight people. All were members, except one man who had come as a guest with a member. In the Celestial room, the room meant to most represent heaven and being in the presence of God, no words were spoken. Everyone was given the chance to contemplate on their own personal relationship with God. That man had tears. The power of the Spirit was remarkable.
This past Friday, we had the chance to help out again at the temple. This time we worked in the Glendridge chapel, helping to get the visitors onto tours. It was busy the entire day. Everyone who came was excited to be there - and we noticed that large numbers of the guests were not members. How wonderful to get to share something so sacred to us with others and to have them feel the spirit in a special way!
During the preparation meeting before starting our shift, I was asked at the last minute to offer a spiritual thought. I am not very good at spontaneous utterances - but a thought did come to me. I have been working on a presentation for my ward's Relief Society evening meeting in a couple of weeks. It is about the doctrine of the family, based on Julie Beck's talk to CES last fall. She reminded us that the sealing ordinance in the temple is a requirement for returning to the presence of God. We will enter the Celestial Kingdom, if we have proven worthy, as family units, not as individuals. How exciting to share how important families are and how we believe that families are eternal!
So, now it is Easter morning and I am feeling particularly grateful for the power of the Atonement. That Jesus Christ would come to earth, suffer our burdens, die on the cross, and be resurrected for our sakes, is almost unbelievable. And yet, that is exactly what happened. I am so grateful that He did those things for me - for all of us. I have felt the power of His love - at times so strongly that I could almost touch it.
I know He suffered for my sins. I know He suffered to help lift all my burdens in life. I know He died for me. I know He was resurrected. I know He lives!
After almost two years of renovations, the Atlanta Temple is about to be rededicated - next Sunday May 1st, to be exact. The openhouse ended yesterday. With my public affairs calling, I have been busy with temple openhouse related things since January. The biggest time consumer was preparing for the VIP portion of the openhouse. I had to give some presentations in wards to let the members know what was going to happen. I had to work with the wards in my stake to make sure their special guests were on the mailing list to receive the special invitations. There was a lot of follow-up, etc., as well as worry over whether it was all going to come together.
I felt considerable frustration at times, as things kept changing. I remember saying several times that I knew it would all work out, because it was the Lord's work and He would make it happen in the right way. And -- it did. The VIP openhouse and the general openhouse were both successful, with large turnouts for both. The power of the spirit of the temple touched all.
Bill and I were asked to help out as tour guides on the day our stake had the assignment. We were on the morning shift, so arrived at the temple at 7:00 am. After final training, we were given the chance to take three groups through the temple. It was a wonderful experience to share our love of the temple with others. Many were members, but there were also many who were visitors. All were impressed. The most touching moment came during our first tour. It was early in the morning, so the group was small, about eight people. All were members, except one man who had come as a guest with a member. In the Celestial room, the room meant to most represent heaven and being in the presence of God, no words were spoken. Everyone was given the chance to contemplate on their own personal relationship with God. That man had tears. The power of the Spirit was remarkable.
This past Friday, we had the chance to help out again at the temple. This time we worked in the Glendridge chapel, helping to get the visitors onto tours. It was busy the entire day. Everyone who came was excited to be there - and we noticed that large numbers of the guests were not members. How wonderful to get to share something so sacred to us with others and to have them feel the spirit in a special way!
During the preparation meeting before starting our shift, I was asked at the last minute to offer a spiritual thought. I am not very good at spontaneous utterances - but a thought did come to me. I have been working on a presentation for my ward's Relief Society evening meeting in a couple of weeks. It is about the doctrine of the family, based on Julie Beck's talk to CES last fall. She reminded us that the sealing ordinance in the temple is a requirement for returning to the presence of God. We will enter the Celestial Kingdom, if we have proven worthy, as family units, not as individuals. How exciting to share how important families are and how we believe that families are eternal!
So, now it is Easter morning and I am feeling particularly grateful for the power of the Atonement. That Jesus Christ would come to earth, suffer our burdens, die on the cross, and be resurrected for our sakes, is almost unbelievable. And yet, that is exactly what happened. I am so grateful that He did those things for me - for all of us. I have felt the power of His love - at times so strongly that I could almost touch it.
I know He suffered for my sins. I know He suffered to help lift all my burdens in life. I know He died for me. I know He was resurrected. I know He lives!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Is it spring yet?
My last post was in the middle of our week of ice and snow - and now it is looking like spring! The daffodils broke ground a week or so ago and yesterday there were two in full bloom. Today, the whole row is blooming! I love it. I hope it means an early spring - but we still have to get through March.
It has been a busy couple of months. Billy came down from Iowa and was here for 3 1/2 weeks. He is still looking for a job and decided that his favorite toy, his 2001 BMW, was too much cash just sitting in the garage. He did a few repairs and then came to Atlanta to sell it, thinking it would be a better market. Turned out his cousin fell in love with the car and they worked out a deal that seems to have them both happy. Part of the deal, was that David traded him the old van, so Billy drove that back to Iowa and is now getting it ready to sell it up there.
Lisa and the kids stayed with us a week, too, while Billy was here. Her husband, David, has quit his job and is planning to start his own business, possibly in Charlotte. That means they needed to finish the work on the house so they could put it on the market. It was a lot easier to work if the family moved out - so they were here. We loved it! David's mother and a friend came in to help him that week; then Lisa and the kids flew back to Grand Junction with them. They have been out there all month. David is going out this weekend and they will be there another 10 days or so before they all come back. The house is not going to be finished, but they should have the upstairs mostly done. The big work there was gutting two bathrooms and redoing them.
I have really missed Lisa and the kids - I don't know how I will survive if they move. Thank goodness, they are planning to stay in the south! Ashby gets cuter everyday. She talks up a blue streak and loves to read. She reads to Brooks, too, so he is getting an early education from her. She is loving being with her cousins in Colorado and will probably be bored when she comes back home! Brooks is growing like a weed - literally! Last week, he weighed in at 15 lb. 8 ozs. That is at 2 1/2 months old! He has been gaining almost a pound a week. Hopefully, that will slow down soon. The real problem is that he gets hungry and can't make it through the night yet. Otherwise, he is the sweetest baby - just cooing and smiling and looking around.
I have been really busy with the Atlanta Temple being rededicated this spring. My work with public affairs means I am right in the middle of a lot of the openhouse planning - lots of meetings, emails, conference calls, etc. We are excited to have the temple open again. The openhouse is April 9th to 23rd. The dedication will be May 1.
It has been a busy couple of months. Billy came down from Iowa and was here for 3 1/2 weeks. He is still looking for a job and decided that his favorite toy, his 2001 BMW, was too much cash just sitting in the garage. He did a few repairs and then came to Atlanta to sell it, thinking it would be a better market. Turned out his cousin fell in love with the car and they worked out a deal that seems to have them both happy. Part of the deal, was that David traded him the old van, so Billy drove that back to Iowa and is now getting it ready to sell it up there.
Lisa and the kids stayed with us a week, too, while Billy was here. Her husband, David, has quit his job and is planning to start his own business, possibly in Charlotte. That means they needed to finish the work on the house so they could put it on the market. It was a lot easier to work if the family moved out - so they were here. We loved it! David's mother and a friend came in to help him that week; then Lisa and the kids flew back to Grand Junction with them. They have been out there all month. David is going out this weekend and they will be there another 10 days or so before they all come back. The house is not going to be finished, but they should have the upstairs mostly done. The big work there was gutting two bathrooms and redoing them.
I have really missed Lisa and the kids - I don't know how I will survive if they move. Thank goodness, they are planning to stay in the south! Ashby gets cuter everyday. She talks up a blue streak and loves to read. She reads to Brooks, too, so he is getting an early education from her. She is loving being with her cousins in Colorado and will probably be bored when she comes back home! Brooks is growing like a weed - literally! Last week, he weighed in at 15 lb. 8 ozs. That is at 2 1/2 months old! He has been gaining almost a pound a week. Hopefully, that will slow down soon. The real problem is that he gets hungry and can't make it through the night yet. Otherwise, he is the sweetest baby - just cooing and smiling and looking around.
I have been really busy with the Atlanta Temple being rededicated this spring. My work with public affairs means I am right in the middle of a lot of the openhouse planning - lots of meetings, emails, conference calls, etc. We are excited to have the temple open again. The openhouse is April 9th to 23rd. The dedication will be May 1.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Snow and Birthday
We don't get much snow in Atlanta so it is always a big deal, even when it is just forecast. This time, we actually got it!
Sunday, I had a public affairs meeting about the rededication of the Atlanta Temple, so I had Bill go with me, just in case the snow arrived early - and also because it is getting hard for me to see very well at night and I don't like to drive if I don't have to. It was a good meeting. No dates have been set yet, but it should be in April. The hold up is finding a venue for the cultural celebration. Once that is set, everything will work from that date back.
Late Sunday night, the snow started coming and we had the ground lightly covered by the time we went to bed. Over night, we got probably 5 or 6 inches, so it has been a big storm for Atlanta. My office was closed, so it turned out to be a holiday for me. It was also my birthday, so I got snow for my birthday. We had a lazy day, since we obviously weren't going anywhere.
The usual course of snow storms here is that by the afternoon, the temp has risen and the sun is shining, so most of the snow melts away. However, it never got enough above freezing, and there was no sunshine, so the snow stayed. There was some sleet and freezing rain that came on top of the snow, so it is pretty slippery everywhere. My office has closed again for Tuesday morning and will make a decision by late morning about the afternoon.
So, my birthday turned out to be a little different that normal. Lisa and Ashby had baked a cake, but couldn't get over here to deliver it. She posted some pictures on Facebook. They called and sang Happy Birthday over the phone. Ashby was so bashful, Lisa had a hard time getting her to sing. She finally would say the last word of each line, so I heard her sing "you, "you," Gamma," and "you." It was too cute! Bill fixed a nice brunch for us - waffles and bacon. I spent much of the day on the computer - doing some public affairs things, family history, and playing on Facebook where I got a ton of birthday messages that I enjoyed responding to.
What an eventful way to start a week!
Sunday, I had a public affairs meeting about the rededication of the Atlanta Temple, so I had Bill go with me, just in case the snow arrived early - and also because it is getting hard for me to see very well at night and I don't like to drive if I don't have to. It was a good meeting. No dates have been set yet, but it should be in April. The hold up is finding a venue for the cultural celebration. Once that is set, everything will work from that date back.
Late Sunday night, the snow started coming and we had the ground lightly covered by the time we went to bed. Over night, we got probably 5 or 6 inches, so it has been a big storm for Atlanta. My office was closed, so it turned out to be a holiday for me. It was also my birthday, so I got snow for my birthday. We had a lazy day, since we obviously weren't going anywhere.
The usual course of snow storms here is that by the afternoon, the temp has risen and the sun is shining, so most of the snow melts away. However, it never got enough above freezing, and there was no sunshine, so the snow stayed. There was some sleet and freezing rain that came on top of the snow, so it is pretty slippery everywhere. My office has closed again for Tuesday morning and will make a decision by late morning about the afternoon.
So, my birthday turned out to be a little different that normal. Lisa and Ashby had baked a cake, but couldn't get over here to deliver it. She posted some pictures on Facebook. They called and sang Happy Birthday over the phone. Ashby was so bashful, Lisa had a hard time getting her to sing. She finally would say the last word of each line, so I heard her sing "you, "you," Gamma," and "you." It was too cute! Bill fixed a nice brunch for us - waffles and bacon. I spent much of the day on the computer - doing some public affairs things, family history, and playing on Facebook where I got a ton of birthday messages that I enjoyed responding to.
What an eventful way to start a week!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Week One of the New Year
Well, the first week of the new year has passed - and it seemed to be a busy one! New Year's Day, Lisa and family came over late in the day and we had a pork roast dinner that I fixed in the crock pot. They stayed through the evening.
Sunday, our meeting times changed to 9 am. I like church at this time better than in the afternoon. It was nice to get up, get ready, and go straight to church. It was fast Sunday. I bore my testimony in Relief Society.
Monday, I had a work holiday. David and Lisa had appointments to check their eyes for possible lasik surgery, so we kept Ashby and Brooks. It is always fun to have them over. Ashby loves playing with Grandpa and they went outside for a long time. Part of the time, they played in his truck - something Ashby loves to do! After their appointments, Lisa dropped David off at home and then came over to get the children. She stayed a while and we ordered pizza for dinner.
Tuesday, it was back to work for me. I took a long nap in the afternoon, as I am still trying to get rid of the last of the cold that had me down over Christmas.
Wednesday and Thursday I worked. Otherwise, they were pretty ordinary days.
Friday, David had his eye surgery, so they dropped Ashby off around 9:00. Bill was home, so he took care of her until I got off work. When I walked in, they were on the floor playing with the Lego blocks and had built a big house, using every block in the box. After lunch, Ashby took a nap. When she woke up, we made some cookies. She is always getting the egg slicer from the cupboard and playing it like a harp, so it dawned on me that she might enjoy the Music Maker. I found it upstairs in storage and she enjoyed strumming it and singing. She loves taking a bubble bath in our big tub, so she did that after dinner. She also spent the night with us. I lay down with her when she went to bed and she chattered away for a while. She wanted to know where "baby brudder Brooks" was, as well as Mommy and Daddy. I told her they were at home, but Ashby got to spend the night at Grandma's. Then I asked her what we would do in the morning and she said she would play with the toys with Grandpa. She then danced a little jig, giving the sign for "excited," and said she was excited to play with Grandpa.
Saturday, we had more play time with Ashby. David had a follow-up exam with the eye doctor and then they came over and spent the rest of the day with us. We picked up food at Johnny's for our lunch. Lisa was so exhausted that she took a nice long nap while she had lots of help watching the children. After Ashby's nap and Brooks eating one more time, they went on home. Brooks is now over 11 lbs. He has really filled out and is so cute. He can't seem to get enough to eat!
So the first week of the new year is finished. It is already going too fast!
Sunday, our meeting times changed to 9 am. I like church at this time better than in the afternoon. It was nice to get up, get ready, and go straight to church. It was fast Sunday. I bore my testimony in Relief Society.
Monday, I had a work holiday. David and Lisa had appointments to check their eyes for possible lasik surgery, so we kept Ashby and Brooks. It is always fun to have them over. Ashby loves playing with Grandpa and they went outside for a long time. Part of the time, they played in his truck - something Ashby loves to do! After their appointments, Lisa dropped David off at home and then came over to get the children. She stayed a while and we ordered pizza for dinner.
Tuesday, it was back to work for me. I took a long nap in the afternoon, as I am still trying to get rid of the last of the cold that had me down over Christmas.
Wednesday and Thursday I worked. Otherwise, they were pretty ordinary days.
Friday, David had his eye surgery, so they dropped Ashby off around 9:00. Bill was home, so he took care of her until I got off work. When I walked in, they were on the floor playing with the Lego blocks and had built a big house, using every block in the box. After lunch, Ashby took a nap. When she woke up, we made some cookies. She is always getting the egg slicer from the cupboard and playing it like a harp, so it dawned on me that she might enjoy the Music Maker. I found it upstairs in storage and she enjoyed strumming it and singing. She loves taking a bubble bath in our big tub, so she did that after dinner. She also spent the night with us. I lay down with her when she went to bed and she chattered away for a while. She wanted to know where "baby brudder Brooks" was, as well as Mommy and Daddy. I told her they were at home, but Ashby got to spend the night at Grandma's. Then I asked her what we would do in the morning and she said she would play with the toys with Grandpa. She then danced a little jig, giving the sign for "excited," and said she was excited to play with Grandpa.
Saturday, we had more play time with Ashby. David had a follow-up exam with the eye doctor and then they came over and spent the rest of the day with us. We picked up food at Johnny's for our lunch. Lisa was so exhausted that she took a nice long nap while she had lots of help watching the children. After Ashby's nap and Brooks eating one more time, they went on home. Brooks is now over 11 lbs. He has really filled out and is so cute. He can't seem to get enough to eat!
So the first week of the new year is finished. It is already going too fast!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year 2011
So - a new year has arrived and it is customary to review the old and plan ahead for the new.
As I think back on 2010, it was a good year for the most part. The highlight was the birth of Brooks Hamilton Pulsipher - #2 grandchild and #1 grandson - on December 1st. There is absolutely nothing better than grandchildren. Ashby is now 2 1/2 and is more fun every day. Brooks is so sweet and cuddly. Those two make the whole of life worthwhile!
We did a little traveling during the year. The two weeks in St. Augustine in July were the best. We are already looking forward to this year. I made it up to Iowa for my 45th class reunion and spent another week visiting with Billy and my dad. That was a lot of fun. We took a long weekend over Labor Day and went to the mountains in North Carolina with David, Lisa, and Ashby. That is always a relaxing trip.
We had some visits from friends that added some fun to our year: Connie & Jack (my college roommate) came through and spent a night with us. They were back in November for a conference and Connie and I got to spend a day together. Susan Allen and some of her kids were here in the spring and we spent an afternoon at St. Mountain with them; then she and David were back in the fall and we all went out to dinner. Billy spent the winter in Key West, so we had him before and after his trip down there. He also made it down for Thanksgiving and the birth of Brooks.
Church callings have kept us busy as well. Bill is serving in the bishopric so seems to be going to meetings all the time! I am still Stake Director of Public Affairs. I have had some busy times with that - day of service, news articles, community meetings, etc. I have felt discouraged with the calling, but am hanging in there. Maybe this will be the year that things really happen like they are supposed to. I have accepted and accomplished two different challenges to read the Book of Mormon this year - once in 90 days and once in 100 days. Next year, I am going to read the New Testament - slowly!
I haven't done much scrapbooking, but I did do some paintings for Brooks nursery. Lisa wanted four pictures of a train. Other than that, my only hobbies have been reading and genealogy. I have read or listened to 71 books in 2010. There were a lot that I really like and I gave them four stars. Only one book rated 5 stars, though, A Magnificent Catastrophe by Edward R Larson. I have them all listed on my site on Shelfari.com. I spent several months working on a family history of my Smith-Cleary line for a family reunion in the summer. It turned out pretty good, but I still have a question about one link and I will have to keep working on that in the new year since I can't seem to find the right information.
2011 promises to be a good year, too. We will spend as much time with the grandchildren as possible. Most Sundays we all get together for dinner, which will continue. We are looking forward to our two weeks in Florida. Plus, I will be having a week with my college roommates in the spring here in Atlanta. I hope to go to Iowa for at least a week sometime during the year. We are also supposed to have our reunion with the old Atlanta group of friends this fall - but that may be delayed until the next spring since one of the couples in currently on a mission in England. We also hope for a week in North Carolina in the fall.
I seem to have an aversion to making New Year's resolutions, so I am not doing any - just the general "have a good year."
As I think back on 2010, it was a good year for the most part. The highlight was the birth of Brooks Hamilton Pulsipher - #2 grandchild and #1 grandson - on December 1st. There is absolutely nothing better than grandchildren. Ashby is now 2 1/2 and is more fun every day. Brooks is so sweet and cuddly. Those two make the whole of life worthwhile!
We did a little traveling during the year. The two weeks in St. Augustine in July were the best. We are already looking forward to this year. I made it up to Iowa for my 45th class reunion and spent another week visiting with Billy and my dad. That was a lot of fun. We took a long weekend over Labor Day and went to the mountains in North Carolina with David, Lisa, and Ashby. That is always a relaxing trip.
We had some visits from friends that added some fun to our year: Connie & Jack (my college roommate) came through and spent a night with us. They were back in November for a conference and Connie and I got to spend a day together. Susan Allen and some of her kids were here in the spring and we spent an afternoon at St. Mountain with them; then she and David were back in the fall and we all went out to dinner. Billy spent the winter in Key West, so we had him before and after his trip down there. He also made it down for Thanksgiving and the birth of Brooks.
Church callings have kept us busy as well. Bill is serving in the bishopric so seems to be going to meetings all the time! I am still Stake Director of Public Affairs. I have had some busy times with that - day of service, news articles, community meetings, etc. I have felt discouraged with the calling, but am hanging in there. Maybe this will be the year that things really happen like they are supposed to. I have accepted and accomplished two different challenges to read the Book of Mormon this year - once in 90 days and once in 100 days. Next year, I am going to read the New Testament - slowly!
I haven't done much scrapbooking, but I did do some paintings for Brooks nursery. Lisa wanted four pictures of a train. Other than that, my only hobbies have been reading and genealogy. I have read or listened to 71 books in 2010. There were a lot that I really like and I gave them four stars. Only one book rated 5 stars, though, A Magnificent Catastrophe by Edward R Larson. I have them all listed on my site on Shelfari.com. I spent several months working on a family history of my Smith-Cleary line for a family reunion in the summer. It turned out pretty good, but I still have a question about one link and I will have to keep working on that in the new year since I can't seem to find the right information.
2011 promises to be a good year, too. We will spend as much time with the grandchildren as possible. Most Sundays we all get together for dinner, which will continue. We are looking forward to our two weeks in Florida. Plus, I will be having a week with my college roommates in the spring here in Atlanta. I hope to go to Iowa for at least a week sometime during the year. We are also supposed to have our reunion with the old Atlanta group of friends this fall - but that may be delayed until the next spring since one of the couples in currently on a mission in England. We also hope for a week in North Carolina in the fall.
I seem to have an aversion to making New Year's resolutions, so I am not doing any - just the general "have a good year."
Sunday, October 31, 2010
October Musings
I seem to be lucky to get a post done once a month. October has gone by so quickly that I will use that as my excuse this time.
We started the month attending Joyce (Bill's sister) and Leroy's 50th anniversary party at their house. It turned out really nice. They had it catered and the food and service were wonderful. They also had a DJ doing music in the backyard, along with a big tent set up. All the decorations were beautiful. Most of all, Joyce and Leroy looked great and so happy. There was a good turnout and it was really fun to see people we hadn't seen in a long time. I think Ashby had more fun than anyone there. She loves her cousins, Caroline, Kate, and Lizzie, and was all over the place with them. She didn't want to go home. It was a nice way to begin a month.
The next day, Saturday the 2nd, was a bit the opposite. A good friend, Cheryl Moore, had fought a brain tumor for about three years and we attended her funeral that day. Cheryl was just about my age. We had been friends when we lived in Shallowford Ward from about 1993-96. The last time I saw her, I think, was at the temple before it closed. She was a fun person and though I rarely saw her, I will still miss her.
The next weekend, I made my monthly trip to the Columbia, SC, temple. I went alone this time. It is a long drive, but I do enjoy being there. I worked Friday evening and Saturday morning.
On the 11th, I had lunch with my group of friends, who call ourselves the Lunch Bunch. We ate at Sophia's, an Italian restaurant here in Lawrenceville. They have really good food, plus we always have a lot of fun together. The Rowberry's, Jerry Evans, and Bill and I were the only ones there. Becky had her baby a couple of weeks before and wasn't able to come. We do Lunch Bunch at 4:00 - an odd time, I suppose, but it makes it both lunch and dinner for us "oldies." Plus, there is no one else at the restaurant so we don't feel rushed - and goodness knows, we can sure talk!
The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd was really fun. Deseret Books sponsored one of the Time Out for Women conferences and Lisa and I went. It was held down near the airport, so we decided to get a hotel and make it a real Time Out. Lisa met up with her friend San and they roomed together, and my friend Sharon Warbington went with me and we shared our own room. It worked better that way - Lisa and San talked half way through the night and Sharon and I were asleep almost the minute we hit our beds. The conference was great - terrific speakers and music. The music was from Michael McLean on Friday night and Hillary Weeks on Saturday. They are both wonderful - good performers and great stories that they shared, as well. The speakers were Amanda Dickson, Mark Mabry (wow - his photos of Christ!), Emily Watts, Michael Wilcox, Mariama Kallon, Merrilee Boyack, and Emily Freeman. They were all good. The theme was Infinite Hope.
The last week of the month was busy with Proclamations naming November Month of the Family. On the 26th, Bill and I went to the Gwinnett County Commission meeting as part of the group to receive the proclamation for the county. On the 27th, we drove down to Covington to meet the mayor to receive theirs. One of the reasons I went all the way down rather than having it mailed was to get a picture. Then I forgot to take the picture! I must be getting old. On the 28th, I met the mayor of Lawrenceville for that one. The local bishop and another family also came there. I did take pictures of that one, but I made sure I wasn't in them. I have two more next week and then that will be finished for this year. This is all part of my Public Affairs calling.
The last weekend of the month was Halloween. David and Lisa also have their anniversary on the 29th, so Ashby stayed with us that night. It also happened to be our ward Halloween party and Ashby had a blast. She was Tigger and looked cute as a button. She was excited when they started the carnival games, especially once she figured out that if you played a game, you got a prize. She came home with quite a collection of rubber ducks, monsters, play dough, etc. The evening ended with Trunk or Treating and she also figured out very quickly that each trunk you went to, you got candy! She was almost running from one to the next. It made it so much more fun having her at the party. I usually don't go, because I don't enjoy them, but not true this time! When we got home, she went to bed - a little late, it is true - without any problem and slept all night. I think she was thoroughly exhausted.
Sunday, Lisa, David and Ashby came over for dinner, as usual. But, this time they brought the chili and cornbread - a family tradition in David's family. They also brought their pumpkins, so after dinner, they carved the pumpkins and put them out by our front door. Ashby helped hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters, at least when they didn't scare her. We don't get too many, so it was fun. It was a great ending to a good month.
Saturday, she slept until after 8:00. She wakes up talking and singing and was happy all morning. Late in the morning, Grandpa took her to the park to play. Lisa came over while they were at the park - David was doing some painting - and they went home after Ashby had her nap.
We started the month attending Joyce (Bill's sister) and Leroy's 50th anniversary party at their house. It turned out really nice. They had it catered and the food and service were wonderful. They also had a DJ doing music in the backyard, along with a big tent set up. All the decorations were beautiful. Most of all, Joyce and Leroy looked great and so happy. There was a good turnout and it was really fun to see people we hadn't seen in a long time. I think Ashby had more fun than anyone there. She loves her cousins, Caroline, Kate, and Lizzie, and was all over the place with them. She didn't want to go home. It was a nice way to begin a month.
The next day, Saturday the 2nd, was a bit the opposite. A good friend, Cheryl Moore, had fought a brain tumor for about three years and we attended her funeral that day. Cheryl was just about my age. We had been friends when we lived in Shallowford Ward from about 1993-96. The last time I saw her, I think, was at the temple before it closed. She was a fun person and though I rarely saw her, I will still miss her.
The next weekend, I made my monthly trip to the Columbia, SC, temple. I went alone this time. It is a long drive, but I do enjoy being there. I worked Friday evening and Saturday morning.
On the 11th, I had lunch with my group of friends, who call ourselves the Lunch Bunch. We ate at Sophia's, an Italian restaurant here in Lawrenceville. They have really good food, plus we always have a lot of fun together. The Rowberry's, Jerry Evans, and Bill and I were the only ones there. Becky had her baby a couple of weeks before and wasn't able to come. We do Lunch Bunch at 4:00 - an odd time, I suppose, but it makes it both lunch and dinner for us "oldies." Plus, there is no one else at the restaurant so we don't feel rushed - and goodness knows, we can sure talk!
The weekend of the 22nd and 23rd was really fun. Deseret Books sponsored one of the Time Out for Women conferences and Lisa and I went. It was held down near the airport, so we decided to get a hotel and make it a real Time Out. Lisa met up with her friend San and they roomed together, and my friend Sharon Warbington went with me and we shared our own room. It worked better that way - Lisa and San talked half way through the night and Sharon and I were asleep almost the minute we hit our beds. The conference was great - terrific speakers and music. The music was from Michael McLean on Friday night and Hillary Weeks on Saturday. They are both wonderful - good performers and great stories that they shared, as well. The speakers were Amanda Dickson, Mark Mabry (wow - his photos of Christ!), Emily Watts, Michael Wilcox, Mariama Kallon, Merrilee Boyack, and Emily Freeman. They were all good. The theme was Infinite Hope.
The last week of the month was busy with Proclamations naming November Month of the Family. On the 26th, Bill and I went to the Gwinnett County Commission meeting as part of the group to receive the proclamation for the county. On the 27th, we drove down to Covington to meet the mayor to receive theirs. One of the reasons I went all the way down rather than having it mailed was to get a picture. Then I forgot to take the picture! I must be getting old. On the 28th, I met the mayor of Lawrenceville for that one. The local bishop and another family also came there. I did take pictures of that one, but I made sure I wasn't in them. I have two more next week and then that will be finished for this year. This is all part of my Public Affairs calling.
The last weekend of the month was Halloween. David and Lisa also have their anniversary on the 29th, so Ashby stayed with us that night. It also happened to be our ward Halloween party and Ashby had a blast. She was Tigger and looked cute as a button. She was excited when they started the carnival games, especially once she figured out that if you played a game, you got a prize. She came home with quite a collection of rubber ducks, monsters, play dough, etc. The evening ended with Trunk or Treating and she also figured out very quickly that each trunk you went to, you got candy! She was almost running from one to the next. It made it so much more fun having her at the party. I usually don't go, because I don't enjoy them, but not true this time! When we got home, she went to bed - a little late, it is true - without any problem and slept all night. I think she was thoroughly exhausted.
Sunday, Lisa, David and Ashby came over for dinner, as usual. But, this time they brought the chili and cornbread - a family tradition in David's family. They also brought their pumpkins, so after dinner, they carved the pumpkins and put them out by our front door. Ashby helped hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters, at least when they didn't scare her. We don't get too many, so it was fun. It was a great ending to a good month.
Saturday, she slept until after 8:00. She wakes up talking and singing and was happy all morning. Late in the morning, Grandpa took her to the park to play. Lisa came over while they were at the park - David was doing some painting - and they went home after Ashby had her nap.
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