I usually spend a few hours with Ashby on Thursdays so Lisa can get a little time away to run errands or whatever she feels like doing. Yesterday, she wanted to come over to the house to finish up a scrapbook that she had been working on. It is hard to do things like that with Ashby, because she wants too much attention. So, they came over and while Lisa worked upstairs on her scrapbook, I played with Ashby.
She is always smiling and happy, so that wasn't new. She has started pulling herself up on everything and walking around things. She has even started letting go and just balancing. She is also very curious and wants to see and touch (and taste!) everything in sight. She had more fun crawling all over the place, exploring and pulling herself up to see more. We also played with the Legos and the doll and the ball.
By the time Lisa finished, it was time for a nap. We decided to try to get her to nap here so Lisa could run a few errands. We thought she was down and Lisa left, but when I walked back in the house, Ashby was crying again. She was so tired, but it just wasn't her bed! I picked her up and she just cuddled on my shoulder, so I just held her. She is always so energetic that she doesn't usually slow down enough to cuddle. As it was almost time for her to eat anyway, I went ahead and gave her a bottle. When she finished, she just lay there looking up at me and smiling and making funny faces. Too cute! Finally, she ate her solids, and then I put her down again. This time she was tired enough that she went on to sleep.
Just an hour later, she woke up and was crying, so I went in to get her. It was obvious that she was not anywhere near rested yet, so I held her and she put her head back on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep. I figured there was nothing I could do but sit in the recliner with her sleeping on my shoulder. Which is exactly what we did. I even rested with her cuddled up like a little bunny on my shoulder.
It was probably another 40 minutes when Lisa returned and Ashby woke up. By then, she was rested and laughing and ready to play again. What a delightful way to spend an afternoon! I repeat - I have lived my whole life for this moment!!!!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Atlanta Temple is Closing
I have been working (volunteering) at the Atlanta Temple for one day a week since 2000. It is something I really enjoy. Even when I went back to work part time, I made arrangements to leave early on the day I was at the temple so I wouldn't have to give it up.
Last year, we first heard that the temple was going to get some renovations. It is 26 years old and there are things that need to be replaced or redesigned. So all last summer, we waited to hear what was going to be done, how long it would take, when it would be done, etc. Later in the year, the word was that there would be a complete renovation which would mean the temple would need to be closed. In the late spring, we finally heard exactly what was going to happen.
July 1st the temple will close for complete renovation and will be closed for 15 - 18 months! Now that we are into June, the reality of the temple closing is fast approaching. I am finding myself feeling sad and worried. I will really miss the day at the temple each week. It has been like a spiritual boost that helps get me through the rest of the week. I will miss the people who work when I do. Most of them live far enough away that I never see them except at the temple, but they have become important to me. I will miss being in a place where there is only a feeling of love and caring, with the cares of the world left outside. I do hope the next year and a half go quickly!
On the plus side, because the renovation is so extensive, we will have an openhouse for the public and a rededication when it is complete. I am already thinking about friends that I would like to invite to come and see the temple. We were at the original dedication of the Atlanta Temple in 1983 and it will be exciting to be part of the rededication. We took our children to the openhouse before the dedication and Lisa, although only 7 at the time, still remembers it.
My stake has been temporarily assigned to go the Columbia, South Carolina, temple. That will be about a 3 1/2 hour trip, one way. We won't be able to drop by after work! On the other hand, since it will require planning, perhaps we will be more appreciative of the opportunity when we do get to go. Sometimes when things are too easy, we fail to appreciate their value.
I am still trying to decide how I will fill my extra day each week. I am thinking that I will be able to get back into the genealogy research, which I have had to cut back on since I started working again. That would be a blessing I would enjoy!
Last year, we first heard that the temple was going to get some renovations. It is 26 years old and there are things that need to be replaced or redesigned. So all last summer, we waited to hear what was going to be done, how long it would take, when it would be done, etc. Later in the year, the word was that there would be a complete renovation which would mean the temple would need to be closed. In the late spring, we finally heard exactly what was going to happen.
July 1st the temple will close for complete renovation and will be closed for 15 - 18 months! Now that we are into June, the reality of the temple closing is fast approaching. I am finding myself feeling sad and worried. I will really miss the day at the temple each week. It has been like a spiritual boost that helps get me through the rest of the week. I will miss the people who work when I do. Most of them live far enough away that I never see them except at the temple, but they have become important to me. I will miss being in a place where there is only a feeling of love and caring, with the cares of the world left outside. I do hope the next year and a half go quickly!
On the plus side, because the renovation is so extensive, we will have an openhouse for the public and a rededication when it is complete. I am already thinking about friends that I would like to invite to come and see the temple. We were at the original dedication of the Atlanta Temple in 1983 and it will be exciting to be part of the rededication. We took our children to the openhouse before the dedication and Lisa, although only 7 at the time, still remembers it.
My stake has been temporarily assigned to go the Columbia, South Carolina, temple. That will be about a 3 1/2 hour trip, one way. We won't be able to drop by after work! On the other hand, since it will require planning, perhaps we will be more appreciative of the opportunity when we do get to go. Sometimes when things are too easy, we fail to appreciate their value.
I am still trying to decide how I will fill my extra day each week. I am thinking that I will be able to get back into the genealogy research, which I have had to cut back on since I started working again. That would be a blessing I would enjoy!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
I Love Being a Grandmother!
Yesterday, Lisa and Ashby took me out for lunch. It was a belated Mother's Day outing. We decided it is the first of "lunch with the girls" outings. Ashby was as cute as she could be, sitting in the high chair and chattering along like she was part of the conversation. She had us laughing most of the time.
After lunch, Lisa wanted to run some errands and go to the gym, so I babysat Ashby for the rest of the afternoon. She was so tired from our outing that she started with a nap. Fortunately, she didn't sleep long. So Grandma got to feed her (sweet potatoes, pears, and peach yogurt, plus the bottle) and then we played. She is crawling all over the place now and heads straight for something so she can try to pull herself up. She can get to her knees, and balance there, and then she tries to put a foot up and everything falls apart. But, she doesn't give up!
She spent a little time in her jumpster while watching a Baby Einstein video. She practically launches herself in that jumpster. What a hoot to watch her! We also read some books, listened to some music, and generally had a great time.
I enjoy these weekly babysitting opportunities. It gives Lisa a chance to get out a little, but I am really being selfish - I want time alone with Ashby! I so love being a Grandma!!!!
After lunch, Lisa wanted to run some errands and go to the gym, so I babysat Ashby for the rest of the afternoon. She was so tired from our outing that she started with a nap. Fortunately, she didn't sleep long. So Grandma got to feed her (sweet potatoes, pears, and peach yogurt, plus the bottle) and then we played. She is crawling all over the place now and heads straight for something so she can try to pull herself up. She can get to her knees, and balance there, and then she tries to put a foot up and everything falls apart. But, she doesn't give up!
She spent a little time in her jumpster while watching a Baby Einstein video. She practically launches herself in that jumpster. What a hoot to watch her! We also read some books, listened to some music, and generally had a great time.
I enjoy these weekly babysitting opportunities. It gives Lisa a chance to get out a little, but I am really being selfish - I want time alone with Ashby! I so love being a Grandma!!!!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Now I have a Facebook page
Boy, am I getting so into the 21st century! I have set up a page on Facebook. The problem is that I have no clue what I am supposed to do with it. Right off the bat, it looked for the people in my email address book to see if they were on Facebook, too. But, I figured I know those people and I wasn't really interested that much, so I just ignored it. The people I am interested in I talk to you in person, you know?
I did put in the high school I attended and then did a search for the year I graduated. There was not one single soul there! I know it was a small class, but I can't believe I am the first one to join Facebook. Maybe the rest just didn't put in what high school they attended. So then I decided to check the class years before and after mine, since the school was so small and everyone knew everyone. I did find a few people, but only one I was really interested in talking to. I contacted him, Ron Tope, since our families had been super close when we were growing up and we were kind of like cousins. He responded so I then had one friend.
I finally mentioned to Lisa what I had done and she made me her friend, so that gave me connections to lots of family members. I am now up to about six or seven friends. Of course, they are all family (except Ron), but it is still cool.
I still haven't figured out what I am supposed to do, but it is fun to check it every so often and see if any of my friends have posted anything. Actually, it is also very interesting to check out their pages, especially to see the pictures they have posted.
I did put up a picture of Bill, Lisa, Billy and I that was taken at Christmas a few years ago. And, of course, I put up some of Ashby. Other than that, there isn't much on my page. Maybe I need to find more pictures.
I am not sure this is going to go anywhere, but at least now I can say "my Facebook page" and sound like I am really with it. By the way, I even signed up for an account on Twitter.com, but I really have no clue what to do with that. I did it because of the Day of Service and being instructed about twittering. But, I don't think I really even want to twitter!
I guess I can pretend to be with it, but the truth is I am just an old grandma. So be it!
I did put in the high school I attended and then did a search for the year I graduated. There was not one single soul there! I know it was a small class, but I can't believe I am the first one to join Facebook. Maybe the rest just didn't put in what high school they attended. So then I decided to check the class years before and after mine, since the school was so small and everyone knew everyone. I did find a few people, but only one I was really interested in talking to. I contacted him, Ron Tope, since our families had been super close when we were growing up and we were kind of like cousins. He responded so I then had one friend.
I finally mentioned to Lisa what I had done and she made me her friend, so that gave me connections to lots of family members. I am now up to about six or seven friends. Of course, they are all family (except Ron), but it is still cool.
I still haven't figured out what I am supposed to do, but it is fun to check it every so often and see if any of my friends have posted anything. Actually, it is also very interesting to check out their pages, especially to see the pictures they have posted.
I did put up a picture of Bill, Lisa, Billy and I that was taken at Christmas a few years ago. And, of course, I put up some of Ashby. Other than that, there isn't much on my page. Maybe I need to find more pictures.
I am not sure this is going to go anywhere, but at least now I can say "my Facebook page" and sound like I am really with it. By the way, I even signed up for an account on Twitter.com, but I really have no clue what to do with that. I did it because of the Day of Service and being instructed about twittering. But, I don't think I really even want to twitter!
I guess I can pretend to be with it, but the truth is I am just an old grandma. So be it!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Day of Service - Big Success, But Glad It's Over - Or Is It?
For the last few months, much of my time has been filled with making preparations for the Day of Service that was scheduled for April 25th. Now that it has come and gone, I am glad to report that it was a huge success. In Lilburn Stake, we had nine different projects and all turned out better than planned. We had almost 800 members and over 125 non-members who worked together to provide the service.
Projects ranged from cleaning up county parks to doing yard work for seniors and disabled citizens, to landscaping and painting at non-profit organizations to putting together food boxes to stenciling environmental warnings on storm drains in neighborhoods. In every case, the members are looking forward to doing it again. Likewise, in every case, the people and organizations who received the service were thrilled.
Public Affairs did a special project for the Lawrenceville Housing Authority. They provide 212 apartments for the disabled and those down on their luck. One of their requirements is that the residents provide eight hours of community service each month, if they are able. We had quite a few of the residents show up to help us, as well as the director of the housing authority. In addition, we called on some of the young singles and the members of the Conyers Ward and the Yellow River Branch to help, especially by providing trucks so the boxes could be moved when we were finished. We had a total of 50 members and 30 non-members help us.
Briane Adams, my Community Affairs Assistant, had requested Humanitarian Funds from the church to pay for the food, which was granted. It was a much larger request than is normally given, but I guess they were impressed with the philosophy of the authority about allowing the recipients to provide service in exchange for the help. It certainly does help build the self-esteem of the individuals. There were several helpers who would obviously have a hard time holding a full-time job, but they were so excited to help and they worked so hard. They felt so good about what they had done.
Briane had set up two assembly lines to fill the boxes. The filled boxes were then loaded on the trucks and delivered to the various apartments. Then everyone came back to the church for a chili dog lunch. The young singles provided the dessert and they came with strawberry shortcake and brownies and ice cream. I think I will ask them to provide dessert at some future time - it was really good!
My home ward, Dacula, did projects at two local non-profits. They did some landscaping and flowers for the United Cerebral Palsy organization. Creative Enterprises, Inc., is a much larger facility that provides help for adult disabled. They do all sorts of activities, including making jewelry, artwork, plant nursery, and an animal shelter (cats only, right now). We did painting, landscaping, building stones for flower beds, replacing some ceiling drywall, etc., at several of their buildings. Leigh, the director, couldn't believe how hard everyone worked. She had been hesitant when we approached her, because last fall a group had come and things were worse when they left than before they came. This time was different and she was so excited.
The week after the day of service turned out to be even busier. I was responsible for getting back reports on each project, including the numbers who worked and who they partnered with, etc. Every time I turned around, I had another request from the Area Public Affairs for more information. We were also trying to get together some news articles to submit about the event. The Area PA reports to Elder Gonzalez on Tuesday of this week, so hopefully they are finished asking me for things. We have one article ready to submit and are still working on another. To make things even more difficult, my Media Assistant works for the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and she is working overtime with this flu crisis, since they are working 24 hours a day right now.
All in all, though, I am glad that things went so well. I think they will probably make this an annual event and may even have it a national event rather than just the southeast.
Some of the comments from the members point out how important these kinds of things are. In one case, a young man who had not attended church in a very long time, came out to help and has been back to church both weeks since then. We all have a need to help others and this obviously filled a need that he had felt. Others commented that working with other members in this kind of a project allows you to get to know each other in different ways than just being together on Sunday. In every case, the friendships became stronger. Some of the teenage girls were overheard in the bathroom the next day talking about how fun it was and that they couldn't wait until we did it again. That's the best endorsement ever! One group finished their project at the home of a senior citizen, but they weren't ready to quit, so they went to the home of a member of the ward who needed help and continued to work.
We also made new friends in the community. The Community of Christ joined with us, as well as a number of county departments and the non-profit organizations. We also had city proclamations issued by the mayors of Dacula, Lilburn, and Lawrenceville, as well as the Gwinnett County Commission Chairman. I was able to attend each of those council meetings.
Huge success - but glad it is over! Maybe next year we will be better organized earlier. I do hope there will be a "next year." I know that some of the wards will do something on their own if nothing is planned on the area level. It was too good not to do again.
Projects ranged from cleaning up county parks to doing yard work for seniors and disabled citizens, to landscaping and painting at non-profit organizations to putting together food boxes to stenciling environmental warnings on storm drains in neighborhoods. In every case, the members are looking forward to doing it again. Likewise, in every case, the people and organizations who received the service were thrilled.
Public Affairs did a special project for the Lawrenceville Housing Authority. They provide 212 apartments for the disabled and those down on their luck. One of their requirements is that the residents provide eight hours of community service each month, if they are able. We had quite a few of the residents show up to help us, as well as the director of the housing authority. In addition, we called on some of the young singles and the members of the Conyers Ward and the Yellow River Branch to help, especially by providing trucks so the boxes could be moved when we were finished. We had a total of 50 members and 30 non-members help us.
Briane Adams, my Community Affairs Assistant, had requested Humanitarian Funds from the church to pay for the food, which was granted. It was a much larger request than is normally given, but I guess they were impressed with the philosophy of the authority about allowing the recipients to provide service in exchange for the help. It certainly does help build the self-esteem of the individuals. There were several helpers who would obviously have a hard time holding a full-time job, but they were so excited to help and they worked so hard. They felt so good about what they had done.
Briane had set up two assembly lines to fill the boxes. The filled boxes were then loaded on the trucks and delivered to the various apartments. Then everyone came back to the church for a chili dog lunch. The young singles provided the dessert and they came with strawberry shortcake and brownies and ice cream. I think I will ask them to provide dessert at some future time - it was really good!
My home ward, Dacula, did projects at two local non-profits. They did some landscaping and flowers for the United Cerebral Palsy organization. Creative Enterprises, Inc., is a much larger facility that provides help for adult disabled. They do all sorts of activities, including making jewelry, artwork, plant nursery, and an animal shelter (cats only, right now). We did painting, landscaping, building stones for flower beds, replacing some ceiling drywall, etc., at several of their buildings. Leigh, the director, couldn't believe how hard everyone worked. She had been hesitant when we approached her, because last fall a group had come and things were worse when they left than before they came. This time was different and she was so excited.
The week after the day of service turned out to be even busier. I was responsible for getting back reports on each project, including the numbers who worked and who they partnered with, etc. Every time I turned around, I had another request from the Area Public Affairs for more information. We were also trying to get together some news articles to submit about the event. The Area PA reports to Elder Gonzalez on Tuesday of this week, so hopefully they are finished asking me for things. We have one article ready to submit and are still working on another. To make things even more difficult, my Media Assistant works for the CDC (Center for Disease Control) and she is working overtime with this flu crisis, since they are working 24 hours a day right now.
All in all, though, I am glad that things went so well. I think they will probably make this an annual event and may even have it a national event rather than just the southeast.
Some of the comments from the members point out how important these kinds of things are. In one case, a young man who had not attended church in a very long time, came out to help and has been back to church both weeks since then. We all have a need to help others and this obviously filled a need that he had felt. Others commented that working with other members in this kind of a project allows you to get to know each other in different ways than just being together on Sunday. In every case, the friendships became stronger. Some of the teenage girls were overheard in the bathroom the next day talking about how fun it was and that they couldn't wait until we did it again. That's the best endorsement ever! One group finished their project at the home of a senior citizen, but they weren't ready to quit, so they went to the home of a member of the ward who needed help and continued to work.
We also made new friends in the community. The Community of Christ joined with us, as well as a number of county departments and the non-profit organizations. We also had city proclamations issued by the mayors of Dacula, Lilburn, and Lawrenceville, as well as the Gwinnett County Commission Chairman. I was able to attend each of those council meetings.
Huge success - but glad it is over! Maybe next year we will be better organized earlier. I do hope there will be a "next year." I know that some of the wards will do something on their own if nothing is planned on the area level. It was too good not to do again.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Good friends are the best!!!
I have some great friends and all are important to me. However, there are three that fit into a special category. When we all started BYU in 1965, we were put together at random as roommates in Heritage Halls. We became the best of friends. Over the years, we kept in touch, sometimes off and on, but at least there was still a connection.
Well, a few years ago, we decided it was time for a reunion. So the four of us met in Las Vegas, where Margaret Ann lives. (We call her MA.) Even though we had not all been together in 40 years, it was like yesterday. We had so much fun, it was almost ridiculous. Who would have believed that four "mature" women could act so childish - and love every minute of it!
Rosi, MA, Connie, Joyce
Las Vegas 2005
In fact, we had such a good time, that we did it again in Utah, where Joyce lives. (We call her Joyous.) After a day in SLC and Provo, we spent the rest of our week at Joyce's cabin. You have never seen ridiculous until you see these four even more "mature" women riding on four-wheelers all over the mountains!
Connie and MA
Utah 2006
So, since that wasn't enough, we got together last spring in Piru, California, where Connie lives. (We call her Connetra.) Again, we had more fun than most people get in a lifetime! We left behind gnomes, which we each painted, around the tree we adopted and named "Roomie-toid," which just about says it all. Joyce added a wind chime, so poor Connie can never get away from us now!
Joyce, Rosi, MA, Connie
California 2008
Joyce and her husband John are now on a mission in Russia and we anxiously await the weekly email telling us what they are doing. When they get home in 18 months, the roomies plan another reunion, this time in Atlanta. I am already planning what we are going to be doing - besides the silliness, of course.
So tonight I answered my phone, not expecting anything special and this voice says, "Hi, Rosi, this is MA." After I pulled myself out of shock, we chatted for a while. How wonderful to have friends who just think about you and then decide to call, just to say hi.
Thanks to all three of you for being the best friends ever - and for making it last a whole lifetime! Love you all.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Senior Moments
I keep having these strange "senior moments" where I forgot what I am doing or lose something and can't find it. It is a little disturbing, to say the least! But, Bill makes me feel better when he has them, too. His are usually more interesting that mine, though.
For instance, we were invited to a wedding for the daughter of our next door neighbor. When the invitation arrived a few weeks ago, Bill thought we should really make an effort to attend. I am not very social, but I agreed it would be good. So, Bill wrote the date and time in his schedule book, so he wouldn't forget.
Last week he was working out of town and when he called, he reminded me that the wedding was Friday night and that he was making every effort to get back in time for us to make it. He made it back and we hustled to get ready. It was supposed to be at 7:00 at a Baptist Church on Ponce de Leon Ave in Atlanta. I was copping a bit of an attitude about having to go, but we got ready and went out to the car. As we were getting in the car, Bill says, "That's strange. Chuck's car is in the driveway." He then asked if I had checked the announcement to be sure it was that night. I replied that I didn't even know where he had put the thing. He went in the house to find it and double check. In a minute he came back, with a very sheepish grin on his face.
The wedding was not Friday night, but Saturday! He had written it in his schedule book correctly, but had just decided it was Friday and there we were, sitting in the driveway, ready to go to a wedding that was 24 hours away! Needless to say, we both felt like fools. I can only say that it is really good that he went to check on it. If we had driven the 45 minutes to the church, only to have nothing happening, I might have gone ballistic!!
So we have all had a good laugh at Bill's expense this week.
For instance, we were invited to a wedding for the daughter of our next door neighbor. When the invitation arrived a few weeks ago, Bill thought we should really make an effort to attend. I am not very social, but I agreed it would be good. So, Bill wrote the date and time in his schedule book, so he wouldn't forget.
Last week he was working out of town and when he called, he reminded me that the wedding was Friday night and that he was making every effort to get back in time for us to make it. He made it back and we hustled to get ready. It was supposed to be at 7:00 at a Baptist Church on Ponce de Leon Ave in Atlanta. I was copping a bit of an attitude about having to go, but we got ready and went out to the car. As we were getting in the car, Bill says, "That's strange. Chuck's car is in the driveway." He then asked if I had checked the announcement to be sure it was that night. I replied that I didn't even know where he had put the thing. He went in the house to find it and double check. In a minute he came back, with a very sheepish grin on his face.
The wedding was not Friday night, but Saturday! He had written it in his schedule book correctly, but had just decided it was Friday and there we were, sitting in the driveway, ready to go to a wedding that was 24 hours away! Needless to say, we both felt like fools. I can only say that it is really good that he went to check on it. If we had driven the 45 minutes to the church, only to have nothing happening, I might have gone ballistic!!
So we have all had a good laugh at Bill's expense this week.
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