Well, Bill made it through another birthday yesterday. Fortunately, this one was quiet and sensible, unlike his skydiving adventure last year. We were lazy in the morning, baked some cinnamon rolls, etc. He went to visit his sister Joyce for a while and talked to other people on the phone.
Later in the afternoon, Lisa, David and Ashby came over for dinner. Bill had requested homemade tacos, so that is what we had. We took a long time to eat - too much fun stuffing our faces, I guess!
He had requested no gifts, so Lisa and family just brought him a homemade birthday card. Lisa had made the card and then let Ashby use a crayon to color it. It was the first time she actually colored instead of trying to eat the crayons. They took a video of her working on the card and it was hilarious.
I just got him a gadget to use with the grill so the meat gets cooked just right - sort of like a meat thermometer with a remote that tells you when it is perfect. We have had a little problem with meat being slightly overcooked over the years, so this seemed interesting.
The rest of the day was just spent watching football, playing with Ashby, chatting with the kids, and being generally lazy. Turned out to be a good day.
Thank goodness he didn't skydive again. The bad news is that he mentioned that he was thinking it was time to try it again. I am trying to just ignore that comment!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
I had a great trip!
I got back from Iowa yesterday. It was a great trip. I flew up on Wednesday, the 26th. The plane to Moline was not very full, so I had a whole row of seats to myself. Sure makes it comfy to travel when you can spread out like that.
I arrived around 11:15, got the car rental taken care of, and called my friend Paula, who lives in Davenport. She came to the airport and I followed her to Bishop's for lunch. She is dealing with her husband having been recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, so it is a very difficult time for her. I wish I was closer so I could offer more help. We had a great talk, though. She and I have been best friends since we were about 5 years old.
I then drove on over to my dad's airport near North Liberty and spent the rest of the afternoon with him. They always have a steak fry and aeroclub board meeting on Wednesday, so I was there for that. Billy came down in the evening, too. After the meeting (about 10 minutes of official business and lots of time telling stories), we (Billy, my dad, and his friend Rita) stopped over to see my brother at his "Garage Mahal." He built a huge garage a few years ago - big enough for three vehicles, plus a big bar, bathroom, big TV, the works. I enjoyed chatting with him and his wife and playing with the dogs. Then Billy and I headed up to his condo in Cedar Rapids. Billy hadn't eaten, so we ran out to Olive Garden so he could get dinner and I had an appetizer.
Thursday we went out to Amana's for breakfast. They do a family style, all-you-can-eat, breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages, corn pancakes (the best you have ever put in your mouth!), fruit, juice, and whatever else you can imagine. It isn't cheap, but it is definitely worth it! It was a rainy day, so we spent the rest of the day at his condo, just talking. Later we went out for dinner (we didn't need lunch after that breakfast!) and then back for a lazy evening. I tried my hand at the game where you play the guitar, but I was so bad that I got booed off the stage every time.
Friday Lisa flew in to Moline, so we went over there to pick her and Ashby up. Ashby fell asleep almost the minute we got in the car, so we went back to Billy's for a while. Later we headed down to the airport so Ashby could meet her great-grandpa Nelson. We all went out to dinner at Red Lobster. Mighty good!
Saturday we went spent the afternoon at Dad's and then went out to dinner again to a Mexican place in North Liberty. I was impressed that it was so good - actually better than most of the places here in Georgia.
Sunday we were so lazy that we all slept in and didn't even get around to much until afternoon. We took Ashby to the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville and she had the best time. I thought the cutest was in the little grocery store, where she pushed around the shopping cart which was just her size and looked at all the "food" on the shelves, throwing some in her cart. She went round and round that place for the longest time. She also enjoyed the farm, where she planted and harvested all sorts of vegetables. Most of all, she loved the slide. Needless to say, she was worn out when we finished there, so it was back to Billy's. That night we stopped and picked up some fresh picked sweet corn, bought some Iowa chops and potatoes, and had a great meal in. Iowa sweet corn is about the best, especially when it is that fresh!
I arrived around 11:15, got the car rental taken care of, and called my friend Paula, who lives in Davenport. She came to the airport and I followed her to Bishop's for lunch. She is dealing with her husband having been recently diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, so it is a very difficult time for her. I wish I was closer so I could offer more help. We had a great talk, though. She and I have been best friends since we were about 5 years old.
I then drove on over to my dad's airport near North Liberty and spent the rest of the afternoon with him. They always have a steak fry and aeroclub board meeting on Wednesday, so I was there for that. Billy came down in the evening, too. After the meeting (about 10 minutes of official business and lots of time telling stories), we (Billy, my dad, and his friend Rita) stopped over to see my brother at his "Garage Mahal." He built a huge garage a few years ago - big enough for three vehicles, plus a big bar, bathroom, big TV, the works. I enjoyed chatting with him and his wife and playing with the dogs. Then Billy and I headed up to his condo in Cedar Rapids. Billy hadn't eaten, so we ran out to Olive Garden so he could get dinner and I had an appetizer.
Thursday we went out to Amana's for breakfast. They do a family style, all-you-can-eat, breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausages, corn pancakes (the best you have ever put in your mouth!), fruit, juice, and whatever else you can imagine. It isn't cheap, but it is definitely worth it! It was a rainy day, so we spent the rest of the day at his condo, just talking. Later we went out for dinner (we didn't need lunch after that breakfast!) and then back for a lazy evening. I tried my hand at the game where you play the guitar, but I was so bad that I got booed off the stage every time.
Friday Lisa flew in to Moline, so we went over there to pick her and Ashby up. Ashby fell asleep almost the minute we got in the car, so we went back to Billy's for a while. Later we headed down to the airport so Ashby could meet her great-grandpa Nelson. We all went out to dinner at Red Lobster. Mighty good!
Saturday we went spent the afternoon at Dad's and then went out to dinner again to a Mexican place in North Liberty. I was impressed that it was so good - actually better than most of the places here in Georgia.
Sunday we were so lazy that we all slept in and didn't even get around to much until afternoon. We took Ashby to the Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville and she had the best time. I thought the cutest was in the little grocery store, where she pushed around the shopping cart which was just her size and looked at all the "food" on the shelves, throwing some in her cart. She went round and round that place for the longest time. She also enjoyed the farm, where she planted and harvested all sorts of vegetables. Most of all, she loved the slide. Needless to say, she was worn out when we finished there, so it was back to Billy's. That night we stopped and picked up some fresh picked sweet corn, bought some Iowa chops and potatoes, and had a great meal in. Iowa sweet corn is about the best, especially when it is that fresh!
Monday we went over to the Amana's again. We had planned to go for breakfast, but we were too slow, so we had lunch and shopped in some of the little shops for a while. Then we headed back over to the airport to see Great-grandpa one more time. That night we got more corn and fixed chicken, rice and sweet corn.
Tuesday we had to get up and take off fairly early so we could get to Moline in time for the 11:45 flight. The flight back was also not crowded. In fact, when we checked in the night before, we picked seats in the back of the plane where it looked pretty empty. Turned out it really was empty. We had the whole back third or more of the plane to ourselves. Lisa and I both sat in aisle seats across from each other and Ashby had two seats to play in. That is great for travel, but it worries me as far as AirTran being able to keep these cheap flights to Moline.
Ashby was so good the whole time. Her Uncle Billy couldn't get over how laid back she was, hardly ever crying or fussing. She is so entertaining that a lot of our time was just spent watching her. How fun!
It was good to see Dad and that he seems to be doing well. I also enjoyed spending some time with Billy. We don't get to see him much since he moved up there. Hopefully, he will be coming down here before the end of the year.
So - trip to Iowa - big success!
Tuesday we had to get up and take off fairly early so we could get to Moline in time for the 11:45 flight. The flight back was also not crowded. In fact, when we checked in the night before, we picked seats in the back of the plane where it looked pretty empty. Turned out it really was empty. We had the whole back third or more of the plane to ourselves. Lisa and I both sat in aisle seats across from each other and Ashby had two seats to play in. That is great for travel, but it worries me as far as AirTran being able to keep these cheap flights to Moline.
Ashby was so good the whole time. Her Uncle Billy couldn't get over how laid back she was, hardly ever crying or fussing. She is so entertaining that a lot of our time was just spent watching her. How fun!
It was good to see Dad and that he seems to be doing well. I also enjoyed spending some time with Billy. We don't get to see him much since he moved up there. Hopefully, he will be coming down here before the end of the year.
So - trip to Iowa - big success!
(Pictures from Lisa)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Heading to Iowa for a Week!
Well, I think I am just about packed. I am leaving in the morning to fly to Moline so I can spend a week with Billy and Dad. I get back next Tuesday. Lisa is flying up on Friday with Ashby so they can all see her. My dad is anxious to see his great-granddaughter, but doesn't travel anymore. He is 81, in great health, but says it is too much hassle to travel. So we are taking the little munchkin up to him. He is really excited!
I think Billy is excited that we are coming, too. We haven't seen him since December. He called last night and said he was actually cleaning the second bathroom for us. Now that is a big deal!
The Moline airport is about an hour from my dad's and a little more than that to Billy's, but the difference in pricing between Moline and Cedar Rapids is so much that we almost always fly to Moline. Besides the price being as much as 2 or 3 times more, there isn't a direct flight, so it takes all day instead of 2 hours. Besides, we are used to it taking 45 minutes or more to get to the airport in Atlanta anyway, so it doesn't really seem so far.
We don't have any big plans besides visiting and relaxing. We are coming back on the same flight Tuesday, so I can help a little more going home. Lisa is on her own coming up. I haven't been up to Iowa since Dad's 80th birthday party in December 2007 and Lisa hasn't been up since she sang at the airport concert in June of 2007. We are all looking forward to it! It will really be fun to see what Ashby thinks of all those airplanes - the big ones we are flying in and all the little ones at Grandpa's.
I think Billy is excited that we are coming, too. We haven't seen him since December. He called last night and said he was actually cleaning the second bathroom for us. Now that is a big deal!
The Moline airport is about an hour from my dad's and a little more than that to Billy's, but the difference in pricing between Moline and Cedar Rapids is so much that we almost always fly to Moline. Besides the price being as much as 2 or 3 times more, there isn't a direct flight, so it takes all day instead of 2 hours. Besides, we are used to it taking 45 minutes or more to get to the airport in Atlanta anyway, so it doesn't really seem so far.
We don't have any big plans besides visiting and relaxing. We are coming back on the same flight Tuesday, so I can help a little more going home. Lisa is on her own coming up. I haven't been up to Iowa since Dad's 80th birthday party in December 2007 and Lisa hasn't been up since she sang at the airport concert in June of 2007. We are all looking forward to it! It will really be fun to see what Ashby thinks of all those airplanes - the big ones we are flying in and all the little ones at Grandpa's.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Painting with the Young Women
I had a fun time with the young women at church on Wednesday evening. Another sister (who is a real painter) and I (who am a play painter) were asked to help the young women paint pictures of a lighthouse. The goal was two-fold: 1) help them learn a new skill or at least be exposed to a new skill; and 2) to prepare for the Young Women in Excellence program later in the fall. They have talked about lighthouses during the year as it has been sort of a theme for them. You know, letting your light so shine and so on.
I happen to love lighthouses, so I was excited to offer my little experience. The other sister got the boards for them to paint on and she and I just brought all our paints and brushes. The girls were divided into two groups and we each took one. We were all in the gym, though, so we could see what everyone was doing.
After giving a little introduction - I did that since I talk too much anyway and Daina is very quiet - we just let them go. They had a lot of fun. Some of them went right to work and knew what they wanted to do from the beginning. Others required a lot of encouragement to even make a pencil mark on the board. I just kept walking around the table, giving a little hint or help here and there, but mostly encouraging them. I found that I could find something to praise on almost every painting. Some were really good with color, others had a real sense of perspective, others were very stylistic.
When they were all finished and laying out together, the effect was very pleasing. The leaders kept the paintings and they will all be displayed at their program which is a chance for all the young women to share various projects and skills that have worked on during the year. I think all the girls are or should be proud of their paintings. One of the nice things about art is that it only really needs to please you. And, I hope, all the young women were pleased with themselves.
I happen to love lighthouses, so I was excited to offer my little experience. The other sister got the boards for them to paint on and she and I just brought all our paints and brushes. The girls were divided into two groups and we each took one. We were all in the gym, though, so we could see what everyone was doing.
After giving a little introduction - I did that since I talk too much anyway and Daina is very quiet - we just let them go. They had a lot of fun. Some of them went right to work and knew what they wanted to do from the beginning. Others required a lot of encouragement to even make a pencil mark on the board. I just kept walking around the table, giving a little hint or help here and there, but mostly encouraging them. I found that I could find something to praise on almost every painting. Some were really good with color, others had a real sense of perspective, others were very stylistic.
When they were all finished and laying out together, the effect was very pleasing. The leaders kept the paintings and they will all be displayed at their program which is a chance for all the young women to share various projects and skills that have worked on during the year. I think all the girls are or should be proud of their paintings. One of the nice things about art is that it only really needs to please you. And, I hope, all the young women were pleased with themselves.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Wonderful Trip to the Columbia SC Temple
I had a great weekend. The Atlanta Temple closed for renovations on June 1st, and I have really missed being able to go and work there once a week. I have been trying to figure out how to get to the Columbia Temple, which is where my area has been assigned during the time Atlanta is closed. I had received a letter from the temple inviting me to consider coming as a worker, as well as other information. I have been trying to figure out details on how to make that happen.
A couple of weeks ago, I just decided that I was just going to go and quit trying to figure so much out. I sent an email to all the Relief Society sisters to let them exactly what my plans were and inviting anyone who wanted to ride along to let me know. Lynn Rajani, a good friend, emailed back and said she really wanted to go if she could work a couple of things out. She did and we went!
I took off from work a little early, filled up with gas, got a sandwich, packed the car, and picked Lynn up. We were on the road about 12:15. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive so we arrived at the temple about 3:30. Lynn had packed a cooler with fruit, salads, turkey meat, cheese, etc., so we ate a bite at the picnic table by the temple. Then I went on in while she took the car and found the motel where we had a reservation, got us checked in, and made some phone calls she needed to make. She is not a worker, so wanted to attend just one session that evening and one the next morning.
I was greeted with such warmth and love, it was wonderful! Temple workers are always special, and the workers in Columbia were even more so. I was set apart as a worker by President Turner, the 2nd counselor in the temple presidency. Then a worker took me on a tour of the temple. That didn't take long, as the temple is very small - smaller than most ward buildings even. It is, however, very beautiful, as you would expect with any temple. I next served as a patron in initiatory so I could see their procedures, and finally went on the 7:00 session so I could see how that worked. That meant I was able to complete all my family file initiatories and a family file endowment. My experience at the veil was overwhelming, probably because it had been so long since I had had the chance to do it.
Lynn had made it back to also attend the 7:00 session, and then we went to the hotel, stopping at Chickfilet on the way so I could a sandwich. We were both tired, so it didn't take us long to get ready for bed and turn the lights out!
I got up early the next morning - 4:45 - so I could shower and get back to the temple, dressed and ready for the 6:00 preparation meeting. Lynn dropped me off and went back to get a few more minutes of sleep before coming back to do her session. There was a good number of workers on the shift and I was impressed that many of them had driven as much as 2 1/2 hours to be there for that 6:00 meeting - and they do this once or twice a month! Sister Boyd, from my stake, was also there as a worker on that shift. Later in the morning I also the Dunfords, who plan to work the afternoon shift.
My first assignment was as a patron in sealings, so I was able to finish all my family file sealings. Then I was the 2nd follower on a session. By the time that finished, the shift was over. It went so quickly! And I enjoyed every minute of it. I knew I had missed being at the temple, but I didn't realize just how much! I look forward to doing this once a month. I am scheduled to work every 2nd week on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Fortunately, they are willing to work with those of us who come so far so we can change the times we come as we need to. I know there are already some conflicts for some of the weekends I am scheduled, but I will just switch to other weekends those months.
When we finished, we left temple, stopped for a good lunch, and then started home. We were home around 5:15. Since we split the hotel and gas, the cost wasn't too bad. Hopefully, someone will be able to go with me each month, more for the company than anything. Even so, I am already looking forward to going again on September 11th, alone or not!
I feel so excited about this opportunity. It will be more of a sacrifice than working in Atlanta, but I can already tell that it will be an experience that I will treasure.
A couple of weeks ago, I just decided that I was just going to go and quit trying to figure so much out. I sent an email to all the Relief Society sisters to let them exactly what my plans were and inviting anyone who wanted to ride along to let me know. Lynn Rajani, a good friend, emailed back and said she really wanted to go if she could work a couple of things out. She did and we went!
I took off from work a little early, filled up with gas, got a sandwich, packed the car, and picked Lynn up. We were on the road about 12:15. It is a 3 1/2 hour drive so we arrived at the temple about 3:30. Lynn had packed a cooler with fruit, salads, turkey meat, cheese, etc., so we ate a bite at the picnic table by the temple. Then I went on in while she took the car and found the motel where we had a reservation, got us checked in, and made some phone calls she needed to make. She is not a worker, so wanted to attend just one session that evening and one the next morning.
I was greeted with such warmth and love, it was wonderful! Temple workers are always special, and the workers in Columbia were even more so. I was set apart as a worker by President Turner, the 2nd counselor in the temple presidency. Then a worker took me on a tour of the temple. That didn't take long, as the temple is very small - smaller than most ward buildings even. It is, however, very beautiful, as you would expect with any temple. I next served as a patron in initiatory so I could see their procedures, and finally went on the 7:00 session so I could see how that worked. That meant I was able to complete all my family file initiatories and a family file endowment. My experience at the veil was overwhelming, probably because it had been so long since I had had the chance to do it.
Lynn had made it back to also attend the 7:00 session, and then we went to the hotel, stopping at Chickfilet on the way so I could a sandwich. We were both tired, so it didn't take us long to get ready for bed and turn the lights out!
I got up early the next morning - 4:45 - so I could shower and get back to the temple, dressed and ready for the 6:00 preparation meeting. Lynn dropped me off and went back to get a few more minutes of sleep before coming back to do her session. There was a good number of workers on the shift and I was impressed that many of them had driven as much as 2 1/2 hours to be there for that 6:00 meeting - and they do this once or twice a month! Sister Boyd, from my stake, was also there as a worker on that shift. Later in the morning I also the Dunfords, who plan to work the afternoon shift.
My first assignment was as a patron in sealings, so I was able to finish all my family file sealings. Then I was the 2nd follower on a session. By the time that finished, the shift was over. It went so quickly! And I enjoyed every minute of it. I knew I had missed being at the temple, but I didn't realize just how much! I look forward to doing this once a month. I am scheduled to work every 2nd week on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Fortunately, they are willing to work with those of us who come so far so we can change the times we come as we need to. I know there are already some conflicts for some of the weekends I am scheduled, but I will just switch to other weekends those months.
When we finished, we left temple, stopped for a good lunch, and then started home. We were home around 5:15. Since we split the hotel and gas, the cost wasn't too bad. Hopefully, someone will be able to go with me each month, more for the company than anything. Even so, I am already looking forward to going again on September 11th, alone or not!
I feel so excited about this opportunity. It will be more of a sacrifice than working in Atlanta, but I can already tell that it will be an experience that I will treasure.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Odds and Ends
Sometimes things go by so fast that I lose track - and so it has been the last few weeks. So I guess this blog will just be a little of this and a little of that!
We had our vacation in St. Augustine and it was fabulous! We had about 25 family members there and it was great. I spend most of my time at the pool, since I don't do the sun. But, I did get down to the beach a few times and even played in the waves some. It was particularly fun having Ashby there for her first beach experience. I would like to report that she is a true "Cantrell" as she loved the beach from the first moment. The worst part of vacation was that it ended. I sure hope we can go for two weeks next year.
Then on the 24th was Ashby's first birthday. Her Grandma Vanett and Granpa Pulsipher both came into town for the big day. It would have been wonderful, except that poor Ashby got sick. Earlier in the week, the doctor said she had strep. Then she broke out in a terrible rash and it was back to the doctor again. This time it was a viral infection, nothing to do with the strep. So, she was down most of the week. By the weekend she was beginning to feel a little better. Anyway, the big party was scaled down considerably. Even so, she made the one year mark.
I have been having fun learning about Facebook. I have quite a few friends now and have reconnected with some people I hadn't heard from in years. That part is really great. I have also had a few of the teenage girls at church add me as a friend and I get a real kick out of their posts! I was sitting by a group of them at church Sunday and in the course of talking, I mentioned Facebook and there was a general shocked reaction - "You are on Facebook?" - like I was too old or something. I told them I was cool. They got a kick out that. I even had one of them add me as a friend today. I guess I really must be cool!!
Billy had a run in with a dog a few weeks ago. He was out riding his bike and a dog ran out of a driveway and attacked him! He managed to get away with only one major bite. He went straight home and called the police, who took a report and pictures, and told him that this was the second report of the same dog biting someone in a week. They were going to impound the dog to make sure it had all its shots, etc. The doctor gave him a tetanus and put him on some anti-biotics since getting an infection is almost guaranteed with a dog bite. We haven't gotten a recent update, so I don't know what has happened.
Bill is teaching seminary again this year and I have been trying to help him get things ready. I told him I would help with the fluff, but he had to provide the substance. We have been working on games, a map, costumes, and a bunch of other little stuff. School starts next Monday, the 10th, and seminary will start on Wednesday, the 12th. Sure seems like a short summer!
Well, that hits the high points of the last few weeks. We will see what the next few bring.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Florida Vacation - Here We Come!
We are busy trying to get everything ready to leave for St. Augustine first thing in the morning. As you can tell, I am taking a break! Actually, I have my suitcase all packed, my beach bag packed with towels, the beach chairs out of the attic. I think I am down to just what I will have to pack after I get ready in the morning.
I still have a few chores to finish around the house - things like watering the plants, etc. Bill is out pulling weeds from the flower beds. He still has to do his packing. Fortunately, for the beach, there isn't much to pack! We will get the car mostly loaded tonight and then can take off whenever we wake up in the morning.
We didn't get to go last year - it was a tough year for the business plus Lisa was about to give birth to Ashby and we didn't want to risk not being here. I guess that is why we are all the more excited this year. We are expecting somewhere around 25 family members to be there. Lisa and David and Ashby are going, of course. This will be the first time they are renting their own condo, instead of sharing with us. Billy isn't able to come down from Iowa, so we will miss him.
Look out, Florida!!! Here we come!!!
I still have a few chores to finish around the house - things like watering the plants, etc. Bill is out pulling weeds from the flower beds. He still has to do his packing. Fortunately, for the beach, there isn't much to pack! We will get the car mostly loaded tonight and then can take off whenever we wake up in the morning.
We didn't get to go last year - it was a tough year for the business plus Lisa was about to give birth to Ashby and we didn't want to risk not being here. I guess that is why we are all the more excited this year. We are expecting somewhere around 25 family members to be there. Lisa and David and Ashby are going, of course. This will be the first time they are renting their own condo, instead of sharing with us. Billy isn't able to come down from Iowa, so we will miss him.
Look out, Florida!!! Here we come!!!
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