Catching Up...

22 March 2006
So as with everything I undertake, I procrastinate! Let's see in case you care...

At the end of January, I spent two weeks back in NYC helping my dad with his recovery, and cleaning out my grandmother's apartment. So many good memories as we went through family items. It sure was cold there though and I'm grateful our home is in warmer climates! (people can keep their "4 season" changes!) Laura and I only went into the "city" twice, since our real purpose was to help out with my parent's. While we were there though pop-pop treated us to a day at the theater and a really nice lunch at FRANKIE & JOHNNIE STEAKHOUSE (269 W. 45th St Upstairs). This was Laura's first Broadway play, so we went to see Phantom of the Opera at the MAJESTIC THEATRE (247 West 44th St). Who could ask for a better first?! The music , the stage...all captivating.

Our second day involved a 50 mile stroll throughout Manhattan's Time Square, Forty-Second St, Fifth Ave, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, etc. Of course the best part is the subway ride ( the "J" to the "E"), and a hot dog & pretzel from a corner stand!

While we were there we were able to meet my cousin Alice for the first time since we made contact on the internet! We found each other through our interest in genealogy and found we were related (we have the same great grandparents). We had a nice visit and lunch out with my parents at Olive Garden. It was great to put this wonderful person, with a "face"!

But life is back to usual...Busy having fun with Heidi! She now has grammy confused in three languages! The other day she used her sign language and spoke in spanish to me, and I had NO idea what it was she wanted! I had to ask Amy to translate.










Busy with Stake Youth Conference; Stake Girl's Camp; Ward Conferences. Enjoyed celebrating with our friends the marriage of their son in the Oakland California Temple ( www.mormon.org) the first part of March, and driving through the beautiful central valley of CA. Busy trying to de-clutter my house; trying to organize my genealogy so I can send it to all my relatives; trying to scan and preserve our pictures and videos...the list goes on and on. I NEED A VACATION!!!

Now things get complicated. My mom just suffered a stroke on Monday (MAR. 20th). She has weakness on her left side, but is showing some ability to move more. Her ability to understand and communicate is hampered with some slurring, but it is recognizable. This is so tough being this far away in a crisis. My dad is trying to hold it all together, and I feel badly that he is doing it all alone. This might be the thing that has them moving to California.

So this is what getting older is all about?! hmmm, why did I want my younger days to hurry by? AAAAAhhhh the simple days of youth...

Time Out For Women

This was a special day that I gave as a present to me and my two friends Connie and Brenda. We got to see a General RS Counselor, Sherry Dew-president of Deseret Book, and her good friend Wendy Watson. Only a month later she (Wendy) married Elder Nelson!

We were treated to speakers and music that were uplifting, and then had a special "spanish-style" lunch in the quaint area of Long Beach. We took thes pictures after a wind-blown walk to lunch!

Relief Society Service

We had a special luncheon with all the stake Women and did a service project that included making up baby kits for the needy. It was a morning well spent. The stake had a wonderful presentation for us, and decorated the cultural hall to look like a baby shower~so fun! I was lucky enough to have two of my girls attend this activity with me (Amy Johnson, and Karen!) I can hardly wait to share such fun service with Laura as well someday.

not a creature was stirring...

Okay so now after a year of having a website and blog area, I am getting the hang of it! Things are as normal...day to day laundry, errands, playing with Heidi, taking care of my calling in Young Women. Yeah, yeah, glamorous I know! But truthfully I wouldn't have it any other way.

So know that I "get it", this techno, new age stuff. I will try to stay up to date with things as they happen.

Brian is getting ready to go up to BYU in Provo, UT after the first of the year. Have been trying to get him prepared for winter!

Karen we hardly ever see since she is either at school or work!

Laura has recently celebrated her 16th birthday with a 4 day extravaganza with her best friend, Kelsey! She is also ready to drive so that will be a whole new world! YIKES.

Well it's one in the morning. I've had fun posting the last of the pictures for our Christmas newsletter. But I'm up WAAAAAYYY past my bedtime. And you know how it goes, 'I be needin' lots of beauty rest lately, just to stay this side of grotesque!'

Have a merry one!