Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving we had the Marx Family and Papa over.  The Marx's arrive Wednesday in time for dinner and stayed through Sunday morning. Papa came Thanksgiving Day for the day.

The Mini's brought two movies to watch with Claude and me. One was "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe". Andie has been reading the Chronicles of Narnia to the kids and they got the movie from Netflix after reading the book. It was very well done. We also got to see Brave for the first time. Hayden and Bailey love that movie. Bailey was even Merida for Halloween. As I watched the movie, I was able to understand why Bailey loves that character. They are a lot alike.

In addition to the movies, we spent some time down the hill playing on our neighbors swingset, playing Harry Potter Uno, adding another layer of paint to our birdhouses, swimming in the big tub, and an afternoon at Explorium in Lexington.

Food was in abundance. I baked my chocolate cake for dessert on Wednesday and left it for the kids to ice while I was in Georgetown singing with Papa. Such an icing job you can't even imagine. Then Michael pestered me all night because he wanted to eat it. I think he really just wanted to pester me. We had ham Wednesday night so we could eat it as sandwiches on Thursday. Claude smoked a wonderful turkey for our Thanksgiving feast giving us more sandwich possibilities on Friday. Claude even introduced two new recipes that we will definitely use again. One was a new stuffing recipe and the other was for mashed potatoes. I prepared my friends sweet potato souffle that I love and had never prepared for the family. All three of these recipes were very much enjoyed. Claude also had another recipe that Andie sent him for a jalapeno bread appetizer thing. Andie made that and we all pronounced that one great as well. Andie had a breakfast recipe using a baked potato stuffed with breakfast things. That was also a keeper. I can definitely pronounce this Thanksgiving a gastronomicaldelicatessenepicureandelight. (That word was borrowed from a restaurant we ate at in California.) 

Friday Andie was trying to come down with a cold. We provided an afternoon nap that helped her a lot. The Mini's and I spent the afternoon in the basement entertaining ourselves with video and games. Papa was also dealing with a head ache so he did not come out that day.

Saturday Andie and Michael had an afternoon date. Claude and I took the Mini's for the afternoon. Andie purchased tickets through Groupon to the Explorium in Lexington. We switched cars so we had the car seats for the Mini's and we were off to Lexington.

Claude had free dinner cards for Cici's pizza so we went there first. The Mini's were so very happy with this idea. It had become a tradition to take grandmonsters to the Cici's in Georgetown when they came but that Cici's closed down. It was great fun to get to do this fun outing again with Hayden and Bailey. Claude brought quarters for the games and the Mini's were told that, if they ate well, they could play the games. Such diligent little diners they became. The cute thing was the music. Music was playing that sounded like the drums they play on Jamaica or one of the Caribbean islands. These two little bodies were in motion to the rhythm of that music the entire time they ate. So cute. Then Pa (Claude) took them to the game room and they each picked out what they wanted to play. Hayden tried everything you could drive. Bailey played Skeeball and that arm that gabs toys game. She was very happy with all her little treasures.

After lunch we found the Explorium and spent the bulk of our afternoon there. The highlights seemed to be the big set of teeth, the puppet theater where they made their own puppet show, the bubble room and the computers in the dinosaur and bug areas. Hayden did a fair amount of spinning on that piece of equipment.

In the bubble room there were two older boys who had the skill to make these huge bubbles. They would make a big bubble and the younger kids would all run under it.

The other really cute thing in the bubble room was the mirrors. You know those mirrors that make you short or fat or tall or whatever. Bailey cracked me up when her head got really big at one point in the mirror. She kept going back and forth to make it big. Hayden had me wondering what he was doing. He found the mirrors and started running back and forth and looking at himself as he ran past this one long mirror. It turns out he thought it looked like apparating in Harry Potter.

When it was time to leave, Pa let them each buy a toy in the gift shop. They each chose a very long stuffed snake. They wrapped them around there necks and enjoyed them very much.

On the way home we stopped at Wendy's for a frosty to end our day. Great fun.

It was a lovely Thanksgiving.

Loving Thoughts...

I have a reading center in my bathroom...Okay, tell me that each of you do not have some system for reading in your bathroom also. I mean really!

When my husband finishes reading the Church News and Mormon Times that come each week, he knows they should be placed on this little table for me to read at my leisure. He also places the AARP magazine and newletter that come regularly. In addition, I keep a book to read that can just be picked up and a few paragraphs read. I also usually keep a Sudoku book there.

In the last couple of months, I purchased a Mathdoku book to challenge my mind a bit. I'm slowly, very slowly, making my way through it. I almost tossed the thing out but determined I really needed to try my mind at this. The five square ones I was beginning to get better at and then they started giving me 6 square ones. Yike!!  Amazing what adding one more number to the possibilities can do to your strategies.

The other day I went to my reading center in my bathroom and happened to notice my Mathdoku book turned so the front was facing down and the back cover was exposed. The back cover had a blank Mathdoku puzzle on it. This is what I found written in the puzzle.

Now if that just isn't the sweetest thing. My Big Guy never said a word. Just left me a wonderful note. Love this man!!! The Math works for me!!!

Inspiring...

I'm bursting with joy and just need to share...

Last night's Institute class was so wonderful. We studied John 9-12. I felt strongly impressed to have the young adults prepare and teach John 9-11. Each chapter has its own story and teaching and was a perfect fit for this type of classroom learning. 

Chapter 9 contains the account of the Savior healing the blind man and draws a wonderful comparison between a blind man gaining not only physical sight but a testimony of the Savior, thus his spiritual sight as well, and the others who had all the training they could want in the scriptures and the law and still were blind to the truth.

Chapter 10 contains the parable of the shepherd caring for his sheep and draws the parallel between the Savior and the shepherd. Jesus states "I am the shepherd", "I am the door" and clearly states his role as our Savior.

Chapter 11 contains the account of Lazarus being raised from the dead. This also clearly shows the role of the Savior as having power over life and death and his tender love for others. It is the chapter that contains that short verse, "Jesus wept".

I did my usual preparation as though I would teach. The end result was a page of questions, quotes, background information, and ideas for each of these chapters. I made six copies of each of these three 3 pages.

The first half hour of class we talked about scripture reading and tracking our reading. Since we are closing in on the end of our semester, we also covered the 75% attendance requirement for credit.

The 2nd half hour we divided the class into three groups. We put two tables against each other to make one large table and had each group sit around their set of two tables. I gave each group the set of six copies of helps for their particular chapter and assigned one of the young adults at their table responsibility for the group. They were then told to read the chapter and prepare with their reading and helps to teach the rest of the class for 10 minutes. Then I told them they could begin.

The most beautiful thing happened. Each of those three tables, with a total of twenty young people in the class ,started their reading and preparation. For thirty full minutes they all read, shared feelings, discussed the notes I gave them, asked questions among themselves and answered those questions and prepared their lessons. As I watched and listened, I was so touched and amazed. Some of those assigned to be the leader deferred to others to do the actual teaching. They were enjoying their 30 minutes to be immersed in the scriptures together.

Then each group took their ten minutes to share. It was such a moving, spirit-filled half hour of them teaching each other. They asked others to read, they asked questions, they shared the things they learned from each other, they even shared personal experiences that fit with their chapter. The spirit was so strong.

After they completed their teaching, I thanked them profusely for filling my cup. Then we all had them turn to John 12 and I asked them to listen and feel and then be prepared to share any insight they gained as I read. I explained that the Savior was bearing witness of himself and his relationship with his Father. I read the verses I selected previously and they listened. Then they shared a few tender comments.

Shirley Akemon offered a most touching closing prayer.

We all felt the Spirit. Every one of us. It was a huge blessing to me and confirmed again to me my testimony of the power and strength of immersing ourselves in a study of the scriptures.

Turtle Wisdom...

I just love turtles. They are sooooo wise...

A friend posted this on Facebook. Other than taking the Lord's name in vain, I love this little bit of optimism.

Music & Memory...

Tonight Claude and I went to the Lexington Opera House to see Glen Campbell in concert. Glen Campbell was very popular in our younger married years. We sang lots of his music with Claude playing his guitar and we listened to it often. When we learned he was coming to the Lexington Opera House, we decided to go listen in person.

As it turns out, Claude saw him in concert many, many years ago. It was during his Connie days. That was well before he knew me. Connie is who he was engaged to when we met. We have been married 42 years so it was a long, long time ago.

This was an interesting evening for me. Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's. My mother passed away in July after a long bout with Alzheimer's. I had many years of living with and dealing with this illness. I found myself watching and listening for all those things I remembered experiencing.

The concert began with an opening act. This act consisted of three young musicians, two of whom were Glen Campbell's children, a daughter and a son. They were excellent musicians and we enjoyed their set very much. Then there was a brief intermission while they moved some things around on stage before bringing out Glen Campbell.

There was actually someone guiding him onstage and into position. Even though the theater was dark and only flash lights were used, you could tell it was Glen and he was being directed as to where to walk.

Once everyone was in place the lights came up and the audience welcomed him with strong applause. They started right in with the music.  He missed a few words on the first song but his voice was still strong and good. You could tell he was in his 70's with his voice but it was in great shape.

Glen's kids were on stage with him throughout his performance. His son plays the guitar and the bass and was on Glen's right side and back a little.  His daughter played banjo, mandolin and a keyboard that was something like a steel guitar. She was on Glen's left side and back a little. Ashley and Glen did two songs where she played the banjo and he played the guitar. One of these was Dueling Banjos and the other was some type of breakdown but I don't remember the name.

I watched Ashley make sure Glen was set to play in the right key. One song in particular he had his capo clipped on the top of the guitar neck and she quietly came from her position and put the capo on the top fret for the key the band was ready to play. He looked at her and grinned and she told him the key they were playing in. He always said, "That's my little girl."

At one point Glen wanted to improvise some comedy in the song and he turned to his son who quickly picked up on what his dad was doing and kept it going.

Occasionally you would catch the kids looking at each other. Or they would be carefully watching Glen at a spot where it seemed they knew there might be difficulty.

I watched these little things and thought of my personal journey down that Alzheimer's road. I remembered the times I could still take my mother out for a few hours. She would join in other peoples conversations in stores as though she were with them. I remember being anxious that they would understand and inserting the word Alzheimer's quietly so they would truly understand. Everyone was kind with her as they understood. Glen's kids were like that with him. It was obvious they cared and wanted him to enjoy this important part of his life, this music that was a part of his very soul. Little cues about words and keys, little introductions so he would pick up and just start playing his guitar and singing, strong endings to music so he knew when to stop. All the little things that help someone have a positive experience without them knowing you are helping.

The audience was gracious as well. Lots of standing ovations and singing along. It was like we were all so happy to have these moments with Glen Campbell before he can't do this at all anymore.

I was happy and sad for his kids. It can be very difficult emotionally to live the Alzheimer's experience with just your own family. To take it on stage and make it work must be grueling on a lot of levels. But to have that time with your dad to build memories for yourself and to give to him is such a blessing. Singing with my father, who has lost so much of his musical ability, has taught me the importance of having this experience while I can, even if it isn't perfect like you might like. So I was happy and sad for the kids. But, most happy and hoping they would remember the good things and the lessons learned during their journey.

Claude and I left the Lexington Opera House feeling good about our experience. The music was good. The audience enjoyed it. And it was nice to watch family be like it is supposed to be as it cares for each other. It was a good evening.

Love and Older People...

Last night we invited a couple from Church to our home for dinner.  Dave and Kerry Rennick were some of the first people we got to know when we moved to Kentucky. We have been their home teacher and visiting teacher for many years now. They are preparing to move and could be gone as early as December. We wanted one more dinner with them before that happened.

We provided the meal. Kerry and Dave brought the dessert. We enjoyed our meal and then sat in the living room and had such a nice visit. Eventually Kerry and I prepared her dessert and served it. Then we continued our visiting.

After they left I thought about the evening. Dave retired a few months ago. He and Kerry are finding their niche quite easily in the retirement lifestyle. But the thing I was most aware of was the joy they find in being together now a lot of the time during the day since he is home more. I pondered that fact and thought about how much Claude and I enjoy having a lot more time together.

It is just so nice and refreshing to find that people can get married and enjoy each other for so many years and then love being together after retirement. That is often not the norm in our disposable world. I'm grateful for that insight and for the fact that Claude and I do love and enjoy being together and are still finding fun at this stage of life together.

It's just nice.

Politics...

Elections were held for president of the United States last Tuesday, November 6th. While many of my friends posted many things on Facebook, some kind, some not-so-kind, I have refrained from all that activity. Not because I have no feelings on this issues. But because I much prefer a discussion rather that hot-headed noise that gets no one anywhere and tears up friendships.

Election day, when we got home from La Grange, we turned on the TV to see what was happening. The campaign race had appeared to be close between Barack Obama, our current president, and Mitt Romney, the challenger. We thought, as did many others, that this would be a long night of watching and waiting to see who would win with the possibility of it taking a day or two to sort out all those votes.

I was surprised at all the places that did 'early voting'. I have voted absentee before when we knew we would be out-of-town on election day. But this was polling places being open during the week prior to election day so that people could come cast their ballot and avoid the rush of election day. That just felt to me like a big opening for voter fraud. I don't know that it turned out that way but I was concerned about that possibility, especially in such a tense election.

The other thing that came of this election was Mitt Romney's presence as a 'Mormon'. It did open up for a lot of information to come out about the Church. A lot of it was positive press and that felt good. So many people feel we are a part of a cult and blindly follow the leaders. This could not be further from the truth. We are each told to study and pray to find our own confirmation of doctrines. Anyone who watched could tell there were many Mormons that were Democrats and not all are Republicans. There were also differing viewpoints on many ballot issues in many states. I found all this part fascinating to observe and the way it allowed me to share some of the truths about the Church with friends during the campaigning season.

However, on election night when we got home and turned on that TV it was already all but over. A few key states with electoral votes that swing the whole election were beginning to show Pres. Obama as the winner. It didn't take even until midnight to know Pres. Obama would be a second term president. We went to bed before Mitt Romney gave his concession speech and before Pres. Obama gave his acceptance speech.

I sat on the love seat in our living room watching this unfold. My feeling was an ominous sense of foreboding. I truly did not think anyone was going to beat Obama. I felt our nation should take notice that a lot of people were looking for someone else to serve as president and a close margin of people showed by their vote that they were unhappy and felt he was not the right person to serve as president. So I wasn't surprised at the end result. I was just almost depressed at the results.

My concern for our future is huge. I will commit myself to prayer for Pres. Obama and those who work with him that they will know and understand and do what is best for all the people. But I don't know if I will ever forget that dark feeling I had as those results were being announced over the TV. I hope we are ready for what is ahead.

Super Saturday...

Saturday, November 10th would be a full day for Claude and me. I had an Inservice meeting for all seminary and institute teachers in the morning. Claude received an eMail that the Georgetown Ward Relief Society needed priesthood holders to be at the church through the day while they held their Super Saturday activity. Claude responded that he would be happy to do that. So our morning started with us each heading in different directions to eventually meet up as the day progressed.

My Inservice meeting was at the Alumni Stake Center. I got there dressed in my Sunday-go-to-meeting duds. I entered the Relief Society room where the meeting was to be held and found myself a seat on the front row table at the end. I pulled out my paper scriptures and set them on the table. Then I pulled out my spiral notebook and pen to take notes. I was ready. They needed someone to play the piano for an opening hymn. I volunteered to do that. When I returned to my seat from the piano I noticed it. Other than the teacher, I was the only one in Sunday-go-to-meeting duds. Not only that, I was the only one with paper scriptures and paper and pen for taking notes. Everyone else had their scriptures on their cell phones or an electronic tablet of some kind. I suddenly felt that weight of my age and generation. It is truly a different age in which we now live.

Our Inservice meeting was really, really good. Lots of good instruction on teaching techniques. A very strong positive feeling was there to lift us up and prepare us to go forward and teach these young people.

After Inservice I headed back to Georgetown via the Sonic to get a soda for the rest of my day. I arrived at our meetinghouse to find the cultural hall filled with tables and supplies and ladies a whir completing projects. Claude walked through and I asked him if he was amazed and he definitely was. My projects were 5 little simple nativity sets. I made one for me, one for each of my three kids, and one for my mum-in-law.

We left about 3:30 to head to Nicholasville, Kentucky again. We were there the Saturday before for a funeral. This time we were headed to the same location for a memorial. Our city clerk's granddaughter, Lily passed away Thursday, November 1st, from brain cancer. She was about 7 years old. The family had her cremated and held this memorial service and time for friends and family to visit. We were there to support Cindy and Billy and meet the family.

Claude treated us to dinner at Zaxby's on the way home.

This time we remembered to stop in Georgetown and pick up Claude's Jeep. It was after 6pm when we got there and the ladies were still cleaning up after the Super Saturday activity. Such dedication.

Countryside Homemakers...

Wednesday, November 7th was my turn to host our Countryside Homemakers at our home. Claude smoked us a brisket for our main course. I cleaned up the main level of our home and declared this an upstairs party. We were ready to go.

As the first guests arrived Claude made his departure. Kathy and Sue arrived first, then Stephanie arrived. Stephanie was going to teach our lesson and wanted to be set up before everything started. She rang the door bell and I heard one tone only. As I went to answer the door, I heard a bad buzzing sound and realized it was the box that contains the door bell workings over the entryway table. Oh dear...

Once I had Stephanie in and pointed to what she needed to set up for her lesson on the island in the kitchen, I picked up the step stool from the pantry and headed to the entryway. I climbed up and took the box off the door bell workings. I couldn't tell what to touch and what not to touch and had a little trepidation about being electrocuted. I determined I should try the breaker box and see if I could reset a breaker that fed to the door bell workings. I tried many switches with any label that looked like it might work. Nothing happened with the door bell but several lights in the house went off and on. What to do, what to do. That buzzing was not going to work during our morning of meeting and lunch.

I called Claude. He was only at City Hall so he returned and set to work. His diagnosis was that the door bell was broken and needed to be replaced. As he worked I closed the door to the basement so in case he was shocked by electricity and fell backward he would only hit the floor and not roll down the stairs to the basement. Sometimes, I'm just the most thoughtful wife!!!  Claude ended up taking the door bell workings off the wall leaving the wires exposed. We carried on with our meeting.

Stephanie taught a wonderful lesson on bread making. We all moved chairs around the island in the kitchen. Stephanie put on her apron and looked a great deal like Betty Crocker. She brought dough she prepared at home and showed us how she makes focaccia bread and a cinnamon loaf. It was delightful and we would enjoy the bread with our lunch.

After our meeting we all enjoyed lunch together. These ladies are good cooks and there was plenty of great food.

We needed to complete our four items to donate for the membership auction Scott County Extension Homemakers will have December 3rd. For our final item we decorated a small Christmas tree with homemade angels. We actually made these little angels at our October meeting as the craft. We loved them so much we decided to make 15 more and decorate a small tree as one of our clubs donated items. I had the 15 angels all made with the exception of putting on their heads, gold thread for a hanger and gluing the bow under their heads. Kathy made the heads and brought them ready to add. While I picked up the dishes and cleaned a bit in the kitchen, Kathy directed the ladies in finished and decorating the little tree with these angels.

At our October meeting we were all challenged to bring to the November meeting a Grab 'n Go Bucket full of emergency supplies. We were given a suggested list of items to fill the bucket with the idea to use an old ice cream bucket. I was very grateful for this goal. As I began to fill my bucket during the month, I realized it was duplicated effort. Claude purchased for me for Christmas a couple of years ago two nice backpacks. We were going to make 72-hour kits out of them. This has been started a couple of times but never completed. I took this opportunity to fill these 72-hour kits instead of my bucket. I can't thank Detta enough for giving us this goal. Here are the buckets that the ladies who remembered brought for our photo op.

We ended our day with a craft class on stenciling which I taught. We had five of us complete our little jar lid covers. The jars can be filled with a Christmas treat and given away.

Since I serve as president this year, I have been giving a little treat to each of the ladies each month. This month I gave them a turkey head that can be placed on a pineapple and serve as a centerpiece for Thanksgiving. It would look better to surround the turkey with fruits and nuts but I had Easter grass and used it instead. The little head is made of felt.

We had a full meeting this month but it was great fun to have all these ladies come to our home and enjoy this time together.

Pilot Hayden...

Our youngest grandson celebrated his eighth birthday a week ago. Where did that time go???

This year I purchased another of those Groupon's for an opportunity for Claude to fly a little airplane again. It was to expire this month. We discussed it and determined that flying in a plane with Pa (Claude) would be a most excellent birthday experience for Claude and Hayden.

Claude called Eagle Aviation and asked if Hayden could fly with him. He was assured that would be okay. Then we contacted Andie to be sure she would be okay with letting her little one go up in a tiny plane with Claude. She said that was okay. The next most fortuitous part of this event was Hayden's birthday was on election day. He would have the day off from school. We could do this on his actual birthday. Claude booked the time for the flight.

Sunday, November 4th, after attending Norma's visitation, we drove over to La Grange and had dinner with the Marx family. Claude wanted to have some time to explain to Hayden what the flight would be like on Tuesday. Hayden functions very well if you fill him with information so he knows what to expect. He curled up with Claude in the big arm chair in the family room and Claude talked to him about noise and movement and all the things he could think of that Hayden might need to know. Hayden asked questions. It was cute.

Tuesday morning we voted and then headed to Louisville. Andie brought Hayden and Bailey to Bowman Field in Louisville for the flight. Hayden came with his bag full of gum to help his ears pop, a jacket in case he got cold, and other things. I came with my old camera set up and ready to take pictures. Hayden would take it on the flight and take all the pictures he wanted as he flew.

The flight was delayed a little so Hayden and Bailey had ample time to run and play and get Hayden's wiggles completely out.

Cody returned from one flight and then called Claude and Hayden over to get in the plane while he did his flight check. Andie and I positioned ourselves to take pictures.

Hayden climbed in the back seat. Claude took one of the front seats. Hayden was given headphones just like Claude and Cody. He could hear all their talk with the tower and they could hear everything Hayden said. While Hayden was flying he took 30 pictures out the windows.

They did a 'touch and go' landing and take-off at another air field. Hayden was fascinated with the tiny buildings and cars below him. What a fun perspective of life for an eight year old.

Soon they were landing and getting out of the plane. You can see Hayden sitting on the wing of the plane as Claude climbs out the door.

Claude was all grins. Hayden was so happy and enjoyed sharing his pictures with Andie and Michael.

Bailey was given Claude's Kindle (Bailey calls it his Candle) to entertain her during Hayden's flight.

Here are Claude and Hayden after their flight. The plane they flew in is behind and you can see Cody getting it ready to return it to the hanger.

We were so happy Michael got to leave work and join us for Hayden's first flight with his Pa.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Marx home. When Michael got home from work we had cake and opened presents. Hayden had Harry Potter cupcakes for his birthday cake this year made by Andie. Some of them had Harry Potter glasses on top and some had snitches on top.

Andie wanted a nice family picture at Hayden's 8th birthday. Can you tell what stage Miss Bailey is at with regard to pictures. Hayden, on the other hand, is perfecting that picture perfect smile with two missing front teeth. This is a keeper of a family moment-in-time picture.

It was a wonderful birthday. Claude and Hayden were both happy with their big adventure.

Norma...

While I know that Laura reads my Blog, I hope this is not hard for her...

Sometimes in this life we are richly blessed to meet someone who becomes a friend one will cherish for eternity. Laura Carter has been that kind of friend for me. The added bonus was I got to know her mother, Norma Ditto.

Norma lived with Laura and Howard and came to Church with them sometimes. This was where I first met her. She had a smile that would light up the room. She was tiny and frail to me even then but she had a spark that was contagious.

Norma was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. She eventually needed 24/7 care and Laura was the care-giver. For a while Norma could navigate in a walker but that eventually didn't work and her days were spent in her bed. Laura and Howard set her up with her bed by the window that overlooked their back deck. There was a bird feeder there and Norma could watch nature through that window as the seasons came and went.

I was able to visit her in their home several times during this last year of her life. I always enjoyed those visits tremendously. As her hand grew thinner with time, she would still hold my hand as we talked of all kinds of things. She would surprise me with her quick wit and wise counsel. I always left feeling uplifted and grateful she was a part of my life.

For Laura and me, the ability to have someone to talk about this time in our lives where we have been called on to care for aging parents was a God-send. We have been able to say anything and everything that came to our minds and hearts. To have that ability to share with complete openness and know there would be no judgment on feelings expressed or events shared and that these words would stay just between us and maybe our spouses was the best therapy anyone can have as they go through those kinds of experiences. They are hard emotionally and wearing even though you are grateful for them in a most tender way. To have that 'kindred spirit' with which to tread that path is a most profound blessing. Laura was and is that friend for me.

Howard called me one day over a week ago and told me that Norma was not going to live much longer. I called Laura that night and we talked briefly. Then we kept our eMail traffic going as time past.

Wednesday, Halloween evening, Norma passed through the veil and ended her mortal journey. Laura called later in the evening. I loved her little story and will share it here. The pastor at Norma's funeral also shared it. Laura said she could picture her mom getting to the pearly gates and St. Peter answering her knock. Norma would look up at him and say, "Trick or Treat!"  We had a good refreshing laugh at that one.

Sunday evening, November 4th was the visitation for Norma. Claude and I went to Louisville after Church and it felt good to get a Laura hug and know my dear friend was holding up well. It was great to see her daughters and hubby and grandsons all there to share in this family time.

Monday morning, I headed back to Louisville for the funeral. The pastor did a fine job with Norma's service. Then we all went to the cemetery for the internment. It was a cold morning. By the time this part of the service was complete, Ben, Laura's grandson, had had enough. He was ready to be down and move those little limbs some. Howard scooped him up and wisked him away from the group. I went back for one more hug from my dear friend before parting. As I walked back to my car, I noticed Howard playing with this cute little grandson. I turned back and asked Laura where her camera was. She is also a picture taking kind of gal. They all turned to where I was pointing. Howard, who is tall and thin, had placed Ben up in the branches of a tree. He was a most happy little guy now. Laura reached for her cell phone and I turned to leave.

These are tender feelings and sentiments for me. I'm grateful for Laura and Norma and the entire Carter family. They have made a positive and profound impact on my life. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father knew my needs so personally as to place this good family in my life. For that I thank him.

I'll miss Norma but I am sure she has met my mother and they, too, are kindred spirits.

Update the Blog...

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Claude invited Papa and I to travel with him to Owingsville for Church. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful ride. A little cold but a great day. Claude had meetings in Lexington right after so I drove to Papa's and picked him up and then we met Claude at the Stake Center in Lexington. Claude then drove us to Owingsville. After we left Claude in Lexington, I took Papa to his apartment where we picked out music for Wednesday at the nursing home. I put on jeans at Papa's apartment for my outing on my way home. It was 2nd Sunday in Georgetown. The Scott County Extension office does this every year to promote being active and having good health. They block off the streets around Georgetown College and you walk them. To support Connie Minch, the Executive Director of the Scott County Extension Office, I participated this year. It was a lovely walk with fall leaves coming down all around as the wind blew. As I rounded the last corner of this huge rectangular walk, I noted the 2 policemen with their car and the fire truck blocking the road for those participating in the walk. I asked them if they were strategically placed at this last turn since that was where the most heart attacks would occur for the walkers. We all got a chuckle. Then I headed home for a quiet evening doing quiet things the rest of the day.

Monday, October 29, 2012

We had Papa bring the four missionaries in our ward out to our home for dinner Monday night. We fixed chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, chuncky veggie salad and a new kind of cornbread. The cornbread had cream corn in it and onions. We opted out of putting the jalapenos in it. We used Claude's coupon and got an ice cream cake for dessert. Yummy meal and the missionaries enjoyed it. Papa likes being the chauffeur.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Claude and I served at the Family History Center. It was one wet, cold day. We had no patrons but had been told someone was coming that day at 1pm. The policy is our shift is from 10am to 2pm. If no one is there by 1:30pm we can close up and head home. We closed up at 1:30 and just as we were about to lock the door the missionaries from Nicholasville came in. It turns out they were the ones who were to have arrive at 1pm. Bless their hearts they were on bikes and one of their bikes broke down. We opened everything back up and showed them what was available. They have several people they are teaching that are interested in their genealogy.

After spending a half hour with them, we made our way to Panera Bread for lunch. We placed our order and I took our cups to fill them with soda. Claude paid and picked out a table for us to sit. When I got to the table our order was ready so Claude went to pick it up. While he was gone I looked around and realized we were in a very 'connected' place. Almost everyone had a laptop or cell phone or tablet of some kind that they were working on. Not to feel like a sore thumb I pulled my Blackberry from my purse and set it on our table. Claude got a chuckle when I explained to him how I was helping us fit into our surroundings.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 - Halloween

I spent the morning visiting teaching Linda Speakes. I love visiting with Linda and her family. We talked for about 1 1/2 hours.

I spent the afternoon singing with Papa at the nursing home.

In the evening I put on my long time favorite Halloween sweater, Claude filled the pumpkin plate with candy and turned on the lights. Then we settled in to give our Halloween candy. We had a record 21 Trick-or-Treaters this year. This was the most ever in our 8 years of living in Kentucky. Claude kept the count and I handed out the candy.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Institute night. I baked Snickerdoodles for their treat this time. When I taught seminary my practice was to take my glass pumpkin cookie jar and fill it with Snickerdoodles. Then we would do scripture mastery games that morning in seminary and enjoy lots and lots of Snickerdoodles. I told the young adults they were getting Snickerdoodles because I was waxing nostalgic. Trust me...they were very happy. I have now learned that Snickerdoodles and Krispy Kreme donuts are two of the best treats for them after Institute.

Friday, November 2, 2012

This day found me baking more Snickerdoodles. The Georgetown-Scott County Museum was having an open house for all their members for a special viewing of the Political Memorabilia Exhibit they have through the end of November. Claude is on the board so I was asked to make cookies. I was on a Snickerdoodle roll.

We attended the invitation only Grand Opening of the exhibit on Sunday, September 30th after Church. I was in a hurry to get home that day so I left my hubby doing his member of the board duties and left without viewing the exhibit. I was happy to be able to go back on the night the members got to come and view the exhibit. It is a very well done exhibit and probably the largest of its kind ever in Kentucky. No small feat for a tiny Museum. Several of the men locally have large personal collections of memorabilia. They also have loans from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky that fill out the exhibit. It had things from the 1800's gubernatorial races to the present as well as a lot of things about state senators. The one that struck me as the silliest was the man who ran for Governor with the last name of Dummit. Bless his little pea-pickin' heart, that is just a sad name to put on buttons and things. 'Vote of Dummit' just doesn't have the strong punch one needs to get elected.

Saturday, November 3, 2012

We attended the first of several funerals/memorials. Jim Parker in our ward (congregation) lost his daughter, Libby, to brain cancer. She lived so much longer than anyone predicted she would live. We attended Jim's wife, Karen's, funeral earlier this year after she passed away from pancreatic cancer. It was a lovely service at a funeral home in Nicholasville. We took Papa with us. He and Jim have become friends through all of this. They have gone on several day rides together.

That is one week of quick updates.