Snow, Awards, a Play, Dental Visits, Cookie Decorating, Church Cleaning,

Monday, February 23rd, we awoke to a bit of snow on the ground again. Ugh. Fortunately, it was not a lot and the driveway and sidewalks cleared on their own. Yippee!!

I love turtles. That is one of my favorite words and therefore became a fascination that led to collections of turtles. This showed up on Facebook and it truly spoke to where Claude and I are physically. Still chuckling.

Our daughter, Andie, teaches at Camden Elementary School in Crestwood, Kentucky. The schools are each allowed to select one teacher to receive the "Ignite Passion Award" for their outstanding efforts as a teacher. Andie was chosen for Camden Elementary and received the award at the Oldham County School Board meeting. Andie shared a Facebook post of a letter a parent sent to Camden Elementary praising Andie for all her efforts with her child in school. I believe our daughter has found her niche in the work world. What a blessing for all the kids that she teaches. She told us to check out the school board meeting on YouTube. We did and were able to watch her get this award from our living room. I videoed and took pictures as we watched the proceedings. Congratulations, Andie! 

Tuesday, February 24th, I was very productive this day. I hunkered down in Sandiland and worked on Relief Society things. This included getting the March newsletter in order. A few more things to add after our activity that would happen on Thursday. I also made the spreadsheet for our lessons for the next six months. We won't choose them until after General Conference. But the spreadsheet is ready to insert the lessons and links. I also found the next six months of council questions for our Relief Society meetings and then updated the conducting form on the Google Drive. It felt really good to get a handle on these things. 

We have a motorcycle friend who has liver cancer. I wanted to send a note to him and his wife. I searched through our GWRRA (Gold Wing Road Riders Association) pictures to see if I could find one of them for our biking days. I did not find one picture of them. I had to write the note without including a picture. However, as I searched through the pictures, I did find this one and sent it to Jake. We had our International Rally in Billings, Montana in 1997. Jake came to join us and sang the National Anthem for Canada and the United States at our opening ceremonies. This is Jake with the Canadian Royal Mounted Police that were in attendance. Lots of fun biking memories. 

I also came across this fun picture on Facebook. We have been to Iceland and did not see these. I think this is a great idea. Power lines like giants walking across the land. Love this.

In the evening, we watched "Christmas with C.S. Lewis". We attended this one-man play in Louisville in December 2025. We were given a link to watch the play again at home. I have saved that eMail with the link. We were going to see "The Screwtape Letters", a play based on the book by C.S. Lewis on Wednesday evening. This would make a great prelude to that outing. This is an excellent play and we would recommend it to others. 

Wednesday, February 25th, during the day I walked the treadmill, crocheted and read another Come, Follow Me lesson. 

Claude had a dental visit that was epic. He is getting an implant on a back tooth. He is working with a dentist in Lexington to put the base for the post in his gum and has watched to be sure it was healed and ready to receive the post and then crown on top. He declared it ready and sent Claude back to our regular dentist who was to install the post and make the molds for the crown to be made to go on top of the post. Claude arrived at the dentist off and was waiting in the lobby. They came out and told everyone they had to clear the building. There was a odor that might be something bad and the fire department was on their way to check thing out. All the patients went to their cars to wait. The firetrucks came, the firemen checked all the offices in the building and declared it safe. Back inside all the patients went. They made partial molds for the crown. However, they did not have the right size post to put in the base. Dr. Hollen thought Dr. Morrow was sending the right post with Claude. Dr. Morrow thought Dr. Hollen already has the right post. Claude ended up rescheduling for Thursday morning so they could get the right size post. Ugh!

In the evening, we had dinner at Firehouse Subs and went to the Lexington Opera House to watch the one-man play based on C.S. Lewis' book "The Screwtape Letters". It is a series of letter written by Screwtape to his nephew, Wormwood. They are both Tempters (think followers of Satan trying to steer mortals into a life that follows Satan. I read the book years ago when Russ Evens lived with us one summer. He loaned it to Claude and me and we both read it then. I purchased the book for my Kindle after I purchased tickets to this play. I was able to reread it. It takes some effort for me as I am used to reading a book for the point of view of the good overturning evil. This is a series of letter with Screwtape counseling his nephew, Wormwood, in how to undermine the faith of a man he is assigned to bring down. C.S. Lewis is masterful at explaining the thinking process of mortals and how to twist it to Satan's advantage. It is a very interesting read. The play was 1 1/2 hours. If you read the book it would take around six hours. They followed the storyline of the book very well. Claude and I both enjoyed this play. A little different but very enjoyable.

Thursday, February 26th, Claude was back at Dr. Hollin's office. The post was installed and the rest of the molds for the crown were done. Now he waits for the crown to be sent to Dr. Hollin and then they can complete this installation of his implant. Poor guy!

I was able to watch a Northern Disclosure. I also had a nice chat with Katelyn. She and Drew and planning an August 15th trip to Detroit to go through the temple. So happy for these two and their little family.

In the evening, I went to the Relief Society Activity. It was Cookie Decorating. The ladies all had fun. The extra kits went home to be given to sisters who couldn't attend. I loved the smiles on these ladies faces as we enjoyed this activity. 

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Friday, February 27th, we started our day by cleaning in the church. The congregation is divided into teams. There were three other couples on our team. Claude and I went before the others and he cleaned the chapel. I did the bathrooms. Together we emptied all the trashcans from the classrooms. When we finished, we were both completely undone. We went home and sat down with a cold soda for a bit of a break.

I was able to get the Relief Society announcements ready and eMail to Jennifer Barber for the bulletin. I finished the draft of the Relief Society newsletter and sent it to Jenessa Dymock for approval.

Claude and I figured cleaning the church was close to doing yardwork. That meant a burger was in order for dinner. Burger King was where we went followed by Dairy Queen for a little dessert. Yum!

Saturday, February 28th, was a productive day at home. Laundry was done, treadmill was walked, Relief Society newsletter was disbursed and filed, Claude hair was cut, and a start was made on this week's Blog.

Sunday, February 29th, was a good Sabbath Day. I bore my testimony in Sacrament Meeting. I passed the calendar to feed the missionaries during Sunday School. Claude and I went to Arby's for lunch and I totally enjoyed my BLT on Market Fresh Bread and Apple Turnover. Yum! Then home for Claude to get a nap and me to clear the DVR. I don't nap but I do pause and rest while clearing the DVR. In the evening, I had a Google Meets Relief Society meeting that was very productive. I spent the rest of my evening messaging with Paul. He would have a court date on Monday and was very, very anxious about it. So grateful for ways to communicate with my family.

Movies, Reading, Temple, Teeth, Music...

Monday, February 16, 2026, we started a very average week. That is not a bad thing. Some weeks are simply more full than others. This week we did normal things. Read on...

I did laundry, walked the treadmill, completed the previous week's Blog and pictures, started reading Lost Horizon and had a long phone call with Betty Dixon. See...normal.

I purchased "Lost Horizon" for my Kindle after watching a documentary about some perfect place in the Himalaya's or somewhere like that. Very remote and very high in the mountains. It would have been next to impossible to find unless you knew exactly how to get there. However, even though the place in the documentary was high in the very tall mountains, the climate was such in the spot that all kinds of wonderful food grew in abundance. The people we perfect. No crime. I cannot remember the name given in the documentary. Then the documentary said the stories of this place prompted author James Hilton to write the book "Lost Horizon". He would name his place Shangri-La. It was a good read. The verbiage was from a different time. I enjoy seeing these words that we don't use anymore. It seems we are now emoji's, mime's and letters in groups for phrases. So sad to not know how to use such interesting turns of phrase and very descriptive words. Here is are a few phrases that caught my attention: 

• "The eastern races were abnormally dilatory, but rather than Englishmen and Americans charged about the world in a state of continual and rather preposterous fever heat." 
• "The first quarter-century of your life was doubtless lived under the cloud of being too young for things, while the last quarter-century would normally be shadowed by the darker cloud of being too old for them; and between those two clouds, what small and narrow sunlight illumines a human lifetime! ...by the standards of Shangri-La your sunlit years have scarcely yet begun."
• "We are not workers of miracles; we have made no conquest of death or even of decay. All we have done and can sometimes do is to slacken the tempo of this brief interval that is called life. We do this by methods which are as simple here are they are impossible elsewhere, but make no mistake; the end awaits us all."
• "Then, my son, when the strong have devoured each other, the Christian ethic may at last be fulfilled, and the meek shall inherit the earth." 
• "The exhaustion of the passion is the beginning of wisdom."
• "He liked the mannered, leisurely atmosphere in which talk was an accomplishment, not a mere habit."

The story involves four very different people taken by plane to this remote spot. The end result is that they are supposed to stay in Shangri-La the reminder of their lives. Two eventually escape. The problems with perfect Shangri-La is there is no opposition. Life is really like a hum. You get lulled into this state of being and you don't realize it is not really good for your personal growth. We are taught in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that there must be opposition in all things. We were given agency to use to prepare us to live with Heavenly Father. To really use agency on earth, there must be opposition so you make choices. If you make a mistake, you repent, learn and grow. If you make a good choice you grow. Life is meant to have rough places to polish us in our journey. Shangri-La would really do none of that. I did enjoy the read. 

Betty called to tell us that Bill Zortman, another motorcycle friend, had liver cancer and was going into a care facility and would have hospice there. He is simply tired and feels his time is coming. Peg is his wife and they have had long talks to plan and be ready. Hard time and difficult decisions. Love these people and the impact they have made on my life.

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, on Sunday, February 15th, we learned that Robert DuVall passed away. He was an actor that both Claude and I enjoyed. We decided to pull every DVD we owned with Robert DuVall in it and watch these movies. 

We had ten initiatories to be done at the Louisville Kentucky Temple. We made and appointment for 11:30am. Claude was able to do all five and then five more names the temple had on file. I was only able to do three of the five names I had. It was a good morning in the temple. We went to Red Robin after for lunch only to find it was closed down completely. So we found City Barbeque and enjoyed lunch there before returning home. 

Wednesday, February 18, 2026, I finished reading "Lost Horizon". 

We had a good long visit with Jake. His cat, Soot, had to have teeth removed. 

Watched more Robert DuVall movies.

Thursday, February 19, 2026, a real exciting day. My goal was to dust, sweep and vacuum the house. I did that. Claude went to Lexington for a dentist visit and was told his gum was ready for the implant to be installed. He had to call our dentist to set up that appointment. More Robert DuVall movies.

Friday, February 20, 2026, we drove to Campbellsville University to watch Bailey in the Wind Ensemble concert. They did four numbers. Bailey participated in 3 of them. And, she got to sit at the end of the row making it great for pictures. 

The musical numbers are each too long to post on my Blog. The first was "Symphony for Brass and Percussion", the second was "One Life Beautiful". The final number was 10 1/2 minutes long. It was titled "Godzilla Eats Las Vegas". This final number was over the top. They had a video playing over the Ensemble of Godzilla, The Ensemble had places were they stamped their feet, they yelled when Godzilla tried to destroy the city, and, at the very end, some of the students open canisters of confetti and shot them toward the audience. The young people really loved performing this number. This was the one Bailey really wanted us to see. She said it challenged her like no other piece and it was important enough for us to see it that she said she would not ask us to come to Junior or Senior Recital. When this number finished, Claude looked at me and said, "It was nice but you can't dance to it." Oh My!!

After the concert, Andie and Michael took us all to McCallister's for dinner. Fun to have a visit.

Saturday, February 21, 2026, we set this day aside to watch "Lonesome Dove". It has at least four DVD's to it. We started our day with a biscuit run with a stop at CVS to pick up my prescription. 

After the movie was over, we got a call from Katelyn, it seems Drew's mother was in the hospital and having test done with a surgery to follow. Katelyn wanted her Grampa to say a prayer with her. Claude had a gift of the Spirit when it comes to saying prayers and giving blessings. So grateful Katelyn reaches out for this blessing. We put Drew's mother's name on the temple prayer roll.

Sunday, February 22, 2026, we got up. I looked out the window and it was a little gray but nothing to worry about. We got our showers and ready and have about 20 minutes before time to leave. When it was time to go, Claude opened the garage door behind the Jeep. We were amazed that there was a real snow show going on outside. There was a coating of snow over the ground, sidewalks and driveway. Ugh! 

Sacrament meeting was wonderful. Josh Rayburn and Richard Risher spoke. I then got pictures for some of the sisters serving in Young Women and nursery for the March Relief Society newsletter. Then I enjoyed Shelby Brimley's lesson on families. She had two questions: 1) What is the purpose of marriage? and 2) What is the value of children? I shared that Claude and I celebrated our 56th anniversary the previous Friday. I shared what a delight it was for us to sit and reminisce about all that had happened to us in those 56 years. Then I assured the sisters (who had talked a lot about little children) that, as much as I enjoyed my grands and great grands, it was a perfect delight to reach the point where our children's children are all out of their homes and we have adult time with them. That is a true blessing of having children for your life. Then Cassie Zitter spoke up and said, "I want to say something about Sis. Christensen. I think she and her husband should write a book about dating. They go on more and better dates than I did when I was dating." It was a fun moment. Didn't realize others were paying attention to Claude and me that much. It is nice to know we are viewed in such a good light. 

After getting sandwiches from Jimmy Johns, we drove home in the snow and curled up in our little house. Claude would nap and I would watch and delete items I have DVR's. We finished the final two Robert Duvall movies. Good end to our Sabbath Day.

56 Years and Counting...

Monday, February 9th, I slept in. Not sure if it was the barometric pressure changes or what, but I was very, very achy. I found a comfortable spot in our bed under our wonderful flannel sheets and simply didn't want to move because it hurt all over so much. 

I was able to get more done on the baby afghan. I got to the rows that begin to repeat the pattern. This always makes the work go a bit more easily. I have done this pattern before and than helps me read the pattern more easily. 

I also finished the 2nd book in The Book of Enoch. I came across something that I shared with our family. 

        "I am reading "The Book of Enoch". It is an apocryphal book. I read this bit today and thought about our Trivial Pursuit question about the 5th sense. Here are the Lord's words to Enoch regarding creating human faculties (think senses):

        "I gave humans seven faculties: hearing to the flesh, sight to the eyes, smell to the soul, touch to the veins, taste to the blood, endurance to the bones, and enjoyment to the intelligence."

        Just thought ya'll might find that interesting.

Then I finished up my Blog for the previous week and put the pictures away.

This was a bit warmer day. The high was forecast for 46 degrees. I could actually see some grass along the edge of the sidewalk. 

In the evening, I received a message from Katelyn. She was trying to have a Family Home Evening with her kids about Noah's Ark. She knows I love Noah's Ark. She was wondering if I could participate in their Family Home Evening. I quickly responded yes. Then went to Sandiland and found my autographed book of Noah's Ark. I did a video call to the Ropers. Claude held the book while I read the story. It was great to be able to participate like that. 

Tuesday, February 10th, my day was consumed by going to the Vascular Surgeon. The appointment was at 2pm. Claude drove me so we could have a meal together in Lexington. I knew they were going to do an ultrasound on my legs again. This was done last year by another office. I was surprised when she said I had a $200+ co-pay. We have not had to pay anything in a LONG time. We are starting a new year and I haven't reached my deductible yet. Is that really a goal I want to reach!?  

The appointment went well. One tech did the ultrasound on both legs while another tech did a blood pressure test. The blood pressure test has her putting blood pressure cuffs on my arms and at my ankles. The ultrasound was testing the blood flow on the main artery from my groin to my feet. Fortunately, the gel she used was heated. Yeah!! Both tests went fairly quickly and then I went to see the PA to get the results and determine what to do in the future. 

The PA drew a very nice diagram of my heart with the artery running to the tops of my legs where it splits into two arteries doing down the front of my legs. At the ankles it splits into three to cover the feet. All the tests run that day showed I have 100% blood flow at my arms at the shoulder level and 100% blood flow at my ankles. Around the calf area I have some blockage but since I have 100% at each end this is not a concern. If I had diabetes or if I had sores on my feet or legs, there would be concern. I had the option of returning in one year or watching of anything more concerning to appear and calling to come in. I opted to watch and call. I will let Dr. Fine, my podiatrist, be my guide. 

At this point I am happy with the neurology office treatment and feel it is helping. I will continue to go to them every few months. They are the office that did the nerve tests. Between then and Dr. Fine, I will progress as best I can. 

When all of that was finished, Claude and I opted to go to Schlotzsky's for a sandwich for our meal-of-the-day. We were almost in two wrecks on Nicholasville Road. This is a mad street to drive in on the best of days. However, with piles of snow in turn lanes, it was exceptionally dangerous. Claude missed the turn on Tiverton for Schlotzsky's. while trying to avoid a wreck. We went down to Man O'War and turned right and found a back road to Tiverton. That will be our route to Schlotzsky's from this point forward. The sandwiches were delicious. So fun to get to eat something we can't get in Georgetown. 

In the evening, Hayden sent us a funny. This was the first day in many weeks we were out of freezing temperatures. We actually made it to 64 degrees. Hayden is in Chicago. He sent this meme with the comment 44 degrees outside! I assured him he cracked me up!

Wednesday, February 11th, we had a Bojangles breakfast. We got to talking. I ran out of soda. Claude went thru the drive-thru and got us each another. Then we pulled into a different spot with the sun behind our backs. We sat in the Jeep with our biscuits and soda for 3 hours talking. It was wonderful. I do love these biscuit breakfasts. 

I was able to do some more on my crochet project. Actually, I had to undo two rows the night before and I did them again and found that one of them was not right. I undid that row and redid it and added some more rows. All I can say it that it is a good thing this had no deadline to be accomplished. It is a killer for my right arm. But I enjoy it so much. Tylenol is my friend to keep doing this.

I then finished the 3rd book in The Book of Enoch. It was such an interesting read. I didn't get all of parts of it. I found things that sounded like true principles or interesting turns on principles. Those I highlights in pink. I read that Enoch's wife's name was Edna. That kind of took me aback. It was a good read and I am glad I now have it in my library. Now, on to read Lost Horizon by Hames Hilton. 

My cousin, Jean Tubbs, has angiosarcoma cancer. This is a rare, very aggressive form of cancer that  forms in the lining of blood vessels and lymph vessels. It can return and metastasize. Jean had surgery, followed by chemo and radiation. They thought it was gone. It has returned and is in her head and chest. She is now back to chemo. Her daughter, Georgann, has started a fund raiser to help with all the cost of this second round. I admire her greatly for doing this but I don't live in southern Louisiana and really don't want to purchase and have something shipped to me. I wanted to simply make a donation from Claude and me. We were able to get that done this day. It is a little but it is sent with much love and prayers. Jean is Uncle Clifford's daughter. Uncle Clifford is my mother's brother. Uncle Clifford and and Billie had three kids. Sue, Jean and Burton. They are roughly me and my sisters ages. I have so many great memories of us all playing in the woods around Grampa and Gramma Fisch's old home place. 

Claude and I decided to try KFC for dinner. Went through the drive-thru and brought it home. I had my chicken strips but no coleslaw. Such is life. 

We would finish our day by finished watching the Psych television series. 

Thursday, February 12th, would be a productive day in preparation for a weekend getaway.

I was able to listen to a podcast that Claude shared with me. It was about the 85% rule. It was excellent. It spoke to the fact that 85% of people don't live to 82 years of age. This is because of their choices. He described 5 areas of importance and went through those areas two times. He gave great examples of the area and how to apply it in our daily life. I was so impressed by his podcast, I typed an outline of the general concepts and have placed it on our refrigerator as a constant reminder. Here is my list:

Why 85% don’t make past 82 years old.

MISTAKE  /  CORRECTION

1) Long unbroken periods of sitting

        • Every 30 minutes stand and stretch.

        • Intense workout not necessary after 60. Frequency is more important.

        • Build motion into your life.

2) Social isolation

        • 1-2 meaningful regular connections

        • Connection is your job.

        • Don’t leave relationships to chance

3) Voice in head saying “I’m too old for that.”

        • Keep learning. New hobby. Read different book.

        • Treat your brain like a muscle.

4) Bad Sleep

        • Structure. Plan for it.

                o Habits to queue your body it is time to sleep. No screens 1 hour before sleep.
                        No caffeine after 2pm.

        • Treat your bedroom as if it is a temple.

5) Giving up on the future

        • As long as you are breathing, you have a future.

        • Purpose keeps people alive. Find your reason.

        • Refuse to be forgotten.

        • Make plans.

Claude and I had a talk before he heard this podcast about where we were in our lives. We had both been feeling a little sad. We couldn't put our finger on a reason. We are grateful for our lives and what we fill them with. We felt like this very cold, snowy January was part of the reason. We have closed all our blinds to keep out the cold and it can feel very isolating, especially when you are used to having them open all the time. We feel a decline in our physical abilities. How much of that is normal and how much is not. Those kinds of things were what we were feeling and were contributing to the sad feeling. When Claude heard this podcast, it was spot on to what we needed to hear. Now, we simply need to take it to heart and keep moving, interacting with others, learning, sleeping better and not giving up on our future. 

Friday, February 13th, was our 56th anniversary. We were going to fill this weekend with us. That would start with a Bojangles breakfast to eat on the road as we drove to Seymour, Indiana. 

We had a 1pm appointment to learn to make candles. The appointment was at Oma & Opa's Pour House in Seymour, Indiana. After about a two hour drive, we arrived a bit early for our appointment. 

This was a tiny storefront business. This main room had the types of containers you could choose to make your candle in, the scents you could select for your candle fragrance and work tables set with different settings depending on the type of candle you will be making. 

This was my work place setting. I would pour my wax into the blue jar container behind. The little chrome container on the left is for measuring out the fragrance. The wax would go into the chrome cup. I would pour the fragrance into the cup and stir with the spoon for 3 minutes. There was a 3-minute sand clock timer to let me know how long to stir the fragrance and wax together. Then I would pour the blend into the blue jar. The black frame around the top is to hold up the wick as the wax cools and solidifies. The ladies husband makes these frames with his 3-D printer. 

This was workplace for Claude's candle. He chose a wooden bowl for his candle. He had a bit more work to do to put his candle together. The wooden bowl would have three wicks in it. The wicks had a sticker on the bottom that he would remove and place each in a circle cut out of the black plastic guide which is at the bottom of this bowl. Once he had the wicks stuck in place, the black plastic frame was put over them and the wicks were threaded through three holes in the frame. This would keep them up as the wax solidified. Claude chose to combine two fragrances. The glass beaker would be his measuring cup and the metal scale on the lower right of his tray would measure the exact amount he should have of fragrance. The lady put his wax in the metal pitcher on the top left of his tray. Claude would take the metal spoon and stir his fragrance mix into the was for 3-minutes using the a 3-minute sand clock timer. Then he would carefully pour this mixture into the wooden bowl.

A bit about the fragrances...they have over 70 different fragrances. You can use one or mix up to three fragrances. We had sheets with lists on the front and back. The yellow column was the single fragrances. If you mixed, the other columns to the right were suggestions of fragrances that go well together. This was just a guide, you could mix as you liked. I had magnolia in my head as soon as we chose this for our anniversary trip. I grew up in Louisiana. Magnolia is the state flower. My mother loved magnolias. Papa worked for the telephone company. He would walk to Betty Virginia Park on his lunch break and pick a magnolia blossom for my mother. She would place it on the mantel in the living room and the fragrance from one flower would fill that whole room. I loved it. Magnolia would be my choice. Claude went for a citrus fragrance mix of blood orange and citrus agave. We loved our blood oranges when on the Amalfi Coast. It turned out to be a great choice.

The owner took this picture of Claude and I in her shop. We are wearing t-shirts that Nissa and Todd gave us for our anniversary. They say "Love Will Keep Us Alive". This is my favorite Eagles song and it sung by Timothy B. Schmidt. The candles needed to cool before we could take them with us. We would come back later and pick them up. 

We walked down the street to the museum. The Seymour Museum Center, located at Third and Chestnut Streets, features a restored Civil War soldier statue placed outside by the Grand Army of the Republic in 1890. I really wanted to find out who this statue depicted. I believe it was to represent all who served not in honor of one specific person. The museum, housed in the former 1916 post office/city hall, displays local history and is in the downtown area. Unfortunately, the museum was closed. Don't you think the hat and scarf are a good addition for winter?

I asked Claude what he might want to do as we had about a hour before we could check into the hotel. He really wanted a chocolate shake. We drove past the Dairy Queen, which was closed for the season, and found a Steak & Shake. Their chocolate shake hit the spot. We had a bit of time to reflect on our 56 years. 

We checked into our hotel and sat till time to pick up our candles. After getting our candles, we drove a few blocks over to Mae's Townhouse for our meal-of-the-day. 

Mae's Townhouse has been a restaurant in this area for many years. It has changed owners several times, almost closing several times. But the locals love it, so someone has always stepped up and kept it going. It is all home cooking. I had country fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy (lunch sized portion) and Claude had the fish plate (special for the day). 

As we sat there in our anniversary t-shirts, Claude commented about a cute little girl sitting at the counter. She was dressed in a frilly dress covered in hearts. She was wearing a headband with two hearts bobbing around on top. We grinned at her and kept on talking. In a few minutes, she came over to our table and gave us this piece of plastic. My heart melted. I told her how special this day was to us, that we were celebrating 56 years of marriage, and that 'love' was the perfect thing to give us. She stayed at our table and talked until our food arrived. She was 8 years old. She loved reading and math. I shared pictures of our family with her. It was simply delightful. What a treat. 

After dinner, we stopped at a gas station to get a sweet for dessert and some water for our room. Then back to the hotel for the evening. Other than the television remote not working and the front desk clerk quickly fixing that situation, we had a great evening. We exchanged our gifts. Claude gave me Arwen's pendant which she gave to Aragorn. I gave me gift cards to three restaurants we enjoy so we could continue having fun into our 57th year. Claude also put another nickel in the nickel jar when we returned home. We have 56 nickels, one for each year of our marriage.

Saturday, February 14th, We slept in a bit. Then we went to Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. Andie and Michael gave us a Highway Showdown game for Christmas. We answered the questions in one of the decks of cards in the box. Trivia can be a very generational kind of game. Some of the musicians and actors we were totally clueless about. That is very generational. We still have the second deck of cards for our trip to Dallas later in the year. 

We had planned to meet Michael and Andie at Red Hot. This is a restaurant in Louisville they tried and enjoyed. It features hot dogs and hamburgers and a couple of salads. Claude had a bratwurst dog with his choice of toppings. I am not a fan of bratwurst so I chose a salad with all veggies and a bit of bacon. This restaurant was set in a place called Mash Up. It featured a number of little restaurants along two outer walls and center of the building. Then other two walls had areas for kids to play as well as a stadium seating area with a big screen where the Olympics were being shown. If I lived in downtown Louisville, a place like this would figure big on my list of favorites to visit, especially if I had kids. 

One of the businesses was a bakery. Michael bought a box of day-old backed goods. He and Andie included a chocolate turtle because I LOVE turtles. This made an excellent dessert for the four of us. We had a lovely time with Michael and Andie. 

Then we headed home. We unpacked and placed our candles in our home. I put my magnolia candle on the little table in the bathroom. Claude put his blood orange/citrus agave candle on the coffee table in the living room. We were told to let them sit for a least a week before burning them. Something in the chemistry helps the fragrance and the wax mixture to bind and cure together. We love these candles. 

Katelyn posted picture of Raelyn. She had her first volleyball game. She is such a bundle of energy. The child has not one ounce of fat on her. She is all muscle. Volleyball could be her game. She does enjoy soccer.

Sunday, February 15th, we determined we would have one more day together. We did talk with Kris, Cordell's wife (Cordell is Claude's younger brother). She gave us an update on Cordell's health. It is really difficult. They are wading through it heroically. We had a nice dinner at Cattlemen's Roadhouse. Claude did participate in a Zoom meeting. It was a nice ending day to our anniversary celebration. 

Katelyn posted a picture of her and Joel having a little son/mother date. So very cute. 

Time to begin year 57!