In Loving Memory...

Thursday, February 16th, was a rainy, miserable day. A storm with big thunder and lightening, heavy rain and strong winds came in overnight and would stay through most of the day. Claude had to be up early and off to Frankfort. His drive to Frankfort was miserable due to this weather. Claude is Stake Communications Director at church. Several stakes in our area all organized visits with the stake legislators in their area that would each last 10 - 15 minutes. Claude organized and needed to lead our stakes attendees through this process. On top of this, he came down with a lovely head cold. Ugh!! He would be able to get through all of this and then get home in time for an hour nap before we traveled.

Travel was what I prepared for while Claude was gone. I tried to print our boarding passes and it would not work. Into the rain I went to get his prescriptions and some other things. I tried again to print boarding passes and it would not work. Packing was completed and all was ready when Claude returned. I tried again to print boarding passes and it would not work. I did have them on my cellphone. 

You see, we had planned and made all the hotel, car and flight reservations for an 53rd anniversary trip to Phoenix, Arizona. We booked a cruise on the Dolly Steamboat on Canyon Lake. We also booked a 45-minutes helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon. Then...we received the news that Joann, Claude's sister, had passed away. Her funeral was to be the Friday (Feb 17th) before our Monday through Friday (Feb 20 - 24th) trip. We decided to go to the funeral and stay out west. I could not change the flights on-line as we needed to add a leg from Salt Lake City to Phoenix. This meant I called Delta and had to talk to an agent help us set this up. We were blessed to secure an evening flight on Thursday which allowed Claude to attend all the Frankfort event. 

The next problem was rental cars. When we finished setting up the flights, it was midnight. We were tired and I told Claude I would get the rental cars for Utah and Arizona the next day. That was a good plan. However, there was some big ball game event in Salt Lake City and they didn't want to rent a car for the limited amount of time I needed it for a funeral. The end result for Salt Lake after talking with Hertz was to rent for a week, pay when I returned and get a refund on the days I didn't use. I truly couldn't see Hertz letting me take a car without paying first. But, the agent said they would. Booked a car for the week in Salt Lake. Then tried to change the car rental I had for Phoenix from Monday through Friday to Sunday through Friday. Again, they couldn't do that. No cars available. I talked to the Alamo agents supervisor and was still told no. I was told that upon arrival in Phoenix, I should go to the rental car area (not on the airport site) and see if they might have a car. This was now our plan. We had a car we could pick up Monday evening. Leaving us Sunday and Monday with no car. I changed our hotel plans to a hotel close to the airport with a shuttle in case we couldn't get a car. Whew. 

Claude awoke from his much needed nap. I tried one more time to print our boarding passes and it would not work. Claude tried on his laptop and it worked fine. Ugh!! We loaded the Jeep with our luggage and were off to Cincinnati Airport in what the forecast said would be this awful powerful storm. Another blessing. We had a few light showers, no big storm. Hallelujah.

Our plan was to have a good meal in Cincinnati Airport at Max & Erma's. They were closed. We opted for Plan B...seemed to be a pattern here...and ate at The Outback. 

While there I was texting with Kris. She and Cordell were staying in our hotel in Brigham City, Utah. She asked if they could pick us up and be our wheels while in Utah. YES!! That meant we would not have a rental car issue in Salt Lake. Another blessing. I cancelled the Hertz rental car and gave our arrival information to Kris. 

Our flight went well. We were very happy to see Cordell at the foot of the escalator when we left the airport. On to the Holiday Inn Express in Brigham City for the next two nights. 

Friday, February 17th, was Jo's funeral. The viewing was at 9am with the funeral at 11am all at the Thatcher Penrose church. It was good to see family again. We walked into the Relief Society room for the viewing. John was there talking to two of his friends. He was in a sports coat and tie. Now, I never see John dressed like this. It took me a minute to pick out my very casual brother-in-law. It was good to give him a big hug and tell him we love him. This two hours was a good time to see family and catch up with them.

I was visiting with Marlene, John's sister. She told the story of visiting John and Jo and asking the names of all of Jo's donkeys. John started to tell her and Marlene quickly realized they were all named after John's siblings. She also noted that none of Jo's siblings had a donkey named after them. Marlene said, "It is okay. I have been known to be an ass. I can say that because it is in the Bible."

Flowers from Claude and our family.

Flowers from Jo's siblings.

Daniel, Rick, Lynette and Brian Drysdale. CJ, Chris and Kayla McCombs. Lynette and Kayla are Claude's younger sisters.

Jo's casket. She was a veteran. 

Jo's siblings. Claude, Tami, Cordell, Lynette and Kayla. 

Jo's siblings. Claude, Tami, Cordell, Lynette, Kayla and John (Jo's husband)

Moving the casket from the Relief Society room to the Chapel for the funeral. 

Jan walking with John behind the casket. Jan is John's younger sister.

Katy, Jo's homecare nurse and also her hospice care nurse, gave one of the talks. She shared how positive Jo was through all of this. How she was always ready to do whatever the next step was to try and beat the cancer. Only at the very end did Katy notice a lack of enthusiasm. Katy said she looked at Jo and said, "You aren't giving up. You are changing your goals." I loved that sentiment. We were none put on this earth to be here forever. Our permanent home with with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. This was to be Jo's goal as well as mine. Love that thought.

Valley View Bothwell Cemetery.

John is under the tent. 

Pallbearers setting the casket in place. 

Military honors were given to Jo. On the left is Cordell, Claude's younger brother. He would give the Dedicatory Prayer on the grave. The military are placing the flag over the casket. 

Folding the flag.

Giving the flag to the commander with a salute. 

Presenting the flag to John. 

Military are dismissed. 

Irene, John and Leroy. Irene and Leroy are John's siblings.

There was a gun salute. When the first one went off, I did jump. It was very moving to have this salute to Jo as a veteran. 

The service and interment were very tender and perfect for Jo. I hope it gave John some closure and peace. He will be very lonely. 

I took some pictures of the snow covered Wasatch Range for our children. They have a good snow pack this winter which bodes well for their spring runoff. This is a huge part of their water source. Very important to get good snow in the winter. 

Back to the hotel the four of us went. Claude would get another much needed nap. Then we went out for dinner that evening. Claude and I had an interest in going to Peach City. After we were married, Claude took us there to have a 'Fresh Lime'. He loved these when he was younger. Cordell wanted us to try a place called the Rusted Spoon. We drove to the Rusted Spoon and had a great dinner. I enjoyed a Navajo Taco made on a scone. Very good. This was a place one would drive past and not necessarily  think of entering. It teaches that lesson to not just a restaurant (book) by its cover. 

After a great dinner, we went to Peach City on the way back to the hotel for a little dessert. Claude and I enjoyed our 'Fresh Limes' very much. 

Saturday, February 18th, was a free day in Utah. The four of us slept in a bit. 

Our first errand for this day was a visit to the Distribution Center in Brigham City. You see, my dear hubby had only packed the top portion of his underwear, not the bottoms. We needed to purchase some bottoms to make this trip a lot more pleasant for him. 

Then we drove to Tremonton to meet with Claude's siblings for a meal together before we all parted ways. We drove up to John's to be sure he was going to join us. He planned on it but had not caught the message we were meeting earlier. We were very happy he joined us for this time with Jo's siblings. We ate at The Grille in Tremonton. 

Then Cordell and Kris drove us to our hotel by the Salt Lake City Airport. We would spend one night there and catch a very early shuttle the next morning to meet our 8am flight to Phoenix. This was a very nice Comfort Inn. We got checked in and settled down for the evening. After a while, the power went out. It was only out in our hotel. The hotel next door and across the street all had power. I was wishing I had plugged my phone in when we got to the hotel. After a good while, the power came back on. I quickly plugged in all my devices just in case. We enjoyed television and settling in again when the fire alarm went off. It didn't quit quickly. That meant we really needed to get outside. Pulled on our coats and out the hotel we went...with a prostitute in tow. She came out of a room and Claude held the door for me and her. Nice lady. We waited downstairs until the alarms finally went off. No firetruck came. Not sure what precipitated this alarm. I took this picture of the guests in front of the hotel waiting for the alarm to stop. I posted it on our family Facebook page with the question, "Where's Claudo?" 

I will give you a hint. He is wearing his Bazinga pajama pants and t-shirt. 

We slept until our 5am alarm went off Sunday, February 19th. Then we were caught the shuttle at 5:30am and on to the airport. Our flight went off without a hitch. I was very amused with the children sitting behind us on plane. There were three very active little boys. They were a delight to listen to as they said in very loud voice, "We are going (as we left the airport). It's gonna land (as we arrived in Phoenix). I even heard one of them tell the youngest, "It's going to be okay. We are alright." as we landed. Very cute.

Let's Blog...

Monday, February 6th, will start us with a funny meme from Facebook. Who doesn't love popping the bubbles on bubble wrap?!

Wednesday, February 8th, was Bailey's birthday. She turned 16 years old! I posted this on our family Facebook page. "Please join Claude Christensen and me in wishing Bailey Marx a very Happy Sweet 16th Birthday today!! Love Ya Bunches Miss B!"

In the evening we attended a Hunger Relief Benefit Dinner at The Foundry in Frankfort, Kentucky. Delightful evening. I posted this to Facebook: "Partnering was the word for this evening. Claude Christensen and I attended the Benefit Dinner for the Kentucky Hunger Initiative. Ryan Quarles, our Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, has set his focus on Feeding those in Kentucky who are food insecure. This has been done by partnering with like-minded organizations. The amount of food provided during Ryan's two terms through these partnerships is phenomenal. It was a privilege to attend and support in some small way this very important service."

Thursday, February 9th, I finally finished the frog afghan for our soon-to-be-born great grandmonster. I am very happy with it. I posted this on Facebook: "Fifth great grandmonster due in April. I am ready!"

Bill Myers, my brother-in-law who is married to Claude's sister, Tami, posted this picture of the granary at the ranch. When Claude and I married it was listing to the side and full of huge birds nest for eagles. Thank you Bill for making sure this important piece of the family history is restored and looking beautiful. It holds so many memories for the Christensen family. Claude lived over here as a young boy until time to go to school. Then they moved to the other side of the mountain. Bill purchased the ranch and has done and excellent job by putting a cabin on it and a nice fire ring. It is a great place for his family and others to enjoy time together. Happy to see this picture of the granary. 

Friday, February 10th, Claude had an appointment with Miracle Ear about his hearing aids. These are usually standard appointments. This time the audiologist did a complete hearing test. Claude has lost 5 decibels in the higher sounds and 10 decibels in the lower sounds. Not good. They have a newer version of his hearing aids they let him test them at the office that day. He heard a lot better with them. So, Claude came home with an order for a new pair of hearing aids. 

In the evening, Claude purchase tickets for us to attend the finals of the American Rodeo. There are three cities in the United States where the qualifying finals are held and Lexington was one of them. Claude LOVES the rodeo. We had dinner at McAlister's and then headed over to the rodeo. We have attended two other rodeos at Alltech Arena in the Kentucky Horse Park. Never have we seen so many cars and so many people. We think it was because it was qualifying for the final rodeo. The cars were lined up as far as one could see on Ironworks Pike to get into the arena. The traffic coming off I-75 to get to the Horse Park was lined up on the off ramp way back on the highway. It was a zoo. We missed the National Anthem and the Cowboy Anthem. Got there as they were beginning the first event. It was still a great evening. Then we sat in the parking lot for an hour waiting for traffic to clear. 

Saturday, February 11th, Claude attended the Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast. I got up, walked my treadmill, then went to Walmart to purchase a few things on my shopping list. It is now starting to feel a little strange if Claude is not with me. We seem to do everything together. I like that.

In the late afternoon, Mickie and Kim Shannon brought my Girl Scout cookie order over. Later in the evening I received a message saying Tim thought he put a wrong package of cookies in my order. I went back to Sandiland and did a good inventory of the 20 boxes of cookies I ordered. Sure enough, I had a box that wasn't mine and I was missing one box of Adventurefuls. We determined they would drove it by Sunday after I got home from church. 

Sunday, February 12th, we went separate ways again. Claude drove to Owingsville to have a meeting with other members of the Communications Committee he directs for our stake. I went to church alone. Felt a little strange.

I hurried home because the Shannon's were going to exchange the Girl Scout cookie box they gave that was the wrong kind. I waited all day and they never came. In the evening I got a message that explained the father and son had taken ill and their day had not gone as planned. Not to worry. The exchange will happen. 

Monday, February 13th, was our 53rd anniversary. I posted this on Facebook. 

Fifty-three

You & me!

Loving life

To fifty-four.

Happy Anniversary to my Big Guy! Love Ya Bunches!! Looking forward to our adventures this year!

Claude had an appointment with Dr. Adkins in Lexington. It was to take some more blood and check again the findings from Dr. Slabaugh's visit. Dr. Slabaugh is a Urologist. When Claude came home from doctor, I was sitting in the family room about to work on a needlework project. I looked up and he had flowers and a bag of candy for me. I turned the television off and got up to hug him. That is when I saw his face stained with tears. I thought he had bad news from his doctor visit. It turns out Lynette, his sister, called him as he was driving home. She told him Joann, another sister, passed Sunday evening. My poor hubby was a mess of tears and I just hugged him and let him cry. Joann was the first-born of Bonnie and Evan's kids. She and her hubby, John, never had any children. She was like a second mother to her younger siblings and a wonderful sister to the siblings closer to her in age. There were six children. Jo was always positive. She loved to learn and took so many college courses. Never with a degree in mind. Just a thirst for learning. She worked in the medical profession in the labs. She loved animals. Young family members loved to go and see her collection of Jerusalem donkeys and other animals. We will miss her very much.

This would set in motion a lot changes to be made to get out for the funeral. 

In the evening, Claude made us dinner reservations at Montana Grill. This is my favorite place to go and eat that is a bit nice. Claude would have bison steak and I would have bison nachos. Yum. We left very full. 

When we entered the restaurant, I noticed this sign on the door. We have a little nephew that is named Brandon Hurst. I took the picture and sent it to his mother telling her Brandon would be fixing us our anniversary dinner. Turns out her Brandon is participating in a school cooking challenge and really loves to cook. 

As we left the restaurant, we saw this van with a window cleaning business called Men In Kilts. Our grandson, Paul, loves to wear kilts. His wife, Rachel, had posted a picture of him and labeled it her handsome husband. I posted this picture in the comments for their enjoyment. 

I still post a Trivial Pursuit question each day on our family Facebook page. This day the questions was: "History: What Indian maiden rescued Captain John Smith and later married John Rolfe?" For the answer, I found a picture from my past. The answer is Pocahontas. The year of the picture is 1990 in Jamestown, VA. Bonnie Christensen and I posed by the Pocahontas statue. Bonnie was happy to find she was related to Pocahontas. I recently learned of an actor who also learned he was related to Pocahontas. I told Claude I sometimes wonder if Pocahontas is not really Eve and we are all descended from her!! 

Tuesday, February 14th, we would pause in all the business of getting ready for travel over the next few months and attend the Louisville Temple. How I looked forward to an evening without all the troubles of the world weighing on me. It was such a sweet experience. And, I ran into an dear friend from our Maryland days, Lisa (used to be) Curran. She has remarried and I don't know her new last name. So nice to run into friends from all over when you attend the temple. It makes it feel like you are going home.

Wednesday, February 15th, Claude received a package from this company today. Did not order anything from them. Research tells me this is a scam. They get your info. Send you an inexpensive gift as though you ordered it. Post reviews as if from you about how wonderful everything was. You should check to be sure no charges have been made to you. We have no charges. The scarf will go to Goodwill.

My BFF, Laura, had surgery today. She has cancer and they wanted to remove it. Her hubby tells me it went well and she will go home tomorrow. Hallelujah. It is not over for her. They will have the nodes tested and determine further treatment. But, the surgery was a success as the doctors currently see it.

Now, off to pack and get ready for a lot of travel over the next six weeks. The times we are home will feel good to be in our own little house and our own comfy bed. 

More Crocheting and More Ice...

Monday, January 30th, we awoke to a foggy day. It would remain foggy all day long. The forecast was for ice starting in the evening. The missionaries came for dinner. Elder Schwartz and Elder Black. Claude made Stuffed Mexican Shells and a salad for dinner. We thawed and cooked up the cinnamon rolls we didn't get to bake at Christmas and had that for dessert. They loved the meal. It was different than what people usually make for them. We introduced them to Freddie's Root Beer. They loved that so much they each took a bottle home for later. 

Tuesday, January 31st, we awoke to ice coming during the day. Schools were closed due to icy roads. Some roads were shut down because of the ice on them. We are fortunate that we don't have to get out on days like that. I took this picture from our front window of the lantern hanging on the shepherd's hook in our front flower bed. If you look at the rim, you can see the little icicles around the edge. Those would stay all day long. The ice hanging off the cover to the grill on the patio in our backyard was the same way. It was very cold and the ice just didn't melt.

In the evening, we were watching television and Claude started another of his sneezing fits. He has these every now and then. One time I counted 13 sneezes during the night before he stopped. The problem this time was him having a nose bleed. This is not a pretty sight. Lots of Kleenex. Our grandmonster, Bailey, had a nosebleed and it wouldn't stop. They had to take her to emergency room and she was given instructions on how to stop these. I popped a text to Andie, her mother, for a quick refresher on what instructions Bailey was given. You pinch the nose a little lower than you normally would think, like below that hard cartilage. Hold that pinch for about 5 minutes. Claude did this and it stopped. You can also put Aquafor in the nose if you think it is because of dry air from the heater running in the winter. Claude used to have nose bleeds fairly frequently. He hasn't had one in a number of years. So, this one was a surprise. 

Wednesday, February 1st, we started a new month. This was the Meme I saw on Facebook that day that amused me greatly. 

This evening, Claude had another nose bleed just before going to bed. It stopped quickly. 

Thursday, February 2nd, was Ground Hog Day. Lots of funnies on Facebook about that pesky groundhog. He saw his shadow. That means six more weeks of bad weather. I saw this meme and posted it to our family Facebook page assuring them we needed balance in all the ground hog silliness.

Friday, February 3rd, my goal was to complete all 32 of those frog motifs for the baby afghan. With a little help from these DVD's: Founding Fathers, Victor Borge and John Denver, I finished the 32 frogs. Now to put all the pieces together for an afghan. 

Saturday, February 4th, I started my day by making Magic Cookie Bars. These are our son-in-law's favorite. I was going to make some for Christmas and that was iced out. So, I decided to make them Saturday to take to the Marx home on Sunday. While making them, I was melting butter in the microwave. I am vertically challenged some times, so I was standing on my tiptoes to look in the window. Unbeknownst to me, Claude was quietly watching from across the kitchen. I hear him say, "Shall I described it to you or do you want me to get you a box!" I burst out laughing. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, you will get this. If not, you really need to watch those moves or read the books. Lots of great lines in there.

By the evening, I finally told Claude I was not feeling well. I took my blood pressure and it was high. I would take it before bed and it was still high. My poor body hurt in my left arm, around my heart and back. It was not good. Claude was concerned. I was concerned. 

At 9:48pm Hayden sent a text to us: What time are you guys planning on coming over tomorrow? I need to know whether or not I need to plan on getting up early. I read it to Claude and we both laughed so hard. Love this young man. 

At 10:19pm we received this text from Bailey (Hayden's sister). When ya'll come over tomorrow can ya'll get me some guacamole? Aren't these kids amazing. We did stop and bought a big tub of guacamole for Bailey on our way to the Marx home Sunday afternoon. 

Sunday, February 5th, I awoke still hurting. I received a text from our Primary president saying she was not going to Church due to illness. I decided to go and be very careful in doing so. It turned out fine. I was very happy I went to Church and enjoyed the service and Primary very much. 

After Church we went to Burger King for a quick, light bite of food. We had not had breakfast and it would be while till dinner. Then we came home and I wrapped Bailey's birthday presents and gathered what we needed to take to the Marx home while Claude got a quick nap. Then we were off to LaGrange. Bailey turns 16 years old this week. I shared the old saying from when I was a kid, "Sweet 16 and never been kissed." Bailey had never heard this before and assured me she smooches her boy friend, Jake, all the time. It is an old saying. Andie had heard it long ago. Michael had never heard it before. I am getting OLD...

These are pictures of Bailey opening her gifts. She asked for LEGO flowers. I found a bonsai tree LEGO set. 

Now for Funny Meme's This Week: (enjoy the chuckle!)

It feels like not much happened this week. However, I did get all the motifs crocheted for the frog afghan. I got them all laid out on the dining room table as they will be stitched together in the afghan and am now slowly getting the strips made. Then I will stitch those strips together and crochet the border around the outside edge. Hope to have it complete by the end of this week. 

It was a good week.