It's February? Are you sure? What year?

I am amazed that time can pass by me without so much as a breeze to tickle my mind. January is a blur. Actually, most days are. It's what happens when the mind goes! I spent a few days ill for a few weeks of last month but this one is better. I made it to the gym for 5 days in a row last week! Hallelujah!! I have been reading quite a bit. Finished Edgar Sawtelle, loved it. Although it did take me a little bit to get into it. Someone at the gym was talking about it and I said I just couldn't get into it and they asked me where I was. I told them and they said I hadn't gotten to the good part yet. So I went home and read another 20 pages and there it was!! I was hooked. Had to sit and finish the whole thing that night! Then I took a trip with The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes. Good read! Finished Firefly Lane on Sat. night. Started it Sat. morning, stopped long enough to take 7 of the grandkiddies to the movies, and then picked it up and didn't put it down until it was finished. I loved it. Great Read! In between I read the 3 volumes of The Kingdom and The Crown series by Gerald Lund. I had read them before but felt like reading them again. And I am glad I did. Made me go back and start rereading the New Testament.
Then last night I started another reread, the book called Celebration. I read it every few years and then in the back of the book I write a thought or two. The first time I read it was in '96, then in 2001 and the last time was in 2003. That's one good thing about not being able to remember, you can keep reading your favorites and they are all new again. When I am in the rest home, I'll get to meet new people every day, again and again!!! Anyway, this book is so inspiring to me. I always want to do and be better when I finish it. The last time I read it, I recorded this thought. "I always come away with hope and desire to "celebrate" life more fully, better,and more consistently." I always try to remember the adage, "Celebration is self-made" But I do forget so it is always good to sit with this old friend in print and remember again! Well, that pretty much sums up my sitting down time for the last few weeks. I probably read more in January than I do any other month. Down time from all the hub-bub of the holidays I guess. I am now gearing up for YW camp this summer. We have it mostly planned and just need to get the info to the wards and make it all happen. Saturday is our Primary Activity, then in March and April I have camp activities with the Stake. So that should keep me busy. In between I get to love on my little girls and boys. We went to see Hotel For Dogs last Sat. I have to say it was delightful and I clapped at the end. Much better experience than I had anticipated. It held all of the children's attention and I think they liked it as much as I did. I took Grama Peggy shopping last week and had a heck of a time getting clothes to fit her. They didn't have skeletal sizes. We finally did find a couple of size 2's that fit ok if she puts a belt on! Ah, old age, ain't it grand. We did have some laughs so it was a fun day. Well, this post is long and pretty boring since I didn't even have a picture to spice it up. But then, Journals can be laborious for the reader at times, I'm sure. Maybe if I didn't wait so long in between times.

Plan Ahead

Naomi came by for a visit the other night. She is always entertaining and has a lot to say. This night she was planning ahead, I think. She was standing by the Christmas tree and flipped one of the shiny little red crystals with her finger. Ashley let out a belly laugh and I asked, "What's so funny?" Naomi told her that "I'm stealin' these when Grama's dead!" Way to go Naomi. Stake your claims now. Sydney had dibs on the pink t-pot that belonged to my grama already! Love being the grama! It is the best!

Back To Business

Well January is here in full force. I skipped over the whole resolution thing. Someone said that a goal not written down is just a wish. Suffice it to say I have a plethora of wishes. But today I did accomplish a job that I have been putting off for most of last year. That is, to get rid of all the backed up ironing that has expanded exponentially for many months. And I did it in a little under 5 hours. Yeah. I would pat myself on the back but my arm is too stiff from wielding the iron and the steamer. Oh yes, I got the Tobisteamer for Christmas. That is what got me into the laundry room in the first place. It is a handly little gizmo but I wouldn't buy it again. It takes some practice to get the clothes to move in the right direction. Forget pants, for that I had to get out the old board! But flannel shirts steamed great, as well as the rayon, nylon type shirts. And perma press white shirts were a breeze. However, steam does burn! I won't say how many pieces I acutally ironed. It would be too embarrassing. So, after going to the gym, I felt like I accomplished a small feat today. And I can scratch that off the to do list. Now if I can just keep ahead of it all! Tomorrow I plan to tackle another of my wishes. If I manage to complete it,then I will write it down! I will try this approach this year and see if I get any better at getting things done.

On the Subject of Christmas Trees

Sabra told me about a contest for Christmas Trees. I thought I would try to enter it but I am not sure I know how. So I will post this and then see how it goes. Apparently you post pictures of your tree on your blog and some tips for decorating it and then enter a link. So here is my attempt at the tree this year! Remember I am using a crummy camera, not to mention the skill of the photographer! I do better at decorating trees.

Decorating Tips I Have Found Useful
I always start at the top and using a fake tree makes it easier. I decorate the top while it is apart as I would a floral arrangment and then put it up on the tree. I then add any garland before beginning on the ornaments. I group the ornaments into like piles and then add them to the tree. I wish I could say that decorating the tree is the highlight of my Christmas but alas, it is not. I prefer to decorate the shelves and tables. But you have to have a tree to go along with the rest, so I try to do it first and get it done. I do like a fancy tree and have been collecting ornaments for several years after fading out the country look. My tree is too short for my house I am now living in so instead of buying a new one when I moved, my handy husband built me a stool to put it up on and then I use yards of fabric to swirl about the bottom. I love fabric garland also as it fills in lots of bare spots. And fake trees are great because you can just move the branch where you need it. Also, branches of berries stuck in here and there are great filler. So that's how I do it and there it is!

More Lunacy?

Thanks Sabra for the comment reminding me about Sunday night. I had forgotten. I had better start looking at the calendar. Just a note on the last program I was off to when I posted last time. No pictures of that one as I actually forgot the camera. Tom offered me his throw-away when we got there but I was too prideful and didn't want to be laughed out the door:) So I missed the shot but the program was very entertaining and the girls looked like they were having fun. I thought that was the last program but I heard from Krista that Naomi was having one on Thurs. As I was tied up with Relief Society, Granpa had to go it alone. I asked him how it went and he said it was chaos, but that Naomi did great on her 3 words:) Company arrived on time and we had Grandma's dinner and then all the family arrived and more chaos ensued but we all had a fun visit. Of course I didn't have the camera so no pictures. But Deb took a couple and said she would email them to me so I will have one to remember the occasion. Fun note to the evening, Ben Mucha and his wife and daughter came over. We hadn't seen them since Ashley's wedding so that was fun. Now, today the company leaves and we have Kaylie's Christmas Concert for the PHIL-AM association fundraiser. She is nervous but I know she will do great! I will try to remember the camera!

Christmas Programs & Then Some

Well, two down and one to go. No pictures to post because of course I had to sit so far back that I couldn't get anything on my crummy camera the first night! The second night I had second row seats and didn't bring my crummy camera becuz I figured I would be too far back! So tonight I will try again and see if I get a single shot. Sydney and Kaylie and then on to the next activity! It has been so fun this week. I love being grama! I get to go to everything and do nothing! Suits me fine! Christmas is coming....and I have to go shopping. Tomorrow is the R.S. shindig and then Friday is company and Grama Darlene's birthday! Actually it is today! Happy 83rd Grama! Sat. is Kaylie's Christmas concert and then the programs will be done. Oh yah, and on Friday, Tom and I will have been married 39 years. We are going to celebrate next week when things calm down. Why would I get married in December is my question! Young and stupid I think was the reason!! But it has been a remarkable 39 years, will lots of mountains and a few valleys. I wouldn't trade any of it though because it has gotten us here and I love where we are! Life is good and I feel content!! I highly recommend marriage for the long term! It gets better and better!!!! So off to the Christmas program I am, hoping for a close up shot! Oh and by the way, Happy Anniversary to Aaron and Gel today! They have been married 14 years. You may wonder how I can remember that! Because they got married two days before our 25th anniversary so I can always do the math! Another side note about weddings. They got married on Grama Darlene's birthday and Bob and Sabe got married on my mother's birthday! Cosmic timing huh?

It's beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Not only have I not blogged in eons but I haven't even checked my mail. Everyone is busy this time of year and I am among them. But tonight was a great time at the annual gift exchange. Good food, good conversation, good gifts. Thanks to Sabra and Shannon, the hostesses with the mostesstes. Next week looks to be as full as the last two with grandchildren's programs, church socials, and birthdays. I am looking forward to it all. Maybe I can remember to take the camera!! Just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and I hope you are full of the spirit and in love with your life!