Empty Nester Dinner Party

 Last year a new idea was put forth to have Empty Nester Dinner Parties, so that more people could get to know each other in our new large geographic area.  Two wards, and 1/2 each of two other wards were combined into one large ward.

Due to scheduling (grandparents kept running off to see their grand babies) or people running out of town at the last minute, our group never got together. It became a joke as every time the week would arrive that we would meet, someone would leave town. Have a few months, they put together new groups. Jeffrey and I had a group that canceled because the host got Covid last month. 

So, finally this month we got to go to dinner at the Kruse's house just down the street for a delightful dinner with old friends and new ones to know. Talking was very interesting as the McClellans are moving to Martinez, and the Kruse's told us all about their trip to Australia. The widows told about their adventures and we talked about the joys of Africa. It was a fun and interesting group.

OK, throw it out

 On one of the last shelves I emptied in the kitchen, I found a set of old cell phones. They have been there for years - "just in case" someone ever needed them. Well, today I have an iPhone and will never go back to a phone with so much less capability. So it is very safe to throw out. 

In fact, it has been safe to throw away for years as phones get better and better at doing more than texting and calling. The real reason they have been sitting there is because they represented my freedom as a mom, they helped me track down boys after a long distance run, or tell me where they were headed after school, or where they needed to be picked up.  I had an attachment to what they represented and couldn't throw them out because of the memories. 

I'm okay now as one - time has passed, and two - the feelings are just memories.

But that just shows how hard it is to throw away things I don't need or really want anymore just because there is a visceral effect when I pick it up.....there is that garage still looming with all kinds of memories and attachments to go through and throw away......

Four phones from T-Mobile that saved my effort and time as a mom. Good times.

I had enough one day and went out to the nearest cell phone store and bought phones and a plan so I wouldn't have one son waiting after a piano lesson because I couldn't find the cross country runners after their practice, and I worried I wouldn't be back home in time to take another somewhere else. The beauty of communication. 

Good Times

 Jeffrey and I had a very enjoyable time with the Sacramento Adams. They were riding their bikes down the street (well - Corina was up in a tree) enjoying the beautiful sunshine when we pulled up. Not too cold, not too hot, just the right temperature.

A neighbor came along and told Matthew he had something for them. So the whole family went down the street and came back with a wheeled device that stood to Matt's shoulder. When they set it up in the backyard, it was two small basketball hopes with an electronic scoring board. The kids played with it and had a lot of fun. 

After getting bit up by mosquitoes, we went in and Opa played some board games with the kids while I chatted with Matthew and Debbie while they made supper.

There is really something great about connecting with family. We left with good feelings and contentment.

Opa coming to help

Setting the chain back on the bike

Oliver picked a colorful handful from the yard

Playing with the new basketball game

Board games with Opa

There were actually three of them climbing the wall as a young boy from down the street came to play for while too. James would run back and forth under them.

Trying out a new berry - Inca berries

 On Sunday, Jeffrey and I drove up to Sacramento to spend a day with the Sacramento Adams. Matthew and Debbie are looking for a new home and so Matthew is not spending a lot of time and effort in his backyard garden. He did plant some Inca Berries which he thought would die out. 

They did not, and in fact they were producing all through the winter (well winter as California knows it). Anyway, I decided to try some and found they were pretty good when they are yellow. The green-yellow ones are a little sour. I didn't know they were even a fruit, so imagine my surprise when I looked them up and they are being sold in whole food stores and on the internet. In fact they are good for you!

On incaberry.com it says: " But more importantly Incaberries contain soluble fibre necessary for controlling appetite and reducing cholesterol re-absorption in the intestine.  They contain a wide range of nutrients including vitamin C, potassium and phosphorus and are naturally low in sodium." Now how cool is that?!

Corina showing me the Incaberry fruit

Inside are little yellow berries

I asked Corina to take a picture of the plant itself.

This is me taking a break!

 Life is just speeding up faster and faster! It is kinda fun. It looks like we will be leaving May 1st or the beginning of that week. The kitchen should be going in soon as the cabinets are going to be ready to pick up on Wednesday. Today I have been unloading shelves and throwing away stuff. I am getting good at throwing away stuff. 

I asked Laura Nausin to come over and help me figure out what appliances went with what pieces. I have a juicer, a processor, and some other gadgets that have been used for a season - but I'm probably not going to use them again. The fact that I did not dig them out in six years is pretty conclusive. Even if I was gone three of those years - I didn't "find" them between missions.

So now I have some cool gadgets but no bandwidth to find them a home. I really want a fairy-god mother to come whisk these away to another home...... reverse of a personal shopper?    

So most of the kitchen is empty and I have piles of dishes, pans, and pantry items lined up in the bedrooms  until Dan Phillips can start the remodel. 

Need a New Home

My shelves on the floor

Stuff I want to put back in my new kitchen

I decided to stop for a bit and look at my emails and write a bit before I charge back into the job.....

Juggling Priorities

 Recently, I have been popping into vivid memories of being in Africa. I can see and smell it, and the realization that I will not be cold for a long time keeps occurring to me early in the mornings. 

My life seems to be in a state of flux as we are getting ready to put a new kitchen in, sort out the garage, get the popcorn ceilings off [I've only waited since 2 months after we moved in --- in 1992], get the lawns redone (again), and paint the outside of the house - never been done while we have been here.  Lots of juggling between leaving and fixing up.

Today we looked at kitchen cabinets, counters, and discussed what we liked with Dan Phillips. We have estimates of other things from Rob Baldwin, also looking for some new windows, and carpeting in the back bedrooms. Then, we are looking forward to going on trips for different conferences in London and Africa, and asking questions of what our responsibilities in Africa will be in June. 

There is an unreality to what is going to be and what is happening right now. My house has piles in the rooms of what goes to storage, what goes to Accra, and other piles of "how do I decide?".  This week I will need to get everything out of the kitchen so he can tear it all apart to put back together. I told Jeffrey we will probably eat out a few times next week...and probably the week after.  

We'll probably get a beautiful house that we will leave for three years - feels about like the last time ALL my kids lived in California and we went to Africa. Now it will be the house that has waited for so long to look nice and we will go to Africa. 

I live an interesting life! I pulled out a piece of paper that reminded me of when life was simple. Cub Scouting in the 90's.

March and April will be different this year.............

Good Things Can Come from the Garage

 We packed up pretty quick in 2016 and shoved our stuff into the garage. Nate was so kind to build shelves so we didn't have to buy storage space. It was difficult to throw away stuff that I had spent time collecting for "someday". Someday I'd write my history, someday I'd put together picture books, someday I'd use the crafts and ..... well, 'stuff' I had for all kinds of projects. All the 'stuff' from school and letters, and just stuff.

Today I have been throwing away stuff. Shower curtains, cd label maker, old calendars, papers and notebooks of things that were precious in the day - but not now.

And I've fun into some memories. One box let me know what a bad mom I was. A whole plastic shoe box of awards the boys earned in cub scouts - that never got sewn onto their uniforms. I had a someday project of making a board to glue them all on. But in today's world, no one cares about cub scouts anymore. So do I throw it all away now? I put that in another - "decide tomorrow" pile.

I found a box full of Mother's Day cards, posters, and stories. Oh so fun and full of warm memories. But little kids do not stay in adoration of their mothers when they get older, so the sediments are probably different now. I'll probably throw those away. But one I had to take a picture of because Lilly just sent me a letter with a rainbow she made and I opened a letter from one of my children that had a rainbow too.

Lilly sent me a letter today and I found a letter from years ago - I still love rainbows!

Another memory that popped up was an old calendar that I had put in Jeffrey's office. I wanted to go to Hawaii - or any beautiful beach - so I hung a calendar where he would see it when he sat down at his desk. I don't think the page was ever turned that year. But we have been to Hawaii a few times since. I chalk it up to the power of suggestion.

It is amazing what a picture can do

But I go on lots of adventures now and I don't need to suggest anything! These next few years will be full of adventures and beaches if we choose. It's the elephants that whisper in my ear now......

Umwelt

 I am slowly (very slowly) reading the most interesting book that is opening my mind in various ways. The name of it is "An Immense World" by Ed Yong. I highly recommend it though I wouldn't read it to children and it would take a special teen to read it.  I read some pages and then I have to stop and think about it as the ideas are new and different, but intriguing and understandable.

I wish I could set here the opening page of that book, "The Only True Voyage" where the author sets up an gym where an elephant, Rebecca, mouse, robin, spider, bat, owl, mosquito, and rattlesnake are in the same room. He describes how each is perceiving [or not] each other and what happens when the lights go out. Hearing, sight, perceptions, magnetic trail from earth, echolocation, infrared radiation, sonar, are touched on or inferred that "each is enclosed within its own unique sensory bubble, perceiving but a tiny sliver of an immense world." He goes on to explain Umwelt which "is specifically the part of those surroundings that an animal can sense and experience--its perceptual world."

How fascinating Umwelt is!! There are more senses than the usual five and each animal or being experiences life in a unique and specific way. The earth's magnetic field guides and directs many animals that others don't experience.  Anyway, I'm only on the first chapter after the introduction and my mind is exploding with thoughts and ideas as I learn.

One of the big ones is that God and Jehovah would created the world had to already have all the knowledge of how magnetic fields, sonar, echolocation, etc., etc. worked BEFORE they pulled chaos into organization to make the solar system and earth we live on. How they got each piece to work with the other pieces into this "Immense World" of senses and lives immeshed with each other.  Omniscience, Omnipotent and Omnipresent are starting to open up in my mind a little.

Alma 30:44  "....all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

All things that are upon the face of it.  I can see a little bit more about things on the face of it. I'm still figuring it out.

Opa Can Do It

 Isla came to stay with us for a bit while her mom and sister went to an appointment. Julia brought a brush and said how Isla wasn't cooperating with hair brushing in the morning. 

I told her no worries, Isla's Opa is the best de-tangler of little girls hair around. He could help Rebekah as a little girl - no braids or styles, but he can de-tangle hair. For Rachel it was critical as her hair was so long as a two year old. [We won't go back into the story of two little girls playing barber....]

Anyway, I was correct. When Jeffrey came home from his walk, I asked him to help Isla out and sure enough, he had her tangle free and happy. It helps to have a story going on while he is brushing.

Good Day

 Today Jeffrey and I went to the temple to do some work for his ancestors. Jeffrey is determined to get the work done for individuals missing little pieces of their temple work. I went to finish the last grandmother that he wanted to do something for before Feb 23 - It is some due date he has. 

The tulips were amazing and it was a beautiful day and spirit. I wish all could feel the love of the Lord in their lives every day. 

Last Tuesday when we went, I was struck by the idea that I am going to be consecrating my life for the next three years to church work. I will be giving up close access to my children and friends and way of life to support and help Jeffrey's efforts to bring temples, church buildings, and reduce chaos as much as possible in a different part of the world. 

I have felt every time I go on a mission, I learn more about the covenant of marriage and why it is vital to God's plan of happiness. This time I will learn about consecration and how that fits in to the overall plan too. So many different threads of how God's love works. How important covenants are. Why we are given them. How to magnify them in my life. Why temples and temple work is so important. 

Hey It is Good to See You!

 Sister Stewart texted me a little bit ago and told me about their three month gig in the Philippine Dental Clinic. I was so happy to hear from her - AND then she sent little videos of walking down to the clinic and through the office and into the dental room with Dr. Stewart. So many things were familiar and some were different. It brought back such a flood of good memories!

Today she texted that she ran into an old friend! It was Ernesto Solera! Oh how my heart misses that family. I have been messaging them every few months on Facebook messenger. Their latest pictures show the kids are almost all grown up. Princess and Kyle will be in a Jubilee on Monday. I went to a multi-stake show when I was there and it was fantastic. I'll bet this is going to be a big show. I wonder how I could watch it.........?

Good friends together again

Life is good.

Change Is In The Air

 A couple of weeks ago I had mentioned to the Bishop and Marci Chapman (young women's president) that I thought I ought to be a lame duck because all the events are being planned for the year and I won't be here. 

One week I am watching Marci interacting with a baby in Sunday School and the next week I have been called to the new Primary organization. I have been called to be an assistant to the secretary. Wow, talk about a non-responsibility job and this is it.  I think my job will be to figure out who the children are -- take pictures and line up which family they come from then find names  -- so the real secretary can give her reports. She is from the Spanish ward - because we combine the youth and the adults go to Sacrament Meeting before and after the combined youth hour. 

I have loved working with Marci and all of the counselors and advisors and will miss the young women.

Marci is my daughter's age. It is cool watching her with a baby. (Not her own)

Marci is good with the babies and the teenagers.

Joy Mühlstein has been called as the Primary president, Rebecca Score is a counselor (She and my Rebekah were roommates at BYU before they both married), Fryda Cano is someone to make a friend with and the Secretary is Yus Orme whom I hope I can be of help to. 

I am looking forward to the next few months adventures in Primary.

When She is Eight

One of the things I am going to miss is Jeffrey reading to the grandchildren. Makynlee asked me when I would be coming home from Africa and I told her when she was eight. Wow, that is a long time not to be with and see grandchildren or my own children. 

Like I've told Jeffrey several times, service is never convenient or at a convenient time.

Jeffrey is giving each character his own voice.

Time is relative

 After getting back from our exciting Utah trip, I had a severe cold. This is after taking care of numerous children with all kinds of illnesses for at least six  to eight months (at different times) and with other adults getting sick and coughing around me without any apparent illness. I guess it was my turn. But to add insult to injury, I tweaked my back on Sunday - for no good apparent reason and have felt very lousy. It is like a stiff neck but in my back. Walking, lying down, and sitting are all problematic. I got a blessing from Jeffrey on Wednesday. Doing a little better every day.

It may be happy, and anxious tension side effects. What are we going to do with our house? [There are some really restrictive laws that have gone into effect in Concord that do not favor the landlord.] Where should we bring or not bring to Accra? Are we going to be able to see all of our children before we leave? What happens in Ghana? I will be a regular ward member and Jeffrey has the assignment. Not being a missionary, I can't just go to another ward ..... (well maybe).  My African friends are in a different ward (and mission) than the apartment we will live in. It isn't Covid anymore - what is life going to be like? I am gong to miss my friends in California and all of my family and children.

I went with Jeffrey to the temple on Thursday and prayed for all those asking blessings and a few who didn't ask, then asked the Lord to help me see what I am supposed to do and be able to see clearly what is next. Wow, it is only Friday and Jeffrey has talked to someone to paint the house, someone to look at our yards, and someone to come look at the repairs that are needed. We have received information on what people will talk to us about different things concerning our insurance, house, transportation, visas, and people who will come pack up our stuff for storage and for shipping. I talked to Emmy Burton this morning and she went room by room on FaceTime and let me know what she brought and what she is taking back. It looks like it is fully furnished though I may want to bring some things that are hard to find. 

I can't believe we have been back since the 30th of January! Where did the first week of February go? On the other hand, I texted Bobby in Ghana and he is happy to help me out with the cleaning again. Dumevi is excited to see us come back and Juliet is waiting.  Isn't life grand?!

Dumevi and Kesinonu

FYI

 I have found this is Jeffrey's sweet spot:

Reading overlooking the ocean

Jeffrey said, "Bill called...."

 Whenever I hear Jeffrey say, "Bill called...." I know that my life will change, I will do something I have never done before, and go somewhere exciting.

Jeffrey told me a week or so ago that he got a call from Bill (William Atkin) from the Office of General Council or OGC who asked us both to come to Salt Lake City to meet. He asked Jeffrey if he wanted to be an ALC (or Area Legal Council) in the West Africa Area in May. We didn't say anything because it was all conjecture at that point.

We went to Salt Lake City to meet with Elder Dushtu who is the Legal Council for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bill Atkin, and saw Brent Belnap there. They did ask if we wanted to go to Africa again and moved the time up to April.  Everything had to be approved by the First Presidency of the church, so again, we didn't say anything.   On our way to the airport 4 days later, Jeffrey got the call that said he had approval from the First Presidency and they needed paperwork.  So it looks like we are going to Africa again!

Bill Atkin in Salt Lake City 

Jeffrey and I in the underground parking lot at temple Hill (another story there)

Brent Belnap in his office at the Church Office Building

Alone and Included

 Alone 

Sunday started out with a homemade Sunday Service. There were friends that my siblings had made on the cruise and they had been invited to our short Sunday meeting. 

The night before it was decided that we would wear our "Bath" costumes. The girls had brought Austin wear - long dresses, gloves, and crowns to wear to a tea in Bath. But since were weren't going to Bath, it was decided we would go to the old Portland castle and have tea and take pictures there.

I thought the girls said we would wear our costumes to church and then go on the bus. 

Hey....

I dress up in my long dress, sleeves and collar, put my cape on, and also my tiara and head on up to Sunday meeting. When I get to the board room....NO ONE else looks the least bit dressed up. Ok, I live in an extrovert family of which sometimes I don't fit. Bad enough looking up at the ceiling so I don't encounter anyone's eye climbing the stairs to church. 

After our meeting (with friends) I express my feelings and Susan and Laura whip off their coats and they do have their long dresses on. Laura has her tiara in a bag and puts it on. Then she pulls out a banner (like they wear in a beauty pageant) that says "Lady Laura" and slips that over her head. She hands me a folded banner and I make an about face and stomp out the door. That's it, I said. 

I go back to the cabin and cool down. 

Inclusive

After putting my own coat on, I go up to the top floor cafe to meet with my siblings. Laura assures me no one is wearing the banner (of which all the girls have been given one) and Sharon gives out embroidered crowns TO ALL THE BOYS. And they wear them. Donald's is white, John has a tiny gold crown on a comb which he sticks into his hair on top of his head.  David reminds me of the elf in a movie, even the twins each put one on. So we all sit there in front of people passing by and it's ok.

Then off we go to the Portland Castle. The bus runs a circle around three stops and you can jump on and jump off. Two of my sisters are on scooters so it is tricky to maneuver, but the boys do a good job and off we go to the castle to have tea. We were given a Castle Tea and I realized why scones are so highly valued. They were yummy. We took the pictures and some went through the fortifications that King Henry III put up because he annulled his marriage and the Pope took it as a personal insult. Wikipedia here. Of course different war times have meant different things to this area.

Polly made her own costume - so cool!

Top off of how great my brothers are here is Donald's video clip of all participants: YouTube Video (Will be available 2/6/24)

I have been told a few times that individuals would like to join my family. There is a motto we have: There is alway room for one more.

Last Stop Portland - and Stonehenge

 Our last excursions were to Bath with the Roman baths and Stonehenge. The Bath trip was cancelled but the three, Jeffrey, Steven, and Garth went on the Stonehenge. They had a really lovely sunny day.

Stonehenge: There are so many articles, I'll just let you click on the Wikipedia link.

I didn't know the stones had actually fallen down and they had them put up again.