Player Family, the Oldsters, Adventures

NOW, HERE’S MOM AT THE KEYBOARD.

Dad and I woke Roch up this morning to sing “Happy Birthday” to him over the phone. He’d come in from Texas on Friday and spent a very busy Saturday, yesterday. So, we hope he was able to relax and enjoy his special day. We celebrated with him last Sunday at his house. Sherene’s folks were there, too, as were Aunt Arlene, Teressa, and Brandon. Uncle Chuck is in Louisiana–actually, I think he’s flying home today. He’s been gone for a couple of weeks.

Sadie’s baptism was lovely–we enjoyed a packed three days, starting with a beautiful hike on Friday afternoon to ice caves in the Cascades. Arlene put on a king salmon feast for everybody at Lake Connor Park for dinner that night. We roasted marshmallows and made ‘smores, too. Arlene and I had a bit of pampering and shopping on Saturday morning (hairdo for me and pedicure/manicure for her). Then we had a girls’ luncheon at the Cabbage Patch House in Snohomish (where we’d gone for Clarissa’s baptism luncheon, too).

Sadie and eight other children were baptized in their stake at 5:00. Sherene led the music, and she and her mother made a wonderful dessert which was served in the Nursery room after Sadie’s confirmation by her daddy, assisted by both grandpas and several good friends. Sunday was full and lovely, too. Sadie was introduced to the ward in Sacrament meeting; it was inspirational to see her solemn efforts to be grown up and reverent. Sherene spoke on building reservoirs of spiritual strength to get through the tough times that come to all of us. She bore her testimony about making it through the death of her younger brother, followed by the loss of their baby son. Lots of moist eyes in the audience.

Dad and I thoroughly enjoyed visits with Sherene’s parents, as well as one-on-one time with all four girls. I especially loved rubbing their feet and singing Winken, Blinken, and Nod each night.

We took three days and two nights to get home, which was relaxing, sort of!

Sherri, Jon, and the kids came over for pancakes this afternoon. It felt kind of empty without Dolly and Roland’s family–I’m still adjusting to not having them next door. And I’m still looking for them between meetings at Church. Sherri said she talked to Dolly yesterday (?) and Dolly has Strep. Not a fun way to enjoy the last holiday weekend of summer!

Sherri has a bad cold she’s trying to keep from escalating like it did last year. Her friend, who’s a respiratory therapist, is making sure she can get through until she can see the doctor on Tuesday. Dad and Jon gave her a priesthood blessing while they were here.

Today was a bit teary for me, as it’s been just one year since Grandma Gwynne slipped through the veil. I hope you’ve all received your letter from me with the six columns I’ve written over this year

Jonny and Abe are coming over tomorrow morning to wrangle some boxes and stuff (like Grandma Gwynne’s wheel chair and walker) to the storage. I’m clearing out and rearranging rooms in the basement for the couple who are moving in on Sept. 15. Marlayna and David Sheeran were one of the dozen couples who responded to my ad at the Cedar City LDS employment website. I think a couple will work better than a single woman for our needs at this stage of our lives. We need someone living in the house, rather than checking on it. And the Sheeran’s have already started showing how great they will be.

David works for Ben Lamoreaux as an engineer and Marlayna will be starting as an assistant manager at DI (the general manager is in our ward). Both of them had amazing references. But the best reference was the powerful witness of the Spirit during their first interview. I’ve learned from hiring people over the past decade or two that I have to define the job clearly and match it with those who apply. And I have to rely on personal revelation, instead of wishful thinking!

As Dad said, we got home Thursday night and must leave again this coming Thursday. Dave and Marlayna will actually move in while we’re gone, which is another reason I have so much to do before we depart. I’m giving a talk to a group of Lutheran ladies on Sept. 24 and I’m doing four workshops/presentations in Grand Junction WY on October 8-10 (they’re paying my travel and expenses, so I’ll be flying out on October 7 and back the afternoon of the 10th).

Dad will be playing in Parowan tomorrow night at the closing day of the Iron County Fair. He played Friday afternoon, too, but I stayed home to shovel out the mail and work on laundry. But I’ll go with him tomorrow.

Hmmm, just talking about what I have to do in this brief stop at home stresses me. But Dad (and the bicycle shop) repaired my exercise machine yesterday, so I’ll be able to work off some of that stress.

I’m so grateful for the Sabbath, a day when I can recharge depleted, aging batteries. And I’m grateful for covenants with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. No matter how crazy the world gets, I can feel peace. I don’t have to worry about things I can’t change.

September 6, 2010

I’m finishing this up and getting it out, before another two weeks whiz by!

Jon brought Jonny and Abe over and they took care of everything I needed to be done. The guest room off Dad’s office is now ready with three beds and two dressers! The upstairs guest rooms are also ready.

Jonny found a tiny black kitten near the storage shed and Abe really wanted to keep it. It was skin and bones and had probably been without its mother for several days. But there was no way it could even be near Sherri right now, even in the garage, because the dander would come in on Abe’s clothes. I was tempted, but we’re traveling too much. So, Abe took it back to where Jonny found it.

Dad is taking a brief nap before we head out to the fair and his performance. And I was able to ride 10.5 miles on my bike today–I’m glad I didn’t lose too much ground.

And I’m signing off!