Week 33

24 March

We had a lot of fun with Rebecca’s family at Universal Studios (despite the drizzle and the fact that BYU lost its game in the Sweet Sixteen). The children were old enough to enjoy the rides and not wander off.

25 March

We often get a chance to stay at the patron housing at the Los Angeles Temple and then take advantage of the opportunity to attend a session at the temple.

26 March

My sister-in-law Holly turned 50—we are all getting older (and wiser?).

27 March

When I visit my mother, she appreciates my attempting to play hymns on her keyboard—it’s difficult for me to play on a keyboard, and besides, I’m rusty on the notes.

28 March

We are excited for this planned use of the former Meridian property—a facility that will house 48 bishoprics and 4 stake presidencies as well as provide a place that seats 2,000 for stake conferences and at least four areas for receptions.

29 March

Our Relief Society presidency was able to go to the Tabernacle on Temple Square for the annual Relief Society leadership training—I got this view of the Assembly Hall.

30 March

Maya, with her adorable pigtails and apron, is sitting on the counter to help me make dinner.

Week 32

17 March

Stephen and I made it up to Benihana’s in Salt Lake to celebrate my birthday (we’re stretching it out as long as we can). Stephen’s salmon is in the paper packet, and my steak is alongside it. The shrimp and vegetables were also delicious.

18 March

I now have the towels and fabric for one of my next projects. Now to find time to do it . . .

19 March

Jennifer went shopping with me at Christopher and Banks—spending those birthday dollars wasn’t all that hard.

20 March

My new Relief Society presidency consists of Mona, myself, Carrie, and Ashley. Serving together forges eternal bonds of friendship and love.

21 March

This is a very tidy deli display at the local market—not that I buy anything from this section, but it is attractively displayed.

22 March

This early variety of crocus is the first harbinger of spring in our garden. The weather is slowly warming up.

23 March

I managed to put this pillow together for Camden on our trip down to southern California. I gave this Cougar symbol to cheer him up since he had broken his arm.

Week 31

10 March

Cayelle loves being the big sister to Cassius. Children’s grins are so infectious.

11 March

Linda brought me to Legends Grille for my birthday lunch—we both got salads and enjoyed being together.

12 March

I made the big decision to move from my Franklin planner purse that was getting worn out to use a real purse. Now my family is suggesting I get an iPhone to keep my calendar on, but I haven’t quite made that step.

13 March

My sister LaRae loved serving in the Riverside California Mission. We met at my mother’s and enjoyed hearing some of her faith-promoting experiences.

14 March

Gloria, Alison, and I—Gloria made a birthday dinner for me (a Chilean potato pie), and we invited Alison to join us. It was Alison who introduced Gloria to us.

15 March

Our Relief Society celebrated the history of our Edgemont 5th Ward—we had 17 of the 20 presidents present (two have died, and one was ill). This was indeed a memory-making evening.

16 March

Paula took the picture of Don, Sandra, myself, and Alison—we’re celebrating the completion of the tree of life volume at the restaurant Communal.

Week 30

3 March

The textures on these balls truly fascinate me—the bowl is sitting on a table at Jean’s house, where we had book group.

4 March

Precious Cayelle has that little smirk on her face as she is pretending to sleep.

5 March

This is one of the projects I helped Junola with—we were cleaning out her bathrooms and sorting items into piles to throw away, send to Deseret Industries, give away, and ask Chuck.

6 March

This is perhaps an early, self-selected birthday present—I’ve wanted a lightweight coat that would also be rain repellant. This has a zip-out lining, and I am quite pleased with the coat (thanks to Sandra for the tip).

7 March

My birthday was filled with lots of love—a gift from my walking partners, breakfast at our devotional at work, a birthday lunch with the girls at Lora’s, dinner at PF Chang’s with Stephen, and phone calls from well wishers. So despite the fact that I have hit another significant decade, I am so grateful to be surrounded with love and to enjoy good health so I can serve others.

8 March

These are just a couple of birthday gifts I received yesterday.

9 March

Cassius is a very sweet little boy—he is great as long as I don’t go out of his sight. It won’t be long before he is scooting and crawling everywhere.

Week 29

24 February

Scattered here are a stake directory, a BYU Women book, a regular phone directory—all tools I’m using to research the history of the Edgemont 5th Ward Relief Society. Since the ward was created in 1965 and I didn’t move in until 1984, I’ve had to rely on memories and records from early members.

25 February

Cash is the only boy of the recent four babies born in our ward. The girls are Gabriella, Lise, and Merit (just to give a flavor of current naming practices).

26 February

Wanda speaks with Christian at an open house honoring his mother, Cecile, a longtime German neighbor and friend to all, who just passed away. She was our resident Catholic.

27 February

Tom (Stephen’s friend and best man at his wedding) and Ruth come to Provo regularly to check on his father, who lives not far from us. We are always grateful when we get to spend time with them.

28 February

This cute little girl Mia lifted up a doll in a high chair and actually got it up on a table. She was very persistent. She was one of the six children I watched in a nursery during a funeral for ward member Jack Smith.

1 March

Oh, yes, I already mentioned that I was working on a timeline for the Edgemont 5th Ward Relief Society. After numerous hours, phone calls, e-mails, etc., I decided to call it quits and just turn it in for the booklet we are preparing for the Relief Society birthday celebration.

2 March

This is the Mojave chapel where we attended church when we first moved into the ward in 1984. Then in 1992 our ward was moved to the Timpview Drive chapel for a few months, but it really didn’t accommodate the size of our ward well. Finally, early in 1993, we moved into our stake center on Canyon Road, where we have been ever since. So we actually attend church at a chapel that is by no means the closest to us (although it is still within easy walking distance down the hill).

Week 28

17 February

Such sights as this meet our eyes as we round the west end of the fieldhouse on our morning walks on the track. We see either the Army or Air Force ROTC cadets exercising, drilling, and practicing routines (and occasionally praying).

18 February

Cayelle was most amused that I caught her sitting in Cassius’s seat. This picture shows that a three-year-old really doesn’t belong in an infant seat.

19 February

Maya and I enjoyed a visit to the Bean Museum; the beautiful texture and design of this waterbuck horn is only one of the many wonders of nature on display.

20 February

Okay, I can’t get enough of our beautiful mountains (or I’m desperate to get a picture before the day ends)—this is Squaw Peak in the muted light.

21 February

Barbara bought this beautiful German wood carving to adorn her mantelpiece after the Christmas holidays.

22 February

After our inspiring stake Relief Society meeting on remembering what is essential and eternal, ward sisters (Cassie, Anne, Analyn, and Tawna) visit and eat.

23 February

A taco dinner awaits Stephen after he returns home from his Tibetan class (he wishes it were more language-oriented than it is).

Week 27

10 February

Janice and Ann are behind the table filled with delectable Valentine’s Day cookies, caramels, etc. (later bolstered with fruit, dip, licorice, nuts, and cinnamon hearts). This is a long-standing tradition for our book group to meet at Ann’s each February.

11 February

Lynette came to my office, and we worked much of the afternoon going through family history stories for Dad’s ancestors and making sure we both had a complete collection.

12 February

Cayelle wanted to model her princess dress and shoes at her birthday party.

13 February

I made my own Valentine’s Day cookies from my favorite sugar cookie recipe with cream cheese frosting. Of course, I had to give quite a few away so I didn’t eat them by myself.

14 February

We were treated to a couple of love songs by a barbershop quartet (Paula’s son is on the left) on Valentine’s Day.

15 February

These two deer must make their home near campus.

16 February

Lora and Maya came to my office and treated me to lunch. Maya had scraped her chin on their cement stair earlier that day.