HOT!

Our house is HOT! In more ways than one. Yes, it has a beautiful new tile entryway. And the kitchen has a new linoleum floor. There is a roll of dark green-ish carpet waiting for Bob to install on the stairs and two boxes of laminate flooring for the downstairs hall (curse you little dogs and your never-ending pee spots!) But, that is really not the hot I mean. The compressor on the heat pump died sometime Monday night and we woke up to a 83-degree house in the week of a record-bumping heat wave. Thankfully, a repairman came Tuesday noon. He quoted a new compressor at $1300.00. But, our heat pump is 15 years old (with a 20-year life expectancy), so he appropriately advised a new heat pump for $3700.00! Hey, considering we paid $3400.00 fifteen years ago for what we currently have, that is not too bad. With the original, we got a low-interest loan from the city of Columbia so I figured we would do that again. Only, this time, one of the qualifying steps is an energy audit. So, for $125.00 we had that done last night where their main procedure was to close all the windows to seal the house (to make our already hot house hotter!) and suck out air to find leaks around the windows and doors with a little smoke wand (kind of like a wizard). This company also installs heat pumps so we got an estimate from them as well. I have not received their report yet as to what they recommend we do to make our house more energy efficient. I am sure they will want to add more insulation and fix our old windows (at least they said we shouldn’t have to replace them – yikes, that would be another HUGE expense). Sigh. So much work will have to be done, I am sure. And still we sit in a hot house. But, thankfully, the weather breaking tomorrow and all next week looks nice (in the 60’s and 70’s). And, hopefully, by the end of that week, we will have jumped through all the hoops and be the owners of a new heat pump.

I AM grateful all this didn’t happen last week when I was preparing for the stake Relief Society workshop Saturday held on the 7^th. Whew – so glad that event is over. Being in the presidency, I, of course, was involved the planning and preparing. But, I think we all had a few brain cells missing when we decided that both Edith (the other counselor) and I would also each teach a workshop! More planning and preparation. I co-taught a 45-minute class on how to make a family history or photo book on the computer with software downloaded from an on-line book-making program. It is something I am pretty enthusiastic about these days so I was kind of the logical person to teach the class, but still! What was I thinking????

When I wasn’t focusing on the workshop, I was finishing a dress for Lucy to be blessed in on Mother’s Day. I completed it at about midnight Saturday night. We really enjoyed the Mother’s Day in St. Louis. Beckie and Steven (Tamara stayed in Columbia to be with her mother) rode with Steve and me. Julina and Elise drove in from Indiana. And, Vicki (Joe’s mom) had arrived from Korea.

Here she is with a frosting-lipped Noah

We got to Emily’s house in time to dress Lucy before driving to the meetinghouse and that proved to be a mistake as sometime between getting in her car seat and getting out, she had a major blow-out in her diaper and, of course, all over her long white dress. And, she was not happy. Not a good setting for a father’s blessing. Fortunately, Joe was given the option of blessing her after the sacrament and by then, Lucy was calmed and sleeping peacefully. Yes, her dress had yellow stains but that was OK. She received a beautiful blessing and all was good. (Emily washed the dress Monday and it is as good as new – can’t wait to see a formal photo of Lucy wearing it). We all enjoyed a potluck meal after church meetings and then spent the afternoon just sitting around and visiting. It was the perfect coda to a very hectic week.

Joe, Lucy, Steven, Beckie in the Southerland front room

Beckie, Emily, Steve, Elise (yes, that is Sadie on Steve's lap)

Sadie (who needs a haircut and is at the groomers today)

Max in his favorite top-of-the-couch perch

Lucy Charlotte chillin' out

Tonight is the CIS orchestra concert. I confess I am a bit worried as to how we will sound since some members have not been very regular in their attendance. The CIS string quartet played for Candlelight Lodge Mother’s Day Tea last Friday and we were kind of a disaster. When I say this, I mean that we all knew there were blaring mistakes but probably to the untrained ear, we were just fine and blessedly, not many were really listening to us anyway. My adult string group – the Da Capo Strings – had their final meeting last Thursday and now we are on hiatus until mid-June. And, Tuesday night, I got to play that fabulous cello part in the Beatle’s Eleanor Rigby up at the Moberly High School choir concert. That was pretty fun (and, I was in air conditioning!)

I am sure there are plenty of details of the last three weeks of my life that I have left out. But, then, this blog is already too long. Until next entry…..

Hello and Good-bye

Say hello to Lucy Charlotte – our beautiful little granddaughter born Tuesday, April 12^th.

Steve and I went to St. Louis on Friday and got to hold and love her. Here is the happy grandpa.

And here is the whole family. Not a really "beautiful" photo - they were trying to get Emily and Lucy out the door to the doctor for a check-up and so things were kind of rushed.

It is such a blessing to live so close-by. Joe had to return to work a week after she was born so we offered to have Noah for a few days to allow mom and daughter to continue to get to know to each other. Last Wednesday night, at the half-way point of Jonesburg, Joe and Steve met for the Noah exchange. And, for the next three nights and two days, we got to enjoy our energizer bunny grandson. He was so good. He started to get weepy Wednesday night when it was time for bed but all I had to say was, “would you like me to read you a story?” and the tears just vanished. He LOVES his books (like everybody else in the family). We really didn’t do anything exciting. He roared at Alfred every chance he could get and then giggled as the poor terrorized cat raced away. He was sweet and gentle with Sadie and loved to pet Trissy. He ate well, slept well, let me wash his hair and brush his teeth (singing the “Hot Tamales” song – cha cha cha). He went visiting teaching with me Friday morning and played with three-year old Ike. And, thanks to his favorite DVD, Wall-e, he didn’t disturb me as I taught a few cello students. I am certainly out of Easter bunny mode, however, because it was Beckie who remembered to bring some eggs to hunt on Saturday morning. Here he is – I couldn’t get him to stay still long enough for a photo.

Of the three I took, this one had his face in the best focus. A moving target all the time. Here he is opening up his egg treasures.

And here is the gang for Saturday morning breakfast before Steve and Tamara left to take Noah back to St. Louis and to have their own Lucy visit.

Two Sundays ago, we said good-bye to our good friend and "adopted son", Jason Bell. He is now counting cows and pigs in Washington D.C. Well, I don’t know exactly what type of statistics he is doing for the FDA in his new office but hopefully, he will enjoy his new position and living in D.C. We will miss him for our Sunday dinners and games. Steven will miss a video-gaming partner and Beckie a companion for going to the movies.

Steve and I attended two concerts last weekend. Friday was the annual stake Easter Cantata and it really felt strange to not be involved with it (besides baking 4 dozen gluten-free cookies for refreshments). Saturday night was the final CCO concert for the season. We performed a night of Spanish music and, although some of it was rather tricky to play and/or count, it was quite fun to play. I love playing in CCO but I am ready to enjoy having Tuesday nights free for a few months.

At this point in the academic year, it becomes count-down time. Three more trips to Central Methodist University. Two more adult string classes. Six more CIS orchestra mornings. Four more weeks of Music Appreciation classes. Good-bye 2010-11 school year. Hello summer!

Traveling through spring break.............

Well, so many days have elapsed since we went on our spring break trip that it seems almost anti-climactic to blog about it now. And, yet, I will because it is a great story that all began by driving east to Indiana the last weekend in March. Elise was performing with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Saturday evening so we drove as far as Lafayette Friday night and stayed with Julina. She is so busy with her studies that she could only spare Saturday morning to be with us so we went together to downtown Lafayette to visit a favorite candy story and walk around the town square. Here is Julina and Steve at the county courthouse.

We then drove to Indianapolis where we picked up Elise and went to lunch at a little French café in downtown Carmel (where they serve gluten-free crepes!) Then we took a tour of Miniature Museum that had dozens of dollhouses that were just incredible in their detail. The photo below is one of them on display outside. Here is Elise and Steve just before her performance that evening. The concert was a tribute to Hollywood and Broadway and was very enjoyable.

After attending Sunday meetings with Elise, we returned to Columbia via a quick detour through St. Louis to visit Emily, Joe, and Noah.

Next morning, bright and early, we headed west for Utah. We drove all day, avoiding snow in Nebraska by taking the Kansas route. And, surprise surprise (not really) we found a Russell Stover factory outlet along the way. And, it really was at a factory, too. Here is Steve helping out with the chocolate.

The roads and weather were great until we got to Wyoming when we dealt with rain that was trying to turn wintry on the roads. So, going got pretty slow and we didn’t pull into American Fork until after 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. We stayed in Steve’s mom’s house the whole week – just turned the fridge on & set the thermostat up higher since Iola has been either in the hospital or rehab facility since Christmas. This was one of the main reasons to go to Utah – so Steve could visit with his mother and help his brothers and sisters determine the best course of action for her care since her stroke has rendered her left arm and leg pretty useless and has also had an effect upon her mental state. She is mostly in the present but will often have lapses into non-reality. Here is a photo of one of the visits with her at the care center in Bountiful.

back row: Michelle, Maureen front row: Cal, Iola, Steve

Ultimately, it was determined that neither Michelle nor Maureen could care for her long-term so she has been moved into a home where a husband and wife specialize in caring for the elderly. It is actually their home, they only have four residents and they treat them more like grandparents than patients. They are from Tonga – Pita and Latu – and Pita (husband) is an RN and Latu is a CNA. Michelle’s father-in-law has advanced Alzheimers and has been living there for about a year. Steve, Michelle, Maureen with her husband Cal, drove up to visit this home on Friday and everyone was very impressed that this was the best course of action.

It was great to see all of Steve’s brothers and sisters during the week. Here is a photo of them the last night we were there.

back row: Jeff, Dave, Steve front row: Michelle and Maureen

During the last part of the week, Michelle, Maureen and Cal, and Steve and I started to do some sorting/pitching/distributing of Iola’s many, many things. We worked hard and got a lot done but there is still much more to do. While going through kitchen cupboards, below is what Steve found!

Iola heard somewhere that eating one or two gin-soaked raisins a day would help with arthritis. I think it is funny to have two stake presidency members with the bottle.

We got to make a short visit with Jamilyn and Kason Haban (my sister Juli's daughter and grandson) since she lives in Lehi, right next door to American Fork.

Of course, another big reason was to visit Kirsti. She had an orchestra concert Tuesday night and here is a photo of her and Steve just before the performance.

Being in Salt Lake during conference week was another plus. Cindy Layton, the stake Relief Society president, and I (her first counselor) attended some training by the General Relief Society Presidency Tuesday afternoon at the tabernacle. Here we are on Temple Square after the meeting.And, we got tickets for the Saturday morning session of general conference –

Kirsti and her boyfriend, Ryan Merrill, joined us in attendance. Here is a picture of the four of us after the session in front of our favorite temple.........

Sadly, it was time to head back to Columbia so we drove Saturday afternoon as far as Castle Rock, Colorado (via Wyoming with better road conditions this go-around but lots of wind gusts. You should have seen Steve’s white shirt after the wind whipped his tie into his Little America chocolate ice cream cone then flipped it around his shirt). Kendra Kabel (my sister Judy’s oldest granddaughter) and family live in Castle Rock (a Denver suburb) and they graciously let us crash there for the night. Kendra has four beautiful kids – here is a photo of them (dad James was not available at the time).

left to right: Claire, Noah, Ethan, Kendra, Ashton

We drove as far as Strasburg, Colorado (just east of Denver) and stopped at an LDS meetinghouse to catch the morning session of conference. Then, back through Kansas and into a horrendous storm from Topeka all the way back to Columbia. Before we drove into it, this is what it looked like – have to admit it was pretty impressive.

So, back home early Monday morning and we hit the week running and haven’t stopped since. Boy, what a ridiculously busy life we have……………

Thunderstorms

Last night, there were storms somewhere north of us. Steve and I could hardly hear the thunder but darn old Trissy, with her "super dog ears" heard everything LONG before we did and by the time Steve went down to see how she was doing, she had already done damage.....




And, she had crawled into the crowded closet to cower.....


So, Steve coaxed her out, dosed her up with her calming cocktail of pills, and she spent the rest of the night in our room - PANTING. So, for the rest of the night, I slept poorly with disturbing dreams.

Mid-March in Mid-Missouri

Some lovely spring weather we are enjoying. I heard peepers for the first time last week which is a certain sound of spring. Noah and Emily came for a visit Wednesday and stayed until Thursday morning. Noah is now not sleeping in a crib so he took the finch room bed and did just great. He enjoyed Alfred, of course, and the trains downstairs, as usual. He also “helped” me clean the garage while his mom cheered us on. (pictures to follow)

Tuesday was the Ides of March and the CIS drama/music department celebrated with a night of Shakespeare. The choir and orchestra presented a 20-minute program of music inspired by Shakespeare. The orchestra played two numbers from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream – the Wedding March and the Nocturne. Throughout the school were presentations of various acts from Shakespeare’s plays and guests could take in several during the evening. It was quite a shuffling act since many of my string players were also in these dramatic presentations. But, it turned out really well and it gave the orchestra a chance to show off a bit. Up until this year, the CIS advanced orchestra was ……um, well……not that fantastic. It was small and there were amazing musicians that did not participate. However, when CIS changed its start time to 8:30, all the amazing musicians just came out of the woodwork and we have made remarkable strides. And, people are noticing.

Thursday morning, Steve and I had a chat with a fellow at the MU retirement benefits office and were delighted to learn that he can retire with full benefits in four years! Actually, less than four years since his last day could be January 18^th, 2015. Wow. That must mean we are old…..

Speaking of old, we oldsters are both assigned to advise the stake Young Single Adult committee (due to our callings) and they had a fun activity Friday night at a city park. It was beautiful weather so Steve loaded up our bikes into the back of the truck and we made a brief appearance with the youngsters before wandering around the park on our bikes. We cancelled out all that calorie-burning exercise, though, with a visit to Culver’s for some frozen custard afterward. But, at least we broke even? We also learned that Culvers is test-marketing a gluten-free bun. How wonderful will that be???

And, speaking of gluten-free, we had a celiac family from the Highlands Ward over for dinner on Saturday night and just stuffed ourselves with all kinds of delicious gluten-free Mexican food and cake. Mmmm. Then, I stayed up too late and watched “Despicable Me”. It was delightful! I want a minion.

Sunday was third for the month so Steve spoke in the University Ward. I didn’t have a speaking assignment but I decided to visit the Fayette Branch where, coincidentally, Steven (jr) had a speaking assignment. So, Steven, Tamara, me, and friend Jason Bell all ventured up to Fayette for the day. It is quite a small branch but full of incredibly nice people and they always have a pot-luck on the third Sunday so we got to stay for that! The Jamisons are in that branch and they are exploring going gluten-free so even I had plenty to eat. They brought tapioca pudding for dessert. MMMMMM – my mom made that all the time and it is so tasty (even though my dad called it “fish eyes in snot”)

So, it was a nice mid-March week here in Columbia.

Hah! We were fooled.....

......into thinking the snows were done for the year. Look what we (and the crocus) woke up to this morning. And it is still coming down. We could end up with 3-4 inches!

My crocus are up!

I am finally taking some time to write a new blog. March just roared in and has left me wondering what happened to the first thirteen days of the month. CIS took students to the music festival at Central Methodist University on Friday, the 4^th and that was an all-day affair. I always like going and this year, it was not even too stressful for me. Some years, I accompany someone and I am not very solid on the music and that creates a bit of nerves. Not this year – the music was all very playable and the piano was decent.

We had Stake Conference last weekend. It was a regional broadcast so all the stake leadership had to worry about was Saturday night. As it was, Steve had two talks and a lesson to. I just had to help serve the meal to the Priesthood leaders on Saturday.

We celebrated Tamara’s birthday last weekend. Happy birthday, Tamara.

I’ve watched a few good movies lately. How to Train Your Dragon is really cute. And, I quite enjoyed the A-Team. Crazy, huh? Steve and I have been spending our last three date-night Fridays watching the multi-disc A&E version of Horatio Hornblower. A well done series. And, yesterday, as I was cleaning and fixing food, I watched Calamity Jane – an old 1953 Doris Day musical – on instant Netflix. Very politically incorrect, very corny, and yet, very entertaining. I have been humming the tunes ever since.

Steve and I had some free time yesterday so we visited a dollhouse shop in little, out-of-the-way Millersburg. What a delightful place. Of course, it sold items for doll houses but it was also like a museum with maybe twenty completely furnished doll houses on display. They were just amazing. We stopped in a new antique mall on the east side of Columbia on our way home and enjoyed walking around.

We fixed Chinese food for dinner tonight. I found a recipe for gluten-free egg rolls that uses rice paper. What a strange substance it is – it comes out of the package crispy and brittle but becomes soft and almost squishy after it is moistened. When I make them again this summer (when Kirsti is home), I will wrap the filling in two sheets because some of the rolls broke apart in the fryer. I also used the rice paper to make crab Rangoon and those turned out beautifully! Beckie brought a veggie noodle dish and Melanie brought a lovely spinach, strawberry, Mandarin orange, almond salad. It was a delicious, fattening feast.

Max finally got a haircut – here are before and after pictures.