NaNa's Birthday Weekend, Etc

 We went to Haylee's school to watch her basketball shooting event.

 Tralee made a sign to cheer Haylee on.

 Haylee did her job.

 Time to leave the basketball court.

 NaNa's special night.  Jim, Mary, Barb and NaNa

 Kevin & Maritza.

 Haylee, Brady & Tralee

 Genevieve, Michael and Leslie.

 Genevieve & Brian.

 Tralee's side profile and Hunter.

 Brian, Mary, Jimmy in background with Jim Sr & NaNa in the front.

 Haylee

 Leslie & Hunter.

 Haylee.  My battery died on my camera.  More pictures on my phone, but don't know how to get them on here.

Grandpa Stoehr's Funeral Weekend, Etc

 I think this was a picture of Jimmy coming to Cleveland for training.

 We went to Brady's School to see him represent one of his Heros.

Tralee with Grandpa Labiszak

 Brady in his classroom with Mom & Dad.

Our beautiful daughters - Amy & Leslie with Dad.

Jimmy, Amy Leslie and Dad.

 My brother Scott gave the welcome to the family at my Father's funeral.

My brother Paul gave a beautiful opening prayer.

Paul's son Paul Jr and his beautiful family.

 Sister Peg with two of Lorie's daughters Jackie and Rachael and Lorie.

 My Grandchildren - Hunter, Brady, Tralee and Haylee

 Lorie's German exchange student, & not sure,  Nickie, Hunter and Brady.

 Grandpa Stoehr's body.

 These were the flowers Mike, Mary & Nana sent for the funeral.

 These were the flowers Brian and Genevieve sent for the funeral.

 Brady, Tralee and Haylee.

Brady in the back sleeping, Hunter and Grandma Charlene.

4 AM Comes Early

It was temple day today.  I'm becoming a little less stressed some of the time.  Other times it's like my brain fogs up.  Like when I saw Jim was standing there listening to me doing my job.  My lines just flew away.  Double embarrassing.  Luckily, I recovered.

This has been a sad week.  My father is in the VA Hospital and has cancer.  He's had a horrible raw spot on his arm for more than a year now and it's gotten progressively worse.  I know medicine is not an exact science, but I think they are probably wrong as much or more than they are right to the detriment of many.  I hope they can find some way to help alleviate his fears and I pray for peace and comfort for him and Mom.  It was great to hear Jody, Paul and Scott all came by yesterday to visit.  That meant a lot to Dad.

Christmas & Home Teacher

I am grateful for Fridays.  I can look forward to the weekend.  We watched "Flipped".  It was a great movie.  Not sure who ordered this Romantic Comedy from Netflix, but glad we got it.

Most of Saturday was spent taking down Christmas decorations and putting them away for another year.  It was a blessing to get that done.   That was about all I got done though.  I had a LOT more on my list, but I never seem to finish my list on the weekends.  Jim worked at church most of the day in the clerk's office getting tithing receipts printed and doing the budget for the next year.  He stopped at Costco, picked up some pork chops and came home to grill some for dinner.  We watched TV while I did the ironing.  He was out of shirts, so I ironed about six shirts.  That is rather time consuming.  A blessing to get that done.

Today is Sunday.  Two missionaries spoke.  They did a great job.  Handsome, articulate young men.  I had a Chipotle Gift Card and donated it to them.  Our six full time missionaries sang "A Child's Prayer" too and that was beautiful.  Our home teacher came over tonight.  He is awesome.  His family is moving to Denver in June.  I will miss them!!!

Blessings

Wednesday I received an actual e-mail from a Dr that saw Todd on Tuesday.  He made some very valid observations and recommendations.  I am very grateful for his suggestions.  Now if we can get Alpha Homes and his caregivers on board, we might be able to see some improvement in Todd's weight.  We also had lunch brought in at work compliments of one of my favorite vendors.  It was delicious!  I sent Tralee's birthday box out and saw Tralee and her Mom on FaceTime.

Thursday was a good day at work.  I had plenty to do and that makes me happy!   Jim brought leftover Chips & Guacamole home for a snack and I made Tomato Basil Soup and Cheese Sandwiches for dinner.  That was so easy.  I decided to plug in NaNa's old heat pad to set my feet on while I work on the computer.  It's working!  Now when I get into bed my feet will not be ice cubes like they normally are.

I'm Thankful

Jimmy called tonight on his way home from the Apple Store having fostered another deal with someone.  My son is amazing,  the wizardry he comes up with.  Anyway, we were discussing some of life's challenges and joys.  He mentioned that he has a new daily activity, where he writes in his journal something that has happened each day to bring him joy and closer to deity; something he is grateful for.  I think that is a wonderful idea.  I've made a commitment to spend some time each day contemplating something that will make me a better individual.  I also want to spend some time on the positive.  There is just so much negative around.  So, in review…

Saturday we went to the Columbus Temple as workers.  It was wonderful.  I love working with the patrons and feeling a part of our group.  We have a baker who is also a Temple worker and he always brings something yummy to share.  I had a piece of his cheesecake.  It was delicious!!!!

Sunday I actually took time to read from our Relief Society Manual about the prophet we are studying this year, Lorenzo Snow.  What an uplifting human being.  It was time well spent.   I got to talk to Brady and Amy on Face talk.  Love to see their smiles!!!!  Brings me joy!

Monday, Jimmy called just to talk.  I love it when my children take the time to call!  Haylee text messaged me.  Love that girl!  

Leslie did another post about Hawaii on her blog.  Hunter actually made it up to his neck in the water.  That is something to write about.  I love it when my girls blog with pictures, especially of my grandchildren.

Now it is bedtime and I have the most amazing bed to crawl into.  I've been able to sleep much of the night lately too.  That is a blessing!

Much to be thankful for ...

The Club

For the past few years the company I work for has hosted our annual Christmas Party at Red Tail Country Club.  This is the community Jim and I live in.  It is a good location and a beautiful place to host an event.  Each year there have been disappointments, mainly in the quality of some of the food.  This year a couple of us were invited to a taste test of the foods that would be on our menu.  Tonight was the night to come and sample.  Nancy, Dawn and I met at the Club and Debbie, our hostess helped finalize the menu and other items that needed to be taken care of.  The Club went way above and beyond what we had anticipated.  They sat us down at a beautifully set table.  We were served a delicious salad and warm rolls, followed by a small plate of Chicken Picatta, Green Beans and Garlic Mashed Red Potatoes.  Then we were served Chicken Marsala with Broccoli, next came Prime Rib with Aujuis and Horseradish Sauce, last came Shrimp and Scallops with Pasta and Alfredo Sauce.  The Scallops were perfect, but the Shrimp were tiny and rubbery.  That was my only complaint and I asked if they could bring the calibre of the Shrimp up to the Calibre of the Scallops.  There were three desserts we were able to sample as well.  Those were delicious too.  It was a great way to get out of making dinner.  I even had enough to bring Jim dinner and I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow.   Thank you Red Tail!  I look forward to our Christmas Party.