Extravagrant

We made a purchase Saturday. We replaced something that we have had in this house, I think since we built it. I hated to spend the money, but Dad was certain it was justified.

I hope the next time you visit, you won't miss the old one.

HALLOWEEN

We had decided we could do without Halloween this year. Just turn off the lights and go to the bedroom and watch the World Series. Sounds simple enough. But when it came right down to it, we couldn't ignore all of the neighborhood kids. So we got a small bag of candy and decided we would turn off the lights when it was gone.

You may remember that Dad traditionally does fancy pumpkins with carving kits and stencils. Well, since we were close to breaking tradition, he didn't do the pumpkins. We didn't even buy pumpkins, can you believe it? Instead, Dad put his creative abilities to work and created a mummy. The ground rules were that he couldn't spend any money on it. (Are you proud, Jed?) I think he came through pretty well.

We Love NYC

What a fabulous time we had.

Some years ago Dad had a client in Chicago and he traveled there a lot. Alex and Sarah were living in Chicago at the time. So on one of Dad's business trips I went with him. We had the chance to spend a day with Alex and Sarah and saw some of Chicago through their eyes. We saw Navy Pier, museums, had dinner at a great place, and had our first taste of Godiva chocolates. I loved Chicago after that.

So that's what seeing NYC with the help of Jed and Heather did for us. We loved it.

We arrived at La Guardia Tues. afternoon. (I should say right here that every flight was either on time or early!) Jed took us to his place, with a stop at a little bakery for cupcakes. It's alway nice to see where your family lives. We had a great dinner prepared by Heather. We then had our first experience with the Subway. Got our week passes and rode to pick up the rental car and then checked into our hotel. Picked up Heather and they drove us into the city for a driving tour at night. Jed said, "and Heather will be your tour guide for this evening." We saw everything. It was fabulous. I grew up in a big city, but this was something completely new for me.

The next morning Jed met us at our stop and we went into the city on the train. Got off at Grand Central Station. We went up to the Market and saw all of the grandeur in the station. Then to PWC for a minute then to Bryant Park and the NY Public Library. We walked up to St. Patrick's Cathedral, then to Rockefeller Center. Went to the Top of the Rock. Lunch at Del Frisco's with Heather and Jed was next. I haven't stopped dreaming about the mashed potatoes, yet.

After lunch Jed went to the office and Heather walked us to the Gershwin Theater for Wicked. So amazing. When it was over I just sat there. In High School I had wanted to be a Broadway star. Didn't quite make that, but I had finally come to Broadway! Then off to Yankee Stadium for the game with the Royals. What a place. My favorite thing, I'm afraid, was the elevator. It was wild and Yankee fans are true blue. It was fun to be in that atmosphere again. Very cold, though. Jeter hit a homerun in the 1st inning over the left field wall. Exciting.

Thursday morning we were on our own to get to the river to take the "3 hour tour" around the island. Cold again, but so wonderful. We went under 19 bridges and saw everything. Great views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. After the cruise we met Jed and took the train over to Brooklyn. Walked around and saw wonderful neighborhoods. Then pizza at Grimaldi's. Oh my! I want to make pizza like that but Matthew says my oven won't get hot enough. I'm still dreaming of that pizza, too. Then the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. Scared me to death. Held on to Dad until I was afraid his arm would fall off. He and Jed took pictures every minute. Finally made it. Walked to the Trinity Church, saw Alexander Hamilton's grave, and then Wall St. Then Battery Park and Castle Clinton, where our ancestors arrived in this country. I kept wondering how they felt. Then met Heather and dinner at Carmine's. Family style Italian. Garlic bread beyond compare, salad and pasta. Jed wanted to top it off with banana pudding at Magnolia's, but just couldn't hold another bite.

Friday morning we checked out of the hotel and took our bags to Jed's. Went into the city and had the tour of Central Park. What a beautiful oasis in the middle of a crowded and busy city. Loved every minute of it. You don't hear the city at all. Then Levain Bakery with 1 pound cookies. They had to be a pound. So huge. And so good. Then the Temple. Jed said, "you see it." I didn't know what, then he pointed to the Temple. Then home to Jed's and take out lunch from a Thai place around the corner. Then we took a taxi to the airport and that was that.

We find ourselves longing to return and aren't quite sure why. Lots of possible reasons. Needless to say, we loved every minute. The most probable reason that comes to mind is that you did it for us. All of you were so generous. We will never be able to thank you enough. And special thanks to Kim, for suggesting it in the first place. I know I have gone on with more than you wanted, but I wanted a permanent record of some of the things we saw and did. To see a rather large sample of our photos, click here.

Thanks to you all.

My Return to Blogging

Where HAVE I been and what have I been doing since my last post in mid-April. A brief report follows.

April--Hebe and Carley got married. Everyone came to town(Samantha had to come without Ken.) Alex, Sarah, Justin and McKenzie were the first to arrive and the last to leave. While they were here we celebrated McKenzie's birthday. Pink cake. What a great visit we had with them. The wedding dinner was spectacular and the wedding beautiful.

May--Mother's Day and birthdays.

June--Father's Day and birthdays. Especially the birth of Josie, Alex and Sarah's new arrival on the 28th. Also in June we oversaw the West Bountiful Independence Day celebration. Hebe and

Carley moved into their new home the end of the month. It is fabulous.

July--We, Luke, Hebe and Carley, and Jed and Heather drove to Meridian for golf and more importantly, Emma's baptism. (The excitement of the trip was the alternator going out in our car, just north of Jerome, ID.) Rach, Jeff and family came for a visit. We loved having them. Matthew, Kim and kids were here for Josh's birthday. Also in July I became chairman of the WB Arts Council, since Dianne and Chad left on their mission for Oklahoma.

August--Started with Dad and Luke travelling to Atlanta for Josie's blessing. I ran the business while Dad was gone. Fortunately, not too much happened. Lots of birthdays and our 44th anniversary. The end of August Luke moved into his new place. It's good to see him in his own space. It's a very nice space, too.

September--More birthdays. We participated in the production of the Founder's Day play by preparing the slide presentation. We welcomed Tyler on Sept. 15 and delivered him to the MTC Sept. 16. Early in the month we got the surprise call from Matthew and Kim telling us of the planned trip to NYC. We have been and returned, but that deserves a post of it's own. While preparing the slide presentation, I was given these two pictures, taken in 1974. Can you tell who's who?

Meanwhile we work. Our clients range from Logan and Tremonton on the North to Springville in the south. We have done work for dentists in Nephi, but they are not regulars. We also do work by mail for a dentist in Battle Mountain, NV and a dentist in Mt. Pleasant, UT We often put over 1,000 miles on the car each week as we travel to pick up and deliver. We are grateful for a car that gets good mileage. We are especially grateful for continued work and the help and encouragement we receive from family in this effort.

GRATITUDE

Our basement flooded, again!  The Weber water was turned on yesterday and we had an open hose spigot.  It filled the window well in Alex's room and ran into the hall and a little in Jed's room.  This is  the third time this area has been flooded.

As Dad and I were struggling to get the water out with our one shop vac, I did a totally uncharacteristic thing for me.  I called for help.  I called Janet Smith who is now the RS president and who was a counselor of mine in the Primary, and who will always be a good friend.  She immediately sent her very big son with some box fans.  He helped Dad move the bed out to the game room and after surveying everything, said he would be back with their shop vac.  He said I get out of school (at Weber) at noon, so I have plenty of time to help.  Janet showed up with this mondo carpet cleaner that she used to vaccuum water out of the carpet.  Julie and Marty Farmer came with their shop vac and worked for hours.  The Bishop came to help but saw we had more help than we could use.

Then Janet's husband showed up with KFC--Dad's favorite.

I don't know why I called for help this time, but I'm so grateful.  I told Janet we just didn't have time for this, with everyone coming home next week.  With everyone's help I think things will be fine.

Before the Smith's left I said I didn't know how I could thank them enough.  They said, "thank you is enough."  Just "pay it forward".  We will.

Another Subject

Dad is preparing for the Vendor's show for the Dental Association in Feb.  At the suggestion of our sons, he has made a small putting green.  The dentists will have a chance to putt and win a prize.

Red Letter Day

Yesterday was a red letter day--Dad and Luke laid the tile for the floor of the shower.  So...it's coming along. Samantha and Matthew, etal will arrive Thurs. night.  The shower will not be done. So  it seems we will have eight people here, all using one bathroom.  We have instructed Dad that he will have to do his reading someplace else, while everyone is here.  I'm sure we will survive.