Be thou an example of the believers.

The last 24 hours has been amazing

Our stake Young Women had tickets for the General Young Women meeting in Salt Lake.

We are very blessed as our stake leaders arranged for buses to take the young women and their mothers and leaders to the Conference Center.

It is so much nicer to take a bus.

We are dropped off and picked up right in front of the Conference Center.

The meeting theme was based on the scripture from 1 Timothy 4:12, ""Be thou an example of the believers".

We were all encouraged to complete the experiences and project for the new Young Women Value, Virtue.

Sister Dalton, General Young Women President, made the challenge. She described how she was working on this value with her own mother. As she told us this, I thought, hmmm, I would like to do this with my daughters. I am going to put it on my blog!

So, I am challenging my daughters, Katie, Katie, Megan and Lauren, their friends, one's sisters, my former young women (you know who you are), and any one else who reads this and is up for a challenge to complete the Virtue Value experiences and project with me. Are you up for this?Here is the link: http://www.lds.org/pa/yw/pdf/YW_2009_PersonalProgressVirtue_08255_eng_.pdf

So, now you are asking, what is so amazing?

Well, the theme for our Sacrament Meeting this morning was the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. The Virtue Value experience is to read the Book of Mormon.

The theme for our combine Relief Society-Priesthood meeting was missionary work with the emphasis being the importance of reading the Book of Mormon.

The lesson for Sunday School was the Gathering of Israel, with the emphasis being on the power of the Book of Mormon.

My lesson from all of this is how important it is to read the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon is powerful.

It is a testament of Jesus Christ.

We should study it each day.

Are you willing to take the challenge?

Will you share your experience with me?

Is living a virtuous life important to you?

Happy Birthday, Margaret!

Sunday, March 29th marks the 52nd anniversary of my little and only sister, Margaret's, birth. Margaret was born with a rare bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta. Quite simply, her bones were very fragile and broke easily. Every time she was picked up or moved or even had her diaper changed broke bones. The day she came home from the hospital I invited a total stranger in our house to see my new baby sister.

In spite of the pain she must have always been in, Margaret was the happiest person I have ever known. I never remember her crying or complaining. Margaret was my best friend and favorite playmate. We moved to Salt Lake to be close to the Shriner's Hospital so that she could have surgeries to straighten and hopefully strengthen her bones. One at a time she was to have a metal rod placed in each of her legs and arms. She got through the first two surgeries, each of her legs, just fine. During the third surgery she became desperately ill and the doctors found she also had a hole in her heart. Margaret was transferred to Primary Children's hospital and eventually came home on oxygen 24 hours a day.

The heart problem is what took her life. I still remember that quiet morning when I woke up and Margaret was gone. The mortician came and gently carried her small little body out the door. Even though she was five years old. Margaret was the size of a six month old baby.

A "baby" who talked! I will never forget the day in the grocery store when a lady came up to us and pointed to Margaret saying, "What a cute little baby." "Mom!" Margaret hollered, "Tell her I'm not a baby!" The poor lady turned white and stumbled away.

Or the time in the drug store when we drinking root beer. I was sitting on a stool and Margaret was laying on the counter, both of us slurping up root beer through straws. A lady came in and gave my mom a glare until Margaret asked for more.

Margaret was always happy and cheerful.

Margaret taught me my left hand from my right hand. I got in trouble because I was told if I learned my right hand from my left I could have a watch. I could never remember and always had to ask Margaret which was my right had. She would raise up her little had and I would have to stand in the direction she was laying to get it right. Then I would run into the kitchen to set the table, forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Mom was so proud of me until she figured out Margaret was telling me. So, she told Margaret not to help me. The next time I asked for help, Margaret called out , "Mom, she's asking again!" That was the end of me "cheating" and I did not figure it out until well after she had died.

Where ever we went where there were children, they flocked around her happily talking to her. She never lacked for playmates.

Margaret was always trying to get in trouble so that she could be spanked just like me. It never happened. Not only did she have no way to get in trouble, it would have been too dangerous to spank her! We could not even hug her. A few weeks before Christmas, she scooted a little plastic Santa to the edge of the table where it fell off. "Mom, look! I broke the Santa. You can spank me now." I will never forget mom telling her, "Margaret, it was your Santa and you broke it, I can't spank you for that." "But you spanked Cathy!" Mom told her, "Cathy broke my Santa, you broke yours. It is different." After all the work for a spanking and she still did not get it. Mom glued the Santa back together.

The last Christmas before she died, we were told to let our parents sleep in on Christmas morning. We took that literally! We woke up bright and early. I do not remember which of us had the great idea, but we decided to open our presents. I carried them one at a time into the bedroom we shared. Margaret would look at the tag and decide if it said Cathy or Margaret. She got most of them right, except one. She opened an umbrella. We decided that tag must have said Marjorie as Margaret could not use an umbrella. So, we tried our best to wrap it back up. Our parents woke up and mu poor mom was so upset. We had opened everything and were happily playing with our toys. Margaret and I got a Barbie dream kitchen and were having a great time playing with it. This memory makes me sad as that was the last Christmas before she died and I kind of ruined it for my mom. But it is a great memory!

Margaret was very smart and was learning to read even though she had not started school. You could probably tell that my she telling me which name was which!

Margaret and I had pet turtles, Myrtle and Yrtle.

Margaret wanted an electric train for her 5th birthday and got one. We rode Myrtle and Yrtle around and around the track.

Margaret was given a dauschhound puppy and was absolutely delighted with her and named her Heidi. That dog was so gently with Margaret. She would jump up where Margaret would be laying and carefully place herself next to Margaret. Never once hurting or even jostling her.

We were little in the days before safe car seats. Margaret rode in the car in a special box my father made for her.

Margaret helped me find our birthday and Christmas presents which were hidden under the bed!

For her 5th birthday my mom made a humpty dumpty cake. On his hat was a little wooden train with 5 cars, each of which held a candle. It was the coolest cake and she loved it. She had a birthday party in the afternoon while I was at school just for her friends. But, they did not eat that cake! Margaret had mom save it for when I got home from school. As each of mu children turned 5 years old, we put that train on the top of their cakes. I still have it.

I have many wonderful memories of my sister. She truly was my best friend.

Happy Birthday, Margaret!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Sunday March 22 was my mother-in-law's 79th birthday anniversary. We lost her seven years ago. Sometimes it feels like just yesterday. Sometimes too long. Thinking about she and my mom together working for good makes me feel happy. One of the last things my mom said to me was, "I really miss Gene." I miss her, too.

She was the glue that held us all together.

She was proud of all of her children.

She was proud of all of her grandchildren.

Each of them had a special place in her heart and they knew exactly where that place was.

She taught me not only how to cook, but how to be a great cook! A pound of butter always makes everything taste better.

She taught Lauren how to make rolls and breads. Yummy, yummy! And Lauren can do it just like Grandma did!

When the kids were little after they were potty trained, they got to spend Friday nights with Grandma.

She got the three oldest grandsons together to encourage potty training. Ask AJ, Cam or Nate about the aiming for the fence adventure.

She taught me about real Eastering. What fun we always had!

She told great stories. Ask any of the kids about the bunny story.

She brought homemade hot rolls to our houses every Sunday.

She taught me how to be a better seamstress.

She and I took quilting classes together, okay she bullied me into them with her and boy did we have fun. It is one of the best hobbies I have taken up.

She had Lauren and Megan take the classes with us!

She made all of her kids clothes with scraps and pieces and they looked store bought. You should see the pictures.

She quilted Ray and I two, yes two, temple quilts because the first one was not centered in the fabric. And this was in four weeks!

She embroidered special aprons for Ray and I. Every time I wear mine I think about how much she loved us.

She treated me like a daughter and loved me a lot and needed a lot of patience because I was kind of difficult.

She raised kind sons. I have the very best husband in the whole wide world. he is patient, kind, compassionate and always showing me love.

She started the 12 days of Christmas tradition and even gave us goldfish one year!

She dropped everything to babysit anytime.

She traveled across country to see grand kids get baptised, graduate, participate in special events.

She taught us to love ears of corn roasted over hot coals.

Umm, salsa and home made macaroni and cheese, a true culinary delight!

Gardening and canning we always activities she not only encouraged but made us do. What a blessing for me.

She owned her own fabric shop and taught not only her girls, who won County fair ribbons for their sewing, but taught ray to sew. ask about his suit.

She made designer "genes".

She quilted baby quilts for my babies and crocheted edges around receiving blankets.

She and my mom made projects together, mom knitting part and Gene crocheting part.

She crocheted afghans for grand kids' high school graduations.

Lauren learned to sew with Grandma and sews to this day.

She made dresses for little girls in orphanages in Africa.

She made tons of baby things for new born kits.

At her death we donated boxes and boxes of fabric and batting to make quilts for the humanitarian program. These were items that she intended to make into quilts for the same program. I think over 50 quilts were made with the fabric and batting.

She secretly gave baby blankets to anyone she saw had a need. (We found this out after her death)

She taught hundreds of people to sew clothing for themselves and their children.

She was always looking for ways to help others.

She sacrificed everything she had for her family.

She never stopped loving those she loved.

Sunday her 5th great-grandchild was blessed. What an honor to have AJ bless Zamari Amber-Rose on Grandma's 79th birthday. Zamari brings a little piece of Grandma with her. I think Grandma was very pleased with the day. I think Grandma is very pleased with her family.

SPT Eight Gates or 8 G-8s

Okay, so I have a thing about gates. We started out with one gate! Since we have lived in this house we have put in a total of nine gates and taken two back out. Whoa!
The original gate or the gate I call the garden gate. This gate allowed us to walk up the ditch to get our irrigation water. Sad times now as we no longer have irrigation water. Irrigating made me feel like a real farmer.
This is our driveway gate. The first gate we put in. This gate helped to keep Lauren in the yard. For some reason, when my kids see a gate they automatically stay inside it.

This is the second gate we put in between the little yellow house and the neighbor's fence.

This is a water gate, a real one! This gate kept the water in my mom's yard and when pulled it up let the water into our yard. It is also the get out of the yard free gate for Tundra as she could get under it!

The gate that keeps Tundra in the yard when I need to move the cars in and out. Or when company comes to the patio.

The patio gate that keeps Tundra out of half the back yard so that we can have a "dog free zone". I hope you know what that means. And this is the way into the patio for visitors who are not dog savvy.

The Grandma gate, so we could walk through the yard instead of around the block.

The second gate the keeps this part of the back yard "dog free".

We also had a gate at the edge of our house to make a dog run. That did not last long. Chuck needed more room.

And we had a gate to keep Chuck out of the garden. He ate everything! Tomatoes off the vine, corn off the stalk, grapes and their leaves and their stems and roots! When we decided to have a dog free zone we took out that gate.

Ray also put a gate in up the ditch so we could walk all the way to the water. It is gone now that the new school is built.

So, as you can see, we seem to like gates. Who has this many gates in a yard this size? It is almost like a maze. But I love my gates. And I love my mate who made these gates. He really is the best!

My Baby Girl Came Home

My baby girl came home for Spring Break this week.

She helped me get a rolling toy tote.

She got up before seven a.m. to go the Lindon Cannery and work with me so we could get this yummy salsa.
Thursday her big sister Megan joined us for shopping
here where my baby got some new shoes.
Then we went to Sweet Tomatoes to enjoy a vegetable laden lunch.
The next day Megan came to Provo to visit with the dentist and took us out to lunch. By the way, the dinner salads there are great, especially with fresh lemon juice and a little salt and pepper.

Our fun ended when the big sister took the baby sister back to Salt Lake with her.

To fill up the time so I would not be so sad, I decided to be crafty and made this cute round bag.

Then Ray took me here for a little window shopping.

I had so much fun being crafty that morning, that I ended the day making this flirty apron. I really like to sew when I have the time.

8 Still is Gr-8

We have a daughter Sk-8

And a son N-8

Our N-8 has a K-8

Ray is my M-8

Fridays we D-8

We try not to be L-8

We have four G-8s

I don't like to W-8, but I like my W-8

Happy Birthday, Josie!

Today is Josie's 2nd birthday!

On St. Patrick's Day no less.

So sing and dance and shout hooray.

Happy day, happy day, happy day!

Josie is the glue that holds us all together.

Josie reminds us of the wonders of this world.

Josie is very smart.

Josie is very beautiful.

Josie has the best smile.

Josie's laugh is delightful.

Josie is fun to play tea party with.

Josie is delightful to play games with.

Josie likes to read books.

Josie likes her Elmo movie.

Josie tolerates this grandma's hovering.

Josie always welcomes us with open arms and heart.

Josie, we are so thankful for you and to celebrate this day of your birth.

We wish we were there.

Lots of love to you!

More good mail for me!

A remembrance of my mom! Note the hand knit heart. Thanks, Melissa!


Oatmeal-lavender soap instead of a recipe, and a nice note. Thanks, Shannon!

A nice thank you from one of my "girls". Thanks, Danielle!

Another special remembrance of my mom. Thanks, Jackie!

A very, very nice note on a beautiful hand made card. Thanks, Kate!

Congratulations, Lauren, you passed your test!

We had a wonderful Sacrament meeting based on Elder Uctdorf's talk The Infinite Power of Hope. One of the speakers referred to an article given by President Ezra Taft Benson Do Not Despair. It was such an uplifting talk and article that I would like to share 12 steps to overcoming despair and attaining perfection:

1. Repent- Abraham Lincoln said, "If you do bad you feel bad. If you do good you feel good." So , is this is something you need to do, then do it!
2. Prayer- prayer is a key to help keep depression from destroying you. I thought about this and the promise is not that depression will go away, but that it will be kept from ruining everything.
3. Service- I have found if I look around for someone who has more troubles than I and I can find out what they need and then do it for them, then I feel better.
4. Work- hard work always helps me feel better, although there are many times I do not want to do it.
5. Health- doing things that help me be healthy like exercise (mowing the lawns) and eating nutritiously usually raise my spirits.
6. Read the Scriptures- the Book of Mormon, Psalms, Doctrine and Covenants and modern day words of the prophets helps me put things in better perspective.
7. Blessings- like a priesthood or father's blessing. Re-reading my patriarchal blessing. The blessing of the Sacrament.
8. Fasting- focusing on others' needs
9. Friends- friendship should begin at home. Friends can help and lift us.
10. Music- listening to hymns and primary songs always cheers me up.
11. Endurance- Joseph Smith said, "...and he[she] that holds out faithful to the end shall in nowise lose his[her] reward. A good man[woman] will endure all things to honor Christ...to save his[her] soul."
12. Goals- setting goals helps me look forward with a brightness of hope to the future.

I love what was said today in all three of our meetings. Our Sunday School lesson was Doctrine and Covenants 25 and how it applies to us today. This is the section where the Lord tells Emma she is an elect (called) lady. We can each be an elect person if we accept and fulfill our callings and responsibilities. Also, we are encouraged to murmur not. That is such a good piece of advice, especially if we want to be free of despair.

Our Relief Society lesson was especially good, Valiant in the Cause of Christ. Joesph Smith said, "I am a lover of the cause of Christ." Doesn't that say it all? There were four main areas of study today. Even though the words were from Joseph Smith over 150 years ago, read them and see if they don't apply to you today!

1. The valiant cheerfully do all they can, even during times of trouble. In 1831 Joseph Smith said, "It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required.
2. The valiant love the cause of Christ and strive to develop Christlike qualities. Joseph Smith said, "I am a lover of the cause of Christ and of virtue, chastity and an upright and steady course of conduct, and a holy walk."
3. The valiant strive to improve themselves while in this life. Joseph Smith said, "After this instruction you will be responsible for your own sins; it is a desirable honor that you should so walk before our Heavenly Father as to save yourselves; we are all responsible to God for the manner we improve the light and wisdom given by our lord to enable us to save ourselves."
4. The valiant endure faithfully to the end and will receive a crown of celestial glory. Joseph Smith said, "Our trust is in God, and we are determined, His grace assisting us, to maintain the cause and hold fast faithful unto the end, that we may be crowned with crowns of celestial glory, and enter into the rest that is prepared for the children of God."

How about it? All three of our meetings complimented and supported each other even though each was a very different subject. It is so amazing to me that this happens almost every week. A strength to my testimony.

Does this happen to you?

Will what you learned today make a difference for you this week?

Musings

Yesterday Katie's sister Shannon posted an article about her home and yard that had been published in a magazine this month! A real magazine! She lives in a home built in 1803- yes 1803!

There are no homes in Utah that old except for Cliff Dwellings and Anasazi ruins. Utah was not even settled until 1847. Prior to that Catholic missionaries came through, but no one settled down here. So it is quite amazing to me to think of living in a home over 200 years old.

The home we live in was built in the 1950's and I think we are the third owners of it. A beautiful fruit orchard was taken out to build the houses on our side of the block. My mom's house is quite a bit older and the house next to her and one up the street were some of the first real homes built in the area we live in. So, we think they are old. But no where near 200 years.

The amazing thing about Shannon's home is her one+ acre yard. I will never complain about mowing all our grass again. Megan says it is like a park. The gardens are beautiful. I am not kidding. You should see the pictures. She even has a pond (big, no little man made polyurethane pond) and ducks! How would that be? We have quail that walk through our garden. Does that count? Anyway, it is quite amazing.

And to top it off, Shannon has a sister who is just as creative and hardworking, Katie, and she is actually in our family! What a blessing that is for us. Katie is also attracted to old homes and beautiful yards and colorful flowers.

Lauren is on the last day, test day, of her life saving class to train to be a lifeguard. This is also the first day of spring break.

For the last month I have planned on catching a ride down to Cedar with a friend who was coming up to Provo to a regularly scheduled meeting. On Tuesday that meeting was cancelled. What to do? I did not HAVE to go to Cedar, but I wanted to go and support Lauren in her last hours of training. So, I started looking for an alternative ride. After going through all my friends who have family in the south eastern part of Utah and sending out an e-mail asking if anyone was traveling south, I found a ride as far as the Paragonah turn-off, 38 miles north of Cedar.

I had a wonderful trip getting to know my driver much better than before and feeling a true kinship. She lives in a teeny tiny town nestled in the middle of southern Utah very far from the beckoning crowd. She is an awesome person who does awesome things for families.

Anyway, back to the story. Lauren arranged for her roommate, Ashley, to come and -pick me up. Ashley is the life saver! She rescued Lauren last week.

I have spent two nights in a college girls' apartment and survived! J/K it truly has been a delightful experience. I had a fun time shopping in the college bookstore yesterday. Lauren and I got back from Santa Clara at 9 last night and left to go back at 5:45 this morning.

So here I sit waiting for the test to be taken and over. It is a gruelling exam!

Happy Friday the 13th!

Friday the 13th is my Lucky Day! I love any Friday the 13th. I was born on Friday the 13th. What could be more lucky than the day I was born? I mean really. That is when all of the fun started! So today is a very special day because it is the 13th and it is Friday. And, there have been two Friday the 13th's in a row this year. Woohoo for me! Because it is my lucky day, I decided to fill out a tag. If you find it interesting, you can do it, too!

1 What is your blogger name? oakcrestchipper

2. When is your birthday? August 13, yes sirree I was born on Friday the 13th and it is definitely my lucky day!

3. How long have you been blogging? Since January 2009 after much prodding from Lauren.

4. Who tagged you? stole the tag from Shannon

5. Tell me your 5 most favorite body parts? My eyes and my legs- that is what got Ray's attention although not in that order. My hands because I like to do crafty things. My mouth and stomach as I love to eat my feet and the latter is now flat!

6. What do you wish most for your birthday? to have all of my family together at Aspen Hills in a
wonderful cabin!

7. What color are your nails now? plain

8. Any depressing thoughts lately? That I do not know when I will next see, in person, Nathan, Katie and Josie

9. What's your next 1 month's plan? umm I have not gotten that far in my thinking! But, plan my garden, color Easter eggs, write two grants and spend lots of time with Ray.

10. At what age did you have your first crush? Kindergarten - Steven Horne- I got to wear his
ring every three days along with Jana and Marie

11.Did you attend any school reunion after you graduated? Just Ray's, NEVER mine. Ray went to school with the bestest people!

12. Are you a clean freak? Are you kidding me?

13. Which era do you wish you were born in? the one I was born in!

14. Are you a vegetarian? Nope although I do love my veggies

15. How many pillows do you sleep with at night? One very flat one

16 Are you a light sleeper or I-don't-care-if-there's-a bomb sleeper? Once I get to sleep I am out like a light. When Katie was small she came in and told me she was sick, I told her, "Go back to bed." Ray got up and took care of her. When Nathan was a teen he came in and said, "Mom my blood sugar is 35." I said, "That's nice dear, go back to bed." A few hours later I sat straight up in bed and yelled, "Ray!" (who was sound asleep next to me.) "I just killed Nathan." He woke up enough to tell me that he had gotten up and taken care of Nathan. I am not a compassionate person when I am asleep.

17. Do you secretly wear comfortable grandma panties when your husband is not around? Nope

18. What is your ultimate dream job? Doing exactly what I do.

19. What is it your hubby does that annoys you the most? Channel surfs when I am watching TV with him

20. What is your dream car? My suburban! Ray surprised me with it Valentine's Day 2001!

21. Do you easily wake up in the morning? Yes, I love the morning!

22. Do you like hairy men? goateed men? Are you kidding me? Clean shaven and short hair. Ray is the handsomest!

23. What would you prefer? two hour spa, two hour foot massage, or 2 hour Thai massage? Definitely the massage

24. Have you ever wished you had a different name? No! I love, love, love my name

25. What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Rock rappelling.

26. Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? America all the way!

27. What is your favorite food? Asparagus, tomatoes, zucchini, cauliflower.

28. What is the most embarrassing moment you had on a date. Just the act of going out to our high school graduation dance with a boy in my ward because our mothers set it up! To make it worse, he was my kindergarten crush, which was long over.

What do you think?

Birthday Gal

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Today is Katie E.'s birthday. (as differentiated by Katie A. who is the sister)

Katie is my fourth daughter, and a better one I could not have picked myself.

She is humorous- just read her blog!
She is creative- art, sewing, crocheting, card making, scrap booking, you name it, she can do it!
She is kind- especially with animals!
She is caring- always willing to help others.
She is loving- tender precious with Josie.
She is conscientious- making sure that her Dad's practice runs smoothly.
She is talented- can do anything she puts her mind to.
She is patient- graciously letting us visit and take over her home.

Katie is the very best wife of Nate.

Katie is the very best mother of Josie.

Katie truly is the very best!

Happy Birthday, Katie and many, many more!

SPT

Eight really is GREAT!

Our first born Sk-8


Soon to be 28


Garduated SLCC 2008


Born 1988

Friday Five (starting Thursday night)

1. Lauren calls at 9:00 p.m. Thursday night to tell us that car has stopped on the Leeds exit. I want to immediately jump in my car and go rescue her. However, prudence reigns and I remind myself it will take 3 hours for me to get there and I do not want her out there by herself! I talk to Lauren and Ray calls his brother to get his sister's phone number because we have not transferred her number to our new phone. Ooops (there is a lesson here). Ray talks to his sister who is so kind and immediately offers to go rescue Lauren. I hang up so she can call Lauren. Ray continues to talk to her husband to figure things out. In the meantime, Megan calls me to tell me that their Aunt and Uncle are there with Lauren and she is okay. I breathe a little easier. Soon Lauren calls to tell me her uncle moved her car further off the freeway off ramp and she is in her room mate's car on the way back to their apartment. Ray and I finally climb into bed after he has got the phone numbers and addresses for u-haul places. We decide to get up at 5 to get an early start as we do not know what the day will bring. It is now 11 p.m. and I am thinking, "I need 8 hours."

We are thankful for a kind Aunt and Uncle and good room mate and that Lauren made it home safely.

2. We get up at five and are out of the house before six, but not on the road until 6:20. Ray is following me in the suburban, which he just brought home from the repair shop last night. I am thinking what a beautiful day as the roads are clear and it is light although the sun has not yet come up. I am happy listening to my books on take and enjoying the ride, until the snow starts. Snow? That was yesterday, not today! But, oh no the roads are wet from snow for half of the trip. We even pass a snow plow. However, the sky is a bright sunny blue and I cannot see any clouds so I wonder where did this come from?

We are thankful that we had the suburban available to use and that we traveled safely and that the sky was blue.

3. We arrive in time to rent a tow dolly and hook it on to the suburban. We meet Lauren outside the institute and give her the car. She has another class and we are going to find her car. On our way Ray wonders if the car will still be there and if it is will there still be tires and wheels or windows? Maybe it will be better if the car isn't there. We miss the exit and go six more miles to get off at the next exit which is a good thing as nature is calling. We stop at a nice convenience store and get back on up the road. We roll off the ramp and there is the car! Uncle has got it way off the ramp and in a safe place. We are in a small Utah town - safe in other words - at least it looks that way during the light of day. Ray loads the car up and I clean the windows on the suburban. The wet roads were dirty, too! We get started on our way back to Lauren.

We are thankful the car started making a noise in a place she could get right off the freeway. We are thankful it was not on one of the steep hills or sharp corners.

4. We meet Lauren and eat a yummy lunch. Lauren and I go grocery shopping while Ray takes a rest. I should say that I also went wedding shower shopping, too. We have fun, but all too soon it is time to go. Ray reminds me there are dark clouds in the sky and it is supposed to snow this afternoon. So, Lauren and I meet Ray and the gas station where we all fill up and then it is hugs and loves and good by!!

We are thankful we could spend time with Lauren today.

5. Ray and I start for home. The roads are nice and dry for about 30 minutes. Then the snow starts swirling. The roads are wet, the going is slow pulling a car. We stop for a break and so I can have some creamy non fat frozen yogurt - Irish mint - yummy! It continues to snow and gets worse the closer we get to Provo. About twenty minutes before we should get home I hear a tinkling sound and ask Ray if he can hear it. No, he cannot hear anything. Well, I can and it is getting louder. So, Ray pulls off the freeway and sure enough one of the tire chains has come loose. Poor Ray, he has to put it back on in the wet conditions. We are on our way again and finally get the the garage where we leave the car. Ray drops me off to bring the truck home and he goes to take the tow dolly back. We are finally home together. A quiet evening home together. Grateful that all was safe.

We are thankful we could spend the day together.

You know, we live a charmed life, I really should say a blessed. Bad things happen, but they could have been much worse and we are able to sigh at the end of the day that we are all safe and sound.

SPT

Today's self portrait is supposed to have an eight in it. The first eight is 68 degrees, well maybe not that high but pretty close! I only wore a sweater as outer wear this morning!

Eight red rhubarb shoots poking through the ground.

Eight hyacinth clumps.

Eight iris clumps.

Eight crocus clumps

Eight little paws. (I had to give Tundra a bone to get her to be still enough for me to take a picture)

Spring is trying to make its appearance this week! Eight days without snow!