Tomorrow, the 30th is the day!!!! I think! My mom finally gets to go home from 2 plus months in rehab! (do I dare mention again, 3 medical oops...) I love the time we've had together which has certainly not been enough. When I was there the week before last, we worked on puzzles and puzzles and puzzles. And, of course, played Hand and Foot. Her legs aren't very strong and she'll actually have to use a scooter like dad now but SHE'LL BE HOME!!!
So, when I went to her new rehab, she was sitting in her chair but this is what her bed looked like....all arranged (a little OCD I might say) on her bed....her "side table" at the moment. It made me laugh out loud!
Especially this! She made holes in her Kleenex box to hold her pen and chap stick to be more efficient!!! What a hoot! (I totally did NOT inherit this trait from her. I won't mention (how wonderful) she does laundry. Precisely. Perfectly.
How I love the Charm Girls. I'll journal all about the trip later but I wanted to post this recipe for Asian Flatbread that friend Fay made for us. So good and so easy!!! It's a winner!
I have so much to share and get caught up on. I recently flew to Portland and spent several days with my folks (mom's still in rehab but hopefully will come home this week.) Then I met all the Charm Girl's and we spent a fabulous week in Seaside, Oregon. It was truly amazing.
I got home on Wed. night....to learn that my sweet MIL had taken a turn for the worse. Thursday morning we hurried to Idaho (picking up David's sister, Laraine) to be there with mom. We had 3 hours of time with her (with maybe a few lucid moments) before she went to sleep. Actually, she was just sleeping. All day and all night. In the morning, Friday, Sept. 25 between 9-10, she passed away. David was able to hold her hand the entire journey. Our two sons, Ryan and Tanner were there, Laraine and nieces Cami and Mallorie. It was sacred/exhausting/tense/tender but with rejoicing. I can't imagine the joyous reunion she is having on the other side.
We were able to then go the the mortuary and get most things decided upon. The funeral won't be until next Saturday. I have spent the morning tweaking her obituary. I LOVED this woman. So blessed to call her mom- so blessed for all our kids to call her Grandma. Just never a sweeter spirit.
Obituary for Darlene Roberts Williams
August 9, 1923-September 25, 2015
Darlene Roberts Williams was born on August 9, 1923 in Shelley (Jameston) Idaho to Dee Aroll Roberts and Mabel Anderson Roberts. Darlene was blessed to have 2 sisters (Marcille James and Marilyn Thomas) and 5 brothers (Dewey, Gordon, Max, Glen, Dell.) Dewey and Gordon were killed within 1 year of each other in World War II- Dewey in France and Gordon in Germany. After writing “to her missionary” serving in the Northern States, Darlene was married to Boyd Elmer Williams shortly after his return, on Feb. 23, 1944 in the Salt Lake Temple. To this union, 6 children were born- l daughter Laraine (Richard) Jaggi, David (Marilyn), Lyndy (Vickie, deceased), Larry, Dale and Tim (Michelle). The Williams farmed and raised cattle in the Moreland, Wapelo, Gray’s Lake and Blackfoot Idaho area. Darlene also kept books for several local businesses and the family business. She served as a Relief Society president twice and in all organizations of the church. She and Boyd served for many years as workers in the Idaho Falls temple as well as faithful patrons throughout their lives. They also served a full-time mission to Naga, Philippines in 1991. Darlene loved Lawrence Welk, The Spoken Word and was a faithful visiting teacher and casserole maker. She was the ultimate doting grandmother to her 26 grandchildren and to her 44 plus great-grandchildren. She loved holding those babies! She leaves behind an example of kindness, service and a great love of the gospel. Darlene always hummed while she worked and swept the floor like no other. In lieu of flowers, please do a kindness for someone, share a smile..and enjoy a delicious bowl of ice cream (one of Darlene’s greatest pleasures!) We know Darlene is rejoicing in the reunion with Boyd, her parents and siblings, Morgan (granddaughter) and Chance (great-grandchild). “And her children will rise up and call her blessed.”
I think I told you my cute Bucket friend, Diane, gave me a little blank book that she calls
"a book to write down things you could do if you wanted to." I love that idea.
Maybe it's like a mini- Bucket list. My mini-list is quite random.
I've been thinking of some things I would do if I wanted to.....someday.
1. go paint balling. My art teacher recently went paint balling and I ,startled, realized I could go if I really wanted to. After discussing it with friends (who kept shaking their heads like I had lost my mind)- I decided that really what I want to do is to shoot paint balls at someone else. I have some aggression I need to work off.....
2. paint the dang pickle ball court. Okay, GOTCHA!!!! I got up yesterday morning and made myself get out there and start painting. Thinking 1 gallon would paint the four main squares and 1 quart would paint the "kitchen" squares, I quit after (think gruelling here) one square used up all the paint. And oh my aching back. And I didn't have anyone to talk to. So I texted my friendies, Funny Kathy and Valene, to see if they wanted to come help. Later. After I went to the store and bought 6 more gallons of paint. Unfortunately we painted one of the squares the wrong color...but other than THAT- we got it done. We laughed so hard while we were painting...sang and danced a little. Laughed mostly about how differently men and women work. I don't think David and his friends EVER sing and dance down at the barn.
3. go on some small hikes in our mountains. I'm so not a hiker. But I'm thinking I want to do some smaller ones. Hidden Falls was listed as "even your grandmother could do it!"
4. Attend (worship) in every temple in Utah. Okay, not the Hare Krisna temple. Actually the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple
Salt Lake Temple-check
St. George Temple- check
Provo Temple- check
Manti Temple- check
Draper Temple-check
Jordan River Temple- check
Timpanogoas Temple- check
Provo Temple- check
Ogden Temple- check but not since remodeled
Bountiful Temple- check
Oquirrh Mountain Temple- check
Temples in Utah I have yet to attend:
Provo City Center
Payson
Logan
Monticello
Vernal
Brigham City
Other temples I have attended:
Cardston Alberta Canada- check
Nauvoo-check
Newport Beach- check
San Diego- check
Guatemala- maybe check
Laie Hawaii- maybe check
Kona Hawaii- check
Las Vegas- check
Idaho Falls- check
Rexburg- check
I'm sure there are others but I've forgotten. That's why I need the book.....
5. go on a fall trail ride (are you shocked???) with hubby and friends and hubbies in the canyons
6. paint something I care about
7. make pasta noodles. I don't think I ever have. Make peasant bread.
8. spend a week in Seaside Oregon with the Charm Girls. Oh wait!!! That's next week!
That's it. I can't think of anything more to write in the book. I'm sure I have some grand plans of something to do...but it escapes me at the moment. I've had a bit of a bug today. BFF Cathy and I went out for a little lunch and I haven't been the same. It's been a "spend the afternoon in bed" kind of day.
BUT the night before last was our RS event- our Garden Party in Gayle's beautiful yard.
It was a night of "favorite things." We brought our favorite dishes to share and then everyone shared their favorite find of the past year.
Here were some of the items:
Smart Mouth wash- for clean, clean breath
Donna Karen deodorant from Norstroms (Nancy couldn't figure out why her daughter sent her deodorant for a birthday gift....until she tried it!)
Bischoff cookie spread (like Nutella but those wonderful Delta airline cookies in a spread)
Ninja Warriors t.v. show (the funniest was the person who shared it. I would say she is in her 80's. She said she and her husband are addicted!)
Books- God Seeds by Kathyrn Thomas, Crucible of Doubt by the Givens, Destiny of the Republic about President Garfields assassination
dried bananas and dipped in choco. bananas from
Whole Foods (I didn't like them at all...)
the new ESO hand lotion
a garden weeder called The Hound Dog
There were lots more. I'll have to think harder. Anxious to share some yummy recipes as well.
Today our sweet baby was blessed. She, of course, was an angel and DID fit in Annee's dress. Her blessing was beautiful and it was a lovely in Tanner and Brooke's Ward. There is a little pocket park just down the street a few houses from their house and we had a lunch picnic. Sunny and lots of people I love. What a nice afternoon.
When they placed you in my arms, you slipped into my heart. (unknown)
I made this salad for the luncheon. A southwest pasta salad. Recipe on the cooking blog.
found this in my photo files and didn't want to lose it. (a teacher must be doing acrostic poems that week...)
At Bucket the other day, Karlin (newly returned from serving in Baltimore Maryland Mission) told us that she was recently diagnosed with mono. She was telling us she "just didn't feel good"- and the Dr. said to rest. Then Valene piped up, "Ya, and yesterday she was suppose to stay resting on the couch and she got up and cleaned her freezer!" Karlin said, "Well, who can just lay on the couch doing nothing......." Half of the friends nodded their heads in agreement....
and the OTHER half of us just smiled......
I have to admit I have to have a few creative things going on in my life or I wilt. Not cleaning freezers or weeding or cleaning out the storage room but things to wrap a creative mind around.
Luckily we have our baby blessing this weekend. I took the little boys, Peyton (4) and Ryker (2) overnight last night and have them today to give their momma a break. We headed to a couple of stores because we were out of water balloons (the kind advertised on t.v. where you can fill 60 balloons at once. All the stores are out of them. I was trying to explain that to Peyton (because nothing they love more than to throw the water balloons over our back balcony and I get to stand on the patio underneath and they try to hit me) that I guess that stores have decided that since summer is gone, they aren't going to carry them. Peyton said, "My baby sister is gone???"
No, Summer AshLin is actually being blessed this Sunday. I picked up good paper goods and am making some goodies for the meal afterwards. Decorating a few candy jars. Little busy body projects. She's growing so fast, already. Brooke is afraid that she won't fit into Annee's blessing dress. (Annee was a preemie so that won't be surprising.)
I also have my juices going for our Evening of Excellence coming up in a few months. It's a Sunshine theme- with lots of service involved (since this year's overall theme is "Embarking in the service of the Lord.") Love it. I've about Pinterested and sunshined out. It makes me happy!
Also, I'm hosting Bucket for October (I switched with December). I love October and my mind is a goin' with creative things for that luncheon.
I got the boys those punch balloons at the store. I blew up Ryker's and David was blowing up Peyton's. David whispered in Peyton's ear "let's blow ours up bigger than theirs." Peyton said, "Grandpa, it's bigger enough."
Those are wise words for me. I'm pretty much a more is better party girl, but I'm trying to learn balance.
My point is, life is about balance.
The good and the bad.
The highs and the lows.
The pina and colada. (Ellen Degeneres)
Yesterday we enjoyed our Bucket group hosted by Valene. She had each of us bring our favorite new (or old) summer recipe to share. There were some good ones- here are three starters. Recipes on the cooking blog:
Pink Lemonade Cookies
Hawaiian Ham and Pineapple Skewers- with deli ham and a yummy BBQ sauce on top
and Brazilian Key Lime Mousse
