Surprise on Facebook

I was browsing through Facebook today when all of a sudden there was a picture of my daughter, Teri. Teri passed away 19 years ago. I guess I am more fragile than I thought because I have been crying quietly ever since I saw that picture. I miss her so much and I know that she would just love her grandchildren. I don't know if I can get into the Christmas spirit again now. I feel so overwhelmed with all of the preparations. Now I am thinking what advice I would give someone else who feels this way. I think I should pray and go to bed and get some sleep. Everything always looks better in the morning. Then tomorrow I will finish the baking and candy making and maybe the tree trimming. Thanks to Chelsea, Beau and Connie for setting up the tree. The Elders came by today and moved it back toward the bay window and put a lot more ornaments on it. They put the white sheet under it too. We fed them lunch and they went on their way. I think they spent an hour with us. Of course we had to leave too because my dear husband had an eye appointment. Now he has to have drops in each eye every night before bed. Shoot! I can't even have a good cry without interruptions to do things for people. I must remember that the reason we have Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ who gave each of us so much. So when we get together on Christmas day, what is really important? We must remember the love we share in our family and how fortunate we are that we found the Church. We know about the Plan of Salvation and that we can see each other again in Heaven. We need to protect and nurture the love we share and keep our family close. Everything that we do and say should be about that. We need to love and uplift each other always.

Musings on my Birthday, Age 72

I have been thinking a lot today about my Grandmother, Edith Lucinda Bright Ware. Her birthday was October 3, 1886, so she and I always got to celebrate together. She died in April 1963 at age 72. The same age I am now. She did not know how to drive a car. She was very frightened when she accidentally dropped a spoon in my garbage disposal and it wasn't even running at the time. She never saw a computer or a cell phone or even a phone with buttons. She always had a dial phone. I remember staying at her house as a child and we could pick up the phone and hear her neighbors talking. It was a party line. She never saw a microwave oven. I think it would have scared her too.
Jim and I work at the Bishop's Storehouse every Tuesday and we met a woman the other day who did not have a stove. She lives in one room and has no way to cook food so she had to get things that did not require cooking. So many people come in who have nothing. It has been a humbling experience and I have become more thankful for the many blessings that I have.
Back to my Grandma or Gram as we called her. I used to sit on her lap and we would talk about our problems. When I got to big to sit on her lap I sat on the floor and put my head in her lap and we talked about bigger problems. I was a teenager then and of course, I thought I had major problems. Gram was always able to give me good advice and calm my fears. I don't remember all that we talked about but I remember how good it felt to be with her and know that we could talk about anything. She was my BFF. I wish I could be a grandmother like she was. It will be so good to meet her again someday.

Great Grandma Isabelle Rhymes

Recently I spent a week in Arizona with my mom, Great Grandma Rhymes. She is doing well for 93 year old. We went out to lunch one day and she looked to pretty sitting there that I took a picture with my cell phone and I wanted to share it with everyone.

Christmas Pictures

I was reviewing the Christmas pictures on my camera and thought I would post the saga of the giant ornament. We had an ornament exchange and one of them, which was brought by Clint, was huge but beautiful. I love it. It did get passed around a bit but I ended up with it. Clint hung it from a ceiling hook and it looked quite good up there. The next day I heard a strange sound and upon investigation I found the huge ball had fallen to the table below. It missed the nativity scene but it hit one of the caroler dolls. If she had been alive, she would be dead now. I think the pictures tell it all.
I will, however, figure out a way to rehang the ball because I like it.

My Birthday

Today was my birthday. I am 17 years old and perhaps a little dyslexic. LOL I began the day by renewing my driver's license. I thought I would have to take the driving test but I didn't. Hooray!!! I only had to take the vision test, written test and get my picture taken and my thumbprint taken and stand in line a lot. Melody called me when I was in line and I couldn't answer but people laughed when they heard my pocket yelling at "Grandma." The nice lady there wished me Happy Birthday and I was on my way. I heard her wish some others Happy Birthday so at least I wasn't the only procrastinator. We celebrated by going to Wendy's for lunch. While we were there my mom and my brother, Dave called and sang Happy Birthday. That was awesome. Then we came home and grandpa took a nap. Connie called and had her class sing Happy Birthday to me. I loved it.
We watched the Presidential Debate and Meshell called me while it was on so I didn't have to watch all of it. Connie and Chelsea called too. When it was over we went to Del Taco with friends for a light dinner. I had a coupon for 2 free chicken soft tacos. So it was cheap too. It was a good birthday and I feel quite happy to be in the place where I am right now. Life is good. We will celebrate tomorrow evening with friends and then perhaps with family on Friday. I believe in celebrating any chance I get. We should all celebrate the good things in our lives. Some of my good things are the phone calls from my family. I really appreciate them. Thank you all!

Today is Teri's birthday. She would have been 48 years old today.
I miss her a lot.

Downey Water

Downey water has bacteria in it. We were notified that we are not to drink the water. We have to boil it for several minutes or treat it with chlorine bleach before using it. It is OK to bathe in it but not drink it. So most of the restaurants in Downey were closed today and probably will be tomorrow too. Our Senior group from church went to Baker's Square and they had bottled water for the occasion. They said that their sodas were bottled too. So it was very nice and we had a good time together. We went all the way to Bellflower for dinner and many restaurants there were closed too. It is kind of scary to think about. We have all probably ingested the bacteria last week or even yesterday so I guess I feel philosophical about it. No sense in worrying about it now. All will be well in a few days. They have assured us of this.