Reading

I just finished reading a few books.
1. Jane Eyre -- read it once a long time ago. This time it was entirely different, because I read it as an adult! It was amazing to me how well the author painted a picture of the time and place in England. I could really feel like I was there. What a great romantic novel.
2. Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo by Heather Wardell -- This is definitely a modern romantic novel. It is set in Canada. It was pretty easy, light reading. It did really address the question of how we make decisions and what makes us the way we are. Good read.
3. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum -- This is the author of the Wizard of Oz. He did an excellent job of creating a believable Santa. What a fun story for Christmas time.
4. The Christmas Chronicles: The legend of Santa Claus by Tim Slover. This is also a fun read. I received this book from Tovi this Christmas. It is also a very good story of the history of Santa Claus. It is not at all the way my mother told the story.
5. Fairy Tales Every Child Should Read. by Hamilton Wright. -- This is a lot of fun, some really good tales.
6. Life of Pi by Tann Martel -- Interesting but I got bored and never finished it.
7. Princess Academy by Shannon Hale -- This is a really good book. One that I will probably read a few more times. It is so good in so many ways. You really believe that it is from the true world.
8. Tea Time for the Traditionally Built: The New No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel by Alexander McCall Smith -- I have really enjoyed this series. It is about life in Africa, from a woman's perspective. It is a really fun and easy series to read. Lots of comments about life!
9. Peculiar in a Good Way by Mary Ellen Edmunds -- This excellent audio book is read by the author. She is one of my favorites. She is a nurse from BYU and is an excellent speaker. She talks about being better than we are without feeling guilty or becoming overzealous. The is a good book to listen to while you finish a project ....... like crocheting, or filing your fingernails!

Visit with BYU roommate.

I got a call one day from one of my old BYU roommates. Well we really are old!!! Anyway she was in town visiting one of her daughters. So we met up for lunch. What a fun couple of hours. We spent laughing, remembering old times, talking about families, the church and the world. Thanks Nancy for a good day. It is amazing to realize how long ago that was.

January Afghan

I finally finished this beautiful afghan. I really like this pattern. It is a huge granny square. It is fun to make because I get to use all different colors. I really think it turned out great. I am working on another one and also on a big Christmas one for me. Some times they go really fast, and other times there just doesn't seem to be time enough to work on these kinds of projects.
I have been working on a picture roster for the Relief Society of our Ward. That has been fun and a really good thing for me. I sometimes find it really hard to remember names. This sure makes it easier and I don't feel so stupid. I really admire people who can meet someone and then always remember their name.

Goals for the New Year!!!

I have been thinking a lot about the New Year. I know it seems kind of late, but it is never too late to plan for the future.
1. Continue my weight loss plan. I have done well so far, but I can do better. My goal this year is to loose 30 more pounds.
2. Continue my weight training. I have been working on the PINK fitness program, which is an Olympic Weight Training program with Debbie Millet as the trainer. So far I can really tell the difference in how I feel. I really like the program. My goal is to keep going with this program and see how good I can get. Even if I am old!!!
3. Continue my plan to get out of debt. I have a few more debts to pay off and then I can truly decide what to do about retirement. Do I want to stay in Logan or move to a warmer place? Do I want to keep working or do other things? Do we want to serve a mission? Those I think are things to think about and decide for another year. This year is a time to prepare.
4. Food Storage. I have to get serious about this. I work at it off and on, and am so glad for the things that I have stored. It makes it so much easier when times get tight.
5. Read the lessons for Sunday School and Relief Society ahead of time so that I am prepared to participate in the lessons.
6. Read the New Testament this year. As well as the Conference Talks.
7. Organize my files and get up to date on my scrapbooking. I also need to get more stuff cleaned out of the garage.


Wow that is quite a list. But I think it is all possible. I love to keep busy and I love to see the results of my efforts. It is fun to make lists and then mark them off!!!! That is one of the best things in life.

Trip to California

Will looking closely at a parrot on the Wharf at Monterey. He was not scared, but really didn't know what to think. Ady was too busy eating free clam chowder.
Ady on a fun slide at Dennis the Menace Park. It is one of the most fun parks that I have been too. I really enjoyed the whole park and there was lots of variety for all ages of kids.

In November, I traveled with Holly and the kids as they moved to California. It was a very nice trip. I enjoy my grandkids a lot as well as my own kids. We drove the whole night and arrived in Monterey at breakfast time. We spent the next few days in a base hotel and then on Monday moved into their new place in Seaside. It was fun helping them unpack and arrange everything. It is a good size place for the little family. I hope that they will have fun there. It is always great to be where Dad is and be a whole family again.

I had a nice flight back to Salt Lake and then the shuttle to Logan. Then spent a few days rearranging our house. Dad and I sure like to be together. It is nice to visit with family, but our place is home and together.