sunday dinner

Yes, I know, I already wrote today but now it is night and I wanted to say something more.
Sunday has always been an interesting food day. Tonight we ate out on our little covered porch and it made me think of the days in Oregon, on Sunday when we would all gather together to have our family dinners monthly. I always knew that would never last but it was so wonderful when we had it! Who will ever forget the "favorites" nights, they were always so interesting!
It also called to mind a little home we lived in while Dad was in Law school that we called the Straw house. It had a little covered porch and we loved to eat out there whenever possible. There was an irrigation ditch and we loved to listen to the water rushing by and we felt so blessed.
Cottage Grove gave us Sundays that were cherished because Dad was home and we liked to take walks along the river.
Then there was Lake Oswego with the gorgeous waterfall and that wonderful sound! We were in a small slice of paradise!
Our view now is of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the peace is here too.
Tonight we had cheese and crackers in the evening and it reminded me of all the Sunday nights at Grandma and Grandpa Feinauers' house. I used to resist going there and watching Donnie and Marie and now they are treasured memories. How swiftly all of these Sundays go by.
We have lived so many places and had oh so many wonderful Sunday dinners!

Spirngtime in Virginia

It is now spring in Virginia and the smells and sights remind me so much of my youth. The trees and flowers here are so beautiful! The red bud trees and dogwoods grow wild in the forests and the mountains are coming alive with the beautiful spring green!
It is noisier here in the spring than in Oregon because there are so many songbirds and I love it. My favorite is the sound of the Cardinal pronouncing that he is a "pretty bird". As you walk around town you can hear so many different bird songs as they enter mating season and call out to each other.
The weather here has been beautiful but it is getting a little on the warm side for this time of year. Yesterday it registered 92 and today is supposed to be much the same. It will settle back into the seventies next week, just in time for graduation!
Another of the weather changes that come with spring are the thunderstorms. People from further south say these are mild but compared to what I became used to they are something! I love the smell and the feel of the air as the storm is coming in and the wind picks up. I have fond memories of these storms because they remind me of my dad. We used to sit on the screened porch and watch the storms come in. Wow, how time passes! Yesterday I stood in the yard and enjoyed those feelings again.
From my vantage point in my new office I get to watch Spring arrive from the tops of the trees. Last week a squirrel was jumping from the top of a tree of a lower branch and just barely grabbed a branch. I watched him hang precariously there and wondered if they ever just fall to the ground. Finally he had enough umph to hoist himself up and disaster was averted so all was well.
I think a lot of times our lives are like that and we need to just hang on until we have the strength to push on again.
I love all of you!

Sunday April 18

Today is Sunday and I ended up having to stay home from Church because I am "under the weather". Tommy and I both seem to have caught some kind of cold and it comes with headaches and an achy feeling.
I'm feeling a little better after having slept a lot of the day so I thought I would write some on my blog.
Perhaps some of you might be interested in what exactly it is I do for the University. Some of you will chuckle knowing that numbers are not my strong suit! I was brought on board mainly to help the customer service of the Financial Aid Department since there was a lot of dissatisfaction from students and parents. I had mentioned that computer work was not something I was really strong in and they told me that I didn't need to worry since it didn't require a lot (just a couple of screens). Well..quess what...I spend a lot of my day on the computer and it is a huge part of what I do! I do field a lot of calls and deal with students and I feel that I have helped the students to feel that we are listening but I have felt very inadequate in other areas. I have constantly prayed and asked the Lord to help me to make my weaknesses become my strengths and I am feeling much more confident. At this time in history the financial aid for education is getting more and more complicated and will totally change after the Obama Budget goes through. I guess it's good that I didn't know the other system really well!
I feel it a big responsibility to help students find the best way to finance their education. I have had to learn about Tax laws and the FAFSA and lots of other things with initials! The government has a site for every thing!
I spend a great deal of time in my office and so I am very happy that they moved us to the main building and they allowed us to paint our offices. Papa did a beautiful job on my office and so I feel cheerful each day as I go to work. I truly have one of the most beautiful offices with one of the best views on campus. I've put art work in it from our Oregon home and people are always commenting on the leaf branch and some of my colleagues call the room "the livingroom".
My office is only a few doors down from Emilie in one direction and Papa in the other so we get to see each other every day. Most days Logan visits and brings Tommy so it is a fun place to be! I wish all of you could visit it too!

Why Hangman? Is it.politically correct or not?

I'm adding "hangman" to the blog because Sarah and I have fond memories of playing it in Primary and Christy has memories of the game from Canada!

Here I am with the "California" Grandchildren and Tommy on Aaron's Baptism Day. It was so wonderful to get to be with them! It was my privilege to give the talk on the Holy Ghost at the Baptism. Aaron answered all the questions right and was so well prepared. The kids got to sit up next to the font and watch closely. It won't be too long before it will be AIton's turn!
Aaron is now officially a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!
I also got to visit with Ryan's Dad, Dennis Jones, who happens to be a very good friend of mine!

I thought it might be fun to start a blog to help me stay in touch with my children and grandchildren. I hope that it will become a fun spot to visit and that all who view it will feel free to give me ideas on how I can improve it. I'm hopeful that all will be patient with me as I learn how to do this!