Sunday Letter Blog December 10, 2017

Family Motto

Thee lift me and I'll lift thee and we will ascend together.

“Be happy. Let discouragement be a challenge, not a defeat; an opportunity & a privilege.

December 10, 2017

Dear Family,

If you were not here you cannot imagine all the excitement that we had this week with Cindy here for a whole week. She moves like a bolt of lightening and gets so much done in three minutes that it makes me tired just to watch her. Seriously I am amazed at what we got done and had fun doing it. 

We waked up Monday morning to the first snow of the season.

 She was sweet to respect my nap times so that I could enjoy what we did and that did give her some time to work on her book and visit grandpa. And she did visit him every day, taking many things from his study and other home pictures to make his rooms feel more like “his home.” She also took him out for walks in front of The Gables which he enjoyed and was good for him.  I think she has sent you pictures of those things.

My time with her was fun and amazing. She literally “Feng shui” ed our home like she does professionally. So now it harmonizes with the “Season” and my personality. We worked together in smaller increments of time than she would usually do it so that I wouldn't get too tired. It worked and we got it done. However I have to admit that I did more watching than working.

Cindy decorates the tree.  She can reach the top.   Her rest is standing quietly to drink her special water.

R

Rosalie happy with tree decorations. especially the chicken with the red wings that she made when she was only 5 years old.  It was in a kit that Mary Barbour and Rosalie Carol sent her for Christmas.  They are the two ladies she was named after.

Christmas decorations over the fire place.

Decorations on top of the piano.

Other nativity scenes along with the beautiful poinsettia that Cindy bought.  The little bell sitting with Santa is a tiny manger scene made out of olive wood.

On the kitchen table - Musical mama makes cookies.  Santa stores them.  Snow man lights up and house bears treats from neighbors.

Before finishing the whole decorating project.   You can see stuff still stacked here and there

Cindy rejoices, "We are finished."

My quilt that took 45 years to finish is now also finished!!!  Yea!!!  My Cinderella doll really likes it too.

Yesterday we had the big party at The Gables that we had been preparing for all week.  We wrapped presents and she shopped for them to add to the ones she had already mailed to our house during the first part of the month.

It was definitely a party to remember. We had Chanelle and Isaac and Jonas, Chris, Mark & Kami, Emery, Aubrey, Taylor, Hailey and Collin, Cindy, Wendell and Me (Rosalie). That's a bunch. Grandpa was Santa & I was his helper to hand him the presents to give out. This “Santa” did not want to stand up to deliver them. He just wanted to sit in his comfortable chair. So I would hand him the gift and the person it was for would come to him to receive it. It was very fun to hear his remarks to each one. He still has a sense of humor.

After that we took candy canes with us and went caroling all over The Gables, giving each person a candy cane. That was a real big hit with both the residents and workers there. And our family thoroughly enjoyed doing it.

We came back to Wendell's room to let everyone see where he lives. They were impressed with how nice it is. Then it was time to head out the front door and say our “goodbyes.” Grandpa was happy to let us all head out the door as he headed for the comfort of the common room.

He now calls his rooms at The Gables “My Home.” He has made the adjustment well.

Pictures of us at our party there were all taken by Cindy so we'll get them to you next week.

This is the identification sign that we put up by the door to his "house"  or "My Home." as he calls it.

Just one more thing.  It is a contest.  Who can find the most nativity scenes in the pictures?  Make your count and send it to us and on New Years Day we will send the results.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa (living together apart)

Today at church I was able to go to all three meetings and stay the full time. That was a sweet feeling for me and good progress. I am so thankful for the goodness of the people in this ward. They take such good care of me. Chris had to be gone to Salt Lake so Nancy took me to church and brought me home. And my calendar which had nothing scheduled on it for this week became filled up before the end of the day.  Ward members called to make appointments to see me. Now each day has a visit with someone: My visiting teachers, our Home teachers, some High Priests need to see me about something, a sealing session at the temple. Isn't that wonderful!

So that's the news for this week. Love you all, Grandma & Grandpa, “Living separately together.” (That is my new way of looking at our life.)