Valentine’s Day

           We spent the majority of the day not home – and still outside when we got home.

          We left the house at 5:30 to drive to Medford and did back to back endowment sessions at the temple.  Left without stopping so that we could let Bonnie out of the house.  She is showing some major discomfort right now.  She has become almost as stubborn as the goats.

          After our return Don (a neighbor across street and corner) told us that the goats (although I think it was just Sugar and not Cocoa) escaped but he was able to corral  Sugar back to our yard and blocked the fence so she could not crawl beneath.  I found her trapped between two fences.   I don't know how long she'd been trapped. Serves her right, I guess.

          I should have probably left her there, for they found a small hole beyond the deernet and went into the vacant house next door (evidently they have better grass than we do) and so Richard had we walk around the corner to coral them back into our yard.  Neither one of us dressed appropriately for chasing goats or putting up fences.  Although I was not wearing my Sunday best, Richard was.

       (side not:  Richard and I had gone to the open house last week.  They want too much money - though the house was nice.  I would not mind living there - but not for 2,000 a month.  I think we're already overpaying with our mortgage as it is.)

          We finally got the goats back into our yard. 

          Finally ate some lunch (it was after two)

          Watched “Song Sung Blue” and then made our way to the Valentine’s Dance at the Stake Center.  Richard was definitely excited about taking me.

          Initially an activity for the singles, couples were invited.  They had a really nice spread of food – assortment of desserts, fruit and cheese displays.  I should have not taken any of it as food and dancing don’t mix well for my metabolism – plus the fact that I had been chasing goats.  I know we hadn’t been there for  a full hour before we left.  Richard said it looked like I was having fun.  Glad he thought that.

          Still not feeling well.  I’m dressed for church but will not be attending today.  Hopefully our yard is fully secure as I will not even attempt to chase the goats today.  I’m okay just sitting.  Standing is a problem right now.  Keep me near my own personal bathroom.  I guess I will take something to assist in the discomfort.

            Meanwhile a huge box of chocolates awaits me.  I don't think I will be eating any until March.

Birthday WOW (that's MOM spelled upside down)

           I know I make worse of situations inside of my head than how they really are – especially if I haven’t gotten a proper amount of sleep.  I know I shouldn’t be uptight and I know I shouldn’t dwell on what I can’t change – like missing dishes that have made their way out of the kitchen and haven’t been returned.  My imagination runs away with me and I get carried away – which reminds me this skit of Ernie returning a vacuum cleaner. 

        Often when I allow things to get out of hand the real life situation will have the opposite results and I find I have worked myself up for nothing.  Yesterday I had gone to the temple though Satan had done his best to keep me away.

 After the session had ended Richard and I continued to Ashland to collect Jaime to bring her home for the next four days.  She presented me with a cup that has an owl on the side.  She said it was for my birthday (which is today).  After lunch we hit a vintage store where Richard purchased a pin and a cute bag for me as well as a pig bank for himself. 

Before we pulled up to the house Richard stopped by the mailbox.  Inside was a card from Tony and his family.  That was cool.  Receiving the card right before my birthday.

When we arrived at the house the other three were in the room and were waiting for us.  Ally greeted me with “Happy Birthday, Grandma.”

            How did she even know it was my birthday?  Claire had baked brownies which she spread with a peanut butter frosting.  Ally had wanted one but Claire made her wait until we got home.  I hadn’t even noticed the banner hanging over the door.  

As soon as all of us were gathered in the room they presented me with a bag which I had assumed was from all of them, but the card in the bag was from Richard.  I pulled this gift out first and anxiously pulled out more in hopes of finding the other two wise men. 

I found a box of chocolates and a big foot paw (more chocolate) but no more kings.  

I don’t recall ever having received a Christmas ornament on my birthday before.  Before I was able to remove the ornament Richard told me that the other two kings were on each side.  Oh, wow!  What a cool idea.  I love it! 

  

spoiler alert: Christmas card this year has same pic

Claire told me my card and gift were in the kitchen.  Heavy brownies in the form of cupcakes.  Yum.

 Turned out to be a really great day which was totally opposite of what had been running through my head the day prior.  And I'm grateful that I was mistaken with my worked up thoughts.

Today I was presented with more gifts from one of my ministering sisters.  Garden stones, dishtowels. Another surprise.  Wow.  

In addition I have heard from all three of my sibs.  I received Shelly's card earlier this week.  We have emailed back and forth and she left a birthday wish on facebook (along with 25 others) and Steven texted a birthday wish.  Keith and Nat sang to me in voicemail and Tony just called with his troop and sang to me.  Life is good. 

    Our dinner for tonight will be along a Thanksgiving theme. What an awesome birthday 2023!

 

Three Houses in Nauvoo

 
          I was not the only one signed up to tour Nauvoo yesterday.  I thought we would see more of the city, but it was raining and thus we did not see much of the outside.  The tour covered only three houses. There was a set of missionaries for each house we saw.

Those residing at the homes had names I was not even familiar with – nor did I have the correct spelling on the first and so had to look it up – though I still did not find many references for those residing in the first house. This first house belonged to William and Ester Gheens (here)

The final pic shows the outside view.  

They did not take us outside but did show a picture

inside - just behind the yellow door (from above)

standing in the kitchen of the Gheens home

Behind the tree is the Nauvoo Temple.

The second house we saw was that of William and Caroline Weeks (here). 

The ceilings are quite low and everything
looked so small - like we were in a playhouse.

First they showed us where the house was in relation to their neighbors and to the temple. 

I think this is the Hunter house from a distance

I think the house in the background
is Gheens where we had come from

We were shown some architect samples and tools. 

The waste basket represents some original designs that had been discarded after a conversation with Joseph Smith. (See here for more information)

This next pic shows a parlor bench with two hats which represent the Relief Society sisters who would have made their visits.

We were shown the bedroom  and were told that though there were eleven children born to the couple, only three lived.

The last set of missionaries showed us the house of Edward Hunter who was the third bishop to reside in the Church (here)

The pineapple paper is not authentic to the house but the missionaries explained the symbolic welcome message and imagined it could have been part of the characterization of the house as it seemed to represent the Hunters.

The temple can be seen out this window and up the stairs (we did not view beyond the stairs) was a “hideout” room where we were told the Prophet would sometimes use to escape his persecutors. 

My understanding was during one of these moments is when Joseph had recorded the revelation of baptisms for the dead

The sisters had also taken us to the “pantry” which was known as the bishop’s storehouse as the members of Nauvoo were able to build up supply for those in need.

Members back then did not pay tithing in money as many members
do today; they filled baskets with trade items (such as produce or livestock)

a collection of blankets and other items

The final picture was a view outside the window of the Hunter house

notice how there’s no snow in this pic

 Back to the Gheen’s house. 

Wm Gheens died June 15, 1845.  Chairs set up
for those who had come to pay their respects