Extended Christmas

     In September Kevin had called Richard to ask if he would join him for a safety convention in San Diego.  Kevin paid for Richard's plane ticket - but Richard had to drive to the Portland airport. They both collected trinkets from the show and brought them home to share.  

    Richard had brought socks and tee shirts (the tees he had purchased in San Diego) and a stuffed whale for Jaime.  I remember taking pictures of the shirts and socks and asking Jai which she preferred.  I placed all items in a bag and added earbuds and a deck of cards to the mix.  I don't know why we missed giving it to her then - but somehow the entire bag of goodies got misplaced and was not retrieved until yesterday.

    For Christmas she had asked for a letterman's jacket featuring "Five Nights at Freddy's".  It had been the only thing she had asked for.  There was a delay on shipment however and we were told that it would not arrive until after Christmas. Richard purchased another coat for her to wear.  I wrapped it without box and she thought it was a stuffed toy.  Thus we went out and purchased a squishmallow as I thought she would be disappointed by the coat (which by the way is warm and does fit her personality).  There were more than two gifts under the tree for her as Ryan had sent gifts from the family.  No FNAT coat.

    Jaime had spent the last 8 hours of 2023 with friends.  Both Richard and I were in bed when 2024 arrived.  And she returned home shortly after midnight.

    Angela and Sam came over on New Years Day and we played games with them for three hours.  I believe all five of us really enjoyed ourselves.  I know for a fact that the girls did.  We continued to play a few games after they left.

    Yesterday we found the San Diego treats when we were looking for something else. We presented Jaime her tote bag of goodies. She opened more gifts yesterday than she had on Christmas.  Her final gift was opened just after 5:00 when Richard went out to check on the mail. She also clobbered us in Spades.  I think it was a really great day for her.

 

Soft Socks

 My feet LOVE all the socks I received for Christmas

Opportunities to Serve

           We always have opportunities to serve no matter where we live – there is community service, charity organizations, shelters, Red Cross . . . the list goes on.  When I lived in Salt Lake I would put in hours of service in various church projects such as the pasta plant, the dairy, the bishops storehouse, the cannery and Deseret Industries (2^nd hand thrift store) to name a few.  I lived within minutes of those buildings.  In Oregon we are located one and a half hours south of the nearest storehouse and one and a half hours north of the pear farm which I have mentioned in a few of my posts.

          When I was attending church in my son’s ward in Utah there was an announcement made for volunteers to clean the Jordan River Temple which I have learned is the busiest temple in the world.  I felt impressed to volunteer if I could and offered my services.  I had assisted in cleaning the temple two times before and enjoyed having that experience. 

          I bore my testimony in their ward and meant to put in a plug for how fortunate the members were to have temples so near to them but also be able to volunteer to work at a large variety of places sponsored by the church.  But when I returned home I was reminded of a service that I don’t think most members have the opportunity of doing and that is feeding the full time missionaries. 

          Missionaries in Utah are over stakes and I don’t believe are given the same opportunities for really getting to know the members the same way as those that serve in single ward boundaries as opposed to stake boundaries (see here for LDS language on what ward and stake mean) especially small wards (or branches) as missionaries are able to eat with members regularly.  When Richard and I lived in Kearns Utah we did have the missionaries over more than the average as we were the ward missionaries at the time. 

Pros and Cons

Stamps and Paying Bills – I Don’t Want Them to get the Wrong Idea

  

          Every time I look for a stamp to add to my bill I smile as I think about my mom’s comment about paying bills and having only “love” stamps to use.  She didn’t enjoy adding Love stamps to her bills because she didn’t “love’ paying bills.  Who does?  I just found it amusing.  But there are some companies I search for the ugliest stamps I can find.  I don’t enjoy paying bills either.

Good Neighbor Ron

           Ron is such a great guy.  He always takes out the trash and brings it in for the widows and elderly.  He keeps himself fit by walking around the neighborhood and is very observant.  He’ll pet Bonnie and allow her to lick him.

        We were walking Bonnie recently when we noticed a sheriff’s car following a white truck – and then a second sheriff’s car.  What in the world?  Evidently Ron had reported a pervert and the police were just checking up on his concern. He is a very good Samaritan. I am happy to call him neighbor.

I am Grateful for my Runny Nose

                I know that this title may sound facetious but in fact it is true right now.  I have had a sinus infection – not my worst but still.  I had gone to the doctor in hopes of a zee pack – though they haven’t seemed to work for me while I’ve been in Oregon – though I haven’t really encountered many sinus infections while in Oregon.  I believe this one started in Utah.  Z-packs aren’t the same as they once were.  I might have well have taken sugar pills. The latest is red coated and non-working.  Iburofen seems to be doing the trick.  At least I feel better.

            So Jai and I were playing games in the back room when my allergies started going ballistic.  I don’t know what was making my eyes itch or me sneeze but I see it as a blessing – truthfully.  I have never been so happy to need tissue in all my life!  So though the title of my post may indicate something humorous, I really am grateful.  Means the infection is going bye-bye.  I wish permanently to never be seen again.

Playing Cards

                     Jai has collected playing cards over the years. 

                    She keeps at least one deck in her backpack or

                    whatever else she might tote around.  She has

                    several decks that include vintage, Harley Quinn,

                    round cards, Batman, 3D dinosaurs, big foot, and

                    Friends to name a few.  This year three more decks

                    were added to her collection.  Uno with a twist and

                    Santa Clause – both of which we have played with. 

 

It’s been so great having her home.

Our Christmas 2023

           Jaime and I were up before 5:00.  We played Phrasel on the kindle as we waited for Richard to emerge from the bedroom – possibly 45 minutes later.  We opened two presents each before getting dressed.  A calendar from my grandchildren I had spent Thanksgiving with!  What a beautiful calendar it is!

          We had invited the missionaries over to have breakfast with us and played some games with them before they had to leave.  We then opened the rest of our gifts and played more games.  Brand new games – two of which we had played with the Elders.

          David invited us to have dinner with his family.  We played more games before returning home.  I am very tired and need to go to bed.  Perhaps I’ll include more detail and pictures in another post.

Pics Taken from the Planes

 On the Return I had a great view of the wing - both planes.  Working my way back

Coming into Medford Dec 5, 20203 

Between Seattle and Medford

The pink cloud pics taken after leaving Salt Lake

I don't know why I didn't get any of the Great Salt Lake which actually appears bigger from the sky than the land.  Did get some of the mountains though

Airports and Planes: the Return

 Found this in my draft folder from the seventh

Medford airport is definitely my favorite.  Salt Lake definitely was not.  My flight was not scheduled to leave until 7:00 am, but I was there to check in at 5:00 a.m.

There were only 3 people at the check-in window.  One was an older woman on her way to Alaska.  She felt nervous as she stood by herself and no one was at the window at the scheduled time.  When a worker finally came to the window he called the first person in line.  He had her move to the side as there was a question about something. 

         Southwest Airlines is the only I know of that have baggage already fixed into the price.  All others charge an additional fee for each bag that gets checked in – though I had checked in two items in Eugene but had only been charged for one.  Remembering that Richard had paid that fee when I checked in I started to rummage through my bag to retrieve money to pay the fee and allowed the other passenger in line to check in her already tagged bags.

         I had printed my confirmation and used my paperwork in Eugene but apparently it was needed in Salt Lake as all I was asked for was my ID.  The worker had asked if I had checked in already (Salt Lake evidently has check in, do-it-yourself stands which I guess are the equivalent of self-checkout registers that are found in many stores.  I would guess one who flies frequently might know how to use them – but probably an app and touch phone are needed – neither of which I have) and I said no.  He gave me a look which said, “You stupid, stupid woman”.  I don’t think he was pleased with his job or being there at 5:00 in the morning.  He took both pieces of luggage but did not add an additional charge to what I had already paid.

I walk another mile just to get in line to go through security.  I managed to leave my kindle out.  I was not aware that there was a miniature (smaller than a flash drive) pocket knife in my fanny pack – which hadn’t been mentioned at the Eugene Airport, but TSA pulled EVERYTHING out of my bag looking for it and asked “Where is your knife?”

“I don’t have a knife.” 

I really hadn’t remembered it even being there.  They said that I could pay 25 dollar to have it mailed to me.  I’m not paying 25 dollars for something I obviously won’t miss.  I think my husband picked it up as a free giveaway at some kind of fair. Yes, it was annoying but also a comfort knowing all the precautions that are taken.

I then had to make the mile hike from luggage claim to gate B.  The A 1-12 is one way and 13-25 another.  Straight ahead marked B which leads to an escalator going down – what the world?  Passengers make this long walk to yet another escalator going up.  Are you kidding me? The plane from SLC to Seattle was not so crowded and there was an empty seat between me and the man in the isle. 

It was raining in Seattle and there was a lot of turbulence flying in and flying out.  I certainly enjoyed breathing in the moist air while I was there.  Wetter than Oregon

But the puddle jumper from Seattle to Medford was the most crowded of any plane that I took.  And Seattle’s gate C2 is divided into another 8 gates.  Not a pleasant wait.  Flying into Medford was nice.  Richard was waiting for me with a sign and carnation in hand.  He really missed me and said he will never send me by myself again.  We were both crying. After I took a picture of Richard at baggage claim a worker offered to take a picture of the both of us.  Don’t see that happening in large airports.  SO HAPPY to be home!

The Turkey Jar

 

Several years ago I had acquired a small jar in the shape of a turkey.  He unhinged at the body as I recall.  I suppose I may still have it in the shed but have not made the effort to look for it at this particular juncture in time. 

this is a cookie jar; mine was a lot smaller with hinges

I remember asking each of the guests who attended Thanksgiving to write down things that they were most for.  I cut up each sentence into strips to be put into the turkey jar and we would read them during dinner. 

It was an idea I had wanted to incorporate into the holiday – attempting to start my own Thanksgiving tradition.  I remember reading some of the answers – but just that one year.  It was only an attempt.  It never became a tradition. I would have liked to have heard others express their Thanksgiving thoughts.

Thanksgiving Traditions

 My daughter-in-law comes from a large family.  Four boys and four girls.  Each have learned saving tips and coupon shopping from their mom.  They had also grown up with traditions that at least the four youngest try to honor now.

There were two or three of them in the kitchen making pies the day prior to Thanksgiving. I don’t remember ever having baked beans as part of Thanksgiving dinner before, but it was a part of theirs.  A craft project of making turkeys with apple bodies, gumdrops and marshmallow parts.

My second youngest granddaughter and I took a brief walk outside.  It was nice to get to know her a little bit.