Beneath the Wraps

             The last ward we attended in Utah was called Granger 14 th .   Boundaries were exceptionally weird, but we did have enough activity that there were two adult Sunday Schools. I don’t recall anyone having multiple callings.   It was a good ward.           We had only been here for a couple of years when we returned to Utah for my late daughter-in-law’s funeral.   We had been invited to stay for a linger longer at the Granger 14 th .   A lot of people had moved out of the ward in that two years time.   A LOT.   I asked someone if a lot of members were on vacation.   Looking around she claimed that most of the ward was in attendance.   The ward had shrunk.           When Jaime and I had gone back for a visit last year we were told that the Granger 14 th had dissolved. That's too bad.  Understandable, but s...

               On Tuesday Jaime wanted to go out to Sandy and hang out with my brother Keith and his wife Natalee.   We called first to see if we could come.   We did not know that it would lead to our becoming another’s house guest.   Natalee had already made plans with a former neighbor of ours.   She and Marj (aka Peggy Bird) were going to see “ The Barbie Movie” and had invited us to attend with them.            To be honest, “ The Barbie Movie” was never on my agenda – especially for something to do while in Utah.   I was a bit floored to learn that it was something Marj had wanted to do.   Not only that she had offered to put Jaime and I up during the rest of our stay. Somehow the  wires were crossed and Marj seemed to be under the impression that Jaime and I were sleeping on the floor (which we were not)           As school was ...

                Biff and Clair have moved but failed to take all their stuff with them.  Meanwhile Jaime is moving in.  She has belongings in one shed and is going through all the stuff that was thrown in the other shed before Biff and Claire moved in.  We have organized both sheds to a degree.  Camping and tools is one.  Christmas, memorabilia and other miscellaneous items in the other.  Plus stacks of crap items belonging to Biff’s family though I think there is more on the deck than what’s in the shed.  I want it gone.                I was so exhausted and soar yesterday.   Today was much easier.   We did 30 minutes of work and break and work again.   Yesterday was overcast and 60ish until about two.   And we stopped – at least outdoors.   Jaime went through many of her stuffed animals yesterday and is going throug...

            I have always been a “get it out of the way as soon as possible” type of gal.  I HATE procrastination .  Always have.  There are many things I am willing to do spontaneously but not calling upon others to assist or attend without warning.  Such as getting married or being advanced in the priesthood or attending the temple for the first time (see here ).               Perhaps Richard and I had not set the finest example by giving everybody just eight hours or less.   Everybody knew that the day was coming. I wasn’t expecting anybody to put their lives on hold for us or getting the turnout that we did.             Biff has always kept things to himself and will casually announce his big plan for “tonight” – I need more notice than “oh, by the way . . .”   They said they’d be moving out today – but I had been hearing that for ...

             We’ll be picking Jaime up on Tuesday.   The other three should be out before her return.   They were supposed to move in today but a water line broke.   Always something.   I have really been trying to let things go and apply the scriptures to my current situation.   Sometimes I am successful but only sometimes.   More often I find myself irritated with all these little bits of ember that add up into a fiery blaze.           I didn’t wish to focus on my irritations but at the same time knew that I needed to write things down as a reminder why they are never coming back to live under the same roof as me – smiling as I do it because I think about their also keeping a list of reasons why they will never return.   I’m guessing they are more excited by the move of finally getting out on their own than I am to see them go. I personally don’t believe they are financ...

          When we lived in Kearns, there was a family in the ward that made up for a third of the primary.   I honestly don’t remember which of us moved out of the ward first, but I do know they have moved around many times – both within and out of the country.   I would guess that they’ve accounted for at least half to a third of their wards or branches (both geographical boundaries within the church – a branch is smaller in membership than a ward) in almost every place they live.    She has a blog which I have read every once in a while as she only posts once in a while.             Right now they are living in New York.   I would have not known that if my daughter-in-law, Carrie, hadn’t told me.   She and Randy had gone out to look for houses.   While there, they went to the ward in the area where they plan on living.   I’m happy to learn that ...

          Today it was announced in primary that one family has left us already and that another family will be moving Thursday.   We knew the stay for both families being in this ward was only temporary.   But when the first accepted a calling in the bishopric, I was truly excited believing that his family would be living in Oregon for a while - not just only one month more!   What's up with that!   They didn't even say good-bye - I think it was just announced: Oh, by the way.           Two weeks ago there were 15 children in our combined class of valiants. Most of them were visitors.   The amount of all classes combined totaled almost 30.   Today we had 5 in class and 10 in sharing time - and that was with two of the children who are leaving.   Not counting the visitors from two weeks ago, our primary has decreased by a third with the two families th...

         We signed papers on February 5 because we needed to buy a house.   We were told that Roland’s job position would be done away with and so he applied for a new position within the same company.   Rather than continue looking for what we really wanted and what just felt right, we chose to settle because of Roland’s employment situation.          He was actually supposed to train at the start of this month, but continues to do what he has been doing for the last few years – but with more work for less money.          We were initially supposed to close on March 29, but had to sign an addendum for a new date: April 6 th – which also came up and we had to sign another addendum – which the sellers assured would be the last.            We closed on the 7 th – FINALLY – but sti...

     There are some months when I seem to be full of ideas and others when my mind is a blank - or I'm just not motivated.  My blog posts become feast or famine (at least in my mind) but unfortunately some of my ideas don't get written out - or they just don't seem so important once I see them on screen.  Or else I just haven't come up with the right words STILL             I often experience times of frustration - like when I hit a key that somehow changes the placement - and I feel helpless at not being able to change it back. On January 21, I posted an entry called "Judge not " I don't know what buttons I pushed to bring it to March 13 - but there you have it . . . again.  And yet, maybe somebody needed that post to land at the top because perhaps there is some hidden message that might speak to them that maybe they wouldn't have waded through otherwise.  I'm rationalizing . . . ...

    “Jumping the Gun” is a phrase I’ve used before – and although I knew what it meant, I didn’t understand its origin – so why on earth would I use a phrase that I myself didn’t understand?     I looked it up online and came across an explanation of foot racing (though I suppose it could find to any other kind as well) in which a gun was fired to start the race.  The runner who was “jumping the gun” was the runner who took off (or attempted to) before the gun was fired.  Thus “jumping the gun” is acting before the proper time.         We have been house hunting since before Christmas.  Our initial offer made on a house (here in Oregon) was made on December 1.  But we couldn’t get the kind of loan that we had planned for, and so we had to withdraw.      Meanwhile, we still owned a house in Utah but have signed that over to our youngest son.  He and his wife ...

    “Jumping the Gun” is a phrase I’ve used before – and although I knew what it meant, I didn’t understand its origin – so why on earth would I use a phrase that I myself didn’t understand?     I looked it up online and came across an explanation of foot racing (though I suppose it could find to any other kind as well) in which a gun was fired to start the race.  The runner who was “jumping the gun” was the runner who took off (or attempted to) before the gun was fired.  Thus “jumping the gun” is acting before the proper time.         We have been house hunting since before Christmas.  Our initial offer made on a house (here in Oregon) was made on December 1.  But we couldn’t get the kind of loan that we had planned for, and so we had to withdraw.      Meanwhile, we still owned a house in Utah but have signed that over to our youngest son.  He and his wife ...

            There are at least three kinds of loans offered to those who qualify to purchase a house.   The VA loan is offered to veterans.   The government will loan 100% of the funds needed for the house.   The house has to be up to code to meet all the approval of the inspector.   They are very strict.             An FHA will pay up to 96½%.   It is up to the buyer to come up with the remaining 3½%.   The house has to be up to code and meet the approval of the inspector.   They are not as strict as VA.             A conventional loan will pay up to 80% and the buyer has to come up with the remaining 20%.   Cash is also an option to those who actually have it.               The couple that purchased my...