Our Family History

On Saturday October 18th Dewey and I went to the Seattle Temple and performed 14 baptisms, confirmations and Initiatories for his family. We also participated in the Endowment Session for his mother and father. It was a wonderful day and a very emotional experience for Dewey and me. Dewey was able to perform the baptisms for his mom and paternal and maternal grandparents and his aunts (his father's sisters). I was proxy for them. It was very special. We are so thankful for the new program that has been provided by the church. We can do all the paperwork on line at home on our own computer and have it ready to take to the temple. Our friend and ward member Brother Danner came over one night and explained how it worked and it really jump started us. We have names and dates of many so far and hope to be able to continue his line for a long time to come. We are sorry that it has taken us so long to get started with the temple work but are so thankful and happy that for years we've been gathering information.





We have even found the cemetery on line where his grandparents Owens are buried and even have pictures of their tombstones. We were able to find that by googling his grandfather's name. It was great. It is so exciting and we are so thankful. We hope and pray that we can continue this work and be a part of this wonderful program that has been provided for us.

A Sad Evening

We are so sad. We waited for the TCU/BYU game all day. Buddy had on his BYU shirt. I put out the flag and had my normal BYU game day apparel on (T-shirt, ear rings, and socks). Dewey came home and dressed for the occasion. Paul was home to join in the festivities. After the first couple of minutes I started worrying and Dewey was mildly concerned. We kept watching and I got more nervous. Dewey got a little more concerned but was taking it pretty good. He only yelled once at a long pass when he thought it should have been "just get the first down." Then it eventually happened. The three of us realized we weren't going to win. I must say I am very proud of Dewey. We actually watched Survivor and enjoyed it after the BIG loss. Spencer is devastated. We are just so sad. Right before Dewey went to sleep he said, "I think it hasn't hit me yet." The only one who didn't seem to be affected at all was Buddy. He was his normal self. Cute, loving and wanting to go for his nightly walk. I love BYU football. I love the team for doing firesides the night before games. I am thankful for their testimonies of the Gospel and for the missions that have been served by the players. I know they have touched many lives. So with all that said I am so sorry they lost, but next Saturday I will have my flag out, my shirt, ear rings and socks on and Buddy will be decked out too. So will Dewey. And we will start the day with RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH RAH GOOOOOOOOOO Cougars!

Cider Squeeze at Meeker Mansion

Yesterday October 11th Dewey, Buddy and I made our way to Meeker Mansion in downtown Puyallup where they were celebrating the annual Cider Squeeze. I don't know anything about the history but I do know that we had fun. For a small fee you got apples, a plastic bottle and a number. Once that was done, the apples got washed and then you waited for your number to be called out. We were called by a nice lady and her son and the apple crushing started. Dewey and I were strong enough to do the whole process without any help. Once the apples were crushed they were pressed into the cider and poured into our plastic bottle. We took the gallon of freshly squeezed cider home and pasteurized and chilled it. We then had our first glass of our wonderful homemade cider and it was delicious. A neat experience I wished I could have shared with my children and grandchildren. All the cider presses and people who owned them were volunteers. There were food, and arts and craft booths. They had pumpkins for sale and even an apple pie contest. When we were leaving the judges were tasting their way through the pies. Buddy had to stay on the other side of the poles because of sanitary reasons so the lady's son that was helping us took Buddy into the legal section. I think it's interesting that dogs on the ground are banned but little kids can be all over the place sneezing and coughing into the presses. That's okay Buddy was happy trying to eat everything that everyone was dropping on the ground. Here's to fall and apples and good old apple cider.

Answers, We Have Answers

As promised here they are, answers to the Conference test posted yesterday. How'd 'ya do?

General Conference
October 4 - 5, 2008

How many new temples were announced by President Monson? 5 Where are they going to be built? Calgary, Cordoba Argentina, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Rome.
President Monson celebrated two anniversaries during Conference. What were they? 60th Anniversary with wife Frances and 45th Anniv of being called an Apostle.
What did President Monson specifically ask us to pray for? Opening of areas of the world where our influence is limited.
Elder Perry quoted Robert Browning, saying: “The best is yet to be.” And, like Thoreau, he taught the value of simplicity.
Speakers came from many different countries besides the United States. Can you name five of them? Germany, El Salvador, France, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Elder Anderson remembers praying before his mission about his feelings of inadequacy and lack of preparation. What did he receive as a reply? “You don’t know everything, but “you know enough”!
What did Elder Aidukatis’s father do that “changed the history of my life”? He was baptized.
Elder Oaks says that D&C 38:42 holds the key to how we PH holders should be when we officiate in Sacrament ordinances. Read it and write down the significant word. Clean
President Uchtdorf spoke of something he associated with FAITH and CHARITY, calling it part of “a three-legged stool that stabilizes our lives.” What was that something that he says has infinite power? Hope. What Book of Mormon prophet did President Uchtdorf say is a perfect example of someone who believed in this amazing “gift of the Spirit”? Moroni
Sister Elaine Dalton admonished girls everywhere to “return to virtue”, even if it’s not the popular choice. “There is no friendship more valuable” she said.
President Monson gave three imperatives to the Priesthood. 1. Learn what we should learn 2. Do what we should do, and 3. Be what we should be.
In Elder Bednar’s talk on prayer, he suggests we occasionally limit our prayers to gratitude, without any requests.
Pres Monson told a story about a man who used his priesthood to command something to move. What was it that turned around as a result? Submarine
Who said : “Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage.” Elder Hales
What one word sums up President Eyring’s challenge to members? Unity
What does the sun never set on, according to President Packer? “on congregations of the Latter-day Saints”.
Once completed, the new temples announced during conference will bring the worldwide total to 145.
Elder Scott’s message to the Priesthood stressed that LDS men should show due consideration for women.
Elder Holland testified that since Adam and Eve these have been on the earth to “instruct, warn, and give aid. “ What was Elder Holland referring to? Angels
Elder Wirthlin challenged us to adopt a perspective that includes laughter and a focus on eternal things as antidotes to the inevitable negatives in life.

President Monson Monson tells us to “Find joy in the journey—now”.

So You Think You Know Conference Huh?

Here's are the questions I made up for the YSA FHE last night. I used it as a stimulus to discuss some of the talks given by our GA's over the past weekend. Give it a try--I'll put the answers on tomorrow! BTW, I had a lot of fun researching and remembering these. One caveat for you sisters (Devin), some questions come from the Saturday PH session--but they really deserve to be included. Try to guess--or ask your significant other (Carl).

General Conference
October 4 - 5, 2008

How many new temples were announced by President Monson? ____________ . Where are they going to be built? _________________________________________________________________
President Monson celebrated two anniversaries during Conference. What were they?_____________________ and ____________________
What did President Monson specifically ask us to pray for? ___________________________________________________________ .
Elder Perry quoted Robert Browning, saying: “The ______ is yet to be.” And, like Thoreau, he taught the value of _______________.
Speakers came from many different countries besides the United States. Can you name five of them? __________, ______________, ___________, ____________, ____________.
Elder Anderson remembers praying before his mission about his feelings of inadequacy and lack of preparation. What did he receive as a reply? “You don’t know everything, but __________________________”!
What did Elder Aidukatis’s father do that “changed the history of my life”?___________________________ .
Elder Oaks says that D&C 38:42 holds the key to how we PH holders should be when we officiate in Sacrament ordinances. What is it? __________________________
President Uchtdorf spoke of something he associated with FAITH and CHARITY, calling it part of “a three-legged stool that stabilizes our lives.” What was that something that he says has infinite power? _______________. What Book of Mormon prophet did President Uchtdorf say is a perfect example of someone who believed in this amazing “gift of the Spirit”? ________________________ .
Sister Elaine Dalton admonished girls everywhere to “return to ________”, even if it’s not the popular choice. “There is no friendship more valuable” she said.
President Monson gave three imperatives to the Priesthood. 1. ________________ 2._________________, and 3.____________________.
In Elder Bednar’s talk on prayer, he suggests we occasionally limit our prayers to __________________, without any ________________.
Pres Monson told a story about a man who used his priesthood to command something to move. What was it that turned around as a result? ____________________
Who said: “Meekness is not weakness. It is a badge of Christian courage.” __________________________
What one word sums up President Eyring’s challenge to members? ____________
What does the sun never set on, according to President Packer? __________________________________________.
Once completed, the new temples announced during conference will bring the worldwide total to ________ .
Elder Scott’s message to the Priesthood stressed that LDS men should show due consideration for ______________.
Elder Holland testified that since Adam and Eve these have been on the earth to “instruct, warn, and give aid.” What was Elder Holland referring to? _____________
Elder Wirthlin challenged us to adopt a perspective that includes ___________ and a focus on eternal things as antidotes to the inevitable negatives in life.

“Find joy in the journey—now!”
President Thomas S. Monson

Pumpkins, Bishon and a Retriever

It's Pumpkin time. On Thursday October 2nd Paul and I made our annual trip to Spooner Farms to pick out pumpkins for our house (mainly our front porch). We always have fun.

This is the second season that Buddy has gone along, but there is a big NO DOGS ALLOWED sign so Buddy has to stay in the car, but there is one place he can go (anywhere before you reach the NO DOGS ALLOWED sign) and so we were able to get a few pictures after we had all the pumpkins in the car. One of our pumpkins is 131 pounds. It's really big. It had to stay in the trunk until Dewey got home so he could help Paul get it out of the trunk and onto the porch. When we picked it out a couple of the women who worked there said it was their favorite big pumpkin. It was our favorite too. It was a day of gathering the pumpkins we liked without the mud and rain we had last year. However, when we were getting ready to leave the sprinkles and rain came. Spooner Farms has to be the best pumpkin patch in the state. Each year they add more things. They have a corn maze, petting zoo, really nice locations for picture taking, an amazing gift shop, sling shot pumpkin area, areas for small children and much more. A trip to Spooner Farm is a fall tradtion for us.

We almost got a Bishon Frise this week. There was an ad on the bulletin board at the BX. I called the owner and spoke with her for a while. She is a female named Aspen about 16-17 pounds. We set a time to go and see her and take Buddy to see if they would get along. The night before after prayer and much thought we decided that we better not add a new dog to our household. So I called and canceled our visit with Aspen. Buddy would be really happy with a playmate but my arm will have to do. We almost did it.

Yesterday (Saturday) we were doing some errands in between Conference sessions and wound up at Petsmart. They were having dog adoption day. We couldn't believe the nice looking dogs that were up for adoption. One was a seven year old Golden Retriever named Tobie. He and his housemate a Chow Mix were there because their owner had died. We took him out of his crate to see how Buddy would react and of course Buddy hid behind me the entire time. He didn't bark at Tobie which was good. He was being quite timid. He was a little on the thin side but you know us we have a tendency to fatten up our pets with much ease. Dewey really wants him. It is a matter of the heart. He really looks like Einstein. I think Dewey is still thinking about him.

Well, that has been our week. There was the BYU game Friday night. For some reason it made me really nervous. I like it when they are ahead by at least 50 points. Conference has been great. One more session. Oh, we have had rain for the last few days. I like rain.

Four Guys and a Game

Back on Friday September 12, two of my four sons flew up from California to join me and Paul for the Washington/BYU football game. Spencer and Brian got to have a "Bachelor" weekend with their Dad.

We had a great time. BYU won in a thriller. We got to experience on campus traffic jams. And time went by way too fast. Sunday morning the California boys flew back to their generous families. It was a real treat for all of us. Thanks Jennifer and Flora for letting us have them for 36 hours!

Our New Refrigerator!

Here it is, the latest addition to our family:

We replaced our 80's era (older than I thought, that came with the house) refrigerator with a Whirlpool French Door.

It's white (Mom required white), Energy Star rated, big, clean, fancy and fun (for a refrigerator).

It has ice and water through the door (filtered), a freezer on the bottom, and the fridge unit on top with two doors that open wide--so, no more stooping to find hidden things growing penicillin in the back corners.

We love our new refrigerator!

Fall

Today at 8:44AM Fall arrived. I love Fall. It is my favorite of all seasons. The best part about it arriving today was it actually felt like a perfect Fall day. A little breezy, a little cloud cover--the kind of clouds that are puffy and white and grey. It was suppose to rain but so far no rain yet. Buddy will have to start wearing his pajamas again if the nights start to dip very low. Pretty soon I'll change to the flannel sheets for our bed. Oh, so cozy.

Today our new refrigerator is going to arrive. We think we might have a problem. It will fit in the space for the refrigerator but I'm not sure it will make it through any of the doors. That's a problem. I guess we will have to see what magic the delivery men can do.

I think Buddy notices the weather too. He has been very frisky today. Happy Fall Happy Harvest Happy Day

Buddy, the Squirrel and the Horse

Today was a great day. Really seemed like fall. No sun and cool. Buddy and I took a drive out to base and stopped at Dewey's work first. Dewey introduced Buddy and me to his pet squirrel that he named Popeye. He even went to the commissary and bought the squirrel his own food-ears of corn and peanuts. Dewey keeps this special food in one of his drawers at work. I now have to be on the lookout for all the fall nuts that come out because they are better for Popeye than peanuts. Buddy was pretty good and only barked once at him. I'm not sure what Buddy thought. He has probably seen a squirrel before in the backyard but I really don't know. Popeye even let Dewey get pretty close before he ran away. Dewey says there is a rabbit that lives by the squirrel and I think Dewey is feeding him too. This afternoon I stopped by a friend's house. She owns a couple of horses. So instead of having grandchildren here to say "hey look at the horses" Buddy had to do. I'm getting pretty pathetic when I treat the dog like a child. Buddy finally notice the horse and the horse noticed Buddy (we were at a distance) and neither one of them thought too much about the experience. No barks or whinnies. I remember the first time Einstein met a horse it scared him to death. He tried to get back across the street as fast as he could and he took me with him. After seeing Andrew the Maltese on The Greatest American Dog Show I'm convinced that Malteses are not afraid of anything big--including elephants. Here's to the little guy and girl.

P.S. Remember how I said it was feeling a lot more fall-like----I think we should have a fireplace tonight. It's down right cold right now.