Last night John and I got our Christmas tree. It is beautiful; a seven foot noble fir. I named him Lewis. I have always named my Christmas trees. I don't know why, something weird about me I guess.
When we were at the Christmas tree lot all the trees were $50 or more so we decided to leave. The attendant asked why we were leaving and we told him that we did not want to spend $50 on a tree. Then he said that he could negotiate the price. He then asked us how much we wanted to spend. $30 I said. Thinking that that would be a fair price and not the insult that $20 would have been. He countered with $40. and then John said $35. We settled on $37.99; okay, sold!
On the way home we stopped and picked up the pizza we ordered and John ran into Skyler Judd, a guy that he lived with for a time on his mission in California. That kid knows so many people. I can't take him any where.
Once the tree was up and dinner was over I started my endeavor, to make some divinity for Christmas boxes. I boiled the sugar, water and corn syrup and waited until they reached "hard ball" stage. then I whipped the egg whites to stiff peaks. When i tried to combine the sugar mixture to my egg whites, it was a mess. The sugar had cooled too much. I called mom to ask her what I did wrong. She told me to not let the sugar cool. Okay, thanks. I said. I put the pans in the sink with some warm soapy water, but the sugar was not budging. Eventually I had to boil some water and pour it into the pans and scrub with a knife and sponge, because the water was too hot. An hour after I had begun, I was ready to begin again.
My second attempt, although better was still not perfect, and I beat too much air into the mixture making it not want to stick together. Hopefully my third and all subsequent attempts here after will be successful. Today I am going to make truffles; also something I have never done before.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Good Day
Today was a day of cleaning in preparation to christmasify our house. I cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom including the fridge. I can't tell you how many times I did dishes today. Well, maybe I can it was 4. I never do dishes that much. I also swept and mopped the floor.
I was going to move onto the bathroom but then John came home and he wanted the carpets cleaned before we got our Christmas tree. He borrowed his friends, Zach's carpet cleaner and we figured out how to work it. Then I cleaned the carpets. They look a lot better. I was able to get most of the oil stains out. Once Christmas is over we will have to clean the floor again.
In addition to all this cleaning, I threw a chicken in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots. Six hours later we were eating a wonderful dinner. Today I felt like a good wife.
After dinner we headed over to Barnes and Nobel to once again look at the Nook e-reader (it is on my Christmas list) and once again decide that there is something missing. John and I decided that an ipad would be better. It is more user friendly, I can get books from other sources than just the company I purchased the e-reader from and it already has color. one con is that it is back lit, but they have different colors that make it easier on the eyes and a night time and daytime feature. In the world of e-readers this is just the beginning. you wouldn't want to buy a first generation car, so why would you want to buy a first generation e-reader?
I was going to move onto the bathroom but then John came home and he wanted the carpets cleaned before we got our Christmas tree. He borrowed his friends, Zach's carpet cleaner and we figured out how to work it. Then I cleaned the carpets. They look a lot better. I was able to get most of the oil stains out. Once Christmas is over we will have to clean the floor again.
In addition to all this cleaning, I threw a chicken in the crockpot with potatoes and carrots. Six hours later we were eating a wonderful dinner. Today I felt like a good wife.
After dinner we headed over to Barnes and Nobel to once again look at the Nook e-reader (it is on my Christmas list) and once again decide that there is something missing. John and I decided that an ipad would be better. It is more user friendly, I can get books from other sources than just the company I purchased the e-reader from and it already has color. one con is that it is back lit, but they have different colors that make it easier on the eyes and a night time and daytime feature. In the world of e-readers this is just the beginning. you wouldn't want to buy a first generation car, so why would you want to buy a first generation e-reader?
Monday, October 4, 2010
Happy Birthday John!
This past weekend, along with General Conference, John and I celebrated his birthday. I was a little worried about it because last year we lived in Los Angeles and went whale watching. "How am I gonna top that?" I wondered. It turned out to be a great celebration with just the two of us. Friday we went to Bombay House and enjoyed our favorite curry; lamb for John, chicken for me. Then we laughed at a silly movie, Hot Tub Time Machine.
Saturday we ate pizza and watched one of my favorite movies and Johns too, The Sum of all Fears. I had baked John's favorite cake, german chocolate; which actually was really good this year. The first year I made birthday cake for him, I didn't understand it was a special formula. So I just bought a chocolate cake mix and put the German chocolate frosting on that. I don't think I'll ever live that one down, but I'm okay with that.
John enjoyed his gifts. A new dress shirt from Mom and Dad, a book entitled Digital Soul, which talks about AI (artificial intelligence) and machines. A years subscription to Maximum PC, and a collectors addition copy of Rolling Stone magazine which rates the 100 best Beatles songs. Before John and I went out for his birthday. I made him a play list of the top 20 songs and told him it was a clue. It drove him crazy, and he loved it.
At the end of the weekend, the almost impossible had come true. John declared that this was his "best birthday ever."
Thank you to everyone who called, texted and facebooked John to wish him a happy birthday. He felt truly loved by your thoughtfulness.
Saturday we ate pizza and watched one of my favorite movies and Johns too, The Sum of all Fears. I had baked John's favorite cake, german chocolate; which actually was really good this year. The first year I made birthday cake for him, I didn't understand it was a special formula. So I just bought a chocolate cake mix and put the German chocolate frosting on that. I don't think I'll ever live that one down, but I'm okay with that.
John enjoyed his gifts. A new dress shirt from Mom and Dad, a book entitled Digital Soul, which talks about AI (artificial intelligence) and machines. A years subscription to Maximum PC, and a collectors addition copy of Rolling Stone magazine which rates the 100 best Beatles songs. Before John and I went out for his birthday. I made him a play list of the top 20 songs and told him it was a clue. It drove him crazy, and he loved it.
At the end of the weekend, the almost impossible had come true. John declared that this was his "best birthday ever."
Thank you to everyone who called, texted and facebooked John to wish him a happy birthday. He felt truly loved by your thoughtfulness.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Let the More Loving One Be Me
The More Loving One
Looking up at the stars, I know quite well That, for all they care, I can go to hell, But on earth indifference is the least We have to dread from man or beast. How should we like it were stars to burn With a passion for us we could not return? If equal affection cannot be, Let the more loving one be me. Admirer as I think I am Of stars that do not give a damn, I cannot, now I see them, say I missed one terribly all day. Were all stars to disappear or die, I should learn to look at an empty sky And feel its total dark sublime, Though this might take me a little time.-- W H Auden
Afternoon in Nephi
This afternoon, I went down to Nephi Utah to visit my maternal grandparents; Don and Rula Gowers. I arrived around 2:15pm. Grandma was in the house and told me that she had just finished putting her feet up to prevent swelling in her ankles. She then proceeded to explain how she moved the couch cushions for optimum comfort and drainage.
After that we went into the kitchen for Grandma to drink her daily glass of Gatorade, to help ward off hyponatermia. At that same moment I realized I had not eaten lunch. I asked Grandma for a sandwich. She pulled out the bologna and asked if I liked butter or salad dressing "aka mayonnaise" on my sandwich. I said salad dressing. I asked if there was any mustard, but there was not. "Did you want ketchup?" she asked. "Ewww." I thought. "No." I answered. I added potato chips (of which any lunch is not complete without) and Grandma gave me a tub of fresh peeled peaches.
As I munched we discussed medical problems. I get this a lot. People find out I'm a nurse and inevitably they will say "Oh!" and ask me a question about some specific thing that I don't know about because it is not what I do, so I have forgotten it; except maybe the hazy memory here and there, or they start to tell me about all their ailments. I used to try to give them a somewhat intelligent answer or explain a concept or diagnosis better to them. Now I just say "I don't know." I wonder if this is how doctors feel? Sometimes I sigh to myself, but if you are my grandma and have managed to survive past your 90th birthday. I am all ears. What can I do to help your life be a little better; even if it might be just listening with the occasional "huh, hum, or grunt."
After lunch we looked at the Church News and I read an article aloud about people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the town of Luputa getting fresh water to their village with the help of LDS Charities.
Grandma then commented how she did not realize how may temples were in South America; 34 in all. We counted.
We spoke of family things, Jordan going into the MTC today. Grandpa went to his farewell. Kerrin is going to make me a temple dress. I am co-teaching a class on meal planning and couponing. Isn't Landon the best baby? He hardly ever cries. To that Grandma said "Do you know why Ethan and Landon are such good children?" I kind of already knew the answer, but I let her tell me anyway. "It's because Alice keeps them on schedule. They nap when they're supposed to, she feeds then when they're hungry and does not let them stay up late." Then she added. "If you ever have children, you would do well to take a page out of her book." Amen.
Grandpa ever the worker and tinkerer, was not at home. He and his Jazzy were over at the other house. Grandma and I went over to find him, but he was not there. I went back over later by myself when I was getting ready to leave. He was pruning a tree. He was pruning this tree because it was in the way of the workers who were putting aluminum siding on his house. The house needed to be painted again. At first Grandpa had thought about climbing on a ladder and doing it himself, but then thought better of it and decided to have the siding put up instead. It looks really good.
While talking to him in the back yard we munched on raspberries from the bush. According to Grandpa the crop has not been very big or plentiful this year. Never the less, we ate some anyway. When I put the fresh raspberries into my mouth, I was transported into summers of my childhood. Memories of my sisters, the swing and tree house, the huge trunk of dolls and fuzzy kittens from the next door neighbors came to mind. Grandma reading us bedtime stories as we sucked on orange cream-o and fudge icicles
Also of “helping” Grandpa do whatever he was doing. He was always so patient and so quite with me. I can only recall that he was upset with me once my whole entire life. I feel we have a special unspoken bond he and I; like our spirits understand each other very well. I love you Grandpa. Thanks to you both for making it a great afternoon.
After that we went into the kitchen for Grandma to drink her daily glass of Gatorade, to help ward off hyponatermia. At that same moment I realized I had not eaten lunch. I asked Grandma for a sandwich. She pulled out the bologna and asked if I liked butter or salad dressing "aka mayonnaise" on my sandwich. I said salad dressing. I asked if there was any mustard, but there was not. "Did you want ketchup?" she asked. "Ewww." I thought. "No." I answered. I added potato chips (of which any lunch is not complete without) and Grandma gave me a tub of fresh peeled peaches.
As I munched we discussed medical problems. I get this a lot. People find out I'm a nurse and inevitably they will say "Oh!" and ask me a question about some specific thing that I don't know about because it is not what I do, so I have forgotten it; except maybe the hazy memory here and there, or they start to tell me about all their ailments. I used to try to give them a somewhat intelligent answer or explain a concept or diagnosis better to them. Now I just say "I don't know." I wonder if this is how doctors feel? Sometimes I sigh to myself, but if you are my grandma and have managed to survive past your 90th birthday. I am all ears. What can I do to help your life be a little better; even if it might be just listening with the occasional "huh, hum, or grunt."
After lunch we looked at the Church News and I read an article aloud about people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the town of Luputa getting fresh water to their village with the help of LDS Charities.
Grandma then commented how she did not realize how may temples were in South America; 34 in all. We counted.
We spoke of family things, Jordan going into the MTC today. Grandpa went to his farewell. Kerrin is going to make me a temple dress. I am co-teaching a class on meal planning and couponing. Isn't Landon the best baby? He hardly ever cries. To that Grandma said "Do you know why Ethan and Landon are such good children?" I kind of already knew the answer, but I let her tell me anyway. "It's because Alice keeps them on schedule. They nap when they're supposed to, she feeds then when they're hungry and does not let them stay up late." Then she added. "If you ever have children, you would do well to take a page out of her book." Amen.
Grandpa ever the worker and tinkerer, was not at home. He and his Jazzy were over at the other house. Grandma and I went over to find him, but he was not there. I went back over later by myself when I was getting ready to leave. He was pruning a tree. He was pruning this tree because it was in the way of the workers who were putting aluminum siding on his house. The house needed to be painted again. At first Grandpa had thought about climbing on a ladder and doing it himself, but then thought better of it and decided to have the siding put up instead. It looks really good.
While talking to him in the back yard we munched on raspberries from the bush. According to Grandpa the crop has not been very big or plentiful this year. Never the less, we ate some anyway. When I put the fresh raspberries into my mouth, I was transported into summers of my childhood. Memories of my sisters, the swing and tree house, the huge trunk of dolls and fuzzy kittens from the next door neighbors came to mind. Grandma reading us bedtime stories as we sucked on orange cream-o and fudge icicles
Also of “helping” Grandpa do whatever he was doing. He was always so patient and so quite with me. I can only recall that he was upset with me once my whole entire life. I feel we have a special unspoken bond he and I; like our spirits understand each other very well. I love you Grandpa. Thanks to you both for making it a great afternoon.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Genealogy Funnies
These got sent to me in an email. They make me giggle.
- Our 2nd great grandfather was found dead crossing the plains in the library. He was married 3 times in the endowment house and has 21 children. He and his daughter are listed as not being born.
- I would like to find out if I have any living relatives or dead relatives or ancestors in my family.
- Will you send me a list of all the Dripps in your library?
- My Grandfather died at the age of 3.
- We are sending you 5 children in a separate envelope.
- Documentation: Family Bible in possession of Aunt Merle until the tornado hit Topeka, Kansas, now only the Good Lord know where it is . . .
- The wife of #22 could not be found. Somebody suggested that she might have been stillborn -- what do you think?
- I am mailing you my aunt and uncle and 3 of their children.
- Enclosed please find my Grandmother. I have worked on her for 30 years without success. Now see what you can do.
- I have a hard time finding myself in London. If I were there I was very small and cannot be found.
- This family had 7 nephews that I am unable to find. If you know who they are, please add them to the list.
- We lost our Grandmother, will you please send us a copy?
- Will you please send me the name of my first wife? I have forgotten her name.
- A 14-year-old boy wrote: "I do not want you to do my research for me. Will you please send me all of the material on the Welch line, in the US, England and Scotland countries? I will do the research."
Family camp 2010
July 15, 2010
I am camping with my family on Boulder Mountain. We have all come here from our respective places; Mom, Dad, Josie and Lizzy from Phoenix. Abu from Austin. He flew on a plane to Phoenix and then drove with Josie. Alice, Aaron, Ethan and Landon came from Ogden and I came from Orem. Even Nick is here. He came to Phoenix with his mom to visit Grandpa and Grandma Nelson. After being there a couple of days he decided to camp with us.
I got here at 4pm. When I got out of the truck Ethan immediately asked me "Rada, where is your friend John? I answered that he was at school and that maybe we would see him later. Then Ethan, Dad and I went down to a bridge by our camp site. Ethan threw pine cones which he calls "acorns" into the river and watched teem float down.
Mom and Dad made dinner in the dutch oven. We had most of the supplies and Josie, who hadn't arrived yet was bringing the rest. Just as dinner was ready, she got to camp. What great timing! After dinner we sat around the fire. Alice and Aaron taught us how to make the perfect smore (yum!) Mom had not only brought regular Hershey's chocolate bars, but Special Dark as well. Dark chocolate is my favorite.
After that everyone decided to go to bed. Lizzy and I are sharing a tent by a stream. Our tents are spaced a good distance from one another. Hopefully it will block out any snoring. =)
I am camping with my family on Boulder Mountain. We have all come here from our respective places; Mom, Dad, Josie and Lizzy from Phoenix. Abu from Austin. He flew on a plane to Phoenix and then drove with Josie. Alice, Aaron, Ethan and Landon came from Ogden and I came from Orem. Even Nick is here. He came to Phoenix with his mom to visit Grandpa and Grandma Nelson. After being there a couple of days he decided to camp with us.
I got here at 4pm. When I got out of the truck Ethan immediately asked me "Rada, where is your friend John? I answered that he was at school and that maybe we would see him later. Then Ethan, Dad and I went down to a bridge by our camp site. Ethan threw pine cones which he calls "acorns" into the river and watched teem float down.
Mom and Dad made dinner in the dutch oven. We had most of the supplies and Josie, who hadn't arrived yet was bringing the rest. Just as dinner was ready, she got to camp. What great timing! After dinner we sat around the fire. Alice and Aaron taught us how to make the perfect smore (yum!) Mom had not only brought regular Hershey's chocolate bars, but Special Dark as well. Dark chocolate is my favorite.
After that everyone decided to go to bed. Lizzy and I are sharing a tent by a stream. Our tents are spaced a good distance from one another. Hopefully it will block out any snoring. =)
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