Goodbye Fish

We had some sad news Thursday night. Because of a chemical mishap we lost all our fish.  Trying to knock down some of the moss growing out of control we accidentally poisoned our beautiful fish. The largest was Anna (affectionately named by Anna of course) a large white koi with one orange stripe. She was about 18 inches long and 10-12 inches in girth. Skunk, a black and white koi named by Jared, was not far behind her in size. Favorites also were Sunshine, a large neon yellow koi, Neris, the exquisite calico colored fan tailed gold fish, and Sweeper, our chunky catfish. Various other goldfish and koi filled the pond and gave us great pleasure. Nineteen lovely fish filled our backyard pond. Stephen made a valiant effort to save them, but it was too late. All struggled and ultimately succumbed. Our pond seems very still to me. No color swirling through the water. Perhaps when we return from Baltimore we will start again. 

We must really love Shannon

It was Shannon’s brainchild – “Let’s all hike up to the caves above McNally’s. I think that would be fun! Who wants to go?” What is a self-respecting Walkie-Talkie going to do with a proposal like that? We all agreed of course. A date was set but as with set dates, life sometimes gets in the way. First, we all postponed the trip once because I ended up going out of town with Stephen. When a replacement date was selected, Jami said it was Ernie’s B-day but she thought it would be OK. As time grew closer Jami wasn’t comfortable going and decided to stay home and take Ernie out for lunch. Meanwhile, Rinez’s daughter from Santa Monica called and needed her help so off she went. This left Shannon, Gaye and I. We decided to forge ahead.

I must admit we did have a lovely day for it. The weather was cool and sunny. When we met that morning we were all smiles – we had no idea what lay ahead. At least I didn’t. Gaye and Shannon had both been there in years past. In fact, Shannon later disclosed that the last time she was there she vowed she would never return! What! But, like the pains of childbirth, the excruciating memories of their previous trips to the cave had faded. Nevertheless, how quickly they came flooding back when we hit the trail. Man that trail is steep! 2 & ½ miles one way of rocky mountain path.
Going slow and steady sucking air, we did not set any speed records. Of course with Shannon on a hike you will never set records. Not because she can’t set a pace but because she stops to take pictures every few minutes. ‘Oh look, that’s my favorite flower”, click, click, click. “Gee I wonder what the name of that flower is. You know if you take a picture and send it to Google they will send you the information on the flower or plant”. Click, click, click. “Gaye smile”. Click, click. Shannon was really in her element and having fun which made even the steepest of grades cheerful and manageable.  We sure did enjoy the beautiful flowers and foliage along the way. The hard part for me came when we just never seemed to arrive. I wish I had a dollar for every time Shannon said, “I think it’s just right up here”. I was getting a little discouraged especially when she would point out, “See, the trail goes up there”, the operative word being ‘UP’. I am sure glad I have been going to the gym for the last month. At least I had a little endurance built up.


Today, my legs are sore and I have sunburned arms however, I also have great memories of a wonderful day (if not challenging) with my friends. Will I go again….well, I have three babies.

Water Conference

Stephen had to go out of town for a conference and asked me to accompany him. You bet. It turned out to be quite a nice mini vacation. South Lake Tahoe is a favorite place for us but this time we did not stay at the cousin’s cabin. His conference was downtown at Harvey’s. While Stephen was off to classes I was free to roam the town. Mostly I stayed at the hotel and worked on a Shutterfly book project I had going. It was incredibly freeing to have uninterrupted hours to work. I just don’t get that kind of time at home. Being located downtown, everything was within walking distance. The weather was mostly overcast and cool which suits me just fine. When the clouds parted it was sunny and glorious.

We have never really spent much time in Tahoe that wasn’t during the summer or on a holiday. We found it to be quite the sleepy little town at this time of year. What a pleasant surprise. The only thing that was a little shocking was the price of gas – Wow. I thought our prices are high (and they are) but they definitely pay more up there.

The last day of the conference ended earlier than we expected. We checked out from the hotel but were not due at the Knott’s until the next day. I made a quick call to Betsy and for one night we stayed at the cabin. As it happened, the weather turned furious for a few hours and there we were, snug as a bug in the cozy cabin, while we watched a tempest of snow flurry swirl wildly outside. It was a treat.

The next morning it was beautiful again.

We made it to Shelly & Dave’s the next day. We had a delightful visit with them. The guys played golf while Shelly & I hung out making plans for a murder mystery dinner party the following night. The evening turned out splendid – a good time was had by all.


Following church with them we headed home. One thing interesting at church was a fifth Sunday combined Priesthood/Relief Society lesson on Family Search Indexing. Shelly already is involved and has indexed thousands of names. Stephen and I decided this was something we could do on Monday nights together – he on his laptop and me on the desk top. We signed up with Family Search and are on our way. Cool.

Who would have thought what started out as a water conference would turn out so enjoyable.

Relief Society

I love our ward Relief Society sisters.  I love our ward RS Presidency.  Could go on and on about the wonderful examples there are in the ward among the sisters and the inspiring leaders we have, but I want to tell you about last night.  Last night we had a delightful RS meeting, it was a service auction.   Several sisters signed up to donate a variety of services including skills, labor or goodies.  First we filled out a questionnaire to determine how many points we had to bid with then the bidding commenced.   What fun.  I am so thrilled that someone actually bid on my service.   I offered a de-clutter session. 

Call me quirky, but I actually like to de-clutter clean.  Don’t confuse that with regular cleaning –yuck.  I mean going through rooms, pantry or closets and tossing out things that have long since outlasted their usefulness or purpose.  For example, how many rectangle glass Pyrex dishes do you need…really?  

 Scale down and toss the rest. 

 How about old photos, mounds of toys or paper piles?  And don't even get me started on garages.  So what if you have a perfectly good (you fill in the blank), if you don’t use it – it’s out of here.   I know that was your grandma’s (again, fill in the blank) but it has been sitting at the back of your closet for 7 years – it’s out of here. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am as sentimental as the next person when it comes to Grandma’s painting, the baby’s first dress or your high school yearbooks.  I just prefer to cherish people and memories rather than things.   Personal items of emotional value can find a place in the home.  Absolutely.  I have token items from family members that I have incorporated into my home to beautify it however; I do not think there is a need to ‘shrine like’ hold on to things just because someone you know used to own it.  Often times these ‘things’ crowd or take over living space intended for the living.  Or worst, the ‘things’ require funds to pay for a storage space to keep it all…… unused and useless.  

Living leaner and cleaner is liberating!  I am not a neat freak but I do believe there is a measure of peace that descends upon a tidy home. 



By the way, I bid on a set of flowers and bows that will look great on a little granddaughter I know. Aren't they cute?

Happy Easter to All

Stephen and I are so very grateful that our parents instilled in us faith in Jesus Christ. This foundation prepared us for the message of the restored gospel from missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We will ever be grateful to those missionaries who sought and taught us, changing our lives forever. This Easter we likewise share our testimonies of the living Christ, our Savior.

San Diego

Stephen & I just returned from the Western Aquatics Pest Management Society Conference.  Doesn’t that sound like a good time?  Actually, any time in San Diego is a good time.   For two days he attended classes and workshops while I walked or rode the trains all over town.  The weather was mild and sunny – fabulous!  One night we had a nice dinner at a restaurant on the bay and the other night we took in a Padres game. 

Our last day, we left early enough to stop by the LA temple for a session.  What a wonderful three day get away.

What a Great Day

Any day that is on General Conference weekend is destined to be a great day.  Stephen and I, as is our custom, dressed for church and went to the chapel to enjoy conference.  How wonderful.  President Monson set a beautiful tone adding his own powerful testimony to that articulated by Joseph Smith so many years ago,

“No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done”.  How blessed we are to have a prophet in our midst.   

       
We enjoyed listening to President Packer’s tender message.  His reference to children was poignant.  Elder Hallstrom from the Seventy was new to me.  I appreciated his clarifying definition between the church and the gospel.  This afternoon Elder Holland was powerful as usual.  I often think of him as what I envision Peter was like.  Very forthright and passionate.  I loved his analogy of the parable of the laborers.  Also new to me was Elder Baxter of the Seventy.   His message for single parents was especially relevant. And what about the New Presiding Bishopric and General Relief Society Presidency?  I cannot wait to hear from them and come to know their spirits.

In between conference sessions we came home and very uncharacteristic of me, I went to the kitchen to whip up something for dinner later.  I shed my heels in favor of slippers and to protect my dress, slipped on an apron.  Stephen headed out to work on his Jeep.  Unbeknownst to me he donned a coverall jumpsuit.  When I caught a glimpse of him out the window I laughed to myself.  I ran out and said, “Look honey we are Betty and Lawrence”.  We had a good chuckle as we thought of our lovely friends Betty and Lawrence Taylor.  I cannot count the times I have seen Betty in slippers and an apron or Lawrence in a coverall jumpsuit.

  Now Stephen is off to Priesthood meeting.  Today I feel so very grateful for the restored gospel and the Lord’s inspired church. I am thankful for the dedicated and humble leaders that serve so tirelessly for the Lord and in turn the children of men. Now just think, tomorrow I get to do it all over again…….ahhhhh.