October 2008 Family Letter

Though Annie's baby was due October 9th, he decided he couldn't wait and came on September 30th. This is her first baby, and our eighth grand child. He weighed 7 lbs. 2.4 oz. and is just adorable!, of course. They tossed around a lot of names, but since their last name is Smith they didn't want anything popular. They didn't want a name that could be shortened so that shortened the list as well. They finally came up with Devon Joseph Smith and call him Devon, as his daddy's name and grandpa's name is also Joseph. So far I only hear Annie call him Baby. I think he was "Baby" for so long that she can't get used to his real name. The funniest thing ever was that one day when I was there I heard her call him Baby D...so much for not shortening his name. It cracked me up. All three are doing well. I'm so proud of the new parents; they are as attentive and as cute as can be. Joe jumps right in there with his fatherly duties...very cute to watch. He picks up the slack around the house, too, doing dishes, etc. I'm glad they are in town. It's been a great year having all of my grand children in town for the very first time; and the oldest one is almost 12.



Early this month Katy had her sonogram telling her the sex of her baby...a girl! But the doctor told her to sit down and listen carefully. Then he proceeded to tell her that her baby had a cyst on her brain, a flap on her kidney, and something about crystallization on her heart. Well, the poor parents fall apart of course. They called us that day, a Wednesday, so we decided to drive to San Diego for the weekend and have them meet us, and feel them out to see how they were handling this very scary situation. It was the same weekend as the Boutique, but I had already decided not to do it because I didn't want it to get in the way of Annie's baby, not knowing when he would arrive. I was going to just sit at the boutique and see if people would order anything from me. I didn't think they would...knowing that my things are probably pure impulse, but I thought it would be a good experiment. Then when we decided to go see Katy and Jim I figured it would definitely be even a better experiment. As expected I only got three orders...I think 14 dozen cookies. At least now I know that it doesn't work to leave order forms. I still don't know if it would work to just sit there and talk to people and fill out order forms. I don't know if I will try that or not.



Back to the boat...Jim gave Katy a really nice blessing; and I was glad that Paul was there to help and that we were there to hear the blessing. We had a great weekend, as usual, when they are with us. They were in good spirits, so we were glad to be with them and know that first-hand. They decided to get a second opinion on the condition of their unborn baby. The appointment was Monday and the doctor said something like, "Yes, there is a little freckle on the heart, and these other issues...well...they always, always, always, go away. You have a perfectly healthy baby." Can you even imagine the great relief that all of us felt? Prayer and Priesthood blessings work.



You remember how much I love autumn leaves? Well, Paul said last week, "Let's go to Salt Lake to see the leaves." So we left Friday, spent the night in Vegas, and then came on to Salt Lake. Paul's grand folks and mom are from Woodruff, so we decided to drive up there for church today and see the leaves on the way to and from. We took Paul's mom with us and she was able to visit a few minutes with a cousin, so that was nice. Most of the leaves were gone from the trees, but there were a few stretches of really lovely scenery...totally worth the trip. We also met Kay and Dave for dinner last night. We haven't been here for quite some time, and it is always nice to get back to Salt Lake, even if I don't know my way around any more. We started at Modern Display, buying some really fun Christmas ornaments. Can't resist. I'm an addict. Tomorrow I am going to go with my high school girlfriend, LeNea, to her cabin in Oakley. We will be alone until Tuesday night when the men join us. Then the next day Paul and I will head home, hoping to see more leaves. Our dear neighbors in Tucson, who moved several years ago, are now living in Provo, so we will stop to visit them. (Mary Bradford, 95, who I used to visit teach, and her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Lou and Bill Bingham). Then we will stay in Vegas again, getting home in plenty of time to rest up a bit before square dancing.



Speaking of square dancing, the night before we left for Salt Lake we hosted our square dance club at our house because the church where we usually go was holding some function, so we got bumped. Rather than skipping the class and the dance, we just volunteered to have it at our house. Our grand daughters came down and watched while their parents were in class. They had a ball...trying to learn the steps themselves. Afterwards Heidi said, "If you and grandpa and mom and dad and me and Emily come, and you get two more people, we can learn to square dance." I overheard Jane telling Annie on the phone, "I hate to admit it but square dancing is really fun?"



So there is the newest news for the month.

September 2008 Family Letter

I am posting this family letter almost a month later than when I wrote it. Sorry about that.

I hardly ever write things on a calendar, so now I am faced with the dilemma of trying to remember if I did anything noteworthy this month.
The only thing I can think of is that I started intermediate clogging classes. I finished the beginner class in May, I think. I invited my summer walking friend to take the class this year. We go together since it takes about half an hour to get to the dance center. I clog with her in her beginning class, which is a good refresher and warm-up for me. Then, since she is a school teacher, she corrects papers, pays bills, reads, etc. while I take my class. It’s so much more fun to be there with someone I know and to have someone to talk to on the way to and from the class. I’m glad I bought the beginner instruction and dance CDs, so that I could practice all summer. It’s so much fun, though I’m not crazy about the music…mostly country, played by banjo music. It’s great exercise, so that is a bonus. One funny thing about my practicing clogging at home is that as soon as I put my clogging shoes on, my little grand baby Sadie, almost 15 months old, starts bouncing up and down. Then I put on the music and she really gets into it. It is so cute to watch. Babies sure do love music. At the encouragement of some square dance friends, we started taking round dance lessons as well. We never thought we would do it…way too nerdy for us. After three weeks we have pretty much mastered one of the dances; and I have to admit that it is kind of fun. Our friends didn’t catch on very well, however, and are ready to quit. If they quit maybe we will quit, too. If you round dance and square dance, you never get a break all night from dancing, so that may be a good enough excuse to quit. Paul does need to rest his knee some. He wears a brace to the dances, and that helps him a lot.
Annie’s baby is due on October 9th, so that means any day now. The crib is set up, the little clothes are washed and hanging in the closet, and her hospital bag is packed. She is way ready. It will be really different for me not to have to get on a plane to go help with a new grand baby. She just lives about 20 minutes away, and I don’t know what she will even want of me, help wise, since this is her first.
Kay called me on September 23rd and said, “Do you know what today is? It’s the 30th Anniversary of dad’s death.” She always remembers and always calls. I can’t believe it’s been 30 years though! What’s sad is that Annie and Elizabeth never knew him; he died before they were even born. And Katy was only two, Jane five, and Ben seven; so their memories can’t be too strong. That’s one reason it is nice to have the gospel and know we will see each other again.
Boutique season is upon us, and I am so not in the mood. It’s always like this in October. The rent on the school skyrocketed though from last year’s of $2400 for the weekend to $7500 this year. Insane! They had to find a new location, and it’s never as good a show when that happens. They had been at the same middle school for 15 years, and hundreds of people count on the same location. I wish they hadn’t been able to find a new spot and just let the boutique die a nice, peaceful, natural death. My kids tell me, “Mom, you don’t have to do it, you know.” I do know, but I just can’t say no. I would disappoint too many people who are so loyal to me. We’re down to the last two weeks though, so I better get cracking, starting tomorrow…though I’ve been saying that for more than a week. I will still go to my dance classes. I do have my priorities.

August 2008 Family Letter

We began the month with a business trip to Florida, staying with the Carlton’s again. They live in a beautiful neighborhood, and I always look forward to being there and walking the streets first thing each morning. It’s so much nicer than a treadmill. There is certainly something to be said for all the greenery, ferns for ground-cover, included. And to think that Paul’s grandmother had to really baby along one lone fern as a house-plant. I could live in Florida, at least during the non-hurricane season.
Ben was on a school break this month so came and stayed with us from the 20th-30th. Usually he goes to his in-laws, which are now x-in-laws, help get the kids up and off to school, then goes back and picks them up, gets them dinner at our house or “out” and then takes them back to Elizabeth Elena’s house at bedtime. This time she wanted him to pick the kids up as soon as he got into town, and keep them the whole time, including over-night. I thought it was a selfish thing on her part, but he was OK with it. He loved it, as a matter of fact, and said it was the best break he had had in a long time. It was because not once did he have to interact with his x-in-laws, and he got to have the kids longer. It was a little more stressful for me, having all seven of my grandchildren under roof at the same time, because Ben’s are even pickier eaters than Jane’s, and they are allowed to stay up way too late. But if it was better for Ben, then so be it. Elizabeth Elena really got to miss the kids though, so it may not happen this way again. They’ll have to work something out. We had quite a bit of time with Ben, so that was a bonus for us. I think he got to see his sisters quite a bit also. If he passes his classes, he will only have two more semesters until he is finished. Then we’ll see. He just finished and passed Pharmacology…thought it would kill him…but he survived. I can’t remember the class he has right now, but the last one will be pathology. That should be interesting.
We spent Sunday afternoon with some friends from square dancing. Along with family they invited several couples for a bar-b-q. It was very nice, and we were glad to be included. It was a pot-luck. They furnished the hamburgers, hotdogs, and bratwurst, and soda. I let them know ahead of time that I could bring some homemade whole wheat buns for the meat. The bread recipe is so good, and the dough is really easy to work with. I will never buy another hamburger bun again. Plus…a batch doesn’t take all that long to make; I did it between getting home from morning church and when we had to leave. No big deal. And because most people don’t bake, they were a real hit. I want to keep these letters to one page, so time’s up.

Devon Joseph Smith

I can't believe that Joe and Annie's baby is already one week old today. But then he wasn't even due until October 9th or 10th. Even though he was nine days early, it's about time I am getting around to my blog. I'm still not in the groove, as you must have noticed by now. They knew a boy was coming, but they couldn't decide on a name. All of us were giving her suggestions, but they finally came up with Devon Joseph Smith. They wanted a name that was a little bit out of the ordinary because of the very common last name of Smith; so they didn't want Michael, David, etc. And they wanted a name that couldn't be shortened, like from Charles to Charlie or Steven to Steve. And no similar sounds slurring from first name to last, so it couldn't be Max or Alex. He was born on September 30, Tuesday's child, but didn't have a name until Wednesday. Devon Joseph Smith, going by Devon, of course, since there are four previous Joseph Smiths on his dad's side, and besides, Joseph is usually shortened to Joe. He was born at 7:33 a.m. and weighed 7 lbs. 2.4 oz. I'm not the slightest bit prejudiced when I say he is one gorgeous baby boy! Remember that I volunteer once a week at Tucson Medical Center in the newborn nursery and have been there for fourteen years now, and have seen a lot of babies. Annie and Joe are darling parents. It's been fun to watch them. I knew Annie would take right to it because she has always been so very cute with babies, but with Joe I wasn't exactly sure because I don't remember ever seeing him even hold any of our other babies. And when he was handed his son, right after birth, he said, "Now what do I do with it?" ("It"?)The way I understand it is that he wasn't even cradling him...just kind of holding him out like a football. Too funny. Likely we will never let him forget it either. But he has gotten into the groove of fatherhood real quickly...changed diapers at the hospital and everything. I think it was cute of him to tell me that he wants to be an involved parent, even though he was nervous to change diapers because of the circumcision. This is such a bonus time for me as a parent to watch my own kids take on parenthood. Annie and Joe are already doing a wonderful job; I'm very proud of them. I've been taking meals in to them since they have gotten home from the hospital, so for five days now I've gotten to observe them. One funny thing Annie said a couple of days ago..."It was a sad day today. I realized my cats are not my babies." Annie and Joe have both been such cat lovers for such a long time that I wondered how they would transition. Move over Samson and Jasmin...Devon has just knocked you off your pedestals. I can laugh, but it happened to me, too, with our dog, Chuy. I'm embarrassed to say, but it's true...when I was expecting Ben, I actually said, "I wonder if I will love this baby as much as I love this dog." The minute he was born, however, I instantly fell in love with him, and Chuy took the back burner.

Hobbies (The Book Worm)

First of all...when I write a month and year after the title of the book, it represents when I read it...not that it matters...just for my record. A friend told me that Steve Martin had written a good book, "Shopgirl". ( April 2008). So I read it. I don't know whether I was not in the mood for his book or what, but I didn't think it was more than average. Then, while in a Sarasota used-book store, I found another book by Steve Martin, "The Pleasure of My Company". (September 2008) Because I valued the friend's opinion of Steve Martin, I tried this book as well. It took me into the book quite a ways before I finally found myself wondering how it was going to end. It was about a modern-day neurotic yearning to break free.

Hobbies ("Sailing")

It wasn't until we built an apartment, connected to the office, for missionaries, that I knew anything at all about yard sales aka "sailing". Or is that sailing aka "yard sales"? Anyway, I asked people at church to donate anything they needed to get rid of to the cause of furnishing the apartment. Sister Mauri Bell suggested that I go to yard sales, and I told her that I wouldn't have a clue about prices, how to wheel and deal, etc., so she invited me to come along on her excursion the following Saturday. She said that I would have to arrive at 5:55 A.M. because they would leave promptly at 6:00 A.M., whether I was there or not. This was serious business. My first lesson was that you did have to go that early because all the good stuff was gone by 9:00. And, no matter what the price was, you offered half. That was hard for me to do because I don't like to barter. But because we were furnishing an apartment we had to buy virtually everything from beds to potato peelers, so it became easier to dicker on the prices. It was amazing! Brand new twin beds for $25 each, peelers 25 cents, free-standing bookcase $2.00, rice cooker $3.00, pop-corn popper $1.00. The list goes on. I had Paul go with me because I didn't think I could do it by myself and I didn't know how much we could spend. I only wish I had kept track of how much we spent all together to furnish the apartment. After our first Saturday we were hooked. We went almost every Saturday after that for about twenty years. There were "treasures" to be found every week. It became a family tradition, but to bribe the kids to go with us we would get donuts at the local mom and pop donut shop. The double chocolate cake donuts were to die for, even took the place of my favorite donuts from when we lived in Salt Lake. I would say that all of us now have a huge percentage of our things bought from garage sales. It wasn't too long before we were buying presents from yard sales to give to the kids at Christmastime. It replaced our tradition of letting them open one gift on Christmas Eve. It became Garage Sale Christmas Eve. We were buying all year long and saving them until the magical night. But the parents were doing all of the buying, so we eventually brought the kids into the choosing of gifts...they would all buy something for everyone else in the family. It became the highlight of Christmas. Friends heard about it and wanted to come over and watch the unvailing. Though we would buy from the stores and give those gifts on Christmas Day, the Garage Sale Christmas Eve presents would always be the most fun. And our time spent together was the most memorable. One year Annie even said, "Let's not buy regular presents...let's just do the garage sale ones."

It's been a family joke that when I shop yard sales I will shop until I have at least six of everything...one for me and one for each of the kids. A famous and very funny quote from Ben is, "My mom even buys for people who aren't born yet." Well, that may be exaggerating a bit, but I have to admit, not by much. The problem is that right now Annie is the only one with a house, and the rest of the kids don't have storage space enough for me to inflict all these possessions. I have filled up all my storage space and then some, so it really doesn't make sense for me to shop every week anymore. But when I do go I usually say, "We've got to start going every weekend again." We do almost always go when we are out-of-town, however. We even found one when we were in New York with Annie. They blocked off the whole block. I can always find something to buy, even if it's just a book, but I was especially happy that Annie found several treasures. Katy is still in the regular groove so when she comes to San Diego to stay with us on the boat we always go...plug in addresses on the GPS, and away we "sail". We have more fun than should be allowed. She even wanted to write a book about "sailing", but has since put things on a blog instead, with photos and all. Maybe someday I will have her teach me how to do that.

Thoughts on Love

In my reading, I keep finding thoughts that I really like and decided that adding them to my blog would be a good place to store them...a place for me to find them easily and be able to re-read them. I may have several categories when all is said and done, but for now, my first heading will be "Thoughts on Love". Today's quote came from The Ensign, August 2007, by Elder Bruce C. Hafen (Of the Seventy) and Marie K. Hafen, p. 28. "In the little kingdom of a family, each spouse freely gives something the other does not have and without which neither can be complete and return to God's presence. Spouses are not a soloist with an accompanist, nor are they two solos. They are the interdependent parts of a duet, singing together in harmony at a level where no solo can go." And later in the article, same page, a journal entry, which became the last of John Haslem Clark of Manti, Utah, in 1921: "We are alone, We two. We two whom destiny has made one. Long ago, it has been sixty years since we met under the June trees. I kissed you first. How shy and afraid was your girlhood. Not any woman on earth or in heaven could be to me what you are. I would rather you were here, woman, with your gray hair, than any fresh blossom of youth. Where you are is home. Where you are not is homesickness. As I look at you I realize that there is something greater than love, although love is the greatest thing in earth. It is loyalty. For were I driven away in shame you would follow. If I were burning in fever your cool hand would soothe me."