And then there was one...

With a recent visit to the eye doctor, there is now only one person in our family who doesn't wear glasses--RYAN!

Elizabeth got a new pair (for when she isn't wearing her contacts).
And Alice now has to wear glasses as well. Over the past four years we've been monitoring her vision, because she doesn't always focus her eyes together. We've done all kinds of exercises with limited success. She just wasn't using her eyes as a team. She'd use one or the other--switching back and forth, and the eye not being used would wander. It wasn't too much of a worry as long as both eyes remained strong--meaning the brain was still using them both, but with this last check-up, her right eye had dropped to 20/60, meaning it was getting used less and less, while the left eye was becoming dominant. Without intervention, that course would likely continue to get worse.

And, she had no depth perception.
So, glasses.

But not just to correct the right eye's near-sightedness. They have prisms to help her eyes focus together. Suddenly, she is going, "wow! It is like things are jumping out at me!" as she sees things in a whole new way. The doctor explained that the prisms help her eyes relax and work together. It caused a lot of muscle strain for her to always try to force them together. They just weren't made to do that! So she wears her glasses all the time and really likes them. And after just a week or so of wearing them, she now says her eyes ache when she is NOT wearing them.

Thank heavens for cute styles!

The 2008 Presidential Election Has Begun

It is January, 2007, right? I didn't do a Rip Van Winkle and miss a year, did I? So, by my reckoning, it is almost two years before the Presidential election in Nov. 2008, and only 2 months since the political phone calls were mercifully stilled. But they're back...

A week ago, a phone call came from the organizing committee for Mitt Romney, asking if I wanted to attend a free luncheon and listen to the candidate. Ah, there are advantages to living in Iowa! (Since then, I've received a phone call from John McCain's campaign as well).

I've just returned from the lunch (a roll sandwich, potato chips and cookie--obviously they didn't want to sink too much money into the food). It was held at a sports grill. Several Church members also attended--I counted at least 15 there (from both wards), but I think the turnout far exceeded expectations. There had to be 200-300 people there. After eating the light lunch, we all crowded into the banquet room, and listened to a 20 minute speech and 20 minutes of questions/answers. I'm glad it wasn't longer, because it was standing-room-only, and I was standing. But it was something fun to do on a sunny January day!

While we were eating, two different reporters came at different times (one from ABC Radio, and the other from the AP) and asked us all sorts of questions. I guess I should say that I was with JoAnne Swindler and Sandra Wilson, with a 4th woman at our table that we didn't know. The reporters asked all kinds of questions, "Were we here to learn more about the candidate or were we committed to him?" "How did we feel about his position on abortion, considering some religious conservatives have called him a waffler on that topic?" "What qualities did we like about him?" "What issues were the most important to us?" And so on. One reporter had a notebook, and asked if he could quote me (taking my name and city of residence), and the other reporter had a microphone and recorder.

Did you know, it is so hard to think clearly once someone with a microphone in his hand asks you a question? But I think I did alright. At least they didn't laugh at my answers, and fortunately, I do know a few things about Mitt Romney and his positions. (Thanks, Aaron, for those articles!) All I know, I was GLAD when the reporters moved on to other people.

What did I think of Mitt Romney? He certainly looks presidential. It is hard to make a complete judgment based on this public function. He spoke well, his delivery included good jokes and he seemed personable. He touched briefly on illegal immigration (wants a fence, more opportunity for legal immigration, no amnesty--but a legal way to be guest workers), No Child Left Behind (doesn't like the feds in on education, but does like the testing); the challenge of jihadists (he didn't use the term "war on terror", but wouldn't let Iran have a nuclear weapon, and had other ideas); didn't touch on the Iraqi war; and so on. I guess you have to be a political junkie to enjoy this.

So, we'll see how this election cycle goes. May the best one win!

Family Home Evening and a hill of snow

Ah! No one else on the hill (especially no bullying teenage boys with their foul language). Of course, it was after dark, but, no problem! The city lights were reflecting between the cloud cover and the snow, so we could see just fine. We could even tell where Lily was. By the way, she does NOT like sledding down the hill.

And a view of the hill, looking up from the bottom, with our night-vision goggles... Those green lights are actually parking lot lights for the funeral home.
See that hump of snow? Someone made a jump for their snowboards, and Alice didn't see it in the dark. She flew over it and landed hard, but of course, she is putting on a great show of pain for the camera. Isn't sledding down a snow-packed hill ALL about pain of one kind or another, (sore tailbones, cold fingers, noses, cheeks, etc), but diminished by the rush you get?We're so lucky to be able to walk home afterwards--not because there were no injuries, but because we live right by the hill! The dog also had a great time, running up and down the hill, staying away from anyone trying to catch her and give her a ride.

As we walked home the snow was up past her belly, so she had to bound between our footprints. When we got in, she was so encased in snow (her curly poodle hair does not release snow!) that we had to run water over her fur. I don't think she'll be going out to the hill again with us!

(Wow! Our pine tree out by the bird bath isn't so small anymore.)

Sorry, Kevin, that you weren't here! We miss you and hope everything is going well in Mexico!

A 4th-grade Fieldtrip

Last Thursday, Alice's class got to go snow shoeing. Luckily, it snowed 5 inches just a couple of days before. As soon as I found out about this field trip, I signed up! I've never been snow shoeing before.

We had a perfect day--about 27 degrees (not too cold, and not too warm).

The snowshoes were "modern". I was a little disappointed they weren't made of wood and rawhide. But they were effective. Once we got the basics down, off we went. The basics? Just lift your knees like you are marching, so that the anti-skid gripper underneath doesn't catch on fallen tree branches, etc. and trip you.
By the end of an hour in the woods, everyone was hot. I pulled off my mittens and unzipped my coat. Some of the kids were getting a little tired. Not me! All that working out on the treadmill has served me well. No achy muscles, no fatigue. This was an easy workout. (I'm up to doing 2 and a half miles at 12-minute mile pace--not really fast, but I'm running about 25 out of 30 minutes! I still can't believe I am actually running--I always hated running!)

Well, it wasn't all just playtime...

Or maybe it was. (See that box, full of gifts, behind the chair? Christmas was great!)

We had Brian Rogers over for a roast beef dinner, and some good Phase 10 playing. He's doing well, and was here for Christmas, but his travel plans were made after his dad made travel plans for visiting his brother in Boise. So Brian was here by himself!

And...

My favorite memory was the singing! For our hymn before reading the scriptures, I was surprised by the 4-part harmony. I hadn't realized Aaron was such a good singer--able to sing the bass line a cappela. Wow! But the REALLY memorable singing was on Christmas day. Deborah started playing Christmas melodies on the piano, and soon everyone was gathered around: Aaron was doing his best "Aaron at the Met" impersonation, Kevin grabbed his clarinet, the rest of us mere mortals just sang.

Christmas Memories

Although Christmas was a few weeks ago, I didn't have the time then to post our happenings. I hope you don't mind!

On Christmas Eve, we got the costume box out and donned outfits to portray the Nativity story from the Bible, thinking that would be fun for Connor and Brenna. Actually, they didn't want to take part, only to watch. You missed great acting, as Aaron became "Joseph" and Alice was "Mary". Elizabeth, Deborah, and Kevin played ALL the other parts (inn keepers, angels, shepherds, Wise Men). I was the narrator. We're looking forward to future years with more family members present! Afterward, Brenna had to check out the cradle.

And of course, Christmas Eve dinner.

It was a very nice Christmas Eve, even though there was no snow. Later, we read "The Night Before Christmas" and outside, sleigh bells rang. Santa's sleighbells! Time for bed! Even though Alice knows about Santa, she still wants to believe. And that's alright with me.

About 50 years ago...
this pictures was taken. What a good looking family!

My first grade class at Lincoln Elementary School. I remember Mrs. Petersen as being really old. Now, she doesn't look so old at all. Can you find me?

I thought this was about in 3rd grade, but it must have been 1st grade, with Steve in the 5th grade and Kim in the 6th grade. We had to all be at the same school to have our picture taken together. All during my school years, it was the district's dress code that girls wear dresses. Even on cold winter days! And dresses were knee-length. So to keep our little legs from freezing, we often wore jeans under our dress while we walked to school, then removed them, much like wearing snow pants or bib overalls now. I don't think they had heard of "wind chill factor" then either, because we walked and had outdoor recess no matter how cold it got. I don't remember having any indoor recesses. Now, if the wind chill is below 0 degrees, they get to stay inside. Wimps!

The week in the rearview mirror...

Sunday, January 07, 2007

We are moving to the afternoon schedule for church and that is not a pleasant thought for me. I am a morning person and like to have major responsibilities or events accomplished early in the day. I also tend to have a period of low energy from about 1-3 pm—but maybe the anxiety about teaching YW at 3 pm will keep my energy flowing! I had not looked forward to being in nursery for the afternoon, with all the nap-missing toddlers, and now I don’t have to.

We had a nursery graduation last Sunday, with “Pomp & Circumstance” playing, and certificates, and parents attending (the last 5 minutes of class). I think these 3-year-olds will do well in Sunbeams. They are used to sitting on chairs for the lesson and they are a congenial group—no major personality conflicts.

I am enjoying this new calling, but I think it will be a struggle. First, I am a “do-it-now” type of person and find it very galling to have to wait for all the chattiness of girls. I was never a chatty girl, though I’m sure I had my share of flightiness. Second, I can see areas that need improvement, (communication with families being one of them), and am unsure how to approach this. I am a counselor, not the president, and I want to help and support, not offend. I think I will have to tread lightly for awhile until I get the feel of how this presidency works. The president has been on vacation since the day I was sustained back in mid-December, so the needs I have seen might just be because she was gone.

I was able to exercise FIVE times this week (I average 3-4), and yesterday, I burned over 47 carbs (average is 40-42). About a month ago, Kevin calibrated the treadmill for our respective weights. I suddenly went from burning 65 carbs to only 40! I guess the machine was gauging for a 185 lb person. I had figured it was over-counting, but it still was a hit. Now I can’t eat as much!

Deborah made it safely to Provo, with Jonathon Swindler traveling with her. Through Wyoming they had to deal with heavy snowfall—at times they could only see a few yards ahead. They drove slowly, watching the reflector posts at the side of the road to keep them on the right path. Still, they made the trip in 18 hours. We miss her a lot. There is always so much music happening when she is here. (And A&E are inspired to do more with their practicing!)

Christmas is over...

As we said goodbye to Deborah this morning, (on her way back to Provo), Alice, Elizabeth and I felt like moping. It's always so sad when the fun and goodtimes are over.

School began here yesterday; the Christmas decorations are coming down today; all the visitors are gone. Alice summed up the sadness, "Now there's nothing to look forward to!"

That is the hardest part of every major event--after looking forward to it for so long, it is over much too soon. We had some good times playing games, eating lots of good food, and ending up the holiday with a Star Wars marathon (we got the original 3 movies on DVD for Christmas). The last time we watched "Return of the Jedi" was during the stop-and-go traffic on Donner's Pass during The Trip To Justin's Wedding. (And when Brenna was born back in Wisconsin).

And, now that the calendar has turned to the new year, suddenly the trip to Guam in May is only 4 months away instead of "Next year". That's something to look forward to! And Deborah is planning on being home from college then, so she can be with A & E while Kevin and I go. (I think she was hoping to come too, though). If only we could find some 3-for-1 tickets! A&E would love to go as well.