Something to HARP about . . .

Aloha to my family.

This day is so welcome. It has been a bit unusual, but in a good way, for these past few days. As some of you know, the termites had taken their toll chewing away on my harp over the past few years. In fact, the tall pillar in front had actually caved in and knocked the bottom out. I didn't have any idea what I was going to do about this. Luckily, perhaps providentially, one day last month Irene Tukuafu, my harp builder, happened to call [she was visiting her children, lives in Nauvoo now]. She wanted to come over and see the harp. She appraised the situation and said she'd be back the end of Feb. to fix it. I ordered the parts she would need and sure enough, she came yesterday.

So, for 17 hours in two days, she designed, repaired, refurbished and made my harp almost as good as new. The all new strings and shiny brass eyelets look so nice. We sanded away some of the rust on the pegs, pins, rods, etc. With the new base and trim to the legs, it's a bit more wobbly, but that can be sanded down, too, I think. I do need a tuning pick up for my tuner, but it is almost ready to go and the strings will need to settle some, but it's LOVELY. It will look really nice with a little staining on the newly replaced wooden base. Some of the flowers need to be re-toll-painted toward the bottom, but it will soon be playable again, at least. I've really missed it!! She finished at 6 p.m. tonight, she leaves on the plane late. I'm so thankful she has these skills and talents.

We enjoyed Devin and Trevor last night while L, J, and K went away with P. Construction employees. WHEW! They keep us so busy. We enjoy so much and hope they like spending time with their ol' Papa and Nanna.

Classes are going well, I think [hope]. Religion students are into their personal histories, the others are into the money/credit section. Next week is "credit card bar" on Thursday, so they should enjoy that. They always do.

It's nice to have dad around more now that the exec. committee has come and gone. A lull--for awhile, anyway. Megan's next-to-the-last concert for orchestra is Sunday. Since it's the first Sunday of the month dad won't be missing any meetings!!

Janice Morgan arrived today. We'll do a Sunset Beach picnic with her this Saturday. I know you all remember those times, and that Janice enjoyed those so much we still do them when she comes. I think of last summer with J &A and E and W at the one in June. Dad, Meg, and I went in Dec., I think. Definitely a favorite thing to "get away" which we truly need to do more often.

I do enjoy blogging knowing that you all are not that "far away" when we communicate. And it seems you do like to stay in touch. That is truly something I've missed out on with my siblings...not that I didn't try for some years to encourage our communication. Guess my Grandpa Reynolds' saying rang true for us: NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS. I'm glad this family has a new feeling about staying in touch with each other and hope that will always be.

This Mom is tired...was up at 3:30 to grade students' folders and I even fell asleep when dad tried to read me some jokes tonight...I'm so rude. [SORRY, dad] Then with the harping all day after devotional and class...I'm ready to sleep away. No seminary for Meg in the morning--teacher's meeting. Will I sleep in?? That'd be a first!

Good night to all. Love you and have a happy Friday/Saturday down under.
Quote for the day: LOVE isn't something until you give it away.



Irene is a true conversationalist, so this mostly hermit mom, yes, the invisible one by choice, had a companion for almost 2 straight days. SHe is a delight, for sure. The workshop was partly on our kitchen counter, with some heavy-duty workshop tools being used at BYUH's woodworking dept. Shhh!!!! I was a little paranoid about that, but Br. Adolpho was her family's good friend and assisted her in her needs.

Routines and Variations...

Aloha this final week of February. Although classes are the same, the workload is greater due to assignments to check, tests to grade [done], and days to prepare for: religion has the new family search to get acquainted with, and financial management has productive assignments/discussions to outline.

My harp has been in need of repair for some time. I've missed playing it SOOOO much! Irene Tukuafu, my harp maker, is to be on island to make those repairs this week. I look forward to having my instrument back in good shape.

My "day off" today will be a busy one, with a trip to Wahiawa in the morning and tending the boys late afternoon/evening. They will come here for awhile since you may have read about their toy lesson. Until they arrive I'll be busy enough. Reading logs and organization projects and goal updates are in the folders to check for Mgmt. class. I'll get to the updated drafts of personal histories and quizzes for Religion class after Thursday.

Friday morning will include more assignment checking, then my afternoon at the Family History Center. Then, weekend is here!! I don't know what it is like for each of you, but the routines seem to make the week go by quickly.

Sunday we have Megan's hour-long concert at Kahala Mall...we'll probably stand out wearing our church clothes there that day as we watch her in the center court. That will be a nice change from our usual Sunday. Megan only has about 7-8 weeks left in orchestra, with the final concert on April 20. I have a feeling her trumpet will be turned in for good on April 21. ..we'll see if she ends her band experience then and skips the final spring concert.

I know you each are busy but I DO appreciate your blog entries. This is wonderful, and I'm so glad Megan has joined us, too. My life just seems not as exciting as all of yours, but it is fun to keep you, and me, up on my life.

The changes at BYUH and leaders visiting this week from the executive committee[Elders Nelson, Ballard, Sister Beck and others] confirmed to me that this school is led by inspiration rather than by either desperation or results of secular research...that its leaders come to us not by choice, but by divine design [good name for an HGTV show :D] it has great things in store if we heed the guidance and counsel given to us and progress "in the world but not of the world. " We were all counseled at the Monday meeting to "get on board" and assist in meeting the needs of an ever-growing, expanding church. The items in " " are my phrasing, not exact quotes from the meeting.

Wishing you all a very happy day. Until we blog again!!

MOTHERHHOOD comments

Lindsey and the family had an interesting Saturday. I smiled, remembering those times in my life, too. I remember Pam Palmer once made an interesting observation: Motherhood brings out our best, and sometimes, our worst. Or, at least what feels like our worst. I could relate to that.

This week I've been reading my students' personal history drafts of family life. Sounds like some parents feel as we did/do sometimes. One girl related that her family had a one month "Ethiopa Experience" because parents observed children's lack of gratitude at Christmas. No, they didn't GO to Ethiopa, they just LIVED at home for one month as if they were in Ethiopa. No toys, only 1 bathroom, one cover/pillow and slept on the floor all in one room. 3 sets of clothing, 1 for church, 2 for everyday. Eating was minimal [she mentioned they had oatmeal for breakfast everyday], no TV, computer, or entertainment, and they could only use flashlights and candles at night. Drastic, huh?

She said it was effective and they did appreciate even little things after that. I thought it sounded like an interesting adventure!! Would I have been able to pull that off? I guess we may have tried a FHE of Lehi's family in the wilderness, at one time, but that's about all the "roughing it" my kids did that I can recall, except for the "grabbit bag" for left out toys and doing "jobs." Lindsey's memories are pretty clear of the rest.

Enjoy your sabbath day of rest. Dad is always glad there is only one "day of rest" per week :D .

ly mom

Saturday Stuff

I'll try again...the cursor didn't work on the previous attempt to post. Please forgive me as I get acquainted with all of this. I'm the typical low-tech/no-tech mom! :D

Friday Highlights-- included time with Devin and volunteer time at the family history center.
Devin and I enjoyed creative time with playdough, running races, playing Hide Go Seek, and cleaning the upstairs shower--his favorite and regular activity. Attention span is growing--it's fun to see his growth and development each week. I can even figure out all he says...or nearly all, anyway.

At the FHC, I'm much of a rookie at the new.familysearch.org site that our district is now involved in. Many questions and situations require assistance from support in SLC; I hope we get those bugs worked out soon.

The BYUH musical was a hit! 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. Enough corny with fun and good musicians. WOW! It was well done, light and entertaining, and the auditorium was filled--a wonderful sight and experience. It was great to see the students support this production adn all of their friends. Perhaps they're here this weekend since it's midterms.

Saturday Stuff --started out with our same routine. Enjoyed the 5:30 session then donuts from Foodland.
We were off to town to pick up something for dad's work, so got his haircut in Kaneohe and later ate at a Mexican restaurant across from K. American Savings in the same errand. YUM!!
Megan slept in. After last weekend's madness, that was welcome to her.

This evening is a clarinet concert in Honolulu for mom and Meg, maybe Dad, too. Unless the last home BYUH game wins out. Go Seasiders!

Life is good! No complaints here. Love to see your posts...yours all seem much more interesting! The photos add so much!! Yet this is a good way to keep up on life's happenings and I'm grateful for this means to let you each know you are in my thoughts and prayers today. Life holds many miracles for us each day. Just being here to tell about the day is a miracle in itself.

Appreciating each of you and sending lots of love. ly mom

Our fun for the day on Thursday was the "Piano Lesson Time" with Trevor and Devin got to come over too since it had been so long since we'd seen the boys. Sleepy Kyle stayed home with mommy and daddy. Loved to hear that Devin is NOT a copy cat...he's a "puppy--woof--woof!" Glad that was clarified!! :D Enjoyed Mac 'n Cheese and Trevor's favorite-- some cottage cheese-- for dinner. I'm glad their palates are so easily pleased!! They put on a "show" with Trevor as the music director. Devin also performed "Elmo's World" and "Sesame Street" for us also. They rehearsed in the playroom with the curtain closed. Living room was their stage. Do we love this or what -- !!!

Dad's days seem to be meeting-filled. He seems very content once he comes home to just relax here in the living room. I can tell there are demands with people and class and students during his entire 10- and 11-hour workdays. This past year since the announcement about Pres. Shumway's departure from the university to the transition times still in progress has been a new experience for us all. Even though it is an additional demand, he does enjoy teaching his own students in bc.

Classes seem to be going well for me. It's personal history time, so my early mornings are best to read those d2-page weekly drafts for the religion class. The students in management had formal study group time yesterday and will take test one this weekend. Then we start money management. If anyone has ideas for ways to save money/spend less on education needs, please send that info. It's one of the ways students want to learn to use their money better. Surely will miss Brother Kimzey as a guest speaker. Does anyone know someone here to recommend that would be good in his place?

I'm grateful for long-time friends who still write to me, the sacrifice of parents for a high school education that helped me soar, family life that teaches me daily, talents given by a loving Heavenly Father which I can still develop and discover.

Thought for the day: Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.

Love you, mom

Mom's Musings

ALOHA, Family--It's time I get into this 21st century and you are all helping me make progress with this. Posting a journal this way should be a help to me and to you, I hope.

I wish there were some significant musings for this day, but it's early so perhaps more will materialize as the day progresses. I'm grateful for so very much in my life. . .
caring family, home, opportunities to work and serve, education, posterity, ancestry, dear friends. . . and my list goes on.

Thought for the day: TIME: If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.

ENJOY YOUR DAY! ly mom