TAGGED --by Erin

As of October 25, 2008
Just 2 more months until Christmas!!!

8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS
1. Designed to Sell
2. House Hunters
3. Sell This House [the home staging show]
4. Rick Steve's Europe Through the Back Door
5. Thank [Goodness], You're Here [AUS]
6. Curb Appeal
7. Gilmore Girls
8. Great Race

8 FAVORITE RESTAURANTS
1. Cheesecake Factory [Sweet tamale cakes appetizer]
2. Tanaka's of Tokyo or Benihana-style Japanese Restaurant
3. Phuket Thai
4. Long John Silver's/A&W in Mililani
5. Olive Garden
6. PFChang's
7. 23 Degrees North [Turtle Bay] or Ola's or Leilei's, too
8. Most any . . . not cooking is just my VERY favorite!!!

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. coughed . . . lots
2. dr. appointment
3. got medication [Foodland Pharmacy!!] for bronchitis
4. sent mailings to 3 girls, bought stamps
5. met my student at FHC
6. helped a patron at FHC
7. came home and rested
8. picked up and enjoyed time with Dad at home


8 Things I'm looking forward to
1. going to Pier One today..."Pumpkin Swirl" spray and candles
2. voting--giving my voice, even if I write in candidates!
3. being healthy again
4. giving my RS lesson tomorrow: Daughter of God
5. preparing for my next travel...not sure where/when yet
6. Halloween--seeing the boys dressed up
7. Preparing for the "Erin and Avery" visit
8. Any time with dad, like today.

8 Things on my wish list
1. new, nice kitchen counters and sink
2. finished bedroom [painted walls, window coverings, rugs, etc.]
3. gutters for house before rainy season...maybe
4. travel
5. travel
6. travel
7. good health
8. good wishes for each family member

I'll add one other list:
8 Things I'm grateful for
1. beautiful family and time with them
2. upbringing with solid values passed on to me, through me
3. The Lord's blessings in every aspect of our lives/Gospel
4. Dad's wonderful opportunities through the years
5. Beautiful places we've lived since 1974
6. Learning and loving it
7. Loyal friends through the years
8. best husband in the world for me

best wishes always to you. ALOHA! mom/Dianna

An October to Remember

It has been a memorable October already, and it is just 9 days old!

Last Wednesday evening [1 Oct] Bill and I and others from Laie left on the red eye non-stop flight to SLC. Both of us had been there within the past 4 weeks, but this time we got to travel together. It was a last minute idea to go and to accompany him with the companion certificate. Friend Grant Guinn booked us a room at the downtown Hilton, in an upgraded room, too. So I can say right now, it was truly worthwhile to make that decision to go this weekend.

We arrived at 7:30 a.m., Thursday morning, and even after picking up our luggage and rental car Bill was dropped off at his meeting held at LDS Business College by 8:15 p.m.

Since the hotel early check in was not even available until 12:00, I had to make a plan of how to spend the morning. Hmmm....knowing Megan was probably still asleep, --and we were planning to surprise her--I headed out to the Granger area to Kohl's, a department store where I enjoy shopping whenever I'm on the mainland. Yes, they had some bargains waiting just for me, so this happy shopper decided to head back to downtown and park and do some other errands in that area. I had just gotten to the car and got a phone call--from Megan. She knew some BYUH folks/friends were going to be on her campus today, but didn't know where to find them. In that call I recommended she peek in the Multipurpose Room and she would find them...including her dad! Then I told her I was here, too, and she was surprised again! We made plans to meet after her music class test.

The day progressed well, with walking in the gorgeous weather to JS Building, eating lunch at Olive Garden, taking Megan with me to Walmart, resting up, then meeting dad to eat again at Olive Garden, then finishing the day with TV, rest, and sleep since it was at a premium on the flight to SLC. Our fun time had begun!!

We attended a morning session at the SLC temple then strolled through the temple grounds to cross to JB's to have some breakfast. I spent some time then at the FH Library, learning about the Nichols family name and first ancestors to arrive in this country. Always a favorite place to research and pass time. Megan had a full schedule that day. But she and friends came later to swim at the hotel's pool. Bill and I escaped after his morning meetings to Emigration Canyon, up 8th South, past UU. We enjoyed the colors, winding canyon road, and river to experience a bonafide leaf ride. AHHHH........so nice. Photos need to be added to this to get the full effect. Picture gold, a bit of green, some dark pines, a splash of red, purple, and of course, orange. The day was....perfect.
Friend Janice Morgan joined us for dinner at Benihana's...so the full courses of delicious food made the day, too. We visited with Janice for a bit in our room until all of us were yawning. Jet lag and packed days...but such good times in spite of that!

SAturday was Conference Day #1. Megan had passed out all the tickets and she and friends enjoyed in person while we watched from our room. Early breakfast in the hotel worked just fine for us and there we visited with Grant and son, Ashton. We left after the 2 p.m. session for Ogden. We'd called the Litchfords to warn them of our coming. Bill and Dan attended the meeting at 6 while Nancy and I got another bonus leaf ride up Weber then down Ogden Canyon. :D Kristi Palkki and Matt had prepared a fine salmon dinner for us so we enjoyed that prior to the meetings and rides. Kristi has a huge home for her and her 5 kids...with 3 nieces and nephews on hand at times.

Sunday was our day to pack up and go, though we were happy to watch Day #2 of conference in the morning after our breakfast. We met Megan at her place around 12:30, then ate at Arby's with her before dropping her off and heading to the airport. Our flight was delayed, but it worked out all right. We walked right off the plane in LA onto the next one to Honolulu. Better seats this time, so we had a pleasant flight home.

Just what I needed.....a fun weekend, time to reflect and be refreshed by conference, friends, family, husband, nature, and spirit. In a word, if this is one, AHHHHHHHHH!!!!