Mid-summer Madness and Update

The days have have zoomed by and I should catch this up before we depart on Saturday, July 26.
The many projects I wrote about earlier are behind me now, thank heavens. Hooray!! It's now major packing mode at our house, and preparing the home to be away for two++ weeks. An exciting time.

PAINTING of the lanai, the railing upstairs, the mailbox, and some stucco dark spots on columns and our entry has gone well the past two weekends. It's a fresher look and will be good to come home to also. I'm sure some might say, "a second grader could do that better" [Dianna's sections, not Bill's] but there weren't any second graders around to ask!!!! Give me a cleaning brush, not a paintbrush, anyday.

SEWING projects were completed, and that's always a challenge here as the nearest fabric store is 45 minutes away. The better ones are an hour away. After 3 trips, I had everything I needed. Erin's baby will have a comforter...we'll tie it with yarn when we get there.

ORGANIZING for classes...that will happen a little more on the trip/flights. I'm glad the draft for each class is nearly complete. Just some fine tuning left on those. We have a few shared projects to work on while flying and visiting. Always something for us to keep busy. Maybe we'll even get to read a book or two while we're away...unless baby is there already, of course.

HOME ORGANIZATION isn't that bad at the moment...except for the four suitcases setting out that need to be readjusted and filled. We're taking lots for baby, etc., but should be able to return with much lighter bags. Having company earlier in the month and having spring and summer semesters off has been a big help to me in this department. "Keep up" is so much easier than "Catch up. " It will be nice to have Betty and friends here to keep Megan company and enjoy the house. We surely hope the weather is cooperative for them, too.

SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE . . . That's the sign at SUBWAY. It seems to be needing even more time for updating their soggy computer system, and some say it could be several months before reopening. It is sad for Megan especially since this was the job she actually enjoyed...the people, working for a short time with customers, and pleasant surroundings and employer, responsibility given. Her trip away to Puget Sound with Jenny and Aaron to vacation last week gave her a welcome summer retreat. Sounds like a good place for us to get away sometime. Not sure if anyone around here wants to hire a "sandwich artist" for just 6 weeks. The job thing just didn't work well this summer, but might be a good springboard for work she might find on or near campus in SLC. We'll see. . . I have a feeling these remaining weeks will even be encouraging her more to get away since they may be passing slowly.

FUN TIMES and SERENDIPITY We'd planned to see MAMMA MIA when it came out , to see if we wanted to see the play in May when it comes to Honolulu. After our Saturday morning painting party we went to Mililani to see it and have some popcorn, of course. It was fun, for sure, and we loved the music. I'm sure you've heard that not all critics like it. But we did enjoy the music, country side views...I heard it was set in Greece, but filmed in Croatia--I'll have to check that out further.

With Megan in Washington with Jenny and Aaron, we got a taste of what it may be like when the "empty nest" comes for us in September. It seems like just yesterday we had 3 then 4 young children and would have to plan any Monday night [or other] getaways in the van--treats, activities, who'd sit where, which radio channel we'd settle for, if we got drinks, who'd share with whom, etc. just to go for ice cream or a beach walk on the north shore. What a contrast--Monday night following our after-work catnaps, the two of us made a quick decision, headed to Kaneohe for Bill's haircut and were home 2 hours later. That was a new experience. We even read a book out loud along the way until dark. So that's what life without kids in the car may be like. He reminded me we did this for 5 years before Lindsey was born. But do you know what? I CAN'T REMEMBER THAT FAR BACK to those days. So this empty nesting will all be new to me.

In August postings I hope to share new experiences from down under and impressions of life for Erin, Wil, and new little baby Howe. Back to the packing!!!

Helaman 3:35 . . .wax stronger and stronger . . . firmer and firmer. . .

Summer Projects--July is already here!

Birthday was indeed fun and memorable. Summer is officially here and I L O V E the break.

Projects and having company have filled my time. The leisurely pace is indeed welcome, though, compared to my fall/winter semesters and no time to do these things which take me chunks of days at a time. My not teaching spring has been like icing on my cake! I've cherished these weeks to travel [May] and just catch up and accomplish many of these items on my long and ever-expanding "to do" list.

Mini-gardening is underway, and now with an upstairs lanai that has furniture, I'm interested in some small container gardening up there, too. I've enjoyed harvesting so far the radish sprouts and celery leaves, and green onions, and leafy lettuce.

My projects started with the "spring cleaning" for the house, room by room. Ta-Dah! Done!! But--it's now time to start over with the garage again. Dianna's 4th Law prevails: The less I own the less I have to clean, maintain, store, and repair. Love to throw things out! It's liberating!!! And I love the space that results from the effort. AHHHHH ! ! !

Preparing for fall classes is also in progress and, actually, is almost always in my mind in some way. The home ec class is updated and outlined, and now I'm working on the family history class. That one does include some bigger changes due to new websites students will need to learn that came available since last semester. I've been teaching the new sites to others, so have a better idea how to do it for class.

I'd wanted to do this project since last fall. I started a notebook of important documents based upon data received at a workshop last fall. I've edited and input the 40+ page file, so now I've printed it out and I'm filling in the blanks. That effort also meant it was time to redo the old "emergency file" which needed to be weeded out....Loved discarding then shredding the no-longer-needed documents and obsolete statements. I still have some document prep to finish up, but I'm glad to be this far.

In the meantime, Bill went to soggy Iowa for a week to visit family and we had company here for 10 days, so had to stay well stocked with groceries here at Dianna's "bed and breakfast buffet" and do a thorough tidying/laundry fest to prepare for them. First, Jenna Wagner stayed with us as her parents were away and she was recovering from a tonsillectomy, then a couple from Spanish Fork and the wife's mother stayed here since the Bigbies needed lodging for family to attend Fred's funeral. Megan roomed with me over in the corner on the futons, behind the oriental screens, so she at least had a little privacy. They were really pleasant people to have around and didn't need to be entertained so I'm glad we had a way to help them out.

Next project to start: baby comforter. On the trips to and from town recently, fabric and batting and yarn for Baby Howe's comforter were purchased. I'll assemble and bind it here, but we'll mostly tie it once we get to Australia--though I'll have Lindsey and Megan and Dad tie a few knots also so that it has a "made by the family" touch. It's a star pattern, chosen because Erin has always liked stars.

Any more projects this summer? ? ? Well, definitely painting our back exterior lanai railing and pillars is due. Selecting the paint chip possibilities will happen now that Bill is back. We have some prep work to do, then some priming, then the top coat.

Ongoing projects: volunteering, teaching. My Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons are spent volunteering at the FamilyHistory Center and I enjoy having my regular customers and new patrons to teach this to. It was fun to get back in my own history about 5 generations and then to connect to distant cousins who are interested in this also. Some great finds...and it just makes me want to travel more to visit where these family members once lived. I'm in the Kentucky/W.VA/Virginia lines on the Nichols/Nickell line, early 1800's/late 1700's right now. I also help Bill out with his history searches sometimes. A hobby and interest we share.

Planning/Preparing for travel is always a top pursuit. Spent June arranging Megan's travels to SLC in September...I'll accompany her then. While Bill was away I nailed down our Sydney arrangements adn transportation to Canberra. We don't love driving on the other side of the road, so we'll do some small planes and buses for that trek each way. The inspiration for Bill's Iowa trip was a flash, middle-of-the-night project when his work window opened up some days for him to go.

So, that is summer so far for me.......plus visits with delightful grandchildren, enjoying the beach and sand, and daily walks in beautiful Laie...like I said above, I LOVE it and the leisurely pace is so welcome. The countdown to our Sydney departure is on...two weeks and 4 days to go! We're getting our winter clothes out...and luckily, we get to check 2 pieces of luggage each!!! That is rare these days in air travel.

New grandchild/new adventure...that will be a highlight to our late summer, for sure.

Time is a gift, and so is good health, safety, freedom, employment, and many other wonderful, wonderful appreciated blessings.

BIRTHDAY #58-A Beautiful Day!

A beautiful, balmy, nearly-perfect-in-every-way day!! The weather was so lovely. Just like I'd choose from a catalog, if that were possible. We walked on campus, got birthday powdered sugar donuts and opened cards, read scriptures, then got ready for the day. Dad was at work by 7--another busy week for him. Laundry was on the agenda, but also some planting -- radishes and flowers for out front in the assorted pots there. For a fun new thing, I made two strawberry pies. I had fun sampling the berries and filling as I was preparing. Pretty yummy! Did a little housework, and did banking when I took Megan to work.

My 38th birthday (with 20 years' experience)

Superlative sunset at Sunset

My current school/home project is preparing a WORD document of "important documents" and I made good progress on that. It will be something I can send to my students who are interested and they can copy the pages that apply to them, also edit if they need to. I'll fill out ours upon completion and keep it with the "important" things to grab in an emergency.

Hearing from loved ones was always welcome -- first Jenny, then Erin, then mom and Mary. Mail was nice, too. Cards from Diane Linn Young, Mary [a musical one], my mom, 3 brothers, and the Petersons.

After picking up dad, we got ready for our Subway Sunset Picnic--an almost annual event now. It was wonderful with the welcome clouds to add variety. A low ridge of them blocked the final descent, but it was a lovely scene until then. Darkness came quickly, the color show at post sunset will have to wait for another time...the sun and clouds had other plans, I guess.

One candle to represent all those years...in the strawberry pie, and it was yummy! I'll post a photo at a later time. Dad's little concert ended my evening of a very nice birthday. Grateful for all that occurred, and for all who are in my life. Here's to another year!!!!!

Mom's Milestones. . .

It's now June 2008, officially today. The week was enjoyable with the holiday at the beginning [See Lindsey's blog] and moved on to Megan's KHS graduation Thursday [see Lindsey's dropshots]. I kept giving dad high 5's at the graduation and mentioning how wonderful this was, but thought I ought to explain why that was such an awesome thing for me to see Megan graduate.

May 2000. . . Eight years ago seems so far away now, but the memories will always stand out in significance for me. Perhaps they are fuzzy for you, but never for me. I had just finished chemo treatments and the final recovery weeks, finally feeling like I could get back up on my feet----and STAY up!!!!! I had been approached to teach family history in the fall at BYUH, a surprising new professional opportunity for me. Megan had returned from the 4th grade Big Island trip earlier which I didn't get to chaperone, but I'd felt good enough to chaperone her end-of-the-year picnic with the 4th grade down at Clissold's Beach and beyond. It was probably around then, but it occurred to me that even though I knew I had to take this recovery thing one day at a time, how blessed I'd be for each family occasion I'd be able to witness. I didn't know then what the future had in store for my health, so each event held great meaning for me. My goal was to make it through the remaining high school graduations--first Jenny, then Erin, and finally, 5 years after that, for Megan's And so now, as of May 29, 2008, I'VE MADE IT!!!!! These are tears of J O Y.

BUT I'm just so thankful to have witnessed so much more than that in these 8 years...accompanying 2 daughters off to school in Utah following their h.s. graduations, 3 daughters graduating with their bachelor's degrees, 3 daughters' temple marriages and acquiring, at last, "my own sons," births [so far] of 3 handsome and well-loved, unique grandsons, travel to Denver, Boston,Plymouth, Providence, RI, Connecticut [where we watched the Nauvoo temple dedicated], Sharon, VT, Indiana, Illinois/Chicago, Iowa, Ohio, Pennsylvania, NYC and Wicked with PJ, Nauvoo, Europe, Christmas in Utah and California and its theme parks, and Europe and dream-of-a-lifetime Croatia, Northern Rockies in Canada, Palmyra, etc., another trip down to PA, Acquiring land and completing our renovated, beautiful home on the most beautiful spot imaginable here with John's mark in every nail, board, or brick along the way. If my family knows me well, they remember that I'm a realist, so I'd never even ventured to hope this far ahead back in 2000 that ALL of these would occur--and so much more I'm not mentioning, but nevertheless, appreciating. Dad, that's why there were all of the high 5's and "we did it"s !!! I feel so very, very blessed. And I thank the Lord for these abundant, dream-come-true blessings and events I've been privileged to witness in all of your lives.

W O W ! ! ! Thank you all for being there, and for being the sources of Parent Pride Moments you each are for me. I'm thankful, still thankful, for each day, and every day is a "birth" day for me and will always be.

That's all for now.

Love, mom

TAGGED

Been married? 400 months! That is, 33 1/3 years on April 21st.
Ages? Dad is 59, mom is57
Eats more? Probably mom. Dad is at work, mom is too near the kitchen sometimes.
Said "I love you" first? Dad, I think.
Dad is taller [5'11" vs. 5' 6"] and sings better, too. He's basically well trained musically by comparison, but we both enjoy music together and that includes many styles, from blue grass to classical.
I think we're smart but in different ways and subjects. People, university leadership & organization = dad; history, geography = mom. We "complement" each other in this and other areas. There is still so much to learn!!
TV remote? Mom in the day [HGTV and MASH], Dad mostly at night. Usually like the same types of shows...mom doesn't like magic shows, though.
Temper? Dad never gets verbally upset, so has to be mom. I make up for him. Girls would agree, I think.
Laundry? Mostly mom, but dad will do it if she's away.
Dishes? Dual duty...and that is much appreciated.
Right side of bed? Mom--it's by the alarm clock, and I sleep lighter than dad.
Cooking? 99.9% is mom for both baking and cooking--except for waffles. Often heard these days is "Let's eat out." With just the two of us, we can share entrees and save.
Stubborn? It's a draw. We both have lived long enough to like things our own way.
Admit wrong first? I won't go there.
Seeing whose parents most? We both visit our own about once a year. AS we've gotten older, we spend less time with the in-laws. Without grandchildren to take and visit, it has simplified our lives some to do it separately.
Friends? Dad has more associates from work adn teaching. Mom's friends are few and treasured. [She's really picky and many perceive her as "quiet" and harder to get to know. Those who are close in enough know the real person.]
Siblings? We each had 3, though dad's brother Robert Ray Neal was deceased before Bill was born. Mom has brothers, Dad has sisters living.
Wears the pants? We both do. Mom runs the finances and gets taxes done [jointly decide on investments, though], household interior upkeep & garage, and washes/maintains the car, runs most kid-errands and grocery shopping/cooking/cleaning/laundry; Dad works to provide the primary income, helps determine most social/business engagements, takes care of yardwork, outdoor window washing, and floor care/carpets and some minor house repairs. We've been at this a long time and have done things this way for many, many years. It works for us.
I don't know who else to tag!! :D

May is My Favorite Month!

May 16th--a birthday celebrating day for Mary Hauschildt, my niece Julie, and Lisa's mom. This month/day usually has much going on, especially since it's a Friday, too. Trevor's first May Day Festival was held. His Bright Beginnings preschool danced two numbers. I hadn't seen a May Day in YEARS, so that was special to attend this one in the BYUH Cannon Center. Lindsey has already posted the videos online. She is the Blogger Queen!! Other events for me today were teaching a family history workshop for IAAP on campus. It was well received, with about 22 or so attending. A quick trip home to change, and back to the FHC for my Friday shift until 4 p.m. The day isn't done yet!!

Just one more quick trip home to change into walking clothes for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Laie Elementary. Lindsey and Kyle joined me for my first celebratory round [dedicated to survivors and caregivers]. How special it was to have this representation of my life these past eight and a half years--a married daughter [I have 4 grown daughters, 3 now married] and a grandchild [I have 3.7]. To me, being a survivor means having a "birthday" every day! I cherish any day I live without cancer even though cancerphobia will always remain with me. Too hard to get over that, but I'm grateful for all in my careful, compassionate medical team who keep me keeping on. Tonight I walked 10 rounds, as I'd hoped to do--one for each of the 8.5 years I've lived since I was diagnosed, and 1.5 to grow on. Nice people to visit with were there, and it had always been a wish of mine to participate in one. It's nice do what I need to do to make my wishes come true and it was great to share it with my loved ones.

More birthday news...My baby Megan celebrated her 18th birthday in some unusual ways on Wednesday, May 14. We started with a "b and b style" breakfast...loved those beautiful, ripe strawberries and fun things on fancy dishes. We've moved past donuts, I guess?? since that was being served in seminary that day anyway. A Subway was requested for lunch, so I took that to her at lunch time on the short day. There was a new "Guitar Hero" cd added to her collection from Christen so those two enjoyed some time here playing that while I ran some errands. Fun until time to go to the KHS awards night at Hale Kuai. Megan received an English class award. Her teacher was there to present her with a journal; mom gave the lei for the combined birthday and award. A box luau was Megan's dinner at the PCC where the event took place. I helped her eat the lomi lomi salmon.

May was memorable for Mother's Day and travel, too, and temple time--with more celebrating in Pennsylvania for Jenny and Aaron's special graduation and luau. We really loved the time with them in Lock Haven. Even though we were 5000 miles from Hawaii, a yellow carnation lei was made for me to wear on M. Day and precious emails were shared! Many sweet memories and moments were spent with the Jensen Ohana East. Lock Haven is a special place, for sure. The Palmyra days, temple time, road trip to Fabius and back, with some unplanned adventures --like smelling lilacs and seeing gorgeous tulips--made this a great time away from the usual. Megan was in good hands here with Aaron and Erin Nelson.

Visiting my mom and seeing cousins and Mary and Gaylord started the month off well. It's a shopping haven in DM, so now baby Howe will be dressed for the season when we get that far in July. Visiting with people, special ladies, from my growing up years was a treat, too. Mom is looking and acting really good--such a great thing to witness compared to her recovering last time I visited.

And then there are the mIlestones...Life doesn't usually have this much variety in it for me. This May, special as it is, is indeed unique. So many "one last time" events will be passed...seminary has already ended, graduation for seminary is coming this Sunday [Megan speaks], then the last day of class, then graduation, then our life involved with Kahuku will end after 16 years. And I smile, because in the fall, Trevor begins kindergarten. One Christmas letter of ours said something like A family is a circle...it never ends...we truly we are! And THAT is what is JOY.

Beautiful Day!

This is the kind of day you wish for if you've moved away from Hawaii. The sky is blue, the breezes are slight yet cooling, and you just want to be OUTSIDE! Devin and I enjoyed some planting time outside in front and then played a variation of croquet/chase tag out back. Fun! OF course I had to blow some bubbles, so spring has officially sprung here. I hope Papa and I can spend some time outside watching Trevor practice baseball tonight in this glorious paradise.

Finals are completed and I turn in grades tomorrow. Now I can make my home dust-free, tidier, and ready for those who will be here with Megan, minding the homestead, while we are on the mainland soon attending Jenny and Aaron's graduation. The kitchen is my first frontier...usually tough for rookies, but I'm ready for that now.

Preparedness seems to be a strong undercurrent here with the costs of gas and groceries/transportation for goods rising almost daily. Gas is now $3.75 at Chevron. A few weeks ago I bought our preparedness 10 by 10--that is, ten weeks of ten different canned food items to use, so 3 months. We've been trying to increase the savings account also to include a liquid stash of 3 months billings and expenses. That's taking longer to do. Even stamps will rise in cost next month. I bought some of the "forever" stamps at the current price so they can still be used when the new ones take place.--an idea for you all. Meg needs to send her grad invitations before the price jumps. She now has one Sunday to do that before I leave and since her orchestra concert is over and no more town trips will be needed. She's creating a label for those as she isn't happy with her handwriting.

Concert was wonderful! I'm not sure if I'll ever have the chance to watch Megan play again--it will depend on the participation and availability of an instrument for Mr. Taniguchi's Friday night ensemble adn if she ever picks this back up later in life. You can guess I was teary about that. 16 wonderful years of supporting my girls in band--I'll never forget "Crazy Clock" and some other very special moments in cafeterias, the gym, BYUH, and away from Laie. I'll be ever thankful to people like Mike Payton, Daryl Agena, Ernest Taniguchi, Gavin Min. They helped along the way. Those are moments you all made us so parent-proud.
Music-- a lifetime love, and passion for some. I'm grateful for it and what it brings to our lives and home.

Earth Day: Erin and Lindsey discussed going green--or greener. I finally bought the green fabric bags at Foodland and they give a nickel for each one used. In addition, they have a coupon stamp--get some freebie after the tenth use. Last week I took 5 stuffed plastic bags of bags to Safeway's recycle bin. Now we'll have fewer to deal with--just need to get into the habit of taking it in with me to the store. Planting these veggies, using them, and expanding our little container garden is a goal in mind. Once the lanai upstairs is ready for some plants, I think it will be the food fillers that will round out the space. I hope the Bush stimulus money can go to our needy lanai!!

And thus it is this Wednesday, April 23, 2008. I love you all.

Quote: Don't allow yourself to sell yourself short or to hold yourself back. You have amazing qualities that are yet to be developed. Be the one who says "I will" when someone asks for a volunteer. It's usually a risk worth taking.