22 June 2014

Hey everybody,

   I remember thinking when I changed from working 3 days a week to 5 days, that the weeks would drag...but it's been just the opposite; it seems like they fly even faster now. 

   Dad and I went to visit Grandpa at the nursing home this afternoon, and timed it so we'd be there when Grandma was there too.  It was nice to sit and visit with them both.  Grandma seems good, and looked so pretty. Grandpa is also good, he described the exercises he does each day; and he is hoping he'll get the okay to go home soon. He is getting stronger, but the sores on his toes and the burn wound on his leg are not healing very well; but those are things that could be addressed with home health. We'll see if he can talk the doctor into it!

   Dad is doing well with his knee. He started riding his exercise bike a couple of days ago, and was able to go for 5 minutes.  The swelling is much better, and there is hardly any bruising. He got the stitches out on Thursday. 

   Yesterday was busy, I had my achievement day primary girls in the afternoon, and then we had the Elders over for supper last night. I had the girls make cookies for the Elders, and they decorated boxes to put the cookies in for each elder.  They seemed to have a good time, and the Elders really appreciated them.  I've noticed that when the girls are working on a project they get to talking amongst themselves, and it almost always turns into a gossip session, bashing someone or other.  So the past few meetings I've had a book on hand that I read to them while they work.  It really cuts down on the gossip!  So far we've read The Elephant's Child (Kipling), Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present,  a chapter from Thimble Summer (my favorite called "Locked In); and yesterday I read 4 chapters from a book called Boys Who Became Prophets. I had planned to read only one or two, but they asked for more. I'm thinking about reading The Velveteen Rabbit, next time; that one is longer than some, but I think they'd enjoy it.  Some these might seem too young for them, but I still love these stories at my age, and they seem to too.

   Dad had ordered new Struts for the car, and I took it over to Les Schwab after work on Thursday.  I walked around St.Anthony for an hour or so, running errands, etc... Then I went back to pick it up, payed them, and drove away.  Immediately I could hear a whistling noise that it hadn't been making before I dropped it off. And then when I made turns it would make a scraping noise.  By then it was after 5 pm, and so I called them before I even got out of town. I said it was driving fine, except for the noises. They said I should bring it back the next day. When I called Dad to tell him, he new it must be loud, because I usually can't hear any odd noises from the car.  The next day I took the pickup to work, and Dad took the care to Les Schwab. He said they fixed the problem in just a few minutes.  I'm so relieved!  And Dad banged out the dent in the bumper too!  Only 325 K...I think I'll take Sam's advise and go for half a million.

    Tuesday, we heard from Sam and Natalie that their baby is a girl!  Now if Dixie and Zach will just have a boy, we can keep things even! 

   Dad and I were talking this afternoon about activities for the camp out.  It's going to be lots of fun!  Can't wait to have you all here.  Love Mom/Johanna