December 2016

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2016

This week I displayed the remains of our Christmas tree.

The taller versions were from 2009, 2010, 2013, & 2015.

Britni said it reminded her of the story "Mr. Willoughby's Christmas Tree"

whose tree was too tall so the top was chopped off and used by the maid,

who again trimmed the excess for the gardener, and so on to the bear family,

the foxes, the rabbits and finally the tippy tippy top went to the mouse family.                  

                      2009                                      2010                                    2013                         2014 & 2015
              Eagle Gate apt - SLC, UT                  Eagle Gate apt - SLC, UT                  San Moritz apt - Midvale, UT                     Miami, FL
                                                                                           (Philippines mission 2011-2012)  

Dozens of pretzel rods were dipped, decorated, packaged and shipped to our kids.

I felt a need to make visits to each of my kids, 

beginning with Callie - the week before Christmas.  

~ dance recital ~ graham cracker houses ~ g'girl dates ~ 

I had a blast!

The Gerbers are wonderful.  Oh how I love them so!

Timing was such that Callie assured we attend 

an extended Creek family shepherd's dinner.

I caught a standby flight home to celebrate Christmas with my honey.

Last evening as Lane & I prepared to have our modest shepherd’s dinner 

our dear neighbors came over to invite us to share their Cuban feast.  

They said we could join their Cuban family.  

Their personal stories are fascinating.   

It’s the season for remembering the birth of our savior. 

 My children have been in my thoughts today.  Each one has been 

cherished by loving parents.  I am so blessed to be part of their 

life, either as one of those early parents or as a later addition.  

Becoming a mother is a gift from God, to look after His children 

while they live on this earth.  I hope each had a very special 

day with their spouse and children.

I recognize this ring from 40 years ago, but tonight it is displayed on my hand.

  My dear mother gifted me her mother’s ring rather than 

wait until after she passes.  It fits great, reminds me 

of my mother AND my incredible siblings.

We enjoyed one hour of church today.

Lane and I have cut back to buying 1/2 gallon of milk.  

Who does that?!

Last week’s holiday road trip - 3 days, 2 nights.  

Gators.  Surf.  Shells.  La La Land.  Buffalo Wild Wings.

Because I get discouraged with myself easily…

“One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, 

for no failure need be final.” (Pres TSM)  Even if I’ve repeatedly 

faced failure and disappointment, the moment I decide to try again, 

the Atonement of Christ can help me.  I know whose voice keeps 

telling me that I’m so far gone that I might as well give up.  

I’m going to keep trying.  

C'mon 2017!

November 2016

Things that happened in November...

Two weeks ago I was released from the stake YW presidency.  

I loved serving with the YW leaders throughout the stake.  

I miss it.  But I will love whatever comes next.  

With more time on my hands I have decided to seriously 

study Spanish, relearn the saxophone, complete 

unfinished projects, READ, and stand by my man.  

Oh, and pick up my paint brush.  

Our flamingo bedroom needs more pink in the bathroom.

Today, I found myself at church early, before the translation headsets 

and transmitters were available.  I was seated comfortably but soon 

boxed in the center pew of the chapel when the Bishop announced 

the meeting would be primarily in Spanish.  Hard as I tried I understood 

nothing.  NADA.  I’ve lived here 2 1/2 years and I still understand 

nothing.  Is there hope for me?  

At the invitation of Cam & Kim we joined them for a few days in DC, 

where Cam had a banking conference and Kim showed us how to 

navigate the Washington Mall on bicycles, at 30 minute intervals.  

I loved it soooo much! The weather was perfect!  

(Like my new ‘do’?  I cut my own hair - yikes!  Big mistake!)

 Smithsonian love.  A few highlights for me.

The literal Star Spangled Banner flew over Fort McHenry, Maryland, 

and inspired what would become the national anthem.  

Originally 30 X 42 FEET!, it is missing 8 feet and 1 star, 

cut off in hundreds of small pieces and given away as 

souvenirs reserved for "veterans, government officials, 

and other honored citizens...had we given all that 

we have been importuned for little would be left to show” 

(owner's daughter's quote, 1800’s).   

In this very fragile state it is displayed in a darkened 

room where photographs are no longer permitted. 

We have a new president.  I received this email.

You’re welcome.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving burritos in Ecuador (Nov 17-28).  

Upon our return we had a teeny-tiny size traditional feast, 

nearly as tiny as my brother's mini painting.  Haha.

We mailed our thankful turkey handprints to our children.

Lane: 

grateful for Carolyn, 

opportunities to serve, 

our little house, 

the ability to explore the planet, 

and good kids.

Carolyn: 

grateful for strength, 

friends & family, 

American freedom, 

traveling with Lane, 

having enough to share.

I am especially grateful to have my dream job.  

I wish this was my quote because this is how I feel.  

(CS Lewis gets credit for it.)

"The homemaker has the ultimate career.  

All other careers exist for one purpose only - 

and that is to support the ultimate career.”  

ECUADOR

Hola chicas and cheekos,

 Let me share our Thanksgiving plans, November 17th to 28th

- Burritos in Ecuador -

Heralded as the center of the planet, equatorial Ecuador provided heightened opportunities to raft, hike, bike, swing, climb, feast, and burn.    

We leave Quito and travel by bus into the Amazon Basin to enjoy 

the incredible scenery en route to the jungle town of Tena.

Cozy hostal in Tena

Navigate the wild Jatunyaku River in the surrounding lush cloud forest. The cool water and air make this an excellent change from the tropical Amazon climate.

Transfer by private vehicle to the start point of the trek into Llanganates National Park. Enjoy spectacular scenery of the Tunguragua Volcano while trekking into the park through lush cloud forest. Spend the night camping under the stars enjoying nature at its best.

In between "killing it" it killed us.

Travel by bus to Baños, a town surrounded by lush cloud forest. 

Enjoy a free afternoon for optional activities like canyoning, 

ziplining, visiting local waterfalls, or exploring the town on foot. 

Adventurous swingers of all ages are welcome to take a ride at 

the end of the world, but at their own discretion.

Deep in the Ecuadorian wilderness is a seismic monitoring station in a tree known as Casa del Arbol. Its purpose is observe Mt. Tungurahua, the nearby active volcano, from its precarious perch. While the treehouse itself is a sight to behold, the real attraction is the crude swing hanging from one of the tree’s skinny branches.

Free morning in Baños for optional activities like horseback riding.

Getting to 16,000 feet is a killer…even if you started at 15,000.  

The 9 younger hikers in our group waited at the sign and cheered, 

applauded, videoed and photographed our late but safe arrival.  

So sweet.

In the morning, head into Cotopaxi National Park for a guided tour up the mountain, spectacular views, and a harrowing downhill mountain bike excursion. After lunch at Limpiopungo lake return to Quito for for a final night in the city.

Ecuador is the ROSE capital of the world.  And more...

We can find a church anywhere in the world.  

And Christ’s teachings are the same.  

I find that comforting and empowering.

 

Somehow we survived our extreme excursion to eclectic and ecological Ecuador.  

One reason we travel is summed up in this quote: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, Wow! What a ride!”  - Hunter S Thompson  

Thrilled to have been there.  Happy to be home.

October 2016

HURRICANE  *  DISNEY  *  PLATINUM ANNIVERSARY

We dodged a hurricane - in a tin can  ;o}

It took 3 days for Matthew to travel up the 580 mile 

Atlantic coast where it made landfall.  Schools were closed.  

Toll roads were free, but you couldn’t go anywhere.  Most 

folks listened to warnings and got prepared.  Lives were saved.

CATegory Lane

Yellow T-shirt day in north Florida

Hurricane relief efforts took us to the Palm Coast area for 2 days.  

Mostly we cleared fallen trees or took down dangerous dangling limbs. 

The last house (5 houses from the beach) still had standing water in the driveway.  

The watermark was 30” and sadly they were unable to save anything before the 

storm hit.  We removed furniture with a team of 15 before we drove home.

While waiting out Matthew I painted out 3 open cubbies.  

Also this month Lane and I finally added the baseboard trim to Harvey.  

Over 130’ and 61 precise cuts with a hand saw, a plastic miter box, liquid 

nails and finishing nails.  It's just a tiny house but it took hours and hours 

and hours.  I hated doing it.  Such a chore. 

But now that it’s done I love the results.  

Family found us in Florida.

Into the mist, with Lincoln, Carrie, 5 children...and 2 big kids from Homestead.

This past week Lincoln, Carrie and 5 winsome g’kids invited 

us to join them at DisneyWorld.  How could we refuse?  

Splash Mountain, The Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania 

never disappoint.  But after this vacation my 'must do' list has 

grown to include the “Frozen Sing-a-long Spectacular” and 

dining with Princess Maggie in Cinderella’s Castle.  

Homemade Disney treats

                      Planting seeds of Disney awesomeness in the next generation.

Thee.  Best. Ride. Ever!

(Disney sent me this photo...but I cannot buy it because it is self 

incriminating for a G'ma to block out her handsome grandsons.)

Which T-shirt would you wear?

"I’m Grumpy, don’t make it worse"

"I’m not Grumpy, I’m just surrounded by people who are way too happy"

"Keep Calm & Visit Disney"

"I eat glitter for breakfast"

"I'm so fly I neverland"

Disney characters.

These bands are magic.

And we’ve repeated this Disney date many times over the years.

                     1996                                 1998                                 2013                                 2016

20th anniversary - platinum
Lane is my hero, tolerating my annoyances for 20 years.

Last week I made my first attempt at a bright and tasty 

bouquet of chocolate dipped pretzels rods.  I gifted it to 

Lane on our anniversary.  He bested me with a bouquet 

of 20 roses (although he had help arranging it).  

Even when I lose I win!!!

Lane is terrible at one thing.  Keeping surprises.  

He gets so giddy that hints leak out.  But when I was 

serenaded in an outdoor mall I was stunned.  

The musician played “When I Fall In Love” on my saxophone.  

Now I am taking music classes - after 45 years - as I 

relearn on my refurbished tenor sax.  Cool beans!

Ward Halloween Harvest Party

- and our dessert contest entry.

I love looking back on everything that happened this month.