Thankful-but busy!

 

With Thanksgiving Day happening tomorrow, I’m sure everyone is busily working to get all the preparations ready.

We aren’t hosting this year, but we will be helping cook, having company, and hosting some upcoming holiday parties, so there is still a lot to do.

I have the day off from school (Yeah!) and want to get as much done as I can, but my “To-do” list keeps getting longer and longer.

(I think it is the effects of PROCRASTINATION!)

Why is it that we always want the house to be perfect at a time when we are the busiest?

And why do we not notice all those messy nooks and corners before a big event?

I KNOW, THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME TO DO IT ALL!

These thankful pilgrims don’t realize it, but the Christmas decoration boxes are already being carried in to the room as I type this.  I’m not sure they won’t even  be replaced before their big day arrives.

Want to see one project that did get finished today?

Huge improvement, even if I do say so myself!

(Thanks, Ken!)

I had enough fabric left over to recover two pillows for my sofa, too. 

Well, my break is over. It’s time to get back to work.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

We have many blessings to be grateful for!

JoAnn

 

The comfort of a rainbow

 

It has been a rough week for our daughter Liz’s family.

 

Sweet Aubrey has been in the hospital having some tests, baby Zachary got the stomach flu, and the girls were very homesick for their mother, who stayed at the hospital with Aubrey.

Sometimes we get hammered with bad things all at the same time and life can look pretty dreary (sort of like it does right now with a storm due to arrive later today).

Fortunately, things have a way of healing, and nothing reminds us of that more than a beautiful rainbow after a storm.

I took the following photos when we were in Palmyra, New York recently, and thought they might work out with this post.

Don’t you often marvel at the beauty and comfort of nature?

 

Look at that smile on Aubrey’s face as she is reunited with her sisters!

(Photo from Liz)

“Today’s  trial

is  tomorrow’s  testimony!”

(unknown source)

Have a great weekend!

JoAnn

Sunday dinner with Grandpa

 

We are fortunate enough to have Ken’s father still with us.  He is a sharp, amazing, ninety-six year old.

Every other Sunday we have him come to our house for dinner.

(We have to share him with Ken’s sister.)

Our house is hectic and noisy with all of us, our kids and their spouses, and the grandkids all laughing, talking, and playing, but he is a good sport!  He can even catch a short nap in all the chaos. 

Sometimes, we take dinner to his house (just my husband and I).  We have a quiet meal and he always enjoys the home cooking.

(He loves gravy and a hot roll or biscuit.)

We get to hear wonderful stories from the past-always with a good life lesson learned. 

We might take him for a short drive to the cemetery to check on his sweet companion’s grave.

It is a beautiful place high on the foothills of Salt Lake City.

 

The views of the valley below are often quite breathtaking.

We usually get to “ride off in to the sunset” as we return home.

It gets dark earlier now, so we drive through the downtown lights.

(This stop light has got to be the longest waiting light in the whole city!)

Sometimes, he thinks he is a burden,

but we are grateful that he is still a part of our lives.

We’re the lucky ones!

JoAnn

 

Number 8

I’m on my way out the door to a math conference (Yes, it is a Saturday!), but wanted to share our newest grandson.

Evan Charles

you have already won our hearts! 

Glad you and your mom are doing well.

Love you!

Grandma Jo

P.S.  Nice work Andrew and Irene!