No photos again this week. We stayed busy during the week with our usual activities. Bubby works, takes care of Drewfy and Sister on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, attends her RS presidency meetings, and looks forward to the occasional "princess" afternoon. The big work event for her this week was the SWATC's decision to honor outgoing Mayor Gerry Sherratt. Bubby was put in charge of a scrapbook and she spent the better part of two weeks putting it together. She gathered photos, letters of remembrance and commendation from Gerry's friends and associates, and generally learned a lot about the public service career of Mayor Sherratt. In return, Gerry sent her flowers the day after the Board Meeting in which he was honored. What a nice surprise for her.
On Friday afternoon, we went to the movies. We saw "Extreme Measures", and both enjoyed it. We also went to SUU's first home gymnastics meet against the USU Aggies. I don't understand a lot about gymnastics, but it was very exciting, and remarkably we beat Little Blue (everyone in the State knows who Big Blue is).
Friday night it snowed about six inches, and when I woke early planning to head to Walmart and on to St. George, I couldn't face the snow and cold, so I rolled over and went back to sleep. We did get our shoveling done, and were on the road south by 7:30. We just didn't get to Walmart that morning.
It was slow driving on snow-packed roads. We even saw a few vehicles in the median and barrow pit along the way. I have to smile at the thought of Bubby sitting in the truck full of anticipation of another day at the condo, and breaking one of her own cardinal rules. Of our own free will, and choice, we were traveling in adverse snow-related conditions, and you know she never even mentioned it! Of course the push is to get ready for the carpet installation which begins this Friday.
I spent my time painting, and by 2:30, had all of the carpeted areas ready, had two-coated the remaining white woodwork, and even put a first coat on the bedroom bifold doors.
Bubby spent most of her time in the garage where she scrubbed and cleaned the floor. Aunt Nellie joined in. Bubby had two appointments arranged with craftsmen (Classy Closets and someone to replace the wooden fence with vinyl). Only the fence guy showed. Aunt B called and Bubby, Nell, B, and Kat went to lunch at Cafe Rio. I am not much fun when I have painting to do, so I didn't join them. Aunt B wanted to know if I "wanted" to paint her bedroom and I told her I didn't even want to paint Bubby's bedroom, but couldn't see a way out of it.
I am down to a portion of the kitchen and the two bathrooms remaining to paint. There is also quite a bit of touch up, because the person who masked off the white before the brown went on was a rookie (thanks anyway, Bubby). I think I can finish in one more full day.
Before leaving St. George, we ventured into Costco at 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon. Huge mistake. The lines were 10-12 deep, and everywhere you went, you had to negotiate your cart around someone or something. Bubby and I got separated and spent a good 10 minutes looking for each other. I don't want to do that again anytime soon. We also did Walmart at about 4:30 on a Saturday afternoon. However, the Walmart was in Cedar City, and Cedar City crowded and elbow-throwing is entirely different than the same activities in St. George.
Of course we are already talking about the next trip south. We are planning on picking up the bed and dining room table and chairs from the furniture store. Bubby has to locate a mattress, but if ours at home fits the new bed frame, we'll move it to the condo and buy ourselves a new mattress and box springs in Cedar City. I need to do some measuring this week. I don't know if it will happen this week, but we will be taking the couch and love seat from downstairs for use in the condo. Poor Dan will have to help me haul them back upstairs. I'll bet Babsy and Aaron can still remember when the three of us took them down in the basement in the first place.
Once we have finished inside, Bubby wants the garage painted. We are even talking about painting the garage floor. I think it is an excellent idea, because I am hoping to store the boat in the St. George garage, at least for the winter months next year.
Sunday has come and gone, and we are facing another big week. Could be a busy one. Hope all of our readers have a great end of January and are looking forward to the February thaw as much as we are. Bubby reminds me that March is just around the corner. Of course, we have a trip to San Diego on February 4th to help tide us over.
Buboppy
Monday, January 25, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Lost Weekend
Bubby and I spent every free minute this three-day weekend working on the Condo. We drove down early on Saturday morning with the back of the truck full of the various things we would need.
My priority is painting, and on Saturday, I painted all of the woodwork and doors in the (formerly) carpeted areas a nice clean white. It took two coats to cover, but it does look nice. While I was painting, Bubby took Andrew and Evelyn and ran some errands, including getting Daniel's car washed. The photo below of Drewfy, Sister, and the infamous Dolly, was taken while they waited for the car. Andrew is, of course, very interested in the painting process, but is not allowed in the Condo when there is open or wet paint present. He is just one of those curious boys who would end up with it all over him.
On Sunday, we didn't paint. We went to church and tried to fix a birthday dinner for Rosalyn. We planned oven-baked breaded chicken rolls filled with cheese, ham, and a whole green chili. We also roasted some asparagus and cabbage, made mac and cheese (the birthday girl's favorite) and had some good bread from Harmon's. However, the chicken would just not get done. We ended up eating our meal in stages (something I hate) and the chicken was the final course. The grand finale of our birthday festivities was Andrew hurling in the proximity of the toilet, and a decision by the adults to skip the planned ice cream for dessert. We just didn't want to taunt Andrew, who would not be getting any, no matter what (you know, the whole milk product-phlegm connection). Despite how our dinner turned out, we hope that Rosalyn had a very happy birthday.
On Monday, we rose early, drove through the steady rain and resumed our work at the Condo. Bubby was responsible for masking off the newly painted woodwork and I began to apply the new, medium tan, paint to the walls. It was a slow process (I had to cut in both the top and bottom of each wall) but I finished both bedrooms, the hall, and one wall in the living room before we headed north.
Once Bubby finished with her masking, she wanted to run errands that included a trip to TJ Max, Hurst's, Harmon's, and In-n-Out for her lunch. Auntie Nell went with her for part of the fun. She also hat-racked the bushes in the front planter box (in the rain) and secured about six bids to replace the falling down wooden fence and gate with white vinyl.
Because of the stormy weather, we planned to head home in the daylight. It was pouring down rain as we approached the Black Ridge, but when we crested it, we were delighted to discover that the sun was shinning on Cedar City. If we had known that, we would have stayed and finished the living room. Oh well, I will just have to go back down later in the week and see if we can wrap this up. We don't know when the carpet will arrive, but we want to be ready.
We are both tired, stiff, and feeling too old to be doing manual labor. However, the Condo is going to look great a be a nice resource for our time in St. George. We just have to finish getting it ready.
Back at work today with lots to do.
Buboppy
My priority is painting, and on Saturday, I painted all of the woodwork and doors in the (formerly) carpeted areas a nice clean white. It took two coats to cover, but it does look nice. While I was painting, Bubby took Andrew and Evelyn and ran some errands, including getting Daniel's car washed. The photo below of Drewfy, Sister, and the infamous Dolly, was taken while they waited for the car. Andrew is, of course, very interested in the painting process, but is not allowed in the Condo when there is open or wet paint present. He is just one of those curious boys who would end up with it all over him.
On Sunday, we didn't paint. We went to church and tried to fix a birthday dinner for Rosalyn. We planned oven-baked breaded chicken rolls filled with cheese, ham, and a whole green chili. We also roasted some asparagus and cabbage, made mac and cheese (the birthday girl's favorite) and had some good bread from Harmon's. However, the chicken would just not get done. We ended up eating our meal in stages (something I hate) and the chicken was the final course. The grand finale of our birthday festivities was Andrew hurling in the proximity of the toilet, and a decision by the adults to skip the planned ice cream for dessert. We just didn't want to taunt Andrew, who would not be getting any, no matter what (you know, the whole milk product-phlegm connection). Despite how our dinner turned out, we hope that Rosalyn had a very happy birthday.
On Monday, we rose early, drove through the steady rain and resumed our work at the Condo. Bubby was responsible for masking off the newly painted woodwork and I began to apply the new, medium tan, paint to the walls. It was a slow process (I had to cut in both the top and bottom of each wall) but I finished both bedrooms, the hall, and one wall in the living room before we headed north.
Once Bubby finished with her masking, she wanted to run errands that included a trip to TJ Max, Hurst's, Harmon's, and In-n-Out for her lunch. Auntie Nell went with her for part of the fun. She also hat-racked the bushes in the front planter box (in the rain) and secured about six bids to replace the falling down wooden fence and gate with white vinyl.
Because of the stormy weather, we planned to head home in the daylight. It was pouring down rain as we approached the Black Ridge, but when we crested it, we were delighted to discover that the sun was shinning on Cedar City. If we had known that, we would have stayed and finished the living room. Oh well, I will just have to go back down later in the week and see if we can wrap this up. We don't know when the carpet will arrive, but we want to be ready.
We are both tired, stiff, and feeling too old to be doing manual labor. However, the Condo is going to look great a be a nice resource for our time in St. George. We just have to finish getting it ready.
Back at work today with lots to do.
Buboppy
Monday, January 11, 2010
One Week Down, 14 to go!
Actually, I swore years ago that I would not set the pattern of tracking the progress of the semester. It seemed too much like wishing one's life away. As I move into the later years of my academic career, I surely don't want to wish it away. Truth is, the first week was very busy. Lots of problems to solve and issues to resolve. Most of them involve students who lack the basic forward-thinking skills necessary to be successful in both higher education and life. Anyway, I am hoping things will settle down a little this week.
What has made this week extra busy is that Bubby and I are trying to make plans to turn the condo over and get it ready to turn into a B & B. We did get to see a sort of cute movie on Friday afternoon (I slipped away a little early so we could make a 4:05 showing). Check out "Leap Year". We enjoyed it. We even had dinner at the Ninja afterward.
On Saturday, we rose early and were in the Temple for the 6:40 session. Bubby likes to go and get that out of the way. We did a repeat following the Temple and had our breakfast at Harmons. They do have good bagels. Most of our readers know that my favorite breakfast is a bagel and big old DC. We finalized the carpet installation with Designer Furniture Gallery, and paid our 50% deposit. The carpet should be ordered. We opted for a medium brownish color that will be quite neutral, although I still like the green.
We stopped down to talk to the folks at Furniture Row, and made sure that the distressed dining room set (big discount) was still available. Bubby had seen a bed she liked (mission style) and we talked. It ended up that they had one that with minor shipping damage, so we closed the deal on both. Then we drove out to Kayenta and bought a mattress and box springs set. Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me until the next morning that the bed was a standard king, but the mattress set is a California king, so we may have to rethink the mattress purchase.
We stopped and saw Jana and her kids at Auntie Nells, and Jodie was also there. I have included this photo that Bubby took. Not the best, but the best of the two she took. Our apologies to the subjects. Sam looks great.
We also stopped and talked to cousin Paul who has agreed to remove the old carpet early this week. If that takes place, we will be able to paint this weekend, and then things will be ready for carpet when it arrives.
Sunday was busy, but good. I taught the second Old Testament lesson-Foreordination. It turned out pretty well. I ended up with this quote from Elder Oaks which does a good job of explaining why agency was the only real option for a Heavenly Father who loves his children.
"A parable illustrates this understanding. A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
"“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.” (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 2000, p. 32)
"Lucifer’s plan would have given us what the Father had, but it would never have made us what the Father is. That could only happen with moral agency."
There was quite a bit of interest in the quote.
Daniel and Rosalyn and the kids came to dinner. Bubby and I have been craving an oriental noodle salad. We tried a recipe off of the Food Network, and it turned out pretty good. I grilled some Yoshida's marinated chicken tenders to go with it, and of course (for Drewfy) there was good bread from Harmons.
Bubby had a meeting at 4:00 PM, so we put off dessert until after the meeting. Daniel and Rosalyn baked a chocolate cake with a frosting so rich that it was like Christmas fudge. Daniel and I went to stake general priesthood meeting together.
Bubby and I walked this morning. It was cool, but we enjoyed it. She is swimming this morning. And another week begins . . .
Buboppy
What has made this week extra busy is that Bubby and I are trying to make plans to turn the condo over and get it ready to turn into a B & B. We did get to see a sort of cute movie on Friday afternoon (I slipped away a little early so we could make a 4:05 showing). Check out "Leap Year". We enjoyed it. We even had dinner at the Ninja afterward.
On Saturday, we rose early and were in the Temple for the 6:40 session. Bubby likes to go and get that out of the way. We did a repeat following the Temple and had our breakfast at Harmons. They do have good bagels. Most of our readers know that my favorite breakfast is a bagel and big old DC. We finalized the carpet installation with Designer Furniture Gallery, and paid our 50% deposit. The carpet should be ordered. We opted for a medium brownish color that will be quite neutral, although I still like the green.
We stopped down to talk to the folks at Furniture Row, and made sure that the distressed dining room set (big discount) was still available. Bubby had seen a bed she liked (mission style) and we talked. It ended up that they had one that with minor shipping damage, so we closed the deal on both. Then we drove out to Kayenta and bought a mattress and box springs set. Unfortunately, it didn't occur to me until the next morning that the bed was a standard king, but the mattress set is a California king, so we may have to rethink the mattress purchase.
We stopped and saw Jana and her kids at Auntie Nells, and Jodie was also there. I have included this photo that Bubby took. Not the best, but the best of the two she took. Our apologies to the subjects. Sam looks great.
We also stopped and talked to cousin Paul who has agreed to remove the old carpet early this week. If that takes place, we will be able to paint this weekend, and then things will be ready for carpet when it arrives.
Sunday was busy, but good. I taught the second Old Testament lesson-Foreordination. It turned out pretty well. I ended up with this quote from Elder Oaks which does a good job of explaining why agency was the only real option for a Heavenly Father who loves his children.
"A parable illustrates this understanding. A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
"“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.” (Dallin H. Oaks, Ensign, Nov. 2000, p. 32)
"Lucifer’s plan would have given us what the Father had, but it would never have made us what the Father is. That could only happen with moral agency."
There was quite a bit of interest in the quote.
Daniel and Rosalyn and the kids came to dinner. Bubby and I have been craving an oriental noodle salad. We tried a recipe off of the Food Network, and it turned out pretty good. I grilled some Yoshida's marinated chicken tenders to go with it, and of course (for Drewfy) there was good bread from Harmons.
Bubby had a meeting at 4:00 PM, so we put off dessert until after the meeting. Daniel and Rosalyn baked a chocolate cake with a frosting so rich that it was like Christmas fudge. Daniel and I went to stake general priesthood meeting together.
Bubby and I walked this morning. It was cool, but we enjoyed it. She is swimming this morning. And another week begins . . .
Buboppy
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The New Year Begins
There are some photos floating around, but I don't have any at hand except this one that Laur sent of a recovering (ear infection and possible strep throat) Leondis sitting in his Christmas truck. I think it may be a classic.
Bubb and I said goodbye to the kids the weekend between Christmas and New Years. Matt and Laur had that long drive and needed to be to work on Tuesday morning. Sarah and Aaron didn't have as far to drive, but were also due at work on Tuesday. Daniel and family were overdue in Provo, so they drove up on Tuesday AM. That left Bubby and I to our own devices, and we made good use of the time.
I had to go work Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but with no students or administrative assistant to give me orders, they were leisurely days. I flexed my work schedule around the others things we were doing, which is the best part of working when there is no one on campus.
Bubby was on furlough from work last week, and she enjoyed the time at home. She cleaned out every drawer and cupboard, rearranged furnishings, and generally got things in order to start a new year. We saw three movies last week: "Invictus", "Avatar", and "Sherlock Holmes". All very different, but quite enjoyable. Bubby was most surprised by "Avatar." I think she thought she was going to see a kids carton, not a 21st century version of the Captain John Smith and Pocahontas story, complete with 3D special effects.
We were also able to run to St. George twice and do some Dutch names at the temple. It will be a slow process, but we plan to keep working at it. Hopefully our kids can assist us.
Speaking of which, our St. George renters have announced that they are vacating the condo on January 9th. We are going to put new carpet and paint in, and use it ourselves for awhile. Hopefully we can afford to maintain it, and then it can be an overflow for family when they come to visit St. George. Daniel and Rosalyn are already recognizing that it will provide a home base for their temple attendance. They can stagger session attendance and have a place to be to tend their kids. It will likely take us most of January to get things in order, but after that, we can start to enjoy the space. Bubby is in a dither thinking about colors and decorating. She doesn't feel particularly capable in that area. Of course, I just want to do it on a budget. We don't need to get too carried away right now. I think we can ease into it. Minimal furnishings, beds where they are needed, and enough housekeeping items to get by. I think we can furnish much of it from what we already have. Of course, we will have to buy a few big ticket items, like a washer and dryer, but it will sure be nice to have them when we use the condo.
We got to visit with UP, AK, Jason and Liza, Tony and Jaye, and Cindy and Ray on New Year's eve. It was grand to see them all. Bubby and I had a coupon for Milt's and we went to dinner before our visit. Of course there was abundant food at AK's, but we were not too interested after petite fillets, shrimp and that famous Milt's salad bar. Booty would have been proud of me, we played hearts and I ended the game by shooting the moon on the others. I beat UP by one point, and that got to him, pretty good.
We have started a new semester, and things are definitely underway. New classes, new students, new problems, and new challenges. But that is what gets me out of bed in the AM. My knee has healed well enough for us to start walking again, so we have been pounding the pavement in Cedar City from 4:30-5:30 AM this week. I hope we can walk every day it isn't snowing the rest of the winter.
Happy New Year to all of our readers. Life is good. Drink up!
Buboppy
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