My Trip

This is at the airport in Billings. Terri had departing gifts for each of us. (Whistles, just in case we got mugged or something like that. Here we are trying to find out where the conference was going to be. If you look at the next picture that was only a part of the conference center. All we had to do was follow the worm!

Part of the conference center looking out my window on the 14th floor! This was as we were riding in the taxi to down town. You can see the Trump tower. Oprah lives in one of these buildings (or so they said) but I couldn't tell you which one.We went down town to Michigan Ave. This was a beautiful little park in the middle of the block. The white tulips were beautiful. I went window shopping in the Water Tower. Talk about expensive! I couldn't even afford to look!

While we were down town we went to the Cheese factory restaurant! YUMMY is all I can say! There was so much food we couldn't have begun to eat it all. This was Terri and Betsy showing off their bling. Each of us bought a pair of sunglasses at Navy Pier but of course I forgot to take my camera there. It was a windy but beautiful day. Ann and I walked along the Pier and enjoyed the sun. They had a beautiful stain glass museum we wondered through. It was a fun evening. Sorry I don't have any pictures of it.

My biscuits and gravy! I loved it! I just wish I could have eaten the whole thing!

Down town

Here's the gang with Ted Koppel! Ann asked if we could get our picture with him. We talked with him for a few minutes. Nice man.

On our last evening there we went to the firehouse. This is where they filmed Back Draft, for you who have seen it. I have to admit it was very uncomfortable because we were way under dressed. We didn't notice the sign that said, Proper attire required until after we left the place. Oh well, now they now how we dress in our neck of the woods.

On our way home the wind was so bad we almost had to be routed to Idaho Falls. Thank goodness we made it home. However, Ann's luggage went to Rome first before it finally made its way to Cowley! Now why couldn't we be routed through Rome? Needless to say we had to go shopping a Dillard's when we got to Billings! It was nice to be able to afford the things in the store! I love being above the clouds and looking at their formation. When I got home I was welcomed to my trees on the West side cut down in preparation for a new fence. Now the work begins. Now the real work begins!

Over all it was a nice trip but I am glad to be home.

Home sweet home! Mike got my new side walk going across the front of the house poured and it is so nice! One step at a time. Who knows what the next step will be. My fence, finish the outside of the house, painting the house, new lawn? One can only imagine at this point!

Fly away

I will be heading off to Chicago on Saturday for a reading conference. I am nervous about flying into O'Hara. I have never enjoyed flying. I have trouble not getting vertigo on land! I tried to mow the lawn tonight but couldn't get either of the two lawn mowers to start so gave up. I'll just have extra long grass when I return unless someone takes pity on me and mows it while I am gone. Any takers?

Easter day

I am so grateful for the feelings and thoughts I have received from listening to conference. All the talks were inspiring and uplifting. I also enjoyed watching all my little ones try to listen and take part of what has been said. They have wonderful mothers who are always teaching them. We went over to Janet's and had lunch, which was so good!! I am totally full!!!! I just want to express how grateful I am for the atonement and for everything that it promises us. I am amazed of the love my Savior has for me, for the life he gave and that He was willing to sacrifice all so that I might live again with Him and Heavenly Father.

Night time, can't sleep thougths

I went to the temple today. It was such an enjoyable day. I was able to do two sessions. I then went and did a little shopping (not much!). I also got my hair cut. It was getting way too long and out of control. I just hope I can fix it so I don't look like an "old lady" as Nicole would say. Nicole and I like to watch the show, What Not to Wear (in my case it is 'what will I wear'). Sometimes, wish I could have my own personal advisor so I don't look as old as I really am. Thank goodness for family who continues to remind me that I'm not old! It was a nice surprise to see Bryan walk through the door tonight. It would have been even better if the whole family could have come but I will take what I can get. Nicole's family is here so we had everyone over last night for Navajo Tacos. YUMMY! I have to admit my diet is in need of serious over all. All the Easter chocolate will be the death of me. I can't seem to get enough especially if it is mixed with peanut butter! Thank goodness tomorrow is another day and I can start over yet again! I guess that is the trick, Keep trying!

I wish I was better at keeping up my blog. It seems like I hate logging in and trying to think of things to say that haven't already been said. So, here are a few pictures taken this month. There are few of my quilt I made, a few of the changes I made in the house and fun ones of the kids and one of me. I hate having my picture taken but then I am not sure if I know anyone who does like it. Enjoy!

This was me one day. I must have been looking at my beautiful grand kids!

Wilson and Shawnee playing in the dirt pretending to be planting seeds! (right Shawnee) Whitney and Shawnee planting seeds in the front yard.

Wilson being, Wilson!! Can I say more?

The three dirt children!!

New paint job and organizer. Not yet finished but when the next spurt of energy comes I'll post more then.

New shower curtain and Paint

New curtains! The one on the door I made from the bottom of the living room drapes.

Living room drapes. These are the ones I shortened and then made pillows and a valance. I loved the color. I will switch back to the deep red ones when winter comes again, but I needed some different color to change the atmosphere. Below is the new coach cover and the pillows. Just to let you know, I am not a big fan of covering coaches or chairs. It seems like they are always rumpled and look like they don't fit just right. So, when I get my new furniture I will make sure it is something neutral so I don't have to cover it!

This is the quilt I finished and had quilted by a lady in town. Carrol is proud of me for getting it done. She is asking how my next one is coming. I'm pleased to say, I have started it and it looks like it will be beautiful.

The pictures don't do it justest but I love the colors. It is called an Irish chain. I chose these colors because they went with my new room which some day I will decorate and finish. Right now it is a catch all, with my junk, me included!

Weekend

It was a busy weekend. I took Juanita (my sister) to the airport so she could go and help her daughter, Ivy who is expecting any moment. Because the hour she needed to be at the airport was soooooo early we spent the night in Billings. It was nice to spend some time with her! The next day after resting after getting her to the airport so early I went out shopping. Now, I didn't have anything in mind that I needed so I walked around the famous Wal-Mart picking up a few items. I then headed to Bed Bath and Beyond. Again I wasn't looking for anything, just looking. WELL, that is dangerous. I came out with things to change the color of the living room. New couch cover, pillows, and drapes. On my way home I stopped at the Laural Wal-Mart to pick up a few perishable items now that I was on my way home. Trouble! I came out with paint for one of the bathrooms, new towels, and a floor mat. When I got home I started fixing up the living room. The drapes were to long so I cut them off and re-hemmed them, made a pillow cover and a valance out of the part I cut off, put the seat cover on the coach then headed into the bathroom to paint. When Nicole came in she said, "Wow, you sure are going after it!" I had to admit that I had taken two Anacin and because I am not use to the caffeine my body reacted with lots of energy. I finally went to bed about 12:00 after I read for about an hour and a half. I wanted to finish the first volume of The Kingdom and the Crown by Gerald N. Lund. After finishing that volume I am left with many questions twirling around in my mind. What does it mean to be a true follower of Christ? What do I need to be doing in my life to show that I am a true follower of Christ? Have I willing done all that He asks of me? The key word I think is willingly. I am anxious to start the next volume. It has really made me stop and think. I have been trying to cross reference the works found in the New Testament as well so it has taken me longer to read. I guess that is good because it has made me stop and ponder. Yesterday I worked for Carrol at the Fabric shop. It was nice to help out and of course I came away with another project in mind. It's a good thing I don't work there very often or I would be totally broke! I did finish a quilt and it is being quilted and should be done tomorrow. I have started another one and I am liking it but there are a million pieces. I'm still struggling with the idea you cut up all this fabric and then sew it back together however, I am starting to find joy in creating something new. (Maybe Carrol will get me to be a true quilter yet!) Other than that it has been a quite weekend.

Wilson

The other day I walked out of my bedroom and forgot to close the door and this is what I found. He is so cute!!! I think has radar hearing though because when ever I leave my bedroom door open he ZOOMS in and starts pulling everything down. It is actually funny. He loves to say OOOH!