Dear Kids,
          Can you guys picture Dad addicted to Sudoku puzzles? He was talking to our doctor about aging, Alzheimers, and other issues, and the dr. suggested that he get into Sudoku to help keep his mind active. So he bought a booklet at Walmart, and he’s always working on the puzzles. I have to tear him away if we need to go do something. I can’t complain because he’s having lots of fun. The doctor also suggested that they have a look at his kidneys, since there was some kind of a flag in his blood results. He had an ultrasound Friday at the Death Star, and they found a cyst (13mm, he said) on one kidney. But when they looked at images from five years ago, it was already there, and it hasn’t grown any since. All this, besides Grandpa’s death, has reminded me that mortality is a terminal condition. As Grandpa used to say, "Nobody gets out of it alive."
          It was so nice seeing all of you at the viewing and funeral! It was such a happy time! I think people’s prayers were sustaining us. We have two older Hispanic friends at the Harman center, both of them Catholics married to Mormon women, and they both told us they were praying for us. I could feel those prayers, and a lot more besides. I walked around in a happy cloud for several days, but now it’s back to the usual daily challenges. But Grandpa wouldn’t want us to mope. He was always fascinated by those daily challenges.
          Our prayers are still with Monica and the loss of their baby. We hope she recovers physically and mentally and spiritually. What a terrible blow that was.
          Our piano class at the Lighthouse Church is now bursting at the seams. Our Hispanics had dwindled down to practically nothing, so we asked the new stake president (Mike Higginson) if we could simply become the Stake Piano Class, and have the bishops put it in their ward bulletins. He happened to be at the stake center filming a video (which the ladies will see in the conference on March 29) and he came in to have a look at our class and our materials. We explained that the stake needs more organists and pianists, and not just in the Spanish branch. He okayed the project, and now we’re overrun with new people, which we’re very happy about. We have two new teachers, too. And we’ve requested more keyboards from the Church music department. All this is a wonderful distraction from daily life.
          And of course life is good. I love you all. Mom

Dear Kids,
          Here is the information Bonnie sent out about the funeral:
          Grandpa Allen’s funeral will be at 11:00 am on Monday, March 10th at the Orchard stake center (Nancy's stake) 600 North 800 East in Orem . There will be a viewing (and mini reunion I'm sure) at the Walker Sanderson mortuary (646 east 800 north) Sunday evening from 6 to 8. We will have a nice display of grandpa’s things, and a video of his life. We will also have a shorter viewing Monday morning from 10:00 to 10:45. For the family prayer (casket closing) we will invite ALL adults in the family to stay in the room. Unfortunately we cannot have the children under 18 due to the size of our family, and size of the room. It will be a tight squeeze as it will be all of the adult children, spouses, grandchildren and spouses. but we wanted to include the grandchildren this time. We will have a luncheon after the graveside back at the stake center and all are invited.
          Barbara is in charge of a musical number, and she wants all grandchildren and great grandchildren 8 and over to sing. Please be prepared to sing "Armies of Heleman.. Call Barbara or me if you have any questions about this. Thank you for all of your support at this time, we have such a wonderful family and I love you all!
          Love, Bonnie

Dear Kids,
          Such a sad weekend! There’s so much to fast and pray for today. We’re feeling for Monica and Neil, and the tragic loss of their baby that would have been born in July. I’m praying constantly that they’ll make the best possible choices in this situation. And then there’s Grandpa Allen, whose life is slowly ebbing out. Dad and I visited him on Friday, and when I looked at his worn-out tired old body, I had to make myself look up at the picture of him with Grandma Allen, on their wedding day, in front of the Arizona temple. That’s who they really are! Grandpa has a blood clot in his leg, along with pneumonia, and he’s so weak he can’t get up by himself. Hospice is coming in to help take care of him. Nancy and her family are doing the rest. And Bonnie, who oversees everything. We’re so grateful to them! 
          Last month we were fasting for "moisture" (we really would have preferred snow) and thankfully, we’ve had lots lately. Vanessa says they’re getting it in Idaho, too. It’s mostly been rain and "mizzle" here at our house, but there’s been snow at the cabin. The sledding hill still looks good! I’m grateful for all the moisture we’ve received, and I hope there will be more. I’ve never seen the Jordanelle so low.
          Last Monday I had the surgery on my hand, and everything would have been fine, except that the resident who was helping out bandaged my hand too tight. My fingers started swelling as soon as we got home, but I thought that was normal. Then my hand started hurting so much I could hardly stand it, and I figured that was the surgery, too, and I just kept taking percocet. Finally, through the fog, I realized it was the side of my hand that hurt, not the middle, and I could see that the edge of the bandage was cutting into my skin. So I immediately undid the bandage, and it started feeling better. Within a couple of hours the pain was nearly gone. It will take a while to heal completely, and I haven’t been able to play the piano or use power tools this week, but there’s always plenty to do. There are still 24 hours in a day.
          The strange house being built next to us has come to a standstill. I remember now that the first day the framers came, they spent a long time looking at the plans, and then they left. Next day they were back, and they framed. But now maybe the builder himself has taken another look. I hope it gets fixed. I don’t want an empty house sitting next to us for the next 20 years.
          I enjoyed talking to all of you yesterday, even though it wasn’t good news.

          Lots of love, Mom

Dear Kids,
          Tomorrow I’m having the surgery on my right hand, for "trigger finger." It will stop my middle right finger from curling up and locking in place. It’s very inconvenient. You can’t play the piano or use power tools with your middle finger locked up. The surgery is merely an outpatient procedure, and I’m not even supposed to need pain meds when it’s over. I used to always be the worst case scenario with any kind of surgery, but I haven’t had any medical disasters for a long time, so I’m expecting the best possible outcome.
          About a month ago I started attending the Spanish branch in our stake, and last night they had their first party. Dad’s always up for a party, so we had a good time there. They played the newlywed game, and Dad and I were chosen for the panel, even though we’d been married the longest of anyone there. Unfortunately, we never do very well at "newlyweds," and last night we came in dead last. Fortunately, the last-place prize was the best one of all--a gift certificate for $25.00 to the new Mexican restaurant in town. (It’s across from the Gateway Grill, the place that keeps changing owners and names. But it’s supposed to be really good now.) The idea is that we’ll go on a date and get to know each other better. I hope it works! We’ll definitely enjoy the free meal! 
          A new house is going up just north of us. It’s a rambler, so it won’t block our view very much, and it’s being built by Rusty Webster, who was the original developer of this whole area. (Fieldstone Homes has left the area altogether. Yay!) The weird thing about this house is that it doesn’t seem to have any bedrooms. There are three rooms that you could possibly put a small bed in, but definitely no master bedroom. And this is supposed to be a spec home! When we have Sunday dinner here next week, maybe some of you can walk through it with us and help us figure it out. 
          Speaking of Sunday dinner, we’ll be eating at 4:00. Please let me know if you’re coming! I’m cooking king ranch chicken.
          Lots of love, Mom

Dear Kids,
          Lots of us were involved in helping Nora and James move to their new home. And what a home it is! You have to see it to believe it. I can only say it’s very elegant. On Friday morning Dad and I took a truckload from the cabin, and we met James at the house. We had a tour first, and then we unloaded boxes into the garage. Then a big truck pulled up to deliver the refrigerator, so we pulled out. We’ll miss having Nora and James and their family close by, but I know they’re happy to finally settle in, after almost a year of moving around.
          So, of course, the cabin is open for weekenders again. Same rules as always: Let me know in advance, so I can put it on the calendar; donate toilet paper or plastic plates or garbage bags, etc., leave everything really clean, and here’s one more thing: if you’re bringing friends, just one family at a time, please. Everybody’s kids are lots bigger than they used to be, including friends’ kids.

I found my missing Dr. Seuss books! They were here at our house, under the bunkbed, back towards the wall. I asked Donna if Anna likes to hide things under beds, and Donna said yes. I know Anna herself likes to hide under beds, because I’ve pulled her out more than once. Anyway, the books are found and the mystery is solved.
          Remember, I’ll be fixing Sunday dinner here on March 2, just two weeks from today. Let me know if you can come. When we get into spring and summer, I’ll probably do some Sunday dinners at the cabin again. Conference weekend, especially. It just wouldn’t be the same at our house.
          I hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it! Mom

Dear Kids,
          Finally, finally we’ve had some snow! Naturally it wasn’t as much as they predicted, at least not here at our house, but I can see now that we’re in an unusual spot. The wind blows up the bluff from the Provo River, and it blows all our snow into Kamas. Or into the mountains. Or wherever. Yesterday it snowed most of the day, but it was all coming sideways, and drifting who knows where. Dad and I went over to the cabin so Dad could change the water filter, and while we were there, it started dumping great big flakes of snow. I hurried us home to see those wonderful snowflakes at our own house, but they didn’t come with us. Well, at least there’s some snow on the ground. The ugly rocks are finally covered up.
          Two weeks ago I said that our family reunion was going to be August 1-2, but that’s wrong. It’s the next weekend, August 7-9. I know that Donna has already reserved the campground in Midway. It’s closer than we think!
          Allen called me from Seussland, at Universal Studios in Florida! Their family was there on a vacation, and freebies paid for some of it (I think their hotel room) because they were willing to listen to a time share presentation. Go Al and Missy! Anyway, at the Seussland store they had every possible Dr. Seuss book, and Al wanted to know if I’d found my two missing ones. I haven’t, but they’re cheaper on Amazon anyway. It’s the oddest mystery, where they went. They are Horton Hatches the Egg and The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. I’m sure you’ve all checked for them already.
          My home decorating has gotten to the point that I’m ready for photos on the walls. I need an 8x10 photo of each family. (I’ve had to abandon the grandchildren-only setup. There’s no place for it.) If each of you could email me a jpeg of your most recent picture, I’ll just have them printed at Walmart. Most of you had family pictures on your Christmas cards–those would be great. Otherwise, just have somebody take a snapshot of your family, OK? The Mike Rogers days are behind us, unfortunately. I asked him once how many people could fit into his studio for a family picture, and he said 50 at the most. We’re there. He said that after that, you just go to a park and have somebody take the picture. Anyway, if you can send me the jpegs, I can get my wall of family pictures set up.
          Life is good! I love you all! Mom

Dear Kids,
          It’s Groundhog Day, and here in Kamas Valley the groundhog will definitely see his shadow, because it’s a beautiful sunny day. I think the sunshine is supposed to mean that we’ll have six more weeks of winter, which is very good. We need even more than that to make up for our deficient snowfall so far. We had a pretty good storm Wednesday night, with maybe three inches, and we’re grateful for that. But we’re still praying for more.
          John had his back surgery Friday morning, and it went really well. If you didn’t hear, he had a bulging disc that was pressing on a nerve, and he’d been in terrible pain for several days. He was able to keep seeing patients by taking lots of ibuprofin, and then lortab, but we were relieved when he went in for the operation. I had been asking what we could do to help, and John finally said we could go buy him a new bed. (His old mattress was somehow damaged when they moved.) So Dad and I drove the truck to Murray, to the Costco right next to the Death Star, (where John was out of surgery by then) and we met Heather at the entrance. Heather and Dad went to get the bed while I checked out the samples. It was two days before the Super Bowl, so there were lots of hot wings, pistachios, sausage balls, and all types of guy food. Dad and I have been considering changing from Sams Club to Costco, and I was almost convinced to make the switch, until that night, when all the greasy and spicy food caught up with me. Well, we still might change. Costco has a wonderful assortment of leatherbound books at Christmas time. And a much better collection of chocolates, too!
          So, back at the Death Star, John was ready to go home by evening, and by then Dad and I had driven the new bed to his house in Heber. We needed Julie and Jacob to help us haul in the mattress, it was so gynormous, and then Julie and I put on the sheets and blanket and quilts. It was all ready when John got home. The next morning he called and said he and Heather had slept very comfortably for ten hours, and he was up and walking around, with no pain! We’re so grateful it went well!

Dad and I are looking forward to Sunday dinner this afternoon, with lots of you coming. Our next official Sunday dinner will be four weeks from today, March 2nd.
          Lots of love, Mom