Dear Kids,
Christmas was a blast, wasn’t it? Starting with the kids’ party at Nora’s, the fun continued for a whole week, ending with our sledding party at the cabin on the 26th. On Christmas Eve, Dad and Paul and Donna and Bevan and I hiked Ensign Peak, like we planned. It was freezing cold at the top, but the lights in the city were beautiful. On the way home, we took a swing by Temple Square, so we could say we saw the lights. Then we came home, made hot chocolate, and watched “Scrooge” (except by then Dad and I were worn out and went to bed.) It was fun to talk to all of you and hear about your Christmases, too.
My elk meat chili turned out fine. Dad’s cousins never showed up, however. Maybe they were less enthusiastic about trying it out. Or, since they had tickets to the Nutcracker that night, maybe they just ran out of time. When Dad and I got back home to our house, there was a message on our answering machine saying that they weren’t coming because they weren’t “well.” Whatever. I was so enthusiastic about my chili that I’ve moved on to version 2.0, which is cooking in the crock pot right now. By next Christmas, it will be perfect.
We enjoyed having Paul here for a week. He’s gone back to Logan now. Is it the western dancing every Wednesday night? The cable TV in his apartment? The gym? A girl? We’ll never know. But he entertained us a lot while he was here.
Next Sunday is my debut as Primary Chorister in the Spanish branch. I’ve memorized about 10 songs, plus a few other phrases, like “Sit down” and “Be quiet.” It’ll be a breeze. It will also be my first Sunday to do the whole block there, including Relief Society. I’ve listened to a lot of Spanish, these last several months, but I’ve only spoken a few sentences, because they always speak to me in English. It will be a whole new world. I’m excited.
I’ll be fixing Sunday dinner on January 10th. Let me know if you want to come. It’s been a lot of months since I’ve cooked Sunday dinner, but my shoulder is doing really well now, and I’m ready to jump back into the swing of things.
Lots of love, Mom
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Dear Kids,
I just now put up the cat nativity, so Christmas can come!! I didn’t put up my Christmas village, because my right arm still isn’t great for reaching up, but otherwise I’m in good shape for the holiday fun. Dad and I are going to buy our tree tomorrow night and put it up for home evening. I know we’re late, but we’re always late with the tree. It has been snowing outside off and on, and Oreo is curled up in the basket chair acting very pleasant. Xena is curled up on the floor. Paul is on the floor, too. He came home to go skiing yesterday, and he went to church here today, but he’s going back to Logan tomorrow morning. Yes, finals are over, but he says there’s more going on there. Both Grandma and Nora speculated that it must be a girl, but I’m not thinking nothin!!
The holiday parties are upon us! I’ve heard that Laurie is doing a cousins’ party Friday night, the 18th, but I don’t know any details. Nora is putting on the grandkids’ party Saturday night, the 19th, starting at 6:00, and her house. The food is a-la-Café Rio. I’m sure you all have your assignments.
The following Monday night, the 21st, Dad and I are sponsoring our fourth annual Christmas Music Open House, from 7:00-9:00 pm. If any of you want to drop in and perform, or just eat cookies, that would be great. I was going to cancel it for this year, because my shoulder was still making my life miserable, but Jana McGettigan said we just had to keep it going. With that kind of encouragement, of course we’re plunging ahead.
On Christmas Eve, Donna and Bevan and Paul and Dad and I are going to hike Ensign Peak, probably around 6:00 or 7:00 pm. I know we always plan to do it, and we always bomb out, but not this year, so if any of you are feeling adventurous, please come and join us. We’ll have hot chocolate afterward.
Christmas night Dad and I will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and from there we’ll drive to the cabin. Our sledding party will be the next day, Saturday, (the 26th) all day long. I’m going to make Elk meat chili!! We’ll probably be eating around 1:00 or 2:00 pm, so let me know if you’re going to be there. I’ll call Dad’s cousins and see if they want to come, too. There should be a ton of snow. Donna just called from the cabin and she thinks they got a couple of feet. The sledding ought to be great.
So there’s a lot of fun stuff ahead of us. I look forward to seeing all of you as much as possible.
Lots of love Mom
I just now put up the cat nativity, so Christmas can come!! I didn’t put up my Christmas village, because my right arm still isn’t great for reaching up, but otherwise I’m in good shape for the holiday fun. Dad and I are going to buy our tree tomorrow night and put it up for home evening. I know we’re late, but we’re always late with the tree. It has been snowing outside off and on, and Oreo is curled up in the basket chair acting very pleasant. Xena is curled up on the floor. Paul is on the floor, too. He came home to go skiing yesterday, and he went to church here today, but he’s going back to Logan tomorrow morning. Yes, finals are over, but he says there’s more going on there. Both Grandma and Nora speculated that it must be a girl, but I’m not thinking nothin!!
The holiday parties are upon us! I’ve heard that Laurie is doing a cousins’ party Friday night, the 18th, but I don’t know any details. Nora is putting on the grandkids’ party Saturday night, the 19th, starting at 6:00, and her house. The food is a-la-Café Rio. I’m sure you all have your assignments.
The following Monday night, the 21st, Dad and I are sponsoring our fourth annual Christmas Music Open House, from 7:00-9:00 pm. If any of you want to drop in and perform, or just eat cookies, that would be great. I was going to cancel it for this year, because my shoulder was still making my life miserable, but Jana McGettigan said we just had to keep it going. With that kind of encouragement, of course we’re plunging ahead.
On Christmas Eve, Donna and Bevan and Paul and Dad and I are going to hike Ensign Peak, probably around 6:00 or 7:00 pm. I know we always plan to do it, and we always bomb out, but not this year, so if any of you are feeling adventurous, please come and join us. We’ll have hot chocolate afterward.
Christmas night Dad and I will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa, and from there we’ll drive to the cabin. Our sledding party will be the next day, Saturday, (the 26th) all day long. I’m going to make Elk meat chili!! We’ll probably be eating around 1:00 or 2:00 pm, so let me know if you’re going to be there. I’ll call Dad’s cousins and see if they want to come, too. There should be a ton of snow. Donna just called from the cabin and she thinks they got a couple of feet. The sledding ought to be great.
So there’s a lot of fun stuff ahead of us. I look forward to seeing all of you as much as possible.
Lots of love Mom
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Dear Kids,
It's Thursday afternoon, and we’re just winding up Thanksgiving here at the cabin. Allen and Missy and their kids have gone home, and Tom and Kim have also left for home with their family. Sharon called a few minutes ago and reported that they had a great time in Michigan, with two new families of friends. We’re expecting Nora and James’s family any minute (they’re spending the night) and maybe John’s family. We also had Bevan’s brother’s family last night and this morning, and Bevan’s parents for dinner. Grandpa Ray (Bevan’s grandfather, Beverly’s father) was just hovering between heaven and earth these last few days, and Beverly didn’t know what to plan on for Thanksgiving, so Donna invited them to come here. It worked out really well. Grandpa Ray died this morning, and it reminded us all how Grandma Ackerson also died on Thanksgiving day, eight years ago, while we were here at the cabin. Strange.
After we had dinner, Missy got busy and wrote up the Christmas exchange lists. She wanted me to pass on the info. The person (or couple) on the left gives to the person (or couple) on the right. First, the grownups: Tom - John; Allen - Nora; Monica - Vanessa; Donna - Tom; Sharon - Allen; Paul - Monica: John - Donna; Nora - Sharon; Vanessa - Paul.
And now, the kids: Julie - Addie; Jacob - Ellie; Aaron - Sarah; Aubrey - Matthew; Addie - Aubrey; Ben - Julie; Paige - Ali; Stuart - Abigail; Sterling - Stuart; Sarah - Aaron; Meg - Carson; Macie - Charlie; Bentley - Macie; Emma- Meg; Ali - Ben; Abigail- Paige; Carson - Sterling; Ellie - Bentley; Charlie - Emma; Matthew - Jacob.
I’m still really struggling with my collar bone. Or it’s struggling with me. I had decided that it would be totally fine after eight weeks, so I went off my percocet for a couple of days, to convince myself. It didn’t work. Now I’m figuring that maybe by Christmas it will stop hurting. Or sometime down the road. It can’t hurt forever!
Most of you have heard about my new church calling. I’m going to be the Primary chorister in the Lighthouse Branch. It’s very exciting, even though I can’t sing very well, I can’t wave my arm at all right now, and I don’t speak Spanish all that well. My new scripture study is “Canciones para los Ninos,” the Primary songbook in Spanish. I figure if I’m sort of familiar with the songs, if I learn the kids’ names, and if I bring lots of cool stuff for singing time, it’ll be fine.
I wish we could have seen all of you today, and I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Lots of love, Mom
It's Thursday afternoon, and we’re just winding up Thanksgiving here at the cabin. Allen and Missy and their kids have gone home, and Tom and Kim have also left for home with their family. Sharon called a few minutes ago and reported that they had a great time in Michigan, with two new families of friends. We’re expecting Nora and James’s family any minute (they’re spending the night) and maybe John’s family. We also had Bevan’s brother’s family last night and this morning, and Bevan’s parents for dinner. Grandpa Ray (Bevan’s grandfather, Beverly’s father) was just hovering between heaven and earth these last few days, and Beverly didn’t know what to plan on for Thanksgiving, so Donna invited them to come here. It worked out really well. Grandpa Ray died this morning, and it reminded us all how Grandma Ackerson also died on Thanksgiving day, eight years ago, while we were here at the cabin. Strange.
After we had dinner, Missy got busy and wrote up the Christmas exchange lists. She wanted me to pass on the info. The person (or couple) on the left gives to the person (or couple) on the right. First, the grownups: Tom - John; Allen - Nora; Monica - Vanessa; Donna - Tom; Sharon - Allen; Paul - Monica: John - Donna; Nora - Sharon; Vanessa - Paul.
And now, the kids: Julie - Addie; Jacob - Ellie; Aaron - Sarah; Aubrey - Matthew; Addie - Aubrey; Ben - Julie; Paige - Ali; Stuart - Abigail; Sterling - Stuart; Sarah - Aaron; Meg - Carson; Macie - Charlie; Bentley - Macie; Emma- Meg; Ali - Ben; Abigail- Paige; Carson - Sterling; Ellie - Bentley; Charlie - Emma; Matthew - Jacob.
I’m still really struggling with my collar bone. Or it’s struggling with me. I had decided that it would be totally fine after eight weeks, so I went off my percocet for a couple of days, to convince myself. It didn’t work. Now I’m figuring that maybe by Christmas it will stop hurting. Or sometime down the road. It can’t hurt forever!
Most of you have heard about my new church calling. I’m going to be the Primary chorister in the Lighthouse Branch. It’s very exciting, even though I can’t sing very well, I can’t wave my arm at all right now, and I don’t speak Spanish all that well. My new scripture study is “Canciones para los Ninos,” the Primary songbook in Spanish. I figure if I’m sort of familiar with the songs, if I learn the kids’ names, and if I bring lots of cool stuff for singing time, it’ll be fine.
I wish we could have seen all of you today, and I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Lots of love, Mom
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Dear Kids,
Nora and James flew home from Hawaii Saturday morning, and I picked them up from the airport in a snowstorm. Talk about change! I told them that we’d had nice warm weather all week, and that it just got cold for them. I was glad for the snow, but wished there had been more in the mountains. I want it to absolutely pile up so that when my shoulder feels good again, I’ll be up there enjoying it.
Meanwhile, I’m making slow progress. I can raise my arm about half of the way to halfway up, what is that, about 45 degrees? As soon as I can hold it out straight, I can start doing the exercises I’m supposed to do. I can now brush my teeth with my right hand, play the organ, sign my name, and put on earrings, although Dad is still doing my hair for me. Maybe I’ll have him keep it up permanently! I’ve had a couple of compliments on my hairdo! He says he doesn’t mind, now that he’s learned how to use a curling iron without burning his fingers.
Wednesday night was our annual duet recital (I do it with Robyn Noel now) and we held it at Daynes Music, on State Street, where I bought my piano. I scheduled the date months ago, so we went ahead with it! All our students did really well. Sam and Jana McGettigan and I played the Carmen Trio, with Sam playing the top part. He really tore into it. I was doing the middle, for a change–lots of fun. Most of our other numbers went really well. I hadn’t known if I could pull it off, since I only had 5 days to practice after I got my sling off, and my shoulder still hurts a lot. But I took a double dose of percocet beforehand, and it seemed like I was doing all my parts brilliantly. (I’m not sure how I really sounded, but I could tell the kids sounded good.)
We received a wedding announcement from Joe Turcsanski this week! Not long ago, some of us were debating whether or not he had ever gotten married. That answered my question. The girl, Jessica Hurst, is cute, young, and red-headed. They’re getting married in the Oquirrh Temple the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I’m really looking forward to it. If you’re coming to the cabin, and you haven’t called me, please let me know. If you want to come Thanksgiving evening and have pie with us, let me know about that, too. Dad is going to help me cook. (I’ll make him cut up all the onions and celery and bread for the dressing.) Dad and I will probably be at the cabin for most of Thanksgiving weekend.
Life is good! Love, Mom
Nora and James flew home from Hawaii Saturday morning, and I picked them up from the airport in a snowstorm. Talk about change! I told them that we’d had nice warm weather all week, and that it just got cold for them. I was glad for the snow, but wished there had been more in the mountains. I want it to absolutely pile up so that when my shoulder feels good again, I’ll be up there enjoying it.
Meanwhile, I’m making slow progress. I can raise my arm about half of the way to halfway up, what is that, about 45 degrees? As soon as I can hold it out straight, I can start doing the exercises I’m supposed to do. I can now brush my teeth with my right hand, play the organ, sign my name, and put on earrings, although Dad is still doing my hair for me. Maybe I’ll have him keep it up permanently! I’ve had a couple of compliments on my hairdo! He says he doesn’t mind, now that he’s learned how to use a curling iron without burning his fingers.
Wednesday night was our annual duet recital (I do it with Robyn Noel now) and we held it at Daynes Music, on State Street, where I bought my piano. I scheduled the date months ago, so we went ahead with it! All our students did really well. Sam and Jana McGettigan and I played the Carmen Trio, with Sam playing the top part. He really tore into it. I was doing the middle, for a change–lots of fun. Most of our other numbers went really well. I hadn’t known if I could pull it off, since I only had 5 days to practice after I got my sling off, and my shoulder still hurts a lot. But I took a double dose of percocet beforehand, and it seemed like I was doing all my parts brilliantly. (I’m not sure how I really sounded, but I could tell the kids sounded good.)
We received a wedding announcement from Joe Turcsanski this week! Not long ago, some of us were debating whether or not he had ever gotten married. That answered my question. The girl, Jessica Hurst, is cute, young, and red-headed. They’re getting married in the Oquirrh Temple the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I’m really looking forward to it. If you’re coming to the cabin, and you haven’t called me, please let me know. If you want to come Thanksgiving evening and have pie with us, let me know about that, too. Dad is going to help me cook. (I’ll make him cut up all the onions and celery and bread for the dressing.) Dad and I will probably be at the cabin for most of Thanksgiving weekend.
Life is good! Love, Mom
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Dear Kids,
I had my collar bone x-rayed on Friday, and it’s now healed up enough that I can start using my arm again. Yay! I’m actually typing this letter with two hands, but it’s hard. Every message I send to my right hand somehow goes to my left hand. It works that way with playing the piano, too. My duet recital is coming up on Wednesday, and I have four parts to play, but my fingers aren’t cooperating with my brain very well. I’m sure that will improve. Meanwhile, I’ve started simple exercises to loosen up my arm again. I can almost get it to hang down straight, but it’s pretty painful. I haven’t even tried reaching left or right or up. So I’m still living a pretty restricted lifestyle, still wearing my sweats and velour leisure suits (pants you can pull up with one hand) and still reading a lot.
I mentioned that I bought a season pass to Brighton (before my bike accident, of course) and last Saturday was the last day they were taking pictures at REI. So I showed up in my harness and sling for the picture. It sure looked like I wasn’t starting out the season very well. Of course the resorts are in no shape to open any time soon, unless we get some big storms. By then I’ll be ready. I showed Nora the picture on my season pass, and since it was a low-grade webcam they used, the picture is sort of grainy. It looks surprisingly like Nora. (Sharon, too.) Hummm. I’m sure she had the same idea I had.
Right now Nora and James are in Hawaii, and their kids are on their way to Idaho. Donna has been tending them since Friday, but now she and Bevan are driving them north, to meet Vanessa, and they’ll stay in Pocatello until Saturday, I think. I had Donna and Bevan bring the kids here for Sunday dinner, on their way, but I just heated up some tater tot casserole I had in the freezer. They were charming. (The kids, not the tots.)
I haven’t heard from anybody but Donna about Thanksgiving. Let me know if you’re planning to come to the cabin for dinner. We’ll probably eat about one in the afternoon.
And Abby’s baby blessing is still on for December 6th. Tom and Kim will let us know the details.
I have to quit typing. My shoulder is killing me. Lots of love, Mom
I had my collar bone x-rayed on Friday, and it’s now healed up enough that I can start using my arm again. Yay! I’m actually typing this letter with two hands, but it’s hard. Every message I send to my right hand somehow goes to my left hand. It works that way with playing the piano, too. My duet recital is coming up on Wednesday, and I have four parts to play, but my fingers aren’t cooperating with my brain very well. I’m sure that will improve. Meanwhile, I’ve started simple exercises to loosen up my arm again. I can almost get it to hang down straight, but it’s pretty painful. I haven’t even tried reaching left or right or up. So I’m still living a pretty restricted lifestyle, still wearing my sweats and velour leisure suits (pants you can pull up with one hand) and still reading a lot.
I mentioned that I bought a season pass to Brighton (before my bike accident, of course) and last Saturday was the last day they were taking pictures at REI. So I showed up in my harness and sling for the picture. It sure looked like I wasn’t starting out the season very well. Of course the resorts are in no shape to open any time soon, unless we get some big storms. By then I’ll be ready. I showed Nora the picture on my season pass, and since it was a low-grade webcam they used, the picture is sort of grainy. It looks surprisingly like Nora. (Sharon, too.) Hummm. I’m sure she had the same idea I had.
Right now Nora and James are in Hawaii, and their kids are on their way to Idaho. Donna has been tending them since Friday, but now she and Bevan are driving them north, to meet Vanessa, and they’ll stay in Pocatello until Saturday, I think. I had Donna and Bevan bring the kids here for Sunday dinner, on their way, but I just heated up some tater tot casserole I had in the freezer. They were charming. (The kids, not the tots.)
I haven’t heard from anybody but Donna about Thanksgiving. Let me know if you’re planning to come to the cabin for dinner. We’ll probably eat about one in the afternoon.
And Abby’s baby blessing is still on for December 6th. Tom and Kim will let us know the details.
I have to quit typing. My shoulder is killing me. Lots of love, Mom
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dear Kids,
My life is still on hold as I cope with my broken collar bone. I still wear my harness and take my pain pills, and I still can’t drive, cook, make the bed, play the piano, or do much else that’s fun. I’m still typing with my left hand only, and it’s still very slow, and I make a lot of mistakes. I had signed up to help out with the elections next Tuesday, but I had to bail out, because a big part of my job is setting up the voting machines, and nobody would want me doing that one-handed and maybe dropping one on the ground.
Miraculously, I finished printing the family histories, with lots of help from Dad. The drum on the printer went bad, of course, half way through, and it took a couple of trips to Cartridge World, and a couple of orders from Amazon, to finally get it right. The night I finished printing, I was up till midnight stacking papers and packing them in boxes, and my shoulder felt like we’d been through the Civil War. The next morning Michelle Higham (my visiting teacher) drove me and the boxes to Schaffer Bindery. It was a tremendous relief. By the time the books are done, and I have to pack them up and mail them, I hope I won’t be such an invalid.
Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 26th, and I’m planning to cook a turkey at the cabin, along with dressing and potatoes and pie. If you want to join us for dinner, let me know, and tell me what you want to bring. It’ll be lots of fun, whoever is there. Donna has insulated the bunkhouse, so maybe some of us can sleep out there! There might be snow on the sledding hill, if today is any indication.
Tom and Kim are planning to have Abby’s baby blessing on December 6th. That will be a great occasion, too. They’ll tell us more when it gets closer.
I love you all!
Mom
My life is still on hold as I cope with my broken collar bone. I still wear my harness and take my pain pills, and I still can’t drive, cook, make the bed, play the piano, or do much else that’s fun. I’m still typing with my left hand only, and it’s still very slow, and I make a lot of mistakes. I had signed up to help out with the elections next Tuesday, but I had to bail out, because a big part of my job is setting up the voting machines, and nobody would want me doing that one-handed and maybe dropping one on the ground.
Miraculously, I finished printing the family histories, with lots of help from Dad. The drum on the printer went bad, of course, half way through, and it took a couple of trips to Cartridge World, and a couple of orders from Amazon, to finally get it right. The night I finished printing, I was up till midnight stacking papers and packing them in boxes, and my shoulder felt like we’d been through the Civil War. The next morning Michelle Higham (my visiting teacher) drove me and the boxes to Schaffer Bindery. It was a tremendous relief. By the time the books are done, and I have to pack them up and mail them, I hope I won’t be such an invalid.
Thanksgiving is coming up Nov. 26th, and I’m planning to cook a turkey at the cabin, along with dressing and potatoes and pie. If you want to join us for dinner, let me know, and tell me what you want to bring. It’ll be lots of fun, whoever is there. Donna has insulated the bunkhouse, so maybe some of us can sleep out there! There might be snow on the sledding hill, if today is any indication.
Tom and Kim are planning to have Abby’s baby blessing on December 6th. That will be a great occasion, too. They’ll tell us more when it gets closer.
I love you all!
Mom
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Dear Kids,
I’ve slacked off on writing my weekly letters, but it’s so hard to type with one hand, especially if it’s your left. Other things you can’t do with one hand: sweep the floor, floss your teeth, make a bed, put on levis, curl your hair, push ctrl-alt-del on a keyboard. I’ve started teaching piano again, and yesterday I went back to chess club, but it’s all hard. Thanks to those of you who have come and helped me, Donna and Nora especially. It’s so nice to have someone mop the floor or change the sheets on our bed!
Dad and I really enjoyed the baptisms last Saturday! That’s got to be unusual, three cousins being baptized together, by their dads. We were so proud of them all! If I looked really spacey, it’s because I was. Am. I still take percocet around the clock to deal with the pain. I hope it will improve sometime soon.
On Sunday I had Dad drive me to the Litehouse Branch, because I didn’t feel like walking, and I persuaded him to stay for the whole meeting. I sort of felt like a missionary, really hopeful for my investigator. Alas, it didn’t take. I thought he might have fun listening through the headphones, but he didn’t. I guess he won’t be coming back any time soon.
I’ve had a good time reading books, for a change, and not just listening to them. Also, I’m trying to finish up the family histories on Grandma’s side, before Christmas. There’s still enough to fill up the 24 hours in a day.
I love you all! Please remember me in your prayers.
Love, Mom
I’ve slacked off on writing my weekly letters, but it’s so hard to type with one hand, especially if it’s your left. Other things you can’t do with one hand: sweep the floor, floss your teeth, make a bed, put on levis, curl your hair, push ctrl-alt-del on a keyboard. I’ve started teaching piano again, and yesterday I went back to chess club, but it’s all hard. Thanks to those of you who have come and helped me, Donna and Nora especially. It’s so nice to have someone mop the floor or change the sheets on our bed!
Dad and I really enjoyed the baptisms last Saturday! That’s got to be unusual, three cousins being baptized together, by their dads. We were so proud of them all! If I looked really spacey, it’s because I was. Am. I still take percocet around the clock to deal with the pain. I hope it will improve sometime soon.
On Sunday I had Dad drive me to the Litehouse Branch, because I didn’t feel like walking, and I persuaded him to stay for the whole meeting. I sort of felt like a missionary, really hopeful for my investigator. Alas, it didn’t take. I thought he might have fun listening through the headphones, but he didn’t. I guess he won’t be coming back any time soon.
I’ve had a good time reading books, for a change, and not just listening to them. Also, I’m trying to finish up the family histories on Grandma’s side, before Christmas. There’s still enough to fill up the 24 hours in a day.
I love you all! Please remember me in your prayers.
Love, Mom
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