roughing it...sort of

First off, my brother-in-law, Pat, is recuperating from Tuesday's double by-pass surgery. It's no fun for him, but we are so grateful that he's doing well. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Pat!

Today is day 9 of our roughing it...last Saturday morning we lost power to part of our house. Turns out one of our 110-lines coming into the house fried (there was debris, wasps' nests, and moisture in the box outside).

We don't have the use of our dishwasher, washer, or dryer, and 1/2 the house doesn't have electricity (part of the office, the bathrooms, and bedrooms). Luckily our stove is propane or we wouldn't have use of it either.

We have a few extension cords stretched about the place allowing our heater and wi-fi to work, so we are limping along. But it's funny how we'll go into a room that has lights (like the kitchen), but forget we can turn on the light. So we are there in the semi-darkness until someone else comes along and reminds us that we can turn on the light.

Tomorrow is the day the electrical box is being replaced. We are so blessed that it should be a relatively easy and cheap fix. I predict that the washer and dryer will be kept busy the next few days. Thanks to Kathy for allowing us to do a few emergency loads at her house this week!

Eric was hired by Walmart and had his training and first shift this past week. This week his 3 shifts are 1 - 10 pm, but it probably won't always be that shift. He's working in the dairy and frozen foods section, so if you see him there, say hi. Good luck, Eric!

Glen and his students, including our nephew Ben, put on the play "I Don't Have a Clue" this past weekend. It was very funny and well done. Probably one of the funniest plays they've produced. It's about a modern housewife who is hosting a 1920s murder mystery dinner where, along with the invited guests, some uninvited guests show up and mayhem ensues. Glen plays one of the dinner party guests and Ben is one of the policemen who comes to check out what is happening. Congratulations to the cast and crew. (sorry my pictures with Ben in it were blurry so I don't have one of him to post)

Glen with his Tommy gun in the violin case as part of his costume for the party

Happy Birthday this week to Andrew (29!!!) on Tuesday and Ryan (25!) on Saturday.

And next weekend is General Conference. We are so looking forward to hearing from our Prophet and other church leaders again. The past year has been an amazing one. Wonder what new announcements might be made this next weekend. I'm thinking more people than usual might be tuning in to find out.

surgery and celebrations

First off, my brother-in-law, Pat, will be going in for double by-pass surgery on Tuesday. As my sister says, we believe in the power of prayer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pat and Denise and their family. Love you guys. We're praying hard for the Lord to guide the surgeons and for a quick recovery for Pat.

As for less important things, Wednesday was the first day of spring. In order to celebrate the arrival of spring, I made cupcakes to deliver. I've decided that having things to celebrate makes life more fun, so I looked up other holidays.

Did you know (and I'm sure you didn't) that today (March 24th) is Chocolate Covered Raisin Day? Tomorrow is Waffle Day (I'm pretty sure Hannah has celebrated that one before). The 26th actually has an entry called Make Up Your Own Holiday Day. Hmm...what would I choose? I'm pretty sure stay in bed all day eating chocolate is already a holiday...

One interesting day coming up is on the 30th. It's I Am in Control Day...coming from the fact that the 30th is the anniversary of when President Reagan was shot and the Secretary of State Alexander Haig said, "I am in control here." ...which led to his resignation. The day is touted as a chance to get things in order and under control. I like it.

They say I Am in Control Day is closely related to Panic Day...but that was March 9th, and I'm glad I missed it.

Anyway, family happenings for the week...

Glen and I had the chance to go to the Reno Temple on Tuesday. One of my former seminary students and son of friends and co-workers of ours, Tyler, was going for the first time. He will be heading to Japan on his church mission in three months. Attending such a session is always a special occasion. Glad we could make it. Tyler will be an excellent missionary and we are excited for him.

Glen's National Honor Society kids held a scholarship fundraiser with their annual X-treme Dodge Ball Tournament on Friday. There are 2 prizes awarded (movie passes this year): the team who wins the bracket and the team with the best outfits. Fruit of Doom won the outfit awards. They were so clever. Each player had a different colored shirt with altered fruit names on the back: Bombegranate, Slaughtermelon, Honey Dude, Mango Tango, Rawberry, Cutecumber, Fineapple, Broconut, and Grape Ape.

teachers (Sitting Ducks) vs Fruit of Doom

Mango Tango in action

And it was quilting week. I finished my row yesterday and love it.