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August 7, 2006 - My younger kids went back to school today. Tommy is a senior, Emily
starts the 10th grade, Andy is in the 8th and Clay is in the 4th. Clay was excited beyond words at the prospect of returning.
He got up early and was too excited to eat breakfast. The others were less excited - but I think they'll be happy once they
get there. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet - but I know I'll miss them.
Jamie comes home on Friday and I'm beyond
excited about that. I can't even really describe my feelings. I had an experience last week (related to Jamie and missionary
work).
When Jamie was 14 he was challenged to give a Book of Mormon to a friend. He chose the boy he wanted to
give the book to but by Friday he still hadn't found an opportunity to do it. Friday afternoon he came home so happy and told
me a miracle had happened. He said that he'd given up hope of being able to get the boy alone, but they had an assembly and
the coach wanted two boys to stay behind in the locker room and he picked Jamie and the other boy. He said he knew that the
Lord was giving him his chance to place the book. So it took all his courage - but he gave the boy the Book of Mormon and
asked him to read it. He was so proud of himself.
Well, last week I found out that when the boy brought the book
home his father gathered the family together and burned it.
That bothered me on so many levels. It hurt me for
the Book of Mormon prophets who sacrificed that we could have the Book. It hurt me for the Prophet Joseph and his family and
associates who went through tremendous trials to bring the book to us. It even hurt me for the tithing funds of the Church
that had been wasted. But most it hurt me because I remember how Jamie agonized over placing that book. It was such a huge,
courage-requiring experience and I hate that it was so unappreciated.
But then I got thinking about it and I realized
that by giving him the book Jamie fulfilled his responsibility. What happened after that is not his problem.
That's
true of his mission in Sweden as well. His assignment was to offer the salvation available through the gospel to the people
of Sweden. What they choose to do with that offer isn't his responsibility.
It's also true of my missionary responsibilities.
So often I don't speak because I'm sure that the person I'm talking to isn't interested. But it's not my job to decide whether
or not they'll accept the gospel. My job is just to provide them with the opportunity to hear more. I'm going to try and do
better.
And, on a more frivolous subject - for the Murder Mystery Dinner I have been assigned to play the role
of Miss Eugenia! Those are big shoes to fill, so I'm trying to get mentally prepared for the effort!
Hope everyone
has a great week. When I report next time - my son will be home!!!!
July 20, 2006 - I can't believe
that I let almost a month go by without writing!!! Where does the time go? And I don't even have a good excuse because I'm
certainly not accomplishing anything.
I always think summers will be so productive. With the kids out of school
there's no strict schedule to keep and I should have all kinds of time to write - right? WRONG!! With the kids out of school
they're constantly bored and wanting me to provide entertainment (not to mention transportation). And the thing about writing
that they don't understand is that it takes me several minutes (sometimes longer) to figure out where I am in a story and
who's head I'm in at the moment. About the time I figure out where I am and what needs to happen next - someone interrupts
me with an important question like - what time is it or what are we having for lunch...
Don't get me wrong. I'm
not really complaining. I love my children and I know that they are much more important than any book I'll ever write. But
it's frustrating when I can't seem to get one FINISHED.
Today was my self-imposed deadline (about the twentieth
one I've set) for turning in Backtrack. I work at the temple tonight and thought it would be so nice if I could go there without
a re-write hanging over my head. But I guess I'll get to see if it's stil nice in the temple when I DO have a re-write hanging
over me...
On a happier note - Jamie comes home three weeks from tomorrow! I really can't believe it. Any mother
who has just sent off her child (or is preparing to do so), take heart! It really does pass by with amazing speed and they
grow so much. I'm completely convinced that there is nothing they could do during that two years that would help them more
in this life or the next.
My husband is fond of saying (about tithing) that the Lord doesn't need our money. He
could run the Church just fine without it. But He allows us the opportunity to pay tithing so we can get blessings. I think
a mission is much the same. It's a tithe of their young lives. The Lord could do missionary work without them (maybe more
efficiently) but He gives them the chance so He can bless them (and us).
Well, back to Backtrack. I hope by the
time I report in next week I'll be able to say it's out of my hands!!! June
27, 2006 - Yesterday was Jamie's birthday. He's now 21 and that seems crazy. As if the day wasn't emotional enough
- I also set Tommy up a net ID at BYU and began the application process. My kids are growing up so fast. I'm enjoying them
all as adults (or almost) but I really miss my babies.
Most of the wedding pictures are back and I've renewed my
efforts to diet. I have probably tried every diet known to man except surgery (which I can't afford). Most of them work for
a time but then I always seem to gain the weight back. I lost 20 lbs before the wedding (not enough) and I've gained 5 of
that back. So I'm walking and counting calories. Jamie will be home in 6 weeks and I hope to be back to the same size I was
when he left (although that is still not the size I'd like to be). Oh well.
I turned in my next installment in
the Haggerty series in February (I think). They got it back to me in May - requesting a lot of revisions. I finally forced
myself to work on it about two weeks ago. I think I've finally gotten a handle on what was wrong and how to fix it (I'll know
for sure when I turn it in!) David Woolley once told me that there's no such thing as writer's block. If you can't write it's
because you aren't approaching your story from the right angle. I hope I've got it right this time. June 22, 2006 - I don't know how I missed a week - but then I miss a lot of things.
It's HOT here in Alabama. Temperatures have been near 100 (with humidity at least that high) for days now. I don't know how
people survived before air conditioning (but I'm convinced it wasn't pretty...)
Ricky had business in Florida this
week, so Cathy and Abbie went with him and I miss them.
The newlyweds are doing great. Laura is studying for the
Idaho driver's test. We were surprised that she had to re-test to get an Idaho license, but then it was explained that Idaho
has several road hazzards not typical to other states - like snow and cattle. So I hope she passes.
I've got Jamie
all signed up for classes at BYU in the fall. It's been kind of fun impersonating him on the website. It's always been my
dream to direct my older children's lives. Too bad it's a temporary thing. I'm going to apply for housing today. I will be
soooo glad when that's all settled.
Grace is now thinking that she does want to go to Provo in the fall. Rexburg
is more familiar and so it was continuing to pull at her. And she's not sure that she wants to be near her big brother and
all his sage advice - but I think they'll enjoy each other. So I'll be looking for her an apartment too - hopefully the same
complex Jamie will be in. She's probably going to have to wait until winter for beauty school because it costs a fortune!
Tommy is working 2 summer jobs, loaning me his car, splitting with the missionaries, going with his father to visit
other wards on Sunday. I don't know how he keeps up the pace - but he's a great kid and I'm thankful that the Lord sent him
to me.
Ditto with Emily. I'd be more of a wreck if I didn't have her. They are going to a 7-stake youth conference
on July 6th - which down here is really something. I hope it's as good as it's expected to be.
Andy just returned
from Scout camp and had his board of review last night. He's not a life scout and on track to get his Eagle before his 14th
birthday in January. I hope he makes it.
Clay is going to Cub Scout Day Camp this week and loving it. It's hard
for me to imagine enjoying a week of running around in the woods in 100 degree temperatures - but then I'm not 8.
Well, I've finished revisions for my Christmas booklet. I've submitted a Haggerty Cookbook (also small) that they like but
said not to concentrate on now - to go ahead and finish my novel that will probably come out early next year. So I'm trying
to switch into full writer's mode.
I also need to clean house and lose weight and exercise - not to mention go
visiting teaching...
Oh well.
June 6, 2006
- Well, we're back from Rexburg with mixed feelings. It's always good to be back home - but we had such a good time it was
hard to leave! Nothing ever works out exactly as I've planned - but it usually works!
On Thursday we got into Salt
Lake right on time (11:20). Butch and I went and got the rental car while the kids waited on the luggage. The luggage took
longer than we'd expected so it was 12:10 by the time we left the airport. We went to get the bridesmaids dresses in SL and
had one bad instruction from Mapquest - so that took a few extra minutes. But finally we were on our way.
Laura
had to be at the Idaho Falls temple at 4:30 and since I was her escort - I needed to be there at the same time. I had hoped
to be able to go to Rexburg with Butch and get checked into the hotel before going back to Idaho Falls and the temple - but
I wore a dress on the plane in case he had to drop me off - which he did. I gave him directions on to Rexburg and he left.
He didn't listen to my directions and got lost. When Cathy met me in the endowment room she said he'd called her and told
her to ask if the session could be pushed back to 6:30. It couldn't. So he missed it. Everyone was sorry for us - but the
endowment session was full (about 100 people) and there were 3 other first endowment people, so there was no way to wait.
When we were changing rooms one of the workers came over and whispered to me that Butch was there and waiting for us in the
celestial room. That made me feel a lot better.
Laura had a wonderful first experience at the temple. Our temple
in Birminham is very small and we know most everyone who works there. I was a little worried about Laura going through a big
temple where we don't know anyone. But all the workers were so kind and helpful. Laura said everyone she passed hugged her
and told her how beautiful she was. I know how important that first temple experience is and I'm so thankful that Laura had
such a good one!
After the temple we all went over to Laura's inlaws house and had pizza. The two families mesh
very well - for which I am also thankful.
On Friday Josh and a few of his former mission companions (who came
for the wedding) took the my boys up to see some waterfalls and the girls went shopping while I did signings. That night the
Farrers took the whole wedding party out to dinner - which was very nice. Afterwards the boys went swimming in the hotel pool
while my daughters gave Laura a "Sisters Shower" and I hemmed bridesmaid dresses (they took all kinds of measurements
when the dresses were ordered and I assumed that they would be hemmed when we picked them up, but...)
On Saturday
Laura got her hair fixed and then came over to our hotel to get ready. The whole idea was to keep Josh from seeing her before
the wedding, but then they decided to ride to the temple together, so that was kind of a waste of effort, but anyway. Laura
was worried that the flowers and the photographer might not show up, so I told her I would call them. She gave me a number
for the photographer and said she'd give me the flower lady's number - but she forgot and I never called either one.
The weather was beautiful (windy, but no rain) and the sealing went well except that the sealer kept forgetting what
he was supposed to say to Laura and had to start over several times. Josh said he figured Laura told the guy to make Josh
say 'yes' a bunch of times to be sure he got it! And Laura forgot to bring Josh's wedding ring - but the sealer just skipped
that part and they exchanged rings later. When we walked outside, the flowers were there but the photographer
wasn't. We called and he said he had us down for the 10th instead of the 3rd. He's the one who wrote us in the book (I remember
distinctly) but he tried to blame it on an employee. Then he had us stand around for about an hour while we thought he was
driving from Rexburg. Actually he was in Idaho Falls when we called him and was trying to find a camera he could borrow there
but never did. So finally he called back and said he'd just have to get pictures of Laura and Josh in front of the temple
in a week or so (he did say he'd pay to re-rent the tux and buy more flowers). I was disappointed, of course. The photographer
wasn't cheap and I think he should be more organized. But I make a lot of mistakes myself - so I have a hard time getting
too mad when others do. And I've been very pleased with the quality of the pictures he's taken so far. And he is going to
give us a discount on the wedding pictures we buy - so all is forgiven. He came to the reception and took a lot of pictures
there. The Farrers have a beautiful home (Laura calls it the Temple) so it was like having pictures made in a studio.
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June
6 (Continued)
Anyway, after the picture snafu - everything was good. A lot of people came to their reception
and Mrs. Jaussi did a good job on the food. The tuxes and bridesmaids dresses - although they were what I considered an unncessary
expense - did look beautiful. I looked like a hag - still wearing the same dress I'd worn to the temple (and our Open House).
Several of the tuxes needed last minute adjustments to hems and sleeves - so instead of touching up my makeup I spent the
hour between our return from Idaho Falls and arriving at the reception sewing. But I figure there wasn't much I could do to
improve my appearance and my time was probably better spent on the tuxes!
The new couple looked radiantly happy
(if starving and exhausted) when they left on their honeymoon. They went to a mountain resort in Montana that Laura said is
absolutely beautiful and they are having a great time.
We got up early on Sunday morning and drove back to Salt
Lake and took a tour of the Conference Center before we had to go to the airport. Tommy commented as we were driving around
the Temple Square area that he wished his friends at school could see all that. He said they think they belong to big churches
- but they don't have temples and tabernacles and conference centers. In the south it's easy for us to feel small compared
to some other churches (who have 10,000 members and buildings that are huge). I was glad that my kids got to see that while
our presence in Alabama may be relatively small, they are part of something very big.
Our flights home were uneventful
and while we were glad to be back - we were all sad that it's over. We've been planning and working toward the "Wonderful
Wedding" for months now. Fortunately there is plenty more to look forward to!
Andy goes to scout camp on Monday.
My nephew returns from his mission in Puerto Rico next Thursday and has his 'welcome home talk' on Father's Day - so we'll
be going up to Athens, Alabama for that exciting event. Then my grandparents are having a Julian Brannon Family Reunion in
July and my son, Jamie, comes home from his mission in Sweden on August 11th. There have been years in my life that seemed
so full of sadness. How very thankful I am for 2006 - when so many good things are happening. For any of you who are reading
this and experiencing a sad year - I hope you'll take courage and remember that the sad times do pass and you have happiness
to look forward to ahead. And having experienced the sad times makes the good times seem even sweeter.
May
26, 2006 - Since the wedding is one week and one day away - things are hopping at the Green household. Our open house
here is tomorrow night and I think I know what I need to do to get ready - it's getting there that is the challenge. Laura
and Josh and his parents fly in tonight. I'm frantically cleaning house (and wishing that I kept it in better shape all the
time so preparing for company would be easier).
My nephew Logan Brown graduated from Elkmont High School yesterday
and it was fun to see him 'walk'. Then my sister and her family (except for her husband who stayed home to tend to his sick
mother) came home with us. So the party really started last night - without the bride and groom! Today my sister is taking
all the kids to a water park so hopefully I can finish up the last minute details. And I guess there's no point in cleaning
up too much and giving the Farrers a false sense of who we are.
Laura and the Farrers fly back to Rexburg on Sunday
and then my family leaves on Thursday heading out there. My kids are so excited - especially the two that have never flown
before. Emily said we're going to be just like the McCallisters on Home Alone - running frantically through the airport. I'll
admit that's a possibility - I just hope we don't leave anyone behind!!!
On Sunday my husband was sustained as
2nd Counselor in our new Stake Presidency - so that will require a few adjustments. But he's looking forward to the challenge
and I'm excited for him. The new stake president and the first counselor are currently serving as bishops - so their first
order of business is to find two new bishops. That process will begin tonight and probably extend into tomorrow morning. I
hope Butch gets to come to the open house...
Until next week! May
17, 2006 - Sorry I didn't write last week. I could give a list of excuses - but how interesting is that?
I had a wonderful trip to Utah/Idaho. I arrived late on Thursday night and got up early on Friday and found that a bottle
of shampoo I was taking to one of my daughters had exploded in one of my suitcases. Miraculously nothing was ruined, but it
did require some clean up (and everything smelled wonderful after that!)
Then I drove to BYU and did a signing
in the bookstore during the Women's Conference - which was a fun experience. The only negative aspect was that I had worn
a pair of uncomfortable shoes (because they matched my outfit) and had to hike a mile from the only available visitor parking
to the bookstore. But they treated me great, so I won't complain.
On Saturday we had our luncheon at the California
Pizza Kitchen in Orem and I met some wonderful people (and the food was good - I'd recommend it to anyone who lives in the
area). Then Jennie Hansen, Michele Bell and I went to three signings together. That was a lot of fun and I hope we get to
do it again. Then we had our dinner back at the Pizza Kitchen. More great people and good food. I even met a lady who knew
my mother in Birmingham years ago. Afterwards I drove to Rexburg and picked up my daughters, then we drove back to Idaho Falls
to grocery shop (in the middle of the night) because the Rexburg store doesn't stay open 24 hours. I was so glad to see them
- I didn't mind.
On Sunday afternoon we drove back to Salt Lake and on Monday morning we did our little cooking
segment. I went through a lot of stress over two 2 1/2 minute segments. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting and if I had it
to do over again - I wouldn't worry about it. Then I dropped my daughters off at University Mall to shop while I went to my
signings in Provo and Spanish Fork. After that - we drove back to Rexburg.
On Tuesday morning we got up early
and took both girls' cars in to the shop since both were experiencing difficulties. Thankfully none of them were serious or
expensive. Then I took them tanning (Laura was having her bridal portraits made later that day and didn't want to be pasty)
and to the distribution center to buy Laura's temple clothes and to a little shop in Rexburg to get her temple dress. I left
Rexburg later than I'd planned and got caught in construction traffic on I-15 so I was late to my signing in Bountiful. But
they were nice to me anyway!
On Wednesday I flew home and my family was soooo glad to see me. It almost makes being
away worthwhile.
Then on Thursday my son was driving home from school and an elderly gentleman pulled out in front
of him and they had a wreck. It could have been very serious, but miraculously no one was hurt. Clay takes credit for that
since he said the family prayer that morning and blessed for everyone to be safe (he thinks he was the least injured because
he said the prayer). The bad news is that Tommy's car is totalled. The good news is it was the other guy's fault - so our
insurance premiums shouldn't increase! I'm in a nice rental car until things get settled.
On Mother's Day I got
to talk to my son in Sweden - so that was nice. And this week I've been trying to catch up on all the things I didn't do while
I was gone. Next week we'll be cleaning house like demons trying to get ready for the wedding company to arrive.
And somewhere in all this I've got to find time to finish the re-write of Backtrack. Oh well, at least I'm not bored! April 28, 2006 - Well, my poison ivy is better and I haven't fallen
lately - but the house across the street did catch on fire. It didn't burn to the ground but it's pretty seriously damaged.
Maybe disaster is at least moving away from me for a little while (but not very FAR away!!!) It's awful to say but the day
of the fire was the best day of Clay's life. He enjoyed watching all the fire trucks and police cars and utility workers.
I had to keep a close eye on him for fear he'd have an axe and be chopping charred wood right along with the firefighters!
My granddaughter, Abbie, will turn 4 on Sunday and we are all pretty excited about that. Laura and Josh have finally
decided on an engagement picture that they both like (you can see it at the bottom of the About Me page) and we now have invitations!
That's reason for celebration (since we have like a week to get them addressed and in the mail...seems like someone said we
should start the process earlier, but nobody listened...) I think we've got everything in place for the wedding. I'm sure
I've forgotten something - I always do!
And yesterday we got a letter from the Church Travel Office with Jamie's
itinerary. He leaves Stockholm on Friday, August 11th at 9:20 am and arrives here 19 hours later at 9:35 pm. It will be a
long day of traveling for him but he'll be HOME!!!!! Grace is coming home for the summer in a couple of weeks. Then, because
of the wedding we'll be able to spend quite a bit of time with Laura and Josh. I love it when I have (almost) everyone together.
I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year (and it will be here before I know it - I can't believe April is over).
Anyway, I am getting ready for my trip out to Salt Lake and Idaho. It's going to be very busy and there will be lots
of driving around - but I'm really looking forward to it. I enjoyed writing Double Cross so much and I hope everyone is going
to like reading it! It will be kind of like a 6 day party!
The only thing I'm nervous about is my television appearance,
but my kids are giving me a makeover for mother's day (a nice way of saying I'm not presentable in my present state) so that
if the camera zeros in on my hands - my nails will be manicured! I thought that was very sweet of them (and I'll take all
the help I can get before I have to be on camera!)
April 19, 2006 - I'm having a streak
of bad luck and need to vent. I just typed up a description of the 3 disasters that have befallen me since Friday and said
that I hoped that the third one was the charm and I was now on my way to GOOD luck. Then I somehow managed to erase my whole
entry. Maybe in my case it takes FOUR disasters to become charmed!!!
On Friday I was coming down the steps at the
rental place where we have a storage unit and fell flat on my face. I just tripped over my own feet. It could have been much
worse, but I have skinned palms and knees and was sore all over for a few days.
After that, I went to Lowe's and
they had azaleas for $1.97 each. We have several bare spots along the front of our house where bushes have died so I bought
10. I came home and drafted my children (who were out of school) to help me dig up the old stumps and plant the new bushes.
That all seemed good until I woke up with poison ivy on Sat. By Monday I had it all over my face, up my neck and on my arms.
I went to the doctor (concerned that it would get into my eyes) and got a shot and two prescriptions. It's better now - but
I still look like a monster.
Before I went to the doctor I was treating myself with high doses of Benadryl. While
under the influence, I got an email (supposedly) from Paypal saying that I needed to update my information or my account would
be closed. I'm usually not so dumb (blame it on the Benadryl). But I believed it. I went to the link - which looked exactly
like the real Paypal website and entered all kinds of personal information including my bank account number, debit card number,
passwords and social security number. After I sent it off I got worried about it. The email contained a couple of grammatical
errors - which seemed strange for a big company like Paypal. So I emailed them and - long story short - it was a fake. I gave
my information to criminals. So while looking like a monster I had to go to the bank and close our account, cancel our debit
card, etc. What a mess. I feel so stupid, but I hope telling my story will help keep someone else from making the same mistake.
It's a wicked world we live in.
Other than all that - things are great at the Green household!
April
11, 2006 - Cathy and Emily are home from their trip to Salt Lake and Idaho. They had a wonderful time and accomplished
a lot of wedding business - which I really appreciate. Time goes by so fast, the wedding will be here before we know it (and
way before we are READY for it!!)
My husband was released on Sunday and is now trying to adjust to not being bishop.
We talked about it and I guess it would be kind of like being released as a parent. Even if the responsibility was removed
from you - it would be hard to stop caring and worrying about the people who had been in your care for so long.
I volunteered to head up an Enrichment Book Club for our ward. We won't ever do one of my books - since that would kind
of be conflict of interest - but I think it will be lots of fun. I had really good response on Sunday. About 30 women signed
up to order the book we'll be reading in May. I hope it turns out to be an activity we all enjoy.
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