Oh, my! I take a shower and I never get dry. It's called humidity. And...it's the price we pay for our beautiful, green corner of the world.
I thought when Kerry retired that things would move at a little bit slower pace for us. Well, our bodies move a little slower ~ but life still seems to go at the same pace. But, we both love this time we get to spend with each other.
Last Monday, after taking my good friend, Alice to the hospital for her bunion surgery, I went to a wonderful luncheon at my friend, Linda's house. There were eight of us total. We each brought a little something and really enjoyed some unhurried time together. We certainly need to do a few more of those type of things.
Kerry took me for my doctor's appointment so my back could be checked. I'm not having as much pain as I did a few weeks ago, but there are times when I really have to catch my breath. When it's this hot, it's no fun going to sleep on a heating pad.
Friday was one of the fullest days at the temple we've had. Kerry and I arrived at 9:00 am - our usual time, and didn't leave to come home until 9:00 pm. We took just a bit of a break to run out for dinner, then came back so Kerry could be there to help with the fifteen youth that came for that evening. I continued to help out in other parts of the temple.
As I mingled with these youth, which range in age from 12-18 years old, I had some thoughts run through my mind. Of all of the places those youth could have been that evening - hanging out with friends, going to the movies, playing computer games, etc., they chose to be at the temple doing some important work for their ancestors. It was an honor to be with them.
But, I told Kerry I can't do too many of those 12-hour days. My body was a wee bit tired the next day.
But, not too tired to go to a graduation party. Two of our favorite people - Martin, and young man who sits with us every Sunday, and Robbie Anderson, whose family moved here when he was 2 years old - graduated after putting in some pretty long hours. Martin graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from NC State, and Robbie graduated from High School, with all sorts of scholarships under his belt. His mother died a few years ago, but how proud she must be of him.
Today - many of us gathered for a surprise party for sister Jean and her husband Earl!!! This past Friday marked 50 years of marriage!
Their two boys, Dave and Steve, and their wives, Joan and Keri, invited all of their family and friends and we had a wonderful day eating tons of food.
Steve and Dave
Dave and Joan
Steve and Keri
They all did such a nice job on one of the hottest days of the year. Jean said on the day they were married, it was even hotter than today - 95 degrees! I was 4 years old, and the flower girl. From what I hear, I was grabbing those rose petals and throwing them like I was throwing baseballs. I clearly did not want to be doing what I was doing.
I was cute then - and some guy told me today I was cute. Some things never end.
Peggy, Betty, Jean, Fern - the Sisterhood
But, in the back of my mind, I had reflective thoughts rolling through. It was just 26 years ago today that I had a young, brand new baby boy in my arms. He was a surprise, but certainly no accident. He came just ten short months after Jordan, and was to be my last child. I always wondered if there would have been more, but the doctor told me that the Lord gave the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth to everyone - not just to Kerry and Peggy.
Here's a look back through time:
Peter and Erik
Kerry's mom told me we always need to have at least one picture of our children at a drinking fountain.
At Huntington Beach, CA.
One of Erik's favorite pictures.
One of my favorite pictures.
Roasting day-old donuts in the back yard.
He was three weeks early - thank goodness!
Erik and Jordan have always been close as brothers.
As a fine young man today.
As an OSU student, he was originally majoring in Russian with a minor in business. But, he found out if he takes three extra quarters, he will have a double major in Russian and Economics. He will graduate next spring.
In July, we wish a happy birthday to:
Jayden - our GRANDSON!!! - July 3 - he will be 3 years old
Dylan - grandson of Kerry's brother, Steve - July 3
Belen - granddaughter of Kerry's sister, Content - July 8
Me - July 8
Elyse - granddaughter of Betty - July 9
Rachelle - daughter of Kerry's sister, Joy - July 14
Adrienne - daughter of Kerry's sister, Joy - July 27
Phillip - son-in-law of Kerry's sister, Content - July 27
And a happy anniversary to:
Jordan and Melissa - our son and d-i-l - July 1 - 7 years!!!
Kristi and Lloyd - daughter and s-i-l of Kerry's brother, Steve - July 9
Rachelle and Travis - daughter and s-i-l of Kerry's sister, Joy - July 17
Fern and Jim - my sister and b-i-l - July 22
Chris and Kristi - Kerry's brother and s-i-l - July 26
Stay cool!!!!
Miss P
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
All my fathers
And a happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful dads on this list!
My mind is full of some really good memories today. Let me share:
First and foremost, I'm really grateful for Mr. Kerry, who was a really good father and a really good daddy to our four children. And - he still is. When I was only 21 years old, we met. At that time, I didn't have enough sense to look for certain qualities in a future husband ~ such as diaper duty, canning peaches at midnight, cleaning up children's messes (and I do mean messes!), holding them tight, reading stories to them, climbing trees with them, cooking breakfast over an open fire in the back yard, planning trips, teaching them to read maps, offering to help with schoolwork, ... I was young and looking at things from a romantic point of view.
But, in meeting Mr. Kerry, I got all of those things ~ and MORE! His good and tender heart has been there to help balance us all out. He's that calm and steady force that was not easily provoked, but still let the kids know if he was displeased with them. The Lord truly had something to do with our meeting, for he is the best person I've ever known.
This is him just four months before we married in 1977. His parents had taken us to Bryce Canyon, where we hiked and ate and got to know each other better. My dad had loaned me his big 35mm camera, and I took lots of pictures. When I took this one, I was astonished at how beautiful the scenery was, and I focused and snapped ~ RIGHT WHEN KERRY JUMPED OFF A ROCK! It still remains my all-time favorite.
I must also honor his dad, who in his gentle way taught me many things, as well. Kerry emulates his father a lot ~ his love for his family, the scriptures, the Church and the Lord has passed right on down into Mr. Kerry's heart. Kerry always fed whoever the baby was at the end of the table ~ just like his own father did. He is a student of the scriptures and a gospel scholar ~ just like his own father was. I miss him a lot.
My own father, Chester, was a genius. His grandfather had a talent for building. If you told him how big you wanted your house to be, he would do the calculations in his head, secure the materials, and not have so much as a splinter left over. Dad was the same way. If he needed something and either he couldn't afford it or it didn't exist ~ he would build it. The first wheat grinder I had was built by my dad. He ordered two burr stones, then went to the dump and found an old washing machine motor. With some plywood he had at home, and some belts and a switch and an oil funnel, he built one of the best wheat grinders one could ever have. That's pretty good for someone who barely finished sixth grade. I still have it, and it works fine.
Dad had four girls ~ no boys. That's a lot of estrogen in the house. He was a refrigeration/appliance repairman, in addition to working at Westinghouse during the day. Sometimes I would go on service calls with him. I learned a lot watching his patient hands do all sorts of things, for nothing to him was a rush job. He expected me to know those things, too. He taught me how to repair things. He taught me how to sew. He taught me how to bake bread. He taught me how to fish. He didn't set me down and give me a class ~ his attitude was "watch me and learn".
He worked long, hard hours ~ up at 4:30 am to be at work by 6:00 am. Being late wasn't an option. Get yourself up and get to work. And...work until you're done. Mom would have dinner ready for him at 3:00 pm, then he would do service calls all evening. He was even Bishop of our local ward during this time. After working many, many days like this, I'm sure he must have been really tired. But, I never once heard him complain. Not once. I miss him.
This was dad in 1982 on the occasion of Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary. Our good friend, Dave Talaga, said he always craved chicken when he saw my dad. (Dad had a white goatee later on)
Other fathers I have loved have been the many bishops of our local ward here in Mansfield. On occasion, Kerry and I (or just me when I was a young, unmarried adult) have sought counsel and advice from them. They have prayed with us. They have fasted with us. They have given us blessings. They have continually asked about our welfare. They have loved us.
But most of all, I am grateful for knowledge of a Heavenly Father who has shown His love for me continually from even before my birth. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of this earth, the sounds, sights, smells, and beautiful sounds that surround me each day. Even when I wonder how He can care about me and my insignificant worries when there are greater things going on in the world today, He lets me know that I really do matter to Him. I hope my efforts to be a good person are what He wants...
So, Happy Father's Day to the new dads, the old dads, the granddads, the ones who have never been a biological dad ~ but who help to foster and nurture good manly traits in others. We're grateful for you all...
My mind is full of some really good memories today. Let me share:
First and foremost, I'm really grateful for Mr. Kerry, who was a really good father and a really good daddy to our four children. And - he still is. When I was only 21 years old, we met. At that time, I didn't have enough sense to look for certain qualities in a future husband ~ such as diaper duty, canning peaches at midnight, cleaning up children's messes (and I do mean messes!), holding them tight, reading stories to them, climbing trees with them, cooking breakfast over an open fire in the back yard, planning trips, teaching them to read maps, offering to help with schoolwork, ... I was young and looking at things from a romantic point of view.
But, in meeting Mr. Kerry, I got all of those things ~ and MORE! His good and tender heart has been there to help balance us all out. He's that calm and steady force that was not easily provoked, but still let the kids know if he was displeased with them. The Lord truly had something to do with our meeting, for he is the best person I've ever known.
This is him just four months before we married in 1977. His parents had taken us to Bryce Canyon, where we hiked and ate and got to know each other better. My dad had loaned me his big 35mm camera, and I took lots of pictures. When I took this one, I was astonished at how beautiful the scenery was, and I focused and snapped ~ RIGHT WHEN KERRY JUMPED OFF A ROCK! It still remains my all-time favorite.
I must also honor his dad, who in his gentle way taught me many things, as well. Kerry emulates his father a lot ~ his love for his family, the scriptures, the Church and the Lord has passed right on down into Mr. Kerry's heart. Kerry always fed whoever the baby was at the end of the table ~ just like his own father did. He is a student of the scriptures and a gospel scholar ~ just like his own father was. I miss him a lot.
My own father, Chester, was a genius. His grandfather had a talent for building. If you told him how big you wanted your house to be, he would do the calculations in his head, secure the materials, and not have so much as a splinter left over. Dad was the same way. If he needed something and either he couldn't afford it or it didn't exist ~ he would build it. The first wheat grinder I had was built by my dad. He ordered two burr stones, then went to the dump and found an old washing machine motor. With some plywood he had at home, and some belts and a switch and an oil funnel, he built one of the best wheat grinders one could ever have. That's pretty good for someone who barely finished sixth grade. I still have it, and it works fine.
Dad had four girls ~ no boys. That's a lot of estrogen in the house. He was a refrigeration/appliance repairman, in addition to working at Westinghouse during the day. Sometimes I would go on service calls with him. I learned a lot watching his patient hands do all sorts of things, for nothing to him was a rush job. He expected me to know those things, too. He taught me how to repair things. He taught me how to sew. He taught me how to bake bread. He taught me how to fish. He didn't set me down and give me a class ~ his attitude was "watch me and learn".
He worked long, hard hours ~ up at 4:30 am to be at work by 6:00 am. Being late wasn't an option. Get yourself up and get to work. And...work until you're done. Mom would have dinner ready for him at 3:00 pm, then he would do service calls all evening. He was even Bishop of our local ward during this time. After working many, many days like this, I'm sure he must have been really tired. But, I never once heard him complain. Not once. I miss him.
This was dad in 1982 on the occasion of Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary. Our good friend, Dave Talaga, said he always craved chicken when he saw my dad. (Dad had a white goatee later on)
Other fathers I have loved have been the many bishops of our local ward here in Mansfield. On occasion, Kerry and I (or just me when I was a young, unmarried adult) have sought counsel and advice from them. They have prayed with us. They have fasted with us. They have given us blessings. They have continually asked about our welfare. They have loved us.
But most of all, I am grateful for knowledge of a Heavenly Father who has shown His love for me continually from even before my birth. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of this earth, the sounds, sights, smells, and beautiful sounds that surround me each day. Even when I wonder how He can care about me and my insignificant worries when there are greater things going on in the world today, He lets me know that I really do matter to Him. I hope my efforts to be a good person are what He wants...
So, Happy Father's Day to the new dads, the old dads, the granddads, the ones who have never been a biological dad ~ but who help to foster and nurture good manly traits in others. We're grateful for you all...
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Dew Point
Oh, it's been hot! Heat and humidity - even though I grew up here in Ohio, I've never gotten used to the humidity. It just drags me down. The dew point (heat and humidity index) has been 73 - when it's between 65-70, it's getting pretty oppressive.
I took a shower last night and never have gotten dry.
The past couple of weeks have been easy and relaxing for us. Kerry and I still work at the temple every Friday, and he even pulled an extra day yesterday. We don't go out every day, but we do combine trips when we do. We love going to Farmer's Markets, ice cream socials, etc. We even did a day trip through Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago. It was just beautiful.
There has been an epidemic of gout. First, Jean had it - then, Jordan - then, me. It is so painful - and there's no pain medication that I've ever taken that even touches it. I used to think just old me who drank a lot got it. I was wrong.
My back continues to plague me. If you'll remember, I re-injured it when we ran over a rough bump in the road in Kentucky. I was sitting over the wheel well in the back of my sister's van, and I took the brunt of the hit. Most nights, I'm going to sleep on the heating pad and taking more pain medication than I did after surgery.
But, life is still good. I don't want to just sit around complaining when I really have had a good and wonderful life.
I appreciate many of you asking how I'm doing in regard to coping with Peter's death. Please don't ever be afraid to ask. Some days are better than others. For some strange reason, I find that it's more difficult now than it was right after his death. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice again!
I still have his suitcase and belongings downstairs. I've tried to go through them on three different occasions - and I just can't do it. There's something final about the process. Plus, his scent still keeps wafting out.
I just can't do it. I just can't. At least, not yet.
I also appreciate all of the comments you sent to me about my military pictures. For some reason, two of the pictures did not come through, and I DO NOT WANT TO FORGET THEM! Hence:
Brendan and Paul - sons of Kerry's brother, Chris
Wilson - brother of Kerry's father, Orson. A special story about him is featured in our church curriculum:
Begin class by sharing the following experience of Wilson P. Lauritzen:
“We were fighting in the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ near the town of Ammonius, Belgium. By that time the Germans were on the defensive. We had just succeeded in cutting off or surrounding a sector of the German line. They were surrendering in large numbers. As we were disarming the soldiers, one of them said to me in broken English: ‘Would you know if there are any Mormon soldiers in your unit?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am a Mormon.’ He asked, ‘Do you hold the priesthood?’ ‘Yes, I do,’ I answered. ‘I was married in the temple.’ ‘Would you be so kind as to come with me to that shell hole over there and administer to my buddy? He is pretty well shaken up, and pretty badly wounded.’ Of course I consented to go. We found that his buddy was in a bad condition and was suffering much pain. Then the two of us, who a few short hours before had been on opposite sides in the bitter struggle, knelt down and administered to the wounded lad. And as we did so, I felt the spirit of the Lord very strongly. I know that that feeling was shared by them, too. As we finished, the litter-bearers were there. We lifted the broken body to the stretcher. Then our ways parted: the wounded boy was taken to the hospital; the German soldier was sent back with the other prisoners, and I went on with my other duties” (as quoted by Spencer W. Kimball, in Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Storyteller’s Scrapbook [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1948], pp. 112–13).
Plus, I also forgot the birthday of Reed Jarvis, the newest member of the extended Lauritzen family. He's the lucky man who married Kerry's sister, Joy in April. His birthday: Jun 1.
Have a wonderful week!
Miss P
I took a shower last night and never have gotten dry.
The past couple of weeks have been easy and relaxing for us. Kerry and I still work at the temple every Friday, and he even pulled an extra day yesterday. We don't go out every day, but we do combine trips when we do. We love going to Farmer's Markets, ice cream socials, etc. We even did a day trip through Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago. It was just beautiful.
There has been an epidemic of gout. First, Jean had it - then, Jordan - then, me. It is so painful - and there's no pain medication that I've ever taken that even touches it. I used to think just old me who drank a lot got it. I was wrong.
My back continues to plague me. If you'll remember, I re-injured it when we ran over a rough bump in the road in Kentucky. I was sitting over the wheel well in the back of my sister's van, and I took the brunt of the hit. Most nights, I'm going to sleep on the heating pad and taking more pain medication than I did after surgery.
But, life is still good. I don't want to just sit around complaining when I really have had a good and wonderful life.
I appreciate many of you asking how I'm doing in regard to coping with Peter's death. Please don't ever be afraid to ask. Some days are better than others. For some strange reason, I find that it's more difficult now than it was right after his death. What I wouldn't give to hear his voice again!
I still have his suitcase and belongings downstairs. I've tried to go through them on three different occasions - and I just can't do it. There's something final about the process. Plus, his scent still keeps wafting out.
I just can't do it. I just can't. At least, not yet.
I also appreciate all of the comments you sent to me about my military pictures. For some reason, two of the pictures did not come through, and I DO NOT WANT TO FORGET THEM! Hence:
Brendan and Paul - sons of Kerry's brother, Chris
Wilson - brother of Kerry's father, Orson. A special story about him is featured in our church curriculum:
Begin class by sharing the following experience of Wilson P. Lauritzen:
“We were fighting in the ‘Battle of the Bulge’ near the town of Ammonius, Belgium. By that time the Germans were on the defensive. We had just succeeded in cutting off or surrounding a sector of the German line. They were surrendering in large numbers. As we were disarming the soldiers, one of them said to me in broken English: ‘Would you know if there are any Mormon soldiers in your unit?’ I replied, ‘Yes, I am a Mormon.’ He asked, ‘Do you hold the priesthood?’ ‘Yes, I do,’ I answered. ‘I was married in the temple.’ ‘Would you be so kind as to come with me to that shell hole over there and administer to my buddy? He is pretty well shaken up, and pretty badly wounded.’ Of course I consented to go. We found that his buddy was in a bad condition and was suffering much pain. Then the two of us, who a few short hours before had been on opposite sides in the bitter struggle, knelt down and administered to the wounded lad. And as we did so, I felt the spirit of the Lord very strongly. I know that that feeling was shared by them, too. As we finished, the litter-bearers were there. We lifted the broken body to the stretcher. Then our ways parted: the wounded boy was taken to the hospital; the German soldier was sent back with the other prisoners, and I went on with my other duties” (as quoted by Spencer W. Kimball, in Albert L. Zobell, Jr., Storyteller’s Scrapbook [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1948], pp. 112–13).
Plus, I also forgot the birthday of Reed Jarvis, the newest member of the extended Lauritzen family. He's the lucky man who married Kerry's sister, Joy in April. His birthday: Jun 1.
Have a wonderful week!
Miss P
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