Let's Have a Look-See

I have a thing with cemeteries.   They are peaceful.  Today we went to the cemetery.   We can never find my sister in laws grave.  But my mom gave us directions- very specific directions- and we found it. It's been 28 years, and I can still see my brother and his  brother in law,  sitting next to these graves, weeping.  Some deaths are harder than others. I am always surprised how many graves hold a veteran.  So many have and do serve. Then we found my father in laws headstone. As we look for it - and I we always have to look- we find names of people we have known.  There are so many good memories at a cemetery.    I'm grateful that I know that this is not the end.  That we can be together again. That the Savior can help us as we go through the grief of losing our loved ones.   It's all gonna work out.

This is us at 100 days of school. As we enter the last week of school I can't help but think what a strange year it was.  The first half I was  sick.  After phnomia,  I picked up all  their germs.  To end the year, we all stayed home so we wouldn't pick up each others germs.  They have worked hard. I love that their parents have tried to keep them on track.  As I call them weekly, they always ask how I am doing.  Such sweet bonds have been formed as a result of Covid 19.   I went for a walk yesterday and found these on a tree.  I have come to see this beautiful world as a tender mercy.  When I do my neck exercises I look at this wall. The picture is my family, together,  in North Carolina.  So grateful for their effort to be  there last year. It is a memory I think about often. Love them. Richard and Ashley came up this weekend.  We had Ashelys graduation ...

Our friend, Jeff Willis, passed away this week.  It broke my heart. Liz is a dear friend to me. She is doing really well right now. I know that it broke her heart as well.  A couple of years ago we went to visit them in California.  They were going to take us to lunch, but on the way, we stopped by Wes's school to visit the secretary.  We watched him go in and could see her jump up and give him a hug.  Jeff said, 'Oh,oh, she's coming.'  We watched as Patty came running out to the truck. I was desperately trying to figure out how to get out of the truck. Jeff was right there. He had my door opened and helped me slide right out into the biggest hug I have ever had.  I remember crying during that hug, and hoping no one had noticed,  but Jeff had.  He noticed everything.  It was what made him a great story teller.  Jeff was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 4 weeks ago.   I admire the peace he had with this life and...

Another week of this crazy life. It was a hard week for some of my family.  Mental illness is hard to work with, but harder still during this time.   I feel lucky that I am able to work. I get to go to the school occasionally and am grateful for some time out of the house.  I also had an appointment to give blood this week.  It was nice to get out. I spend some time each day outside.  I have said many times how we are blessed to have this quarantine during such a beautiful season.  Wish you could hear the bees in this tree. I have found myself cooking more often. Oddly enough I keep trying new things.  I did French Bread this week. And a new chocolate chip cookie recipe.   They were good. Scott says they have too many nuts. I also send cards and letters to my friends, family and grands. They sometimes contain gift cards or masks.  These are things I just don't have time to ...

I do love this time of year. It is finally is green. Some of my favorite trees are starting to bloom.   Yes, we have a windy day, but, more good days than bad. I have pulled so many of these bulbs out, they just seem to multiply.   They are lovely this time of year.  And I am still working.  Mostly from home, but I go into the school every now and then.  I had to deliver 2 packets this week. One kid ran out to pick up his work.  He was so vfc excited.  Will it ever end?  That is a question I ask myself every day. 

I'm not gonna lie.  I have had a few deaths to deal with this year. Some have been a surprise and some we have been waiting for.  And some we have waited for and they haven't come yet. A few have caught me off guard and I  have  wished I  would have done more to help them.   Most have left me with as deep sense of peace. One of Wes's brothers passed away.  He had 5 brothers.  Oddly enough they each have a buddy. I have always called them peas in a pod.  This was his second oldest brother Joseph.  His buddy brother was his older brother Mike. Mike spoke at his funeral (a funeral on Zoom) and did an excellent job of telling stories of their youth.  Opening my eyes to another world.  The funeral was interesting. You couldn't see who was on Zoom as everyone turned off mics and cameras.  I was really hoping when it was over that they would turn on both.  The family dinner after the funeral is so healing. A time to vis...

I don't know about you, but I am having trouble figuring out what day it is.   I am fortunate enough to be able to work from home.  I am constantly learning new ways to use my devices to communicate with my students and colleagues.   I have a Schedule. For. Everything. Phonics, math, sight words, blending, quilting, cross stitch,  sewing, reading novels studying scriptures, cooking, Netflix, Pandora, walking, you name it, I probably have a time to do it.   Somedays I get so much done that it feels like a week since I woke up.  But I  am healthy, as is my family.  So many things to be grateful for.  But at the end of the day, this stinks.