"Merry After Christmas" everyone!!! My header still says Berry Merry Christmas and will stay that way forever I'm afraid unless Erin can figure out how to change it. It has Jamie and I baffled. Can you work your Magic Erin???
Thank you everyone for the wonderful Christmas presents. They were so thoughtful and make dad and I feel so loved by our kids! You are our greatest blessings! We had such a quiet, peaceful and special day because of you. We talked to each of you and most of the grandkids.
AHHHHH Life is good!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Dads Tag
1. I like LOTS and LOTS of fritters and ice cream. I'm a foodaholic. The older I get the more I like sweets. One day I'll explode and die happy.
2. When I'm not fighting someone in my dreams or yelling at the top of my lungs and scaring Tracy or Jamie or Harry, I'm just dreaming. Lots and lots and lots of dreams. Problem is when I wake up in the morning I can't remember any of them. I can't even remember yelling. I remember kicking the wall and breaking my toe though, I can remember throwing myself out of bed and cutting my head open, and I can remember hitting the bed stand and hurting my hand, but I can't remember my dreams. Go figure.
3. I like having my computer in my bedroom. I even read my e-mail now. I play sudoku, bejeweled, and hangman two or three times a week and even stumble upon once in a while.
4. Harry and I like routine. When I get up in the morning the first thing I do is go to the bathroom. Then I exercise on my Chi-swing. Next I go in and floss and brush my teeth. Then I shave. I shower. I blow dry and comb my hair. I put on after shave and deodorant. I get dressed in my suit for work and when Harry sees me dressed he gets up and goes in by the front door and waits for me. I put a leash on him, put on my coat and take Harry on a walk around the block. When we get back I give Harry a treat, get me some breakfast, fix my lunch, go out and feed the cat and go to work.
When I get home from work I take Harry for a walk, eat dinner and go to meetings.
When I get home from meetings I take Harry for a walk, feed the cat, check my e-mail, and if I have time I play one of my 3 computer games, have prayer with mom, go to bed, and dream.
5. I'm probably the oldest recorder in the church by age as well as seniority. In January a recorders seminar is being held in Salt Lake City for all the recorders in the church. I'm looking forward to seeing all my old recorder friends and all the new ones. The last seminar we had was in the latter part of 1998 or early 1999.
6. My funnest hobby is still gardening. I plant so many flowers I don't have time to take care of them all. Maybe when I retire.
7. I miss the days when us boys had BYU season football tickets. But now that my boys have left home there's too many other things I enjoy more. I love being Bishop. I love working with youth who are trying to repent and change their lives. I love helping widows and others who have trouble making ends meet. I love teaching in bishopric meetings, and youth meetings, in 5th Sunday combined meetings and any other time I'm asked. I love seeing the quiet faithfulness of so many good people. I love seeing the Lord give people new hearts and new spirits. I love mourning with those who mourn. I love laughing with those who laugh. I love seeing the love in children's eyes for their bishop. I love the friendship of the elderly and wise.
I love being bishop almost as much as I love being a father.
OK here is my tag or whatever you call it and I tag Lee and Tricia!
2. When I'm not fighting someone in my dreams or yelling at the top of my lungs and scaring Tracy or Jamie or Harry, I'm just dreaming. Lots and lots and lots of dreams. Problem is when I wake up in the morning I can't remember any of them. I can't even remember yelling. I remember kicking the wall and breaking my toe though, I can remember throwing myself out of bed and cutting my head open, and I can remember hitting the bed stand and hurting my hand, but I can't remember my dreams. Go figure.
3. I like having my computer in my bedroom. I even read my e-mail now. I play sudoku, bejeweled, and hangman two or three times a week and even stumble upon once in a while.
4. Harry and I like routine. When I get up in the morning the first thing I do is go to the bathroom. Then I exercise on my Chi-swing. Next I go in and floss and brush my teeth. Then I shave. I shower. I blow dry and comb my hair. I put on after shave and deodorant. I get dressed in my suit for work and when Harry sees me dressed he gets up and goes in by the front door and waits for me. I put a leash on him, put on my coat and take Harry on a walk around the block. When we get back I give Harry a treat, get me some breakfast, fix my lunch, go out and feed the cat and go to work.
When I get home from work I take Harry for a walk, eat dinner and go to meetings.
When I get home from meetings I take Harry for a walk, feed the cat, check my e-mail, and if I have time I play one of my 3 computer games, have prayer with mom, go to bed, and dream.
5. I'm probably the oldest recorder in the church by age as well as seniority. In January a recorders seminar is being held in Salt Lake City for all the recorders in the church. I'm looking forward to seeing all my old recorder friends and all the new ones. The last seminar we had was in the latter part of 1998 or early 1999.
6. My funnest hobby is still gardening. I plant so many flowers I don't have time to take care of them all. Maybe when I retire.
7. I miss the days when us boys had BYU season football tickets. But now that my boys have left home there's too many other things I enjoy more. I love being Bishop. I love working with youth who are trying to repent and change their lives. I love helping widows and others who have trouble making ends meet. I love teaching in bishopric meetings, and youth meetings, in 5th Sunday combined meetings and any other time I'm asked. I love seeing the quiet faithfulness of so many good people. I love seeing the Lord give people new hearts and new spirits. I love mourning with those who mourn. I love laughing with those who laugh. I love seeing the love in children's eyes for their bishop. I love the friendship of the elderly and wise.
I love being bishop almost as much as I love being a father.
OK here is my tag or whatever you call it and I tag Lee and Tricia!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Dad and I have had so much fun reading everyones blogs today! You are all so fun and funny! Thanks for making us feel so close to everyone this Christmas. Dad and I feel more a part of things than ever this year. Thanks also for remembering Grandma and Grandpa Dickson. That means so much to them!
Last night dad and I went to the primary leaders Christmas party. Jamie and the rest of the presidency did a great job and we had so much fun! I love the fun games and trading white elephant gifts that we do at Christmas time.
The bathroom is still moving along. I think Dad is having a lot of fun doing what Marty says but it all takes lots of time. Dad put my shelves back up in the laundry room so I have been cleaning my family room and can finally almost see the floor!
Jamie and I have been doing a service project for someone in the ward. The couple get depressed and overwhelmed every time they step into the house. They moved out of this house in the country and need to sell it so they aren't making 2 house payments. The house is a "money pit" type of house and looked so terrible on the inside that no one would want it. So Jamie and I are doing a "designed to sell" type project. The lady watches Jamie's daycare and we are doing whatever we want. We have total say and the transformation is amazing. We have finished the living room, entry and kitchen and already the change is shocking. Next we are redoing the bathrooms and fixing the downstairs bedroom. I think we will quit there because that will sell the house. Once the buyers see that much we figure they will not be overwhelmed with what isn't re-done. The outside curb appeal is pretty good but the minute you stepped inside you wanted to run! Now it is great until you walk into a bathroom.... we have several more long days ahead of us but it feels good to see the change. They have 2 1/2 acres, a large barn, good out buildings, 4 to 5 large bedrooms, family room and need to sell it for 85 thousand.
Can you imagine buying that in Utah or California?
Last night dad and I went to the primary leaders Christmas party. Jamie and the rest of the presidency did a great job and we had so much fun! I love the fun games and trading white elephant gifts that we do at Christmas time.
The bathroom is still moving along. I think Dad is having a lot of fun doing what Marty says but it all takes lots of time. Dad put my shelves back up in the laundry room so I have been cleaning my family room and can finally almost see the floor!
Jamie and I have been doing a service project for someone in the ward. The couple get depressed and overwhelmed every time they step into the house. They moved out of this house in the country and need to sell it so they aren't making 2 house payments. The house is a "money pit" type of house and looked so terrible on the inside that no one would want it. So Jamie and I are doing a "designed to sell" type project. The lady watches Jamie's daycare and we are doing whatever we want. We have total say and the transformation is amazing. We have finished the living room, entry and kitchen and already the change is shocking. Next we are redoing the bathrooms and fixing the downstairs bedroom. I think we will quit there because that will sell the house. Once the buyers see that much we figure they will not be overwhelmed with what isn't re-done. The outside curb appeal is pretty good but the minute you stepped inside you wanted to run! Now it is great until you walk into a bathroom.... we have several more long days ahead of us but it feels good to see the change. They have 2 1/2 acres, a large barn, good out buildings, 4 to 5 large bedrooms, family room and need to sell it for 85 thousand.
Can you imagine buying that in Utah or California?
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Parties and dust!
Christmas is getting closer and excitement is in the air.
Tomorrow night we are having a YW leaders party here at our house. Next Friday the Bishopric and clerks and their wives will come here for a dinner. Because of the work Dave and Marty are doing in my basement our house covered with a layer of dust and grime. I've been working at cleaning it up but it is a loosing battle.... and I don't even care!
I am so excited about my new bathroom for Christmas and I won't stop progress. Yesterday Jamie and Marty stopped at Lowes in Iowa City and picked up the last of the fixtures. I have high hopes of having a finished new bathroom by Christmas even tho Dave has started tithing settlement!
We had company come this week and we sent them to the neighbors. See? I won't let anything slow them down!
Tomorrow night we are having a YW leaders party here at our house. Next Friday the Bishopric and clerks and their wives will come here for a dinner. Because of the work Dave and Marty are doing in my basement our house covered with a layer of dust and grime. I've been working at cleaning it up but it is a loosing battle.... and I don't even care!
I am so excited about my new bathroom for Christmas and I won't stop progress. Yesterday Jamie and Marty stopped at Lowes in Iowa City and picked up the last of the fixtures. I have high hopes of having a finished new bathroom by Christmas even tho Dave has started tithing settlement!
We had company come this week and we sent them to the neighbors. See? I won't let anything slow them down!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Christmas is coming!
Thanksgiving is over and now we are putting up the Christmas decorations! It has only been 1 year since all you kids and your families were HOME for Christmas. This year can't start to match last years but it is fun to remember as I put the decorations up. Thanks to Tera and Erick's gift the last 2 years the outdoor lights were a snap to put up with Ambers help.
For Christmas this year dad is giving us a new bathroom downstairs. This means Marty is doing the work so Dave has a gift to give! He is amazing and things are already really moving. I must say that dad has been doing whatever he can and has worked very hard but we wouldn't know what to do without Marty. When you come to visit next time you will have a new bathroom in your room!!!
For Christmas this year dad is giving us a new bathroom downstairs. This means Marty is doing the work so Dave has a gift to give! He is amazing and things are already really moving. I must say that dad has been doing whatever he can and has worked very hard but we wouldn't know what to do without Marty. When you come to visit next time you will have a new bathroom in your room!!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
I've been tagged!
Oh boy this is really hard. I've been tagged more than once which means you kids are desperate!
OK Here goes....
1. I have lots of weird friends. I don't look for weird people to be buddies with but they come from all over the United States and world to find me. I've finally realized to my startled dismay that they just seek out one of their own and find me the queen of weird. Several of my friends don't have any other friends... just me. Now the question is ....since a weird person doesn't usually realize she is weird, does she know if her kids are weird too? Is this hereditary? Reading your blogs causes me to wonder!? Tracy with the wild radio, kissy Erin, Smarty Tera...hummmmm
2. I like sleeping with Darth Vader. I never understood Erin and Brayden and the fan thing at night until dad was told he had sleep apnea. He got a mask (Which is on Tracy's Halloween faces blog) and as he breathes he sounds like Darth Vader. I like the soothing sound! But what is even better is he hates the sound and it keeps him awake so he puts in earplugs to hide the noise then I can watch TV or e-mail or whatever and he sleeps through it.
3. I love exciting things and I love to travel. I don't really have a strong desire to live to be really old. I want to go before my kids & husband (I don't want to be old and mean or make you kids change my diapers.) but I'd love to go in some exciting way. Checking out the other side sounds like the ultimate excitement and a real trip!
4. I love being a mom. I loved it at every age but I love it the most now. Now I sit back and watch my kids and feel so proud as though what they do is my fault. I watch them raise their kids and burst with pride and I don't have to lift a finger to raise perfect grandchildren! AND THEY ARE PERFECT!
5. Church work gives me the excuse to not clean my house. I never really enjoyed housework but I had 8 kids to organize with job charts to do the things I disliked. When the kids grew up I was in trouble until I realized that if you throw yourself into your calling (whatever it may be) you have an excuse for clutter! That works great until the Relief Society calls and asks you to go clean someones house.... that happened this week... let's see on second thought maybe saying you have a migraine would be a whole lot easier than doing church work and save time too...
6. I don't like to type. I type so slow that by the time I type something I forget what I wanted to say so whenever.. uh... I mean...wha..??? Oh well.
7. They say you can tell how good of a job I did in raising my children by looking at who they married. (Who would have them) I must have been a fantastic mother because the spouses are better than my kids!!!!! Wow!!
OK I painfully did this and now tag someone else. A blog is a family thing so I choose Marty, Dave, Steve, Brayden, Erick, Thad and Jared. You wives can help them and explain the rules! XOXO
OK Here goes....
1. I have lots of weird friends. I don't look for weird people to be buddies with but they come from all over the United States and world to find me. I've finally realized to my startled dismay that they just seek out one of their own and find me the queen of weird. Several of my friends don't have any other friends... just me. Now the question is ....since a weird person doesn't usually realize she is weird, does she know if her kids are weird too? Is this hereditary? Reading your blogs causes me to wonder!? Tracy with the wild radio, kissy Erin, Smarty Tera...hummmmm
2. I like sleeping with Darth Vader. I never understood Erin and Brayden and the fan thing at night until dad was told he had sleep apnea. He got a mask (Which is on Tracy's Halloween faces blog) and as he breathes he sounds like Darth Vader. I like the soothing sound! But what is even better is he hates the sound and it keeps him awake so he puts in earplugs to hide the noise then I can watch TV or e-mail or whatever and he sleeps through it.
3. I love exciting things and I love to travel. I don't really have a strong desire to live to be really old. I want to go before my kids & husband (I don't want to be old and mean or make you kids change my diapers.) but I'd love to go in some exciting way. Checking out the other side sounds like the ultimate excitement and a real trip!
4. I love being a mom. I loved it at every age but I love it the most now. Now I sit back and watch my kids and feel so proud as though what they do is my fault. I watch them raise their kids and burst with pride and I don't have to lift a finger to raise perfect grandchildren! AND THEY ARE PERFECT!
5. Church work gives me the excuse to not clean my house. I never really enjoyed housework but I had 8 kids to organize with job charts to do the things I disliked. When the kids grew up I was in trouble until I realized that if you throw yourself into your calling (whatever it may be) you have an excuse for clutter! That works great until the Relief Society calls and asks you to go clean someones house.... that happened this week... let's see on second thought maybe saying you have a migraine would be a whole lot easier than doing church work and save time too...
6. I don't like to type. I type so slow that by the time I type something I forget what I wanted to say so whenever.. uh... I mean...wha..??? Oh well.
7. They say you can tell how good of a job I did in raising my children by looking at who they married. (Who would have them) I must have been a fantastic mother because the spouses are better than my kids!!!!! Wow!!
OK I painfully did this and now tag someone else. A blog is a family thing so I choose Marty, Dave, Steve, Brayden, Erick, Thad and Jared. You wives can help them and explain the rules! XOXO
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Academy has "FALLEN"
It looks a little different across the street from the temple now that the Joseph Smith Academy has been torn down. We have known from the beginning that this would happen but here it is a pile of trash. Soon all remains will be carried away and grass will replace it.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
For anyone who reads this before I get Jamie to help me fix it tomorrow I need to explain...
I was trying to put our family Christmas picture taken last year in place of the picture in 2004. It is only missing 2 babies instead of 8. Somehow I lost it and came up with a scary scene out of Wicked!!! It is probably appropriate however on such a bewitching week. Tomorrow Nauvoo has it's pumpkin walk and parade. I carved 19 pumpkins for it. Perhaps I'll take some pictures for the blog... who knows what the pictures might actually be of however buy the time I try to put them in. Maybe something alien!
I was trying to put our family Christmas picture taken last year in place of the picture in 2004. It is only missing 2 babies instead of 8. Somehow I lost it and came up with a scary scene out of Wicked!!! It is probably appropriate however on such a bewitching week. Tomorrow Nauvoo has it's pumpkin walk and parade. I carved 19 pumpkins for it. Perhaps I'll take some pictures for the blog... who knows what the pictures might actually be of however buy the time I try to put them in. Maybe something alien!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
I Love This Blog!!!
I had the best birthday on Saturday thanks to my wonderful family! Thank you Erin for this blog. I am so excited about it and will try to learn to use it. You kids feel free to help me anytime you have time or energy. I started to try and figure it all out and had given up when Erin did it for a present! What a neat gift.
Turning 59 is not fun or for wimps but your calls and fun gifts made it worth it. Thanks Casi and Jared for the beautiful necklace and earrings. I wore them to a reception for the temple presidency on my birthday and again the next day for our special devotional at the temple. Jamie the shopping trip to Iowa City and the neat gifts were so much fun!!! Everyones calls (even the belated ones) were exciting. Thank you -thank you -thank you!
Turning 59 is not fun or for wimps but your calls and fun gifts made it worth it. Thanks Casi and Jared for the beautiful necklace and earrings. I wore them to a reception for the temple presidency on my birthday and again the next day for our special devotional at the temple. Jamie the shopping trip to Iowa City and the neat gifts were so much fun!!! Everyones calls (even the belated ones) were exciting. Thank you -thank you -thank you!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Forgive me. . . I can't sleep
Okay, okay - so I have been on Mom's case for creating a blog and not doing anything with it. It drives me nuts that it is just sitting out here with so much potential and not being utilized. Well, tonight I couldn't sleep (as is usually the case with me) and I remembered that Mom pretty much uses the same password for everything, so I decided to get a bit creative with her blog and. . . well. . . create it. So, here are a few pictures that I happened to have and hopefully now Mom won't have any excuse not to keep it up. I swear I won't touch it again unless I am asked!!
I love you Mom - Happy Birthday!!
-Erin
I love you Mom - Happy Birthday!!
-Erin
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