Grandma's Attic

We just got home from Boise (again) where Dee saw his surgeon. Actually, we saw him for less than 5 minutes, he took out one stitch, pronounced the incision in a great state of healing, and said have a good life. Keep up the walking for 6 more weeks.

We are so grateful to him and all the other people at St. Luke's hospital for the wonderful care , and to Medicare and Lifewise for covering the entire bill of $10,430.00 except$ 5.62 which we have to pay.

Going to Boise is always fun because it includes time with Elaine's family.Nicole and Kelsey are home from college in Logan, Krista is delighted to have a vacation from school, and kindergarten is a new adventure for Colton. Thanks also to David who drives us through thick and thin, clear roads and snow. We got home to about 4 new inches, on top of what we already had, so it's a white Christmas for us.

Boy, do I remember lots of cold Christmases. We used to wake up at the crack of dawn, or before, and it would be HOURS before you'd hear anyone downstairs move. I could never understand why parents could sleep in on Christmas Day
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One of the kids would hop up and run down stairs to see if we could get up (we knew they'd say no, and they did.)

"Wait until I get the fire made , it's too cold" my Dad always said, Boy, as if we cared!

I just can't resist posting this photo that a friend sent me last year. So tired!

Seems as if winter has finally arrived her in Oregon, and boy is it cold. 14"s and counting. Since we haven't decided if we are going to put up a tree this year, I went back and found a few of Colton and I finding our Christmas tree in 2006. He was so cute, just like a kid in a candy store.

You know, Jacob tipped over the Christmas tree it happens at least once a year If we didn't have little problems like that we wouldn't know Christmas is near

and when that tree fell, we said, oh, well and set it up straight 'cause this is the season we all love,we don't ever hate, all through December days we sing God's praise

The feeling's divine.... We listen to hear the angels sing, it's peace on earth time.You know, when we're out shopping the bell ringers ring the sound makes our hearts open wide

We reach in our pockets and get out our change, and we feel God's love deep inside...It's a feeling called Christmas, when children just can't wait

to look for the reindeer "can we please stay up late on Christmas eve?"Our hearts are full of love, the feeling's divine, we listen to hear the angels sing

it's peace on earth time

Happy Sunday! Every day gets better and better here. Dee felt good yesterday, thanks to a phone call from Mark and a letter from Karen. The best part of family is keeping in touch, as you all know

A note from the Petersons says they are still working their way through Marge's illness from the stroke in 2007. Everything just takes too long, especially after she had a fall, but with Lyle there tending, like Dee and I illness brings you closer, and you remember how grateful you are to have each other.

Today is fast Sunday and I'll miss giving my testimony, but if I did I'd say how grateful I am for Heavenly Father's care. I belong to the greatest and truest church in the world today, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Love to everyone, have a nice day.

Besides the thousands of lights all over the grounds, we had a great program every night in the visitors center. One year there were many, many trees all decorated by different wards which the large crowds loved. The next year the display included nativity scenes from all over the world. Dee and I got to work in the center some nights, greeting the people, and just mingling, taking in the joy of the season.

Outside was a living manger scene, using local missionaries. Wonderful season!


It was just such a privilege for us to serve a mission there, and be in the temple every day.
Especially for me, working as secretary on the 6th floor was my favorite thing. Being around all those great men who were sealers, and scheduling marriage sealings, and just being there to feel the spirit. One of the best parts was watching the little children come up all dressed in white, ready to become a part of an eternal family. We loved that mission.

December 5th, 2008

Just look at him! He's so handsome and looks so good!Grandpa Dee is just recovering beautifully. He'll be good as new by Christmas, so come on over and visit.

December 6th

It seems to me that everyone now days uses the computer or some other machine to communicate with each other. I for one like a real letter, on paper, I need something to hold in my hand, and re-read later on, especially on a day when I don't get any other mail. My Dad used to say, "It's just as good to get out an old letter and re-read it. A real thing, that you can feel, then store away for another day, when you're feeling alone." I'm afraid that our thoughts, our inner thoughts that we don't say out loud, but only write down, will be lost to future generations. That will be a sad thing.

SURGERY SUCCESS!!!

Dee was only in surgery for 3 hours, and things went really well. Dr. said his heart is great, just the valve was bad. Five days in the hospital, a few days at Elaine's in Boise, where we also celebrated Thanksgiving with the Rudds, the Brian Fullers, and the Hill family from Idaho Falls.

Here we have Dee showing Colton how the breathing instrument works, to keep the lungs clear. On the back of the couch is Sir. Koff-a-lot, his bear friend to hold to his chest when he coughed, to protect the incision. I was going to show you that, but Dee vetoed that one.