Binge

I spent the day watching stories from Star Wars, a Disney+ series, 'The Mandalorian' and all or parts of three movies, two of which I had not seen before.  I switched between the internet for the series to DVD for a reprise of 'The Force Awakens, which was the only story I had seen before.  I then watched 'The Last Jedi' on Disney+ and switched to a DVD I owned but had never watched to see 'Rogue One'.  I liked the 'Mandalorian' best, followed by 'Rogue One', 'The Force Awakens' and last of all 'The Last Jedi'.  I found the last of these too busy with too many parallel action sequences.  It has been fun to watch the movies and complete the set.  The one major movie in the Star Wars canon I have not yet watched is currently in theaters and I will likely see it when it is on Disney+ or on DVD.  I saw another movie 'Solo' during my trip to Alaska. 

Boots

Nineteen years ago I was traveling to Salt Lake to take care of my parents.  At the time I purchased four pairs of leather boots to keep my legs warm as I traveled and they served me well.  Two pairs were brown, two black.  Two pairs were short, two long.  I wore three pairs until the soles were very worn and I replaced them with some shredded tire from an entry mat.  The short brown boots still had an intact sole, but the zipper on one of the boots never worked right.  It has been several years since I wore any of those pairs of boots and in the meantime I acquired other boots.  I created a pull out boot rack with dowels, a piece of plywood and craft wheels that slid out on bottom mounted drawer sliders.  There was enough room for eight pairs of boots, but I had acquired six new pairs.  My boot rack lost function and was crowded and messy.  Today I threw out my old boots and some other shoes that were defunct.  Meanwhile I had created a storage space for 'yard boots' on my porch.  Now my boots are all neatly put away.  Today I shared my gas benefit with Lucinda.  It amounted to 85 cents discount with 300 points and a credit card discount of 55 cents.  She got just short of ten gallons worth of gas and purchased mid-grade for less than 2 dollars a gallon.  Afterwards I mentored Diana with her pastel drawing.  I ordered supported boards from Dick Blick for a bargain price which means my encaustic project will not begin immediately.  I also signed up for a free trial of Disney Plus.  It has not been a very busy day, but I hope it will be a more restful night.

Busy Morning, Lazy Afternoon

Although I hadn't set an alarm I woke up shortly after 6 AM.  I had several tasks to accomplish that needed to be done today.  First in urgency was picking up my paintings from the Provo library.  Next I planned to sign a petition against the recent tax bill which would take me to Orem.  Since I would be downtown to get my paintings I decided to begin with a stop at Smith's to look for fat and meat.  I also had a vague idea of stopping by the Rock and Bead shop in Orem to get some double wire.  I finished my morning routine, took a shower and started my journey after 8:30 AM.  I had successful shopping at Smiths, finding not only beef and fat, but also replenishing my supply of kitchen garbage bags on a fairly good sale. I picked up the pictures, signed the petition and purchased not only the silver wire I was looking for, but also an irridized quartz pendant that resembles the earrings Nancy gave me in Alaska. After a brief stop at Day's Market for some more meat and some advice solicited by a woman of my age who was looking for a tender roast, I picked up my helpers at Lucinda's home and they rapidly performed their appointed tasks while I cooked a really lovely rib steak using reverse searing.  I really appreciate my digital thermometer that allows me to cook a steak to medium rare with a nice sear following the initial warm up in my toaster oven.  I prepared the meat I purchased for freezing, separated out the fat and packed it in snack sized packs for easy use and put them in my new freezer.  I also baked a pound of bacon, using a baking cooling rack that provides really good results. 

Saving by Spending and Fun Sledding

I took a defunct sled with me today when I went up to Salt Lake to visit Rudy and Hannah.  I hoped we could find a place with sufficient snow to sled on.  Hannah knew of a place where there is a really splendid sledding hill on the grounds of an elementary school.  Rudy clung to his favorite Christmas present, a new world globe mounted so it spins.  I wondered how he could sled on a plastic shell that Hannah retrieved from their garage.  I hoped to convince him to go with Hannah but in the event he went spinning off by himself down the icy slope clutching his globe.  He didn't fall off the sled until it reach the valley at the base of the hill and then he headed for the area I planned to drive to to pick him up.  We found a smaller, less peopled slope that edged the parking lot and he went down three times, once riding with Hannah.  Then he took off for a distant playground.  Hannah wanted to run after him but I told her to get into the car and we would drive toward his destination.  When he realized we were both in the car he came running to join us.  Rudy seems to have transitioned to eating a cheeseburger instead of chicken McNuggets at McDonalds. 
I spent the morning making a wallpaper copy for the wall in back of my new freezer.  It was relatively successful after several false starts.  In Provo, after my trip south, I shopped for meat and other things to fill the freezer but left them in the cold car until I had created a trolley for the freezer.  I had a useful piece of sturdy plywood and 4 suitable wheels on hand and quickly constructed the trolley and replaced the packing foam and plastic that came with the freezer.  Then I put two additional party sized lasagnas, several packs of t-bone steaks, 5 packs of Breyer's Ice Cream, and some strip steaks in the freezer.  It is not absolutely full, but definitely provides promise of provender for some time to come.

Renovation and Restoration

After attending the Provo City Center Temple today I did a bit of shopping.  I stopped by Deseret Books in Orem and picked up four all cotton regular 36 bottoms of garments.  I had intended to do this for some time.  The other fabrics and styles aren't as comfortable.  I then stopped at Walmart for some cream and a loaf of discounted Italian bread.  When I got home I made some changes to the plastic panel on the top of my new freezer after cutting a prime roast into three steaks and cooking and eating the steaks from a loin roast I had in my fridge.  I also sewed a button back on my new gray coat that fell off when I took it off at the temple.  After taking a nap while trying to warm up and listening to a book about the periodic table I made some changes to the village scene that replaces my Star Wars collection during the Christmas season.  I cut the base to fit on the jewelry storage chest in my hallway then lined the edges with some grosgrain pale cream colored ribbon to stop the fraying of the foam that forms the panel.  I arranged the little houses, the 'Back to the Future' air car service center, the various figures of people and animals and put some school glue on all the loose figures to secure them.  Tomorrow I hope to make some progress on my encaustic painting of Layla.  I am grateful for the change of attitude and purpose that leaves me with only a few small tasks to restore order as I end the day. 

Merry, Merry Christmas

Lucinda and Jared and their 11 children came to my house a little after ten AM and opened gifts while I finished baking a lasagna.  They all seemed happy with their gifts.  Jacqueline gave me a framed copy of the pencil sketches she has made of family members.  They stayed until a little after 2 PM but left to visit friends just before the first of the second set of visitors arrived.  Tricia's family except for Russell, David's entire family including Taylor, Shazia and Layla and finally Nancy and Miranda arrived to share a midday meal.  I roasted a leg of Lamb that Jing gave me and baked an apricot and almond cake.  The others brought an assortment of food including ham, egg rolls, pies and salad.  Nancy provided entertainment afterwards with a dance and exercise program that uses motion capture.  There was an excess of goodies.  Rudy occupied himself by playing marble Chase and constructing an elaborate system that looked like alien communication.  29 people total were in my house this Christmas day of2019

One Thing After Another

I completed the job of shortening the counter top and installing the freezer so that it can be easily accessed.  Along the way there were a number of challenges but I have met most of them with no particular trouble.  The most troubling remains with us, the failure of the fix on the water line to the dishwasher.  I imagine that the solution lies in replacing the valve.  We just need to know what size to get.  Today is Christmas Eve, my oldest son's birthday.  I prepared a jar of beef bits for him.  I hope he is able to use them.

Lots of Unanticipated Accomplishments

I woke up this morning with initial plans to go to Joann Fabrics and purchase some silver metal buttons for my new gray coat and a round tipped set of jewelry pliers.  I then somehow became fixed on the idea of getting a newer chest freezer.  Internet exploration produced the information that a good sized chest freezer was on sale at Lowes.  I purchased it online and proceeded to finish my morning routine of prayer, exercise while listening to scripture, and making my bed.  Then I published both the e-mail version and the paper version of the newsletter for UVAG.  I took a couple of coats to Lucinda's house and after she turned them down I asked Adam to come with me on a run to Lowes, Joann Fabrics, the transfer station, Home Depot, and then to Lowes to return a plumbing part that didn't meet out needs.  Adam helped me put an old apartment sized refrigerator and my dishwasher in the back of the car after unboxing the new freezer.  We took the box along with other boxes I have accumulated to the dump.  I realized I could put the new freezer in my kitchen in place of the dishwasher with a bit of carpentry work.  I framed the print I made for Marge and took it along with me as well as taking my new coat, some thread and the new buttons.  They really improve the look of the coat.  While visiting with Marge I decided to stop at Smith's for more groceries for the Christmas feast along with getting gas.  I was able to save 75 cents a gallon on what was nearly a full tank.  Tomorrow I plan to make an apricot, almond cake for the Christmas Feast.  Jing contributed a boneless leg of lamb.  I will also cut the counter and do some carpentry to provide enough space for the freezer which will have its top exposed under my new plan.  It is fun to go off in a new direction and have things work out quite well. 

Slept In

Somehow my phone was turned off and I didn't really wake until 11:00 AM, missing church.  It was a shortened schedule because of Christmas.  I have had a rather relaxing day.  I did a video visit with Eliza while her children opened the Christmas gifts I sent them.  I got a text from Sam and Reese that they had received the box of gifts I sent, including Ruari's birthday gift.  I assume that Tara has received the box with Tegarian's and Beth's gifts.  I beaded a necklace of iolite and silver beads that will go nicely with the iolite dangle earrings that I like to wear.  I messed around a bit on Facebook and watched some you tube videos.  I am sorry I missed Church this morning but I am grateful for my life and family, my home and all the comfort that surrounds me.

Small Things

Today I woke up at Nancy's house.  I had no extra clothing because I hadn't anticipated staying over night, but Annie had been using Nancy's Volvo and after an oil change she smelled something like burning oil and left the car in an Orem mall and took the bus to Salt Lake where Nancy picked her up and took her to the airport.  So Nancy needed a ride to Orem and it seemed logical that I would bring her down after visiting with her, Mary and children and Tisha and children.  I thought it seemed a better idea to wait until daylight in case there were problems with the car.  Miranda had stayed up very late to finish a homework assignment and Nancy had stayed up to keep her on task.  Neither were eager to make an early start.  We arrived in Orem around noon and quickly located the Volvo near the Michael's store.  I went in to see if I could locate a frame for Marge's copy of the portrait of her and found a 'buy one get two free' deal and purchased three frames that will accept the size of paper I use for canvas style prints.  When I returned to the car I found that Nancy felt there was no great reason to be worried.  She had checked out the car and saw some small evidence that the oil change had involved a minor spill, likely the cause of Annie's concern.  I returned to my house via Lucinda's house and gave five of her children a ride to my home to do their Saturday chores.  Jacqueline and Diana lingered and Jacqueline expressed a wish that she had been able to shop at Michael's because she wanted to purchase gifts for a couple of friends.  I offered her the contents of my recently organized jewelry cabinet and she created two pairs of earrings for her friends.  Afterwards we made a quick trip to the paper store where she and Diana purchased little jewelry boxes and I found a pack of paper I hope will be useful.  I had planned to fast until Sunday but at around 6 I decided to break a 32 hour fast.  I was so pleased by the positive reaction to the gifts I gave the children in Salt Lake.

Christmas Practice

Having wrapped and beribboned all my Christmas gifts for grandchildren I drove to Salt Lake with a box full of presents.  I stopped at the Artesian Well Park and arrived just as another woman finished filling her jugs.  I quickly filled the six jugs I brought but I saw a sign that the park will soon be closing for renovation.  Maybe I should try Spring City.  I was pleased that the gifts I had chosen were successful.

Finishing Up

I have nothing left in the mail except a silver Celtic horse pendant necklace.  All the Christmas presents have arrived.  Tomorrow I will take a group of gifts up to Salt Lake in case nobody can come down for Christmas, which is possible given the weather forecast.  We are supposed to have a snow storm over the days of Christmas Eve and Christmas.  I finished organizing my jewelry making drawers.  The longest task involved sorting out lots of little beads.  I could have discarded them.  Perhaps I should have discarded them, and I did discard the last part of them.  On the other hand I had room for what I sorted and the drawer is more coherent.  I enjoyed my trip to the temple this morning.  I sat next to the witness sister even though I was later than usual since I stopped at Day's Market to purchase quite a bit of loin roast.

Beads, Wires and random stuff

I downloaded the Marie Kondo book and listened to part of it last night, mostly while I was semi-conscious.  One of the pockets of chaos in my house was several drawers of my jewelry case that contain supplies and tools.  I purchased some head pins yesterday but today I found that there were probably enough scattered through the beads and other things at the bottom of the drawers.  Often when I organize a drawer or area I find I have more space, but this time there is difficulty fitting everything back in.  My granddaughters enjoy working with some of the supplies and I am grateful they enjoy spending time with me.

Christmas is a coming

I went to the Provo City Center Temple today for the first time in two weeks and saw the newest video adaptation.  I found the temple very busy but since I wasn't counting on parking close to the door, I was satisfied with the parking I found.  All temples are lovely and significant, but I like the experience of the PCCT better for several reasons.  I had not planned to attend today, thinking I would likely be going to one of the temples in the Salt Lake valley because I had assumed I would be taking Russell up to Salt Lake to meet his lawyer and attend a hearing, however last night his mother picked him up to spend the night closer to his appointments.  The hearing this morning was indefinite because they didn't take into account the age at which he acted stupidly and that he hasn't done so for 5 years.  I purchased some more roast which I cut into steaks and purchased some jewelry findings at Joann's and a blank journal with drawing quality paper that I plan to give to Hannah with a set of journal markers.  I also decided to purchase a silver horse pendant on Overstock.com.  It was a personal indulgence, which I seem to be good at indulging in.  I delivered pictures to Catherine and Julie Beutler and Annie came over to bring my gift and pick up the Volvo key.  I am grateful for my home ministers.  I gave them each a snack pack full of steak nuts after establishing that they enjoyed them.

Teenagers

At the moment there are nine teenagers among my grandchildren, ranging from 18 year old Russell to 13 year old Adam.  In many ways Adam is more mature than Russell.  Last night Russell slept on my living room floor on a set of cushions that have been used by a number of other visiting relatives.  I woke him this morning and he ate cereal and milk for breakfast (very unusual around here) while I opened the chicken coop.  We left the house around 8 AM and went to the credit union.  Russell had reminded me that I had promised to purchase a suit for his mission but since he has left the Church and needed to look good for his court appearance he was making his claim on the suit.  I didn't bother to contradict him.  I took out a hundred dollars from the ATM and gave it to him as we set off on a shopping expedition to fill out the meager wardrobe he brought with him from Wyoming.  First we went to Walmart where he got boxers and a razor.  He also decided to get some fluffy camo print lounge pants and some dark glasses.  Next we went to D. I. where he selected a red and black tie and I helped him select a very nice white cotton long sleeved shirt.  Last of all we went to the shopping strip on University Parkway in Orem where he found a very useful laptop lap pad at Office Depot.  He spent a little over the $100 for the various items.  When we returned home I baked a large serving of frozen, boxed lasagna for him after he showered and changed out of his clothing which I then washed.  His mother came to pick him up after I had left to sit with Marge Lewis for the evening.  I feel it was a productive day and our relationship was pleasant.  I'm grateful I had this opportunity to touch base with him again.

Prodigal

I am acting as hostess for my prodigal grandson.  He has a hearing on Tuesday, December 17, two days from now.  The charges are serious in terms of his future, but more serious still is the alienation from his faith and his family.  All of us love him and wish the best for him, but actions have consequences.  I am grateful for this opportunity to have him here, take him shopping for clothing that will improve his chances of receiving a fair hearing.  His hair is long and full and wavy and he disdains getting a haircut but is willing to keep it tied back and subdued.  We will go shopping for a few necessities tomorrow. 

Stocking up on SAD food

I will have a grandson in my home for a few days beginning on Sunday evening.  I eat mainly steak.  My son Richard, who lives with me, is something of a scavenger.  I purchase popcorn and I had accumulated a supply of canned goods before I started mainly eating meat.  I needed to bring my Smith's Fuel Rewards points above 100 to continue getting a significant discount.  I called my daughter and asked her what kind of food her son preferred.  Italian and cereal were two answers.  I shopped at Smith's today and purchased some lasagna and meat pies as well as a gallon of whole milk and a package of mini shredded wheat.  I tried to get deals on the items I purchased and I was able to bring my fuel points up above 100.

Home Again Riggety Jig

I have a sense of obligation to my grandson Rudy to go out to the park and McDonald's every Friday.  With the exception of the week or so his family went to Oregon this summer I have kept up my weekly visits.  There were warnings that the weather would be foul this evening.  Not only that, but my gas tank on my car was getting low and I needed to purchase some additional items from Smith's to reach the goal of getting 55 cents off per gallon of gas.  I decided that after I finished framing some prints for Marge's other helpers and wrapping some presents I would leave a couple of hours earlier than usual and shop at the Smith's Marketplace near Tricia's home.  I vaguely considered some items I might need or want, among them a magenta or pale blue top or sweater and some windshield fluid.  I also felt a need to replenish my supply of packing and packaging tape.  My drive to Salt Lake went relatively smoothly although I left the highway when it started to slow and there was a warning of an accident before the 215 exit.  I quickly made my way to an entrance to the freeway near Union Park,  watching my gas gauge as it crept lower than I had ever let it go.  At Smith's I found a lovely magenta sweater, some toys that I could give for birthdays in the spring, tape, needle nosed pliers, and a few sundries.  I realized later that I bought no food.  However I purchased enough to get the discount on gas I had been wanting.  Not only that, the gas price at the Smith's station was as low as I had seen, at least ten cents less than what I had hoped to purchase in Provo.  With the 10 cent discount I got for having at least 100 gas points, the 55 cents off from using my credit card discount, and ten cents less per gallon I saved effectively 75 cents per gallon on a full tank of gas.  Tricia came along with Rudy and me when we briefly went to the park than on to McDonalds.  I bought a six piece pack of chicken nuggets for her in addition to the nuggets, fries and Sprite I got for Rudy.  The drive home was in a light drizzle and slow but the traffic kept flowing.  I took an earlier exit off 800 North in Orem because I wanted to check to see if the $2.99 per pound for steaks was still available at Day's Market.  I quickly established that the price was no longer in effect but I have plenty of meat on hand and today, after a debacle yesterday, I ate a steak and extra fried fat at around 9 AM and have had nothing but my electrolyte mix and water since then.  I paid for my indulgence yesterday with a puffy tummy and some vague aches.  I felt no real temptation to repeat the experience. 

Good Day

Yesterday was an uphill climb but today was a font of good fortune.  I was able to purchase some nice meat to make 'meat nuts' this morning.  Then I helped Jacqueline make earrings and enhance a freshwater pearl necklace that I gave her.  I finished the prints I provided for Marge Lewis to give her family members and took wrapping supplies with me when I went to her house this evening.  With her help holding down edges I made short work of wrapping the packages.  I mended the hook in my temple robe while I was at Marge's house.  I am grateful for this day and all the days the Lord has granted me.  I am richly blessed with all that is good.

Less than Expected by Uphill

Today, December 10, 2019, I arrived at the Provo temple and found a fairly good parking place in the south parking lot.  I was running a little late to get into the session I wanted because my car windows were thickly frosted over and I thought I had turned on the defroster but had not done so.  At the recommend desk an older woman was getting instructions about closing dates from both of the brethren who were ignoring other patrons.  Because I was feeling rushed, I finally interrupted the brother who was waving my recommend around without scanning it while talking to the woman and suggested he hand it to the other man who had begun to pay attention to the people who were waiting.  I felt bad about the confrontation, recognizing that it was not the correct attitude to take with me into the temple and trying to justify myself in an inner dialogue.  The small list of trivial problems had begun when I tried to put on my earrings in the morning and had to fiddle around with one of them when the mother of pearl pendant came loose.  The last small difficulty came when my hook came loose on my temple robe and I had to request a pin which was promptly provided, but it was a rather small one.  I decided not to try to do another endowment session and settled on going to a sealing session after the first endowment.  I soon realized that a number of sisters were waiting for a sealing session which made my presence redundant.  I started home but stopped at Lucinda's home to visit.  I love her children and enjoy their return of affection.  After leaving her house I came home and 'harvested' my dehydrated beef bits which turned out rather well.  I haven't really eaten any of the jerky I made earlier this year.  I plan to stop at Day's Market tomorrow and purchase several more packages of loin steaks if they are still on sale.

Gift Preparation on Track

This morning, December 9, 2019, I mailed out packages to Florida, Alabama and Virginia that contain gifts for my descendants.  I stopped at Day's Market after taking Alden, Calvin and Jacqueline to seminary and found a sale on loin steaks although the main aim of the stop was to replenish my sealing tape supply in order to finish wrapping gifts for the local family.  I prepared the steaks to be dehydrated by chopping them up into roughly 1/2" pieces and salting them generously with Real Salt.  I took some over to Lucinda and mended Patricia's doll.  After the rest of the family left I returned and started Jacqueline on putting together a pearl necklace for her aunt.  Later in the day I wrapped and labeled many of the presents for family.  There are still some that I expect from Amazon, but I am in the final stages of having everything ready.  I love accomplishing tasks and taking on unexpected challenges like making what I am choosing to call 'beef nuts'. 

Christmas Gifts

I have four families that live away from convenient dropping off of gifts.  Since I no longer subscribe to Amazon Prime I have to package up the gifts and send them.  I made a list of what I am giving to various people and with the original sorting there were only two for whom I had not yet purchased a gift, or planned to regift in the case of earrings.  Today I spent a fair amount of time working with the prints that Marge has decided to purchase for her various children.  Fortunately I discovered that the print which fell in some sawdust was not damaged to any extend.  Several other prints had glossy spots after I sprayed them with UV protective spray.  The gloss has faded.  I packaged up the print for Marge's daughter in Arizona, made a gift card for her to sign using some paper and some clipart from the web plus an envelope that fit.  I mailed it on my way to Salt Lake at the BYU mailing facility.  It feels satisfying to come so near the goal of taking care of all my Christmas gifting.
Today I left home early to avoid bad traffic and had plenty of time to stop at the artesian well park near Liberty Park in Salt Lake and fill four gallon containers with water.  A man with three 5-gallon tanks and an assortment of gallon containers was willing to let me use one of the three spigots.  Fortunately the day was clear and mild and I had plenty of time.  As he and I neared the end of our water filling a couple of oriental people who seemed to be from the neighborhood came with a couple of containers each.

Slower Day

I've had a slower day today.  After taking the kids to seminary and going to the Provo temple until around 10:30 I went shopping at Macey's and the Dollar Tree.  Then I put in a wash and took a long nap.  Later I sorted out the gifts for my family for Christmas and a few birthdays.  I spent some time looking at youtube videos about diet and some time participating in posts on Facebook.  Tomorrow I plan to finish up the prints for Marge and her family and hope to get the print mailed to her daughter.  I would like to include a gift card with Marge's name in the package.  Afternoon will be a trip to Salt Lake to be with Rudy and Hannah.

Hobby Shops

Today I set myself to finish my portrait of Marge Lewis and prepare prints.  I framed one of the prints and took it to show her this evening.  It is meant to be mailed to her daughter in Arizona.  I left early from sitting with her because her son was coming over to watch a game with her.  Although it meant I would not make $39 dollars for the hours between 6 and 9 PM, it meant I had time to go shopping at Michaels and use a coupon for 60 percent off I received in an e-mail.  I used it to purchase some 6" x 8" canvas pads with the intention of using them to frame some picture of pomegranates for my ministered sisters.  Unfortunately the dollar store did not have the right size frames so I purchased 5"x7" frames and cut down the printed images.  One of the three frames I purchased is mangled.  On the other hand I purchased two frames, one 16"x20" suitable for the portrait of Marge, and the other 11"x14" which will fit one of the prints.  The total bill was $23+ which is about what one of the frames would have cost if it were full price.  Earlier in the day I took Jacqueline, Diana and Lelia to several stores.  We intended to go to a bead and rock shop but along the way we went to a RPG Game store where they had miniatures that would have fit my tiny Christmas scene as far as size is concerned, but they were mostly monsters.  We then stopped at a model train store but they were out of the kind of animals I was looking for.  At the rock shop Diana and Lelia were given tumbled stones.  Jacqueline bought pearls to string as a necklace for her mom and I bought a chalcedony pendant and some findings.  The girls were told to take candy canes from the Christmas tree as we left the shop.  We then drove to the paper store to get gift jewel boxes on reference from the man at the jewelry store.  It was fun going shopping with the girls.

Ticking off the list

Today I decided to register my car and renew my driver's license after I left the temple where I was able to help an acquaintance from the PCCT do twice as many cards as she would otherwise have been able to do.  I drove to the State office building to register for 2020 and found that I needed to get an emissions inspections before I could register.  Then I drove out to what I thought was the driver's license office but they were closed and referred me to Springville.  Fortunately I needed to make a deposit at the credit union that shares the building so my trip was not wasted.  I made an appointment with the dealership to do the inspection and they printed out the papers needed and gave me the sticker for next year.  I then drove to the Orem office of the DMV and obtained a renewal of my driver's license.  I could have renewed online but I needed an eye check and I have lost 50 or more pounds since I had my previous license and wanted that information, both written and pictured, on my new license.  I also located a rock shop I used to patronize which has moved to a different location in Orem.  It is in a larger location and has a larger stock of rocks, beads and jewelry findings.  I purchased a fossil cabochon bead for Rochelle and they added a copper wire connector for 25 cents.  It felt like a day welly spent.

Narrowing in on Final Version

I spent some time today working on my portrait of Marge Lewis, particularly the small portrait of her husband.  I need to make it more accurate but at the same time avoid making it the focal point.  I took it to her home this evening and her son and daughter-in-law stopped by to bring her a poinsettia.  The portrait was in the living room and there was no graceful way to conceal it.  They really seemed to like it.  I am grateful that I have the talent to portray the likeness of people.

Christmas Decorations

Over the years I have accumulated a number of Christmas decorations.  For the past few years I have established a tradition of having my Hancock grandchildren come up and decorate the house.  They put up the tree, arrange the lights, sort out the ornaments, which are mostly transparent globes containing pictures of the various family members, and put them all in place.  There is a bisque porcelain creche set that goes on the console cabinet under my south window that is now a projection screen behind curtains.  There are three figurines I made for my mother years ago and got back after her death that represent the 'Littlest Angel', the 'Little Drummer Boy', and 'The Little Matchgirl'.  There is a hoop of silver bells and ivy for the outside front screen door and two centerpieces that go with different table cloths.  There is also a scene of a Victorian village that includes a service station for flying cars, including the DeLorean from 'Back to the Future'.  I put that up on my jewelry chest under a mirror in place of a Star Wars display that usually sits there/  I keep the Christmas tree lights on until I take down the tree, possible because of LED lights that don't heat up.  I enjoy the feeling of gentle festivity these decorations bestow on my home and the children love to see the room when it is finished.