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.