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.