Of Course!

The curse has moved from the McKeehan home to the Torrance home! I walked into the family room a few minutes ago with a load of laundry from the dryer to fold, went to sit on the couch to fold, and slid in a huge puddle of water right in the middle of the room in front of the couch! Nearly went on my toosh!! I ran and turned on the light, grabbed a beach towel and started wiping it up, and as I was doing so, drops were dripping on my head. I looked up and it is coming out of the air duct vent in the ceiling. Called Ed, he raced home, and is investigating. Appears to be coming in where the chimney connects to the house, running between first and second floor and coming out vent. Ceiling is water stained, dry wall behind picture over fireplace, and my wood floor all affected so far. Merry Christmas to me!!!

Culture Shock

My car is in shock!

Miracle in snowy Rexburg

We drove through a snowstorm from Salt Lake to Rexburg and got here around 10:30am. We stopped at the hospital to see Lidia and Steve, then went to their apartment to do my laundry I had to bring with me cuz I was out of clothes! We were back at the hospital in time for Abbey's arrival, we were waiting in the waiting room, I was trying to contain Ed who was pacing all over the place! Last night we got to go into the nursery and see Abbey and then visit with Lidia who had finally been moved out of labor and delivery and into her room. We are so grateful they both are doing well and so excited to have a new granddaughter, Abigail Jane Torrance. She is beautiful! Last night as we drove back to hotel, outside temperature was 8 degrees!! As Cami would say, "coldie!"

On The Road To Rexburg...

We are in Salt Lake for tonight, drive was easy, roads clear, weather good. However, it is really windy in SLC with heavy snowfall expected tonight and tomorrow! We got out of the car at the hotel and I discovered Ed's suitpants had fallen off the hanger onto the floor of the car. Unfortunately the ice chest they had fallen on was leaking through a hole in it's bottom, we didn't know about, and his pants are literally ringing wet. I'm sure they are ruined, dry clean only! Got checked in and the thought occurred to me that I don't remember anyone asking what kind of room I wanted, so I told Ed I don't know what we're going to find sleepwise!! Now we are in our room and the maintenance guy is here with us! Window was wide open and wouldn't shut or latch. Drapes blowing straight out, very cold and windy in room!! He is screwing it shut, now that we've waited a half hour for him! Go Marriott! Oh, and we have two queens!

Christmas Reflections

Last night I was feeling overwhelmed, unorganized, unprepared and unable to become either organized or prepared, and buried under responsibilities of this Christmas Season. We had been asked to help clean the church last night, and after being at work all day, rushed home to throw something together for dinner so we could head out to that assignment, and had an email from Relief Society asking for help in a service project for tonight! Then of course, Wed. night is enrichment (of which I am in charge), Thurs. night Roundtable, and another week is gone!!! As we quickly gobbled down our sandwiches and fries, we discussed whether I should "just say no"! A very sweet feeling came over me as the thought came into my mind of how very blessed we have been this year. As businesses are failing all around us, we so far are still marching along. We quite possibly could have lost two grandsons (and their parents) last month due to illness and fire, yet all are safe and well. Ed and I have had our share of health issues this year, Lidia and Abbey have persevered through a rough pregnancy and have nearly reached the end and both are safe and well. Some of us have endured rough economic times. We have not by any means had an easy year in 2008, but we have emerged intact, stronger, more united and maybe even a little smarter! How ungrateful it would be of me to focus on me and what I want rather than what those around me need, esp. at this time of year. Oh sure, we can donate money through tithes, offerings and donations, but that is the easy part. At this time of year it is the time I've been asked to give that requires me to dig deep and sacrifice of the little I have. So, with a change in attitude that affected the whole experience, we went off and helped clean. We will go off again tonight and with a happy heart and attitude for the opportunity to serve whatever disaster survivors wherever in the world they may be by putting together cleaning kits for the humanitarian center. And, all the rest of the "stuff" of the Season will fall into place as our hearts, minds and hands are in the right place. I love this counsel from Howard W. Hunter from a Christmas past:

I love my new background, thanks Allison!  Hey, I replaced the picture without destroying anything!!!  I am so technical!