Monday morning I had another appointment with the dentist.  I've really been dreading this one.  Last time I was in there he showed me the x-rays of my teeth and said that one tooth in the back was broken and there was no way to save it. He said I could either do a bridge or an implant. He also said that after looking at the x-ray, he could see that I didn't have very much bone  under that tooth, so  he may have to do a bone graft.  great. I didn't want a bridge, so he will do an implant there.  It can't be any worse than the last one...I shouldn't say that...with my teeth, it can always be worse. 

 It already had a crown on it so at my last visit he took that off and kind of drilled away at it till it was just flat there.  Then on Monday, he drilled some more, then took it out in pieces.  I tried to go to my happy place, but couldn't seem to find it.  After about a half hour of him digging and picking and pulling and about climbing on top of me in the chair, he said "OK!  that went really well!"  Ha!  He packed my mouth with gauze and told me to take it easy for a couple days and sent me on my way.  I paid another portion of the bill which was almost more painful than the work he just did.  I

I stopped at walmart to pick up a pain prescription on the way home.  My mouth was still full of gauze and all numb so I'm sure I was quite a sight.  I found out later that I had blood in my hair too when KC came up to me and said " I think you have some barbecue sauce in your hair"  awesome.

I came home and just laid down for a little while...I didn't want to take the pain pills unless it hurt really bad.  I don't like the way they make me feel.  So I just took several ibuprofen.  When I woke up, it  didn't really hurt that much.  The bleeding had stopped, so I pulled out the gauze.  Kelley was out mowing and fertilizing the lawn, so I went out and piddled around in the garden, pulling a few weeds and picking up garbage that had blown around the yard.  I could see why Dr. L said to take it easy.  When I would bent over, I could feel my heart beating in my head and got kind of dizzy.  So I decided to just do as he said and take it easy. Just kind of lounged around, got some reading done. Yesterday when I looked in the mirror at it (it takes me a while to build up the gumption to look at my wounds...I get queasy really easy!  Even looking at my earring holes after I had my ears pierced made me light headed!  Ha sorry KC, you inherited that from me!)  it looked like it had some gauze shoved down in the hole where my tooth used to be.  I figured he must have left that in there for some reason.  When Kelley had his tooth pulled, he got a dry socket (so very painful...he took his whole bottle of pain pills, then wanted more!  that's not like him....very high pain threshold) and Dr. L. put gauze soaked in medicine down in the hole to help it heal.  So I figured that's what it was.  I was looking at the post -op directions and it didn't mention anything about having gauze in there.  It said for me to start rinsing my mouth with salt water on the second day.  I thought that would be weird with gauze still in my mouth, so I called the office to see what to do.  The receptionist thought that sounded weird, so she got the nurse.  The nurse said she had didn't think that sounded right, but went and got the nurse that worked on my mouth.  She said there was definitely no gauze in my mouth.  She asked me what it looked like.  I said it was white and pointy.  She said what I was seeing was the blood clot....that when it starts to heal, it turns white...definitely don't pull it out!  Ha!  I'm such a gomer.

 It's feeling pretty good today just continuing to take ibuprofen...I went and played racquetball, but didn't push it too much.

 Yesterday afternoon, we went over to Curtis' mom's house to pick up an organ that she wanted to get rid of.  She is getting new carpet and furniture and no one ever played it, so she was happy to see it go. Kelley and KC maneuvered it out her front door and down her steps to the truck.  It must have really been heavy.  I mean these guys are pretty strong and they were grunting and groaning trying to get it up into the truck.  They figured it must have been about 300 pounds. 

 There had been a storm brewing all day. The Weatherman had predicted winds 60 mph and he was right about that. It was the strangest storm.  While they were loading the organ up, all the sudden, the wind changed and the temperature dropped at least 20 degrees.  It was still blowing like crazy, but now it was cold.

 Kelley and KC covered the organ with a big tarp and secured it down.  As soon as we got going on the freeway, the tarp blew off.  I thought we had lost it cause it was so windy, but it was still in the back of the truck.  We pulled over and Kelley and KC got out and covered it again.  The wind was blowing so hard, I was afraid for them out there.Well we made it the rest of the way home and then they got to unload it. 

It really took some doing to get it downstairs.  It's in perfect condition and has all the bells and whistles you could ask for.    I think it will be fun to have.  I've always wanted to learn how to play the organ.  We turned it on and played with it a little bit, but I'll have to get out the instruction book to figure it out. (glad she still had it!)  I think what we will end up doing though, is giving it to this guy in the ward.  He plays the organ for Sacrament meeting and stake functions but doesn't even have a piano.  He goes to the church and practices when he can.  He is an amazing pianist...the kind that can just sit down and play with no music.  We are going to ask him if he would like it...he sure needs it more than we do.

Have I mentioned that I love these two more than life itself?  Well I do.

 This weekend turned out to be real nice. Friday morning I was trying to think of a dessert to take to the luncheon for Eve Robinson's funeral.  I decided since I had some eggs I would make cream puffs.  So I whipped some up and put them in to bake while I got ready for the funeral.  The timer went off just as it was time to leave.  I looked at them and they were not quite done.  So I set the timer for five more minutes.  When I looked at them again, they were browner, but I was afraid they weren't dry enough on the inside.  I had to go though, so I took them out.  When I got home from the funeral, this is what they looked like.  Flat as a pancake. (Why does this always happen when I have to take them somewhere? )  I was supposed to have my dessert there in about a half hour, so I was pretty desperate.  Then I remembered the brownies that were left after the ettiquette dinner.  They didn't eat any out of my pan, so I just made some frosting and frosted them and cut them up and took them up to the church.  They were actually very good!  I love that recipe for brownies and frosting I got from Susan H.

 The funeral was nice.  Sad and kind of different.  It appeared that only her one son was active in the church.  She was able to plan her funeral herself because she was in the process of dying for many weeks.  I like how she chose "Scatter Sunshine" for the opening song. I think that's a first.  She was a sweet lady that I loved working with in the YW many years ago in the original 6th ward.  Everyone has their own life path to go down...when she was diagnosed with cancer six years ago, she chose to forego any treatments. She tried several natural and holistic treatments and that may have prolonged her life. Who is to say what is the right thing to do...she had six pretty good years.  I think a lot of her friends were angry with her for her choice, but I think she must have had some good reasons for doing what she did.  A wonderful thing she did before she died...she was sealed to her husband and her children.  He has been advancing in the priesthood every few weeks till he was able to take her to the temple. She said that left her with a feeling of peace and hope for the time when Jim would join her on the other side.

 Saturday Candice came over and we colored easter eggs. 

 There was a little bag of green sparkles that came with the dye kit that got all over Candice.  We were finding sparkles on her for days! 

After we finished the eggs, we went shopping for a few things for the baskets. 

 When I got home Kelley was there!  They had driven 2900 miles in those four days.  I didn't expect him till late Saturday night but they made real good time.  They had picked up the bees Thursday night, then headed up to Oregon, then Washington making stops all along the way.  He brought two nooks home for us and the bees were going crazy!  I guess they had been stopped up in the boxes for a few days so they were anxious to get out and buzz around.  We both put on our suits and went out to check them out.  So glad to have him home!

 I picked up Candice early enough so we would have time to stroll through the gardens at Temple square.  It was just beautiful there.

 The people were lined up all around the Tabernacle to get into the concert.  I was kind of glad we weren't going there.  We walked over to the Joseph Smith building for the simulcast that we had tickets for there in the Legacy theater.  We had a few minutes before we had to be in our seats so we went in to look at this special art exhibit they had going on.  There were some real beautiful paintings and sculptures.  The artists were there to talk to us about their work.  It was pretty cool.  Just as we were leaving, I hear someone say "Leslie!"   This lady comes up to me and said "I'm Cynthia Kitchen!"  I would have never recognized her but once she said that, I remembered her.  I told her I was Leslie's sister...we did look so much alike when we were younger!  She said she had put this exhibit together...she knows lots of the artists and had thought it would be great to have this exhibit at Easter time.  Anyway, she said she just lives in South Jordan so I'm going to look her up!  Small world! 

Then we ran into the Buie family and talked to them for a bit.  Then we hurried up to the theater.  I thought it might be kind of lame to not be in the Tabernacle, but it was not at all!  We had the comfortable seats (Tabernacle seats are the most uncomfortable...I would have died after 2 and a half hours!)  Then when they started the similcast, it was just like being there.  We decided it was even better because the camera would zoom in on the people when they were doing their part...all the instruments and soloists.  The sound was amazing!  They had four soloists that were so good!  The time really flew by and I felt like I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time, just taking it all in.  It was the whole Messiah by Handel.  I was familiar with several of the songs and they were all so beautiful!  The concert goes through Christ's life, from the prophecies of His coming, to His birth, (for unto us a child is born....oh my goodness, it was so powerful! and his name shall be called Wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the prince of peace!!!)  It went through all the good he did in his life and then the suffering, the atonement, the crucifixion, and then the resurection.  "And He shall live forever and ever...Hallelujah"   I'm so glad Candice and I were able to see it together.  I know she appreciated it too!

We had a really nice day at church.  The choir was singing so I went over early to practice.  Bishop and Naomi Light spoke.  I like to hear him talk.  He's so smart and can just get up there without any notes and explain so well what happened in the scriptures. (He knows where any scripture is and can quote it to you without even blinking an eye)  When the choir sang "I stand all amazed" it was hard to keep it together.  Then in Young Women, Charity had done the lesson on the seven things that Christ said while he was on the cross and what that teaches us about His character.  It was a beautiful lesson.

Sunday after church Curtis and his kids came over.  Candice and I were making ice cream so as soon  as we got that done, we all went out to hunt for our easter baskets. I had put them together after I got home from the concert, then Kelley came home from sunday school and hid them.  (Candice and I hid Kelley's when I got home from church...she had the best idea...buried in the irrigation cart! We were thinking that was the trickiest one ever when we buried it in the garden a few years ago...must get revenge on the evil bunny!)

 Leila found her's behind the chicken coop

 Benny was so funny...looked everywhere but where it was!  Leila helped guide him a bit.

He was excited

 KC's was hidden really good!

 Lizzy checking out the goodies

 KC walked by his about ten times...you're really really warm!  then he finally looked over the fence and it was duct taped to a tree in Winklers yard!  HA!

 Kelley looked forever for his...I'd keep telling him he was warm when he walked by the irrigation cart, but he didn't look in the dirt for it till about the tenth time.  Ha!  that was a good one!

 We all got squirt guns in our baskets so after everyone found theirs, we had a good water fight.  It was a lot of fun! 

 Benny was a pirate on the boat

 We made a nice dinner and probably the best ice cream I've ever had.  Then KC invited Sebeli to come over so we all got to meet her.  She is really pretty and just as nice as can be.  It was good to get to visit with her and get to know her.

Kelley surprised me with some beautiful flowers...He's so thoughtful...that means so much to me!

I was missing Katie, Camille and her family so much, but it turned out to be a beautiful Easter.  I'm glad that Katie could be with Camille for the weekend...it looks like they had a real nice one too.

I'm not sure why...maybe lack of sleep, maybe missing my honey, but my emotions have been awful close to the surface these past few days. (Sorry for the meltdown at Target yesterday Camille)
Kelley left Wednesday morning with Jamey for California to get some more bees.  They were actually delivering a bunch of nooks up through Washington and Oregon.  So they picked up the bees Thursday evening and started right away to make their deliveries.   It sounds like things are going much better than last year when they went down to get them. That played out like something that should have been in a horror movie.  Anyway, they are on their way home now.  I've sure missed him.  Since he's taken this change in his career path, I've loved having him at home.  As I've talked to other ladies about it, most say that they go crazy  and they can't get anything done when their husbands are home from work.    It does change the things that I would normally do, but I love having him around.  He's always making me laugh, (taping things together in my purse or just filling it with random things...the latest was finding a big mango in the zipper pocket of my purse when I was at the store...(I thought my purse felt extra heavy.)  The lady at the check stand probably thought I was crazy when she saw me pull it out and start laughing. Jumping out from behind the door to scare me when ever I'm coming home...I come to expect him being there, but it still always makes me jump and scream.  Then there is always something done to my home decor when I get up in the morning...bags over my bunny heads...chickens all standing on their heads.  Yes this is my life...and I wouldn't want it any other way.
The garage door broke last week.  I pushed the button to close it and it started out ok, then I hear it just drop to the ground with a big bang.  I went out and looked and the big spring was broken.  Kelley checked around a bit and heard of a guy that Mark and Rick had both used to fix theirs.  So Kelley called him and set it up for him to come out.  He came out Wednesday after Kelley had left.  ( I don't really like dealing with things like this ( and car things that I know nothing about)...he's trying to explain to me about the mechanism of the door and cussing the way that the shelves had been built on the sides of the garage, making it impossible for him to take the broken spring off.)  He was an older r fellow and I don't think he wanted to tackle this job.  He had me take all the boxes of food storage off the shelves so he could see better what he was dealing with.(Ha this was funny...definitely not a LDS man...he looked at all the food storage and said "What's all this for?  Are you going to feed an army?")  Well he walked around looking at both sides of the door where the bar with the spring on it went across, mumbling about no room, then said " I always finish a job if I start it, but I don't think I better start this one.  I'm afraid I won't be able to do it on my own."  He recommended this company called Toone Door and left.  I called them and told them what was going on and they sent someone right out.  He looked at it and said 'no problem'...that they would come back the next day and do the job. 
A different guy came out Thursday and put in new springs.  Then when he tried to run it, it just made this grindy sound.  He said pushing the button to try to make it go when the spring was broken had stripped the screw thing that pulls the door up. (I think we all had hit that button a few times...it's sch a habit!)  He didn't have the part so he said he would come back Friday and finish it.  They were great and got it all working nicely Friday afternoon. ( I was thinking it was still not working because it was so quiet, (it usualy sounded like a train coming through the garage) but then he showed me how nice and smooth it went up and down...no clanking or creaking!)  Hooray!
I had seen that Jane was looking for a sub for bunko Thursday night, so I asked Candice if she wanted to play.  She was all about it so she came over after work, we picked up Stacey and headed over to Karens' house.  (Carla had at the last minute, gone to New York with Shauna...lucky girl can fly anywhere for free now!)
The bunko ladies are all so sweet and welcoming to Candice.   I just love them.  Karen had bought all of her dinner from Costco and it was just great.  Now why can't we all just do that instead of freaking out and worrying so much about what to make???   I can't really explain this night, but all the ladies were just really funny.  We couldn't remember what we were doing...what number we were on, if we had won or lost or even who we were playing with.  Candice just sat there smiling.  I'm sure she thought ( and she was right) that we were a bunch of crazy old ladies!)  Anyway, it was a fun, silly night...Watching Candice interact with these friends of mine just filled my heart. She could carry on a conversation with any of them and could definitely hold her own. She is such a strong,  friendly, kind, caring, compassionate person...truly cares about others feelings, plus she is funny as all get out.  They were talking at her table about yelling in the home.  I heard her say that it never happened at our house.(that was nice to hear that is how she remembered her childhood!)  then she said we did other scary things instead!  Ha!  I was laughing so hard....truly there are things scarier than people yelling!  Anyway, just love her to pieces.  I told her as she left and we had a big hug, how very grateful I am that she is mine.

A few things from the past few days...I've been working on this teenage mutant ninja turtle for Sam.  It took me a lot longer than I thought but he was fun to make and I think turned out pretty cute.  I hope Sam likes it.I got them mailed off Tuesday evening (tax day...ahhhh not a happy day at our house....can't we just run away to Canada or Mexico?)  I  didn't have time to get Emily's bunny done, so I will have to mail that later.  I found a cute little lamb to send with the others. ( reminded me of how Grandma J. used to call the kids her little lamb)

 

 We did the funnest activity for our combined on Wednesday.  Stephanie had told us a while ago that her mother-in-law teaches etiquette  classes.  So we decided to have an etiquette dinner with the boys.  It took a lot of planning and work to put it together, but with every one's help, it went off without a hitch.  This lady was really great with the kids.  She taught them a lot and I think they all really got it!  We served a nice dinner with soup, salad, chicken cordon blu, baked potatoes and rolls.  Then we had brownies and ice cream for dessert.  ( I learned a few new things too!)

Kelley has been working on these shelves in the bathroom.  They turned out real nice.  He's just the best!

 

Wednesday after racquetball (which went on for hours...we just kept playing...)  I went and got my hair done.  Keelee asked me if I'd ever tried putting my hair in a wave. I've watched the girls do it and liked it on them, but didn't think my hair would work cause it's so thin.  She showed me how to do it with the flat iron and it turned out kind of nice.  I'm not much good at the flat iron skills.  When I tried to do it myself, I ended up with a lot of kinks.  Ha!

We made these cute wreaths for young women Wednesday night (thanks to Stacey!) We had a great turn out and I think the girls had a fun doing them. Then I went in to visit with the Bishop.  Last week, Becky told me she isn't going to be able to go to girls camp this year.  She has a class down at BYU that she goes to every year that week.  She doesn't want to be released though.  She wants to do all the prep work and planning, then just have someone else go to camp.  When I told that to the Bishop, he was a little concerned about that working out.  I guess it would depend on who we asked to do the job.  So I gave him a couple names our presidency had talked about and he said he would take care of it. Then  yesterday at church, he said he had something he wanted to talk to me about.  I was waiting to go in to see him, and Becky came out of the library.  The bishop said that was great cause he wanted to talk to both of us.  He said he had been talking Sherry about the dilema we were having and she said she would like to do the job!  She said she loves YW and girls camp and would be happy to do it!  Ha!  Wow that was just a answer to our prayers!

Thursday night we had a stake camp meeting.  I was blown away by all the work this stake yw presidency went to for it.  Charlotte S is the stake camp director and she (like her aunt Cleo) never does anything small. I just had to take some pictures ...

 They want each ward to come up with a race that we will all do at camp.  The stake picked a hot air balloon race. 

 They had made big wood letters of the word GRACE,  and told us they were going to focus on each one of the letters each day.  Then showed several cute hand out ideas we could do for each day.  Such a neat display! They had made a big packet with all these ideas in it for each ward too.  Seriously so awesome!

 Gratitude

 Repentence

 Atonement

 Charity

Endurance

They told us that since we are going to be sharing camp sites with other wards, the stake was going to do all the food for camp!  Oh my gosh, I wanted to kiss her when she said that!  Food is the biggest and most challenging part of camp! And since Jenni wasn't going to be able to go either this year, this takes a huge load off of all of us!

 We got together Saturday morning to celebrate Teina's birthday.   It was so fun!  We met up in bountiful at the Smiths marketplace there because they were having fuchsia day.  You could bring your own pots and they would fill them with dirt and plant your plants that you bought there.  They had a lot of nice little geraniums for a good price too, so I got some of them too.  We went over to Home depot too because they were having a real good deal on their little plants too.  Then we went to Chile's for lunch.  It was so nice to catch up on each other's lives.  We talked about the family reunion and also planned to go to see Mary Poppins at the Hale theater.  I've been working on this picture for Teina ...used  this quote from one of my favorite talks from President Monson.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister

 Leslie sent me the cutest pictures of Kelsie's new baby.  He was born last week and is just cute as a bug.  They are going to name him Kai.  So great to see their little family growing.