John and Eloise

While we were serving our mission in Nauvoo, another couple came several months after we got there.  They were also an FM couple.  As the time went on we became great friends.  Last year we asked them if they would like to come to Nauvoo and work the security team for two weeks with us.  They agreed and we found ourselves together again.

Everything was going along just great with working together.  Eloise and I worked backstage almost every night except when one or the other of us worked the 2-6am or had the night off.  Pat and John worked together in the handicapped parking lot each night they were on as well.

We shared meals together and did a bit of touring together.  We did spend some time apart but lots of time together.  On the second Wednesday night we were having dinner at the pageant building and Eloise asked me if a carton of chocolate milk was mine.  I told her that I had mine.  Then she asked if the glass of water in front of her was mine.  Nope.  A minute later she asked again if the milk was mine.  I thought it was really weird and wondered to myself if she was having a stroke.  We were off that night until 2am so we were sleeping when John called me as he was locked out of the house.  He said he was really worried about Eloise as she was acting strange and was going to take her to the E.R. as soon as their shift was over.  I got Pat out of bed and we went to the stage and covered their last two hours so he could get her there asap.  

John came back at 4am and said they ran every test they could think of and nothing showed up.  He was really worried about her as was evidenced on his face.  He was up early the next morning and back to Fort Madison to the hospital.  I called him later that morning and he informed me that she had a UTI.  That explained a lot!  We visited her in the late morning and she was looking great but had no recollection of Wednesday.  By Friday afternoon she was out of the hospital and they were able to finish out their assignments on our last night.  

It was such a scary time and we prayed for she and John.  It was such a wonderful time to be with them for an entire two weeks.  I thank God for bringing these wonderful friends into our lives.  How we love them!

 

Improvements

Grandson Brock asked if I had any jobs for him so he could earn some money.  I actually did have some jobs that I meant to get at but with his help I could do them faster.  One of them was to clean and re-stain my wooden lawn furniture.  He power washed all of the benches as well as the front banister.  

Once he had those clean and they were dry he came back the next day to restain them.  I painted the banister as I didn't want paint dripped on the concrete like the last time I had a kid help me.

I think everything turned out great!  He stained and painted and mowed lawn and got enough money to buy whatever he was after.  

After coming home from two weeks in Nauvoo and prior to going to Mackinac, I wanted to weed the area on the north side of the house.  I didn't get very far before we were gone again.  

I bought a new to me bike to take along since our e-bikes are not allowed on the island.  Brock asked again if I had any jobs to earn more money.  Adam tried out my "new" bike and asked if he could trade me his for mine.  I agreed but asked him to help Brock and I with this job.  

It was a very hot and humid day but we all worked hard and we got it finished.  I discovered that when those boys want to earn some cash, they work pretty hard.  I'm grateful for the help and their willingness to spend time with me.  I appreciate them so much for helping me get this accomplished.

 

Backstage

Except for the days off and our 2-6am shifts, I was assigned backstage every night except the final two.  It is an easy assignment but I never did get our front to see the performance.  Pat filled in for Eloise after he was done shuttling people in, for two nights so she could go watch it with John.  

It is interesting to watch the people scramble around to get into their places and be ready to get on stage.  We had beautiful weather for most of the time.  Not at all typical of Nauvoo.

Some of the principle actors came and talked to me and thanked me for my service.  Being backstage just means we aren't to let anyone who isn't supposed to be back there past us.  Eloise was really good at it.  She questioned everyone.

It was really quiet back there until about 8:15 when the cast started coming back.

I loved watching all the little things like people sneaking on to the stage when they were late or the gathering of props.  Watching the work crew under the stage was also something new for me. 

Just prior to leaving, the moon was getting bigger and coming out while it was still light.  A good shot of the Yearsly home.  I liked watching everything happen with the "buildings" going up and especially the temple being constructed.  

The very best part was at the end of the Nauvoo pageant when the real temple is lit up and President Hinckley's voice is heart telling about Joseph's temple faced west and Brigham's temple facing east as they are bookends with volumes in between.  Each time I would look at the temple and hear his voice, the Spirit would wash over me.  I knew I was standing on holy ground.  I was again reminded of the importance of temples.  It was a moment that made up for not being able to have an assignment that was more exciting.  Such a wonderful experience!

 

Train!

Staying with the Steens has some real perks.  Marty built this train for his grandchildren and ours got to enjoy it too.

Pat got to pull them around in the yard and even in the neighborhood.

I think Butch and Lydia's faces tell how much they liked it.

Across the street in the condo parking lot was a great place to pull them.  Especially with the missionary vehicles gone.

Papa! You should build one!

Family in Nauvoo

The Gourley and Fillmore families minus Clint and Jeff spent a few days in Nauvoo.  They took the temple city tour and here are Tom and Adam cutting stone for the temple.

The Gheen home is part of the same tour.  I loved giving that tour!

On the nights when we worked the 2-6am shift or when we had the day off, we were able to go to the County Fair with our kids.  Almost all of them except for maybe Henry loved trying the stilts.  

They came on Wednesday night but couldn't get into Don's house until Friday so they crashed with us at Jamie and Marty Steen's home.  Children were sleeping everywhere!

The first night we played tug-of-war and mostly the littles loved it.  

I don't know who this man is but he was willing to help Lydia pull.

I think our children and our grandchildren love Nauvoo as much as we do.  Our testimonies have been strengthened each time we go.  I pray that the same thing happens for our grandchildren.

 

Nauvoo Security 2024

This is the third year we have gone back to Nauvoo to work as part of the security team for the pageants.  What was extra special this year was having John and Eloise Carlson there with us.  

We ran into Darryl (the plumber) one of our first days there.  We spent some time catching up and met Elder Astill who is living in our former apartment #9 at Village Inn.

As always, Pat had a co-pilot for a few nights in William.  Our final night he presented him with an Iron Man shirt with his name on it.  I never saw anyone get a hug so fast in my entire life!  It was sweet.

Most nights my assignment was backstage and on the first night the sun was shining on the temple so brightly as it was setting.  Many people came up to snap a photo.  A picture just doesn't capture what I really saw in person.

The water was really high on the Mississippi river so we didn't see any barge traffic until just before we left.  This beautiful shot was from behind Joseph and Emma's home.  I think our fence makes it even more beautiful  I painted that fence and Pat assembled it!

There are way too many deer in the city.  These twins were hanging out by an empty home.

We ran into Craig and Tori Sanders who we know from the City of Joseph pageant.  They are now serving as site missionaries!  It was so fun catching up with them.

Being on the south side of backstage paid off for me as the Lusvardis found me there.  I love them so much.  They were our mission president/companion when we arrived in Nauvoo for our mission.

Working the 2am-6am shift was full of adventure for these raccoons.  We saw them everywhere.  They tipped a lot of empty trash cans.  Fortunately they were empty.  One night just before we left, a raccoon found its way onto the stage during the performance.  Wish I could have seen that!

Athletic Banquet

Clint couldn't make it to Cami and Adam's athletic banquet so Clare asked if I wanted to come.  Why not?  I enjoy seeing the youth being recognized.

The girl's basketball team was recognized for winning their 4th straight conference title.  That really wasn't too hard considering what schools are in the conference.

Maddie Haffner was recognized as the outstanding basketball player she is.

Adam was chosen as the Most Improved on the boy's track team!  He's not great at what he does but he enjoys it.

Cami has improved in her discus throwing skills this year!  Even after not coaching for the last many years, I still enjoy watching the athletes compete!

 

What a Deal!

For years we have had a couch in the basement.  There's also a television down there so in the winter when the pellet stove is going and it is nice and warm, we spend a lot of time down there.  Couches have come and gone and the last one was our old leather one which was so cracked and worn.  

Pat wanted to buy some matching recliners to put down there.  I've been watching some online auctions to find some deals.  I discovered that you can go and look at the things up for sale prior to bidding.  We went to Cloverleaf Lakes and looked at some recliners.  We were outbid and didn't want to pay what they were going to sell for.  Instead we bid on a couch and loveseat with reclining ends.  

We won this loveseat with it's matching sofa for $3!  We gave the sofa to Andrew for their basement and brought the loveseat home.  While cleaning both the couch going out and the loveseat coming in, I found $1.50.  That meant I only paid $1.73 for both pieces.  The auction company gets 10% and we also pay tax.  The auction company made 30 cents off of us.  I haven't used it yet but Tom certainly has!

 

Concerts

Before school was out there was a scheduled concert which was cancelled due to impending weather which never materialized.  Better safe than sorry.  The concert was moved to a time during the school day instead.  

I think Brock didn't enjoy band in the beginning but he is doing so great in playing the trumpet.

Cami scored a 1* with her vocal solo which meant she qualified for state.  She didn't go because it was the same day as her prom.  She got to sing her song for us on this day.  She did great although the lyric wasn't something I was crazy about.

For the last several years the choir has consisted of only a handful of voices.  This year it was finally a choir!

Cami had independent choir her last semester so this day was the first time she was able to sing with the choir.  Whoever heard of independent choir?

It was a relatively short concert but I was so glad I went.

Great job Cami, Adam and Brock!

 

Donny Osmond Concert

My whole life I've wanted to see Donny Osmond in concert. I grew up on the music of the Osmond Brothers and just always loved it.  We went to Vegas and were there a bit too early to catch his concert.  He's doing a summer tour and it kicked off in Milwaukee and then he came to Appleton!  That close I wasn't going to miss it.

Of course his song Puppy Love is probably the one he's known for.  He sang it for us just after he opened with Soldier of Love.

I loved that he was so interactive with the audience.  He sang a rap that chronicled his career.  It was accompanied by a slide show.  That was so fun to watch and listen to.

He spent time asking the audience what songs of his 60 albums he should sing.  That was fun and so entertaining.  

Then he brought out his "brothers" to sing with him.  He has some incredible dancers who doubled as his brothers.  

At the end he gave a great tribute to Andy Williams!  I loved that!  He had video footage of he and his brothers as well as Marie from when they were just little kids.  I love that he gave credit where credit was due.  Besides, I always loved Andy Williams too.  It was a fun night and one of my most favorite concerts ever.  And I got to spend it with my best guy!

Cousins

On June 29th, Gresham had their Independence Day celebration with a parade and fireworks in the evening.  This is the day I throw a picnic at our home for whomever wants to come.  This year, Nichola and Stefanie have moved back to Wisconsin so it was a no-brainer that they along with Alyssa would be here.  Not only that, but the Robertson reunion was the next week so Zack and Zane and families were also in town.

The school is getting new playground equipment and there were a few pieces no one wanted.  One of them being the "spider".  It is set up on the south lawn just below the driveway.  I'm sure I don't know the names of all these 2nd cousins but I think they had a good day getting to know one another.

Alex and Cate were also in town so it was really just a family reunion plus Edwina and the Raddants.  I didn't get to have time with everyone, but I think all had a good time renewing and remembering.

We had to have a photo so all the cousins who were in attendance created a pose on the front steps.  Pat threw a water balloon just prior to me snapping a picture that hit Tom almost squarely in the crotch.  That got some good laughs!

In the end I really did get a better photo than this one.  It was so fun to have all these people together once again.  It made my heart smile.

What a She Saw Can Do

We had a storm with high winds come through at the end of June.  We didn't have any trees down at our house since the willow was taken out a couple years ago.  But there was a tree down on the corner of Herman Street and Lyndhurst Road.

Tom and I took the "she saw" (it's the battery operated one) and began clearing the debris.  There was quite a bit that we could just throw in the ditch but then a lot that was still attached to the tree.

When we were finished, traffic could easily go through as though there hadn't been a problem at all.  I never used the power saw prior as it is just so heavy for me.  This little Stihl is the perfect size!

We Did a Thing

Andrew graduated from NWTC in May with his degree as a Physical Therapy Assistant.  We're so proud of him for accomplishing this task.  He never really liked school outside of the socialization and athletics.  Cierra graduated with her Master's degree last summer and we never got around to giving her a party.  

Cierra wanted to throw a surprise party for Andrew and with her family coming for a visit and celebrating Eddie's birthday all in one weekend, I told her we would handle the party for Andrew.  What she didn't know was that the party was also for her.  

Invitations were printed and sent out and food was ordered.

I was with Edwina in Green Bay for her shoulder surgery all day so my children had to figure out how to set everything up and pick up the roast beef.  I got the cake from Costco on our way home.

Cierra took her family to Bay Beach and told us she would get back about 5:15.  We had everything ready when they arrived.  It was so fun seeing her face as she recognized that the party wasn't just for Andrew but also for her.  He was oblivious to what was going on.  

We had banners, food, friends and family, a bouncy house for the kids and lots of pictures.  It could not have gone any better.  I'm so proud of both of them for their wonderful accomplishments.  Cierra made a poster for Andrew and we had Sydney Wagner make a matching one for her.  I loved all of it.