Flushers

Yesterday after we were finished with our day, I got a call from Casey, the plumber.  He asked if we could come to the Visitor's Center and bring all our friends to flush toilets.  Apparently there was a rock or some of obstruction in the pipe and Darryl figured that a lot of water running through the pipes would wash it out.

I called the Odums and invited them to the "party."  The Bailies showed up a few minutes later and with the six of us plus Casey we were able to flush a lot of toilets. 

These are the kind that are self flushers.  Well, if you hold the button down the water will just keep running.  So for perhaps five to ten minutes we held those buttons down and let the water run.

My companion laid on the floor and flushed two toilets at the same time.  Good thing the place has been closed for two months.  The floors were clean.  I was amazed at the rusty water that ran through due to the lack of use.

It isn't everyday that you find men and women hanging out in the ladies room.  Elder Bailie was singing Rock of Ages with some funky lyrics and making a lot of puns about flushing.  I have to say I've done some strange things on this mission, but this has to be the strangest!

The Mantle

There are two mantles in the William Weeks home.  They were both covered with layers of paint although they were original to the home.  Jared asked Sister Howard and I back in February to begin stripping the paint off.  We worked on the east one all day for three days.  I put some stripper on the west one and let it do it's thing. 

 Jared took it off either later in the day or the next day and found faux marbling underneath.

Jared called the history department to tell them what he found.  He was able to remove the paint to expose the original marbling. 

He cleaned it and then put a clear lacquer over the top.  Then he went about fixing the spots on the mantle that needed some attention.

This picture shows the original marbling.  The top part of this photo is the faux marbling done by Jared.  He did an amazing job!  I was amazed watching him work.  

He hasn't quite finished it yet, but it looks amazing.  On Saturday he was going to begin the marbling on the east mantle.  By the way, that one was completely stripped and was scheduled to be marbled as well.  Upon examination, Jared found that the east mantle was not marbled at all.  The gray he found under the paint was actually soot.  Therefore, he called the history department and they instructed him to faux grain it instead.  Pictures of both mantles to follow.

A New Net

We loved being able to get together with the other couples and go play pickle ball together.  With the state of Illinois being shut down we have missed being with these friends.  We couldn't go to the gym to play either since that was also closed.  We did the next best thing.

We ordered our own pickle ball net.  Then we asked permission to put up a court at the compound.

Jordan said yes and so it begins.

We texted the Carlsons and Flanders and asked if they were up for playing.

They agreed and the Elders taped the court while the Sisters put the net together.

Sister Flanders served as we got started.

The Carlsons got into the swing of it quickly.

Elder Flanders, as always, is very competitive.

How we love playing with these two.  They took us under their wing and taught us the game.

Elder Carlson is also quite a competitive guy.

In front of the warehouse seemed to be the best spot to put our court.  The concrete is flat and there are walls on two sides so we don't have to chase balls as much.

The down side is that when you're facing west, the sun is in your eyes.

What a learning curve to play outside.  The ball doesn't have the same bounce.

The other issue is the wind.  This can cause a ball to basically stop it's forward flight.  A ball that indoors would clearly be out of bounds can find it's way inside the end line with the aid of the wind.

Things that are easy inside are not so much out.

At this point we have three couples who play but we have invited others or some just show up while we are playing.

The Ballards came and he loved it!  But then he's a tennis player.  She did alright even though she isn't an athlete.

The Robertsons showed up and while she just wanted to observe, he was ready to try it.

He played quite well.  Even took a digger trying to get a ball.

Mostly we play as couples together but on occasion we play with someone else when we're teaching the game to someone else.  Pickle ball was what really brought us together with the Flanders.  I knew him from the paint shop but found out how lovely she is by getting together to play and get some exercise.  How we love this group of people!

Mother's Day

On this Mother's Day I am sitting in Village Inn #9 on Parley Street in Nauvoo.  I am a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  I love what I'm doing!

Last July we were able to be part of Nauvoo on the Road.  This photo was taken at the Davis County Fair in Iowa.  

This morning I received a text from my daughter in law, Cierra.  I love that she shares her talent with me.  

As I thought about past Mother's Days, I remember the first time this day came after I lost my own mother.  A very well-meaning member of the Sunday School or Bishopric told us to go home and call our mothers and tell them how much we love them.  My thought was, "That's easy for you to say.  You still have your mother.  What about those of us whose moms have left this earth?"  I was angry and hurt.  I went home and cried my eyes out.  My heart was still so raw and tender.  I despised Mother's Day for years after that.  Fortunately, I have grown and healed since then.  

So today I can give thanks for a mother who was not easy on me but I'm glad I had her as she helped me become the person I am.  I'm grateful for the five amazing people who call me mom.  I'm grateful for the seven littles (almost eight) who call me Nana and call my daughters mom.  Life is wonderful if we look for the wonders within it!

Stairs

Some of the new homes have these beautiful walnut stairs.  In fact, all but the Weeks home have them.  When work in the upstairs was finally complete and no more contractors would be going up there, we got word to oil the stairs.  Before that could be done they needed sanding.  Imagine that!  Sanding the wood.  The covering that was taped to each tread had to be removed and the tape residue needed to be sanded off.  These particular stairs also had some wallpaper paste that got spilled on them and needed to be sanded off as well.

When I finally finished sanding, I vacuumed and dusted them.  Then used a tack cloth to get any further dust off.  Finally I was able to apply the Danish oil.

These are gorgeous!  This is in the Hunter home.  I also sanded the Gheen stairs but did not get to oil them.  So pretty!

Wallpaper

I've had the privilege to work in the four new historic homes that are being renovated here in Nauvoo.  Three were under construction when I arrived 11 months ago and the other sprang out of the ground last fall.  All of them should be finished in about a month.  I've painted walls, sanded word work both before and after installation.  I also cleaned.

Last week the wallpaper went up in these homes and here it is.

I was a little taken aback as I walked into the Edward Hunter home and saw the above pattern as well as the one below.  I don't mind the pattern of this one, but it surely doesn't go with the border.  I'm told the gentlemen installing it called Salt Lake to ask if they sent the right stuff.  Apparently it isn't supposed to match.

This one would NEVER find it's way into my home.  First of all, I'm not a big fan of purple and secondly, it is just way too out there for my taste.  But, the redeeming quality of this one is that the border, which Jared thinks is all wrong, helped to bring out the faux graining we did on the wood.

In the Orson Hyde home the paper runs up the staircase and through a hallway to the broom closet which most people will never go through.  At least they shouldn't.  The wallpaperers said it is very fragile and just someone brushing against it inadvertently could tear it.  Why are we using such "period correct" quality in a tourist attraction?

My favorite is in the William Weeks home.  I think our wood work pops out and becomes a focal point.  I don't know if that will still be the case once the place is staged.

Sister Howard and I worked on this fireplace mantle to take off layers of paint in order to find the original finish.  I only worked on it for part of a week.  She worked on it for weeks.  When all was said and done, Jared sanded it down, sealed it and then painted over it.  In the end he will faux marble it to try and match the one in the other room.  Unfortunately, the marble color will clash with this paper.

Finally the Gheen parlor.  Although this paper and border match, it is a bit too busy for me.  But with the papers installed, the floors are next to be finished.  Jared worked feverishly to get the touch up paint finished before the wood floors have some type of finish put on them.
I look forward to the finished product and finally having a tour of them.  I will know what I did to help restore and beautify each one.  I love what I'm doing!

Jeff

Sometimes I have these thoughts about my family.  We lost my mother far too young.  We lost Tina even younger and that just wasn't fair.  My vibrant daddy got brain cancer and was taken.  We have experienced enough and therefore God will surely spare us from further difficulties like these.  I'm wrong of course.  Our difficult things are different than other family's difficulties.

 Two weeks ago Sammi brought Jeff home from the hospital after having a surgery to remove a tumor from his thymus.  It was a pretty major surgery as he had to have his chest cracked open to remove the tumor.  Due to the corona virus, Sammi was not allowed to stay or even go visit him while he was hospitalized.  All of the blood work came back clear of cancer and the PET scan showed no cancer either so we were all very optimistic.

A few days later we were waiting for a devotional with Elder and Sister Renlund to begin when Sammi called to tell us that Jeff was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Cancer.  The ugliest word I know.  It stole my sister Tina and then my dad.  Now it has affected my family once again.  I was devastated and immediately thought that we would have to cut our mission short and come home.
We listened to the Renlunds talk about how we can serve while we are restricted.  Prophets in the scriptures were often restricted.  At the end of his remarks Elder Renlund gave an a blessing to us as historic site missionaries.  He said, "In conclusion I leave my apostolic blessing with you of protection for you as you serve and upon your families.  Your families will be blessed more than if you were with them.   Miracles will happen.  You will sense His joy in your service."  That was exactly what we needed to hear.  It was a testament to both of us that we needed to stay here and continue to serve.  We can bless their lives greater by continuing to serve.