Cupboard Top Space Update

 This month I have been deep cleaning my kitchen, cleaning out the cupboards, pantry, refrigerator and freezer, and even cleaning the oven.  I noticed how dusty and dated the decorations above the cupboards were, so I asked Amy to come help me update.  We went to Hobby Lobby and Amy said to put "anything that spoke to me" in the cart!  We ended up with way too much, and spent time eliminating some.  After we got it home, we had to eliminate even more, but I love the way it turned out.  Thanks to Amy for her time and patience with me, and  Todd for figuring out how to fill the tops with wood so the stuff could be seen.

Before and after over the pantry

Before and after over the cupboards

I even updated my picture wall a little.

Snowball Fight

 

This morning on my walk, I came across this scene.  The ice rink (the old Lucky Store) is right across the street from my path and evidently, I got there just as the Zamboni finished doing it's thing.  The boys were having a great time throwing snowballs at each other.  This picture sure put a smile on my face!

Strawberry Tower

 

When Todd was here in September, we ordered this tower to plant strawberries in.  He stayed a couple of day after Christmas, so we got it put together and filled it with dirt.  Today, Lori Stricklin took me to the nursery to get the strawberry plants.  I now have 42 plants ready to produce lots of fruit.  Or, at least I hope so!  Fingers crossed!!

It's a Monster!!

 Picked the first orange of the season...and it's a whopper!!  Juicy and lots of flavor.  I only have five or six oranges this year, but I'm looking forward to enjoying every single one!!

Spin the Wheel--Monday's Memory

Back in 2013, I babysat the kids one day when they had the day off for teacher's meetings.  For a treat, I took them to Chuck e Cheese for lunch and some games.  Wyatt invested his money on the "wheel of fortune" to win some tickets.  And win he did!  He hit the jackpot of 125 tickets.  I just love that smug look on his face, like, of course I won!!  Easy peasy!!!

This picture came on his mission feed.  I asked Wyatt what it  was all about.  His answer..."I won the punching bag game."

Now you know as much as I do!!

My Testimony

 Emma's last email encouraged us to bear our testimony, however sweet or simple.  It took me a few days to collect my thoughts, but I have now sent her my testimony.  I decided I should share that post here, too.  I want my posterity to know that I had a firm belief of God's love for me.

Hi sweetheart.  I actually tried to make a voice memo about this yesterday on my walk, but the traffic noises were too loud so it was difficult to hear me.  So, I'll try it this way.

When you talked about testimonies being sweet and simple, it really hit a chord with me, because I've always thought that.  When ever I'm doubting or confused, when I need some reassurance, I usually go to primary songs

"Pray, He is there. Speak, He is listening. You are His child, His love now surrounds you.  He hears your prayers. He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the Kingdom of  Heaven"

I have had too many times in my life that my prayers have been answered to doubt. I know He hears me.  I know He loves me.  I know He is in my life.

Another primary song..." I know my Father lives and loves me, too.  The spirit whispers this to me and tell me it is true.  He sent me here to Earth, by faith to live His plan.  The spirit whispers this to me and tells me that I can."  Nothing is too hard.  We need to live by faith, not necessarily a perfect knowledge. That knowledge will come step by step as we act by that faith.

Last song is a choir favorite of mine, "Believe in Christ"  The chorus..."I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten, who came to the Earth to atone for my sins.  I know God loves me and His spirit will guide me. He is my redeemer, my Savior and King."

When those doubts or concerns come, I go back to the basics.  God lives and loves me.  He hears and answers my prayers.  Act by faith, not fear. Jesus Christ is my savior, redeemer, and king.  Everything else is fluff.  I love you and I appreciate this invitation.  I'm not sure I have ever written any of this down.

Wheel Barrow--Monday's Memory

Todd Mortensen made this wheel barrow for my front porch many, many years ago.  And it has been absolutely perfect for that spot.  Depending on the season, it has been filled with fall pumpkins and gourds, or poinsettias at Christmas.  My favorite might be a big, beautiful fuchsia in the spring, like the one pictured below. It has gone through many replacement wheels made by a friend, but the last straw was this last week when I removed the poinsettias and the entire bottom fell off.  I'm so sad to say goodbye to this old friend, but the time has come.

 

A Fun Way to Start 2026

Todd and Kathy always have a fun New Years Eve party, with different activities every hour.  Kathy posted this picture and I just love it.  They both look so happy and festive.  You can't see it from this picture, but Todd's hat had little lights on it, blinking on and off.

For Christmas, Todd, Amy, Todd, and Kathy gave me the neatest calendar.  The pictures are about 3 inches square with a different picture for every day.  It 's in a holder and you rip off one every day and put it in the back so you can use it again next year.  This was my first picture for the year!  So cool...and so much fun to see who is on the new page.
 

New Year...New Goals

 

It's been a few years since I chose some specific goals to work on for the year.  But, this year, I felt impressed to write down some things I'd like to work on to help make my life better.  They don't fit into nice categories like in years past, but are just some random thoughts for improvement.

1. This last year I was on a health journey, losing 50 pounds!!  I need to back up a bit.  A while ago I tore my meniscus and had a hard time moving it, especially walking for any distance or using stairs.  After months of  PT, I decided that the only thing that would help me get back to "normal" was strengthen my leg muscles and lose some weight.  I started walking several times a week, short distances, and going to the gym.  I also started taking a weight loss shot, Zepbound.  This all started the middle of March.  As I've said, I've lost 50 pounds, I can now walk 3 miles, and my knee is so much better, most days not hurting at all.  So, my goal is to continue.  I'm not sure how much more I'd like to lose, but I need to figure out how to maintain.  I'm also going to the gym 2X/week and walk 3-4X/week.

2.  Garden weekly.  Get out in the sun and pull some weeds...or prune a bush...or plant something.  30 minutes of sunshine will feel good.

3.  Choose a room a month and give it a deep cleaning.  The kitchen is first on my list...and it may take two months if I do one chore per week.

4.  Attend the temple at lease 3 times/month...one of those helping out in the laundry.

5.  Plan 1 fun adventure every month...it doesn't have to be big or expensive...just something to look forward to.

6.  Become a better friend.  I'm not sure what that will look like, but it's something I want to work on.

Happy New Year