I'm SOOOOOO Excited!

Remember that old Dr. Will skit that I did with Spencer Willis on stage at Regionals a few years back? I wore the purple jacket with the red hat? And, my favorite saying was, "I'm SOOOOO excited" in that southern accent? Well, that's what today brings ... excitement for the day.

I woke early, probably around 4:30 ... stretched my arms and legs, tried to roll onto my side but Dieter (our mini schnauzer, 9 mo. old puppy) had me trapped. He was curled right up against me and I couldn't move. So, I layed there thinking about everything that has taken place in the last few days. Wow ... this lay off thing is rather nice. For the first time in weeks, I'm afraid to admit, I actually dusted. And, I willfully and gladly accepted a babysitting job Friday night for a sleepover at Granny's house. You see ... I wasn't tired from work and I gratefully wanted the company. And Saturday evening, since I wasn't at the Seattle Regional Seminar, I was able to attend a Ward Temple session at the Salt Lake Temple and a dinner afterwards. What a rewarding evening. Not only did I enjoy the quiet, peacefulness, and solitude of the temple, but I ran into a few friends that I haven't seen for years. One of them was a darling, little boy that I used to teach music lessons to. I told his Mother that he wouldn't remember me. He came into the Celestial room, ran to me, threw his arms around me and lifted me off my feet. He's a big boy now and has the strength to do that! And as he hugged me he exclaimed with joy, "I knew that was you! I just knew it!" Kids, you remember cute, little Clifton singing "That Dirty Old Toothbrush" at Mom's recital? That was Clifton in the temple!

Yesterday, Sunday, started with a 7:00 a.m. welfare meeting at the church. Once again, I wouldn't have been able to attend that, had I been in Seattle. It was a wonderful meeting and everything we were taught, related to my situation. We learned where to go for resources for employment, how to help the families in the ward that are struggling with unemployment and to help make them self-sufficient, and what our stewardships are with our callings in the church. Many of you may not be aware that in my church calling I'm responsible for the spiritual and physical welfare of 150 ladies in the neighborhood. That's a full-time job in itself. Now that I'm not working full-time I'll have more time to devote to them, of which I'm thrilled.

I have to share a funny with you. Benny, my three year old grandson, adores our puppy Dieter. I was showing Benny how to make Dieter roll-over, stand, dance, and sit with hand-commands and dog biscuits. My 87 year old mother was watching. After doing a few tricks with Dieter I asked Benny if he wanted to hand my mother a dog biscuit to see if she wanted to do some tricks. Benny took the biscuit over to my mother and held it up in the air and asked her, "Do you want to stand, dance, sit, or roll-over?" We roared with laughter. I don't think he understood what we were laughing at.

Lindsey, our daughter, Benny, and Ellie

Good news --- I was able to buy a new camera Saturday to replace the one that was in my lost/stolen purse at the Detroit airport. So, I'll start posting a few pics. (I'm not sure I like it. I just downloaded some pics and they're a little fuzzy ...Nikon Coolpix. I had a Canon Elph Sure Shot and it was great. Any suggestions?)

More good news! I have my first speaking engagement penciled in on my calendar. Get the word out! I'm available for hire and this is something I've been wanting to do for years. Now I can still have the opportunity of getting out into the field and seeing you once again and giving you big bear hugs and kisses. Oh ... I'll be in London, England on June 3rd for a little vacation. If any of you UK demonstrators need a great speaker for hire, I'm available.

My e-mail address is sumatragal@gmail.com.

One quick idea for a genealogy page. I used a retired Simply Scrappin' kit, Home Again, the Curly Label punch, and some of the Big Shot dies for the title and initial. Now I can quickly see how old my kids and grandkids are and when everyone's birthday is. Oops ... which reminds me I have one coming on the 25th .. Ginger's birthday! Wow ... she'll be 31. I didn't realize that until I just looked at the chart! My kids are in Old Olive down the left side of the page, spouses are next to them in Creamy Caramel, and the grandkids are in Bordering Blue. The page is a little crowded, but that's what you get when you have 7 kids and 15 grandkids!



Once again ... there is a purpose in all of this. I see the hand of the Lord in all of this and I'm so blessed. And I'm so blessed to have the support of my family and my demonstrator friends as I travel on this new road of life. Check back daily and I'll keep you posted on my new adventures.