The G.O. Bond Passed!

 We are so happy to announce that the St. George G.O. Bond passed!  Ken, along with others on the Quality-of-Life committee worked so hard to inform the public and get this important bond to pass in our election.  The current bond expired.  It provided money for St. George's wonderful biking/ running trail system, many neighborhood parks, pickleball and tennis courts, soccer and ball fields, and a lot of other wonderful things that make St. George a wonderful place.  These things also bring many people here for tournaments, races, etc. boosting our economy. This bond will continue to fund those wonderful kinds of things as well as maintain what we have.  Ken spent many hours in meetings, putting up signs, and passing flyers door to door in town.  There was a faction in our city that tried to defeat the bond, but we are grateful it won!

The video they made of Ken on his bike went viral as the committee kept boosting it on Facebook and Instagram.

This is a photo they took of Ken and Ky (coincidently Ky serves as our ward's elder's quorum president and Ken serves as his counselor) with a drone as they crossed the Virgin River bridge on their bikes.

This is a photo of one of the flyers they passed door to door.

Love Note from Jack

 Our cute, little 7-year-old neighbor boy, Jack left a love note for Ken on our porch. 

Do You See the Resemblance?

 Michelle recently sent this picture she created of our granddaughter Brielle and my mom, Dorothy and asked, "Do you see the resemblance?"  I really do see it?  Do you?  

Brielle and my mom, Dorothy Peterson Gabrielsen.  Two beautiful women.

A Beautiful New Piano

 We are so happy for Shonna and her family who recently acquired a beautiful, new grand piano.  

This is their old piano which they gave to a family in their ward.  They wanted to take one last picture of it before they gave it away.

Hannah and Gabe, much like their mother, grow very attached to things.  They were so sad to lose their beautiful piano.  They had a crying spell together.  (They did this when they sold their car, too.)

Form Phobia

 What are you afraid of?  Do you have a phobia?  I am bravely going to admit mine:  It's filling out forms. I HATE filling out forms.  And they are everywhere!  You have to fill one out when you go to the Doctor, get a vaccination, apply for a job, renew your driver's license, sign up for an app. or TV platform, get called to jury duty, etc. I can't even tell you how many things I haven't done or haven't purchased because I was not willing to fill out the form.  Following is an example of one I refused to fill out.  I can't even remember what website I was trying to go to, but I said no way.  

But now I will tell you a secret I have discovered:  It's called the NEXT button.  Preparing for a recent visit to my doctor, they sent me seven pages of forms to fill out.  They are the same seven pages I fill out every time.   I always feel so frustrated because their form doesn't allow you to tell the whole story.  Also, it asks very personal questions.  I'm not sure I want those answers out in cyberspace.  I have dutifully done it in the past, but then the doctor comes in and asks me the same questions. I don't think anyone ever looks at these forms!  So, here's the secret:  I found that if you fill out just one or two lines on the page, you can push the NEXT button at the bottom of the page and it takes you to the next page.  It's a miracle!  It thinks you have filled out the whole page!  You have to fill out a little bit on the page or it doesn't work.  I got through those seven pages so fast by pushing that magic button.  And no one ever said a word about it. Well, I guess they did.  When I checked in at the front desk, the receptionist said, "I see you filled out the forms online.  Thank you. You can have a seat."  I just smiled.   It is such a great secret.  I share it with you with great love. You're welcome.

Christmas with Anne

>Christmas with Anne and Other Holiday Stories by L.M. Montgomery

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a delightful collection of Christmas stories written by LM Montgomery. I loved the stories of joy, love, forgiveness, charity, and Christmas cheer. It certainly got me into the true spirit of Christmas.

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An Island at War

 

An Island at War by Deborah Carr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I said I didn’t want to ever read another book with the word “Hitler” in it. I can’t stand the inhumane cruelty. But I’m glad I listened to this one. It had some cruelty, but didn’t cross the line. It is about the German occupation on a channel Island during WWII. It is somewhat similar to “The Guernsey Literature and Potato Peel Society.” I loved the characters. They taught me of resilience and resourcefulness. I appreciated their compassion and willingness to share and to put others before their own safety. The writing was superb. We listened to the audio version while on a road trip. 5 stars from us!

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A Place to Hang the Moon

 

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, how I loved this book. It is the story of three recently orphaned children from London sent to the country during the blitz. I loved these three children and Mrs. Mueller is a new literary hero. I highly recommend this one. I think this book belongs among the classics. I am hoping for a sequel.

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Convenience Store Woman

 

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, mostly because it re- immersed me into Japanese culture. We lived in Japan for 1 ½ years and frequented convenience stores there- mostly to use the facilities, which were always spotlessly clean. The workers were friendly and cheerful- just as this woman described they were taught to be.
The story is not action-packed. It is a thought-provoking social/ psychology study. Do we push people into conforming into what we think will make them happy and successful? Do we impose our social norms on all? I really loved Keiko. She really wanted to fit in, but in her heart knew she was happy just the way she was- in her simple life as a convenience store worker. The book is short. It is quirky. It is kind of sad. But mostly it makes you think. I think most would enjoy it. 4+ stars from me.


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Whitney and Ross Wed

 We are so excited for Whitney who wed Ross Olsen in Boise on November 17th.  Whitney is my niece, Joan and Tom's daughter.  Whitney has waited a long time for this blessing in her life.  We are so excited for her.

Her announcement on Instagram.

Engagement photo taken by Ali (my niece, John and Cindy's daughter) Whitney stayed with Ali and Justin in Oregon for a few months while she and Ross continued courting and got engaged.

We left on Wednesday afternoon, November 15th.  We stopped in Springville to use a gift card we had for Magleby's.  Our Magleby's restaurant closed here before we used it.  We had a most delicious meal.  We bought two of their chocolate cakes to share with the Prince family. Have you ever tried the Magleby's chocolate cake?  It is to die for! We stayed with them that night, then drove to Boise on Thursday.

We arrived in time to check in our motel and attend the pre-wedding dinner at Yen Chings, a Chinese restaurant in downtown Boise.

We shared a meal for four with Patty and Hal.  Everything was so delicious.  This is Tom's favorite restaurant.

The food was delicious.  It was so fun to visit with family and to be together.

On Friday morning we drove out to Joan and Tom's home.  She has recently done some redecorating that I was anxious to see.  Isn't their living room lovely?  The new furniture and arrangement now really focuses on their beautiful view.

We had such a nice visit with these people that we love.

Joan and Tom's beautiful home.

The wedding was held in a beautiful venue- a renovated barn.

My brother John is now an ordained minister.  He got his authority by answering one question on a website online:  Are you over 18?

He did a beautiful job counseling the couple.  The spirit was so strong. I was so proud of my big brother!

Whitney and Ross had written and exchanged beautiful vows.  They are such a sweet couple.

So many loved ones attended.  These are my Peterson cousins: Linda, Martha and her husband Ron.

Gabrielsen siblings.  We had a nice Italian buffet dinner.  Everything was so nice.

This table was full of Joan's family.  What a great bunch!

John, Where's Cindy (probably serving someone- that's what she does), Ken, Roger, Pam, Patty, Hal.

My beautiful sisters: Pam, Patty, Joan  One of Joan's friends told us that we all look alike.  It was the nicest compliment I ever received.

All five us: Pam, Patty, Joan, Kay, and John

The brothers visiting

Ross's sister did a beautiful job telling stories about Ross- he has always been a good and kind person.  It was so nice to learn more about him.

Joan's grandson Ty LOVES his Grandma.  Well, who doesn't?

The first dance.

The cousins LOVE to dance.  The lighting in the room made it difficult to get a good picture, but everyone had so much fun dancing the night away.  They were so fun to watch.

Ken and I with the groom and bride.

The car is ready to go.
Happy Life Whitney and Ross!  May you have a wonderful marriage!

On our way home the next day, there was a beautiful double rainbow.  I'm sure it was a blessing on Whitney and Ross and their marriage!