Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, Dear Melli! Happy Birthday to you! How I love this beautiful, happy, positive daughter! I hope you have a wonderful day, Melli!

Sad, Sad Day!

The last two years, Kristen has made Ken homemade cherry chocolates for Christmas. He loves them. It’s a huge, sticky, messy job for her. And this year, she had to drive an hour away to even find the dipping chocolate to make them. It’s a gift of love. He rations them, and eats one a day -he’s become his father. Today, he was sad to announce that there’s just one left. Weren’t there four boxes? Hmmmm . . . . maybe he hasn’t become his father.

Pretty Funny!

I teach voice lessons. One of the big events of the year is the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival. About half of my students decided to enter with solos, and one of my more advanced students had a great idea: Do an acapella quartet of “Prayer of the Children” with three other of my students. They only know each other from my recitals, but she thought it would be fun. So I asked three others and they all thought it would be a great idea. They are from all over the county and all go to different high schools in the area. Each of them worked hard on their part at home, then we put it together in a couple of practices. Then, one of them realized she couldn’t be there because today is the day they were putting her brother into the MTC, and she couldn't get back in time. So, I asked another student to fill in. She worked so hard and learned it in just a week. So, today, we get there at the appointed rehearsal time(4:10pm)and our soprano didn’t show up! She just didn’t come. So I sang her part to rehearse with them, hoping she would show up soon. Their assigned time was 5:05, and I had several students singing solos before that, so I was so nervous, watching the clock and hoping the wayward soprano would show. But she didn’t. So when it was time for the quartet to sing, I just explained to the judge that one of them hadn’t come and asked if I could fill in. I just couldn’t see sending the others home without doing it, when they’d worked so hard(especially the one who learned and memorized it in a week) and come so far (one comes from a town 30 minutes away) I didn’t have it memorized, so we had to use music, but I must say, we sounded pretty darn good. The judge was very complimentary and, though I think I might have docked us for using a teacher, she didn’t, and gave us a superior rating! I just laughed out loud on the way home at what had just happened: I’d entered a student festival at age 52 and got a superior! How many people can say that? Is that on anyone’s bucket list??? Not mine either, but I must say it is pretty funny!

Ahhh! Peace Again!!!

Now don’t get me wrong. I like people. I’ve met some really delightful ones while we exercise together at my gym. But you can have too much of a good thing. Such was the case, I found, in January at the gym. The place was swarming with resolutionists. It was hard to find a parking place (we all want the closest ones so we don’t have to walk too far to go into exercise!), hard to get a swimming lane, hard to get my favorite shower- I had to wait in line one day, and just plain crowded. I went one evening and found the place swarming with buff boys and muscle-bound men. I cycled next to a young man who put a whole new spin on spinning. I’m sure he was impressed with my grueling five minute workout that burned a depressing 5.6 calories (5.6 calories! That’s a flippin carrot stick!) Don’t you hate digital readouts that give that kind of info? I prefer the completely non-digital pool where no one, including me, cares how many calories I’ve burned, and I have to squint to even read the traditional round clock.) After being “cannon-balled” for the fourth time (Resolutionists think it’s funny to leave their kids to “swim” while they work out) and sitting in the hot tub with a family with three little kids who- I swear I’m not making this up- “picnicked” in the hot tub: boiled eggs, crackers, string cheese, grapes (rate that picnic, Joan!) , I’m glad February has arrived. I’m glad that those resolutionists have crawled back into their man caves where they’ve resumed consuming huge quantites of chips and m and m’s. I’m glad they’ve left the facilities to the “regulars” like me who just want a little peace and space. I hope it lasts . . . at least until next January.

Prince or Prince-cess?

It’s a Prince-cess!!! Michelle and Brian’s ultra sound revealed a precious Prince-cess is on her way- to arrive in June! We’re so excited!

My Bird Man

Last weekend was our local Bird Festival. Ken and his brother, Don participate each year, leading a group of avid “birders” on an excursion. It’s like a big “bird conference” where people come from all over to look at birds. No, I’m not kidding. They are given a printed program, and can choose between bird outings, much like any other “conference” you would attend where you choose which class and speaker to go to. Ken and Don have done it for several years, and really enjoy helping others to see what they love, and I think they enjoy preparing and presenting together. We all attended the Keynote speaker on Friday night. Ned Hill spoke about his two week bird excursion to Brazil. He had a great power point presentation and was a very engaging speaker, so even a non- birder like me was thoroughly entertained. I came away with much the same feeling I have after a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit: I realize how very much I do not know. I’m afraid it whetted Ken’s appetite for international birding, though. It seemed a little intense for me: Up before sunrise, bird all day, and sometimes even into the night, and do that for two weeks! They didn’t even go shopping! Anyway, it was a fun weekend for my bird man.

Last Fling!

Ken has a very fun friend, Dan who owns a plane who loves to fly his plane. This creates a wonderful opportunity for Ken and his business partner, Dean. They've been on several fun "day trips" over the last few months. The last was on Friday. It was their last pre-busy season fling! The three of them flew to Phoenix for the day. They golfed and flew home in time for us to meet Don and Ada for dinner at 5:30pm. Amazing!!! The company was fun and the golf was fun, but the flying was awesome!!! Ken loves to fly, and seeing the world from that vantage point is a dream come true. He loved seeing the Grand Canyon from the air. He also loved doing "Whoop de doos!" That's where Dan plunged the plane, leaving their stomachs behind. It was a fun adventure- and now Ken's ready to tackle taxes. . . well, sort of. Thanks, Dan!

One More, Then That Will Be All

I can’t remember which kid it was, but that was their famous line so they could talk me into one more cookie. I thought it applies here because I’ve been on a "miracle” kick. But I had another one happen yesterday that I’m so tempted to share. I know, maybe I’ll disguise it by calling it a “tender mercy” or a “merry musing” as Sarah suggested (love it). But whatever you call it, it definitely fits the theme of my recent posts. So if you just can’t take another one, leave now. Here it comes; can’t say I didn’t warn you! This happens every January. I have to “fly blind” for a few weeks at the start of every year in my music chairman/ choir director callings. I carefully and prayerfully select the music for sacrament meetings, based on subjects for talks assigned by the bishopric, but it always takes the bishopric awhile to get me the subjects for the sacrament meetings for the new year. So, I have to just close my eyes and point at a song, and hope it works out because we have to begin our rehearsals. Ready or not . . . Yesterday, it did work out beautifully. It made me realize (again) someone else is in charge. I looked at mounds of music and prayerfully decided on “Dearest Children, God is Near You.” I have a pretty arrangement and felt really good about it, so we started rehearsing. I emailed the bishopric and humbly and subtly suggested that they could build the theme around that hymn, but then found out that the high council was coming that day. They usually come on the third Sunday, but for some reason it was switched to the fourth this month. After the choir sang beautifully, the high councilor stood and thanked us. He said that the hymn reminded him of a special experience he had as a missionary many years ago. He had a young man committed to baptism and everything was arranged. But in the last meeting before his baptism, the young man told them he wasn’t going to do it. He said his wife was angry about it all and he just couldn’t do it. They got out the hymnbook and, talk about close your eyes and point, they opened the hymnbook and started singing. Guess what hymn? He said he didn’t think he’d even ever sung it before, but they sang it perfectly – every note on key. A sweet spirit filled the room. When they finished the young man was crying and told them he would be baptized. A few weeks later, his wife was baptized, as well. That sweet story led perfectly into his talk which was based on Elder Andersen’s talk of last conference on “You Know Enough” which was basically that we don’t have to know everything- just that God is near, and He loves us. Having had a copy of the talk he would give, I couldn’t have chosen a better song. It was perfect. I don’t know if anyone else but he and I noticed, but I was indeed humbled and grateful. So whatever you call it- a cookie’s a cookie. And, much like the kid with the cookie, one more probably won’t be all. Sorry, I’m out of control. Somebody stop me!!!!!

Mini Miracle

Okay, I know, enough with the miracles. Maybe it's like Pres. Eyering says, when you look for them you see them more. But I have to share one more: It's no secret that cleaning out stuff: drawers, closets, cupboards . .. is not my favorite vegetable. I think it's all the decision-making- just drives me crazy. But I've set a goal to do one a week, and I've been pretty faithful for the last few months. I've dreaded doing my "sock" drawer though. It was a mess- so stuffed I could barely open and close it. But, finally last week, in a fit of I'm going to do this or else, I dumped it on my bed and started sorting. The problem is that there is a lot in there besides socks. It's my "I don't want to throw it away, so stick it in here" drawer. I found all kinds of stuff, including gifts I bought for my daughters in Austria 1 1/2 years ago(you have that to look forward to ladies! Do I sound like my mother?) and sweet notes from people. Among those, was a sweet thank you note I received from Jill, a gal that I used to visit teach when we first moved here about 23 years ago. Though neither of us has moved, and only live about a mile away from each other, I literally never see her. I'll bet it's been ten years. We got split into different wards years ago. It's one of those different ward/different planet examples. But, out of the blue, about six or so months ago, she went to get her temple recommend interview from Ken and brought with her a note for me. Ken brought it home. It was a thank you note for my service to her as a visiting teacher all those years ago. She claimed that my partner and I filled her freezer with meals after she had her baby boy who just turned 23. I honestly have no memory of that, but I do remember enjoying visiting her. It was one of those sweet, blast from the pasters that make you feel so happy. I should have called her and thanked her, but didn't. I must have stuck the note in never-never land drawer and forgot about it. Really, forgot about it. I'm not sure even seeing her would have triggered the memory- the way my mind doesn't work these days. Last night, I was exhausted (Wednesdays are big days) but I felt compelled to attend a stake RS enrichment on using food storage. When I think about it, it's really funny that I would want to go. I'm sort of out of the use your food storage phase of life, I was tired, AND American Idol was on, AND I'd spilled on my shirt so that meant I had to change . . .well, anyway, I got in the car and went. The first person I saw when I walked in was Jill. And the first thing I could say to her was "Thank you for that sweet note," and express to her what it meant to me. We reconnected and reminisced and it was sweet. Coincidence that I'd clean that particular drawer right now and attend that class? Maybe . . . but I choose to call it a "Mini Miracle."

Two Miracles!

In October, I posted about how I killed my Dad's shamrock plant. It was gone, kaput! In a comment on that blog, Shonna encouraged me to not throw the plant away- give it a chance. "Plants want to live, Mom" she told me. So, I kept the dirt and pretty much ignored it. When she was home at Christmas, Shonna does what she always does- cleans up and inspects my plants (For months before I was telling the plants, "Don't worry, Shonna is coming for Christmas; she'll take care of you.") In her inspection, she discovered that the shamrock had four little leaves coming up. You can see it's even more now. It's a miracle! AAAAAHHHHHH! (sing that high and with much vibrato- it's the angels singing) Then my "Eyeore Post" last week told of losing my pearl earring. It troubled me all week. On Friday night, as Ken and I were driving to go out to dinner, I brought it up (AGAIN!) He made the comment, "I think it's either under something or in something." That got me thinking. "In something . . . hmmmmmm" The first thing I did (well, second, first I put my leftovers in the fridge) when we got home was go check "in" my shoes. Nope. Then I remembered what I had on, my new orange sweater. It is new, so I didn't even realize it had pockets, but, sure enough, it does, and yep, that's where my earring was, in one of the pockets. When it dropped, I dropped another earring at the same time- that's what I heard drop. I picked it up immediately, and just assumed the other went to the floor, too. I'd make a terrible referee or eye witness to a crime- I have a hard time reconstructing in my mind what just happened. Anyway, I'm so very happy! Two miracles! The moral of the story: If you have something troubling you, blog about it. Heavenly Father must read these posts, and He fixes stuff. Amen.

This Is Good Because . . .

I had kind of a rough day yesterday. . . lots of mishaps. It started as I was getting ready for Keynotes in the morning and went to put on my chocolate pearl earrings that I got in Hawaii last summer (remember, Blake and Shonna?) I dropped one of the earrings and it went, who knows where? I heard it hit, but didn't see it, and I have no idea where it went. I was in front of my jewelry armoir when it happened. I pulled all the furniture out, checked under the bed, Daddy's dresser. Not there. But I had to leave, so left the bedroom torn apart. When I got home, I resumed my search, but still nothing. I put the dinner on (crockpot chicken- it's really good- I'll have to post the recipe) and heated leftover chicken stir fry for my lunch. I took it in to the computer room to eat so I could check my email, etc. I had a few bites when the plate slipped and dumped the whole thing all over the floor, my lap, and the computer keyboard. So now I had a huge mess to clean up and no lunch to eat. I began picking rice kernels out of the keyboard and carpet, and scrubbed and cleaned. I had to teach all afternoon, and was now really hungry and frustrated. Wednesday is my long teaching day- 7 students- and by the end, I was starving. We had a delicious chicken dinner. In cleaning up, I wanted to save the chicken stock the recipe produces. So I poured the stock in a quart bag. The bag collapsed, sending delicious stock all over the counter, under the mixer and blender, down the crack between the stove and counter. Yuck! I cleaned it all up, but couldn't get down the crack, of course. Ken checked everywhere for my earring, too, putting on his headlamp, he got under the bed and dresser, but he couldn't find it either. It is just gone. I even sorted through the garbage nearby (that was fun- gooky stuff like used dental floss and cherry chocolate juice) but it wasn't in there. So, I decided I need to play Michelle's game of "this is good because" I don't know how she started this game, but since she was in high school, maybe junior high, she's done it. Whenever she suffered disappointments, frustrations, sadness, she would say, "But this is good because . . ." and give a reason why this bad thing is good. Now, it's not really a game anymore, but who she is. I'm trying to remember examples . . . some of them have been really funny. A recent example is her being nauseous and not feeling well with her pregnancy. She's struggled, but she says, "But it's good because my book says that means the baby is growing and it will probably be a viable pregnancy." I wish I could think of other examples. . .anyway, let's play: Spilling stir fry is good because . . . I need a new keyboard, anyway, so sticking keys will help us get one faster. Spilling chicken stock where it can't be cleaned will make the kitchen stink, and we'll want to remodel and I'll get my granite counter tops! Losing my earring is good because . . . hmmmmmm . . . I'm going to need some help on this one. Melli, anyone? Don't say because we'll have to go back to Hawaii to get a new one. I don't want a new one . . . I want that one. The day wasn't all bad, though. I was teaching a brand new student- my last one- when Ken got home and brought in a beautiful arrangement of flowers for me . . . "Because it's Wednesday"

Happy Hinton Holidays!

We had such a happy time with family over the holidays! Lu(Kristen) and Jar arrived first, on Thursday. Friday, Jared tended all day so Kristen and I could have a fun day together-thanks, Jar! We did Sub For Santa shopping, went to lunch, and attended a Keynote rehearsal. On Saturday, Jared and Ken spent the day with Don and Darren on the Zion Bird Count. Kristen and I had fun wrapping and delivering Sub For Santa and attending the ward Christmas party with the kids on Saturday morning. Brielle was a sheep in the nativity play there, and the kids got to visit with Santa. Michelle and Brian arrived that night (in the middle of the BYU game) and announced that they will be having a baby in June by wearing tell-tale t-shirts. (We already knew, but were sworn to secrecy) We are so excited to have a baby Prince!!! Sunday was a big day with the ward Christmas program (thanks Lu, Ken and Brian for joining the choir)that I led and then my Keynote concert at the St. George tabernacle that night. Michelle and Brian sang a number for that, too. It was beautiful. Monday was the huge Hinton family party at our house(forgot to take pictures). It was fun to see so many cousins! Then Shonna and Blake flew in from Ohio that night. Ken and Brian picked them up in Vegas, climbing in bed around 3am. Tuesday, Blake's family came through on their way to Disneyland and had lunch with us. Family pictures in the afternoon, and pizza party that night. Everyone won prizes in our Match Mate tournament. Wednesday, Christmas eve, was our big turkey dinner and our Christmas eve program and nativity that night. Blake and Brian gave me the best Christmas present ever. I took a nap after our afternoon dinner(I was up early-wrestling with a turkey), and came out to find them both on their hands and knees, scrubbing my floor! We had planned to go caroling with neighbors that evening, but it was freezing cold, windy and snowing, so we cancelled(Southern Utahans are wimps!) The Christmas pageant was so fun. Everyone is so creative (thanks Jared for the great donkey costume!) Brian was a little sad that he didn't get to throw aluminum foil balls at Samuel the Lamanite. . . maybe next time. After kids were in bed, and Santa had done his job, the adults watched "It's a Wonderful Life!" Other than snippets on TV, none of us had ever seen it all the way through! Great movie! Christmas was the best. Santa found our house and was way too generous. Brian and Blake both enjoyed conference calls with their missionary brothers. Kristen, Jared, and Nathan left in the afternoon to fly out to attend Jared's brother's wedding in Denver(on the 26th). We enjoyed having Brielle stay with us until they returned on Sunday. Six adults/one kid - Pretty good odds! On Friday and Saturday, we shopped, had a bowling tournament, and enjoyed a beautiful hike at Snow Canyon. Sunday was another big day: Michelle, Brian, Shonna, and Blake formed a quartet and sang "Love at Home" in sacrament meeting, then Shonna was my food network assistant as I taught the RS lesson and used our famous Key Lime Pie as an object lesson. Lu and Jar got back just in time. We had dinner(Jared's favorite roast lamb with mint sauce) and sent the Camerons and Princes on their way to SLC (for Camerons to spend the week with Blake's family, and Brian to get back to work) We enjoyed the Mackrorys for the rest of the week. We shopped some more, took down Christmas (thank you SO much Lu for your help!) and shopped some more, played games and watched movies, and shopped some more. They left after Jared and Ken's New Year Day hike- a beautiful, but treacherous snow hike at Zion's National Park. Kristen's job while they were gone of packing up all the stuff to go home was nearly as treacherous! It was so fun to have everyone together for a short time. Happy Hinton Holidays!

Hinton Holidays!

Christmas Eve Nativity

Adventure at Midnight!

What were you doing last night at midnight? While you were wasting time sleeping, Jared, Kristen, and I were being guided on an adventure with Brielle! Much like that time when we visited her house (see previous blog- Pretending With Brielle), Brielle went into pretend mode and away we went on high adventure. And what was she doing up at midnight, you ask? Here's how it happened: Kristen, Jared and I watched a movie, and Brielle came out during it. She knew she was supposed to be in bed asleep, but when asked why she wasn't asleep, she said she tried, "but it just isn't working so very well." So, when the movie ended around midnight, I think she realized she had to be extremely cute and entertaining or she'd be whisked off to bed. So she kicked it in high gear, and suddenly we were on an adventure of a lifetime. First she packed a picnic in the pretend picnic basket, filling it with ice cream, cupcakes, and other delicious foods. She put it in the "back" then told us to come in from playing in the "back ard" (yard) and buckled us in our seats. She climbed up on the chair and first drove us to the store because, "Oh, dear, we forgot the drinks" She told us to stay in the car and she ran in the store bought the drinks and came back out. Where are we going, Brielle? "Well, first we're going to the jungle for a picnic, then we're going to Mystery Island (pronouced Mister Island). She drove us along until suddenly she slammed on the brakes and exclaimed, "Oh, no, we forgot your shoes! We've got to go back and get them!." That was my favorite part. She was SO intense! She then drove crazy and fast back to get our shoes, and ran in and got them, then pretended to put them on us. At one point, I tried to sneak food out of the picnic basket, but got in big trouble. "We don't have our picnic until we get to the jungle, Grandma!" Before we could finish the adventure, all three adults were completely out of gas, so she had to finish her adventure in dreamland! How I love this creative, and imaginative child!!! I wonder where we'll go on our next adventure? I'll keep you "posted."

White Christmas in Dixie?

Can you believe it? The kids are out of school for a snow day, the world is covered in white! Could we possibly have a white Christmas? I doubt it . .. the sun is already peeking through the clouds and I can hear the drip, drip, drip of melting snow. But right now, it's a beautiful winter wonderland!

Merry Christmas!!!

Copy and paste the following in your browser for our Merry Christmas to you! http://www.glenn.tapley.us/MC.swf

Keynotes

A big part of my "Christmassing" every year is singing with the Keynotes. We sing for functions and parties in the community and church, but our favorite is singing for local rest homes and assisted living centers. We always go to six or seven each season and do our program for them. We've had so many wonderful and funny experiences. When we're reminiscing, someone always comments, "Someone should write a book." But, so far, . . .no book. So I decided I'd write a blog about ones I can remember. That's pretty close to a book, isn't it? Just this week, we were singing at The Meadows, and were about 2/3 through our 40 minute program, when a lady in the front loudly asked the man she was sitting next to, "Are they going to sing?" Alzheimer's, I guess. Several years ago, we were singing at a rest home, and one of the ladies (no longer singing with us) started one of our songs with a solo. She was about half-way through her solo when a lady in a wheelchair in the back loudly exclaimed, "I guess you think that's pretty!" The nurse came and wheeled her out of there so fast! We came out of a ward building after singing for an adult Christmas party, to find Kaylin's car gone! She had a bad habit of leaving her keys in the car. We called the police and were waiting out front when an elderly and very confused gentleman came driving up in her car. He had come out of the party, thought it was his car and got in and drove off. He was furious when the garage door opener wouldn't open his garage, so came back for help! We've had some very touching, sweet experiences, too. We were performing a love song in one of our spring programs at a local rest home, when a man, there with his crippled and ill wife, literally plucked her out of her wheelchair and "danced with her around the room". Her little feet were on his- just like we all used to do with our Daddys. It was so sweet and touching. By the end of the song, we all had tears streaming down our faces. There are two men like that at Kolob Care- each with their wives there. They are ALWAYS there and so devoted and loving with their wives. One is constantly stroking her arm, pushing the hair back on her forehead and kissing her, whispering things to her. Again, it's hard to sing when you're choked up! At that same rest home a couple of years ago, we were singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" when nearly everyone started crying. One woman was literally wailing out loud. We decided that song was not a good choice for rest homes. We consider it a privilege to bring maybe a moment's worth of joy to these fine people in the sunset of their lives. Our concert in the tabernacle will be Sunday, December 21st at 7:00pm. If you're in the area, we'd love to have you come! Just keep your "I guess you think that's pretties" to yourself! Ken came to hear us sing at the Meadows on Wednesday and took some pictures. You can see the lady who asked if we were going to sing right there in front. This was taken during our "bell song." Last year, I was excited to order bells to add to our Christmas programs. I ordered them, then arranged three of our songs to add bells to them and took them to our first practice in September. After that practice, I dumped two of the bell numbers, and we focused on only the easiest one. I had NO idea how hard it would be to play bells and sing at the same time. This year, I was more realistic and just ordered one "bell song" with the parts already written. We started in September and have practiced it every week, and have yet to perform it perfectly! Maybe at the tabernacle!

Who Are You? and What Have You Done With My Husband?

 

To call Ken "Scrooge" would be overstating it, I'm sure, because he isn't evil and mean, but he certainly has never been big on "Christmas spirit" He loves to be with the family and he loves the music, but I think that's about it . . oh, and the cherry chocolates. But this year, for the very first time, we've been alone over Thanksgiving weekend- which is when we, or I should when the kids and I always decorate the house. His usual contributions to Christmas (besides earning the money to pay for it) are to bring the artificial tree out of the basement, buy me presents, and sometimes, sometimes, put lights out front- every few years or so. I told him he would just have to help this year since we're fresh out of kids at home. And I'll be danged, he has! He hauled most of the stuff out of the basement, then set up the tree by himself and carefully "fluffed" all the limbs. Then he put all the bows on the tree, then about 20 or so ornaments, after which he was just worn out. He said, "If we put any more on this tree, it's just going to look gawdy." So I excused him to watch tv( something he does once a month or so) and told him I'd finish. The next day, he strung the lights through the village (not an easy job- very tedious) and got all of the stuff on timers. Then on Saturday, I came home from shopping and found a strange man on a ladder in front of my house, putting up lights! I got out of the car and asked, "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" I couldn't believe it! Then, tonight, to top it off, he went to the store and bought "bush" lights and came home and put them out- completely his idea! His Christmas spirit just seems to be growing, and I'm loving it! I'm hoping it's a permanent change! Our new blue "bush" lights. He's holding a rose! We've had a very mild fall and still have roses, tomatoes and other flowers!

Happy Birthday, Dear Shonna!!!

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Shonna!! Happy birthday to you!!!