Going to Nauvoo!

Just a quick post to announce the trip! We are on our way to Nauvoo! I have wanted to go for years! Pictures and details to follow.

Girls Weekend

I don't have any pictures to post. I need to learn how to use a digital camera and how to transfer them to the computer, because I really have had a lot of interesting happenings going on in my life, the most recent being the wonderful weekend I just returned from.

Sasha, Taylor and I started out by traveling to Hyrum on Thursday night. After getting off to a late start and traveling through wind and rain for the first hour or so, we didn't arrive until 7:30. (Taylor was a perfect travelor both ways) We were grateful to be able to stay in the Reems home that night. We were delighted to discover that Hyrum has a couple of fast food places and opted for a late dinner of Subway sandwiches.

After sleeping in the next morning, we took our time getting ready for the day...in fact we weren't ready to hit the streets until noon. We met up with Aspen and Meagan who had driven in from Salt Lake and had lunch at Carls' Jr.

After that, it was shopping at the mall where Annie joined us early that afternoon since she had the afternoon off because she was teacher of the week!

After a great shopping trip, we checked into our motel, freshened up a bit, and then went to a very popular Mexican resturant for dinner. I can't remember the name of it, but it is one that Vince and Meagan enjoyed when they lived in Logan. The servings were enormous and quite delicious.

We then attended the evening session of Time Out for Women. James Ferrell spoke, and Jenny Oaks Baker played the violin. Both of them were very inspiring to listen to. James Ferrel is the author of The Peacegiver and The Holy Secret; two truly amazing books that I would recommend to anyone trying to overcome contention and live a fuller, richer life. Sister Baker is a gifted musician. Never having learned to love violin music, I thought I might struggle to enjoy, but I was quickly captivted by her gentle spirit. My favorite number was Somewhere Over the Rainbow. After the evening session, we went to Annie and Russ's house. Annie surprised me with an early birthday cake that she had made. I hope one of the girls posts it on their blog because it really was an elegant, scrumptious cake! I also got to open my presents from them early...and did I ever feel special! All my favorite stuff...a gift certificate to Deseret Bookstore, some scented liquid soaps and some beautiful clothes!

We didn't get to bed too early that night, so it was hard getting up the next morning, but I was glad we did, because I really enjoyed the morning session of TOFW. Kenneth Cope entertained us with several songs, followed by a delightful talk from Mary Ellen Edmunds. Her theme was being a peacemaker and she shared stories and scenarios that rang so true to all of us...she kept us in stitches. I have already begun reminding my self that "I will be a peacemaker" , After a short break, we heard from Kenneth Cope again, as well as Camille Fronk Olson, who has a remarkable ability to draw the deeper meaning from the scriptures. Both Sister Edmunds and Olson have written books that I own and love.

When it was time to break for lunch, Annie suggested the Brick Oven. This was my first time at this resturant and I can only say that I made myself wonderfully miserable...we all did. The salad was one of the best I've ever had in my life (and I highly recommend the parmesan peppercorn salad dressing!) It was followed by a cheese bread with dipping sauces that was simply heavenly. We each ordered individual pizzas, mine was the Hawaiian, of course. We didn't save room for dessert, but we ordered it anyway, two frazookies (hot baked cookies with ice cream and toppings drizzled over the top that I will be dreaming about for years to come) and a piece of cheesecake that I didn't try because I was too busy with the frazookies.

After that, Aspen and Meagan returned to Salt Lake to get ready to go to the fair. I am more than a little ashamed to admit it, but we played hookey from the TOFW that afternoon, so that we could get a little more shopping in. If I had it to do over, I would have gone back for the afternoon presenters. One of them, in particular, really intrigued me when she introduced herself that morning. I guess I will have to go out and buy her book with my Deseret Book birthday gift certificate!

The trip home was uneventful, but pleasant. I was afraid we would both be so exhausted we would have a hard time staying awake, but it wasn't bad at all.

Thanks, Aspen, Annie, Meagan, Sasha and Taylor for a wonderful weekend. We missed Kristi and Mickala, but Kristi was in Florida helping Chuck with his grandpa's passing and Mickala had homecoming. (Congratulations on getting 1st runner-up to queen!) I hope they can both come to the next one!