Well, it's interesting about waiting...now I'm waiting to leave. Earlier, I was waiting to learn where I was going on my mission. It seemed like the call would never get here and finally it arrived and I was going to Washington, Federal Way to serve as a Women's Auxiliary Specialist, reporting on September 16th. Then that date was changed to October 14th. Now I'm waiting also to learn what I will do as a WAS. My next posting will probably be when I'm on my mission. It's exciting to contemplate and also some anxiety comes along as I wonder who my companion will be and what our living circumstances will be like.
But now, back to the present...or should I say, recent past. I should also comment that I didn't have my camera at the ready, so must rely on others efforts to document my travels and experiences.
August seemed to go by in a flash, but did manage a visit to Park City for a week with the three youngest girls, Jana, Alisa and Sue and their families. Other than a few pictures of kids swimming, the rest are just of the delicious things we ate. Alisa and I have been trying to eat more healthfully, so lots of green smoothies and green vegetables.
 |
| Jana, JaneAnne, Alisa and me at "Girls' Camp" end of July |
 |
| Anders swimming at neighbor's pool |
 |
| Davis enjoying the water |
 |
| Leif enjoying pool |
 |
| Stuart relaxing with a noodle; he really enjoys swimming |
 |
| Merit, an undecided pool fan? | |
|
 |
| Davis and Me after 18 holes! Fun! |
|
|
 |
| Playing games at Park City with the Maughan family |
 |
| Park City view from hotel window |
 |
| Fresh pesto pizza, delicious! |
When I was in Oregon, I found a "fish banner" that I thought would be appropriate to place by the graveside of Rog, the ultimate fisherman. I can't believe he's been gone a year. Surely do miss him.
My long-time friends had been planning that for our 70th birthday, we'd
go to Las Vegas and see the Donny and Marie show. Our first attempt
ended up with them cancelling the show when we already in St. George, so
we rescheduled for a few months later. Would you believe they cancelled for the whole month of August.
We were now mostly 71 and we decided to attend Tuachan to see Mary
Poppins and then headed over to Cedar City for Anything Goes and Peter
and the Star Catcher. We had a wonderful time, so there Donny and Marie.
 |
| Trell, Patti and Janie |
 |
| Janie, Mary Kaye and Ginger |
Just after Labor Day, I headed for Oregon to visit with friends and family and attend the baptism of another grandson, Leif Hamar Olsen. I was also able to attend the funeral of a long-time friend and former walking buddy, Pat Youngberg.
 |
| Leif was baptized by Joseph Peterson |
 |
| The Olsen Family at Leif's baptism |
I have wonderful friends that I walk and talk with nearly every day. They were kind enough to take me for a pre-mission lunch and send off.
 |
| Lunch at Molly's with Edgemont 5th Ward friends |
I love to get together with the missionaries who served in Armenia, especially when the occasion is their wedding and in this case it was Bruce Wainwright's turn.
 |
| Sister Kohler, Justin and Jordan Jonas, Gerber, Fergie, and Garner |
I've enjoyed having my daughter, Alisa, staying with me for the summer, but now she is trying her hand at the European circuit and has moved to Germany to begin an audition tour. Hopefully, her singing abilities will land her an opera role. We had a send off dinner for the both of us as I'll be mission bound fairly soon.
 |
| Mike, me, Alisa, Zach, Sue and Jana at Pizza 712 |
|
Alisa and I both left on the 17th of September, only I wasn't going nearly as far...only as far as Houston. My sister and I decided we'd do a quick trip to visit our cousin, Janette Bowers, to see if we could get any more family stories of our ancestors or any family history information. It was a fun trip and we were able to meet some of Janette's family, see some areas of Texas where our dad spent some time and just build some family bonds.
 |
| Mammy Watkins' (our grandmother) pie safe |
 |
| Kathi and Janette with the pie safe |
 |
| Janette, Kathi, me, Casey (son of Janette's) and Susan Cornett |
 |
| Janette with Mammy's butter churn |
 |
| Kathi, Janette, Cole Cornett (Janette's son) and me |
 |
| Grandma Watkins' (Mammy) Tombstone |
 |
| Grandpa Watkins tombstone |
I was able to drive from the airport to a missionary reunion in Salt Lake. There were still some missionaries there in spite of the fact I arrived about 4-1/2 hours after it started.
 |
| Patti, Eva Jean and Reese Carter |
 |
| And the cycle continues: mission, marriage and family |
The next day found me in Salt Lake City once again to attend the blessing of Megan (my niece) and Bodie's new little boy. Such fun and rubbing shoulders with my brother and his children is always a wonderful thing. All five of his children (Allyson, Melissa, Amy, David and Megan) were there and it was Megan's birthday, so a doubly wonderful event.
 |
| Patti, Megan, Bodie and Wyatt |
 |
| Patti, Megan and Wyatt, Peg and Bob (my brother) Watkins |
Life is wonderful and I think it's friends and family, especially, that make it so. I'm excited to be able to share the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ; that there is a plan of happiness; and that families can be together, forever.
Sending much love and hugs your way.
