(Best if viewed in full screen mode)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
End of October
David spent last Thursday and Friday evenings helping his cousin, Adam, with some car repairs. Friday I went to the play Les Miserables at a the Taylorsville High School with my neighbor friends (and have had those songs stuck in my head ever since). Saturday we took the youth of our church to the Cornbelly Corn Maze at Thanksgiving Point. This week, just life as usual...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Sheila's Birthday!
David and I already had planned to go out to dinner, so we went to Texas Roadhouse that evening and I had some more great food.
When we got home, David had gotten me the DVD of Disney's Robin Hood (the one with the animals as the characters - my favorite), so we lounged the rest of the evening and watched that DVD. We're still quoting it: "Come again...on my birf-day."
The next day, we met up with David's parents, brother, sister, nephews, and niece to drive up Emigration Canyon to look at the changing leaves. It was freezing up there!
David and I posed for a quick pic before running back to the warmth of the vehicles.
Last Sunday was the monthly Duke Family Dinner. This month it was held at Grammy's care center (in case you were wondering about the tropical backdrop). Here are the family members with October birthdays...obviously some more into it than others.
Thanks everyone for making my birthday great!
Sheila's Trip to San Diego
Here's some pictures of my trip to San Diego with my parents and brother (September 27-Oct 2). Highlights of the trip included going to Sea World, a Padres baseball game, Legoland, and La Jolla Cove. Thank you Dad, Becky, and Shan for taking me with you. This was a great trip!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Utah State Fair
David and I went with the youth of our church to the Utah State Fair last night. We watched the horse pulls and wandered around. You could say we had a fair time.
Reunion and David's Birthday!
On Saturday, September 5th, we headed to Star Valley, Wyoming for the annual Simpson Reunion. Here's some pictures of David playing horeshoes at the reunion...
While we were in Star Valley at my parents' place, we had a little b-day party for David outside in my parents' pavillion.
Here's Becky's cat, Pedro Louie, at David's party...
On Friday, September 11th, David had the day off from work for his birthday, so we went to the Hill Airforce Museum...
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On David's acutal birthday, we got together with his mom's side of the family and celebrated again...
Friday, September 4, 2009
Happenings
David and I went boating last Saturday at Bear Lake with my parents, and Uncle Dahl and Aunt Chris. We had lots of fun and went for pizza afterwards. We stayed overnight there in my parents' condo, and the next day went and played tennis for a little while. While we were playing tennis, a guy in the parking lot opened his big enclosed trailer that was pulled behind his huge motorhome and backed a lamborghini out of the trailer. Sheesh! someone's got money to burn.
Tonight we're planning to have dinner with David's family then go to a play his brother, Jonathan, is in. David's sister, Elizabeth, is in town visiting from Virginia, so it will be a good time.
Tomorrow we're headed to Star Valley, Wyo, for the annual Simpson Reunion. To my knowledge, I've attended every year, so this will be my 26th year at the reunion. :-) We'll come back to SLC on Monday.
I thought August was busy and September would be a month to stay home and regroup, but it's looking like September is going to be as busy as August.
Next Thursday David and I have a dental cleaning appointment. I HATE going to the dentist for any reason. I'm not sure where my dislike comes from. Too much dental work as a kid, I suppose. Wish I was more like David, he LOVES going to the dentist.
Then it's David's birthday the next weekend. He's 25 days older than me.
Monday the 14th, is my Department's staff retreat up in the canyon. I look forward to it every year.
Our neighbor friends invited us to go to the movies with them the next Saturday, the 19th. We'll probably see the new GI Joe movie.
Then the month will be almost over, and I'll be packing for my trip to San Diego with my parents and brother on the 27th. I'm really excited for the trip!!
Tonight we're planning to have dinner with David's family then go to a play his brother, Jonathan, is in. David's sister, Elizabeth, is in town visiting from Virginia, so it will be a good time.
Tomorrow we're headed to Star Valley, Wyo, for the annual Simpson Reunion. To my knowledge, I've attended every year, so this will be my 26th year at the reunion. :-) We'll come back to SLC on Monday.
I thought August was busy and September would be a month to stay home and regroup, but it's looking like September is going to be as busy as August.
Next Thursday David and I have a dental cleaning appointment. I HATE going to the dentist for any reason. I'm not sure where my dislike comes from. Too much dental work as a kid, I suppose. Wish I was more like David, he LOVES going to the dentist.
Then it's David's birthday the next weekend. He's 25 days older than me.
Monday the 14th, is my Department's staff retreat up in the canyon. I look forward to it every year.
Our neighbor friends invited us to go to the movies with them the next Saturday, the 19th. We'll probably see the new GI Joe movie.
Then the month will be almost over, and I'll be packing for my trip to San Diego with my parents and brother on the 27th. I'm really excited for the trip!!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
David and the Frankenstein'ed Acura - Part 2-1/2
This post isn't really about the Frankensteining of our two '87 Acuras; it's an update on what we've been doing for the last month that's taken our time away from the Frankensteining.
For the 24th of July Utah state holiday, we went to the Pioneer Day Parade downtown Salt Lake City, then headed to Star Valley (aka Thayne), Wyoming. On July 25th we went boating on Palisades Lake with Simpsons by Alpine, Wyoming (see pictures posted earlier).
We headed back to SLC on the 26th, worked three days, then on July 30th through August 2nd we took the 14-19 year olds in our church group to "Youth Conference." We went to Honeyville, UT, to Crystal Hot Springs and camped and played in the hot springs and got good use of their tube slide.
After that we drove back to SLC and toured historic Temple Square. This included watching the film "Joseph, the Prophet of the Restoration" at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It's a wonderful film, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.
Then we took the next week and a half to get back to reality and recuperate from being away from home so much.
On August 12th, we went to dinner at the cabin of Elder Richard G. Hinckley (son of the LDS (Mormon) Church's previous president of the church). Others on Elder Hinckley’s guest list (besides David and I) included Elders Lynn G. Robbins, David F. Evans, Spencer V. Jones, and Lowell M. Snow; their wives, their secretaries, and their secretary's husbands; the Managing Director of the Missionary Department (aka my boss) and his wife, and the Directors of the Missionary Department and their wives. (See previous post for more info on these Brethren).
We had a wonderful dinner sitting across from Elder Snow, listening to him tell us stories of his last four years serving in the Church in West Africa and how they were blessed there. After dinner, Elder Hinckley took a small group of us on a nature walk around the cabin. It was a very memorable evening!


The next evening, Thursday, August 13th, was my Department's summer social at Snydermill Lodge in Park City. The guest list there included the same people as the evening before, plus Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Bishop Richard C. Edgley - and all the staff of the Missionary Department.
I sat next to Peter Breinholt, who was also our entertainment for the evening. He is a very interesting guy and a great musician. After Peter Breinholt performed, Elder Holland gave some closing remarks. Elder Holland said he feels that as time goes on, the choices we have to make will become more black and white as either the Lord's way or the world's way. He told us that if we choose the Lord's way and "fly our flag" as such, we will be blessed with an abundance of light, love, and joy. So I took that to mean that having the gospel of Jesus Christ will not only get us through anything that may come, but that it will give us extra understanding, love, and joy. What an amazing insight from an Apostle of God!
Elder Holland also told us that if he did not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (aka the teachings of the LDS/Mormon Church), he would never be a part of sending missionaries to any part of this planet. It was very motivational and spiritually uplifting to hear him speak directly to us.
So you'd think that our adventures for the day would end there, but NO, the adventures continued! When we were driving home from the social, our car's tire sensor told us our right front tire was losing air. We were able to get home ok, but the tire was pretty flat when we got there. David, being Mr. Mechanic, got out his tire-repair tools, jacked up the car, took the tire off, pulled out a small nail, fixed the leak, and put the tire back on the car (all in about 5 minutes) – then used his electric pump to put air pressure into the tire.
The next day (Friday, August 14th), we went out to the car in the morning to go to work and the tire had lost 10 psi. David figured that there was another leak that he hadn’t found the night before, so he fixed the tire enough to drive on it and after work took it to a tire place, and they found something stuck in the tire that was the size of a big needle (like the kind you use for leatherwork), and they were able to fix the tire.
So as if we hadn’t had enough adventure for one day; after getting the tire fixed and loading our camping gear into the car, we drove to Swan Valley, Idaho, to the Hope Reunion. Due to the minor setback of having to get the tire fixed, we got there at 11:11 p.m.! Let’s just say I’m glad my hubby is quick at setting up our tent and my cot by flashlight!
The next morning (Saturday, August 15th), we went with all the Hopes over Teton Pass through Jackson, Wyoming, to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. We hiked around to the other side of the lake to Hidden Falls, and it started to rain and then hail. Most of us at that point opted to take the ferryboat back to the parking lot rather than hiking back.

We had lunch back at the parking lot. Then the group went swimming at the Jackson Recreation Center. However, David, his parents, and I decided to leave the group and drove up to the Jackson Lake Lodge and looked at the beautiful view of the Tetons. Then we went to the new visitors’ center in Moose, Wyoming, and then headed back to Jackson and looked around the shops there and watched the “shootout” show they perform in the street every night. David bought a new hat in Jackson - which he loves, might I add. After that we drove back to Swan Valley by way of Alpine, Wyoming, and spent the night in the tent again. The next day (Sunday, August 16th), we drove back to Salt Lake City by way of Grandma Hope’s house in Ammon (near Idaho Falls, Idaho).
This week and next I hope will be recuperating weeks, because on August 29th we’re planning a trip with my brother and parents to stay overnight at Bear Lake, then the next week on September 4th we plan to go to Star Valley for the annual Simpson Reunion. Then the week after that is David’s birthday, and a few weeks after that is David’s work party at Lagoon.
Life needs to slow down so we can get back to the simple things in life -- like Frankensteining!
For the 24th of July Utah state holiday, we went to the Pioneer Day Parade downtown Salt Lake City, then headed to Star Valley (aka Thayne), Wyoming. On July 25th we went boating on Palisades Lake with Simpsons by Alpine, Wyoming (see pictures posted earlier).
We headed back to SLC on the 26th, worked three days, then on July 30th through August 2nd we took the 14-19 year olds in our church group to "Youth Conference." We went to Honeyville, UT, to Crystal Hot Springs and camped and played in the hot springs and got good use of their tube slide.

After that we drove back to SLC and toured historic Temple Square. This included watching the film "Joseph, the Prophet of the Restoration" at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It's a wonderful film, and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.
Then we took the next week and a half to get back to reality and recuperate from being away from home so much.
On August 12th, we went to dinner at the cabin of Elder Richard G. Hinckley (son of the LDS (Mormon) Church's previous president of the church). Others on Elder Hinckley’s guest list (besides David and I) included Elders Lynn G. Robbins, David F. Evans, Spencer V. Jones, and Lowell M. Snow; their wives, their secretaries, and their secretary's husbands; the Managing Director of the Missionary Department (aka my boss) and his wife, and the Directors of the Missionary Department and their wives. (See previous post for more info on these Brethren).
We had a wonderful dinner sitting across from Elder Snow, listening to him tell us stories of his last four years serving in the Church in West Africa and how they were blessed there. After dinner, Elder Hinckley took a small group of us on a nature walk around the cabin. It was a very memorable evening!


The next evening, Thursday, August 13th, was my Department's summer social at Snydermill Lodge in Park City. The guest list there included the same people as the evening before, plus Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Bishop Richard C. Edgley - and all the staff of the Missionary Department.
I sat next to Peter Breinholt, who was also our entertainment for the evening. He is a very interesting guy and a great musician. After Peter Breinholt performed, Elder Holland gave some closing remarks. Elder Holland said he feels that as time goes on, the choices we have to make will become more black and white as either the Lord's way or the world's way. He told us that if we choose the Lord's way and "fly our flag" as such, we will be blessed with an abundance of light, love, and joy. So I took that to mean that having the gospel of Jesus Christ will not only get us through anything that may come, but that it will give us extra understanding, love, and joy. What an amazing insight from an Apostle of God!
Elder Holland also told us that if he did not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (aka the teachings of the LDS/Mormon Church), he would never be a part of sending missionaries to any part of this planet. It was very motivational and spiritually uplifting to hear him speak directly to us.
So you'd think that our adventures for the day would end there, but NO, the adventures continued! When we were driving home from the social, our car's tire sensor told us our right front tire was losing air. We were able to get home ok, but the tire was pretty flat when we got there. David, being Mr. Mechanic, got out his tire-repair tools, jacked up the car, took the tire off, pulled out a small nail, fixed the leak, and put the tire back on the car (all in about 5 minutes) – then used his electric pump to put air pressure into the tire.
The next day (Friday, August 14th), we went out to the car in the morning to go to work and the tire had lost 10 psi. David figured that there was another leak that he hadn’t found the night before, so he fixed the tire enough to drive on it and after work took it to a tire place, and they found something stuck in the tire that was the size of a big needle (like the kind you use for leatherwork), and they were able to fix the tire.
So as if we hadn’t had enough adventure for one day; after getting the tire fixed and loading our camping gear into the car, we drove to Swan Valley, Idaho, to the Hope Reunion. Due to the minor setback of having to get the tire fixed, we got there at 11:11 p.m.! Let’s just say I’m glad my hubby is quick at setting up our tent and my cot by flashlight!
The next morning (Saturday, August 15th), we went with all the Hopes over Teton Pass through Jackson, Wyoming, to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. We hiked around to the other side of the lake to Hidden Falls, and it started to rain and then hail. Most of us at that point opted to take the ferryboat back to the parking lot rather than hiking back.

We had lunch back at the parking lot. Then the group went swimming at the Jackson Recreation Center. However, David, his parents, and I decided to leave the group and drove up to the Jackson Lake Lodge and looked at the beautiful view of the Tetons. Then we went to the new visitors’ center in Moose, Wyoming, and then headed back to Jackson and looked around the shops there and watched the “shootout” show they perform in the street every night. David bought a new hat in Jackson - which he loves, might I add. After that we drove back to Swan Valley by way of Alpine, Wyoming, and spent the night in the tent again. The next day (Sunday, August 16th), we drove back to Salt Lake City by way of Grandma Hope’s house in Ammon (near Idaho Falls, Idaho).This week and next I hope will be recuperating weeks, because on August 29th we’re planning a trip with my brother and parents to stay overnight at Bear Lake, then the next week on September 4th we plan to go to Star Valley for the annual Simpson Reunion. Then the week after that is David’s birthday, and a few weeks after that is David’s work party at Lagoon.
Life needs to slow down so we can get back to the simple things in life -- like Frankensteining!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
David and the Frankenstein'ed Acura - Part 2



Here's an update to my previous post about David Frankensteining two Acura Legend's together to make one perfectly-running Acura.
Since my last post, he has now removed all coolant hoses, the throttle assembly, a dozen or more vacuum hoses, the starter, thermostat, idle air valve, and charcoal canister (and some other stuff that isn't really blog-worthy).
He still needs to pull the cv joints/axles and the speedometer cable, remove the motor mounts, and hook it all up to a cherry picker/hoist (that our neighbor is graciously loaning to us), and pull the rest out!
And then do it all again on the other car...
So why, you ask, are there two cat pictures associated with this blog post?
Well, one of the pictures is of Clare, meowing and meowing from the bedroom window, wanting to come out and help. The other picture is of our semi-adopted cat, Tux, who jumped over the back fence to come see the progress of the Frankensteining.
Labels:
Frankenstein'ed Acura
Friday, August 7, 2009
David and the Frankenstein'ed Acura - Part 1


So to catch you up to this point, David (my hubby) purchased a 1987 Acura Legend in December of 2003 after he returned from serving a mission for the LDS (Mormon) Church. In April of this year, the transmission gave up the ghost, and the poor Acura has just sat by the driveway ever since.
David and I decided that the most economical solution for us to still have two drivable cars would be to find another 1987 Acura Legend to take parts from and fix up our Acura, since David could do all of the labor on it (since he has a college degree in automotive repair).
So after much searching, we found a white 1987 Legend for sale in Salt Lake City that runs great and was within budget. David moved the two Acuras onto the cement pad in the back yard, and with the help of the boy scouts in the neighborhood (and our two cats watching from the bedroom window), was able to start the Frankensteining process.
So far he's removed the hood, front grill, battery, air cleaner assembly, alternator, belts, radiator, lower splash shield; and drained the antifreeze and automatic transmission fluid. He says the oil will be drained next, then he'll relieve the pressure in the fuel lines.
Despite sore hands and greasy knuckles, the process is going very well thus far. I'll keep you posted on the future Frankensteining fun.
Labels:
Frankenstein'ed Acura
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Guess Who I Met Today



Today I met Elder David F. Evans who is a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy of the LDS (Mormon) Church, and also Elder Lowell M. Snow and Elder Spencer V. Jones who are members of the Second Quorum of the Seventy of the LDS (Mormon) Church.
These three great men have served in leadership positions all around the world for the Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter-day Saints and are now serving at LDS Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the Missionary Department. I'm looking forward to working with them!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Thought of the Day
New Hampshire license plates have written on them "Live Free or Die." Don't New Hampshire inmates make those license plates?
Monday, July 27, 2009
This last weekend was really fun! On Friday morning David and I went to the 24th of July parade downtown Salt Lake City, UT. David's two brothers and their friends also met us there. We had a great spot in the shade by 5th South and 2nd East. David and I brought sandwiches and snacks which made us pretty popular with my brother-in-laws' friends.
After the parade, we headed to my parents' place in Star Valley (aka Thayne), Wyoming. We had dinner at Pizza Hut with my parents and brother, then visited my Great-aunt Velma, then went for a motorcycle/4-wheeler ride.
On Saturday we spent all day boating at Palisades Reservoir/Lake. David water-skied and I tubed behind the boat (not at the same time, of course). We also took the boat up the Snake River and up the Grays River. It was SOO beautiful there!! We even saw a deer by the bank of the Snake River.
Saturday evening, David and my brother and I went to my cousins house and had a little reunion with relatives on my mom's side of the family that were in town that I haven't seen for like 8 years. We roasted marshmallows and ate smores and watched the girls light fireworks.
On the way home we saw a skunk in the middle of the road (and swerved!) and a deer on the side of the road. When we got home, we lit off a few fireworks of our own (the nice big Wyoming fireworks, not the little Utah ones). We put on a pretty good show for the neighbor who was still baling his hay in the field next to my parents' house.
On Sunday we got back to our house around 10 p.m. The cats were very happy to see us, especially the one we think now has a respiratory infection. A trip to the vet is planned.
Now to work 3 days, then my hubby and I (and our Bishop and the Young Women's President) are taking eight 14-19 year olds to Crystal Hot Springs for an LDS (Mormon) Youth Conference.
I'll post pictures a little later on...check back.
After the parade, we headed to my parents' place in Star Valley (aka Thayne), Wyoming. We had dinner at Pizza Hut with my parents and brother, then visited my Great-aunt Velma, then went for a motorcycle/4-wheeler ride.
On Saturday we spent all day boating at Palisades Reservoir/Lake. David water-skied and I tubed behind the boat (not at the same time, of course). We also took the boat up the Snake River and up the Grays River. It was SOO beautiful there!! We even saw a deer by the bank of the Snake River.
Saturday evening, David and my brother and I went to my cousins house and had a little reunion with relatives on my mom's side of the family that were in town that I haven't seen for like 8 years. We roasted marshmallows and ate smores and watched the girls light fireworks.
On the way home we saw a skunk in the middle of the road (and swerved!) and a deer on the side of the road. When we got home, we lit off a few fireworks of our own (the nice big Wyoming fireworks, not the little Utah ones). We put on a pretty good show for the neighbor who was still baling his hay in the field next to my parents' house.
On Sunday we got back to our house around 10 p.m. The cats were very happy to see us, especially the one we think now has a respiratory infection. A trip to the vet is planned.
Now to work 3 days, then my hubby and I (and our Bishop and the Young Women's President) are taking eight 14-19 year olds to Crystal Hot Springs for an LDS (Mormon) Youth Conference.
I'll post pictures a little later on...check back.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Pioneers
I love this time of year that makes me remember all of the sacrifices people have made for the things they believed in. I really like the scenes in this video.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
My Hero!!
Last night my hubby, David, went out the front door of our house to turn off the sprinkler and when he came back in he said he'd accidently walked through a big spider's web that must have been across the door frame. Just then I noticed a huge spider on our screen door by the handle, and whatever I said (in my moment of freaking out since I despise spiders), he thought I meant the big spider was on him so he started to freak out too. So I stopped freaking out and said, "It's not on you, it's on the door by the handle!"
He said it was a black widow spider and grabbed a nearby shoe and was able to kill it outside. EWWW!!!
Thank you David for saving me from the spider!! If not for you, that door would have been unusable to me for a long time!
He said it was a black widow spider and grabbed a nearby shoe and was able to kill it outside. EWWW!!!
Thank you David for saving me from the spider!! If not for you, that door would have been unusable to me for a long time!
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Annual Pioneer Day Concert
Here's a picture of my hubby, David, and me at the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Annual Pioneer Day Concert at the LDS Conference Center on Friday, July 17, 2009.It was an awesome concert! My favorite part was when the organist, Richard Elliott, played "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" mostly with the organ's foot pedals.
If you're ever in Salt Lake City, Utah, you should definitely stop by Temple Square and hear an organ recital (more info about the free organ recitals click here).
Friday, July 17, 2009
4-H does NOT stand for hogs, hay, horses, and howdy
I recently mentioned to a group of teenagers that when I was a teenager, I was in the 4-H program, and they were like "what's that??" and had no clue what I was talking about. OK, so I realize that they grew up in a city and not in the country like I did, but to have never heard of an organization that now has 6.5 million members across the US, 60 million alumni, and is in every county of every state? Wow!
A while ago my sister-in-law found out I was in 4-H as a youth and asked me what 4-H stood for (she thought the H's stood for like hogs, hay, horses, and howdy. *sigh*)
So I dedicate this blog post to those of you who have not heard of 4-H or are clueless about what the 4 H's stand for.
The 4-H motto is
"I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service,
and my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
Therefore the 4 H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health.
The local clubs do all kinds of community service projects and can focus on anything from gardening to web design. My club focused on sewing and cooking.
For a list of famous people (besides me) who are 4-H alumni, click here.
A while ago my sister-in-law found out I was in 4-H as a youth and asked me what 4-H stood for (she thought the H's stood for like hogs, hay, horses, and howdy. *sigh*)
So I dedicate this blog post to those of you who have not heard of 4-H or are clueless about what the 4 H's stand for.
The 4-H motto is
"I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
my Heart to greater loyalty,
my Hands to larger service,
and my Health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world."
Therefore the 4 H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health.
The local clubs do all kinds of community service projects and can focus on anything from gardening to web design. My club focused on sewing and cooking.
For a list of famous people (besides me) who are 4-H alumni, click here.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
New Cell Phone + Cat = Lots of Laughs
So I have to tell about the most hillarious thing that has happened in my life this week. David (my hubby) and I got new cell phones, so we're sitting on our couch and David is looking at all the info that came with the phones. One of the manuals is shrink-wrapped and he's having a hard time getting the package open and needs some kind of knife or sharp object to get the plastic open. Our cat (Mella) just happened to be walking past him, so he picks her up, pushes on her paw to get a claw to come out, and used her claw to open the shrink-wrap. It hit me as REALLY funny! I was dying laughing for a long time. ...what a creative hubby I have. :-)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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