Feeding the Missionaries - Cincinnati Chili

We had the opportunity to feed the missionaries on Thursday night. Had the bright idea to invite another couple as well. Metz and Carol were glad to come. I tried out a recipe that Birke suggested. It was for Cincinnati Chili - which is served on top of spaghetti. Since I had never made it, and since it might have been too spicy for me I also made a large casserole of funeral potatoes. Wednesday night as I was making most of the food I also made a cake and a large jello with fruit. A few weeks ago when we had the missionaries the on from Kansas, Elder Genteman really like the jello.
The chili was really hot- even with sour cream I couldn't take it, but all the men ate with a gusto. We had a different missionary who was on splits with Elder G. and he said it was his first time ever eating homemade jello- he had only had the little jello cups from the store.
After the missionaries left we visited with our friends and then sent some leftovers home with them- some funeral potatoes for her and some chili for him.
I may be related to Elder G. He has a Bradshaw in his family and when I said that my grandfather's name was Douglas Bradshaw Fowler - Elder G said he mother's maiden name was Fowler- that is too much of a coincidence... and her father was Clark. I have a cousin name Clark, but it would not be him.

To Church with Kirt

It was Fast Sunday today so there was no ward conferences scheduled so Kirt got to come to church with me. I think it was only the 2nd time this year.
A young lady, Jaime, who was baptized this past summer likes to sit with us on the back row. I have been going to the gospel essentials class with her when Kirt is not there. She is a real sweetheart. Last week after church she and I sat on the bench opposite the library and I showed her how to make a loom hat, today she had it done and Merry helped her finish it.

We had a nice meal to break the fast - BBQ ribs, rice and broccoli. Kirt took a plate over to Dot, the elderly lady (80's) who lives across the street.

Fixing the Yellow Truck

Shaunika's family(including Jason) has been sick this week with the flu so Kirt figured he wouldn't be able to go out to have Jason help him with the truck. Shaunika called early to say the Jason was feeling well enough to help Kirt.

I decided to go also (and we were crossing our fingers that we would make it). Kirt and Jason undid a few bolts off and lifted the cab off and fixed something about the thing where you put the gas in.

I made cookies with Samantha, the kids played with bubbles, and jumped on the trampoline. We fed the chickens the scraps.

Kirt primed the floor of what will be the new shed. Samantha had put on her Cinderella dress and wanted to use the paint roller- they didn't let her.

Shaunika and I took Jacob and went to Michael's- she was getting a gift card for a friend. I bought KFC to take home to feed everyone. We threw the scraps to the chickens.

New Glasses & a Stiff Neck

It seems like every time my glasses change prescription I have to get used to looking through no-line trifocals all over again. What that actually means is I have to look up and down repeatedly to find the actual small space I can see through for that distance- depending on what I am looking at.
By Thursday night my neck was absolutely killing me, and my whole head and neck hurt. Icepacks, and rice bags and NSAIDs will hopefully solve the problems.

I actually got the glasses prescription last summer, but was plagued with dry eyes and had the doctors say my eyeballs looked like they had been sandblasted- I told them it felt like that also.

The option of having my tear ducts cauterized didn't sound too appealing. Eventually, I saw a specialist who diagnosed that the lubricating glands under my upper eyelids were clogged and he put me on an antibiotic- similar to one that teenagers would need if they had acne.

That medicine and 2 fish oil capsules a day seem to be solving the problem, so I finally felt confident enough in how my eyes felt to get the glasses.

Unlock the Goodness of Whole Grains

Yesterday, we had an activity at RS- the humanitarian portion was making loom hats for the homeless- our ward is trying to do 100.

The other part of the evening was about whole grains and how to sprout them - there was lots of different foods to try.
In preparation I had signed up and made spelt muffins and oatmeal pancakes. Both recipes I would make again.

I Miss Birke

He is in Georgia right now, helping at Logan's house by tending the kids a few days a week while Noelette is finishing her degree. He also works at Publix- a high end grocery store. His schedule is weird so I never know when to call or text or email him. I love him and miss him, he is such a good boy.

President's Day at the Sacramento LDS Temple

For a few years now our stake has made arrangements with the temple to be open on the Monday of President's Day. The temple is usually closed on Mondays. Our stake staffs the temple and keep it busy the entire day with all ordinances. It is totally cool to be there and know everyone. Kirt and I went in the morning and did sealings and then a session.

Then we came home and changed clothes- he then drove the truck to Shaunika's house where he and Jason worked on the problem so that it will pass smog. They had to order a part and he will return next week to fix it and help Jason build a shed.

I hauled boxes and stuff out of the garage - from the area near the washing machine. I took some stuff upstairs and have some stuff that I need to go through and also got some stuff ready for DI. I was able to make a bit of sense to some of my PC stuff that is in the garage.