Grandma Ritchie turns 90!

I went down to New Mexico for the weekend to Celebrate my Grandmothers 90th birthday!

So, I didn't get as many photo's as I had planned since I filmed most of the weekend so I can put together a video for my Grandmother (I still need to do the music video of Bethanie's kids, so we'll see if that ever happens). And then many of the photo's I DID take were very blurry cuz I was quick trying to take one in between filming.

First.. some preparation. Mom had made all the cake previously and the luncheon before the open house was catered, so Emily made frosting,

Aaron and I went to the Jones to blow up helium balloons, Aunt Elaine kept Grandma busy looking at the beautiful Scrapbooks Jenny had made out of Grandma's picture albums, and we all decorated the church and went to the choir practice for the Easter Program (while the Holloways put out the tables) in the morning.

There were lots of people that came to celebrate with us and I didn't get a picture of them or the beautifully decorated church (see second paragraph), but among the list was the Holloways, the Sid Helms as well as Amy and her husband and child, all the Ritchies from Albuquerque, the McLeans, the Telles and Wade and his children, and many people from the ward.

The next few pictures will give u a smattering of what went on. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to post the video I made.

Dad taking pictures at the luncheon.

Mom, Dad and Aunt Joan.Emily and I.Blurry picture of Grandma surrounded by her sons and spouses.

And the Blowing out of the candles (Cousin Carol Ritchie had made the cake).

Because of the party, we didn't end up being able to go and get our Easter baskets and candy until that evening (the Helms celebrate "Spring" on Saturday with candy, presents, and the Easter Bunny so that celebrating the Resurrection is reserved for Sunday... yes, we are more righteous than u. Just saying). Of course, us children had been the ones to hide the candy in the parlor the evening before. See the peace sign Aaron did on the floor.

Angela and her Basket (I told her to look excited).

Aaron showing off the kitchen towels we got in our basket...

and the water guns (which I had to leave at home :-( Emily didn't think they'd let us take them through security)

Emily taking pictures with her laptop (the doo-rag on her head was from the open house, Mom had put springy handkerchiefs in the center of each of the tables. I got a yellow one of course :-)

Grandma LOVES chocolate!

She went through the parlor picking up all the candy and putting it in her basket.

Then we practiced the Cantata the Church Choir was doing for Easter Sunday (Sister Pack asked if we would sing with the choir so I didn't feel too bad participating even though Emily and I only practiced Sat and Sun with them) again.... and again.And of course, this was the weather while we were there!I went running Sat morning and was snowed/rained on. Good thing this time I had remembered my coat.

I enjoyed being with my family even if it was tons of work and hopefully will have a fun video to show Grandma later. Talk about needing a vacation from the vacation... I was in bed last night before 10 and didn't get up until almost 7:30 this morning! I guess my family wore me out. I know Grandma enjoyed having all the people around, even though we about did her in. She had to rest on the couch every chance she got.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

What I have Learned from Exercising...... by MSH

1. Do not eat a ciabatta and fries from Jack-in-the-Box and expect to be able to go running 15 minutes later. Your tummy will rebel.

2. If you ever show up to a Ward activity decked out in your AWESOME biking outfit, you will be forever branded as an exercise freak, regardless of ur actual physic. Of course, it helps if you also show up to RS and YW activities in that same outfit to reinforce the idea; if you ask everyone you meet in the ward to do a triathlon with you; happen to run into people from the ward at the pool; and mention in every conversation how much you have/plan too exercise that day/week.

3. Birds, especially Cockatiels cannot stay on your shoulder while running on a treadmill. They don't even like trying.

4. If you wait an hour to shower after swimming and then have some ice cream... You will feel a chill and need a blanket while eating the ice cream.


5. Stretching before and after is so important. Even if you think it is not necessary because you are not a serious exerciser. If you are not a serious exerciser you HAVE TO! Otherwise your knees will rebel and you will have to go buy new running shoes.

6. The person in the lane next to you will be faster, regardless of gender, size, or age.

7. People with Mohawks exercise too, using the following procedure: use a machine for 1 minute, walk around for 10 minutes, repeat 3 times using different machines each cycle, leave wiping your sweating brow with the towel on your shoulder.

8. If you run until you feel like you are going to throw up, ever after when you walk into the exercise room and take a deep breath of all those smells, you will remember that feeling. Its not pleasant and may hinder any future exercising in that room.

9. The swimming pool parking lot is a GREAT place to practice your trumpet every week. Just remember to bring your chair and stand.

10. No matter how much faster you get on the treadmill, how many times you swim each week, how far you ride on your bike, Melissa* will ALWAYS be better.

*for the rest of you, insert either "Sarah" or "SOMEONE" for "Melissa"

Conference Weekend and Easter Biscuits

Wasn't conference wonderful? I love just sitting and being fed... and its a GREAT excuse to crochet all day. I was working on a baby dress my VTee wanted me to do for her. But that is fodder for a whole 'nuther post so you'll have to wait..

I didn't want to show the pictures yet of what I entered into the fair until I could show all the blue ribbons that will go along with them, but this blanket has a story I wanted to share. While out shopping Friday night, I got a phone call that went like this:
"Melanie Helm?"
"This is she."
"I work at the Fair and was wondering if your baby afghan was for sale."
"Um....well.... I hadn't really thought about it!"
"Well, think about it. My daughter is having a baby and I thought the blanket would be perfect."
"OK, I'll think about it".

I've NEVER had anyone I didn't know SPONTANEOUSLY ask to buy my stuff so I didn't know what to do. Don't worry, I will call her back soon and say "SHORE!". I've been trying to think of a reasonable price. As a sister in my parents ward said, "You just need enough money to feed your habit". Hand made items are ALWAYS cheaper than the time spent making them.

On Saturday evening I made a quick trip to Joann's to get some supplies for that VTee project I mentioned and struck up a conversation with a lady in the Yarn/thread isle. Turned out she was matching thread to finish HER Conference project. Then another lady there asked us for our opinion on color and mentioned she need something to do for 4 hours the next day... In all, I met 3 other people getting supplies for Conference! Isn't that great?

Sunday Melissa invited me over to watch conference at her house. I wasn't sure I could be there early enough to watch the morning session with them (9am is EARLY and she lives more than 1/2 an hour away), but then she mentioned Cinnamon Rolls.... yup, I was there in the morning!

Its always fun to see Melissa and Dan and have someone to respond to comments like "He's my favorite!", "That was a powerful talk", "I don't like this story either, it's way too sad!", etc.

When I got home Sunday night, I wanted to make rolls. Unfortunately I didn't have any milk, but with a little help from my mother, I figured out how to use powdered milk. I decided to try out a new yeast biscuit recipe and cut the shapes for Easter rather than boring circles. I think they turned out nice.
Don't be fooled by the cute shapes. I think I still messed up with the powdered milk cuz they don't taste that great and I can only eat them with butter and jam.

As many of u know, I usually like my bread NAKED. :-)

All in all, a very productive weekend.

Tagged by Mauvia

(I forgot to post this last week, so I'll wait to post about conference and weekend activities)
(Still working on the first Value Experience for Virtue... man I'm a looser!)

I was tagged MANY Moons ago by Mauvia (OK, just a few weeks) and I had this post done but never published it. So here it is!





I thought I would do it cuz I get funny pictures. (The spaces are on purpose... FYI)

Supposed to go to the 6th folder and get the 6th picture.

So, here's the work one. That folder is called "Melissa"

It's the rained out Kokapelli triathlon 2 years ago! Soon after this picture was taken by those professional people that wait along the route, she was told to turn around cuz the dumb thing was canceled because of the weather. I don't have a picture of myself cuz they stopped us Sprinters as soon as we were out of the water. The sad story behind this was that we had both invited our Mothers and sister to watch us! It was my first triathlon ever. The good news was that then we got home in plenty of time to prepare for Melissa's Bridal Shower.

At home... there is only one picture in my 6th folder...

This is Melissa taking a picture of my new dishes I had gotten from Christmas. I didn't want her to, but she did anyways. My camera was still kinda new :-). This was when I was skinny and we still lived in the house on Belshire. That red shirt is too tight now.... Its one I got from Birgit. Man I wish my "Unexplained Weight Loss" could be explained!

Anyone else wanna do it? Its only fun if u get funny pictures so I'll let u decide if u wanna be tagged.

PS... those of u in Las Vegas should go look at my friend Christy Cropper's photography (La Belle Dame Sans Regrets) and maybe schedule a session with her. She's a fellow engineer that in this economic downturn has found time (read... lost her job) to expand her photography addiction. She's very talented!

V&T Railroad Bridge

(Look to the Right for the start of the Virtue Value Project. I'm thinking we can handle one a week, right?)

I don't know how many of u remember those tunnels and bridge I told u about for the V&T Railroad. And do you remember that I rode the train? (Here is the video I took on the train ride)
Well, the bridge was put on my substructure Wednesday (March 25th... yes, this was supposed 2 post last week, but I was busy documenting SASW... too bad for u!) night. Arvid was on call all night and was pretty nervous, but it went off without a hitch.

Here is the pier: Here is the Abutment (the thing hanging off the crane is formwork that makes the outside of the concrete look like its stone.... well, it's supposed to look like stone :-)

Here are the bridge sections on the Semi's ready to be taken to the bridge site.

The guy in charge of it in Reno said it would be just his luck if they put it up as AILWAY V&T R :-)

And the final product! Isn't it beautiful?

This is the news article on it.

Its always fun when something you designed comes together like this. My first Bridge!

(OK, just my first substructure... but it's more fun to say "My first BRIDGE")

A Challenge

I "got" to go to the Young Woman's General Broadcast Saturday Night and I wanted to share a challenge they gave us.

Many of u know that Virtue has been added to the list of Young Woman Values. In the latest Young Woman program, in order to get your medallion, you need to complete Value projects for each of the Values. They challenged ALL of us to complete the Virtue Value projects. Sister Cook (Second Counselor in the Young Woman's General Presidency) shared her experience of completing it with her 87 year old Mother.

I think it would be cool if all of us sisters (and Mother,Friends, Brothers and Father... if they feel so inclined) completed this value. It would certainly be an incentive for me if I had other people attempting at the same time.

They also continued the challenge to pray every day, read the scriptures for at least 5 minutes every day, and to smile.

We can do it! The projects can be found here.

As a side note, I rode my bike over to"Peggy's Attic" to help out Saturday Morning.. a 34 mile round trip. Man was I proud of myself! And of course, I told everyone I met so they would be impressed as well. Everyone in my ward reacts so well, telling me how wonderful I am. Ahh... so nice.

Funny story, I headed down Bonanza Road and trucked up the hill to the strip, but when I realized Bonanza doesn't go over the freeway, I headed north to the next cross over street (Washington) which took me back down the hill so once I turned West again, I had to head back up once again. I have to admit I didn't push it or anything, but the ride back was not as pleasant as the ride down. Downhill is fun.... except when u have to go back up! I also got a little pink, but if this is the only reminder sunburn I need this summer to start wearing Sunstop, I'll be grateful.

SASW Day 3 - and the rest

This is going to be a boring post cuz no pictures! I meant to take pictures of us all dolled up in our Sunday outfits, but I forgot. I blame it on my mother. (Yesterday I did service at place called Peggy's attic that allows foster kids to pick out donated clothes and games and there were two little shirts I liked best... One said "My sister Did it" and the other said "Its my brothers fault")

Sunday actually wasn't very exciting cuz we just all got ready, went to church where I was so excited to introduce everyone! We actually got there 15 minutes early. Never in my life have I been 15 minutes early to church. Going early for choir practice doesn't count because I was always late for those as well.

I was very sad Pat Hammond wasn't there in Sunday School so I could introduce everyone there, but I got to in RS. So fun! I heard one older lady (sister Spencer?) say "It's like they came from all over the country to meet here". Thank u Sister for expressing the exact sentiment I was trying to imply with my introductions!

I then stayed for choir so everyone else would have to go home and fix dinner :-). Mom and Jenny decided they didn't want to help fix dinner either so they stayed. Jenny played the piano for our normally Acapella choir. I have gotten compliments for that (thanks Jenny!). Mom held Sister Steeds new baby the whole time and didn't mind a bit.

We got home to a fine dinner cooked and ready! In my defence, I had put the corned beef in the crock pot before we left. Emily had made biscuits and there was a beautiful salad and cantaloupe and cooked squash from out of the freezer (made it kinda runny... note to self). Mom fixed up the mashed potatoes with sour cream and garlic since there wasn't going to be any gravy. It was so fun! I don't think I've cooked (well... had someone else cook) a complete meal like that since Emily was there after Thanksgiving and we tried the turkey (which I still have in my freezer). I'm gonna have to do that more often.

I informed my family that in my house Jane Austin Movies are Sunday Movies (in NM there is no TV at all) and Mom said "its your house". So we watched a couple of movies, played SET, and ate ice cream cuz Neita didn't want to go to bed and have it all end! I stayed up way too late....

I took Jenny to the airport early in the morning after seeing Mom and Angela off on their drive home. Neita and Emily were dropped off later on my way in to work (I got to work at 11am). I couldn't keep my eyes open even after going out to my car twice for power naps, so around 4:30pm I asked Arvid if I could just go home. He wasn't too impressed with my lack of dedication to work, but he let me go ("thanks for the guest appearance"). I slept, took Bethanie shopping, took a walk, watched "House", and we went to bed early. YA FOR US! I was pretty proud.

Of course, I had to get Bethanie to the airport by 6 am. We didn't leave that early cuz we figured she wouldn't have a hard time going through security. Unfortunately there was a HUGE accident on the 2-15 by the airport connector. After sitting still for 10 minutes, I told Bethanie there was no way we were going to get through that mess in 30 minutes (and by then she would have missed her plane), so I got on the shoulder and backed up to the nearest exit to the I-15. I was pretty sure I knew the way around the airport, but wasn't completely confident. Luckily, I took the correct way that led us right too it. There was NO traffic... Everyone was stuck on the freeway! I was a little stressed about her making it (she doesn't have a cell phone), but since I didn't get a frantic phone in the next hour, I figured she made her flight.

All in all, everyone got home safe with fairly minimal excitement. I was so glad cuz I didn't want Sisters Weekend to end in tears :-). Thank you all for such a wonderful time!

Confession: I was talking to my VT about Sisters Weekend and when I mentioned ghetto Bonnie Springs, she said "we told u it was ghetto!". Uh... really? Oops *Self Conscience Grin*. Apparently I have selective hearing... I now remember them saying it was OK and the kids liked it, but it was very ghetto. SORRY SISTERS!

I guess u'll just have to come back so I can make it up to u!