HAPPY AUTUMN

I have just spent nine days in Utah. The first day and night I spent with my girls on their sisters weekend. We had a wonderful dinner; my four girls along with Alisyn, Eric and Meagan. Ashley was to join us but got hung up with work. We went to the home show, courtusy of Ashley, after dinner. Then we went to Melanie's house for an evening of crafting and yummy pumpkin bars which Angie made. Then I went to my dad's in Logan on Saturday morning for a week of working in the garden, visiting and drives around Cache Valley. I finally got to see Martin Harris's grave in Clarkston. He was one of the three witnesses of the Golden Plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated. On Sunday Melanie, Natalie, Angie, Meagan, Kevin and Ashley came to my dad's for dinner and a visit. This is part of the sister's weekend activity. We had lots of fun. The Fall leaves were beautiful everywhere we went! I love Fall and really miss it.

Hostas in my dad's yard. Just the day before they had been green.



My dad's Maple tree.

Martin Harris grave in Clarkston, Utah

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dad and Natalie!

My Speers

This week I had continuing adventures with the Speer grandchildren. On Wednesday, Kai showed up at my house, with mom and Kam, with this elephant head gear he made in pre-school. They had been studying the letter 'E' this week.

On Friday I got an emergency phone call. Angie had to take Kamden to the ER again because Kai had accidentally slammed Kam's finger in the door and popped the whole root of his thumbnail out. I picked Kai up from Angie at the ER and we both went to Wal-Mart to do some of my planned shopping (and of course get snacks for the kids).

Saturday night Angie asked if I could watch Riley, Carson and Kam for a couple hours so she and Justin could get away for a while. Kai was spending time at his other grandma's house. I made Swiss apple cakes and the kids couldn't get enough. Riley wanted to know how I thought up this recipe and told her I had been eating them since I was a little girl. You just peel, slice and core apples, dip them in pancake batter and fry them, then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top. Yum.

RELIEF !

Sadly I had to call my dad and tell him I wouldn't be up for his 89th birthday. I was to fly up Wednesday and when I called him he told me he was just in 'my' room getting it ready for me. Over a week ago my back went out. I was hopeing it would be enough better that I could go, but Tuesday morning it went out again and I knew it would be impossible to go until I had it treated.
Following 9 days of extreme back and leg pain, I am on the mend again. I had more epidurals in my lower back and an injection in my right hip today. I am already enjoying being pain free and think I'll sleep well tonight. I thank my family and friends who have been so helpful, especially Scott for driving me to the Scottsdale Pain Clinic today and for the chicken soup Linda brought me tonight.
Hopefully I'll be able to go see dad after my followup visit and MRI's next Thursday.