Venus & Saturn after Sunset from My Front Yard

Fall Cleaning and Home

In preparation for the holidays I did a major cleaning on Tuesday and part of Wednesday. It was hard work but it felt so good to do this:

Vacuming under the couch cushions
Cleaning both ovens, the fridge and pantry
Cleaning all three bathrooms - really well
Dusting all furniture
Vacuming and mopping all floors
Cleaning my car (thanks for doing the outside, Michael)
Cleaning the garage, including the garage fridge
Cleaning the laundry and mud rooms
Dusting all the dining room chairs
Cleaning fans and light fixtures and mirrors
Setting up two tables and 22 chairs for Thanksgiving dinner



And ending with the fun stuff:





Todd moved out last week and so I refurbished the

"Teddy Bear Room"

I love this old bedroom set that we inherited from Rich's Great Aunt Earleen. I got new boards cut for the bed rails (thank you Home Depot) and now we have a cute and ready guest room ~ come for a visit, anyone?

HOME

I've read a poem about how dusting your house is an opportunity to embrace the things you treasure. That's how I feel about cleaning my home ~ I always feel more grateful for it after I take good care of it.

"The homemaker has the ultimate career. All other careers exist for one purpose only--and that is to support this ultimate career." ~ C.S. Lewis

"Stay at home, my heart, and rest . . . Homekeeping hearts are happiest."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Don't Peek Gkiddies

This is what I've been doing the past couple of days

Introducing Our New Son . . .

Michael Lincoln Rife

Michael and his Dad with the court in the background

Today we went to court in Provo and officially changed Michael's middle name from Thomas to Lincoln! Anyone who knows Rich knows that he loves and admires Abraham Lincoln, so naturally he wanted to name a son after him. When Michael was born, number six child in our family, I kept track of the kids' activities, appointments, etc in my planner by using their initials. Since I already had an "ML" for Mary Lynn, I thought it would be too confusing to have another "ML," so we went with Thomas for Michael's middle name. Well, now that he's the only one at home, that point is moot (or moo - like a cow's opinion) and since we happen to have a lawyer in the family, we made the change. So it's official, our third son is Michael Lincoln Rife. Now for all the hassle of changing his birth certificate, driver license, social security, etc!

Wrapped in Their Love

Last Sunday I was released after almost three years as Young Women President in our ward. I am sad, and grateful, and wondering what I will do with all time and thoughts I used to spend on my young women. (I'm sure life will expand to fill all possible time; as it always does) It really is my favorite calling and I LOVE my young women, and the young women program: Sunday Lessons, Mutual, Camp, Personal Progress ~ I just love it all! Not to mention the friendships and fun with the other adult leaders. I have tried to be brave, but I must admit a few tears have been shed over this release.


Last night was my first night missing Mutual, and they brought Mutual to me! At 8:30 my doorbell rang and all my young women were on my doorstep with treats and a card and the cute blanket pictured above - so I could "wrap myself in their love." It made me so happy to see all of them! I will miss our twice-weekly association ~ but these girls are now my eternal friends, my younger sisters in the gospel ~ and callings can't change that!
(And thanks to the new YW leaders who planned this sweet activity in my behalf!)

I will be sustained in a new calling on Sunday ~ wait and see . . . .

November 19th

On November 19, 1976 we went here:


To be married for time and all eternity. I wish I could invite you over to see our wedding video, or at least the pictures of us in our wedding attire outside the temple ~ but we don't have those ~ yes, we are that old!

But we do have these lovely photos of when we got married and when we were called to be mission president


and at our favorite beach in Coronado, just two years ago


And besides, it's not about the videos and pictures anyway, it's about the 32 years of love and friendship and memories and laughs and now we really are growing old together and it's just the best!


And on November 19, 1980 this beautiful, funny, delightful, dancing girl came to share our anniversary date, and here she is with her own sweet Sophie Lynn:


Happy Birthday, Mary Lynn, we love you!

November 19th is a great day!

November 19, 2008

Pillows

I love pillows! I love that they bring another texture or color to a room's decor. I love that they're soft and lovely to rest your weary head on. I've always like the pictures of beds where the pillows cascade down almost to the foot of the bed ~ and so I did it to mine:


I got some new pillows at TJMaxx and Ross (cheap!) and even made two new ones out of placemats (cheap and creative! thanks, Heather!)

So I thought I'd record my love of pillows throughout our home:

The entry way "give thanks" pillow

The sitting room ~ a mere five pillows ~ love them all!



The family room
and yes, they each have their assigned spot!

Even the dining room as toile pillows that match the table runner in the end armchairs



The "star" room


Our bedroom chairs
(in addition to the bed pillows!)

Yes, indeed, I love pillows!

Here's a quote that validates my love of pillows:
"It's important to have the confidence in furnishing your home with things that please you, not what is fashionable or investment material
~Jane Cumberbatch

And my next post might have to be about plates, I have lots of those, too.