"Linking Arms in Friendship"

For the first time in 6 years, I was able to truly enjoy our stake Women's Conference - since I was not in charge!! Everyone said, "How does it feel not to be worrying about all the details?" But frankly, I haven't even been thinking about it - out of sight is truly out of mind, I guess!

It was an inspiring conference, and I enjoyed just hanging out with Mom, Donna and Mary. Dawn was one of the class presenters - and she did a great job!! She had a "warm up" activity that was fun and very effective I thought. She also involved the class members, told some very relevant stories, and gave us lots of food for thought.

They printed this quote in the program. It is from George Eliot, and it has a lot of food for thought also:

"A friend is one to whom one may pour out the contents of one's heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that gentle hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away."

Linda Reeves was the keynote speaker - it is always wonderful to visit with and listen to Linda. Suzanne Hix, the new Stake R.S. President, spoke about 3 friends who had made a significant contribution to her life and the direction it took. I enjoyed learning those things about Suzanne.

A nice Saturday morning - the Arcadia Stake Women's Conference is a great tradition - one I am proud to have been part of - and one I look forward to continue participating in!

Almost the end of the week that was -

that is, if you count it starting on Saturday!!

Of even bigger news, as far as I am concerned, is the change in my presidency. Amy was released Sunday - after our 4th superb Women's Conference - that were made beautiful with Amy's wonderful talents and her willingness to work hard and give her all. I am really sad to lose her - but know that her ward will be blessed for her service there. My new counselor is Trina Yen - and I had planned to take a picture of our new presidency when we met Sunday night, but I forgot!!

Of course, Donna was willing to "walk the halls" with Isla on Saturday!!

Wendy was in town and came in the kitchen to give us some help.

Dad and Noah were their usual invaluable selves!! If you need a pot of soup made, just ask these guys for pointers!! I'm ready to have them sustained as my 3rd and 4th counselors!

These were our speakers and presenters - Polly, Mickie, Valerie, Wendy Dequer, and Lisa Guerrero. It was old home week for many - and part of our success I'm sure.

Noah will pose and smile if you suggest a shot with Polly!!

Monday was Greg's birthday, so we took him to dinner at Sesame Grill - and had a fine meal - and a fine time!! They feted him with song and ice cream too.

Today was Super Bowl Thursday at Clifton - a mere shadow of the event it used to be. But click on it and you can see Marcie Hoopes.

And Taylor Hoopes, just home from his mission.

Number 20 is Kyle McClure - quite the flag football athlete, I might add. He made some spectacular plays too. (Teachers won - 6 to 0)

What the well-dressed Clifton Co-ed is wearing these days!!

These are some of the little Yahoos who fill my days with activity anyway!!

Afterwards we had Cream of Broccoli soup in the staff lounge - in honor of the Super Bowl - and because I had a lot of broccoli left over that I needed to use up!! It was a big hit too!

The Week That Was

I have spent the last week getting ready for Saturday's annual Women's Conference. I love these events - we get lots of positive feedback - but the week before I start to panic and think that I won't get everything done - or that something will go wrong.

I thought it would be great to make aprons for our keynote speaker and the presenters of the 4 classes. I need to quit having great ideas!! So I spent last week getting 5 aprons made - the last one this afternoon. Our theme is provident living - and I didn't go buy any fabric - just scrounged around - they all came out great. (One presenter's sister gave me the fabric for hers.)

We were given tickets to Camelot at the Pasadena Playhouse for Christmas - for tonight's performance. I was panicking tonight thinking I couldn't swing it - but Dad, the world's greatest helper, saved the day - and the night I guess!! We even had time to go over while they were setting up - and I set up the classrooms. The show was pretty good too. I have loved that music for years - my roommate Janet had the soundtrack and played it a lot my first two years of college - but I don't think I was very familiar with the actual story. It's really pretty sad - and tragic even. I have been reading the Arthurian legend with my 1st period class. And I have read Le Morte d'Arthur with the student I home teach - and Idylls of the King too. So I'm feeling like I'm "in the know" now!

Thursday night was a baby shower for Dawn and Isla at Nadinna's house. It was nice. Sylvia did the cakes.

And Mom and Donna came out too. Had dinner with us beforehand, so we got a chance to visit. Mary had to work, so she couldn't come.

The "generations" shot -we are even almost color co-ordinated!

Katherine and Christopher came too. Baby Harry looks a little non-plussed, doesn't he?

I'm off to bed - an early a.m. awaits - we'll let you know how it goes.