New look behind the scenes

Wow! There is a new look behind the scenes. I almost forgot what I was going to write about!!

Today I finally decided I needed to get the invitations for Don-Mike's wedding mailed out, there are only so many days left. Don-Mike & I went down this morning & picked up most of his temple clothing. He & Amber will be going to the temple on Friday.

Back in January one of the clerks at the post office told me there were new mother-in-law stamps this year. It's the Chinese year of the dragon. We laughed. Don-Mike & Amber had just got engaged & I said when it came time to send out the invitations, I'd come in & buy some.

Eldon (Wilcox) was not at the post office today. I told the 2 ladies behind the counter I wanted to buy some mother-in-law (MIL) stamps. One clerk picked right up on it & quietly explained to the other clerk as she got a sheet out. I was surprised when she told me $5.40 for the sheet of stamps because there are only 12 stamps on a sheet. Stamps are 45 cents now. I can remember when they cost just pennies.

I asked them to tell Eldon I had bought some mother-in-law stamps. They said it will be a long time before they see him again. He is out with some health problems. I said I'd send him a get well card & let him know I got the MIL stamps.

It is so hard to say anything without hurting feelings. I don't know what his problem is. If he is battling cancer or some form of debilitating disease, ... If he will soon recuperate & be back to work ... or not. I referred to the Scott Krippayne song about God sometimes calming the storm & sometimes calming His child.

Sunday was a day of those uncomfortable situations. A missionary is home from his mission early. What do you say? A hug, only to discover he is painfully thin. A couple in the ward just lost a baby, born way too early , not even 24 weeks, yet she lived an hour and a half. I tried expressing my sympathy to the father & felt like I should have kept my mouth shut. An interview with the Relief Society president sitting in the back of the chapel with one of my ladies sitting in the foyer, probably hearing everything I said.

We went to dinner at the Texas Road House on Sunday for Nick's birthday. Don-Mike said one of his co-workers passed judgement on him yesterday at work. "You went out to dinner on Sunday & you're getting married in the temple?" Don-Mike said he felt like telling him we had an ox in the mire. There is no other time we can go out to dinner as a family. I told him in the scriptures it is not an ox stuck in a mire, it is an ass in a pit (Luke 14:5).

So, I just googled the phrase, "ox in a mire," & found a blog entry that I really like titled When Is Your Ox in the Mire? Here are a couple of wonderful comebacks.

So, the next time you are caught in a questionable Sunday activity, just say, “Sorry, bishop.  My ass was in a pit.  This was just one of those “ass in a pit” situations.”

Anger is a secondary emotion

I KNOW anger is a secondary emotion. I haven't arrived at that point yet, I'm just sick to my stomach, frustrated, irritated & ready to cry.

Amber's mother is now pushing for a civil ceremony on March 15 & then they can be married next year in the temple. Come on!! Whose wedding is this anyway??? Amber asked me tonight if Don & I were all right with them waiting & getting married in the temple on May 4. Of course, we're all right with it. I told her I'd be very disappointed if they didn't get married in the temple.

I had all these dreams for my boys. They would both earn their Eagle Scout rank, graduate from high school, serve full-time missions & be married in the temple. So 1 out of 8 ain't bad. Well, the marriages haven't taken place, so maybe I should've said 1 out of 6 ain't bad. Neither of them earned their Eagles, served full-time missions & although Don-Mike graduated from high school, he didn't get to walk with the graduates. The counselor didn't make sure he finished his online course & 2 hours before graduation, the principal & counselor show up at my door telling me my son will not walk. Nick dropped out of school, which is a whole 'nother story.

How do you explain a civil ceremony after they've already announced to the world they are getting married in the temple? Doesn't that make it look like they were sexually active, when in reality Don-Mike hasn't been a full tithe payer??

If they cave to Amber's mother, I will be angry, seeringly angry. (Is there such a word as seeringly? If there isn't, I just made it up.) Maybe I'll go talk to our bishop tomorrow after the block.

Set back

Even the best laid plans of mice & men often go awry, paraphrasing Robert Burns. Don-Mike came home from an appointment with his bishop tonight saying the bishop strongly recommends pushing the wedding back to June. Don-Mike hasn't been a faithful tithe payer. Don-Mike said he immediately felt relief.

I sat them down a few nights ago, the night I took the picture with my phone (which Amber's mom didn't like me posting on Facebook). Anyway, I told them the place was more important than the time. They both agreed & tonight Don-Mike told his bishop what I had said. The bishop said it couldn't be said any plainer than that. Don-Mike, of course, reminded me of that when I expressed my disappointment in having the wedding pushed back to June.

As Don-Mike pointed out, the invitations haven't been printed. The tablecloths have been ordered, but, of course, they can be canceled. They are not here yet.

Wedding anniversary

Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. We were married in the Logan LDS Temple. Mother & Daddy were married 65 years ago today in the Logan Temple & Mother's parents, Fred & Jennie Gilbert Porter were married on this day in the Logan Temple 89 years ago today.

My cousin Wade Esplin's son Derek was born on our wedding day, so he is 27 years old today. Don's niece Brittany Bartlomé & James Baltutis were married 2 years ago in the St. George LDS Temple. My cousin Sherrie Moser is 59 years old today. Mother says that one of my cousin Ricky Taylor's boys was also married on Dec. 15.

Today Don gave me 3 pair of funky socks & 2 Gerbera daisies. What a pleasant surprise.