After Christmas, Dixons

 Since Nick's family had sicknesses when they were supposed to be coming to our place on Dec 2y, we gave them some time to get better and then went to see them, instead.  Between winter storms.

But we also went to see the Dixon's and met them at a restaurant in Herriman. They are visiting children in Bluffdale. Mike taught Phil the gospel in NY 50 years ago and now live in Franklin, TN. Here is what Phil Dixon posted on his Facebook page that evening:

"Bluffdale, Utah

Today was a spiritual trip down memory lane…

Anne and I met up with Michael and Linda Liebhardt who came up from Cedar City, Utah. We have known Mike for about 50 years now, in a very special way. In the fall and winter of 1972-73, I was studying the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in order to write a college term paper on the subject. As an atheist at the time, without going into too much detail, I had a miraculous change of heart. And much of that change must be attributed to then Elder Liebhardt who was serving as a 20-year old missionary in the Ottawa, Canada mission. On February 1, 1973, I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Elder Liebhardt performed the confirmation and bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We met up at a restaurant called Garage Grill where the theme was racing cars. They had all kinds of delicious items on the menu, but I stuck with a good ole American hamburger and French fries. But the highlight of the 2+ hours we spent together was just chatting about old times, catching up and what we have been doing over the past 50 years, and sharing some faith-promoting stories from our lives. It was a very touching and spiritually fulfilling time together, which just goes to show that even over a hamburger and a root beer, the Spirit of God can be felt!

I am sure we could have spent hours and hours talking, but, alas, our families were waiting for us. We made a commitment to get together later this year…somehow, somewhere, perhaps even in Tennessee! Mike Liebhardt is certainly one of my heroes, for without him, his example as a missionary 50 years ago, and his testimony of faith that broke through my hard shell, I would not be where I am today.

This evening we spent a quiet time at home with a delicious dinner and playing games.

Unfortunately, I must take Anne to the airport tomorrow morning so she can return to Tennessee. I will stay here in Utah a few more days and then go to Arizona for a few days."

And we had every bit as good a time as Phil and Anne. Ditto!

But we also had fun with Nick's family for just overnight. 

We drove home Saturday morning-- New Year's Eve!

Phil and Mike

A view of the restaurant decor.

I didn't take many pictures at Nick and Kaylee's house. Here is Emily, walking in her Mom's slippers.

This was Nick's Christmas gift.

He has a snow cave in his front yard!

There was a gorgeous rainbow on our drive home.

Vivid colors!

Home from GA!

 

We stopped at Fred Sorensen's house in the Mesquite area and had a brief visit with him there . He has a lovely home, a friendly dog and seemed to have a nice time visiting.  They shared a funny story about winning a baby duck at the fair.

Mom and I were pretty tired by the time we got home. But she had a great time at Donna's house and I'm so glad she had no problems traveling on her own.

Mom's off to Georgia!

 I drove Mom to Las Vegas to catch her plane for Georgia today. I hope she has a Merry Christmas!!!

I snapped this photo on the way home (bad driver!). A shuttle driver one pointed it out and said it was Lincoln's head. A profile, like on our penny. Kind of cool.

Mom gave me this little ceramic Santa Scene that Laura made. She ( Mom) didn't have anyplace to set it up in her itty bitty apartment, so I'm using it for now. It's quite cute.

Mom's window is lit up like a Christmas tree! 

I made some ornaments-- one for each of Mom's grandchildren. From Dad's flannel shirts.

Lastly, I stitched this up for Mom. A money pillow from one of Dad's shirts.

Hazards of Old Age - "Lost" Wallet

 Mike was kind enough to do some errands for me and mailed a package yesterday. He had to make two trips to the UPS store. The first trip, he bought the padded envelope and brought it home to make sure it would fit. And then I addressed it for him, and then I left for the afternoon. (I was covering a shift for April Curtis at the Cedar City temple. I have known April for 45 years! So hard to believe.)

But then, Mike had to take the addressed and sealed package back to the UPS store and mail it. Later on that day, he was on the computer at home purchasing some of his supplements. But when he went to get his credit card from his wallet to make the purchase, his wallet was not there in his pocket! He had such a panic attack. Understandably so. He rushed back to the UPS store because that was the last place he had used it to mail that package. They had not seen a wallet. Of course, at first he hunted all through the house, all through the vehicle, everywhere he could think of. But it was nowhere to be found.  He was fit to be tied! When it wasn't at the UPS store, he was so despondent. So worried. But then he reached in his back pocket, and there it was! Surprise. 

He has been keeping his wallet in his front pants pocket for the better part of this year. His chiropractor suggested that he do that to help his back. And it worked! So front pocket it has been. We don't know how it ended up in his back pocket, but he did find it. And he is glad. We're both relieved. But we're both feeling a little old and stupid.

 It happens to the best of us, right?

Oh. One more thing. Mike was baking brownies one day. We do love brownies, and he's really good at those boxed mixes-- with add- ins! He pre-heated the oven, put them in, set a timer. When he came back to check on them, they were not cooked. As in still raw batter. Well, he had put the pan in the wrong oven. NOT the pre-heated one, the cold one. Haha. He did get them baked, and they were yummy. But he was pretty disgusted when he realized what he'd done.  

Ditto, above...it happens to the best of us AND the rest of us.

;-)

Ward Party, Christmas 2022

 

 

I knew the Santa and Mrs. Claus, so I had someone snap a photo of us.  Former co-workers and Santa is one of our Bishop's co-workers in the IT department. It was fun to visit with Trecia for a bit.

Robert came to Cedar (Robert and Janet) to visit during the weekend before his and Dad's birthdays. He got some nice, bright Christmas lights up in Mom's window so it looks like a festive Christmas tree. She loves it!  It lights up her living room like a good, big nightlight at night time, too.

And Mom and I have been working on these, made from Dad's shirts. Christmas gifts for her grandchildren.