This is a picture of my favorite dress when I was on my mission.  What you can''t see is that it has a deep ruffle with jumbo black ric rac on it.  I know-sounds strange-but it was really cute.  

Before my mission my mother and I were shopping in an upscale department store.  I saw this Oscar de Laurenta dress and loved it.  So, I sketched it, went straight to the fabric store and made it for less than $10.  When I was in the Salt Lake Mission Home (where English speaking missionaries went before the MTC) the mission president's wife told me it was not an appropriate dress for a mission so I sent it home.  Then my mission president's wife told me it was perfect and so I had my mom send it back.  I wore it for special occasions.  

I have no idea who the other people in the picture are.  

Do you like my haircut?   Dorothy Hammill won a gold medal for skating in the Olympics and she had a similar haircut. It was a new style, called the wedge, and became all the rage.

Popi and the new house

I just talked to Popi.   He is feeling much better and stronger than he has the last week or so.  His pulse rate is normal (it was below 50 last week) and his balance is pretty much back to normal.
They went for an inspection of the new house with Rick Christensen.  Popi was feeling so much better than last time they looked at the house.  Between them they found a lot of things that need to be done before they could move in to the house.  There are many things that are not up to code.  They are still interested in the house, but only if they can get it for the right price, including the work that Rick will have to do.  So, Rick needs to get them an estimate and then there will be negotiations, then Rick will have to complete the work before they could move in.  So-if they do get the house-it will still be a while before they can move.
Popi said I could blog about this.  When they know a little more they will talk to Beckie and Clyde about what is happening.
Annemarie spent the day with Carlye and Carianne.  Their spirits are good.  Once they know what antibiotic to give her she will have a quick recovery.  I know they appreciate all the love, concern and prayers.

Pictures

I have been organizing and scanning pictures again.  There are still thousands to do.  Here are a few of my favorite.

Annie's first Christmas

Julianna's baptism

With cousin, Michelle on Christmas

Sara and Tina

Annie and Julianna

Tina 

My Baby Girls

Happy Valentines Day to everyone!

Here are some pictures of my baby girls.  They all look a lot like Molly.

Annie

Annie

Julianna

Julianna and Grandpa

Sara

Sara

Christina

Christina

Felt Nativity

I made a felt nativity to send to Tina.  I wanted to send her something that was lightweight and didn't take much space that she could hang on her wall.  Here it is.

Also, I had an interesting experience at the Disney Store today.  I got there about 5 minutes before it opened.  There was a large lock set up in front of the door.  The first child that came was given a large key to open the lock and there was a little countdown ceremony.  Then the little girl was given a little disney key as a souvenier and she got to enter the store first.  If you have a kid who is the right age it would be fun to take them to open a Disney store.  

Sister Dittmar is happy

 
When you enter the MTC you leave your family behind.  Your family does not get an email from you until preparation day.  Christina's first preparation day is next Thursday.  (The first two days at the MTC you do not get a preparation day.)  One of the blessings of having Frank serve as a Branch President at the MTC is that I go to church there, too.  It was really fun to see Sister Dittmar (Tina) at Relief Society.  She is soooo happy.  She loves her companion.  She said it is amazing to feel the Spirit so strongly all of the time.
It was a relief to me to see her so happy.  I will not worry about her anymore and I can wait until Thursday to hear from her now.

Counting my blessings

I am so blessed.
My husband is so good to me and is a good man.
I have four wonderful daughters who are serving the Lord and doing His will.
And I have beautiful grandchildren and good and kind sons-in-law.
We live in peace and comfort.
I am surrounded by the beauties of nature.
I know my Heavenly Father lives and loves me.  I know my Savior, Jesus Christ, lives-He atoned for my sins and He loves me.