Best Birthday Ever!

Thank you. THANK YOU. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Bless you!


Best Birthday Ever!

Turning 70 usually isn't cause for much celebration, especially if your birthday is on

April Fool's Day. I certainly did not expect anything unusual on March 26th, the Friday my Doug had planned a special date to see the flowers at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. He was sad to see the weather turn cloudy, cold, and windy. When we finished a few hours at theFamily history library, I visiting with my old friend and college roommate Kathy Harmer (who works there), and Doug learning how to use the new Family Search Program, we rolled over to the temple grounds. Brrr!! Are we having fun yet? Few flowers were out to brave the nippy temperatures. Scrap that plan. I didn't even try to take a single photo with my Canon. Doug was visibly disappointed. My cute husband loves flowers as much as I do.

Next: Church Museum of Art and History for a special exhibit I had previously checked out while he was doing research. We read all the personal accounts of adversity, challenge and conversion-- all twenty or so-- and enjoyed the great black-and-white photography. Then we headed out for another sure winner in hot or cold weather-- Deseret Book Store! Nothing like books and Cd's for a happy shopping experience.

Five o'clock. Dinner reservations at Market Street Grill restaurant. Visions of crusty sour dough bread, steaming clam chowder, and gourmet fish platters fill my mind, summoning growling tremors in my stomach. A nice ending to a pleasant afternoon with my sweetheart.

We arrive right on time and are escorted to a room at the front. But what is this? 6 guests seated at a large table with menus in front of their faces??? Dare I think.... could it possibly be....???

SURPRISE!!

(I've been told I'm a big mouth. What do you think?)

Grinning faces, beloved children from faroff places like Sacramento, Bakersfield, Phoenix,and good ole Orem, Utah, 40 miles down the freeway from Salt Lake City. Craig, Deborah, Becca, Cathy, Liz and her husband Lane! Cathy had flown in a night early since that was the only flight she could get. She rented a hotel room so she wouldn't spoil the surprise, and walked around the town all day Friday waiting for 5:15 dinner! Craig and Debs had arrived early and had to kill some hours as well. Becca too had flown in one day earlier than her family, who were arriving the next night at our place so we could watch their four munchkins during their much-needed holiday! That meant Matt was driving without any help 13 hours from Phoenix with 4 young children (including a 2-yr-old!)

Touched and brimming with emotion, my appetite fled. Nothing could be better than to be in the presence of five of our children (and one spouse) again, together in one place. How humbling to know what it cost in time and money to be there!!! Words were totally inadequate to express my gratitude and delight.

It was the best, most fantastic, nicest, humbling, thoughtful, loving, kind, spectacular, unexpected, delightful, and astonishing experience!

I could not seem to find time to choose something from the menu; I just wanted to look at our children, these fine people in our life that meant so much to us! They were right there. In living color! Sitting with us at the table. Laughing and joking. It seemed like a dream.

SURPRISE #2!

--a hard-bound book with family photographs artistically arranged of each family and the grand-children. There were written memories and tributes. (Was this my own funeral?) We giggled and guffawed over pictures and comments. Then I cried when I read the stories and looked at the pictures. Obviously this book represented priceless time and effort gathering photos and writing down memories, etc. It was priceless-- a sacred record, our own "small plates" that recorded shared times. I felt terribly spoiled!

Finally we ordered dinner-- cioppino for me, same as Craig, but I felt too excited to taste much. I opened a present from Doug-- a macro lens for my camera. Didn't expect that either! When we finished eating and ordered dessert, I was given a cupcake with a candle that Liz had brought which said AGELESS (--Liz is full of surprises.)

The perfect dessert.

The night was so fun I didn't want it to end. The good news was that Deborah, Craig and Becca would be spending a couple nights at our home before flying home, extending the fun for us.

NOW, how do you say Thank you for a memory like that?

I wonder what 90 will bring. Sting?

Summer Journal

Summer would not be complete

without a trip to Idaho to see my sis. whom I adore along with myriads of others who enjoy her. Judy is eighteen months younger than I and we have always been very close, even while growing up and sharing the same bedroom. As teenagers we used to save our babysitting money and the quarters we earned selling tomatoes house to house till we had enough to take the bus to downtown Salt Lake. There we would shop the fabric stores for bargains, buy a treat at Kress's Five and Dime Store, and then ride the bus home with our treasures. It was always so much fun. Then we sewed our school wardrobe.

We walked through the park that is across the
river from the Idaho Falls Temple. Rainstorms threatened, which gave me some dramatic shots
of the temple.


I especially love the photo where the sun broke through the clouds and highlighted the temple
in a spectacular way.

Here is my remarkable dad Howard Hoffman. He turned 94 years old a few weeks after our visit. Always one to enjoy discussing politics, he is just as interesting as ever and just as well read. He is filled with a deep-rooted love of America, as I remember his dad, my Grandpa Edward Hoffman, was; he read several newspapers a day and was well-informed on the issues of his time, too.

I just love my dad. He has taught me steadfastness, sacrifice, and persistence. He often reminded me as a little girl that I could do about anything I wanted to if I set a goal and persevered. He believed in me before I believed in myself.

No one is a harder worker. This cheerful man never complains-- except about politicians and intrusive government. He is a real patriot. I feel deeply blessed that he is mine.

Here we are out for a walk. Judy gives dad a push in his wheelchair when they go out; he doesn't need the chair at home. She tells me how much she enjoys having Dad there to discuss their radio shows and emails.

They are kindred spirits and there is never a dull moment between them.


To our chagrin, their views have proven to be exactly right!





Cisco is making his famous guacamole dip by request from Doug and Barb. Joseph is waiting to be first to taste. We enjoy a good meal together.

Christina and Sarah are preparing the gourmet turkey burgers for dinner. Sarah found the recipe and put it together. It was absolutely delicious and we all loved them!

Sweet Eliza stands before a very creative cake contest at the elementary school. She and Peter are on a Grandma Date at the carnival. We bought some great-tasting cupcakes.

Peter's favorite ride!

Nathan surprised everyone with a bagpipe solo as he accompanied his school choir in one of their neighbors. Instant stardom! He is a young man of MANY talents! (Including singing. In the school choir.)

Another singing number from a musical. (Was it Newsies?)

One weekend the Livingston kids came to stay while Lane and Liz travelled. (I've forgotten where.) We had a lot of fun. The kids helped me wash the car and we enjoyed driving in a clean car.

The kids pose while we stopping at Cabella's to see the aquarium and the stuffed life-size animals. Peter was most disappointed that we could not get into the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point because so many people were waiting to get in. ( The line went around the block.) We were disappointed as well, but Cabella's turned out to be somewhat of a good second choice.)

Doug visits with Lee while Liz prepares a marvelous barbecue of shrimp kabobs for Lane's birthday guests. The wind comes up and becomes so gusty the barbecue threatens to get blown away and dinner gets moved inside. Doug has to retreat home, but Anna and the children playing outside scarcely notice it.

Rebecca helps with the kabobs.

Liz seems to enjoy entertaining. She has everything planned down to the last detail.

(Doesn't that sound like Lizzie? She is so thorough.)

Anna runs in the wind playing outside while

dinner cooks.

Wish I remembered the joke!

No clever captions. Just, THE END.

Scareeeey Halloween!

This picture just doesn't do me justice.

You know I am really getting old when the most exciting thing to blog about is a medical prodecure!

My mom said I was always late and a dollar short. Well, it is November and I have finally figured out how to make my computer post a photo. (Took two computer experts to unravel my zip-locked photos, and then the blog wouldn't accept them! Is there a message here?) Anyway, I know you are dying to know the story behind this scarey picture (which is much scarier in living size and color--without the mud pack and the saran wrap!) In a moment of insanity last month I agreed with Dr. Donaldsen, our dermatologist, that I needed the "blue light" procedure to kill pre-cancerous cells on the face. I mean, how awful could it be? (Pretty awful.)
So last Wednesday in his office, after sponging my face with nail-polish remover (acteone), the medical assistant (--"I've done this now two months!") painted a chemical on my sanitized, oil-free skin. (You think you had dry skin before?) This chemical would interact, I'm told, with abnormal cells under the "blue light," apparently blowing them to smithereens or causing them to self-destruct. Since there were 90 minutes before the light would be applied, I drove three miles home to hurry and clean house. After all, I might not feel like doing dishes or mopping the floor for weeks! (Doesn't take much encouragement there.) Eighty minutes later I returned to the office to go under the "blue light" for exactly sixteen minutes and forty seconds. (Weird! Same time for everyone.) The chemical interaction made my skin sting but I talked fast and continuously with the medical assistant for distraction. After that I escaped.
By that night my skin was quite pink and rather sore. Four Reliv shakes. One pain pill to sleep since the pain was increasing. Next day my skin was red, sore. I used the ointment they gave me for the skin, but it didn't seem to help. One more pain pill for sleeping. The next day my eyes were nearly swollen shut, very puffy and miserable. I was a ghoul for sure, and Halloween was the next day. My leathery face was incredibly blotchy and deep scarlet. Maybe I had scarlet fever. O.K: the problem? How do I pass out all this Halloween candy I bought without terrifying the kids? (I had covered all mirrors with black.) I kind of felt like a witch, but I KNEW some of the people that would be coming by and I didn't want this initial door impression to remain etched in their minds forever-- or to haunt their children for years! What to do?
Enter Redmond Clay, a wonderful powdery clay with medicinal properties, useful for burns. Just happen to have some. (Thank you, preparedness class.) Pat it on thick to cover the beet-red blotches, then cover with Saran wrap to keep it moist. What to do with the mouth? Just cover it. Keep it simple. No need to explain anything. Just wrap yourself up! O.K., I can do that, and add a black wig, a beautician's haircutting cape, black pants, shoes, and gloves. Scarey enough, but not terrifying.
It's six o'clock. The kids start to come. Little kids in cute fairy costumes with wings and little boys in foiled-covered boxes. Their eyes are round and big. (Do I dare take any candy from this weird creature who just mumbles with pink blood-shot eyes?) The hope for candy wins -- they give in, take a few samples and make a hasty retreat down the steps. Parents don't know what to think. Some of them laugh. One dad studied me and said, "You're scarey." I thought, if you only knew. For the next two hours I answer the door, responding to questions and funny looks with "Hmmph humph humph!" (You try talking with your mouth closed.) About 90 minutes into the evening my neighbor Cee Cee rings the doorbell. "Sister McConochie, I had to come and see your costume. The kids say it's awesome!" She laughs and goes away thinking what a clever devil I am. Some of the older children walk down the steps saying to each other "Cool costume." I really scored big, I thought. Really worth it. Duh.
Finally it was nine o'clock, 6 Starburst pieces remained in the cute Halloween bowl, and I could unplug the plastic Halloween pumpkin glowing in the window and turn out the lights. Then I put the witch away and say hello to the ghoul. (Some people will do anything for a good costume.) The clincher? Doug said, "Cancel my appointment for that procedure. I'm not letting them anywhere near MY face!"

What am I going to be next Halloween?